ABSTRACT Foodborne diseases (FBDs) constitute a significant health problem worldwide, and unhealthy food handling practices cause their transmission in the population. There is limited information on food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among veterinary students worldwide. This was the first study to address KAP on food safety among veterinary students in Brazil. Data from 226 students were collected through an online questionnaire that included four sections: demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices. High levels of food safety knowledge (17.77) and attitudes (16.82) were found; however, food safety practices (10.62) were average. The results showed that most students had satisfactory food safety knowledge (100%) and good food safety attitudes (99.12%). However, 56.64% of the students had good food safety practices. Gender and marital status influenced food safety attitudes, while age influenced all attributes. Both years of study and food safety training affected food safety knowledge and attitude. It was found that students with more years of study and those who had already taken food safety courses had higher mean scores for these attributes. Training should be emphasized to strengthen food safety practices among students.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of black sucupira oil (Bowdichia virgilioides Kunth) on nutrient intake, digestibility, rumen variables, and serum biochemistry. Four cannulated crossbred steers [body weight (BW) 450 ± 20 kg] were assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin square design with the treatments: (1) control (CON), without oil; (2) inclusion of 1.25 g oil seed (OS) kg-1 of dry matter (DM); (3) inclusion of 2.5 g OS kg-1 of DM; and (4) inclusion of 3.75 g OS kg-1 of DM. Results showed no significant effect (P > 0.05) of black sucupira oil seed on rumen pH and N-NH3 levels. However, the inclusion of 2.5 g OS in the diets significantly decreased (P ≤ 0.05) crude protein (CP) and DM digestibility. Differences were noted in the concentrations of isobutyric acid (0.67, 0.81, 0.71, 0.80 mmol L-1) and isovaleric acid (0.91, 1.14, 1.21, 1.11 mmol L-1), as well as total volatile fatty acids released in the rumen with OS inclusion. Sampling time significantly affected (P ≤ 0.05) rumen pH and N-NH3. Thus, it can be concluded that black sucupira seed oil decreases CP intake and digestibility, acting as a temporary nutritional modulator in beef cattle diets.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) on hematological parameters, intestinal morphometry, and testicular growth in chickens. A total of 288 Cobb chicks, comprising both males and females, were included in the study and fed diets supplemented with Bti at a concentration of 1x108 CFU per gram of feed for 42 days. The experimental design consisted of four treatments, each with 12 replicates of six birds, as follows: T1: males without Bti; T2: females without Bti; T3: males with Bti; and T4: females with Bti. Bti supplementation significantly reduced crypt depth and increased the villus-to-crypt ratio (P<0.05). However, other variables, including hematological parameters and testicular growth, were not significantly affected. In conclusion, while Bti supplementation improved certain aspects of intestinal morphology, its effects on hematological parameters and testicular growth were minimal in this study.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the anesthetic induction and transportation of freshwater angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) and tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) (both Amazonian fish) juveniles using three basil essential oils (EO): Ocimum sanctum (EOOSE) (Eugenol 58.94%), Ocimum canum (EOOCL) (Linalool 68.64%), and Ocimum basilicum (EOOBM) (Methyl chavicol 68.67%). The concentrations used were: 0 (control), 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400 (only for EOOCL and EOOBM), 600 and 800 (both only for EOOBM) µL L-1. In another experiment, concentrations of 0 (control), 10, and 20 µL L−1 were tested for simulated transport during 6 h. There was only sedation for the fish with the three EO tested in concentrations up to 25 µL L-1. In this order, for freshwater angelfish, anesthesia and recovery times of less than 3 and 10 min, respectively, were found from 200, 400, and 800 µL L-1 for EOOSE, EOOCL, and EOOBM. For tambaqui, following these same assumptions, the concentrations indicated for EOOSE, EOOCL, and EOOBM were 200, 300, and 400 µL L-1, respectively. It is concluded that for sedation and transport of fish, 10 and 20 µL L-1 can be used (regardless of the EO), and for rapid anesthesia, 200 µL L-1 of EOOSE is indicated.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a phytogenic additive on nutrient intake, diet digestibility, nitrogen balance, and ruminal parameters of lambs. Four lambs with an average body weight of 27.6 ± 2.9 kg were distributed in a 4 × 4 Latin square design and fed a basal diet composed of 600 g DM/day of corn silage and 400 g DM/day of concentrate. The basal diet was supplemented with no additive 0.0, 2.0, 4.0, and 6.0 g/kg DM of pepper. The intake of DM, crude protein (CP), organic matter (OM), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in g/day decreased linearly (P < 0.05). No effects (P > 0.05) were observed for the apparent digestibility of DM, OM, NDF, and ether extract. There was a quadratic effect (P < 0.05) on the digestibility of CP and non-fibrous carbohydrate, with maximum digestibility estimated at 707.7 and 924.8 (g/kg DM) at levels of 2.55 and 0.27 g/kg DM of pepper, respectively. There was no effect (P > 0.05) on urinary nitrogen and retention nitrogen. Increasing levels of pepper did not alter (P > 0.05) the pH value and N-NH3 concentration of the ruminal fluid. However, there was an effect (P < 0.05) of time on the pH and N-NH3 value of the rumen. The inclusion of pepper in the diet of confined lambs negatively alters dry matter and NDF intake without impairing nutrient digestibility, nitrogen utilization, and other ruminal parameters.

ABSTRACT The study aimed to conduct an epidemiological survey to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with bovine alphaherpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) infection in cattle from western Pernambuco State. Serum samples from 369 animals were analyzed, distributed across 19 rural properties in three municipalities: Afrânio, Araripina, and Petrolina. The participating cattle were unvaccinated against the virus, aged two years or older, and belonged to beef and/or dairy herds. Serological diagnosis was performed using the microplate serum neutralization test. Epidemiological questionnaires were applied on each property, gathering information about livestock production characteristics. Statistical analysis included a univariate approach followed by a mixed model with the herd as a random intercept to identify potential risk factors. The prevalence observed in herds and individual animals was 89.5% (17/19) and 43.1% (159/369), respectively. In the univariate analysis, contact with neighboring cattle showed an odds ratio (OR) of 4.42, emphasizing the importance of this variable in the disease’s epidemiology. The detection of seropositive animals in the study area highlights the need to establish control and prevention measures to safeguard the health status of herds in the region.

ABSTRACT This literature review discusses advances in gestational ultrasound in bitches, focusing on the use of Doppler technology for maternal-fetal hemodynamic assessment. Ultrasound is an essential tool in veterinary obstetrics, enabling early pregnancy detection, monitoring of embryonic and fetal development, and predicting the due date. B-mode imaging allows for the visualization of fetuses and their structures but has limitations in vascular assessment. Therefore, the use of Doppler, especially Triplex Doppler (B-mode, color Doppler, and pulsed Doppler), is crucial for a detailed evaluation of maternal-fetal blood flow. Monitoring Doppler indices, such as the Resistive Index (RI) and Pulsatility Index (PI), is critical in detecting changes in umbilical and placental circulation, which can predict issues like intrauterine growth restriction and fetal distress. These findings aid in predicting delivery time and identifying fetuses at risk. The objective of this review is to highlight the importance of Doppler ultrasonography as a non-invasive and effective method to improve clinical decision-making and reproductive outcomes, reinforcing its relevance in current veterinary practice.

ABSTRACT Aimed with this study was evaluate the increasing levels of crambe crushed, on in vitro digestibility of dry matter (IVDDM), organic matter (IVDOM) and crude protein (IVDCP), parameters of fermentation and kinetics of the cumulative gas production. The crushed crambe were included in the diets at 0; 50; 100; 150 g/kg of DM. There was a quadratic effect of the proportions of crambe crushed in the concentrated supplements on IVDDM and IVDOM (maximum point at 0.25 and 0.91 g Kg-1 DM, respectively). Total gas production (A + D) was influenced by the presence of crambe crushed with quadratic effect on minimal point on 0.02 g Kg-1 DM. There was a quadratic effect for pH in the collection times in all diets, the lowest pH values were observed between 4.8 to 8.7 hours. There was a quadratic effect for ammoniacal nitrogen in the collection times in all diets with peaks of NH3-N production occurred between 4.8 and 6.3 hours after the beginning of the incubation. Concluded that the inclusion of crambe crushed up to 150 g kg-1 DM in diets for ruminants does not impair the ruminal degradation kinetics.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the “in vitro” antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of Staphyloccusspp. and Streptococcus spp. isolated from the milk of cows with infectious mastitis. This study was conducted on 14 dairy farms located in four municipalities on the Island of São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. The isolates were obtained by bacteriological cultivation of milk samples, followed by morphological and biochemical characterization. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed using the disk diffusion method. The results showed that none of the principles were 100% effective against the isolates. Penicillin, ampicillin, and amoxicillin showed higher rates of resistance in isolates of Coagulase-positive Staphylococcus (80%, 77.2%, and 77.2%, respectively), Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (80%, 75.4%, and 75.4%, respectively ), and S. aureus (94.3%, 88.6%, and 88.6%, respectively). Isolates of Streptococcus showed a higher frequency of resistance to streptomycin (94%), tetracycline (86%), and lincomycin (76%). Isolates from the Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus group had the highest multidrug resistance profile, with 32.65% of the strains being simultaneously resistant to more than eight antibiotics. A high frequency of isolates of agents that cause bovine mastitis with multidrug-resistant phenotypes was determined, making it necessary to base the treatment of animals on the diagnosis of the causative pathogen and patterns of sensitivity to antimicrobials.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro gas production from three pearl millet cultivars submitted to four nitrogen levels. The treatments consisted of three pearl millet cultivars (ADR 500, ADR 7020, and LABH 70732) and four nitrogen levels (0, 50, 100, and 200 kg/ha), using urea as the nitrogen source. A 3 x 4 factorial experimental design, employing a randomized block setup, was used to assess both gas production and digestibility. No interaction was observed between nitrogen doses and fermentative parameters on in vitro gas production from the dry matter of pearl millet cultivars. Nitrogen had no impact on the dry matter content or chemical composition of the cultivars. Consistency prevailed in the chemical composition across the various cultivars, a trend that extended to the gas production rates for both soluble and insoluble contents. Notably, nitrogen fertilizer exerted an influence on the fermentation pattern of organic matter, gas production, and lag time for the cultivars. Nitrogen fertilization is advised solely for enhancing fermentative attributes in the case of the cultivar ADR 7020.