This study aimed to evaluate the microbiological and physicochemical characteristics of the ruminal fluid and histological characteristics of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of sheep on a high-grain diet containing the probiotic fungi Aspergillus terreus and Rhizomucor spp. The study included four treatment groups (without probiotic, with Rhizomucor spp., with Aspergillus terreus, and with a mixture of both fungi), and two types of corn (ground/whole), in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) arranged in 4 x 2 factorial design. Santa Inês x Dorper lambs were housed in eight pens with five lambs each for 75 days. Rumen fluid was collected to study the rumen microbiological profile, macroscopic characteristics, ammonia nitrogen concentration, and microbiological activity. In addition, GIT samples were taken for histological analysis. Fluid analyses showed that the animals presented a low acidosis index. The samples presented a predominantly aromatic odor and blackish-brown color, indicating a neutral pH and high microbial activity. The rumen pH differed (P < 0.05) according to the level of processed corn consumed, being higher for ground grain corn (GGC). There was no difference for any of the microbiological communities analyzed (P > 0.05) (Lac+ and Lac- bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and protozoa). Six genera of facultative anaerobic fungi were identified in 15 observations. Cladosporium spp. was the most prevalent genus (46.66%), followed by Aspergillus spp. (26,66%). The width of the base of rumen papillae showed significant correlation being greater for GCG (P < 0.05) with Rhizomucor and for the control (P < 0.05). The rumen fluid of sheep on a high-grain diet with added Aspergillus terreus and Rhizomucor spp. showed no microbiological and physicochemical changes.

This review was carried out with the purpose of describing the main reproductive management used in the rearing of pigs. Currently, swine breeding in Brazil has average production parameters of 9.5 piglets / calving with 1.9 calving / year, with a genetic potential to reach 13 piglets / calving with 2.6 calving / year. To obtain these zootechnical indexes in pig production, it is necessary to invest in reproductive technologies such as artificial insemination, adequate facilities and frequent training of the workforce. In this sense, to be successful in reproduction, it becomes necessary to know the anatomy and physiology of the male and female reproductive system. The good reproductive performance of the animals also depends on the criterion of selection of the boar and the matrices applied in the breeding. It is fundamental to know the estrous cycle, as well as, the behavior of the nut in estrus to obtain success in artificial insemination or natural mating. The gestation period, as well as childbirth, are critical breeding phases and should be well conducted with the aim of avoiding or reducing piglet mortality. Therefore, the reproductive stages of pigs should be well conducted with special attention to food and sanitary management. The knowledge of the reproductive management by the producer and / or technician responsible for the farm is of fundamental importance to achieve good productive indexes

Objetivou-se avaliar fungos ruminais como potenciais probióticos em associação a dietas de alto grão no desempenho e rendimento de carcaça, e quadro de acidose em borregos Santa Inês/Dorper. Adotou-se fatorial 4x2 em DIC, sendo dois processamentos (grão moído ou inteiro) e quatro inoculantes (sem inóculos, com Rhizomucor spp., com Aspergillus terreus e com mistura dos dois fungos). Utilizou-se oito baias com cinco borregos/baia, durante 75 dias. Dietas com 85% de milho associadas à 15% de núcleo foram fornecidas ad libitum duas vezes ao dia, com inóculos aspergidos no arraçoamento. Realizou-se cinco coletas de amostras dos ingredientes das dietas e das sobras durante o ensaio para realização das análises centesimais. Pesou-se os animais quinzenalmente para avaliação dos índices de desempenho. Ao final do ensaio, na ocasião do abate, foram calculados os rendimentos de carcaça de cinco animais por tratamento. Os dados foram submetidos à ANOVA e as médias dos dados comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 5 %. Não houve interação entre os fatores processamento e probióticos para as variáveis de desempenho (P > 0.05), assim como, não houve efeito da adição dos probióticos sobre o desempenho dos ovinos alimentados com os diferentes tratamentos (P > 0.05). Foi observado maior consumo de MS, MM, EE, FDN e CNF para os animais alimentados com milho grão inteiro (MGI) (P < 0.05). Não houve diferença significativa (P > 0.05) para o consumo de MO, PB, GPMD, ingestão de alimento e nem para eficiência alimentar. O aumento da concentração dos fungos e a associação dos fatores na dieta não demonstrou ser eficaz.

Resumo Objetivou-se avaliar as características microbiológicas e físico-químicas do fluido ruminal e histológicas do trato gástrico intestinal (TGI) de ovinos sob dieta de alto grão com probiótico fungos Aspergillus terreus e/ou Rhizomucor spp. Analisou-se quatro probióticos (sem inóculos, com Rhizomucor spp., com Aspergillus terreus e com mistura dos dois fungos) e dois processamentos de milho (moído/inteiro), em fatorial 4x2 em em Delineamento Inteiramente Casualizados (DIC). Borregos Santa Inês/Dorper foram alojados em oito baias com cinco borregos em cada, durante 75 dias. Coletou-se fluido ruminal para o estudo do perfil microbiológico do rúmen, da característica macroscópica, da concentração de nitrogênio amoniacal e da atividade microbiológica, além dos fragmentos do TGI para análises histológicas. Pelas análises dos fluidos, os animais apresentaram baixo índice de acidose. O odor aromático e a cor castanho-enegrecido predominaram, o que caracteriza ambiente com pH neutro. As amostras do fluido apresentaram alta atividade microbiana. O pH ruminal diferenciou-se (P0,05) (bactérias Lac+ e Lac-, fungos, leveduras e protozoários). Seis gêneros de fungos anaeróbicos facultativos foram identificados num total de 15 observações. O Cladosporium spp. foi o gênero mais prevalente (46,66%), seguido do Aspergillus spp. (26,66%). A largura da base das papilas ruminais apresentou interação significativa, sendo maior para MGM (P<0,05) com Rhizomucor e o controle (P<0,05). O fluido ruminal de ovinos sob dieta de alto concentrado de grão com adição dos fungos Aspergillus terreus e Rhizomucor spp. não tiveram afetadas as características microbiológicas e físico-químicas.

Feeding strategies during the first months of calf life can be decisive for their future performance. This study evaluated the effect of including corn silage in the diet during the pre-weaning period and its provision after weaning. We hypothesized that pre-weaning corn silage would affect post-weaning performance. Eighteen dairy calves were assigned to two treatments: CISMA, receiving concentrate and corn silage from 30 days of age during milk replacer feeding, and SOSMA, receiving concentrate and corn silage from 60 days of age, only after weaning. Dry matter (DMI) and nutrient intake, performance (average daily weight gain (ADG), and total weight gain), morphometrics, and behavior were evaluated. Mean comparisons were performed using Tukey's test (α=0.05). DMI, feed efficiency, ADG, and protein intake did not differ between treatments (p>0.05). Diets provided during pre-weaning alter the timing and frequency of feeding behaviors and standing time in calves. Greater rumination efficiency (p<0.05) was found in CISMA. The inclusion of corn silage in the pre-weaning diet may have promoted the formation of structures that improved fiber grading capacity after weaning. The inclusion of corn silage did not affect performance parameters, but represents an economical feeding alternative for calves.

• Introduction corn silage in diet to calves at 30 days of age. • No change in weight gain and morphometric measurements after weaning. • Feeding behavior and posture as indicators of ruminal development. • Greater rumination efficiency in calves receiving CISMA treatment.