http://repositorio.ufc.br/handle/riufc/88 2026-06-10T06:36:54Z http://repositorio.ufc.br/handle/riufc/86634 Título: Respostas termofisiológicas e reprodutivas de carneiros deslanados submetidos a estresse térmico moderado induzido por insulação escrotal Autor(es): Araújo, Alan Martins de Abstract: This study investigated the effects of heat stress on thermoregulatory and reproductive responses in hair sheep, using scrotal insulation as an experimental model. Seven adult rams were subjected to scrotal insulation for seven consecutive days in a longitudinal design consisting of pre-insulation (4 weeks), insulation (1 week), and post-insulation (9 weeks). Four semen collections were performed during the pre-insulation phase and nine during the post-insulation phase, with continuous environmental monitoring. During insulation, thermophysiological parameters were recorded after 24 h (D2) and 96 h (D4). Semen was evaluated for sperm kinetics by CASA, concentration, morphology, DNA integrity, and binding pattern of Ram Seminal Vesicle Proteins (RSVPs) by immunocytochemistry. Reproductive variables were analyzed using the Friedman test, while individual thermotolerance was determined by principal component analysis (PCA), with group comparisons performed using the Kruskal–Wallis test. The maximum recorded temperature was 35.1 °C and the minimum was 25.8 °C. Relative humidity ranged from 84.1% to 45.0%. Scrotal insulation increased scrotal surface temperature by 0.75 °C and epididymal tail temperature by 0.90 °C compared with pre-insulation values (33.25 °C and 31.75 °C), without changes in rectal or ocular temperature. Thermal gradients decreased during insulation, from 3.00 °C to 1.96 °C (ocular–scrotal) and from 7.35 °C to 6.01 °C (rectal–epididymal), with recovery after insulation removal. Total motility decreased (p < 0.05) from 85.2 ± 2.2% to 40.6 ± 13.6% in the second post-insulation week, reaching 23.4 ± 10.4% in the fourth week, with recovery by the sixth week (67.7 ± 6.2%; p > 0.05). Progressive motility declined from 80.4 ± 2.5% to 38.3 ± 13.2% and 19.2 ± 8.9%, returning to 59.1 ± 6.9% in the sixth week. Scrotal circumference varied from 30.3 ± 0.7 cm (pre-insulation) to 31.4 ± 0.6 cm (p > 0.05) and decreased to 28.6 ± 0.5 cm in the third week (p < 0.05). Normal morphology dropped from 89.9 ± 4.2% to 39.7 ± 13.2% in the third week, recovering to 75.8 ± 5.6% in the seventh week (p > 0.05), while major defects increased from 4.9 ± 2.3% to 53.9 ± 9.9% in the fifth week. DNA integrity decreased from 92.9 ± 1.5% to 78.1 ± 1.7%, reaching 24.1 ± 9.8% in the fourth week, with recovery to 88.1 ± 1.4% in the seventh week. RSVP binding intensity declined from 3.8 ± 0.7 × 10⁶ AU to 0.7 ± 0.2 × 10⁶ AU, normalizing by the seventh week. PCA distinguished low- and high-thermotolerance groups, with HTT animals showing higher (p < 0.05) total motility (73.6 ± 2.7% vs. 62.2 ± 4.7%), progressive motility (68.2 ± 2.9% vs. 58.7 ± 4.5%), concentration (3.2 ± 0.07 × 10⁹ vs. 2.8 ± 0.1 × 10⁹ sperm/mL), and DNA integrity (81.2 ± 2.6% vs. 70.2 ± 4.4%). In conclusion, seven days of scrotal insulation impair thermoregulation and induce reproductive losses, with heterogeneous responses among animals, highlighting interindividual variability under heat stress. Tipo: Dissertação 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repositorio.ufc.br/handle/riufc/86535 Título: Criação e manejo de Xylocopa frontalis e sua utilização comparativa na polinização do urucuzeiro (Bixa orellana) Autor(es): Silva, Felipe Jackson de Farias Abstract: We aimed to propose improvements to a rational nest model for bees of the genus Xylocopa, especially X. frontalis, as well as techniques for the rearing, multiplication, and management of this species, and its efficiency as a pollinator of the annatto tree (Bixa orellana), compared to three other native bee species (Augochloropsis sp., Melipona fasciculata, and Melipona flavolineata). The first colonized nests appeared few months after their installation in the study area. The number of galleries built per nest ranged from one to six (3.82 ± 1.4). The galleries had a total average length of 104.19 (±43.41) cm and an excavated volume of 327.15 (±136.29) cm³. Active nests were observed throughout the study period and were transported and relocated without abandonment. Regarding pollination, peak flower visits occured between 7:00 and 8:00 AM, with X. frontalis foraging earlier than other bees and making shorter flower visits. No statistically significant differences were detected in any fruit parameters between treatments. The treatment with free pollination showed the highest fruit set rate (37.5%), followed by a visit from M. flavolineata (25%), although no statistically significant difference was observed. We conclude that our rational nesting device is a suitable alternative for the rearing and management of Xylocopa frontalis and, presumably, other species of the genus for crop pollination or research purposes, without evidence of negative interference in the nesting biology of these bees. Xylocopa frontalis proved to be an efficient pollinator of Bixa orellana. Tipo: Tese 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repositorio.ufc.br/handle/riufc/86275 Título: Ácidos orgânicos e suas associações com prebiótico ou extrato vegetal na alimentação de poedeiras comerciais leves Autor(es): Mariano, Lidia Sarah Dias Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of adding combinations of organic acids, or organic acids combined with a prebiotic or plant extract, to the diet of commercial laying hens between 40 and 70 weeks of age. A total of 384 NOVOgen White laying hens were distributed in a completely randomized design with eight treatments and six replicates of eight birds per experimental unit. The treatments were as follows: T1 (negative control) – diet without growth promoter; T2 (positive control) – diet with growth promoter (0.05 g/kg of Halquinol); T3 – 1.81 g/kg of formic acid + 0.44 g/kg of propionic acid; T4 – 3.62 g/kg of formic acid + 0.88 g/kg of propionic acid; T5 – 1.10 g/kg of formic acid + 0.66 g/kg of propionic acid + 0.86 g/kg of butyric acid + 0.72 g/kg of prebiotic; T6 – 1.65 g/kg of formic acid + 1.0 g/kg of propionic acid + 1.30 g/kg of butyric acid + 1.08 g/kg of prebiotic; T7 – 1.58 g/kg of formic acid + 0.30 g/kg of propionic acid + 0.10 g/kg of plant extract; and T8 – 3.16 g/kg of formic acid + 0.60 g/kg of propionic acid + 0.20 g/kg of plant extract. The prebiotic used was inulin-based, and the plant extract consisted of oregano essential oil. The variables evaluated included productive performance, external and internal egg quality, lipid stability of fresh and stored egg yolks (TBARS), antioxidant potential of fresh and stored eggs (phenolic compounds, DPPH, and ABTS), lipid stability of the liver and reproductive organs (TBARS), and bone quality. A significant effect of treatments was observed only for yolk color, with increased yolk color intensity in hens receiving the mixture of organic acids associated with plant extract at the 0.10 % inclusion level. It can be concluded that the addition of organic acids and their associations with prebiotic or plant extract at the evaluated levels did not influence productive performance, external and internal egg quality, yolk lipid stability, egg antioxidant potential, lipid stability of the liver and reproductive organs, or bone quality of laying hens. Tipo: Dissertação 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repositorio.ufc.br/handle/riufc/86153 Título: Manejo de abelhas solitárias coletoras de óleo Centris analis para a polinização dirigida de acerola Autor(es): Silveira, David Rezende da Abstract: The oil-collecting bee Centris analis is native to Brazil, successfully colonizes trap nests in aggregations, has a multivoltine life cycle, and shows ample potential to be used for the pollination of both native plants and agricultural crops, especially acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to identify intrinsic or environmental stimulating factors that could help develop more effective management techniques for this species in urban and rural environments, in order to maximize the performance of C. analis in agricultural pollination. To this end, 833 trap nests were initially used, differentiated into seven length and diameter classes, and installed in three nesting sites at the Bee Laboratory of the Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC), between August 2019 and March 2024, to investigate parameters regarding the nesting habits and life cycle of this species in an anthropized environment. The results showed that the year of nesting and the ratio between the trap nest class and the nidification month significantly influenced the emergence time of the offspring (p<0.05). Trap nests of 197 mm in length had a higher number of brood cells. Additionally, the offspring mortality was affected by factors such as the length of the trap nests and the incubation site used. An increase in the number of cells per nest (p<0.05) and in the average environmental temperature (p<0.05) led to a reduction in vestibular cell length. Furthermore, 768 trap nests differentiated into two classes of length and diameter were used and installed in an acerola orchard in Sapupara, a district of the Municipality of Maranguape – CE, from October 2020 to February 2023, with a final visit conducted in August 2023, to investigate the correlation between the nidification of female C. analis and environmental variables with the production of acerolas on a rural property. Trap nest colonization was significantly influenced by flowering occurrence (p<0.05), the intensity of flowering (p<0.05) and rainfall (p<0.05). The bees preferred nests that were 197 mm long and 6.0 mm in diameter. The harvest of acerolas increased after the breeding site was established, except when disruptive environmental events occurred, and was positively influenced by the intensity of flowering (p<0.05). It is concluded that managing intrinsic variables and continuously monitoring environmental parameters can enhance the nesting efficiency of C. analis in trap nests, as well as its subsequent field activity and agricultural pollination. These bees respond particularly well to intrinsic or environmental stimulating factors that influence the control of the internal temperature of the trap nest, the available space for oviposition, and the availability of foraging resources in the environment. Tipo: Dissertação 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z