Antônio Nelson Lima da Costa

Uterine Microbiota Progression from Calving until Establishment of Metritis in Dairy Cows

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the progression of the uterine microbiota from calving until establishment of metritis. Uterine swabs (n = 72) collected at 0, 2, and 6 ± 2 days postpartum (dpp) from 12 metritic and 12 healthy cows were used for metagenomic sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene on the Illumina MiSeq platform. A heat map showed that uterine microbiota was established at calving. The microbiota changed rapidly from 0 to 6 ± 2 dpp, with a decrease in the abundance of Proteobacteria and an increase in the abundance of Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria, which were dominant in metritic cows. Uterine microbiota composition was shared; however, metritic and healthy cows could be discriminated using relative abundance of bacterial genera at 0, 2, and 6 ± 2 dpp. Bacteroides was the main genus associated with metritis because it was the only genus that showed significantly greater abundance in cows with metritis. As the abundance of Bacteroides organisms increased, the uterine discharge score, a measure of uterine health, worsened. Fusobacterium was also an important genus associated with metritis because Fusobacterium abundance increased as Bacteroides abundance increased and the uterine discharge score worsened as the abundance increased. The correlation with uterine discharge score and the correlation with Bacteroides or Fusobacterium showed that other bacteria, such as Helcoccocus, Filifactor, and Porphyromonas, were also associated with metritis. There were also bacteria associated with uterine health, such as “Candidatus Blochmannia,” Escherichia, Sneathia, and Pedobacter.

Particularities of Bovine Artificial Insemination

In beef production systems a good reproductive performance is essential for the efficient management and production. The production of cattle can be divided into two sectors: dairy and meat production. In many European countries and developing countries, even the cattle is used as a source of meat and milk and are called dual fitness. Unlike in countries such as Australia, Brazil and the United States, the functions of production of meat and milk were separated and the creation of selective breeding is directed to a single feature. The productive and reproductive performance of cattle herd is directly related to the service period, calving interval, number of service per conception and number of calves weaned. Artificial insemination (AI) has been proven worldwide and has proven to be a viable technical and economical to increase the genetic gain and increase efficiency, especially in production systems for meat and milk. In cattle, AI despite presenting a series of known proven advantages, gradually being replaced by fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) because of lack of skilled labor, logistical problems in large AI programs, in failures detection of estrus; costs for implementing the program, no optimization of herd reproductive efficiency, and the difficulty of practical application in field conditions. In this chapter discuss techniques to improve conception rates using artificial insemination, such as: improved detection of estrus, a reduction in calving interval, implementation of FTAI; calving and breeding seasons, care with the semen, body condition score of females, the female gynecological evaluation, diagnosis of pregnancy, parturition rate. After the reading of these topics, many barriers bovine artificial insemination will be elucidated, and the artificial insemination technique is best applied in various conditions of management of cattle herds worldwide.

Estimate of the number of oocysts ofeimeriain sheep and goats of the cariri cearense

Considered the resistance and coccidiosis predominance in the races, sheep and goats, of the area of the Cariri in Ceara and, trying to contribute for the agricultural products produced in this area, exams were accomplished in 1.193 sheeps and 557 goats. Was looked for to quantify the need to find better resources to the small cattle farmer can his guarantee subsistence in the field. Took this work that aimed at to contribute for the reduction of the problem of the coccidiosis sheep and goat. At this Feitosa et al., Revista Brasileira de Higiene e Sanidade Animal (v.3, n.2) p. 7 – 13, jan jun (2009) 8 present moment work, high loads were verified would sponge oocysts of Eimeria, and for the males of the goat species and sheep they were of 3.631,91 and 1.742,11 and for the females they cover of 2.799,59 and 1.257,57 on average, respectively.

Heat Stress and Body Temperature in Brown Swiss Cows Raised in Semi-Arid Climate of Ceará State, Brazil

Background: In tropical countries like Brazil, air temperature and relative humidity have a significant effect on animal physiology; there is a great impact of solar radiation on physiological parameters, especially on body temperature. This study evaluated the occurrence of heat stress in Brown Swiss cows in a tropical semi-arid climate, and checked for the correlation between internal body temperatures [rectal temperature (RT) and vaginal temperature (VT)] with surface temperature (ST) to determine if these variables are associated. Materials, Methods & Results: Twenty-eight Brown Swiss cows at three stages of the lactation cycle were used in this study: 10 nonpregant lactating (NPL) cows, 8 dry pregnant (DP) cows, and 10 pregnant lactating (PL) cows. These animals were between the second and third calving, weighed between 346 and 720 kg, and had ages between 2 and 13 years. During the experimental period, air temperature and relative humidity (RH) at the experimental site were measured using a digital thermohygrometer. The temperature and humidity index (THI) was calculated according to methodology described by Thom (1958), and was used as an environmental comfort parameter. For the evaluation of RT and VT, two digital clinical thermometers, one inserted in the vagina and the other in the rectum, were used simultaneously to minimize stress. Surface temperature (ST) was assessed using a digital infrared laser thermometer at a distance of 50 cm from the animal. Surface temperature was measured in the forehead (FST), thorax (TST), flank (FLST), and legs (LST). During the study period, the ambient temperature (AT) was significantly higher outside (in the sun) than inside of the facilities (in the shade) (P < 0.05). RH was inversely proportional to AT, and was significantly higher inside than outside the facilities (P < 0.05). Like AT, THI was significantly higher outside (in the sun) than inside the facilities (in the shade), with significant differences between these locations (P < 0.05). The amplitudes of the differences between the locations were as follows: 3.8°C for AT, 6.2% for RH, and 2.6 for THI. Mean values of rectal and vaginal temperatures were not significantly different from each other independent of lactation cycle stage, and were almost always significantly higher than the measured surface temperatures (P < 0.05). The maximum values obtained for each lactation cycle stage in this study were higher when compared to the mean values, showing that they are more representative of the occurrence of heat stress. Correlations between internal temperatures (RT and VT) and surface temperatures (TSF, TST, TSFL, and TSP) were weak and non-significant. ST values exhibited mostly weak, non-significant correlations, with the exception of FST with FLST and LST, which had moderate, significant correlations, as shown by the following coefficient factors: FST x FLST, 0.34; LST x FST, 0.415; and LST x FLST, 0.37. Discussion: A temperature of 34°C with RH ranging from 46% to 80% (i.e., a THI between 83 and 89) has been reported to have a significant thermal impact on dairy Brown Swiss cows; the THI values found in the present experiment were close to those. Body temperatures exhibited significant variations depending on the lactation cycle stage of the cows. Lactation concomitant with pregnancy significantly increases internal temperatures (RT and VT) in DP and NPL cows. This finding may be explained by the fact that pregnancy concomitant with lactation accelerates the metabolism, which results in higher food intake and increased production of body heat with consequent increase in internal body temperature. The maximum values of internal body temperatures (RT and TV) at all stages of the lactation cycle were higher than their corresponding average values, which indicates that some cows exhibited, at given moments, hyperthermia.

Perfil hematológico de cabras Saanen e mestiças (1/2 Saanen e 1/2 Anglo-nubiana) criadas em clima tropical do Ceará

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of climatic conditions on the hematological profile of Saanen and mixed-breed (1/2 Saanen x 1/2 Anglo-Nubian) goats, as well as to define reference values for these animals bred in Ceara, Brazil. Thirty goats were utilized and blood samples were collected monthly during the rainy (February to May) and dry (August to November) periods to obtain an erythrogram a leukogram. The averange were compared by the t-Student test and Mann Whitney test, with parametric and non-parametric distribution of the data, respectively, where p 0.05). The RBCs and segmented neutrophils displayed a negative correlation with air temperature, but positive with relative humidity and rectal temperature (p<0.05). The hematocrit positively correlated with air temperature and respiratory rate (p<0.05). The leukocytes and lymphocytes showed a negative correlation with rectal temperature (p<0.05). It was therefore concluded that Saanen females are more affected by climatic variations and that the rainy season has a greater negative impact on hematological parameters. The values obtained could serve as a reference for these genotypes in Ceara.

Estimativa dos níveis de contaminação por strongyloidae em ovinos e caprinos do cariri cearense

Considered the resistance and predominance of the verminose in the sheep and goats species of the area of Cariri in Ceara and, trying to contribute for the agricultural products produced in this area, exams were accomplished in 1.193 sheeps and 557 goats. Was looked for to quantify the need to find better resources to the small cattle farmer can his guarantee subsistence in the field. Took this work that aimed at to know the infestation levels to contribute with the control of the problem of the sheep and goat verminose. High loads were verified would sponge of the family Strongyloidae, and for the goat species the average was of 2.041,13, that it differed significantly of the sheep species with average of 1.252,36 eggs for gram of feces.

The vermin's contamination for eggs typestrongyloidaein sheep and goats of cariri of the ceará (young and adults)

1 Pesquisa financiada pelo Projeto APRISCO/SEBRAE-CE. 2 Prof. da Universidade Federal do Ceara – Agronomia Campus do Cariri CE. Email: nelsonvet@ufc.br 3 Pesquisador SEBRAE – CE. E-mail: coutinhocr@yahoo.com.br 4 Prof. da Universidade Federal do Ceara – Agronomia Campus do Cariri – CE. Email: feitval@ufc.br 5 Prof. da Universidade Federal do Ceara – Zootecnia Campus do Pici – Fortaleza CE. E-mail: aaalencar2002@yahoo.com.br 6 Medico Veterinario Consultor SEBRAE. E-mail: manoevet@bol.com.br 7 Aluno da Universidade Federal do Ceara – Agronomia Campus do Cariri – CE. Email: Weine-x@hotmail.com ________________________________________________________________________________________________

Estimate of the levels of contamination forStrongyloidaein sheep and goats of the cariri in Ceará

1 Pesquisa financiada pelo Projeto APRISCO/SEBRAE-CE. 2 Prof. da Universidade Federal do Ceara – Agronomia Campus do Cariri CE. E-mail: feitval@ufc.br 3 Consultor SEBRAE – CE. e-mail: coutinhocr@yahoo.com.br 4 Universidade Federal do Ceara – Agronomia Campus do Cariri – CE. E-mail: nelsonvet@ufc.br 5 Universidade Federal do Ceara – Zootecnia Campus do Pici – Fortaleza CE. E-mail: aaalencar2002@yahoo.com.br 6 Medico Veterinario Consultor SEBRAE. E-mail: manoevet@bol.com.br 7 Universidade Federal do Ceara – Agronomia Campus do Cariri – CE. E-mail: Weinex@hotmail.com 8 Curso de Agronomia da Universidade Federal do Ceara – Campus Cariri. Mestrando do Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Zootecnia da UFC. Bolsista do CNPQ. E-mail: mr.goes@gmail.com ______________________________________________________________________