Jose Geraldo de Vargas Junior

Scopus Publications

Effect of dietary caffeine supplementation on the carcass composition of pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus
STEFANI GRACE S. MORAES, JONAS HENRIQUE S. MOTTA, PRISCILLA C.C. PIERRO, ANDRÉ BATISTA DE SOUZA, MARCELO F. POLESE, JOSÉ GERALDO VARGAS JÚNIOR, MANUEL V. VIDAL JÚNIOR, and PEDRO PIERRO MENDONÇA
FapUNIFESP (SciELO)
Pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) is a fish with a high production potential in Brazil. However, one limitation is the excessive amount of ether extract in its carcass, an undesirable characteristic for the consumer. One approach to overcome this limitation is to improve carcass quality through zootechnical additives such as caffeine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementing the diet of pacu with caffeine on cut yield, biological indices, and carcass composition. Two hundred pacu with an initial weight of 1,687 g were used. The animals were allocated to 20 aquaculture cages of 1 m³, with 10 animals per cage. A completely randomized design with four treatments and five replicates was used. The treatments evaluated consisted of four inclusion levels of caffeine: T1 = 0.00 g; T2 = 0.16 g; T3 = 0.32 g, and T4 = 0.48 g caffeine.kg-1 of feed. The findings show that caffeine can be recommended as a diet supplement for carcass improvement of pacu, reducing the fat content and increasing the protein content of the carcass. Caffeine up to 0.32 g.kg-1 of feed can be added to the diet of pacu without affecting its performance or cut yield.

Performance and bone characteristics of broilers fed diets supplemented with vitamin A at different concentrations
Vaneila D. L. Savaris, Paulo C. Pozza, Clauber Polese, José G. de Vargas, Maira S. D. Pavlak, Lucas Wachholz, Bruno S. Vieira, Guilherme L. S. Tesser, Paulo L. de Oliveira Carvalho, Cinthia Eyng,et al.
Wiley
AbstractThis work evaluated the influence of vitamin A on performance, organ weight, and bone and skin characteristics in broilers (Cobb 500) at 21 and 42 days of age. A total of 1920 chickens were distributed in a randomised design, considering six vitamin A supplementation levels (0, 6000, 16,000, 26,000, 36,000, and 46,000 IU kg−1), with 16 replicates and 20 chickens per experimental unit, established due to rising the range of vitamin levels observed in the literature to evaluate the effect of vitamin A on broilers. At 22 days, half of the replicates from each treatment continued receiving the initial diet, and the other eight repetitions received diets without vitamin A (0 IU kg−1) until 42 days. The level of vitamin A influenced feed intake (FI) and body weight gain (BWG) until 21 days for all treatments. Broilers at 21 days of age had a more significant BWG at a vitamin A supplementation level of 28,209 IU kg−1. At 42 days, vitamin A influenced the BWG and FI of broilers at treatments that were not supplemented after 21 days. Treatments supplemented up to 42 days showed quadratic responses to vitamin A for BWG, FI, and feed conversion. The vitamin A levels influenced the relative weights of the small intestine, pancreas, gizzard, abdominal fat, Seedor index, and breaking strength at 42 days, where the adequate supplementation of vitamin A improved these characteristics in broilers. Vitamin A supplementation from 22 to 42 days old did not affect broiler performance. An increased BWG was obtained when vitamin A supplementation occurred until 42 days, with supplementation of 29,375 IU kg−1 and a lower response of feed conversion with the addition of 27,775 IU kg−1.

Effects of feeding diets with zinc-l-selenomethionine on growth performance of broilers subjected to cyclic heat stress
Guilherme Luis Silva Tesser, Nilton Rohloff Junior, Felipe Potenza Campos, Ana Paula Guimarães Cruz Costa, Heloísa Sartor, Cristine Kaufmann, José Geraldo de Vargas Junior, Cinthia Eyng, and Ricardo Vianna Nunes
Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Effects of probiotics on blood metabolites, enterocytes, growth, and carcass characteristics of broilers challenged with Salmonella Serovar Heidelberg
E.H. Cirilo, N. Rohloff Junior, T.S. Andrade, C. Souza, C. Kaufmann, T.L. Kohler, L.I. Datsch, B.S. Vieira, J.G. Vargas Junior, P.L.O. Carvalho,et al.
Elsevier BV

Energy levels and lysine, calcium and phosphorus adjustments on broiler nutrient digestibility and performance
VICTOR EMANUEL M. FEITOSA, CAMILLA M. SILVA, VALDIR RIBEIRO JÚNIOR, CLAUDIO JOSE P. DE OLIVEIRA, JOSÉ GERALDO DE VARGAS JÚNIOR, ANTÔNIO P. DE BARROS NETO, LUIZ FERNANDO T. ALBINO, and CLAUDSON O. BRITO
FapUNIFESP (SciELO)
Chicken broilers digestibility and performance fed with different ME levels, with and without adjustments of digestible lysine, calcium, and available phosphorus, were evaluated. For digestibility, 210 male Cobb 500 chicken broilers were used and distributed into a 3x2+1 factorial arrangement, with three ME levels (3050; 3125 and 3200 kcal/kg) with and without nutrient adjustment, plus one control treatment (2975 kcal ME/kg), totaling seven treatments including six repetitions with five birds into each repetition. For initial performance, 1120 birds were distributed randomly with eight replications within treatments and 20 birds for each replication. For final performance, 1008 chickens were distributed with eight replications and 18 birds for each replication. The DCDM and DCCP were improved (P<0.05) according to the increase of ME and the adjustment in dietary nutrients, as well as GE digestibility. The final performance showed no interaction (P>0.05) between energy and nutrient adjustment, but the increase in energy levels improved the feed conversion ratio (FCR=1.370). Increasing energy density with nutrient adjustment improves both nutrient utilization and bird performance.

Multienzyme complex in rations containing whole rice bran for newly weaned piglets
Juliano Pelição Molino, Rita da Trindade Ribeiro Nobre Soares, Ricardo Augusto Mendonça Vieira, Raphael Pires Bolzan, José Geraldo Vargas Junior, and Rodrigo Fortunato de Oliveira
CSIRO Publishing
Context The feeding of pigs raised in an intensive system has been made, in general, with rations formulated using corn and soybean meal as the main ingredients. Brown rice bran, a by-product of the processing of rice grains for human consumption, presents itself as an alternative for total or partial replacement. Aims The objective of the present study was to observe the effects of including 10% of whole rice bran (WRB), adding 0.02% exogenous multienzyme complex (MC) and changing the levels of metabolisable energy and available phosphorus (ME.aP) together in rations for newly weaned piglets. Methods Digestibility and metabolisability of the rations, as well as zootechnical performance, were evaluated using 24 and 144 animals respectively, distributed in randomised blocks in time, with eight treatments, in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial scheme. Three repetitions were used in the metabolism essay, with one animal housed per cage, and six repetitions were made in the performance test, with three animals per stall, which was considered the experimental unit. Digestibility and metabolisability coefficients, weight gain and feed intake, as well as feed efficiency, were evaluated. Key results The results showed that the inclusion of WRB reduced the digestibility and metabolisability coefficients of the rations, while the addition of MC provided an improvement in these indexes. The performance test showed that the inclusion of WRB worsened (P < 0.05) the feed efficiency. Conclusions and implications The multienzyme complex improves the digestibility and metabolisability of experimental rations, although it does not influence the performance of piglets in the nursery phase.

Metabolizable energy to imunocastreted barrows on termination phase
Edison Torres da Silva Júnior, Rita Da Trindade Ribeiro Nobre Soares, Juliano Pelição Molino, Fábio Da Costa Henry, José Geraldo Vargas Junior, and Rodrigo Fortunato de Oliveira
Universidade Federal do Parana
Objetivou-se estimar a exigência de energia metabolizável (EM) para suínos machos imunocastrados na fase de terminação. O experimento foi conduzido na Universidade Estadual Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro. Foram utilizados 60 suínos machos distribuídos em delineamento de blocos casualizados, sendo 50 suínos imunocastrados – IM (tratamento 1 a 5) e 10 castrados cirurgicamente – CC (tratamento 3b). Os tratamentos diferiram quanto ao nível de EM utilizada, sendo T1 – 3030, T2 – 3130, T3a – 3230, T3b – 3230, T4 – 3330 e T5 – 3430 Kcal de EM/Kg. Foram avaliadas características de desempenho em diferentes períodos (A – intervalo entre a primeira e a segunda imunização, B – intervalo entre a segunda imunização e o abate e T – período total, da primeira imunização ao abate) e de carcaça, além de análise sensorial da carne dos suínos. Os dados médios obtidos nos diferentes níveis de energia foram submetidos à análise de variância e análise de regressão linear em nível de 5% de significância. A análise foi realizada com o auxílio do programa de análises estatísticas SAEG. Foi observado efeito linear crescente (P<0,05) para consumo de ração diário, ganho de peso diário, consumo diário de energia e consumo diário de lisina em diferentes períodos. Houve resultados significativos (P<0,01) para consumo diário de energia e consumo de lisina em diferentes períodos. Não houve diferença (P>0,05) entre as características de carcaça avaliadas. Na análise sensorial, embora os avaliadores tenham detectado diferenças no odor das carnes de suínos CC e IM, tais diferenças não foram devidas ao odor sexual. Não foi possível estimar o nível de energia metabolizável para a categoria de suínos imunocastrados em fase de terminação.

Optimal available phosphorus levels in diets containing different dicalcium phosphate particle sizes for Japanese quails
MQ Nascimento, JG Vargas Junior, CEL Pinto, LF Demuner, FB Petrucci, and FM Vieites
FapUNIFESP (SciELO)
I State University of Sao Paulo “Julio de Mesquita Filho”/ Faculty of Agrarian Sciences (FCAV), Department of Animal Science, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil. II Federal University of Espirito Santo– Department of Animal Science, Alegre, ES, Brazil. III BM Comércio de Produtos Químicos e Biológicos Ltda. Santa Maria de Jetibá, ES, Brazil. IV Science, Technology and Innovation Agency of the state of Mato Grosso (SECITEC), Cuiabá, MT, Brazil. V COOPEAVI, Santa Maria de Jetibá, ES, Brazil. VI Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil

Use of golden mussel and wattle tannin in the supply of cut chickens
Douglas Fernando Bayerle, Ricardo Vianna Nunes, Lucas Wachholz, Taciana Maria de Oliveira Bruxel, José Geraldo de Vargas Junior, Gabriela Sangalli, Talita Vitória Giron, and Rodrigo André Schone
Universidade Estadual de Londrina
This study aimed to evaluate the use of acacia tannin as a toxic metal adsorbent in the diets of broilers fed with the inclusion of golden mussel meal in substitution for calcitic limestone. In the first trial, 648 male 21-day-old animals were divided among six treatments and six replicates, with 18 birds per experimental unit, organized in a completely randomized design (DIC). The treatments were diets with different acacia tannin levels (0, 250, 500, 750, 1000, or 1250 g ton-1). The results indicated that 250 g ton-1 of tannin was not harmful to weight gain, final weight, or feed conversion. Tannin levels caused a decrease in carcass yield and fat deposition and an increase in liver size. For the second trial, 900 male broilers of 21 days of age were used and distributed in a DIC, with different levels of substitution of calcitic limestone by the golden mussel meal (0, 25, 50, 75, or 100 %) and supplementation or not with acacia tannins (250 g ton-1), with 5 replicates and each experimental unit being composed of 18 birds. The performance data show that the use of 250 g ton-1 of tannin is detrimental to bone performance and resistance and golden mussel meal can be used to substitute up to 100 % of the limestone in the diets without affecting the variables studied.

Supplementation of L-glycine and L-glutamate to Japanese quails from 01 to 36 days of age using the ideal protein concept
Danilo V. G. Vieira, José H. V. Silva, Fernando G. P. Costa, Thiago S. Melo, Matheus R. Lima, Danilo T. Cavalcante, José G. de Vargas Júnior, Talita P. Bonaparte, and Lorena C. Oliveira
Wiley
AbstractExperiment I: T1‐1 = basal diet with 25% crude protein (CP) + limiting amino acids (LA); T1‐2 = 20% CP + LA; T1‐3 = 20% CP + LA + L‐glycine; T1‐4 = 20% CP + LA + L‐glutamate; T1‐5 = 20% CP + LA + L‐glycine + L‐glutamate. Experiment II: T2‐1 = basal diet with 22% CP + LA; T2‐2 = 20% CP + LA; T2‐3 = 17.6% CP + LA + L‐glycine; T2‐4 = 17.6% CP + LA + L‐glutamate; T2‐5 = 17.6% CP + LA + L‐glycine + L‐glutamate. The reduction of dietary protein based on the concept of ideal protein decreases nitrogen excretion in quails when L‐glycine is added to the diets. Quails fed diets supplemented with L‐glutamate as the non‐specific nitrogen source equivalent to the nitrogen level of the control diet had increased nitrogen excretion. However, quails had reduced nitrogen excretion in both experiments when L‐glycine was added to diets with L‐glutamate. Carcass fat was increased by reducing dietary protein, but fat deposition was reduced by adding L‐glutamate and L‐glycine, or both. The dietary addition of L‐glutamate and L‐glycine in quails based on the ideal protein concept is not necessary (Exp. I). Although the total nitrogen, electrolytic balance and glycine level were adjusted in diets, quails had decreased performance. Therefore, other hypotheses besides protein reduction need to be studied (Exp. II). Protein reduction with supplementation of only limiting essential amino acids does not affect quail performance. Dietary addition of L‐glycine reduces nitrogen excretion.

2-Hydroxy-4-methylthio butanoic acid and DL-methionine for Japanese quails in production
D. V. G. Vieira, F. G. P. Costa, M. R. Lima, J. G. de V. Júnior, T. P. Bonaparte, and D. T. Cavalcante
Wiley
SummaryAn experiment was performed using 1,000 laying Japanese quails to assess the availability of two alternative dietary methionine sources. Treatment 01 = Basal Feed that is deficient in digestible methionine + cystine (Met + Cys). The other treatments were constituted by Met + Cys levels of 0.8, 1.60 and 2.40 g/kg, supplemented with DL‐Methionine‐99%, HMTBA‐88% and HMTBA‐84%, being 10 treatments in total. The following characteristics were studied: feed intake (g/bird/day), egg production (egg/day × 100), egg weight (g/egg), egg mass (g/egg), feed conversion per egg dozen (kg feed/dozen eggs), feed conversion per egg mass (kg feed/kg eggs), relative yolk weight (g/100 g of egg), relative albumen weight (g/100 g of egg), relative shell weight (g/100 g of egg), shell thickness (mm) and specific gravity (g/cm3). In general result comment, supplemental methionine sources must be included in the poultry diet. The different methionine sources affect the performance of quails, and the increase in the levels within each source improves the performance variables. Significant effect was observable on performance variables and egg quality variables, being that DLM‐99% is superior to the other sources. The HMTBA‐88% source is superior to the HMTBA‐84% source for the same aforementioned variables. In conclusion, the bioefficacy values of the HMTBA‐88% and HMTBA‐84% sources compared to the DLM‐99% source on an equimolar basis were 81 and 79%, respectively, for the performance variables, and 83 and 74 while the methionine sources were equivalent for the variables related to egg quality.

Zinc copper ratio of Japanese quails diets posture
B.C. Ferreira, C.O. Brito, M.D. Cordeiro, W.A. Barboza, D.H.B. Binoti, T.V. Maurício, C.C.F. Cunha, and J.G. Vargas Júnior
FapUNIFESP (SciELO)
RESUMO Objetivou-se verificar o efeito da suplementação de diferentes relações de zinco orgânico e de cobre inorgânico, bem como comparar os resultados com a dieta controle de codornas japonesas, sobre o desempenho produtivo e a qualidade dos ovos. Foram realizados dois experimentos na área experimental da Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo: variando os níveis de zinco orgânico e mantendo os de cobre recomendados e outro variando os níveis de cobre inorgânico. O período experimental foi de 84 dias, divididos em períodos de 21 dias. Foram usadas cinco pré-misturas minerais. Foram analisadas variáveis de desempenho e qualidade dos ovos. Foi observado primeiramente que as variáveis avaliadas não foram afetadas de forma significativa pelas diferentes relações dos minerais, exceto para pesos relativo e absoluto da casca. No segundo ensaio, não houve interação entre os níveis de zinco e de cobre nem entre estes e a dieta controle, para nenhuma das variáveis observadas; quando analisadas as médias individuais, foi observada diferença significativa para taxa de postura, relação ovos comerciais e totais, consumo de ração e na unidade Haugh. Pode-se concluir que a relação de 35mg/kg de zinco orgânico e a de 3,5mg/kg de cobre inorgânico atenderam as necessidades nutricionais dos animais para desempenho e qualidade de ovos.

Ratio of digestible lysine to arginine in Japanese laying quails
Thamírys Vianelli Maurício, José Geraldo de Vargas Junior, Matheus Faria de Souza, Bibliana Da Costa Ferrreira, Ricardo Vianna Nunes, and Flávio Medeiros Vieites
Universidade Estadual de Londrina
The objective of this study was to evaluate the existence of an interaction between lysine and arginine, and to determine their optimal ratio in the diets of Japanese laying quails. We used 480 quails with an initial mean weight of 180 g at 140 days of age. The quails were distributed in the experimental units in a completely randomized (3 × 2) factorial design, with three levels of digestible lysine (1.083, 1.183, 1.283%) and two levels of digestible arginine (1.472 and 1.580%). There were six treatments, with 10 replicates each, for a total of 60 experimental units. Rations, leftovers, and dead animals were weighed in order to calculate and adjust performance parameters. The variables analyzed were: daily diet consumption (DDC), laying rate (LR), average egg weight (AEW), egg mass (EM), feed conversion per egg mass and dozen eggs (FCEM and FCDE, respectively), weights of yolk, eggshell, and albumen (YW, ESW, and AW, respectively), relative yolk, eggshell, and albumen weights (RYW, RESW, and RAW, respectively), Haugh unit (HU), and marketable egg percentage (ME). There was no interaction (P > 0.05) between the levels of digestible lysine and arginine on the parameters analyzed; independently, these parameters were not affected by lysine and arginine levels. In conclusion, the optimal ratio of lysine and arginine in the diet of laying quails was 1.36: 1.00, which was the lowest used in the present study.

Digestible methionine+cystine for tambaqui juveniles
L.P. Gonçalves Júnior, J.G.S. Sousa, P.D.C. Selvatici, L.F. Mendes, J.G. Vargas Júnior, and P.P. Mendonça
FapUNIFESP (SciELO)
RESUMO Avaliou-se o efeito dos níveis de metionina+cistina digestível para juvenis de tambaqui na fase inicial de desenvolvimento (3,03±0,06g) durante 45 dias. Foram utilizados 160 juvenis de tambaqui distribuídos em DIC, com cinco tratamentos (níveis de metionina+cistina digestível = 0,66; 0,73; 0,80; 0,87; 0,94%), quatro repetições e oito animais por unidade experimental. As dietas utilizadas foram isoproteicas (25%) e isoenergéticas (3200kcal.kg-1). Os resultados obtidos foram submetidos aos testes de homogeneidade, normalidade, à análise de variância e à análise de regressão. Os parâmetros físicos e químicos da água do sistema de recirculação ficaram dentro da faixa de tolerância para a espécie. Os níveis de metionina+cistina digestíveis avaliados não influenciaram (P>0,05) a sobrevivência, o índice hepatossomático, o índice de gordura visceral e o consumo de ração. Entretanto, ganho de peso e taxa de eficiência proteica apresentaram aumento linear (P<0,05) com aumento da metionina + cistina na ração. Verificou-se que os níveis de metionina + cistina para o tambaqui não foram completamente atendidos, sendo recomendada a realização de novos estudos.

Golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei) in feed for broiler chicks using tannin as a sequestrant of toxic metals
Douglas Fernando Bayerle, Ricardo Vianna Nunes, Affonso Celso Gonçalves Junior, Lucas Wachholz, Carina Scherer, Idiana Mara da Silva, Taciana Maria de Oliveira-Bruxel, and José Geraldo de Vargas Junior
Universidade Estadual de Londrina
This study aimed to evaluate the use of wattle tannin as an adsorbent of toxic metals in broilers fed on diets with different levels of replacement of limestone with golden mussel meal. First, we conducted a trial to evaluate the performance of broiler chicks from 1 to 21 days old when fed on wattle tannin. For this we used 720 male broiler chicks that were one day old, in a completely randomized design with six treatments and six replications. The treatments were composed of basal diets with increasing levels of wattle tannin (0, 250, 500, 750, 1000 and 1250 g tonne-1), where the tannin replaced the inert material of the feed. All of the diets were isonutritive and isocaloric. The results showed that 250 g tonne-1 of tannin was detrimental to weight gain, final weight and feed conversion, and the use of 1000 g tonne-1 of wattle tannin, in addition to these effects, caused a drop in consumption of the ration. There was no effect of treatment on morphometric measurements of villi, crypt or the villus:crypt ratio. Next, we conducted a second test to evaluate the performance of broiler chicks from 1 to 21 days of age when fed with increasing levels of replacement (0, 25, 50, 75, 100%) of limestone with golden mussel and even supplementation or not wattle tannin. Five repetitions were used and the birds were housed in a completely randomized design. In diets with the inclusion of tannin, 250 g tonne-1 of wattle tannin was used, which replaced the inert material in the feed. In this test, 1200 male broiler chicks that were one day old were used. The results showed that the golden mussel contains large quantities of calcium, with low concentrations of toxic metals and microbiological contamination within the allowed range. Performance data show that mussel can be used to replace up to 100% of limestone in feed without affecting the variables, but the use of 250 g tonne-1 of wattle tannin affects the performance of chicks. Bone quality was not changed by the treatments. Phosphorus and calcium in the bones remained stable during treatment and only the gray variation showed interaction effects from the use of mussel and wattle tannin.

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin-D<inf>3</inf> over bony characteristics of female broilers
F.M. Vieites, L.C.A.B. Drosghic, C.S. Souza, C.A.R. Lima, G.H.K. Moraes, R.V. Nunes, C.H.F. Vasconcellos, and J.G. Vargas Júnior
FapUNIFESP (SciELO)
RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar as características dos tibiotarsos de frangos de corte fêmeas. As variáveis analisadas foram os pesos in natura, secos e desengordurados, o comprimento, os diâmetros, a resistência óssea, o índice de Seedor (IS), os percentuais de proteínas colagenosas (PC), as proteínas não colagenosas (PNC), os minerais (cálcio, fósforo, potássio e sódio) e as cinzas. Foram utilizadas 648 aves, da marca comercial Cobb®, em um delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com seis tratamentos e seis repetições, com 18 aves por unidade experimental. Os tratamentos consistiram na suplementação de 0,00; 0,50; 1,00; 1,50; 2,00 e 2,50 μg de 1,25-dihidroxivitamina-D3 (1,25(OH)2D3)/kg de ração. Aos 21 e 35 dias de idade, as aves foram pesadas e uma ave por unidade experimental (UE) com o peso médio da UE foi eutanasiada para a obtenção dos tibiotarsos e subsequente análise dos parâmetros ósseos. As variáveis métricas, bem como a composição orgânica (PC), a densidade (IS) e a resistência à quebra dos ossos das aves, não foram influenciadas pelos tratamentos. No recebimento de 2,50 µg de 1,25(OH)2D3/kg de ração, observou-se maior retenção mineral (cinzas) nos ossos das aves aos 35 dias de idade.

Order of amino acid inclusion in the diet of DeKalb White laying hens
Danilo Vargas Gonçalves Vieira, Thiago De Sousa Melo, José Humberto Vilar da Silva, Fernando Guilherme Perazzo Costa, Danilo Teixeira Cavalcante, Matheus Ramalho de Lima, Talita Pinheiro Bonaparte, José Geraldo de Vargas Júnior, Marilú Santos Sousa, and Ana Carolina Müller Conti
Universidade Estadual de Londrina
Three hundred and twenty-four DeKalb White laying hens aged 42 weeks were distributed in a completely randomised design with nine treatments and six replicates of six birds in each treatment. The experiment lasted 112 days. Diets were: T1 = 16.02% crude protein - CP [Met + Lys + Thr + Trp + Val]; T2 = 14.02% CP [Met + Lys + Thr + Trp + Ile + Val]; T3 = 14.02% CP [no amino acid supplementation]; T4 = 14.02% CP [Met + Lys + Thr + Trp]; T5 = 14.02% CP [Met + Lys + Thr]; T6 = 14.02% CP [Met]; T7 = 14.02% CP [Lys]; T8 = 14.02% CP [Thr]; T9 = 14.02% CP [Trp]. Regarding the quality of the eggs, the percentage of yolk and albumen, shell thickness and Haugh unit were not affected by the different diets. The percentage of shell, specific gravity and albumen height showed significant differences. We found that supplementation of only one amino acid in the diet (T7, T8 or T9), with the exception of methionine (T6), worsened performance relative to the control. Supplementation of three amino acids (methionine, lysine and threonine; T5) or four amino acids (methionine, lysine, threonine and tryptophan; T4) worsened egg production and conversion per mass and per dozen eggs; however, feed intake and egg weight and mass were similar to the control treatment. When all amino acids (methionine, lysine, threonine, tryptophan, isoleucine and valine; T2) were supplemented performance was similar to the control treatment in all variables. Supplementation of methionine, lysine and threonine is essential for birds in the laying phase; however the addition of six essential amino acids (lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, valine and isoleucine) to the diet of laying hens is important for a good productive performance comparable with the control treatment T1. However, the inclusion of the latter two (isoleucine and valine) is justified only if the production cost is lower.

Digestible arginine concentrations in the diet of Japanese quails
Thamírys Vianelli Maurício, José Geraldo de Vargas Júnior, Matheus Faria de Souza, Walter Amaral Barboza, Louisiane De Carvalho Nunes, Rita Trindade Ribeiro Nobre Soares, and Hugo Da Silva Nascimento
Universidade Estadual de Londrina
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of arginine in the diet of Japanese quails and to determine which provides the best egg production indices. We used 400 birds with an initial average weight of 180 g at 140 days of age. These were distributed among experimental units in a randomized design. Five levels of digestible arginine were studied (1.148, 1.256, 1.364, 1.472, and 1.580%) in reference to a fixed level of digestible lysine (1.083%; for arginine to lysine ratios of 1.06, 1.16, 1.26, 1.36, and 1.46). Each treatment was replicated 10 times for a total of 50 experimental units, each with eight quails. Feed rations, leftovers, and dead animals were weighed to calculate and adjust performance parameters. The variables analyzed were: daily feed intake (DFI), egg laying rate (ER), average egg weight (EW), total egg mass (EM), feed conversion per egg mass and per dozen eggs (FCEM and FCDE), yolk, skin, and albumen weights (AYW, ASW and AAW), relative weights of yolk, albumen and shell (RYW, RAW and RSW), the Haugh unit (HU), and the percentage of eggs suitable for market (EP). The variables associated with performance and internal and external quality were not affected (P &gt; 0.05) by different levels of arginine, except for EP, which decreased linearly (P = 0.009) with increasing arginine according to the equation: ? = -3.44x + 103.13, r² = 0.94. We conclude that the best concentration of arginine in quail diets is 1.148%, corresponding to an arginine to lysine ratio of 1.06.

Bone characteristics of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with Solanum glaucophyllum
Flávio Medeiros Vieites, Laura Caroline Almeida Branco Drosghic, Christiane Silva Souza, José Geraldo Vargas Júnior, Ricardo Vianna Nunes, George Henrique Kling de Moraes, Gerusa Silva Salles Corrêa, and João Garcia Caramori Júnior
Universidade Estadual de Londrina
<p>O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar as características dos tibiotarsos de frangos de corte machos aos 21 e 35 dias de idade. Foram determinados os percentuais ósseos de proteínas colagenosas (PC), proteínas não colagenosas (PNC), cinzas e minerais (cálcio, fósforo, potássio e sódio), além dos pesos dos tibiotarsos <em>in natura, </em>secos e desengordurados. Foram utilizados 648 frangos de corte machos da marca comercial Cobb® em um delineamento em blocos ao acaso com seis tratamentos e seis repetições com 18 aves por unidade experimental. Os tratamentos consistiram na suplementação de 0,0; 0,5; 1,0; 1,5; 2,0 e 2,5 ?g de vitamina D3 ativa/kg de ração. Aos 21 e 35 dias de idade as aves foram pesadas e um frango/repetição com o peso médio do lote foi retirado e abatido para se obter os tibiotarsos. A composição orgânica e mineral dos ossos foi afetada pelo fornecimento suplementar de vitamina D3 ativa nas rações. Recomenda-se até 1,50 ?g de 1,25(OH)2D3/kg de ração para frangos de corte machos de 8 a 35 dias de idade.</p>

Electrolyte balance and crude protein requirement of laying Japanese quail
Danilo Vargas Gonçalves Vieira, Talita Pinheiro Bonaparte, José Geraldo de Vargas Júnior, Walter Amaral Barboza, Rita Da Trindade Ribeiro Nobre Soares, Silvana Marques Pastore, and Flávio Medeiros Vieites
Universidade Estadual de Londrina
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two levels of crude protein and five levels of electrolyte balance on the performance and egg-quality of laying Japanese quail. Six hundred 45-day-oldquails were distributed in a randomized-block design with a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement comprising ten treatments, five replicates, and 12 birds per experimental unit. The electrolyte balance levels were 50, 125, 200, 275, and 350 mEq kg–1of diet, and crude protein (CP) levels were 210 and 240 g kg-1. The performance and egg-quality variables assessed were: feed intake, feed conversion, egg-laying percentage, egg weight and mass, and albumin, yolk and shell weight. There were no interactions among the studied factors. The electrolyte balance and crude protein levels did not significantly affect the performance variables. However, increased shell weight of eggs stored for seven days was observed at an electrolyte balance level of 200 mEq kg–1. With regard to the CP levels, increased egg weight was observed at 28 days at a level of 210 g kg-1, whereas increased albumin weight was observed at 35 days of storage at a level of 240 g kg-1. A tendency toward an increase in egg albumin weight during the storage period of 14 days was observed. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that the diet for Japanese quails in the laying phase be formulated with an electrolyte balance of 50 mEq kg–1and 240 g kg-1 of crude protein This diet did not have a negative effect on productive performance, and by increasing the weight of egg albumin, eggs can be stored for a longer duration, thus demonstrating an alternative method to increase the shelf life of eggs.

Minerals balance and performance of broilers at 21 days of age fed diet containing "Solanum malacoxylon"
Flávio Medeiros VIEITES, Gilson Mendes ARAÚJO, Patricia Azevedo Castelo Branco do VALE, Christiane Silva SOUZA, Marcelo Lopes NÉVOA, José Geraldo de VARGAS JÚNIOR, Ricardo Vianna NUNES, and Nelson Vital Monteiro de ARRUDA
FapUNIFESP (SciELO)
ResumoEstudou-se o desempenho produtivo e as quantidades de cálcio (Ca), fósforo (P), magnésio (Mg), potássio (K) e sódio (Na) nas excretas e carcaças de frangos de corte aos 21 dias de idade alimentados com adição de Solanum malacoxylon (SM) nas rações. Adotou-se delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com três tratamentos: 0,0, 2,5 e 5,0g de SM/kg de ração, sendo cinco repetições e quatro aves por unidade experimental. O uso de 5,0 g de SM/kg de ração reduziu o ganho de peso e piorou a conversão alimentar, embora o consumo não tenha sido influenciado. A inclusão da planta não afetou (p>0,05) os teores de cálcio, magnésio, potássio e sódio nas excretas e, consequentemente, na absorção desses minerais. A composição mineral das carcaças foi alterada, sendo as concentrações de Na, Mg e K, influenciadas. Recomenda-se a adição de até 2,5g de SM/kg de ração para frangos de corte até 21 dias de idade.

Addition of lysine in experimental diets for Nile tilapia juveniles
M.C.C. Rampe, M.L. Pacheco, J.G. Vargas Júnior, J.D.G. Giannotti, L.F. Demuner, and J.F.V. Marin
FapUNIFESP (SciELO)
Objetivou-se por meio deste estudo determinar a necessidade nutricional de lisina digestível em rações para juvenis de tilápia-do-nilo (Oreochromis niloticus). Setecentos e vinte peixes masculinizados (7,30±0,11g) foram alimentados durante 30 dias com oito rações (26,81% de proteína digestível e 3090kcal/kg de energia digestível da ração) contendo teores crescentes de lisina digestível (1,24; 1,36; 1,48; 1,60; 1,72; 1,84; 1,96 e 2,08%). As tilápias foram distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com oito tratamentos, seis repetições e 15 peixes por unidade experimental. Foram avaliadas variáveis de desempenho (ganho de peso, taxa de crescimento específico, taxa de sobrevivência, consumo de ração, consumo de lisina digestível, conversão alimentar aparente, eficiência proteica para ganho, eficiência de lisina para ganho e eficiência de retenção de nitrogênio) e de composição corporal (teores de umidade, gordura, proteína, matéria mineral corporal e as taxas de deposição diária de proteína e gordura corporais). A elevação do teor de lisina digestível na ração não influenciou (P>0,05) o consumo de ração, a taxa de sobrevivência e os teores de umidade e de matéria mineral corporal, mas melhorou de forma quadrática (P<0,05) os demais parâmetros avaliados, com exceção do consumo de lisina e da eficiência de lisina para ganho, que aumentou e reduziu, respectivamente, de forma linear (P<0,05). Recomenda-se que rações para juvenis de tilápia-do-nilo devam conter 1,84% de lisina digestível para máximo ganho de peso.

Digestible lysine levels in diets for laying Japanese quails
Cleverson Luís Nascimento Ribeiro, Sergio Luiz de Toledo Barreto, Renata de Souza Reis, Jorge Cunha Lima Muniz, Juarez Lopes Donzele, Paulo Cezar Gomes, José Geraldo de Vargas Júnior, and Luiz Fernando Teixeira Albino
FapUNIFESP (SciELO)
The objective of this study was to estimate the digestible lysine requirement of Japanese quails in the egg-laying phase. A total of 336 female Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) of average initial age of 207 days were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design, composed of 6 treatments (lysine levels) with 7 replicates and 8 birds per experimental unit, with duration of 84 days. Experimental diets were formulated from a basal diet, with corn and soybean meal, with 2.800 kcal ME/kg and 203.70 g/kg crude protein, showing levels of 9.50; 10.00; 10.50; 11.00; 11.50; and 12.00 g/kg digestible lysine; diets remained isoprotein and isocaloric. The following variables were studied: feed intake (FI); lysine intake (LI); egg production per bird per day (EPBD); egg production per bird housed (EPBH); production of marketable eggs (PME); egg weight (EW); egg mass (EM); utilization efficiency of lysine for egg mass production (UELEM); feed conversion per mass (FCEM); feed conversion per dozen eggs (FCDZ); bird availability (BA); percentages of yolk (Y), albumen (A) and shell (S); specific egg weight (SW); nitrogen ingested (NI); nitrogen excreted (NE); and nitrogen balance (NB). Significant effect was only observed for LI, EW, EM, UELEM, FCEM, Y, A and SW. The digestible lysine level estimated in diets for laying Japanese quails is 11.20 g digestible lysine/kg diet, corresponding to an average daily intake of 272.23 mg lysine.

Crude protein level of pre-starter diets and nutritive solution for broilers
Rodrigo Santana Toledo, Horacio Santiago Rostagno, Luiz Fernando Teixeira Albino, José Geraldo de Vargas Junior, and Débora Cristine de Oliveira Carvalho
FapUNIFESP (SciELO)
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of dietary crude protein (CP) levels and the use of a nutritive solution via drinking water on the performance of pre-starter broilers. A total of 1,224 male Avian Farm chicks, from one to 40 days of age were used. Birds were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, consisting of three initial body weights (low: 41 g, standard: 45 g and high: 49 g; two crude protein levels at the pre-starter phase (22 and 25% CP),with or without the addition of a nutritive solution, whose nutritional level was similar to the 25% CP pre-starter diet, at a concentration of 5% of the drinking water. Each treatment included six replicates and 17 chicks per experimental unit. At the end of the pre-starter phase, all hens received a diet with 22% CP until day 21 and a diet with 20% CP from the 21st to the 40th day. The use of the pre-starter diet with higher nutritional levels and the nutritive solution enhanced broiler performance. The early nutrient supply via drinking water resulted in better broiler performance and uniformity. However, birds with low initial body weight continued to present lower body weight at market age.

Jose Geraldo de Vargas Junior

EDUCATION

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

FUTURE PROJECTS

Scopus Publications

Industry, Institute, or Organisation Collaboration

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

Jose Geraldo de Vargas Junior

EDUCATION

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

FUTURE PROJECTS

Óleos essenciais no controle de coccidiose em frango de corte.

Óleos essenciais em substituição ao promotor de crescimento em frango de corte.

Farinha de insetos na alimentação de peixes

Scopus Publications

Industry, Institute, or Organisation Collaboration

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE