C. M. C. Oliveira

Phosphorus deficiency in buffaloes in the state of Pará, Northern Brazil

Abstract Phosphorus deficiency is the most important mineral deficiency in Brazil. In the state of Pará, this deficiency occurs in many regions, mainly in Marajó Island, where it causes important economic losses. This paper reports the epidemiology, clinical signs and pathology of phosphorus deficiency in Buffaloes in Pará. This information was obtained by visits to the farms, clinical examination and necropsies of some affected buffaloes. The disease occurs due to the low levels of P in the pastures and an incorrect or absent mineral supplementation. Also, in the Marajo Island, the high NaCl concentration in the water limits consumption of mineral supplements by the buffaloes. The main clinical signs are osteophagia, bone fractures, rising difficulties, rigid gait or stance over the carpal joints, kiphosis, abnormal stance, mainly with one foreleg dislocated cranially, joint swelling, softening of the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae, poor growth, weight loss, birth of small calves, and low reproductive taxes. Hemoglobinuria after parturition is also observed. Serum phosphorus varied between 2.52 and 5.43 mg/dl. At necropsy bone fractures, light bones with less resistance and enlarged medullar cavity were observed. Frequently the bones can be cut with a knife. Histologically the bones have active bone resorption with accumulation of non mineralized osteoid.

Evaluation of ruminal fluid in buffaloes produced extensively in pastures of Brachiaria brizantha in the state of Pará, Northern Brazil

Abstract The examination of the ruminal fluid has great importance in the diagnosis of microbial and biochemical alterations of reticulum and rumen. In the state of Pará buffaloes are produced extensively, mainly in pastures of Brachiaria brizantha. The physiologic parameters of the ruminal content in buffaloes in this condition had not been determined. The objective of this study was to establish normal values for reticulum-ruminal fluid examination in buffaloes in pastures of B. brizantha. Twenty buffaloes of the Murrah breed were used. Samples of ruminal fluid were obtained during 4 days, twice a day, at 7:00am and 5:00pm. The aspect, color, smell, and the sedimentation and fluctuation period (TSF) of the fluid were analyzed macroscopically. Physico-chemical analysis included pH, glucose fermentation, methilene blue reduction (RAM) and total acidity. All animal had a green-olive ruminal fluid with viscous consistency, and aromatic smell. The pH varied from 6.95 to 7.03. The RAM test varied from 126.74 to 291.83 seconds and the TSF from 266.7 to 298.89 seconds. Glucose fermentation produced 0.69 to 0.78 ml of gas per hour. Total acidity was 18.11 to 18.32 UC. In the microbiologic examination the number of protozoa was 551,377.31 to 518,860.72 with predominance of Gram negative bacteria.