Roberta Ariboni Brandi

Different energy sources are often used in horse diets to enhance health and performance. Understanding how diet impacts the cecal and fecal microbiota is crucial for meeting the nutritional needs of horses. High-throughput sequencing and qPCR were used to compare the fecal and cecal microbiota of five healthy horses receiving three different diets: hay diet (HAY), hay + starch and sugar (SS), and hay + fiber and oil ingredients (FO). Assessment of short-chain fatty acids, pH, and buffer capacity was also performed. The HAY diet was associated with the highest values of fecal pH; the FO and SS diets were associated with higher values of BC6 in the cecum, and the SS diet had higher BC5 values in feces (p < 0.05). HAY was associated with a lower alpha diversity in feces and with a higher abundance of Treponema, Fibrobacter, Lachnospiraceae AC2044, and Prevotellaceae UCG-003 in feces. SS was associated with a higher abundance of Desulfovibrio, the Lachnospiraceae AC2044 group, and Streptococcus in the cecum, and Streptococcus and Prevotellaceae UCG-001 in feces, while FO was associated with higher Prevotella, Prevotellaceae UCG-003, and Akkermansia in the cecum, and the Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group and Ruminococcus in feces. This study indicated that different energy sources can influence cecal and fecal microbiota composition and fecal diversity without significantly affecting fermentation processes under experimental conditions. These findings suggest that the diets studied may not pose immediate health risks; however, further research is needed to generalize these effects on gastrointestinal microbiota in broader equine populations.

This study aimed to evaluate the feeding time and reactivity of male and female foals exposed to novel objects (seven plastic balls measuring 8 cm in diameter) placed inside the feeder. Eleven mixed-breed foals (males = 6; 316 ± 42 kg of BW, females = 5; 290 ± 35 kg of BW) were used. The amount of concentrate feed was calculated using 2000 g kg-1 BW for males and 1500 g kg-1 BW for females. Behavioral variables were assessed using a scoring system. Data on time spent feeding were subjected to analysis of variance and regression analysis (p < 0.05) and compared using the PROC REG procedure of SAS (with object = without object). A line of equality (y = x) was used to test correlations. The behavioral model was fitted by a generalized linear model using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS, and means were compared (p < 0.05) by t-tests. Feeding time differed between sexes (males = 23.7 ± 4.8 min., females = 19.5 ± 3.1 min.), attributed to the longer time spent by males in attentive behavior when plastic balls were placed in the feeders. There was no effect on composite behavioral score. Both males (18.37%) and females (14.29%) were classified as calm while feeding in feeders with unfamiliar objects. By adding plastic balls to the feeder, it was possible to increase the feeding time of foals fed concentrate feed.

Novos temas foram desenvolvidos por alunos das turmas 2022 e 2023 do curso de graduação em zootecnia da Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos da Universidade de São Paulo, com revisões de literatura atuais que trazem uma visão de temáticas zootécnicas dos primórdios até hoje em dia e com enfoque na sustentabilidade. Nesta coletânea temos revisões das principais espécies de interesse zootécnico, com foco em produção e melhoramento genético, nutrição, bem-estar, tecnologia e biotecnologia, entre outras áreas.

This study set out to determine the impacts of a commercial equine enteral nutrition product on fecal pH, buffering capacity (BC) and physical examination variables. Eight healthy horses were randomly allocated to one of two simultaneous experimental groups in a 4×4 Latin square design. Horses were submitted to 12 hours of solid fasting, then fed increasing doses of the test product via nasogastric tube, as follows: 0% (pure water), 50%, 75% and 100% of the daily recommended dose. Test product doses were diluted in water (1:3) and delivered by bolus feeding. Fecal samples were taken directly from the rectal ampulla prior to (T0) and within 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours of product administration (T3, T6, T12, T24, T36 and T48 respectively). Within 24 to 36 hours of product administration, fecal pH was near 6 (p = 0.01). However, dose variation had no effect on pH. Product dose and sample collection time had a significant impact (p = 0.00) on buffering capacity at pH 6. The more dramatic drop in pH occurred within 24 to 36 hours of product administration, except in horses receiving the 0% dose (water). At pH 5, buffering capacity was affected by dose but not by sample collection time. Soft fecal consistency, increased intestinal motility and fat droplets in fecal samples were noted in most horses. Fecal pH and buffering capacity assessment are indirect tests. Still, results obtained from these tests were deemed useful for detection of intestinal changes, particularly when combined with physical examination. The product had an impact on faecal pH, buffering capacity and intestinal motility, therefore, it is recommended that the formulation be revised.

Anais do Simpósio Internacional do Cavalo Atleta (SIMCAV) (978-65-5941-211-2) - Uso Do Teste De Esforço Progressivo A Campo Para Avaliação Do Condicionamento Físico De Equinos Mangalarga Em Preparação Para Cavalgada De 3.600 Km

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected tropical disease caused by the Leishmania infantum parasite. The protozoan is able to infect several domestic and wild mammals. Since the first report on Leishmania spp. infection in horses in South America, leishmaniasis in equids has been highlighted in Brazil. A molecular epidemiological survey was carried out to verify the occurrence of Leishmania spp. DNA in horses and donkeys, in leishmaniases endemic areas in Sao Paulo State, Brazil. To this end, blood samples were obtained from 107 horses and 36 donkeys and subjected to DNA extraction followed by PCR targeting the ITS-1 region. Among the horses and donkeys, 1.87% (2/107) and 8.33% (3/36) were positive by PCR, respectively. The DNA sequencing of the ITS-1 amplification products confirmed L. infantum DNA in these animals. Our results suggest that horses and donkeys from non-VL and VL endemic areas of São Paulo State may be infected by the parasite.

RESUMO Avaliações com o intuito de mensurar marcadores de eficiência na performance esportiva do cavalo Crioulo são escassas e de fundamental importância no que tange às possíveis especificidades da raça. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar e determinar os padrões de frequência cardíaca, velocidade, concentração de lactato e gasto energético de equinos da raça Crioula durante provas credenciadoras ao Freio de Ouro. Tais variáveis foram avaliadas durante a realização das etapas funcionais da competição. Observaram-se flutuações superiores da variável frequência cardíaca (FC) durante a realização das etapas de Andadura, Figura, Volta sobre Patas e Esbarradas (And/fig/VSP) (203bpm) e menores valores na etapa Paleteada II (185bpm) (P<0,05). Em relação à velocidade, o maior valor atingido foi registrado na etapa de Paleteada II (39,7km/h). A concentração de lactato sanguíneo aferida se mostrou elevada em todas as fases da competição, sendo o maior valor observado na etapa de Paleteada II (14,5mmol/L) (P<0,05) e o menor durante a etapa de Mangueira I (9,3mmol/L). Superior gasto energético foi atribuído à etapa de And/Fig/VSP (853,28kcal/kgPV/min). Portanto, todas as etapas funcionais podem ser classificadas como anaeróbias, por apresentarem concentrações de lactato sanguíneo acima de 4mmol/L, e demandam alto gasto energético pelos competidores.

Animal feeding behavior and diet composition determine rumen fermentation responses and its microbial characteristics. This study aimed to evaluate the rumen fermentation kinetics of domestic ruminants feeding diets with or without condensed tannins (CT). Holstein dairy cows, Nelore beef cattle, Mediterranean water buffalo, Santa Inês sheep and Saanen goats were used as inoculum donors (three animals of each species). The substrates were maize silage (Zea mays), fresh elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum), Tifton-85 hay (Cynodon spp.) and fresh alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Acacia (Acacia molissima) extract was used as the external CT source. The in vitro semi-automated gas production technique was used to assess the fermentation kinetics. The experimental design was completely randomized with five inoculum sources (animal species), four substrates (feeds) and two treatments (with or without extract). The inclusion of CT caused more severe effects in grazing ruminants than selector ruminants.