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.

Variability in the production of bovine blastocysts per session of ultrasound-guided follicularaspiration(OPU) is still an obstacle in commercial production.Thus, the objective of the current work was to verify factors that influence in vitro embryo production (PIVE), using data from a commercial laboratory.Data from 2014 to 2016 were analyzed, referring to 799 OPU sessions of adult bovine females of the breeds: Nelore (n=83), Girolando (n=73), Brangus (n=49), HPB (n=20), and Senepol (n=10).The influence of five variables was analyzed: breed, genetic group, frequency of aspiration, type of semen (sexed/conventional), and seasonality (spring/summer vs. autumn/winter) on the rate of viable oocytes, cleavage, and blastocyst production (bl).The protocols for the in vitroproduction of embryos (IVP) followed the routine established by the partner laboratory of the present study. The statistical analysis of the data was performed using SAS, with the Chi-square test.The Girolando and Nelore breeds had a higher (p=0.0001) number of blastocysts/OPU session, as well as the Bos indicus blood group.Blastocyst production was higher (p=0.0059) with sexed semen compared to conventional semen (6.6 x 5.2 bl/OPU session); a higher frequency of aspirations also increased (p=0.005) the number of bl/OPU session (7.7 x 5.9).We conclude that the in vitro production of bovine embryos is influenced by the analyzed factors and knowledge of these variables could guide the commercial use of OPU-PIVE.

The egg has natural barriers that prevent microbiological contamination and promote food safety. The use of non-destructive methods to obtain morphometric measurements of chicken eggs has the potential to replace traditional invasive techniques, offering greater efficiency and accuracy. This paper aims to demonstrate that estimates derived from non-invasive approaches, such as 3D computed tomography (CT) image analysis, can be comparable to conventional destructive methods. To achieve this goal, two widely recognized deep learning architectures, U-Net 3D and Fully Convolutional Networks (FCN) 3D, were modeled to segment and analyze 3D CT images of chicken eggs. A dataset of real CT images was created and labeled, allowing the extraction of important morphometric measurements, including height, width, shell thickness, and volume. The models achieved an accuracy of up to 98.69%, demonstrating their effectiveness compared to results from manual measurements. These findings highlight the potential of CT image analysis, combined with deep learning, as a non-invasive alternative in industrial and research settings. This approach not only minimizes the need for invasive procedures but also offers a scalable and reliable method for egg quality assessment.

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.

To add quality to the final product, it is necessary to use technologies that carry out the identification and use of superior genetics. The objective was to evaluate the relationship between body measurements (AP and PT) and carcass characteristics evaluated by ultrasonography (AOL, EGS and MAR), through Pearson linear correlation analysis and linear regression. The data used were obtained from the archives of the Santa Nice farm (Amaporã-PR). A total of 543 animals that had AP and PT measurements at 490 days were analyzed. Carcass characteristics were evaluated using ultrasonography equipment. Analyzes were performed using the SAS program. AP and PT presented positive and moderately significant correlation with AOL and negative and weakly significant with MAR. AP and PT showed a negative correlation with EGS, but significant only between AP and EGS, which was negative and very weak. Linear regression analyzes followed correlations, being significant for all analyzed variables, except for PT and EGS. Thus, it was concluded that body measurements such as AP and PT are not good indicators of meat quality related to fat deposition, such as EGS and MAR, however, both AP and PT can be used to increase AOL. Keywords: Body measurements. Carcass characteristics. Nellore. Para agregar qualidade no produto final, se faz necessário o uso de tecnologias que realizem a identificação e a utilização da genética superior. O objetivo foi avaliar a relação entre as mensurações corporais (AP e PT) e as características de carcaça avaliadas por ultrassonografia (AOL, EGS e MAR), por meio de análise de correlação linear de Pearson e regressão linear. Os dados utilizados foram obtidos nos arquivos da fazenda Santa Nice (Amaporã-PR). Ao todo 543 animais que apresentavam mensurações de AP e PT aos 490 dias foram analisados. As características de carcaça foram avaliadas por meio de equipamento de ultrassonografia. As análises foram realizadas no programa SAS. A AP e PT apresentaram correlação positiva e moderada significativa com AOL e negativa e fraca significativa com MAR. AP e PT apresentaram correlação negativa com a EGS, porém significativa apenas entre AP e EGS, sendo esta negativa e bem fraca. As análises de regressão linear acompanharam as de correlação, sendo significativas para todas as variáveis analisadas, exceto para PT e EGS. Desta forma se concluiu que as mensurações corporais como AP e PT não são boas indicadoras de qualidade da carne referentes à deposição de gordura, como EGS e MAR, entretanto, tanto a AP como o PT podem ser utilizados para aumentar a AOL.

Context: Optimal broiler performance depends on proper gastrointestinal tract function, particularly the balance of the microbiota. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of crude sesame oil as a feed additive, compared with diets without and with zinc bacitracin (Zn Bac), in broiler chickens. Methods: The evaluated parameters included growth performance, nutrient metabolizability, blood parameters, carcass and organ yields, and antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Salmonella enteritidis, both in vitro and in vivo in the cecum. A total of 300 male chicks were randomly allocated to five treatments, with five replicates of 12 birds each. The treatments included two control diets (one without a growth-promoting additive and one with 0.50 g Zn Bac/kg) and three additional diets with increasing levels of crude sesame oil (3.3, 6.6 and 9.9 g/kg). Key results: Overall performance from 1 to 42 days was not affected by sesame oil inclusion. However, from 1 to 7 days, the diet containing 3.3 g/kg oil increased the feed conversion ratio. From 1 to 21 days, birds fed 3.3, 6.6 and 9.9 g/kg showed lower bodyweight and weight gain compared with the Zn Bac group; however, only the diet with 3.3 g/kg increased the feed conversion ratio. Regarding nutrient metabolizability, the 3.3-g/kg level improved apparent metabolizable energy during the 1–7 day phase, but reduced energy and protein utilization during the 8–21 and 22–35 day phases. The 6.6-g/kg level reduced energy metabolizability from 1 to 21 days, but improved protein utilization from 22 to 35 days. The 9.9-g/kg level reduced nutrient utilization from 8 to 35 days, but showed performance similar to that of the Zn Bac-treated group. Globulin levels were reduced only at the 6.60g/kg oil level. All oil levels reduced E. coli counts in the cecum, with 3.3 g/kg providing the greatest control at 21 and 42 days. Conclusion: The 6.6-g/kg oil level showed the best balance among performance, nutrient metabolism and microbial control, making it a potential alternative to Zn Bac in broiler diets. Implications: Crude sesame oil may serve as a natural alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in broiler diets.