Cláudio Vieira de Araújo

Variáveis fisiológicas de búfalas leiteiras criadas sob sombreamento em sistemas silvipastoris

The objective of this work was to evaluate the use of silvipastural systems as a management option to maintain physiological features of dairy buffaloes and to provide higher levels of thermal comfort. Fifty-six adult females (79±44.12 months; 575±92.90 kg) were evaluated: 30 in an unshaded silvipastural system and 26 in a silvipastural system with 19.9% of shaded area. Heart and respiratory rates, rectal temperature and animal comfort index were evaluated weekly. Means were submitted to analysis of variance, and meteorological and physiological data were correlated by Pearsons method. Shading significantly reduced heart rate and rectal temperature. In 71.4% of the observations, the animals kept in the silvipastural system with shaded area showed thermal comfort index closer to the ideal level. Shading maintains the physiological parameters of dairy buffaloes closer to normal, and improves the animal comfort index. The adoption of silvipastural systems for buffalo production in tropical areas can avoid energy loss due to thermolysis.

Sinais clínicos, lesões e alterações produtivas e reprodutivas em caprinos intoxicados por Ipomoea carnea subsp. fistulosa (Convolvulaceae) que deixaram de ingerir a planta

The aim of this research was to study the clinical signs, productive and reproductive performance, and lesions of goats poisoned by Ipomoea carnea subsp. fistulosa after removal from the paddocks where the plant occurred. Thirty seven goats were divided into four groups: Group 1 consisted of 14 goats with poor body conditions and mild to severe nervous signs, acquired from a farm where the plant occurred; Group 2 (control) consisted of 10 goats which had also poor body conditions, but were acquired from a farm where the plant did not occur; Group 3 consisted of two goats with clinical signs of intoxication and which were slaughtered on the farm where they became poisoned; Group 4 consisted of 11 goats slaughtered as controls for the study of gross and histological lesions. The animals from Group 1 and 2 were evaluated for a period of 12 months on a farm located in the municipality of Castanhal/Para, in a paddock where the plant did not occur. Six months later, the animals of Group 1 continued with poor body condition, rough hair coat, and nervous signs, especially intention tremors, what became with time less noticeable. In the same period, the goats of Group 2 gained an average of 13 kg body weight. Goats from Group 1 showed to be more susceptible to gastrointestinal parasites than those from Group 2. From the eight goats of Group 1 remaining on the farm only 4 became pregnant and delivered three kids which died shortly after birth, while all goats from Group 2 got pregnant and delivered healthy kids. At necropsy, two goats from Group 1 showed cerebellar atrophy. The main histological change observed in animals of Groups 1 and 3 was a decreased number of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum. It is concluded that goats chronically intoxicated by I. carnea and which discontinued to ingest the plant but showed still clinical signs, even though diminished in intensity, had poor productive and reproductive performance and were highly susceptible to gastrointestinal parasites. For economical reasons, it is suggested that farmers cull affected animals which show still nervous signs 15 days after the end of I. carnea consumption. The most common permanent clinical signs are intention tremors, probably due to the loss of Purkinje cells, what could be primarily responsible for the malnutrition of the goats, the resulting reproductive failure and increased susceptibility to gastrointestinal parasites.

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.

Estimates of genetic parameters of growth traits of Nellore cattle in the Midwest region of Brazil.

Registros de peso ao nascer (PN) e pesos padronizados para 210 (P210); 365 (P365) e 550 (P550) dias de idade na raca Nelore foram usados com o objetivo de estimar componentes de variância dos efeitos geneticos e predicao de valores geneticos dos reprodutores. O modelo incluiu os efeitos fixos de grupo contemporâneo e idade da vaca ao parto, como covariavel, alem dos efeitos aleatorios genetico aditivo direto e genetico materno, de ambiente permanente materno e ambiente temporario. As estimativas das medias e desvios-padrao para PN; P210; P365 e P550 foram iguais a 32,76 ± 3,74; 184,30 ± 29,02; 240,31 ± 41,85 e 322,12 ± 60,77, respectivamente. Em todos os pesos, verificou-se consideravel variabilidade genetica aditiva. A variância de ambiente permanente materno apresentou maior relevância sobre o peso a desmama, sendo praticamente inexistente apos o desmame. Para a variância genetica materna, a estimativa para o peso ao nascer foi mais significativa quando comparada com o peso a desmama. Os valores estimados de herdabilidade para PN; P210; P365 e P550 foram iguais a 0,37 ± 0,02; 0,36 ± 0,03; 031 ± 0,01 e 0,38 ± 0,02, respectivamente. As correlacoes geneticas entre peso ao nascer e outros pesos foram de baixa magnitude, com altos valores dos pesos em outras idades. O uso de reprodutores de maior valor genetico para o efeito materno total permite utilizar reprodutores mais positivos para peso ao desmame e tambem para o ano e peso ao sobreano.

Use of orthogonal functions in random regression models in describing genetic variance in Nellore cattle

A total of 204,912 records of birth weights up to 550 days of age, of 24,890 Nellore cattle, offspring of 375 sires and 16,917 dams from five herds in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, were used in order to describe the variability of the weight development by random regression models. The model evaluated as the most suitable used the covariance function of fourth order to describe the variability of the effects of additive genetic, animal permanent environmental and maternal effects of third order to describe the maternal genetic effect, with four classes of residual variance. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.18 to 0.46 from the beginning of trajectory to 210 days of age, from 0.45 to 0.48 post-weaning to 365 days of age and from 0.47 to 0.57 at later ages. The values of additive genetic correlations for different ages showed higher estimates between the closest ages, while birth weight was not very related to the weights at older ages. The body weight performance of the animals has additive genetic variation to respond to selection.

Farelo de biscoito na alimentação de porcas em lactação

Biscuit bran can be alternatively used as a partial or total substitute for conventional ingredients, however, it is necessary to evaluate the impact of its inclusion. Thus, this study aimed at evaluating the inclusion of biscuit bran in diets of lactating sows. A total of 16 lactating sows was used in a completely randomized design, with four treatments and each sow being considered an experimental unit. Treatments consisted of inclusions of 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% of biscuit bran composed by 50% of cream and salt and water crackers and 50% of buttered, chocolate and related biscuits. The weight, weight loss and weight variation, at the end of the lactation period, did not differ statistically for the different biscuit bran inclusion levels. Treatments did not affect the ration consumption, milk yield and bacon thickness of sows or the litter performance. The economic analysis showed better values for diets containing 20% and 30% of biscuit bran. It was concluded that the inclusion of biscuit bran was viable up to 30%, in diets for lactating sows, without affecting the sow and litter performance.

Pregnancy rates and serum 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2α concentrations in recipient Nelore heifers treated with meloxicam after the transfer of in vitro–produced embryos

This study aimed to determine if the administration of meloxicam, a cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor, to Nelore (Bos taurus indicus) heifers, in which embryo transfer is more difficult and requires a greater manipulation of the reproductive tract than in Bos taurus females, would improve the pregnancy rates by decreasing serum PGFM concentrations. After estrous synchronization, multiparous recipient heifers (nxa0=xa085) were selected as embryo recipients and were randomly allocated into two groups: CON (nxa0=xa042), the control group, in which animals received 10xa0mL of saline intramuscularly (the same volume of meloxicam), and MEL (nxa0=xa043), the group in which animals were treated with meloxicam. According to the degree of passing the catheter, recipients from both groups were classified as grade I (easy; <80 seconds) and grade II (difficult; >80 seconds). One hour before embryo transfer, MEL recipients received an injection of 200xa0mg of meloxicam. Blood samples were collected from all heifers 1 hour before embryo transfer and 4 and 8 hours after embryo transfer to determine the serum concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2α (PGFM), a PGF2α metabolite. A significant difference in the pregnancy rates on Day 30 was observed in MEL animals between those classified as grade I and II (90.48% vs. 54.54%, respectively; Pxa0<xa00.01). Considering the animals from CON, the pregnancy rates were similar between grades I and II. Serum concentrations of PGFM from samples collected 4 and 8 hours after embryo transfer were lower in pregnant animals from MEL grade I than in pregnant animals from MEL grade II. Considering the pregnant females from CON, no difference was observed from samples collected 4 and 8 hours after embryo transfer. Interestingly, no difference in PGFM serum concentrations was observed between the pregnant females from MEL grade II and pregnant females from CON (Pxa0<xa00.05). Thus, we conclude that meloxicam had a positive effect on the pregnancy rates of grade I Nelore heifers.

Performance, growth and carcass characteristics of alternatives lineages of broiler chickens created with access to paddock

Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar o desempenho de linhagens alternativas de frangos de corte, criados em sistema com acesso a piquete. Foram utilizados 312 pintos de corte de um dia de idade, alojados com uma densidade de 6,4 aves/m2 na area interna e 2 m2/animal na area de pastejo. Os tratamentos adotados corresponderam a cada linhagem: Redbro Cou Nu, Gris Barre Cou Nu, Master Gris Cou Plume e Gris Barre Cou Plume. O delineamento estatistico adotado foi inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos e seis repeticoes. Para o estudo do crescimento a equacao de Gompertz apresentou melhor ajuste, quando comparadas as demais. A linhagem Master Gris Cou Plume obteve maior peso assintotico, taxa de crescimento absoluto maximo e menor viabilidade, maiores valores de peso medio e ganho de peso, quando comparada a linhagem Gris Barre Cou Nu. Mesmo com as diferencas de desempenho zootecnico entre as linhagens estudadas, nao a diferencas significativas entre medias de peso do corpo apos o jejum e peso das carcacas evisceradas. Foram observados maiores pesos de carcaca, peito, coxa+sobrecoxa, dorso e asa para a linhagem Master Gris Cou Plume, quando comparado a Gris Barre Cou Nu e Gris Barre Cou Plume. As linhagens Redbro Cou Nu e Master Gris Cou Plume apresentaram desempenho similar, no entanto a aves da linhagem Redbro Cou Nu demonstraram caracteristicas de crescimento mais adequadas a criacoes alternativas, com acesso a area de piquete.

The effect of transport density and gender on skin temperature and carcass and meat quality in pigs

Pre-slaughter handling of pigs established properly is very important, not only from the point of view of welfare, but also for the quality of meat. The aim of present research was to evaluate the effect of gender and density of pigs during their transport to the abattoir on the skin temperature and carcass and meat quality. Were used 192 (115.54 ± 6.03 kg) finishing pigs to investigate the effects of gender (barrows and gilts) and transport densities for slaughter (236, 251, and 275 kg/m2) on the skin temperature and carcass and meat quality. Average skin temperature between genders and transport densities at any point of time during pre-slaughter did not differ. Skin temperatures before unloading had the highest average value relative to all other time points, followed by immediately after unloading and remaining the same for the next 2 h. Lowest skin temperature value was registered on pigs at the pre-slaughter time followed by farm and at loading times. Pigs transported with different densities did not show differences for the skin carcass lesions. Meat from pigs transported at 275 kg/m2 presented higher frequency of red, soft, exudative (RSE) and lower of red, firm, non-exudative (RFN) classes as compared to those for other densities. Animals transported at 236 and 251 kg/m2 did not differ as the frequency of RSE and RFN meat. Skin temperature of pigs oscillate along the pre-slaughter times and the pre-slaughter transport of pigs at 236 and 251 kg/m2 generates less frequency classes of faulty pork, although difference in the densities did not have any effect on the skin temperature and skin lesions.

Performance, hepatic function and efficiency of nutrient utilisation of grazing dairy cows supplemented with alkaline-treated Jatropha curcas L. meal

Jatropha meal is an emergent source of protein for ruminant feed, but the presence mainly of phorbol esters limits its use. We hypothesised that alkaline treatment of Jatropha curcas L. meal will reduce phorbol esters and allow its use as a concentrate supplement for dairy cows. We evaluated the effects of four levels of Jatropha meal treated with 70 g of sodium hydroxide/kg [JMT; 0.145 mg phorbol ester g/kg dry matter (DM)] in a concentrate supplement (0, 100, 200 and 300 g/kg DM; 4 kg cow/day as fed) on performance and efficiency of nutrient utilisation in grazing dairy cows. The alkaline treatment reduced the phorbol esters content of the toxic Jatropha meal by 67.7%. The JMT level linearly reduced the supplement intake (P 0.10). As a result, the JMT level linearly reduced apparent total-tract nutrient digestibility (P ≤ 0.05), ruminal microbial protein synthesis (P = 0.05) and milk yield (P 0.05) and nitrogen balance (P = 0.29). Alkaline treatment substantially reduces the phorbol ester in Jatropha meal by 67.7%, but its inclusion in supplements reduces diet digestibility and performance of dairy cows.