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Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the inability to achieve and/or maintain penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual relations, and aging is one of the main risk factors involved. The D-(+)-Galactose aging model is a consolidated methodology for studies of cardiovascular aging; however, its potential for use with ED remain unexplored. The present study proposed to characterize a new experimental model for ED, using the D-(+)-Galactose aging model. For the experiments, the animals were randomly divided into three groups receiving: vehicle (CTL), D-galactose 150 mg/kg (DGAL), and D-(+)-galactose 150 mg/Kg + sildenafil 1.5 mg/Kg (DGAL+SD1.5) being administered daily for a period of eight weeks. All of the experimental protocols were previously approved by the Ethics Committee on the Use of Animals at the Federal University of Paraíba n° 9706070319. During the treatment, we analyzed physical, molecular, and physiological aspects related to the aging process and implicated in the development of ED. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that D-(+)-Galactose-induced aging represents a suitable experimental model for ED assessment. This was evidenced by an observed hyper-contractility in corpora cavernosa, significant endothelial dysfunction, increased ROS levels, an increase in cavernous tissue senescence, and the loss of essential penile erectile components.

This study aimed to provide the performance, localization and expression of the epithelial calcium transporter channels Calbindin-D28k (Calb) and TRPV6, and of the morphology of the digestive and reproductive system of laying quail under heat stress (HS), and with methionine supplementation (MS). This study characterized the positivity (immunohistochemistry) and expression (real-time PCR) of calcium channels in the kidneys, intestine and uterus of 504 laying quails under different MS (100, 110 and 120%) and temperatures (20, 24, 28 and 32°C). The animals under HS (32°C) had lower villus height, villus:crypt ratio, and goblet cell index in the duodenum and jejunum, fewer secondary and tertiary uterine folds, smaller hepatic steatosis, and increased number of distal convoluted renal tubules (CT) positive to Calb, and increased positivity in proximal CTs. Deleterious effects of HS were minimized with MS for: duodenal crypts, number of goblet cells of the jejunum, number of uterine folds, decreased Calb positivity in intestines and kidney, increased positivity of Calb in the uterus and increased TRPV6 gene expression in the kidney (P≤0.05). Epithelial calcium transporters were altered due to less need for calcium absorption and reabsorption due to more calcium available with the MS, increasing egg production in HS and quality in termoneutrality (P≤0.05). MS further increased intestinal villus absorption area and height, increased steatosis, decreased Calb positivity in the intestine and kidney, increased uterine positivity of Calb, and increase Calb and TRPV6 expression in the kidney (P≤0.001) under thermoneutrality. It was concluded that the use of MS (120%) is justifiable in order to partially reverse the deleterious effects of HS on the production, in the epithelial calcium carriers, and in the digestory and reproductive morphology of laying quail.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the production performance and the occurrence of histomorphometric changes in the digestive, hepatic and renal systems of goats fed with a diet containing different contents of 25 and 55% spineless cactus ( Nopalea cochenillifera (L.)) and with partial or total restriction of drinking water. A total of 35 castrated male goats were used, with an average initial body weight of 19 + 1.4 kg, an average age of 8 months and distributed into five treatments: control (CON): 0.8 Tifton-85 hay and 0.2 concentrate with access to drinking water; 0.25 spineless cactus with access to drinking water (25ADW); 0.25 spineless cactus without access to drinking water (25NDW); 0.55 spineless cactus with access to drinking water (55ADW) and 0.55 spineless cactus without access to drinking water (55NDW). Ruminal and intestinal morphometry, liver glycogen reserve index, duodenal goblet cell index and liver and kidney histopathology were carried out. In the treatment with 0.25 spineless cactus and 0.55 Tifton-85 hay, dry matter intake increased by 26%. The papilla absorption area showed that the 0.55 spineless cactus content provided a larger area ( P < 0.05) compared to the 0.25 content and the control. It can be concluded that spineless cactus ( N. cochenillifera (L.)) can be used in the diet of goats at a concentration of up to 0.55, associated with Tifton-85, with or without access to drinking water, without causing losses in animal performance or at ruminal, intestinal, hepatic or renal level.

This study assessed the effect of both embryonic thermal manipulation and dietary threonine level on the response of broilers inoculated with Salmonella Enteritidis, considering bacterial counts in the cecal contents, intestinal morphology, mucin and heat shock protein 70 gene expression, body weight and weight gain. Thermal manipulation was used from 11 days of incubation until hatch, defining three treatments: standard (37.7°C), continuous high temperature (38.7°C) and continuous low temperature (36.7°C). After hatch, chicks were distributed according to a 3x2+1 factorial arrangement (three temperatures and two threonine levels and one sham-inoculated control). At two days of age, all chicks were inoculated with Salmonella Enteritidis, except for the sham-inoculated control group. There was no interaction between the factors on any analyses. High temperature during incubation was able to reduce colonization by Salmonella Enteritidis in the first days, reducing both Salmonella counts and the number of positive birds. It also increased mucin expression and decreased Hsp70 expression compared with other inoculated groups. High temperature during incubation and high threonine level act independently to reduce the negative effects associated to Salmonella Enteritidis infection on intestinal morphology and performance, with results similar to sham-inoculated birds. The findings open new perspectives for practical strategies towards the pre-harvest Salmonella control in the poultry industry.

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 enzyme supplementation on the thermoregulatory responses of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) exposed to different thermal environments. A total of 720 one-day-old laying quails were assigned to a completely randomized design with five dietary treatments (0, 500, 1000, 1500, and 3000 FTU of phytase) and three thermal conditions: thermal comfort (24 °C) and heat stress environments (30 °C and 36 °C). Each treatment had six replicates with eight quails per experimental unit. Data were collected during the early laying phase, peak egg production, and the final laying phase. Measurements included rectal and surface temperatures (assessed via thermographic imaging), allowing the calculation of core-to-surface and surface-to-environment thermal gradients. Quails exposed to severe heat stress (36 °C) showed increased heat dissipation via convection (p = 0.001) and radiation (p = 0.029) when supplemented with phytase doses above 1500 FTU/kg. Additionally, high-dose phytase supplementation reduced the cloacal temperature and optimized thermal gradients, indicating a potential protective effect of exogenous phytase in alleviating heat stress. Overall, these findings highlight phytase supplementation as a promising nutritional strategy to enhance heat tolerance, mitigate thermal stress, and improve the welfare and physiological resilience of quails throughout the production cycle.

Moderately fermentable dietary fiber (with different crude fiber [CF] levels), especially when combined with stimbiotic (STB) supplementation, can enhance intestinal health, nutrient utilization, and overall performance in laying hens, although effects depend on fiber type, level, and diet composition. To investigate this, 1200 Bovans White laying hens (32 weeks old) were assigned to a 2 × 6 factorial experiment with two levels of supplementation (without or with 0.01% STB) and six dietary fiber treatments: Control (commercial diet), Corn–soybean, 75:25 wheat–corn, 50:50 wheat–corn, 25:75 wheat–corn, and Corn–soybean. The study spanned five 28-day periods, evaluating productive performance, egg quality, and intestinal morphology. Dietary fiber levels significantly improved feed intake (p = 0.0029), egg production (p < 0.0001), egg mass (p < 0.0001), feed conversion (p < 0.0001), and intestinal structure (p ≤ 0.05), while STB alone had limited effects. Hens fed 75:25 and 50:50 wheat–corn diets consumed more feed, and the highest egg production and mass were observed in layers receiving Control, 75:25 wheat–corn, and Corn–soybean diets. Egg quality benefited from the fiber–STB interaction, producing heavier eggs with higher yolk pigmentation (p ≤ 0.05), thicker shells (p ≤ 0.05), and specific gravity (p ≤ 0.05). STB supplementation increased jejunal villus width (p = 0.0001) and absorptive area (p = 0.0063), whereas fiber type affected ileal villus width (p = 0.0025) and absorptive area (p = 0.0156). Fiber–STB interaction influences the duodenum villus width (p = 0.0106), crypt depth (p = 0.0011), villus-to-crypt ratio (p = 0.0058), and absorptive area (p = 0.0086), and ileum villus width (p = 0.0011), crypt depth (p = 0.0058), and absorptive area (p = 0.0086). In conclusion, the use of 0.01% STB in diets with high crude fiber levels (25:75 and 75:25 wheat–corn ratios) improves performance, egg quality, and intestinal health in laying hens.

Cannabis intoxication is increasingly reported in small animal practice, often resulting from accidental ingestion of human products or unsupervised access to the plant. Although clinical signs are well documented, laboratory alterations remain poorly described. This study aimed to confirm cannabis intoxication in dogs using a rapid urinary test for THC metabolites and to investigate associated hematological, biochemical, and urinary alterations. In this study, nine dogs that were admitted to the emergency veterinary clinic in João Pessoa, Brazil, between 2021 and 2022, with suspected cannabis ingestion and owner confirmation, were evaluated. The animals were included regardless of breed, sex or age, and the results compared with healthy animals (control). Clinical signs were treated supportively. Urine and blood samples were collected 6 h after admission. Dogs were classified as \"positive\" or \"negative/control\" based on chromatographic detection of THC metabolites (PoCT COC/THC Assure Tech, Westlake Eco Zone/China; ANVISA 80885650015). Hematological analysis evaluated anemia, leukocyte, and platelet counts; serum biochemistry focused on hepatic and renal markers; urinalysis assessed color, clarity, specific gravity, and pH. No statistically significant differences were observed between intoxicated and non-intoxicated dogs in any of the laboratory parameters. Additionally, most animals showed only discrete or absent clinical signs. These findings suggest that accidental cannabis ingestion in dogs tends to result in mild physiological effects and minimal laboratory alterations, indicating a low risk of severe toxicity. Nonetheless, accurate identification of exposure using diagnostic tools is essential for appropriate case management. A deeper understanding of the endocannabinoid system in companion animals is key to improving clinical decision-making and assessing potential risks associated with cannabis exposure.

This study evaluated the effects of increasing phytase levels on serum biochemical parameters and renal and hepatic changes in Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) under different temperature conditions. A total of 720 quails were distributed in a 5 × 3 factorial design with five phytase levels (0, 500, 1000, 1500, and 3000 FTU/kg) and three temperature ranges (24, 30, and 36 °C), totaling 15 treatments with six replicates of eight birds each. Data were collected in cycles 2 and 4. The parameters measured included eggshell thickness (ST), total egg production (TEP), liver weight (LW), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (FA), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), urea (URE), creatine kinase (CK), and uric acid (UA). PRO was higher at 30 °C compared to 24 °C and 36 °C. EC showed a significant interaction between phytase levels and temperature, with phytase improving EC, especially at 1500 FTU and 36 °C. PF was not affected in the second cycle but had a quadratic effect in the fourth cycle. Phytase supplementation improved shell thickness and regulated biochemical parameters, especially at high temperatures. Based on these results, a phytase level of 1500 FTU/kg is recommended to optimize performance and mitigate the negative effects of high temperatures on quail health.

Quail farming necessitates the provision of balanced diets to promote avian health and performance, with dietary fiber and feed additives exerting significant influence on immune and physiological responses. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of stimbiotic inclusion in diets characterized by varying fiber profiles on hematological and biochemical parameters in European quails ( ). A total of six hundred quails, aged from 1 to 35 days, were assigned to 12 distinct treatments, each comprising 5 replicates of 10 birds. The dietary treatments included a corn-soy control, two basal diets featuring corn (low soluble fiber) and wheat (high soluble fiber), and three mixed diets that combined corn and wheat in varying proportions, with each diet supplemented with or without 0.01% stimbiotic. Blood samples were collected at 14 and 35 days of age. In the initial phase (1-14 days), the addition of stimbiotic resulted in increased hemoglobin levels and a reduction in total white blood cells, heterophils, and lymphocytes, indicative of an enhanced immune status. In contrast, dietary fiber was found to influence liver enzyme activity and triglyceride levels. During the growth phase (15-35 days), stimbiotic continued to exert positive effects on hemoglobin and packed cell volume, while dietary fiber increased eosinophil counts, modulating the immune response without affecting other parameters. In conclusion, dietary fiber plays a functional role, particularly during the growth phase, while stimbiotic inclusion enhances immune function in both developmental stages, demonstrating that both strategies contribute positively to the health and performance of European quails.