Ciência Animal

Occurrence of the Dark-billed Cuckoo in the South of Minas Gerais, Brazil

2025-10-04T20:03:21-03:00

The dark-billed-cuckoo, Coccyzus melacoryphus, is a migratory bird, which includes, on its route, the south of
Minas Gerais. Although the south of the state of Minas Gerais is ornithologically well studied, the species had not
yet been recorded for the region. The record was obtained in the municipality of Lavras and aims to report the
first record of Coccyzus melacoryphus in the ornithological literature of the region.

Sporotrichosis in domestic cats attended at the University Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Piauí

2025-10-03T15:03:34-03:00

Sporotrichosis is a zoonotic infectious disease that occurs worldwide, caused by the thermodimorphic fungus Sporothrix spp. This disease affects humans and different domestic animals, with felines being the main affected species. Considering the importance of epidemiological knowledge of sporotrichosis for Public Health and
relating it to the population growth of domestic felines, and their increasingly active presence in families, the present work aims to present the series of animals treated at the University Veterinary Hospital of Federal University of Piauí (HVU/UFPI) diagnosed with sporotrichosis through cytology examination carried out in the
Animal Pathology Sector during the period from March 2023 to September 2024. Twelve cases of feline sporotrichosis were confirmed, and the macroscopic and microscopic aspects were evaluated through cytological, histopathological, and culture examinations. The animals came from the East Zone of Teresina, with
a higher occurrence in fertile adult cats, with access to the street, without distinction of sex. The cytological examination was of fundamental importance for the diagnosis of the disease. Focal and disseminated skin lesions were the most frequently observed. And, the dissemination of these data becomes relevant, since it is a zoonosis with great importance for Public Health.

Use of probiotics in feed for juvenile nile tilapia: zootechnical performance and economic evaluation

2025-10-03T17:06:33-03:00

The emergence of diseases caused by stress during the cultivation of juvenile fish may become common, due to the intensification of production systems. The drop in immunity in fish is a factor that is linked to water quality and stocking density, which makes the environment favorable to the emergence of pathologies. In view of this,
the objective was to evaluate the zootechnical performance and economic viability of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) with different dosages of probiotic in the feed. The experiment lasted 30 days in a completely randomized experimental design, with 4 treatments and 4 replications, in which the treatments
consisted of different levels of probiotic inclusion in the diets, which were: T1 = 0.0g; T2 = 5.0g; T3 = 10.0g, and T4 = 15.0g/kg of feed. A total of 240 fish with an initial weight of approximately 5.0 g were used, with the experimental unit represented by 15 fish in a 100-liter tank. The study observed that probiotic levels up to 15.0g
per kilogram of feed had positive effects on total length gain, with the 5.0 g inclusion level showing improved zootechnical performance, also presenting a statistical difference in the variables of partial operating costs, feed
cost, percentage of feed cost, and juvenile cost in the economic evaluation.

Enterobacteria isolated in Didelphis albiventris from the municipality of Bom Jesus – Piauí

2025-10-03T20:04:18-03:00

The Enterobacteriaceae family is represented by more than 260 species and subspecies of bacteria that make up
the intestinal microbiota of several animal species, and may present pathogenic characteristics for them and
humans when in contact with susceptible organisms. In this sense, this study aimed to isolate and describe the
presence of enterobacteria in the intestinal microbiota of D. albivenntris, a marsupial mammal of anthropic
character, which has an important ecological role including participation in the endozoochory process. Biological
samples were collected from the anal mucosa of nine animals using sterile swabs. The samples were cultured on
Blood, Levine, Brilliant Green, and Salmonella Shiguella Agars, and incubated for 24h. Forty-seven colonies were
evidenced and analyzed morphotintorially by means of Gram staining, all in the form of Gram-negative rods. A
total of 23 out of 47 (51%) isolates were identified as Klebsiella aerogenes, 10/47 (21%) as Klebsiella pneumoniae,
4/47 (8%) as Proteus vulgaris, 3/47 (6%) as Escherichia coli, 3/47 (6%) as Proteus mirabilis, 2/47 (4%) as
Klebsiella cloacae, and 2/47 (4%) belonged to the Salmonella genus. The samples were also submitted to the
sensitivity test against antimicrobials with the disk-diffusion method in Mueller-Hinton Agar and disks soaked with
antibiotics, presenting different resistances. Salmonella spp. exhibited 100% resistance to ofloxacin, Escherichia
coli showed 100% resistance to doxycycline and rifampicin, Klebsiella aerogenes showed 95.6% resistance to
rifampicin and 86.9% to cefixime and sulfonamides, Proteus spp. showed 71.4% resistance to tetracycline and
doxycycline, and Klebsiella pneumoniae exhibited 60% resistance to tetracycline and rifampicin.

Foodborne outbreaks from products of animal origin

2025-10-03T20:23:36-03:00

Diseases caused by the consumption of animal-derived products pose a significant public health challenge, often
associated with pathogenic microorganisms. This review aimed to identify the main causes of contamination in
these products and propose prevention strategies. An integrative literature review was conducted, analyzing
articles published in databases such as PubMed and SciELO over the past ten years. The findings highlighted
Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes as key pathogenic agents, frequently linked to failures in animal
sanitary management and in food production and handling processes. These failures include inadequate hygiene,
storage, and transportation practices. Foodborne outbreaks related to these microorganisms can be prevented
through effective preservation methods, strict hygiene protocols for equipment and facilities, sanitary control in
livestock, and public health education. Therefore, adopting preventive measures is essential to enhance food safety
and mitigate health risks, particularly in contexts with high demand for animal-derived products.

Clinical, morphological and immunophenotypic characteristics of carcinoma in a mixed tumor in a male dog

2025-10-04T19:02:00-03:00

Mammary neoplasms in male dogs are considered rare due to their low incidence. A 9-year-old uncastrated
Rottweiler, presenting a well-defined and firm enlargement on palpation in the right thoracic mamary gland, was
treated in Fortaleza. After carrying out blood counts (true microcytic, hypochromic anemia and thrombocytosis),
cytology (PAF) suggestive of mastitis and deep skin scrapings suggestive of moderate fungal infection, oral and
topical treatment was performed, which did not provide any improvement, leading to surgical removal of the
nodule (T1: <3cm), histopathology revealed that it was a well-defined mixed tumor carcinoma (MTC) with free
margins. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) yielded the following results: Ki-67 20%; RP >75%; RE 51-75%; COX-2
score 3 (<10% strong intensity marking); HER-2 score 2 (>10% moderate and incomplete membrane staining),
configuring a Luminal B HER-2 negative molecular classification tumor. The tumor characteristics (T1/ MTC/
RP+/ RE+/ COX-2 low) indicate less aggressive biological behavior. Although mammary neoplasms are rare,
they should always be the differential diagnoses in male dogs that present enlargement in the mamary gland,
carrying out a complete clinicopathological investigation covering IHC whenever possible, to increase our
understanding of the biological behavior of these tumors.

Physeal Dysplasia in Three Domestic Felines

2025-10-04T19:20:00-03:00

Feline Physeal Dysplasia (FFD), also called slipped femoral proximal femoral epiphysis, is the result of a
weakening of the proximal femoral epiphyseal cartilage. Although its etiology is not well understood, it is known
that early orchiectomy makes closure of the epiphysis difficult, which contributes to DFF. The main clinical signs
are lameness, sensitivity in the pelvic limbs, and restriction of movements, especially the most sudden ones.
Therefore, the present work aims to describe the cases of three cats, aged two years and five months, one year and
five months, and two years and five months, males and Without Defined Breed (SRD), which presented for
veterinary care with complaints of pelvic limb lameness, pain upon manipulation of the coxofemoral joint, and
reluctance to more intense activities, avoiding jumping or climbing in high places. X-rays of the hip region were
requested, in which it was possible to diagnose DFF, and femoral head resection surgery was recommended.
Keywords: Felines, orchiectomy, femoral colocephalectomy.

Aspectos anatomopatológicos de um granuloma fúngico em uma arara-canindé

2025-10-04T19:20:32-03:00

The order Psittaciformes comprises primarily Neotropical birds, including the blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara
ararauna). Both in their natural habitat and under captive conditions, psittacines exhibit a high susceptibility to
infectious diseases, particularly those of fungal etiology. This article aims to describe a case of fungal granuloma
in a 22-year-old female blue-and-yellow macaw housed in a wildlife shelter. The bird was admitted for evaluation
due to a swelling in the right inguinal region with an undetermined duration of progression. Following cytological
findings suggestive of xanthoma, the mass was surgically excised and submitted for histopathological analysis.
Gross examination revealed a superficially desiccated core, largely encased by a firm, thickened wall.
Histopathological evaluation demonstrated subcutaneous tissue effacement by sclerotic connective tissue,
interspersed with aggregates of heterophils, epithelioid macrophages, and multinucleated giant cells. The
superficial material consisted of caseous necrotic debris containing numerous faintly basophilic, filamentous
structures. These were most prominently visualized using periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining and Grocott’s
methenamine silver (GMS) impregnation, which highlighted a delicate cell wall, distinct septations, and
dichotomous branching—morphological features consistent with fungal hyphae. These findings supported a
definitive diagnosis of a ruptured heterophilic granuloma with fungal etiology, most likely caused by Aspergillus
spp. Suboptimal husbandry conditions, overcrowding, and elevated environmental fungal load are known risk
factors for immunosuppression and the subsequent development of opportunistic mycoses.

Reproductive physiology and semen collection in wild felids

2025-10-03T20:34:57-03:00

The group of species belonging to the Felidae family presents great candidates for extinction due to numerous factors directly or indirectly related to human predatory activities. These activities negatively impact the maintenance of these animals’ lives, particularly in their reproductive aspect. Consequently, there arises a need to conserve the genetic material from their populations with the aim of facilitating reproduction. As tools to achieve these objectives, reproductive technologies have proven highly efficient. However, there are still challenges related to the specific reproductive and behavioral physiology of these individuals, which must be
considered. As part of these technologies, semen collection through electroejaculation remains the most efficient method for these animals to date. Nevertheless, it is essential to describe other collection methods for comparative purposes or as alternatives in specific situations where their use may be beneficial or more advantageous than electroejaculation.

Neoplasms of the female and male genital tract in dogs

2025-10-04T17:25:09-03:00

In view of the high incidence of neoplasms of the reproductive tract in dogs, several presentations of different
neoplastic pathologies can be observed, both in the female reproductive tract, covering all structures such as
ovaries, uterus, vulva, and vagina, and in the male reproductive tract, such as the penis, testicles, foreskin, and
scrotum. Among all these pathologies observed in both sexes, even if more incidents in the clinic as the case of
VTT (Venereal Transmissible Tumor), which can be developed by both males and females, as the rarest, are of
importance within the clinic, surgery, pathology, and several other areas of veterinary medicine to understand the
behavior of these neoplastic formations as a whole. Therefore, based on the points discussed above, this review
aimed to present and analyze studies on such neoplastic formations in the female and male reproductive tract,
focusing on the species Canis lupus familiaris, the domestic dog, addressing its descriptions, clinical
presentations, diagnostic techniques, and treatment approaches.

The monosex production of Nile Tilapia

2025-10-04T17:25:37-03:00

Currently considered the most important species in Brazilian fish farming, Oreochromis nitolicus, popularly known as Nile tilapia, stands out for its rapid growth and high resistance to varying temperatures. As a way of improving production, investments have been made in single-sex male cultures, as these are more attractive for large-scale production. To achieve this, the fry go through a process called sexual reversion, in which, through the application of a masculinizing hormone, 17-α-methyltestosterone, in the feed, a 100% male population will be generated. However, sexual reversion can also occur through gene manipulation, through chromosomal manipulation and hybridization and through sperm sexing, in which sperm of the desired sex is selected. Thus, the
objective was to briefly describe the main reproductive aspects of Nile tilapia and the techniques used for reproductive control, with an emphasis on sexual reversion.

Alterations in the Ovaries and Uterine Tubes in Cows

2025-10-04T17:25:54-03:00

Ovarian and tubal alterations in cows compromise fertility and the productive efficiency of the animals. In the
ovaries, the most frequent problems are ovarian cysts, which can be follicular or luteal, as well as tumors such
as teratomas and adenocarcinomas, which directly affect reproductive function. Hormonal imbalances can also
lead to anovulation, disrupting the reproductive cycle. In the tubular tract, conditions such as salpingitis,
hydrosalpinx, and adhesions hinder fertilization, usually resulting from bacterial infections or inflammatory
processes. The diagnosis of these alterations involves the use of ultrasonography, hormonal tests, and
microbiological analyses. Treatments range from hormonal therapies and surgical interventions to, in more
severe cases, culling of the animal. Prevention is fundamental and should include proper reproductive
management, strict infection control, and regular herd monitoring. Early diagnosis of these conditions is
essential to minimize economic losses and ensure the reproductive health of cows.

Stress at weaning of beef calves

2025-10-04T18:22:35-03:00

"Weaning stress" is a situation in which, after weaning, calves are susceptible to weight loss and greater
vulnerability to diseases, since weaning is one of the events that causes the highest levels of stress in the productive
life of these animals. In this context, the objective is to present an overview of the scientific data reported in the
literature regarding the main impacts caused by weaning stress in beef calves subjected to different methods of
separation from the dam. The findings of this review demonstrate that the weaning process causes stress and
negatively impacts the behavior of calves, which show signs of distress such as increased vocalization (+84%),
locomotor activity (+79%) and decreased time spent grazing (-24%); physiology, with increased levels of cortisol
in the bloodstream (with values ranging from 9.06 to 72.50ng/mL), heart rate (ranging from 60.00 to
84.80beats/min) and respiratory rate (with values between 28.70 and 39.60beats/min); and performance, with a
reduction in body weight gain (up to -5.20kg) from weaning to 82 days after. Therefore, it is concluded that
weaning is stressful for the animal and negatively impacts the behavior, physiology and post-weaning performance
of beef calves, especially when performed abruptly.

Comparative ovarian morphophysiology between mammals and teleost fish

2025-10-04T18:22:38-03:00

Animal experimentation is fundamental to the advancement of scientific knowledge regarding species
reproduction. Mammals, such as rats and mice, are widely used, and their contribution is well-established.
However, mammalian models entail high maintenance costs and greater variability in group assessments when
compared to some fish species. Consequently, there is an increase in the use of alternative models, such as
zebrafish (Danio rerio) and medaka (Oryzias latipes). The use of these teleost fish species as substitutes for
mammalian models has raised questions about the feasibility of this substitution, considering the differences
between these vertebrate groups, especially regarding reproductive morphology and physiology (mammals and
fish). For this reason, studies on the similarities in the reproductive biology of these species, aimed at comparing
both models, are of utmost importance in the field of human and animal reproduction. In this context, the present
review aims to characterize the anatomical and physiological structures of the reproductive systems of female
mammals and fish, focusing on the germinal epithelium, oogenesis and folliculogenesis processes, including
factors involved in follicular development and zona pellucida formation, as well as oocyte maturation and ovulation.

Cervical, vaginal and vulvar disorders in ruminants

2025-10-04T18:21:59-03:00

The reproductive system is essential for the survival of a species and for animal production, as it is responsible
for supplying new offspring and products such as meat, wool, and milk. Reproductive efficiency is the main
profitability factor in most production systems. The female reproductive system consists of the ovaries, fallopian
tube, uterus, cervix, vagina, and vulva. The failure of these components is due to some error or insufficiency of
one of the components, many of which are related to diseases and anomalies of the reproductive tract. Therefore,
this paper aims to compile the main information on the characteristics and consequences of anomalies and
diseases of the cervix, vagina, and vulva in mammals, with an emphasis on ruminants. The cervix is a fibrous and
muscular organ intermediate between the uterus and the vagina that functions mainly as a physical barrier,
playing an essential role in maintaining pregnancy and also during childbirth. The vagina and vulva are a
passageway for semen, protecting the spermatozoa, and for the calf during childbirth. The pathologies covered in
this review are congenital anomalies, acquired alterations, and inflammatory alterations.