Celia Raquel Quirino

Evaluation of the breeding behavior of Brazilian Pony stallions

The aim of this study was to evaluate the breeding behavior of Brazilian Pony stallions during semen collection to examine the effect of age category (AC) and month of evaluation on the characteristics of breeding behavior. Nine stallions were evaluated during the breeding and non-breeding season, 5-8 (AC1) and 9-13 years (AC2) of age. The variables evaluated were reaction time (RT), mount time one (MT1) and two (MT2), mount and ejaculation time (MEjT), mounting without erection (MWEr), mounting without ejaculation (MWEj), flehmen, kicks, bites, smells, vocalizations and serum testosterone concentration. Analyses of variance and correlation were performed. The average scores were RT: 56.2±92.9s, MT1: 115.0±122.4s, MT2: 196.4±160.7s, MEjT: 21.8±3.2s, MWEr: 0.8±1.3s, MWEj: 2.1±3.5s, flehmen: 3.8±3.0s, kicks: 0.3±1.2s, bites: 1.0±2.0s, smells: 5.7±3.5s, vocalizations: 6.4±6.3s and testosterone: 0.89±0.52ng/mL. The AC affected the RT (P<0.05) but not the other traits. Month of evaluation did not affect most variables (P>0.05). The correlations between age and RT and between age and MT1 and MT2 were significant. The correlation between testosterone and MEjT was moderate and negative. The breeding behavior of Brazilian Pony stallions was similar across different months of evaluation and different age categories. The month of evaluation and age category also did not affect testosterone concentrations, meaning that semen collection is feasible throughout the year.

Comportamentos de amamentação e mamada em bubalinos, suas relações com período de lactação, idade e sexo dos bezerros

Nursing and sucking behaviour in buffalos in relation to lactation period, age and calf sex The objectives of the present study were to investigate the frequency and duration of nursing behaviour in female buffalos during the lactation period and the types of suckling behaviour in relation to age and calf sex. Thirty-five females with their calves were observed during three consecutive days in each month, over a period of nine months. The nursing behaviour was characterized as isolated filial nursing (IFN); collective filial nursing (CFN) and nonfilial nursing (NFN). The suckling behaviour was classified as isolated filial suckling (IFS); collective filial suckling on their own mothers (CFS1); collective filial suckling on other females (CFS2) and nonfilial suckling (NFS). Data were analyzed by analysis of variance and means were compared by the Tukey test considering P 0,05) were found for the means of frequency and duration of the types of sucking. The results show that the buffalo females have larger innate aptitude

Diagnostic methods to detect uterus illnesses in mares

Uterine illnesses are the major problem in horse reproductive programs. The diagnosis of these pathologies is often neglected or does not provide enough information about the cause. The aim of this study was to evaluate different diagnoses to provide more accurate information about endometritis and the real endometrial profile at the beginning of a breeding season. Fifty-one mares with reproductive failure were evaluated. Two different uterine cytology diagnoses, culture of uterine flush material and biopsy assay, were performed. The data were analyzed by the Chi-squared test to compare different diagnostic methods for the same sample from each mare, and sensitivity and specificity tests were performed. Most of evaluations showed no association between cytology and other diagnostic methods, except with bacterial culture. The most common bacterium found was Escherichia colli, but it was not associated with neutrophil presence in cytology. The presence of β-hemolitic streptococcus was well characterized by positive cytology and cloudy lavage fluid aspect. Endometrial profile was affected by age and whether the mare was a donor or recipient. The most sensitive diagnostic method was gross aspect of lavage fluid. Endometritis should be diagnosed by at least two methods to increase accuracy. Endometritis is not the only uterine disease that causes embryo loss, since endometrial fibrosis can also be a cause.

Variants in the CYP19A1 gene can affect in vitro embryo production traits in cattle

PurposeThis study aimed to associate DNA variants in promoter and exon flanking regions of the CYP19A1 gene with in vitro embryo production traits in cattle. The role of transcription factor binding sites created or lost due to DNA sequence variation and their possible effect on gene expression was also evaluated.MethodsWe collected date from Gyr dairy oocyte donor cows (Bos taurus indicus) at a commercial in vitro embryo production farm and analyzed the genotype–phenotype association with in vitro production traits. Using Sanger sequencing and web-based software, we assessed important CYP19A1 gene regions in oocyte donor cows and analyzed the effects of variants on the transcription factor binding sites.ResultsTwo SNP mutations significantly associated with oocyte production, oocyte viability, embryo development, and pregnancies were found (T > C in the untranslated exon 1 flanking region ([GenBank: AJ250379.1]: rs718446508 T > C), and a T > C in the 5′-upstream region (1.1 promoter) ([GenBank: AC_000167.1]: rs41651668 T > C). Six new transcription factor binding sites were created. A binding site for transcription factors associated with the development of the placenta and embryo implantation was eliminated due to variations in the DNA sequence identified.ConclusionsThe CYP19A1 gene contributes to genetic variation of in vitro embryo production traits in cattle. The complexity of the physiological phenomena related to estrogen pathways and their influence on reproduction in cattle allow indication of the mutations evaluated here as possible genetic markers for embryo production traits, which should be validated in the next steps of marker-assisted selection.

Evaluation of environmental effects on reproductive characteristics of Mangalarga Marchador mares in a commercial embryo transfer program

The objective of this study was to evaluate the environmental effects on embryo recovery rate and pregnancy rate of Mangalarga Marchador mares. The reproductive characteristics of donor and recipient mares were evaluated during five years in Brazilian tropical environment. The mares were used throughout the year and seasons were classified as: October to April (breeding season - BS); May (autumn transition out of the breeding season - ATBS); June to August (non-breeding season - nBS); and September (vernal transition into the breeding season - VTBS). Daily temperature rainfall and hours of daylight (photoperiod) were measured during all months and years of evaluation. The embryo recovery rate (ERR) and the pregnancy rate (PR) were observed and frequencies were calculated. The effect of environmental variables, day of flushing, and hormonal treatments (estradiol benzoate and progesterone) were determined for the reproductive measures using the Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Significant effects were noted of the year, season and temperature on ERR (P < 0.05), but no significant effects were observed of the environmental parameters (year, season, hormone treatment, rainfall and photoperiod) on PR (P > 0.05). The day of uterine flush affected ERR (P < 0.05) but did not affect PR (P > 0.05). In addition, hormone treatment also supported favorable results of PR in recipient mares during nBS. The conclusion is that mares of this breed can be used in reproduction all year long, with good pregnancy rates, in Brazils tropical environment. The hormone treatment also supported favorable pregnancy rates in recipient mares during the non-breeding season. It seems that mares can have good pregnancy rates throughout the year in Brazil´s tropical environment.

Automatic and manual Doppler velocimetry measurements of the uterine artery in pregnant ewes

We aimed to compare measurements of speed and blood flow parameters obtained manually and automatically in the uterine arteries of pregnant ewes. Eighteen Santa Inês ewes, confirmed to be pregnant, were followed every 2 weeks until parturition. The systolic peak (PS), end diastolic velocity (ED), maximum and average speed in the cardiac cycle (TAMAX and TAMEAN, respectively), pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI) and the systole/diastole (S/D) ratio and body flow volume (BFV) was measured. We began the wave evaluation automatically, then the observer manually marked the beginning and end of the wave. To determine the differences between manual and automatic methods, a t-test was used for each of the study variables (PS, ED, TAMAX, TAMEAN, PI, RI, S/D, and BFV), with p<0.05 considered significant. Both methods were found to be effective for producing estimates for the variables analyzed. With the exception of the IP, IR and S/D (p<0.05), no significant differences were found between the methods. The manual method underestimated the PI (1.00±0.21×1.04±0.20), S/D (2.51±0.43×2.40±0.44) and RI (0.57±0.07×0.59±0.07) compared with the automatic method (p<0.05). The weakest correlations between methods were identified for the PI, RI and S/D variables (p<0.001). Manual evaluation allowed more accurate identification of the beginning and end of the systole and diastole, which may influence the outcome of some variables.

Alterações nos parâmetros hematológico durante a gestação e no pós-parto de cabras da raça Saanen criadas no sul do Espírito Santo

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hematological profile of Saanen goats at different stage of pregnancy and postpartum. For this study were uses 24 pregnant goats and 10 non-pregnant Saanen raised in intensive conditions in the Alegre city, Espirito Santo state. Samples were collected from 60 to 135 days of gestation, with intervals of 15 days between collections. After parturition were performed two more collections, also with intervals of 15 days. The blood samples were refrigerated until arrival at the laboratory. It was possible to perform the red blood cell (RBC) count, packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin, mean cell volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and the white blood cell (WBC) count, on an automatic analyzer and the blood smears were stained whit panoptic stain for differential WBC counts. After analyzing results it can be seen that in goats assessed no influence of gestation, delivery and postpartum on the order of the values of the erythrocyte. All evaluated parameters except MCV, decreased with advancing gestation until fifteen days after birth, with the largest changes occurred in late pregnancy. The WBC and differential also showed significant differences according to the physiological stage of the females. The average values of WBC were 10579 e 15836 leukocytes/mm3. Non pregnant females showed higher WBC, with decreasing gestation until 15 days of postpartum. Thirty days postpartum increased the value of WBC, resembling the values of non-pregnant goats. The absolute values of segmented neutrophils followed the same trend of WBC. the number of lymphocytes showed decrease a 120 days of pregnancy, increasing from thirty days postpartum. The number of eosinophil was not changed according to the physiological state and the number of basophils was higher in non-pregnant females. For monocytes results were generally higher in non-pregnant goats and 120-135 days of gestation. With respect to parity other was observed that females with more than four birth a lower values of PVC, there were no differences in the other parameters of the erythrocyte. WBC was higher in goats with four deliveries, mainly due the increase of neutrophils, whereas the number of lymphocytes was lower in these goats. Already the number of lymphocytes was lower in goats with four birth. The results showed the influence of pregnancy, postpartum and the order of birth of the Saanen females studied on the hematological parameters and the need for studies to determine references values of blood cell counts for each type of goats breed.

Avaliação morfológica das estruturas ovarianas em fêmeas bovinas zebuínas durante o ciclo estral

The aim of this study was to evaluate aspects morphometric, ultrastructural and histological structures present in the ovaries of female zebu. We used ten cows. In females that were synchronized, followed the standard protocol used in the technique of fixed time artificial insemination (FTAI). The ovaries were evaluated before synchronization and the day of surgery with the aid of ultrasound. On day 0 of the estrous cycle, two animals were ovariectomized, while the others went through the same process in their days: D5, D11, D14 and D19. The macroscopic structures were all considered. The ovaries had their axes maximum measured. For histological techniques all ovaries were processed and slides evaluated. When ultrasound was found that the average length and width of the ovaries did not have wide variation, and three animals have shown corpus luteum in the right ovary. After ovariectomy measuring the length and width of the ovaries was also performed and it was concluded that there is a significant difference between the morphometric measurement of cycling and anestrous females. Histologically, the structures found in the ovaries of cows differ only by the amount of primordial follicles.

Concentration of fecal corticosterone metabolites in dominant versus subordinate buffalo heifers

The objective of this work was to evaluate the concentration of fecal metabolites of corticosterone and to verify if there are differences between dominant and subordinate heifers. The feces of 18 buffalo heifers were collected in the estrous period, to quantify the corticosterone concentrations. The heifers were separated into three groups (G1, G2 and G3) and synchronized. The observations of the social and sexual behaviors were recorded and, from these results, the sociometric matrix was constructed to establish the social index and determine the hierarchic positions of the buffalo heifers as low, moderate and high. The fecal concentrations of corticosterone were higher in animals with high hierarchic position on day zero and describe alterations in the dominant females before synchronization, suggesting that there is an energy cost for the females in the highest position to be able to maintain their dominance status. Keywords: Estrus, hormones, social status, non-invasive technique African Journal of Biotechnology , Vol 13(16), 1726-1730

Biometria e formas dos testículos em cordeiros da raça Santa Inês explorados em regime de manejo intensivo - DOI:10.5039/agraria.v5i1a527

The objective of this work was to evaluate the testicular development and the body weight, calculate the testicular volume by three different mathematical formulas and verify the testicles form of the 33 rams of Santa Ines breed, borne between January and September 2007 and created in the South region of Espirito Santo State, Brazil. The animals were weighed and the testicles measured each 28 days, since weaning (90 days) until they reach 354 days of age. The testicular measures and the body weight increased with the age, up to 12 months. The cylinder formula better appreciated the testicular volume. The testicular form predominant up to six months of age was the long / oval and from eight months was the long. The scrotal circumference did not vary with the testicular form; however, the length and the testicular volume were bigger in the long / moderate and long forms. Heaviest rams presented long testicles. It is possible to conclude that during this period of life the lambs present quick testicular growth and weight, however, they are still developing, the cylinder formula appeared more trustful to calculate the testicular volume and due to change in the testicular form it is suggested an evaluation of the testicular volume like additional criterion in the selection of Santa Ines lambs.