Ladyanne Raia Rodrigues’s research while affiliated with Federal University of Campina Grande and other places

The objective to evaluate the effects of magnesium supplementation in the water of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) on physiological variables and egg quality with the birds kept in a thermoneutral environment and under thermal stress. Three hundred ninety-four (394) quails were used, distributed in a completely randomized 2×4 factorial design (2 temperatures: 24 and 32ºC, and 4 levels of magnesium: 50, 150, 250 and 350 mg L-1), with six replicates and eight birds per experimental unit. The respiratory rate (P<.0001), head temperature (P<.0001), wing temperature (P<.0001), foot temperature (P<.0001), back temperature (P<.0001), body surface temperature (P<.0001) and average body temperature (P<.0001) showed significant differences between the temperatures tested. With the exception of head temperature (P=0.0045), the other variables did not change their values with the increase in the level of magnesium in the water. Egg mass showed a significant difference (P=0.0072) as a function of the level of mannesium in the water. The temperature of the head was higher in birds consuming water with higher levels of magnesium, causing an increase in respiratory rate, and head, wing, foot, back, average surface and body temperatures in birds under thermal stress.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the productive performance, egg quality and the morphometry of the organs of Japanese quails (Cotournix cotournix japônica) when kept in comfort and under thermal stress. 192 nine-week-old quail were used, distributed in a completely randomized design at two temperatures (T1 = 24 °C and T2 = 32 °C), with 12 replicates of eight birds each, with an experimental period of 63 days, divided into three 21-day periods. Feed intake (g fowl-1 day-1), water consumption (mL fowl-1 day-1), egg production (%), egg weight (g), egg mass (g fowl- 1 day-1) and feed conversion (kg kg-1 and kg dozen-1). Laying quails after their production cycle are marketed as beef animals. It is observed that the average final live weight was reduced (P = 0.0362) by 27.58 g in birds kept at a temperature of 32 oC, which can compromise its commercial value. The feed intake of the birds was reduced (P = 0.0051) by 14.75% with an increase in ambient temperature. Birds kept at a temperature of 32 oC for 12 h daily showed a reduction in feed intake, final weight, yolk, and gizzard weight, but without affecting egg production, weight and mass.

The supply of salt water in the semiarid region is a recurrent practice, as there is a severe shortage of water for use in animal consumption. Thus, most of the times the water offered to the birds can contain salts above the recommended amount. The present study aimed to evaluate the production performance and morphometry of the organs of Japanese quails as they were supplied with drinking water with different concentrations of sodium chloride, while being maintained in comfort and under thermal stress. The birds received water with increasing electrical conductivity (1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 dS m⁻¹) and were kept in a climate chamber at thermoneutral air temperature (24 °C) and under thermal stress (32 °C), being distributed in a completely randomized design and 2 × 4 factorial scheme. Water electrical conductivities did not affect the performance of the birds, except for the weight of the gizzard, which showed an increasing linear effect as the electrical conductivities increased. At the stress temperature, there was reduction in feed intake, egg weight and mass, and in feed conversion per dozen eggs, but with no effect on the weights of the heart, liver and gizzard. Japanese quails in the production phase can consume water with electrical conductivity of up to 6.0 dS m⁻¹, showing good production performance and without compromising organ morphometry. Key words: animal behavior; stress physiology; thermal stress; egg quality; feed intake

The objective was to evaluate the increasing levels of magnesium in the water supplied to laying quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica), kept in climatic chambers under thermoneutral temperature and thermal stress, on their performance and morphometry of their organs. The birds were distributed in a completely randomized design, 2x4 factorial arrangement, 2 temperatures (24 and 32 ºC) and 4 levels of magnesium in the water (50, 150, 250 and 350 mg L-1), with six replicates and eight birds per experimental unit. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and the means compared by the Tukey test at 5% probability level. The magnesium levels in the water did not affect (P > 0.05) the production performance and morphometry of the organs, with less water consumption at the magnesium level of 150 mg L-1, and birds kept at 32 °C had a reduction in feed consumption and feed conversion, but without affecting organ morphometry. Japanese quails in the production phase can consume water with magnesium levels up to 350 mg L-1 without having their production performance and morphometry of organs affected and raised in an environment with temperatures of up to 32 °C.

The aim of this study was to estimate the heat flux through sensitive mechanisms and respiratory evaporation of Japanese quails kept in thermoneutral and warm environments, using simple environmental and physiological measures. 192 nine-week-old quails were used, distributed in a completely randomized design at two temperatures (T1 = 24 °C and T2 = 32 °C), with 12 replicates of eight birds each, with an experimental period of 63 days, divided into three 21-day periods. Physiological measurements of respiratory rate (RR), cloacal temperature (TC) and body surface temperature (TS) were measured twice a week. The behavior of the energy balance in the climatic chambers was obtained using the total thermal energy exchanges per unit surface area of the birds, derived from the sum of sensible (radiation and convection) and latent heat exchanges. Respiratory rate (P<.0001), surface temperature (P<.0001) and cloacal temperature (P=0.0047) were higher in the 32 °C environment. The expired air temperature (P<.0001) and heat loss by respiratory evaporation (P<.0001) showed higher values when the quails were in an environment of 32 °C, while the heat losses by convection (P<.0001) and radiation (P<.0001) were higher in a thermal comfort environment. In Japanese quails kept in a controlled environment, sensible heat dissipation by convection is the main way to eliminate excess thermal energy, when the air temperature is up to 32 ºC.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of water salinity and ambient temperature on the physiological variables and the quality of Japanese quail eggs (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in the laying phase. The quails received water with increasing levels of salinity (1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0 dS m-1) and were kept in climatic chambers under two different temperatures (24ºC and 32ºC). The design used was completely randomised, with a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement (temperatures and salinity levels), with six replicates of eight birds each. Data were submitted for analysis of variance and the means were compared by the Tukey test at 5%. There was no influence (P > 0.05) of water salinity levels on the physiological variables nor on the quality of the birds’ eggs. At 32oC there was an increase (P < 0.05) in respiratory rate, cloacal and body surface temperature of the birds, and a slight reduction (P < 0.05) in the weight of eggs, shells, and percentage of shell. For laying quails, water with salinity levels of up to 6.0 dSm-1 can be used and the birds can be raised in an environment with temperatures up to 32ºC.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of four water salinity levels on productive performance, physiological and behavioral responses of confined sheep. Thus, 24 crossbred sheep, ½ Dorper x ½ Santa Inês were evaluated while receiving ration and water ad libitum. The experimental design was completely randomized, composed of four treatments (1.5; 3.0; 6.0 and 9.0 dSm-1) and six replicates. The water supply with salinity of up to 9.0 dSm-1 did not affect (P > 0.05) the physiological indexes, performance, or ingestive behavior of the animals, which were able to maintain normal physiological conditions even at times when the thermal comfort indexes were above the ideal. For voluntary water consumption, it was observed that there was a significant difference between treatments (P < 0.05), where animals consuming water with a conductivity of 1.5; 3.0 dSm-1 had lower consumption than those who received six dSm-1. The supply of water with a salinity of up to 9.0 dSm-1 did not affect the performance or the ingestive behavior of the animals, so waters with this salinity can be a valid alternative for crossbred sheep in the semi-arid region, as long as it is used seasonally and strategically.

The consumption of saline water in semiarid regions is a recurrent situation that can affect the ingestive behavior of small ruminants. This study evaluated the ingestive behavior of Santa Inês sheep maintained in a climatic chamber under two air temperatures -25 °C within the thermal comfort zone (TCZ) and 32 °C above the TCZ - and consuming water with three levels of salinity - 2.0, 4.0, and 8.0 dS m-1. The experimental design was completely randomized in 2 × 3 factorial schemes, comprising two air temperatures and drinking water with three levels of salinity, in six replicates (animals). Regardless of air temperature, the consumption of saline water did not affect feed and water intake by the sheep; however, there was a decrease in feed intake and an increase in water intake as air temperature increased. Feed and water intake; feeding, rumination, and idle times; defecation frequency; and fecal production were not affected (P > 0.05) by the water salinity levels, whereas reduction in feed intake, feeding time, and rumination time and an increase in water intake and idle time were observed as air temperature increased. In summary, increasing air temperature negatively affected the ingestive behavior of the animals; however, water with salinity up to 8.0 dS m-1 did not affect their ingestive behavior and hence could be used for drinking.