ABSTRACT Neospora caninum is an important worldwide parasite responsible for causing abortion in animals. Due to limited information on the occurrence of infection by this parasite in the state of Rondônia, Brazil, this study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and identify the risk factors associated with the infection in slaughtered cattle, from 19 municipalities distributed in seven microregions of the state. A total of 494 samples were obtained and subjected to anti-N. caninum antibodies, using the Indirect Immunofluorescence Reaction technique. Antibodies were detected in 5.06% (25/494) of the samples, in 30.30% (10/33) of farms, in nine municipalities located in four microregions of Rondônia. Of all the animals analyzed, 4.81% of the females (20/416) and 6.41% of the males (05/78) were seropositive for the parasite, with “abortion in the last 12 months” being considered an important risk factor for the occurrence of infection (OR = 9.54; p = 0.01). The present study points out the prevalence of anti-N. caninum antibodies in 5.06% of slaughtered animals and abortion as the main risk factor associated with infection by N. caninum, thus contributing to the elucidation of the epidemiology of this protozoan in Rondônia, Brazil.

RESUMO Neospora caninum é um importante parasito, responsável por causar aborto em animais e distribuído mundialmente. Devido às informações limitadas sobre a ocorrência da infecção por esse parasito no estado de Rondônia, Brasil, este estudo teve como objetivo determinar a soroprevalência e identificar os fatores de risco associados à infecção em bovinos abatidos, oriundos de 19 municípios, distribuídos em sete microrregiões do estado. Um total de 494 amostras foi obtido e submetido à pesquisa de anticorpos anti-N. caninum, por meio da técnica de reação de imunofluorescência indireta. Os anticorpos foram detectados em 5,06% (25/494) das amostras, em 30,30% (10/33) das propriedades rurais, de nove municípios, localizados em quatro microrregiões de Rondônia. De todos os animais analisados, 4,81% das fêmeas (20/416) e 6,41% dos machos (05/78) foram soropositivos para o parasito, sendo o “aborto nos últimos 12 meses” considerado um importante fator de risco para a ocorrência da infecção (OR = 9,54; P = 0,01). O presente estudo aponta a prevalência de anticorpos anti-N. caninum em 5,06% dos animais abatidos e o aborto como o principal fator de risco associado à infecção por N. caninum, contribuindo assim para a elucidação da epidemiologia desse protozoário em Rondônia, Brasil.

Abstract The objective of this study was to verify the flight radius and the influence of the climatic season and period of the day on the external activity of Melipona rufiventris bees. The forager bees were released at different distances to evaluate the flight radius. The following were considered for external activities in the four different seasons of the year (Winter, Autumn, Spring, Summer): the entry with no apparent load was considered as nectar/water, entry with defined and opaque mass in the corbicula was considered as pollen, the entry with undefined and shiny mass in the corbicula was considered as resin/clay or bee exit no load and removal of debris, mass trapped by the jaws. Assessments were performed between 6 am and 6 pm each month. M. rufiventris can reach distances of 2 500 meters, however the return decreases as the distance increases. The species performs all activities in and out of the colony during all seasons of the year and periods between 6 am and 6 pm but reduce nectar/water collection and exit from the box without apparent load and with debris between 6:00 am and 10 am in winter. It is concluded that distances greater than 1 500 meters hinder the external activity of bees which is influenced by air temperature, air humidity, time of day, season of the year and food availability.

Resumo Objetivou-se com esse estudo verificar o raio de voo e a influência da estação climática e período do dia na atividade externa das abelhas Melipona rufiventris. As abelhas forrageiras foram soltas em diferentes distâncias para avaliar o raio de voo. Para as atividades externas nas quatro diferentes estações do ano (Inverno, Outono, Primavera, Verão) foram consideradas: a entrada sem carga aparente como néctar/água, a entrada com massa definida e opaca na corbícula caracterizada como pólen, a entrada com massa indefinida e brilhante na corbícula caracterizada como resina/argila ou ainda a saída de abelha sem carga e remoção de detritos, massa presa pelas mandíbulas. As avaliações foram realizadas entre 6h e 18h de cada mês. M. rufiventris pode atingir distâncias de 2500 metros, porém o retorno diminui à medida que a distância aumenta. A espécie realiza todas as atividades dentro e fora da colônia durante todas as estações do ano e períodos entre 6h e 18h, mas reduz a coleta de néctar/água e saída caixa sem carga aparente e com detritos entre 6h e 10h no inverno. Conclui-se que distâncias superiores a 1500 metros reduzem a atividade externa das abelhas que é influenciada pela temperatura e umidade do ar, hora do dia, estação do ano e disponibilidade de alimentos.

Abstract Two experiments were conducted in order to evaluate the effect of dietary inclusion of guava extract on laying performance and lipid stability of egg of Japanese quails. For the first experiment, 384 Japanese quails with 42 days old were distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments (0.0; 3.0; 6.0; 9.0 g.kg-1 guava extract), 6 replicates, and 16 birds/replicate. The experimental period lasted 84 days, divided into 4 cycles of 21 days. The parameters evaluated were: feed consumption, egg production, egg mass, feed conversion ratio, egg weight, and egg internal and external qualities. On the second experiment, 400 eggs from Japanese quails fed with diets containing four levels of guava extract were distributed in a completely randomized design with a 4x4 factorial arrangement (guava extract levels and storage time: 0, 9, 18, 27 days) with 5 replicates. Analysis of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances was performed on egg yolks. Data were submitted to regression analysis, using α=0.05. On the first experiment, the laying performance parameters were not influenced by the inclusion of guava extract in the feed, and eggshell thickness decreased linearly. On the second experiment an interaction was observed between the studied factors, affecting lipid oxidation in egg yolks. At nine days of storage, there was a quadratic effect of levels of dietary guava extract on lipid oxidation of yolk, being observed that using 4.8 g.kg-1 of guava extract on feed results in less lipid oxidation.

RESUMO Aparelhos de automação, cujo uso está estabelecido na hematologia dos animais domésticos, ainda não são empregados rotineiramente em felídeos selvagens. Esse estudo objetivou avaliar a técnica automatizada na contagem de células sanguíneas de jaguatiricas (Leopardus pardalis), comparando-a com a técnica manual. Foram coletadas amostras sanguíneas de oito jaguatiricas, que se submeteram à contagem de eritrócitos, leucócitos, plaquetas e à determinação do volume globular pelo método manual padrão e por meio do aparelho BC - 2800 VET® com a configuração para gatos domésticos. Os resultados foram avaliados por meio do teste t para dados pareados, e as técnicas submetidas à análise de correlação de Pearson. A técnica automatizada demonstrou resultados estatisticamente semelhantes para eritrócitos e leucócitos. Apenas para volume globular houve diferença significativa entre as técnicas manual e automatizada, mas a correlação foi alta. Apesar de não haver diferença significativa entre as técnicas para plaquetas, a correlação foi baixa. Conclui-se que o aparelho BC - 2800 VET® com a configuração para gatos domésticos é uma técnica confiável na realização do eritrograma e do leucograma para jaguatiricas. Para a determinação do parâmetro volume globular, o aparelho pode ser utilizado, desde que se faça a correção. Para a contagem de plaquetas, a técnica manual é recomendada.

ABSTRACT Automated equipment, whose use is established in hematology of domestic animals, is not yet routinely used in blood cells count of wildlife, due to lack of studies that validate its use. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the automated technique for blood cells count of ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), comparing it with the manual technique. Blood samples were collected from eight ocelots, which were submitted to counting of erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets and packed cell volume by the standard manual method and by the device VET ® 2800 BC with the configuration for domestic cats. The results were evaluated using the t test for paired data and the techniques submitted to Pearson correlation. The automated technique showed statistically similar results to erythrocytes and leukocytes. Significant difference was found only for packed cell volume between the manual and automated techniques, but the correlation was high. Although there was no significant difference between the techniques for platelets, the correlation was low. We concluded that the 2800 BC VET ® device with the configuration for domestic cats is a reliable technique in performing the erythrocyte and leukocyte counts for ocelots. The device may be used to determine packed cell volume, provided the correction is made. The manual technique is recommended for the platelet count.

ABSTRACT Potential risk factors for Ureaplasma diversum in the vaginal mucus of 1,238 dairy cows were included in a multivariate logistic regression model, based on the cow level (i.e., granular vulvovaginitis [+GVV], yearly milk production [4500 kg or more], pregnancy, predominance of Bos taurus [+Bos Taurus], score of corporal condition [at least 2.5], concomitant positivity for Escherichia coli [+E.coli]), and farm level i.e., milking room hygiene (-Milking room), dunghill location, and replacement female). Ureaplasma diversum was present in 41.1% of the samples. Independent risk factors for U. diversum were +GVV (odds ratio [OR], 1.31); +Mycoplasma spp (OR, 5.67); yearly milk production (4500 kg or more) (OR, 1.99); +Bos taurus (OR, 1.68); +E. coli (OR, 4.96); -milking room (OR, 2.31); and replacement females (OR, 1.89). Ureaplasma diversum vaginal colonization was strongly associated with Mycoplasma spp., E. coli, and number of pregnant cows.

RESUMO Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar os efeitos da temperatura e do tempo de armazenamento de amostras de leite cru refrigerado nos resultados das análises eletrônicas da qualidade do leite. Amostras de leite cru refrigerado foram coletadas de tanques de expansão de uso individual de fazendas localizadas na mesorregião Centro Goiano, no estado de Goiás, e armazenadas em quatro temperaturas diferentes (3°C, 11°C, 17°C e 25°C) durante 16 dias. Foram realizadas diariamente análises de contagem bacteriana total (CBT), contagem de células somáticas (CCS) e composição química. Os resultados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância em esquema de parcelas subdivididas no tempo em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Duncan. Concluiu-se que as amostras destinadas à análise de CBT, adicionadas do conservante azidiol, podem ser analisadas por até 16 dias após a coleta, quando armazenadas em temperaturas de 3°C e 11°C, e por até 10 dias, quando armazenadas a 17°C. As amostras destinadas às análises de CCS e composição química, adicionadas do conservante bronopol, podem ser analisadas por até 16 dias após a coleta, quando armazenadas em temperaturas de 3°C e 11°C, e por até sete dias, quando armazenadas a 17°C.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of temperature and storage time of cooled samples of raw milk on the results of milk quality electronic analysis. Refrigerated raw milk samples were collected from expansion tanks for individual use of farms located in the middle region of the state of Goiás, and stored at four different temperatures (3°C, 11°C, 17°C, and 25°C) for 16 days. Total bacterial count (TBC), somatic cell count (SCC), and chemical composition were performed daily. The results were submitted to analysis of variance in split plot design in randomized blocks, and the means were compared by Duncan test. We concluded that, when azidiol is added as preservative to samples for TBC, they can be analyzed up to 16 days after collection when stored at temperatures of 3°C and 11°C, and up to 10 days when stored at 17°C. Moreover, when bronopol is added as preservative, samples for SCC and chemical composition analysis can be stored for up to 16 days after collection when stored at temperatures of 3°C and 11°C, and for up to seven days when stored at 17°C.

Foram estudados parâmetros de incubação e de qualidade física de codornas japonesas neonatas oriundas de ovos submetidos a diferentes condições de armazenamento. Os tratamentos constituíram-se de combinações entre temperaturas e períodos de armazenamento dos ovos férteis. O delineamento foi em blocos casualizados em arranjo fatorial 2x5, temperaturas (ambiente (28±1,5ºC) e refrigerada (14ºC)) x períodos de armazenamento (um, três, seis, nove ou doze dias), totalizando 10 tratamentos com 105 repetições, sendo cada ovo uma unidade experimental. Os ovos foram incubados nas condições de 37,9ºC e 60% de umidade relativa (UR). Houve aumento de perda de peso do ovo com o período de armazenamento, com efeito linear positivo. Observou-se maior taxa de eclosão/ovos férteis para os ovos armazenados sob refrigeração. Houve efeito linear negativo para o período de armazenamento sobre a taxa de eclosão somente para os ovos armazenados em 28ºC. Para o peso da codorna neonata, houve efeito linear negativo, independentemente da temperatura de armazenamento. O comprimento do intestino delgado em temperatura ambiente sofreu influência do período de armazenamento, sendo que o período de 12 dias apresentou pior resultado. O pior escore de qualidade física foi encontrado em codornas neonatas oriundas de ovos armazenados em temperatura ambiente por 12 dias. Pode-se concluir que, para melhorar a eclosão e a qualidade física da progênie, ovos de codorna devem ser armazenados por até nove dias e em temperatura de 14ºC.

ABSTRACT Incubation parameters and physical quality of neonate Japanese quails hatched from eggs that were subject to different storage conditions were evaluated. The treatments consisted of a combination of temperatures and storage periods of hatching eggs from breeder quails. The experiments were conducted in a randomized block design in a factorial arrangement 2x5, with two storage temperatures (ambient temperature ± 28°C and refrigerated temperature 14°C) and five storage periods (one, three, six, nine and twelve days), totaling 10 treatments with 105 repetitions, each egg considered to be an experimental unit. The eggs were incubated at 37.9°C with 60% of relative humidity (RH). There was a positive linear effect between egg weight loss and storage period. Higher rates of hatching/fertile eggs were observed for eggs stored in refrigerated conditions. A negative linear effect was observed between storage period and hatching rate when the eggs where stored at a temperature of 28ºC. There was a negative effect for neonate quail weight, independent of storage temperatures. The intestine length was influenced by storage period and 12 days of storage showed the shortest intestine length. Lower scores of physical quality were observed in quails that hatched from eggs stored in ambient temperatures during 12 days. In this context, to improve hatching rates and physical quality of neonate quails the eggs should be stored up to nine days at a temperature of 14°C.