Segurança e efeito de Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) sorokin sobre Oryctolagus cuniculus

Abstract

Rabbit production is an agricultural activity that can be developed together with organic food production in small rural properties in Brazil. Rabbits are fed with vegetables, such as rami and alfafa, the most commonly used. Entomopathogenic fungi are commonly applied to control insects plague of these cultures by organic food producers. However, there is no information in literature about the safety and possible effects when these fungi are ingested by rabbits. Thus, the objective of the present work is to evaluate the safety and effects of entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae (Metsch.) Sorokin on rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) New Zealand breed. The experiment was performed at the Unidade de Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão (UNEPE) of small animals of Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Câmpus Dois Vizinhos (UTFPR-DV). The experimental design was totally randomized, with three treatments (control group, inactivated fungi and viable fungi) and seven replicates per treatment totaling 21 animals. In order to guarantee the intake of fungi, 2g were mixed in feed and supplied at the first meal of the day, observing total intake, during five days, within the growth period. Performance was determined with data from weight gain, food conversion and carcass evaluation. Behavior and clinical signs were also observed. Feces cultures were performed in order to verify the elimination of viable M. anisopliae in feces. The effects upon performance were determined with observations of weight gain, food conversion and carcass evaluation. Also, alterations on behavior and possible surging of clinical signs were observed. Feces were cultivated to verify the elimination of viable M. anisopliae in feces. There was no significant difference among evaluated treatments on weight gain, average daily gain and food conversion, and the animals presented good carcass uniformity, independent of treatment. Rabbits from three treatments did not present signs of allergy on skin, anorexia, diarrhoea and/or vomits and neither occurrence of behavior alterations. M. anisopliae was safe for, the non target organism, O. cuniculus that showed any negative effect upon performance, visual exam and behavior of this animal.