The objective of this study was to explore the substitution of ractopamine by coconut or safflower oil in finishing pig diets. The study included 24 crossbred barrows weighing 78.00 ± 8.76 kg distributed in a randomized block design with four treatments and six replicates composed of: basal ration (BR), BR + 10 ppm ractopamine, BR + four 1 g capsules of safflower oil, and BR + four 1 g capsules of coconut oil. Performance evaluation showed that safflower oil, ractopamine, and coconut oil supplementation had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on weight gain and feed conversion. Carcass-related variables were also affected by the treatments (P < 0.05), with fat thickness 3 (FT3) reduced by the use of safflower oil, ractopamine, and coconut oil. Rib eye area was positively affected (P < 0.05) by diet, with ractopamine, coconut oil, and safflower oil supplementation treatments showing higher values than control diet treatment. The diets also affected fatty acid profiles (P < 0.05), with decreased myristic acid content in animals supplemented with ractopamine and safflower oil and increased deposition of palmitoleic and oleic acids in animals supplemented with coconut oil and safflower oil, respectively. Results suggested that both safflower oil and coconut oil can be used as substitutes for ractopamine.

The addition of different oil blends in the feed of finishing pigs was evaluated. Twenty-four castrated male finishing pigs were used in a randomized block design containing four treatments and six replicates. The treatments consisted of: Reference ration (RR) - 100% soybean oil feed; and the combination of the different oils: Blend1 - 50.0% soybean oil (SO), 25.0% flaxseed oil (FO), 12.5% olive oil (OO) and 12.5% canola oil (CO); Blend2 - 25.0% SO, 50.0% FO, 12.5% OO and 12.5% CO; and Blend3 - 25.0% SO, 12.5% FO, 12.5% OO and 50.0% CO. The performance, quantitative and qualitative carcass parameters, fatty acids profile and economic feasibility of the diets were evaluated. The use of blends in the diets did not influence the performance or carcass quality, but increased marbling and carcass yield. The fatty acid profile of the loin presented greater amounts of stearic acid in Blend3 and higher percentage of unsaturated fatty acids in animals fed with Blend1. The fatty tissue presented greater amounts of myristic acid in Blend1 and oleic acid in Blend3. The reference ration was the most economic. The Blends did not affect performance or carcass characteristics and improved the fatty acid profile.

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Introdução. A esterilização de cães é um dos tratamentos mais realizados na rotina cirúrgica da medicina   veterinária, recebendo indicação em casos que envolvam controle populacional, distúrbios comportamentais e doenças no sistema reprodutor.  Apesar de muitas vezes ser necessária, a retirada das gônadas ocasiona alterações endócrinas que reduzem significantemente os níveis hormonais. A ciência já sabe que níveis séricos baixos de testosterona reduz a proteção que a mesma exerce sobre o sistema nervoso central, e que a queda de estrogênio compromete os índices de neurotransmissores, crescimento neuronal, formação de sinapses, ação antioxidante e regulação da homeostase do cálcio. Objetivo. Identificar, através de revisão de literatura, a possível correlação entre o desenvolvimento de déficit cognitivo e a castração de cães. Método. Trata-se de uma revisão de literatura nas bases de dados Google Scholar, Pubmed, Scientific Electronic Libray Online e Portal Periódicos CAPES, com seleção de artigos, livros, dissertações e teses entre janeiro de 1990 a janeiro de 2019 por meio de palavras-chaves, tais quais gonadectomia, déficit cognitivo em cães, hormônios sexuais etc. Foram utilizados 55 trabalhos para elaboração da base científica, sendo considerado todos os idiomas e os que não fugissem ao tema central da pesquisa. Resultados. Mediante a leitura, observamos que quando se fala em cognição animal os hormônios sexuais têm papel real e fundamental para o funcionamento do cérebro canino. Conclusão.  Portanto, constata-se que a metodologia atual de esterilização canina poderá trazer sequelas significativas aos cães, sendo recomendado a utilização de outros métodos contraceptivos que preservem a produção hormonal.

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