José Fernando Vázquez-Armijo

Dual purpose cattle production in Mexico

Cattle production is one of the most important livestock activities in the rural areas of Mexico, with most of the national territory dedicated to it, in addition to the use of the most agricultural supplies and forages resources, as well as agricultural and agro-industrial by-products. Mexico is placed among the ten first meat and milk producer countries worldwide, being the Mexican tropical zone one of the main suppliers of such products. One of the main milk sources is the dual purpose cattle, such systems can be described as those that produce milk (daily milking) and meat (calf after weaning), on every productive cycle. They are mainly located in developing regions and characterized by using low-technology and in poor environments, consequently productive levels are considered low. Milk is destined for self-consumption or for sale at local markets and calf after weaning is sold at local feedlots or for export. Regarding to the little information available about the dual purpose systems, the present work is intended to discuss the main characteristics of cattle production in dual purpose systems in Mexico.

Effects of different doses of Salix babylonica extract on growth performance and diet in vitro gas production in Pelibuey growing lambs

Twenty Pelibuey 3-4 month old and 23.7±3.3 kg body weight male lambs were used in a randomised design to study the effects of daily oral administration of Salix babylonica (SB) extract on dry matter (DM), water intake, average daily gain (ADG), and feed efficiency for 72 days. Animals were divided into four groups fed the same total mixed ration with different doses of SB: 0 (Control), 20 (SB20), 40 (SB40) and 60 (SB60) mL/lamb/d. In vitro gas production (GP) of the same diet fed to lambs as a substrate was measured with different doses of SB (0, 0.3, 0.7, 1.0 mL/g DM). Daily administration of SB to lambs had no effects (P=0.05) on growth performance and DMI (linear effect, P=0.2805; quadratic effect, P=0.3747). Both low and moderate doses of SB (SB40>SB20) tended to increase (linear effect, P=0.4010; quadratic effect, P=0.9166) ADG. The asymptotic GP quadratically increased (P<0.001) with decreased GP rate and with increasing SB extract doses. In vitro GP increased (P<0.05) with advancing of incubation time in all SB doses. During the first 24 h of incubation, 0.3 mL SB/g DM had the highest GP, whereas 1.0 mL SB/g DM quadratically increased (P<0.001) GP. The low dose of SB extract increased ME (linear effect, P=0.024) and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) (linear effect, P=0.023). However, the highest dose quadratically decreased (P=0.02) DM degradability. In conclusion, administration of SB extract at 40 mL/lamb/d tended to increase DM intake, improve daily weight gain in growing lambs with increasing asymptotic in vitro ruminal GP and SB dose.

Lactation curves and body weight changes of Alpine, Saanen and Anglo-Nubian goats as well as pre-weaning growth of their kids

Thirty-six goats: 15 Alpine (AG), 13 Saanen (SG) and 8 Anglo-Nubian (ANG) were used to evaluate dry matter intake (DMI), body weight (BW) changes and milk production to validate Woods model in lactation curves. The kids pre-weaning weight, weaning weight (WW) and daily weight gain (DWG) were determined. Milk production was measured daily for a period of 90 d. The DWG was quantified daily, while BW was recorded weekly. Performance of 48 kids (20 AG, 15 SG and 13 ANG), aged 15 d were evaluated. Woods model was utilised to describe goats lactation curve in the different studied goat breeds. Milk production was differed between breeds and according to the number of kids suckled (P < 0.05). Both of DMI and BW showed a linear increase (P < 0.05) during the studied period. Both of WW and DWG were unaffected by type of kidding and breed and were higher in males than in females. It is suggested that equation of Woods model is adequate to describe the lactation curve in studied goat breeds. The ANG and AG breeds versus SG had more persistence for milk production which was higher for those with single type of birth than those with twins.

Status and implementation of reproductive technologies in goats in emerging countries

In modern cattle breeding, assisted reproductive technologies in small ruminants have been used even out-of-season breeding, but in emerging countries these technologies have been mainly used for estrous synchronization and artificial insemination. However, in the last 30 years, significant progress in the matter of transfers of in vivo derived and in vitro produced embryos has been achieved. Currently, eight donor embryos are obtained by goat, due to the physiological knowledge of the presence of dominant follicles; above alter results recovered embryos (4 embryos / donor). Whereas, the goat has the advantage of presenting a shorter interval between generations compared to cow; this promote more research in in vitro fertilization, and overcome the limitations presented in a traditional embryo transfer. However cloning and transgenesis, are two techniques that will begin to have a commercial application, because goats can be used as bioreactors to produce milk with specific proteins to develop drugs. The objective of this study was to establish and describe in a general way the use of these techniques in goats, to promote their use so as to achieve genetic improvement in goats. Key words: Reproductive technologies, goats, estrous synchronization, embryo transfer.

Caffeoyl and coumaroyl derivatives from Acacia cochliacantha exhibit ovicidal activity against Haemonchus contortus

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE Acacia cochliacantha is a small tree whose foliage is traditionally used in Mexico for treatment of kidney pain, gastrointestinal illnesses and to kill intestinal parasites. In recent decades, the study of vegetal extracts has offered other possible alternatives for the control of Haemonchus contortus. Considering that this nematode affects dramatically the health and productivity of small ruminants, the aim of this study was to identify the anthelmintic compounds from A. cochliacantha hydro-alcoholic extract (HA-E) through an ovicidal test. MATERIAL AND METHODS In vitro egg hatch assay was conducted to determinate the anthelmintic effects of a HA-E (60g). Liquid-liquid ethyl acetate/water extraction gave two fractions (EtOAc-F, 1.92g; Aq-F; 58.1g). The less polar compounds from ethyl acetate fraction were extracted by addition of dichloromethane offering a precipitate phase (Mt-F, 1.25g) and a soluble mixture (DCMt-F 1.15g). All fractions were evaluated for ovicidal activity obtaining the egg hatching inhibition (EHI, 0.07-25mg/mL). Ivermectin (0.5mg/mL) was used as a reference drug (positive control), and distilled water, 2.5% DMSO and 2% methanol were used as negative controls. The isolated compounds from the most active fractions were subjected to spectroscopic (1H NMR) Spectrometric (MS) and UV HPLC analysis in order to identify the bioactive compounds. RESULTS The less polar treatments (AcOEt-F, DCMt-F, DCMt-P) showed the highest ovicidal activities (98-100% EHI; at 0.62-1.56mg/mL) and the major compounds found in these fractions were identified as caffeoyl and coumaroyl derivatives, including caffeic acid (1), p-coumaric acid (2), ferulic acid (3), methyl caffeate (4), methyl-p-coumarate (5), methyl ferulate (6) and quercetin. In case of the less active fractions (Aq-F, Mt-F) were constituted principally by glycosylated flavonoids. CONCLUSION These results show that caffeoyl and coumaroyl derivatives from Acacia cochliacantha leaves had promising anthelmintic activity against Haemonchus contortus. This leguminous may offer an alternative source for the control of gastrointestinal nematodes of small ruminants.

Reproductive Behavior and Efficiency in Pelibuey Ewes Treated with FGA-PMSG and Bred by Mounting or Laparoscopic Intrauterine Insemination

Abstract Quintero-Elisea, J.A., Vázquez-Armijo, J.F., Cienfuegos-Rivas, E.G., Correa-Calderón, A., Avendaño-Reyes, L., Macías-Cruz, U., Lucero-Magaña, F.A. and González-Reyna, A. 2010. Reproductive behavior and efficiency in Pelibuey ewes treated with FGA-PMSG and bred by mounting or laparoscopic intrauterine insemination. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 38: 13–16. To evaluate the effect of 200 IU of PMSG on reproductive behaviour of hair sheep ewes were bred by 1) intrauterine artificial insemination by laparoscopy (IAIL) or 2) natural mount (NM) in Northeast Mexico, and subjected to an estrus synchronization protocol, with fluorogestone acetate sponges for 10 d (40 mg, FGA). Twenty four hours before sponge withdrawal, the ewes were randomly assigned to one of two treatments, T1= 200 IU of PMSG (n= 40) IM or T2= 0 IU of PMSG (n=20). Ewes showing estrus, were divided in two groups, to be served by 1) MN or 2) by IAIL. The PMSG treatment reduced(P<0.0001)hours to estrus (HE) (25.8 h vs 37.7 h). The conception rate (CR) was smaller(P<0.05)in the PMSG treated ewes. In addition, the lambing rate (LR) and the fecundity (Fc) were smaller (P<0.05) in the ewes of the control group. The CR was lesser (P<0.05) for the IAIL group. The LR was lesser (P<0.05) in the ewes of the NM group. PMSG reduced the hours to estrus and increased the lambing rate; however, it will be necessary to determine the effect of PMSG dose, on the reproductive efficiency of the ewes. It is recommended to use an FGA+PMSG treatment for inducing the estrus, accompanied with IAIL to increase reproductive rate in hair sheep ewes.

The reinsertion of controlled internal drug release devices in goats does not increase the pregnancy rate after short oestrus synchronization protocol at the beginning of the breeding season

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effect of reinserting controlled internal drug release (CIDR) devices after fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) on pregnancy rates in goats. Oestrus was synchronized with a short (5 days) CIDR protocol, and FTAI was conducted 54 hours after CIDR removal. According to the reinsertion of CIDR after FTAI, goats were assigned to three treatments: G0 control group (n = 29), no CIDR reinsertion; G7 group (n = 27), CIDR reinserted 7 days; G14 group (n = 29), CIDR reinserted 14 days. Blood samples were collected to determine progesterone levels. Oestrus appearance (92.9%), interval of CIDR removal to oestrus (IRE = 34.1 ± 1.1 hours), interval of oestrus onset to artificial insemination (IEAI = 20.2 ± 1.0 hours), mean duration of oestrus (38.4 ± 1.4 hours), and pregnancy rates (61.0%) were similar (P > .05) among groups. Progesterone concentrations were higher (P < .05) in G7 and G14 than G0 goats. G7 goats had lower (P < .05) oestrus rate, after CIDR reinsertion, than G0 and G14 goats. Overall pregnancy rate was similar (P > .05) for all groups. In conclusion, reinsertion of CIDR for 7 or 14 days after a short oestrus synchronization protocol and FTAI did not increase the overall pregnancy rate of goats.

Replacement of lucerne by Enterolobium cyclocarpum leaves in the diet of growing goats

Animal production in tropical regions is commonly limited by the low crude protein content and digestibility of pastures, particularly during the dry season. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of including Enterolobium cyclocarpum leaves (ECL) (0%, 15% and 30%) in diets as a partial replacement for lucerne on dry-matter intake (DMI), weight gain and nitrogen (N) balance in growing Saanen goats (12.6 ± 3.2 kg at 3 months of age) and the digestibility of the diet. Daily weight gain, DMI and digestibility were analysed in a 3 × 3 Latin square design replicated three times. The inclusion of ECL did not affect daily weight gain or DMI (P > 0.05). There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences for N intake among the diets, but the inclusion of 30% ECL significantly (P = 0.01) increased N excreted in faeces. These results suggest that ECL can be used as a partial substitute of lucerne in diets for growing goats, without affecting animal performance.

Socioeconomic and productive characteristics of dual purpose farms based on agrosilvopastoral systems in subtropical highlands of central Mexico

Agrosilvopastoral systems that integrate crops, pastures, trees and shrubs are seen as a way forward to meet future needs for food, feed, fuel, and other products, as well as for providing environmental and social benefits. Cattle production systems in the tropical and subtropical areas of Mexico have a dual-purpose (milk and beef) objective in agrosilvopastoral systems that need to improve the production of goods, as well as non-productive outputs like environmental services, enhancing their sustainability. The aim of this study was to characterise the socioeconomic, and productive characteristics of dual purpose farms based on agrosilvopastoral systems (ASPS), in a subtropical region in the southern highlands of central Mexico, to contribute in the understanding of how these ASPS operate and their differences. Forty-seven farmers answered a semi-structured questionnaire to identify aspects of farm management, structure, and land use; as well as technical and economic aspects. Information was analysed using factorial analysis of principal components, in order to reduce information, and subsequently cluster analysis that included nine variables resulting into four groups of farms differentiated by structure, size, management and productive orientation. Productive orientation of the farms was from the activity from which farms obtained most of their incomes. The four groups were beef production oriented (BPO) 46.81%, milk production oriented (MPO) 23.40%, pure breed weaned calves (PBWC) 17.02%, and traditional dual-purpose (TDP) 12.77%. Characterization of agrosilvopastoral farms identified main differences and characteristics, as well as the presence and use of trees and shrubs by farmers and cattle.

In vitro gas production kinetics and degradability of a diet for growing lambs: effect of fibrolytic enzyme products at different dose levels

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of three fibrolytic enzyme products (cellulase (CEL), xylanase (XYL) and a 1:1 mixture of CEL and XYL (MIX)) at three dose levels (0, 1 and 3 μL/0.5 g DM) on the in vitro fermentation of a diet for growing lambs. Bottles were incubated for 96 h at 39 °C. A mathematical model was used to estimate the parameters describing the gas production (GP) curve (b, c and L). Dry matter degradability (DMD) and fibre (NDFD and ADFD) degradability were determined at the end of the incubation period. Metabolisable energy (ME) and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) were calculated at 24 h of incubation. The asymptotic GP (parameter b) was affected (p < 0.02) by enzyme product and dose level, with a significant linear response (p < 0.05). Dose level affected ME and SCFA with a significant linear (p < 0.05) and quadratic (p < 0.01) response. The interaction between enzyme product and dose level was significant (p < 0.05) for cumulative GP up to 72 and 96 h of incubation, pH, ADFD and DMD. The results suggest that application of exogenous cellulases has the potential to alter asymptotic GP and degradability of ADF and DM of a diet for growing lambs, but most of the results depend on the interaction between enzyme product and dose level. Future studies are required to determine the ideal combination between enzyme product and dose level for optimal degradation of ruminant feeds.