R. S. Juliano

Conservación del bovino Curraleiro: cuantificación del censo y caracterización de los criadores

Palabras clave: Desarrollo sostenible, Pe-Duro, criollos, raza local, sertao brasileno Summary The local Brazilian breed of cattle known as Curraleiro is at risk of extinction. As a result a group of researchers have taken action to conserve and utilize these animals. The Curraleiro breed is descended from cattle brought to Brazil by Iberian colonizers. These animals have adapted to pasture of low quality, very low humidity conditions, heat and other adverse factors characteristic of the Brazilian savannah. A population census was conducted and, in order to identify the characteristics of Curraleiro breeders, 28 farmers in the states of Goias and Tocantins were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire, eliciting information about them, their farms and their animals. The type of production system and the level of technology applied in the farms were determined in each case. Forty-nine herds, with a a total of 3,692 animals, were located in the states of Goias, Tocantins, Bahia, Para and Piaui. The production system applied to Curraleiro livestock herds is extensive, with a medium level of technology, low production costs and low economic returns. The risk of inbreeding is evident and there is great concern and interest on the part of producers in conserving this breed. Because the national census of these cattle is low, this breed can be considered vulnerable and at risk of extinction.

Soroepidemiologia da babesiose em rebanho de bovinos da raça Curraleiro

Bovine babesiosis is a blood parasitic disease. In Brazil it is caused by B. bovis and B. bigemina protozoa, both of which reveal the Boophilus microplus tick as the only biological vector. Animal samples were collected at Experimental Study Farm of Curraleiro Cattle (ESFC) in 2001 (n=117) and 2003 (n=113). The detection of antibodies against B. bovis and B. bigemina was carried out by ELISA-indirect method. This research was aimed at studing seroepidemiological aspects of bovine babesiosis in a Curraleiro herd, as well as obtain information about babesiosis stability in this population and relate the results with available climactic and management information. The occurrence rate of positive animals was 92.3% for B. bovis and 83.8% for B. bigemina in 2001; in 2003 it was 92.9% and 66.4%, respectively. There was a significant difference between seropositive frequency and age in 2003; such a frequency decreased with ageing. It was possible to conclude that despite environmental conditions and chemical controls against endo and ectoparasites, these animals were exposed to Babesia spp and they found themselves in a situation of enzootic stability for babesiosis.

Detection of wild animals as carriers of Leptospira by PCR in the Pantanal biome, Brazil.

Leptospiral infection is widespread in wildlife. In this context, wild ecosystems in tropical countries hold a vast biodiversity, including several species that may act as potential reservoirs of leptospires. The Pantanal biome presents highly favorable environmental conditions for the occurrence of leptospirosis, such as high temperatures, constant flooding, and high biodiversity. The purpose of this study was to detect wild animals as carriers of Leptospira sp. using direct methods (PCR and culture) in the Pantanal biome, Brazil. A total of 35 animals were studied, namely Cerdocyon thous, Nasua nasua, Ozotoceros bezoarticus, and Sus scrofa species. Blood for serology (MAT) and urine for bacteriological culturing and PCR was sampled. The most prevalent serogroups were Javanica and Djasiman. Additionally, 40.6% of these animals presented PCR positive reactions. Seroreactivity associated with the high frequency of leptospiral carriers among the different studied species suggests a high level of exposure of the studied animals to pathogenic Leptospira strains. Our results are still limited and the actual role of the studied animals in the epidemiology of leptospirosis in the Pantanal region remains to be elucidated.

Acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies of three plants used in Cameroonian ethnoveterinary medicine: Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. (Xanthorrhoeaceae) leaves, Carica papaya L. (Caricaceae) seeds or leaves, and Mimosa pudica L. (Fabaceae) leaves in Kabir chicks.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. (Xanthorrhoeaceae), Carica papaya L. (Caricaceae) and Mimosa pudica L. (Fabaceae) are widely used in the Cameroonian ethnoveterinary medicine as a panacea, and specifically for gastrointestinal disorders as well as an anthelmintic and antibacterial. AIM OF THE STUDY The present study evaluated the potential toxicity of the hydroalcoholic extracts of Aloe vera leaves, Carica papaya leaves or seeds, and Mimosa pudica leaves after acute and sub-chronic administration in chicks. MATERIALS AND METHODS For the acute toxicity test a single administration of each of the four hydroalcoholic extracts was given orally at doses ranging from 40 to 5120 mg/kg (n=5/group/sex). In the sub-chronic study, these extracts were given orally as a single administration to chicks at doses of 80, 160, 320 and 640 mg/kg/day for 42 days. The anti-angiogenic properties of these extracts (5-320 µg/mg) were investigated in the chick chorioallantoic membrane in vivo. RESULTS In the acute toxicity test, none of the four studied hydroalcoholic extracts induced mortality or significant behavioural changes. The sub-acute treatment with the four plant extracts did not alter either the body weight gain or the food and water consumption. However, the results indicated that Aloe vera leaf extract acute treatment by oral route at doses up to 2560 mg/kg did not produce death in 50% (5/10) of chicks during 24h or 14 days of observation, but 20% (2/10) chicks died. The haematological and biochemical analyses did not show significant differences in any of the parameters examined in female or male groups, with the exception of a transient rise in white blood cell counts at high doses (640 mg/kg). Additionally, these extracts did not have the potential for anti-angiogenic effects through the inhibition of neo-angiogenesis in the chick chorioallantoic membrane in vivo. CONCLUSION The results showed that the therapeutic use of the hydroalcoholic extracts of Aloe vera leaves, Carica papaya leaves or seeds and Mimosa pudica leaves had very low toxicity in oral acute high dose administration and no toxicity in oral sub-chronic low dose administration and indicate that the plants could be considered safe for oral medication in chicks.

Tolerância ao calor em bovinos das raças Nelore branco, Nelore vermelho e Pantaneira

Identification of parameters/metrics associated with environmental adaptation is one of the main trends and challenges for livestock worldwide. Thus, this study was conducted at Nhumirim Farm, in Nhecolândia, Pantanal, during the month of February, period with highest ambient temperatures. We used five cattle of each genetic group (White Nelore, Red Nelore and Pantaneira) to evaluate characteristics related to heat tolerance. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), skin temperature (ST), sweating rate (SR), morphometric measurements, hair length (HL) and heat tolerance index (HTI) were evaluated. During the study the air temperature ranged from 29.0 to 40.0°C and the average relative humidity was 75%. RT and ST were highest in White Nelore, followed by Red Nelore and Pantaneira. The average HTI value for the three groups was between 9 and 10, indicating high tolerance. The environment had considerable effect on physiological variables, except RR, RT and SR that significantly differed between genetic groups, with Nelore being higher than the Pantaneira, but all within physiological limits. Multivariate analysis showed the importance of variables such as sweating rate and hair length for the adaptation of cattle in the region. The red Nelore separated from the other two groups. We conclude, therefore, that both zebu (white and red Nelore) and European (Pantaneira) showed adaptability and heat tolerance to climatic conditions of the Pantanal.

Análise de características reprodutivas indicadoras de puberdade em tourinhos Pantaneiro

EnglishThe Pantaneiro cattle are descendant from animals brought by settlers in the beginning of the colonization of Brazil. Ten months old Pantaneiro steers, raised under pasture conditions in Brazil, were used to study puberty. Monhtly measurement of scrotal circumference and testicular width and length were recorded. Semen was collected by eletroejaculation and evaluated according to physical and morphological aspects. Penile and prepuce detachment percentages were also evaluated. The ages of first spermatozoa presence in the ejaculate, first motile spermatozoa in the ejaculate, seminal puberty and detachment between penis and prepuce was studied. portuguesDescendentes de animais oriundos da Penin- sula Iberica, os bovinos Pantaneiros foram introduzidos no Brasil na epoca do descobrimento. Caracteristicas reprodutivas foram monitoradas em dez tourinhos, no intervalo de idade de dez a vinte meses, criados em pastagens nas condicoes de Brasil central com objetivo de determinar a idade a puberdade. Mensalmente eram mensuradas a circunferencia, o comprimento e a largura testicular. O semen foi coletado e os aspectos de morfologia e fisicos do ejaculado avaliado. Foi avaliada a idade do desprendimento entre penis e prepucio, do aparecimento da primeira celula espermatica, da primeira celula espermatica movel e da puberdade seminal.

Effects of Substituting Soybean withMoringa oleifera Meal in Diets on Layingand Eggs Quality Characteristics of KABIRChickens

Objective: This study was designated to evaluate the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf meal on laying performance of the KABIR strain hens. Methods: A total of 27 pullets and 3 cockerels were randomly distributed into 3 groups and randomly fed with diets T0, T5 and T10 in which soybean was gradually substituted at 0, 50 and 100% with Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOL). Results: The results showed that feed intake decreased with increasing level of MOL. The first egg was laid at 25 weeks in the group of chicks fed with 5% of MOL. The lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) and the highest egg production were recorded with 5% MOL, while the highest FCR and the lowest egg production were recorded with the highest MOL level (10%). Except for circumference of eggs and the yolk weight, eggs characteristics and hatchability were not significantly affected (P>0.05) by the inclusion levels of MOL in the diet. The mortalities recorded in this study (21, 30 and 37.5% for 0, 5 and 10% of MOL respectively) were above 12% recommended by the IPH (International Practices Hatchery). Conclusion: It was concluded in the conditions of this study that using Moringa oleifera leaves at 5% in the diet as protein source ingredient can improves egg production in KABIR hens.

Growth curve of locally adapted pantaneiro cows raised under natural conditions

The objective of this study was to use morphometric and ultrasound evaluations to estimate the growth curve of the Pantaneiro cattle breed, raised in its natural habitat, aiming at the re-insertion of this breed in production systems. One hundred and three females, aging from months to 11 years, and raised on native pastures, were evaluated. The animals belonged to the Conservation Nucleus of Embrapa Pantanal, located in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul (Brazil). Weight, thoracic perimeter (TP), body length (BL), rump height (RH), height at withers (HW), hip height (HH), depth (DP), distance between the ilia (DI) (cm) and rib-eye area (REA) were measured. To relate the measurements with the age of the animals, the univariate regression model was used, assigning the variable response to gamma distribution. The Pearson correlation between variables was also estimated. The inflection point of the growth curve was 37 months for HH; between 38 and 39 months for TP and HW; between 40 and 41 months for DI, HH and DP; and 45 months for BL. The REA results could not fit in a statistical model. The majority of the variables presented a correlation above 60% among themselves, except for REA × Age, of 15.81%; REA × HW, of 34.44%; HH × Age, of 46.19; HH × DI, of 58.07%; REA × HH, of 24.57%; and REA × TP, of 39.9%. The cows showed maturity age at 40 months, which may have occurred because they were raised in natural farming conditions. In Pantaneiro cows reared in extensive systems only on natural pastures, the use of ultrasound is not effective to estimate the curve of muscular development, perhaps because this breed was not selected for weight gain.

Proteinograma sérico de bovinos da raça Curraleir

The eletrophoretic serum protein profile in healthy Curraleiro bovine breed was studied by dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A total of 228 serum samples from Curraleiro cattle, being 51 males and 177 females were analyzed. They were from seven month to 12-year-old and were raised in two farms of Goias and Tocantins states. Total protein and plasma fibrinogen quantification were performed. It was possible to verify variation in proteins fractions concentration. Twenty-six proteins were detected and ten of them were identified. Ceruloplasmin was absente in 78,10% of animals and α-antitrypsin was not detected. The total protein, globulin, IgA, IgG, and fibrinogen increased with age and there was a positive correlaction between haptoglobin and α1-acid glycoprotein.

Diets Digestibility, Carcass and Haematological Characteristics of a Dual-Purpose Local Chicken Strain Fed Graded Levels of Cassava-Sweet Potato Meal as Energy Substitute for Maize

| The increasing pressure on maize for human and livestock nutrition, coupled with the cost of maize which keeps increasing, stimulate the use of alternative and locally available sources of energy. This study aimed at contributing to chicken productivity by evaluating effect of pelleted diets with graded inclusion levels of cassava-sweet potato meal (CASPM) as energy substitute for maize on the digestibility, carcass and haematological parameters of Cameroon Kabir chickens. A completely randomised design was used to allocate a total of 315 Kabir chickens (270 hens and 45 rosters) of 23 weeks of age to five dietary formulations T1 (0% replacement of maize with CASPM considered as control diet), T2 (25%), T3 (50%), T4 (75%) and T5 (100%). Animals within the treatments were balanced for weight in each sex, each treatment having 63 Kabir chickens in three replicates of 18 hens and 3 roosters each. The apparent digestibility of metabolizable energy was found to be positive. Lipids apparent digestibility value was negative for diet but positive for other treatments. Crude protein, Ash and crude fibre were all negative irrespective of treatments. The rosters had higher carcass weight than the hens (P<0.05), which in turn had a higher liver to carcass ratio as well as abdominal fats compared to the rosters. No significant difference was observed among other organs. The lowest RBC count was registered for T5 whereas unusual high RBC count was observed for hens from T4. T5 (100% substitution) and T3 (50% substitution) had the highest digestibility mean while T3 (50% substitution) had the lowest FCR. T1 and T3 were found to have the best optimum range blood characteristics. Overall, T3 was the best of the five treatments as neither mortality nor adverse effects on chickens was recorded. Besides, no abnormalities were found upon carcass analysis. It is therefore recommended that 50% substitution of cassava-sweet potato meal as energy substitute for maize shall be used for the improvement and productivity of Kabir chicken production.