In tropical and subtropical climate regions, heat stress is one of the main causes of production losses in laying quails, aggravated by the antinutritional effects of the phytate in diet ingredients, which negatively affect the bioavailability of minerals, especially calcium and phosphorus. This situation results in a reduction in production and the quality of eggs from commercial laying quails. Several nutritional strategies are utilized to reduce the adverse effects of high temperatures and antinutritional factors such as phytate. Among these strategies, the use of exogenous enzymes, such as phytase, stands out as a viable alternative. Phytase breaks down phytate molecules, optimizing the absorption of essential minerals and improving productive performance and egg quality under unfavorable conditions. Specifically, it is recommended to use 1500 FTU of phytase, as it not only reduces the effects of thermal stress but also enhances eggshell thickness and calcium absorption. In this context, this bibliographic review sought to produce a document demonstrating the beneficial effects of the phytase enzyme on the hydrolysis of the phytate molecule, the availability of calcium for Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica), and its implications in thermal stress due to heat.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of phytase super-dosing in the diet of laying quails subjected to different temperatures, their performance, blood biochemistry, and gene expression of the epithelial calcium transporters Calbindin-D28 K and TRPV6. Seven hundred and twenty (720) Japanese quails in the production phase were distributed in a completely randomized design, in a 5 × 3 factorial scheme, with five levels of phytase supplementation (0, 500, 1000, 1500 and 3000 FTU/kg) and three temperatures (24°C, 30°C and 36°C), totaling 15 treatments, and six replicates of eight birds each. The study began at 8 weeks of age and continued for two 21-day cycles, totaling 42 days of experiment. Performance parameters, serum biochemistry, and gene expression of calbindin-D28 K and TRPV6 were measured through real-time PCR. The data were subjected to analysis of variance, Tukey, and regression. Birds kept at 36°C showed lower feed intake than those kept at 24°C and 30°C. At 30°C, birds had lower serum uric acid levels than birds at 36°C, and higher total egg production, egg mass, and Calbindin-D28 K gene expression in the uterus than those at 24°C and 36°C. Birds kept at 24°C had higher serum calcium and phosphorus levels than those kept at 30°C and 36°C. At a supplementation level of 1500 FTU, phytase provided greater eggshell thickness in quails kept at 36°C and greater calbindin-D28 K gene expression in the kidney. Therefore, the use of 1500 FTU of phytase is recommended for Japanese quail exposed to high temperatures, since phytase overdosage has been shown to be effective in mitigating the negative effects of heat stress.

Apis mellifera has ecological, economic and social importance. Thus, this study aimed to compare, at a toxicological, physiological and nutritional level, the insecticidal activity of natural pesticides in comparison with synthetic ones, adding knowledge about the impacts of these products and verifying their safety for these animals. Toxicity bioassays were performed to obtain the LC₅₀ (lethal concentration) of the products (Azamax®, Limonene, Karate® and Roundup®) through Probit analysis. The concentrations and toxicity ratios (TR) obtained, in decreasing toxicity level, were Karate® (0.0134 mL/100 mL, 53,156 times) > Limonene (1.44 mL/100 mL, 494.64 times) > Roundup® (712 .29 mL/100 mL). It was not possible to obtain the LC₅₀ for Azamax®, as concentrations above 250 mL/100 mL caused repellency and below there was no mortality. LC₅₀ and Azamax® concentrations were used as a treatment in histological, histochemical and biochemical analyses. Although the herbicide Roundup® has shown low toxicity by ingestion, it and the Limonene were the substances that most interfered with nutritional biochemical parameters, in addition to causing histopathological changes in midgut cells. The insecticide Karate® also led to histopathological changes in cells and a reduction in important macromolecules used in biochemical functions. Despite the repellency observed in the insecticide Azamax®, A. mellifera presented morphological alterations in the digestive cells and in the absorption of nutrients. It is concluded that natural pesticides can be as harmful to A. mellifera bees as synthetic ones, and they can cause deleterious effects on the digestive physiology of these insects, which may reflect on their reproduction.

A microbiota residente das aves de produção apresenta-se com uma grande variedade de microrganismos comensais e/ou mutualistas, que colonizam desde o papo, permeando através do proventrículo, ventrículo, intestino delgado e suas porções (duodeno, jejuno, íleo) e intestino grosso (cecos, cólon e reto). Atuam no metabolismo dos nutrientes da dieta gerando metabolitos importantes para o equilíbrio do microbioama intestinal e na preservação da parede tecidual dos órgãos intestinais, resultando em melhor aproveitamento dos nutrientes da dieta, bem como, maior produtividade animal. O conhecimento sobre esse ecossistema e como ele funciona, é de extrema importância, pois através de aditivos funcionais pode-se influenciar a microbiota intestinal, melhorando a absorção e o desempenho animal. Esta revisão bibliográfica tem como objetivo principal indicar os principais aspectos da microbiota intestinal das aves de produção e seus habitats e, alguns dos principais aditivos melhoradores de microbiota utilizados na nutrição animal para garantir a sanidade do ambiente intestinal das aves. A metodologia adotada foi um estudo descritivo, resultando em uma revisão bibliográfica embasada em artigos científicos mundiais.

A pesquisa objetiva prospectar informações relacionadas sobre a percepção dos discentes de Zootecnia e Medicina Veterinária no Brasil em relação ao uso e aceitação de insetos e seus subprodutos na alimentação animal e humana. Foi realizado um estudo a partir de perguntas objetivas em um formulário online elaborado para coletar os dados necessários, classificado como descritivo exploratório de caráter transversal sobre o tema abordado. Totalizou-se 432 respostas distribuídas entre as regiões do Brasil, a saber: Nordeste (68,4%), Sudeste (12,8%), Sul (11,4%), Norte (4,4%) e Centro-Oeste (3%). Os resultados mostram que 76,9% dos discentes conhecem o uso de insetos na alimentação humana e animal, porém somente 48,1% recomendariam a alimentação à base de insetos. Mesmo com 84,3% não possuindo entomofobia e conhecendo a entomofagia, apenas 30,1% fariam ingestão de um pão fabricado a partir da farinha dos insetos, e recomendaria para outras pessoas o consumo deste tipo de ingrediente. Por fim, é pertinente inferir que o uso de insetos na alimentação humana e animal, apesar de ser conhecido por este grupo amostral, é ainda superficial e com diversos paradigmas, os quais impossibilitam o uso efetivo. Sugere-se que a entomofagia seja inserida nos projetos curriculares dos cursos de Zootecnia e Medicina Veterinária, para que este conhecimento realmente seja uma alternativa viável para a produção de proteína alternativa no Brasil.

In tropical and subtropical climate regions, heat stress is one of the main causes of production losses in laying quails, aggravated by the antinutritional effects of the phytate in diet ingredients, which negatively affect the bioavailability of minerals, especially calcium and phosphorus. This situation results in a reduction in production and quality of eggs from commercial laying hens. Several nutritional strategies are utilized to reduce the adverse effects of high temperatures and antinutritional factors such as phytate. Among these strategies, the use of exogenous enzymes, such as phytase, stands out as a viable alternative. Phytase breaks down phytate molecules, optimizing the absorption of essential minerals and improving productive performance and egg quality under unfavorable conditions. In this context, this bibliographic review sought to produce a document demonstrating the beneficial effects of the phytase enzyme on the hydrolysis of the phytate molecule and the availability of calcium for Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica), and its implications in thermal stress due to heat.