Background Turtles are a major source of protein for riverside human populations in Brazil. The encouragement of commercial breeding meets conservation efforts for these animals, and it is, therefore, crucial to understand the physiologic and behavioral aspects of semi‐aquatic species in captive conditions. Serum biochemical tests are ancillary diagnostic tools, and sample storage is a main problem since clinical laboratories are not always available near the habitats of these species. Objectives The aim of this study was to provide information about the stability of albumin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), calcium, creatinine kinase (CK), total cholesterol (Chol), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT), total protein (TP), and urea at different storage times. Methods In all, 17 Arrau turtles (Podocnemis expansa) were used, and the serum obtained was separated into aliquots and analyzed at 0, 4, 8, 16, and 32 days after being stored at −20°C. Results The results showed that albumin, AST, CK, GGT, and TP suffered interference due to the long storage times. Conclusion Analytes such as ALP, calcium, Chol, and urea can be evaluated for up to 1 month after freezing. Albumin, AST, and TP can be analyzed up to 1 week after freezing without alterations, and CK GGT are best evaluated on fresh samples.

This study aimed to assess the histomorphometry of the intestinal portions (duodenum and jejunum) in broilers supplemented with probiotic, and histological parameters of their immune system components. Rhizomucor spp. originated from samples of the intestinal content in Cobb 500 chickens was evaluated; these fungi were submitted to performance assay and selected based on in vitro probiotic characteristics. Complete randomized design was used (3 treatments × 7 replicates; 18 birds per experimental unit). One bird at 21 and 42 days of age was sacrificed in each unit and the organs were sampled. In all samples, fixation was conducted followed in order by dehydration and diaphanization; analyses were conducted by light microscopy and histomorphometry, and search was performed for spots indicating the lesion's presence. At 21 days, the duodenum villus height was higher in the group receiving Rhizomucor spp. probiotic, and the jejunum villus height was significantly increased in both the control and Rhizomucor spp. probiotic groups. At 42 days, difference of the duodenum crypt depth was observed in the group receiving commercial probiotic. With regard to the tissue changes of the intestines, spleen, and bursa, no histological alterations were observed at 21 days in all birds (100%) receiving Rhizomucor spp. probiotic, while alteration of the bursa was observed at 42 days in two animals. Inclusion of probiotic Rhizomucor spp. in the diet of broilers promoted an increase in the height of the villi after 21 days, and any influence of the probiotic was resolved after 42 days of age.

Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla Linnaeus, 1758) of the brazilian cerrado: hematology and storage effect. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 37 (7): [773][774][775][776][777][778][779][780]. Laborató-rio Clínico Veterinário, Hospital Veterinário, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Rodovia Goiânia Km 8, Campus Samambaia, Goiânia, GO, Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) is a vulnerable species because of progressive habitat destruction, mostly affected by wildfires and car accidents. The increasing number of animals that are attended by wildlife rescue centres reinforces the need of knowledge about haematological parameters, especially for those that inhabit Brazilian cerrado biome. For this purpose and in order to establish reference values for this species and also to compare them with previous studies, haematological analysis of captive giant anteaters from Brazilian cerrado were performed. Moreover, the alterations of blood samples after 24 and 48 hours of storage at refrigeration temperatures (4 o C) and preserved with two different EDTA concentrations (5% and 10%) were studied. Means and standard deviations of haematological parameters analysed immediately after collection were: RBC: 2,07 x106/µL ± 0,40; hematocrit: 38,08%± 5,93; haemoglobin: 11.33g/dL±2.15; MCV:186.52 fL±21.72; MCHC: 29.68g/dL±2.56; MCH: 55.08pcg±5,94; total leucocytes: 8.142/µL±2.441; neutrophils: 5.913/µL±2.168; lymphocytes: 1.460/ µL±740; eosinophil: 522/µL±385; monocytes: 247/µL±176; thrombocytes: 123.458/ µL±31.362 and total plasma protein: 6.23g/dL±0.49. This data shows evidence of the existence of important differences between these values and others from other areas, either from Brazil or from other South American countries. Those variations might be connected to environment, genetic, nutritional and/or management factors. Regarding the storage effect analysis, it can be concluded that in giant anteaters, haematological analysis can be performed until 24h after collection without any significant alterations on the haematological parameters, except for thrombocytes. Concerning the different EDTA concentrations, it can be concluded that there are no quantitative differences in haematological variables. Nevertheless, relevant morphologic alterations in blood cells can be observed after a 24h storage period, being most noticeable in the leucocytes. Those alterations can lead to misinterpretation of the results, interfering diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. (6,23g/dL±0,49). Tais dados permitem afirmar que existem importantes diferenças entre os valores hematoló-gicos destes em relação aos animais provenientes de outras regiões, tanto do Brasil quanto de outros países da América do Sul. Provavelmente, tais divergências estão associadas a fatores ambientais, genéticos, nutricionais e/ou de manejo. Quanto à análise das amostras estocadas, conclui-se que, em tamanduás-bandeiras, as amostras para a realização de hemograma podem ser processadas até 24 horas após a...

ABSTRACT. It was intended to evaluate the supplementation of Lafoensia pacari standardized in tannins extract in the diet of laying hens on the performance, internal and external quality of eggs and metabolism of the feed nutrients. A total of 168 Isa Brown laying hens, aged 24 weeks, with the mean weight of 2.6 kg and the mean posture rate of 87% were used during 4 periods of 28 days each. The treatments consisted of Halquinol performance-enhancing antibiotic, Mannanoligosaccharide (MOS) prebiotic and three levels of pacari extract -1,000, 2,000 and 3,000 mg kg -1 of feed. The experimental design was completely randomized, with six treatments and seven replicates of four hens each. The pacari standardized in tannin extract presented a percentage of albumen and an egg weight similar to the antibiotic (p < 0.04). The supplementation with the extract improved the shell quality, verified by the specific gravity (p < 0.03) and promoted the metabolizability of ether extract similar to antibiotic and MOS (p < 0.04), allowing its indication as a phytogenic additive.Keywords: egg production, metabolism, performance, phytogenic additive. Suplementação de extrato de Lafoensia pacari na ração de poedeiras semipesadasRESUMO. Objetivou-se avaliar a suplementação do extrato de Lafoensia pacari padronizado em taninos na ração de poedeiras sobre o desempenho, a qualidade interna e externa de ovos e metabolizabilidade dos nutrientes da ração. Utilizaram-se 168 poedeiras Isa Brown com 24 semanas de idade, peso médio 2,6 kg e taxa de postura média 87% durante quatro períodos de 28 dias cada. Os tratamentos constituíram de rações com antibiótico melhorador de desempenho Halquinol, prebiótico Mananoligossacarídeo (MOS) e três níveis de extrato de pacari -1.000, 2.000 e 3.000 mg kg -1 de ração. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com seis tratamentos e sete repetições com quatro aves cada. O extrato de pacari padronizado em teor de taninos apresentou porcentagem de albúmen e peso do ovo semelhante ao antibiótico (p < 0,04). A suplementação com o extrato melhorou a qualidade da casca, verificada pela gravidade específica (p < 0,03) e promoveu metabolizabilidade do extrato etéreo semelhante ao antibiótico e MOS (p < 0,04), sendo indicado como aditivo fitogênico.Palavras-chave: aditivo fitogênico, produção de ovos, desempenho, metabolismo.