Bruno Moura Monteiro

Ovarian responses of dairy buffalo cows to timed artificial insemination protocol, using new or used progesterone devices, during the breeding season (autumn–winter)

This study evaluated the effect of new or used P4 devices on the ovarian responses of dairy buffalo that were administered an estradiol (E2) plus progesterone (P4)-based timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocol during the breeding season. On the first day of the TAI protocol, 142 cows were randomly assigned to receive one of the following: a new device (New; 1.0 g of P4; n = 48); a device that had previously been used for 9 days (Used1x, n = 47); or a device that had previously been used for 18 days (Used2x, n = 47). Ultrasound was used to evaluate the following: the presence of a corpus luteum (CL); the diameter of the dominant follicle (ØDF) during protocol; ovulatory response; and pregnancies per AI (P/AI). Despite similar responses among the treatments, there was a significant positive association of the ØDF during TAI protocol with ovulatory responses and number of pregnancies. In conclusion, satisfactory ovarian responses and a satisfactory pregnancy rate were achieved when grazing dairy buffalo were subjected to the TAI protocol in breeding season, independent of whether a new or used P4 device was used. Furthermore, the presence of the larger follicle was associated with a higher ovulation rate and higher P/AI following TAI.

Dinâmica da eliminação de ovos por nematódeos gastrintestinais, durante o periparto de vacas de corte, no Estado do Pará

The experiment was conducted to investigate the dynamics of infection by gastrointestinal nematodes during the periparturition period in cows. One hundred and six beef cows were divided into two groups: G1 was formed by 42 cows of one and two parturitions, and G2 by 76 cows of three or more parturitions. From the 120 days pre partum until the 90 days post partum, feces were collected for faecal egg counts (EPG) while blood was collected to determine the packed cell volume and hemoglobin levels of each animal, with monthly intervals. In the same intervals the body condition scores (BCS) were evaluated. The mean values +/- standard deviation of the EPG for G1 were equal to 19.4 +/- 42.9, and for G2 31.1 +/- 68.0. No significant differences were observed between G1 and G2 in relation to EPG and hematological parameters, which remained within normal patterns for both groups. The two groups had higher counts of EPG in the post partum period than in the pre partum period, with averages of 32.5 +/- 55.5 and 51.5 +/- 84.8 for groups G1 and G2, respectively. A significant difference (p < 0.05) in the parameters was observed when comparing the pre and post partum within each group studied resulting in declining values of blood and body score and an increase in EPG in the post partum. The results suggest that the cows may be more susceptible to infection by nematodes from giving birth up to 90 days post partum. However, adult cows, when well managed, are not an important factor in the epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematodes, even in the post partum period.

Detection of estrous behavior in buffalo heifers by radiotelemetry following PGF2α administration during the early or late luteal phase.

This study examined the usefulness of radiotelemetry for estrous detection in buffalo heifers and the impact of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) administration during the early or late luteal phase on estrous behavior and ovulatory follicle variables. Induction of estrus with PGF2α at a random stage of the estrous cycle was followed by the arbitrary division of heifers into groups receiving a second dose of PGF2α during either the early (n=33) or late (n=17) luteal phase (6-9 or 11-14 days after estrus, respectively) for the induction of synchronized estrus. The electronic detection of synchronized estrus by radiotelemetry was confirmed using ultrasonography every 6h until ovulation. Radiotelemetry was 90% efficient and 100% accurate for estrous detection. Intervals between the PGF2α dose and the beginning of synchronized estrus (40.7 ± 10.9 vs. 56.7 ± 12.8h) or ovulation (70.0 ± 11.3 vs. 85.6 ± 12.5h) were shorter (P<0.05) for heifers receiving PGF2α during the early luteal phase. PGF2α administration during the early or late luteal phase produced similar (P>0.05) results for the duration of estrus, the intervals from the beginning or end of estrus to ovulation, the number and duration of mounts per estrus, the duration of mounts, the diameter of the ovulatory follicle and the luteal profile on day 5 after estrus. In conclusion, radiotelemetry was a suitable tool for the efficient and accurate detection of estrus in buffalo heifers. Treatment with PGF2α during the early luteal phase had a shorter interval to synchronized estrus and ovulation; however, estrous behavior, ovulatory follicle dynamics and subsequent luteal activity were similar following PGF2α administration during the early or late luteal phase.

Impact of progesterone and estradiol treatment before the onset of the breeding period on reproductive performance of Bos indicus beef heifers.

The present aimed to develop a hormonal therapy based on the insertion of a progesterone (P4) insert (PI) during 10 d plus an estradiol injection (E2) at PI removal before the onset of breeding of beef heifers. In Exp. 1, the plasma P4 profile of prepubertal heifers showed that the insertion of a PI or 24 d previously used P4 insert (UPI) sustained plasma P4 above 1 ng/mL for at least the first 7 d of the treatment. In Exp. 2 there was no positive effect of additional estradiol benzoate (EB) administered at the insertion of UPI on the proportion of heifers with a corpus luteum (CL/Treated) 30 d after UPI removal [UPI + EB = 85.3%(a) (n = 134); EB + UPI + EB = 80.8%(a) (n = 125)]; however, both were greater (P < 0.0001) than the Control group [60.3%(b) (n = 129)]. In Exp. 3, a positive effect (P=0.01) of UPI treatment and both E2 supplementations [EB and estradiol cypionate (EC); P = 0.10] at the UPI removal was observed on CL/Treated [Control = 42.5%(b) (n = 94); UPI = 58.5%(a) (n= 130); UPI + EB = 64.0%(a) (n = 128); UPI + EC = 67.2%(a) (n = 128)]. However, greater pregnancy per treated heifer (P/Treated) following artificial insemination (AI) upon estrus detection was achieved when EC was applied [Control = 20.2%(b); UPI = 29.2%(ab); UPI + EB = 26.6%(b); UPI + EC = 36.7%(a)]. In Exp. 4, the treatment prior to the timed AI (TAI) tended to improve pregnancy per TAI [P/AI; Control 43.6% (n = 298) vs. UPI+EC 51.9% (n = 342); P = 0.08], but increased P/Treated [26.5% vs. 43.3%; P < 0.001]. Thus, UPI + EC treatment were efficient in increasing the CL/Treated, tended to improve the P/AI and consequently enhanced P/Treated of zebu beef heifers.

Effects of Enteral Fluid Therapy in Continuous Flow Administered by Nasogastric Tube in Buffalo Calves

To investigate the employment of enteral fluid therapy in continuous flow administered by a nasogastric tube in buffalo calves; toassesstheeffectsof a hypotonic and an isotonic electrolyte solutionon: vital functions, blood count and serum andurinary biochemistry profile of buffalo calves. Seven buffalo calves, clinically healthy, were submitted to two treatments. The solutions were administered in continuous flow through a nasogastric tube at a dose of 15 mL/kg/hr for 12 hours. The serum biochemistry profile showed an increase in chloride concentration, decrease in serumurea and osmolarity. In urine, anincrease in sodium and chloride concentrations and a decrease in calcium, creatinine and urea were observed. Enteral fluid therapy in continuous flow proved to beeasy to use and effective in maintaining volemia and concentration of electrolytes in buffalo calves.

Impact of puberty status and melengestrol acetate supplementation before the breeding period on reproductive efficiency of Bos indicus beef heifers1

Two experiments were designed to evaluate the impact of puberty status and the administration of melengestrol acetate (MGA) before onset of the breeding period on ovulatory responses (Exp. 1) and conception rate after AI performed on estrus detection during 10 d and the pregnancy rate through 80 d of breeding period (Exp. 2) of pasture-grazed beef heifers. In Exp. 1, heifers (15 pubertal and 15 prepubertal) received 0.5 mg per heifer/d -1 of MGA over 14 d. No differences in the ovulatory responses were found 10 d after the MGA administration (pubertal = 46.7% vs. prepubertal P = 53.3%; P = 0.72). In Exp. 2, 368 heifers were randomly assigned to groups according to pubertal status and the MGA treatment. All heifers were inseminated on estrus detection for up 10 d after MGA administration and following exposure to bulls between 20 and 80 d. The MGA-treated heifers exhibited a greater AI service rate than control heifers (72.1 vs. 41.6%;P < 0.01); however, heifers receiving MGA had lower conception results following AI (51.6 vs. 71.4%; P = 0.01). In addition, MGA-treated heifers were more likely to have a corpus luteum in the middle of the breeding period (95.3 vs. 87.5%;P < 0.01), although the Cox proportional hazard of pregnancy rate was similar (P = 0.29) at the end of the breeding period. At onset of the breeding period, pubertal heifers presented a greater pregnancy rate following AI (pubertal P = 42.2% vs. prepubertal P = 24.9%; P = 0.01). Therefore, pubertal heifers seem to have greater overall reproductive efficiency than prepubertal heifers, particularly at the beginning of the breeding period. Interestingly, administration of MGA before the onset of the breeding period increased AI service rate but did not alter the rate of pregnancy throughout the breeding period of pasture-grazed beef heifers.

Uso da somatotropina recombinante bovina em búfalas leiteiras I: produção e composição físico-química do leite

Objetivou-se avaliar a influencia da somatotropina recombinante bovina (rbST) sobre a producao e os constituintes do leite de bufalas entre 63 e 154 dias em lactacao. Foram utilizadas 22 bufalas, distribuidas em dois grupos experimentais: grupo rbST - aplicacao de 500 mg de rbST a cada 14 dias; grupo controle - sem aplicacao de rbST. A cada sete dias, foi aferida a producao de leite de todas as bufalas e coletada uma amostra para analise fisico-quimica. As variaveis produtivas e as oriundas de analises laboratoriais foram avaliadas como medidas repetidas no tempo, utilizando-se o comando Repeated gerado pelo procedimento GLM do SAS. A media dos parâmetros estudados para os grupos rbST e controle foram, respectivamente: producao de leite - 6,54 vs. 6,68 kg; gordura - 6,31 vs. 6,34%; proteina 3,86 vs. 3,81%; lactose - 4,96 vs. 5,02%; solidos totais - 16,05 vs. 16,03%; extrato seco desengordurado - 9,75 vs. 9,74%; contagem de celulas somaticas - 329,90 vs. 171,68 (x 1000/mL); e elecondutividade - 2,87 vs. 2,81mS/cm. A utilizacao de 500mg de rbST administrados quinzenalmente, entre 63 e 154 dias em lactacao nao alterou a producao de leite, a proporcao dos constituintes e a CCS do leite de bufalas leiteiras.

Bovine Leukosis Virus and Antibodies against Bovine Herpesvirus Type-1 and Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus and in Buffaloes of the State of Pará, Brazil

Background: Viral diseases affecting reproduction cause economic losses in cattle, as reproductive failure interrupts the production cycle, thus reducing herd productivity. Buffaloes are susceptible to most of the diseases that affect cattle. Some of the viral diseases of reproductive importance are infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), bovine viral diarrhea (BVD), and bovine leukosis (BL). The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of IBR virus (bovine herpes virus-1, BoHV-1), BVD virus (BVDV), and BL virus (BLV) in female buffaloes living in wetland areas or plains in the state of Para, as well as the seroprevalence of BoHV-1, BVDV, and BLV in females of different age groups. Materials, Methods & Results: It were used 225 crossbred buffaloes from 4 buffalo exclusive farms. The buffaloes reared on farms A (n = 50) and B (n = 89) were kept in wetland areas on Marajo Island (n = 139), Para. On farms C (n = 30) and D (n = 56) buffaloes were kept in plains (n = 86) in a northeastern mesoregion of Para. Animals were categorized into age groups: I: 0-3 years (n = 34), II: 3-6 years (n = 58), III: 7-9 years (n = 55), and IV: over 9 years (n = 78). Blood samples were collected and sera were sent for processing at the Bovine Virus Laboratory, Biological Institute of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The presence of IBRV and BVDV was determined by neutralization and BLV antibodies by immunodiffusion in agar gel. Statistical analysis was performed using the Ȥ2 test at a significance level of 5%. Among the seroprevalences of IBRV, BVDV and BLV antibodies, the difference in prevalence for BVD [P < 0.01] was observed between wetland areas and plains of Para, varying from 12.4% to 96.0% and 0.0% to 13.3%, respectively. While levels of IBRV remained high on farms A (79.6%), B (86.5%), C (83.3%) and D (89.1%) [P = 0.60] and BLV was negative in all the animals. BVDV was similar for all the age groups [P = 0.60], while IBRV was more prevalent in animals over 6 years of age with group I: (76.5%), II (74.5%), III (92.3%) and IV (91.3%) [P = 0.01]. It was not possible verify the influence of age in prevalence for BL. Discussion: The prevalence obtained for the BoHV-1 on farms was high, with little variation between 79.6% and 89.1%. The high prevalence of BoHV-1 suggests the free circulation of the virus in the state of Para. Notably, the animals in this study had not been vaccinated, so the determined viral antibody titers were independent of vaccination. BVDV results showed high variation between 0.0% and 96.0%. The highest prevalence in wetland areas may be related to the breeding environment, because of a possible horizontal contamination. The lack of BLV antibodies prevalence can be attributed to the fact that all the evaluated animals were kept in an extensive breeding system where they had little direct contact. The prevalence of IBR was higher in the older animals. Variation in prevalence with age was not observed for BVD. It was concluded that the prevalence for IBR and BVD were high indicating that the etiological agents are circulating in Para, with IBR having a higher prevalence in older animals. Breeding buffalo in wetland areas may favor horizontal transmission of BVDV because facilitate contact of healthy animals with water contaminated by virus carriers animal secretion and the absence of seropositive animals at the BLV does not necessarily indicate that buffaloes are resistant to the virus.

Impacto econômico da ocorrência de lesões em carcaças de bovinos abatidos no sudeste do Pará: Influências da presença de traumas e abscessos e da distância entre a fazenda e o abatedouro

This study aimed to quantify the occurrence of lesions in cattle carcasses, measuring the economic impact of the disposal of these parts to the farmer and the slaughterhouse, and to relate the distance between the farm and the slaughterhouse with of information obtained. The research was conducted in a slaughterhouse under control of the State Inspection Service in the city of Parauapebas - PA. It was accompanied by the slaughter of 490 cows originating from 25 farms. The number of animals examined was determined according to the slaughter flow (10% animal / day). The descriptive and inferential statistical data was obtained using the SAS® program version 9.3. It was observed that the occurrence of injuries in the carcass of animals during the slaughter was high (99.0%), regardless of whether nature was traumatic or because of an abscess. The presence of lesions in carcasses culminated in large economic losses for both the producer (R

Control of buffalo follicular dynamics for artificial insemination, superovulation and in vitro embryo production.

11.67 / animal) as to the refrigerator (R