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It was held a comprehensive study of animal exterior of Ukrainian black and white and red and white dairy breeds. By appropriate value of measurements, it was set indices of body structure of experimental animals. The bulls of Ukrainian black and white and red and white dairy breeds were the objects of the research, selected on the basis of counterparts. Researches on indexes of body and analysis of body measurements of bulls of Ukrainian black and redspotted dairy breeds shows that different indicators increased differently at different ages of animals. Comparative analysis of linear measurements of the exterior of bulls of Ukrainian red-spotted dairy breed in the experimental farm and at all stages of development, dominated by bulls of Ukrainian black-spotted breed, which indicates a herd difference in favor of the former and exceed with a significant difference peers in all measurements body structure. Thus, the average body structure indexes of bulls of Ukrainian black-spotted and red-spotted dairy breeds are generally characteristic of dairy-type animals. The connecting variability between the measurements that make up the body structure indexes indicates the objective motivation for their use in assessing the exterior type of animals. The obtained highly reliable correlation between the measurements that form the indexes of body structure makes it possible for their further use in the breeding work of the herd.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the age of bulls at grazing on their diurnal behaviour in Setaria sphacelata meadows. The forage variables were the availability and nutritive value of the diet, and the animal variables were body weight, size and frequency of bites, and diurnal behaviour. Four Brown Swiss x zebu crossed bulls with an initial live weight of 285.8 ± 18.1 kg that grazed in an area of 29 ha (11 paddocks) were selected from a group of 36 bulls. The evaluations were done when the animals reached the ages of 12 (T1), 15 (T2) and 18 (T3) months. A randomized complete block design was used. Forage availability showed differences (p, El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la influencia de la edad de toretes al pastoreo sobre su comportamiento diurno en praderas de Setaria sphacelata. Las variables forrajeras fueron la disponibilidad y valor nutritivo de la dieta, y las variables animales fueron el peso vivo, tamaño y frecuencia de bocados, y comportamiento diurno. De un lote de 36 toretes se seleccionaron cuatro toretes cruzados Brown Swiss x cebú con un peso vivo inicial de 285.8 ± 18.1 kg que pastoreaban en un área de 29 ha (11 potreros). Las evaluaciones se hicieron cuando los animales alcanzaron las edades de 12 (T1), 15 (T2) y 18 (T3) meses. Se utilizó un diseño en bloque completo al azar. La disponibilidad forrajera presentó diferencias (p

The aim of this study was to determine the association between bulls with different resistance to stress and the morphological and histological characteristics of the testicles and epididymis, and quantitative and qualitative indicators of sperm production for the first three years of their use on a regional breeding holding. Based on cortisol concentrations before and after stress, bulls were divided into two groups, the first with higher stress resistance (n=9) and the second with lower stress resistance (n=7). Animals of the second group had a 11.9% higher incidence of rejected sperm due to poor quality. Animals with a higher stress resistance had a 16.6% larger relative area of the seminal canals, higher weight of the testicles, larger size of the testicles, in both length and width, higher weight of the testicular appendage, and better development of the two testicular appendages. The adaptive capacity of breeding bulls should be selectively improved to evaluate their stress resistance according to the cortisol concentrations before and one hour after stress. When completing herds, it is preferable to use animals with a higher resistance to stress., Cilj našeg istraživanja bio je utvrditi vezu između bikova različite otpornosti na stres i morfoloških i histoloških karakteristika testisa, njihovog epididimisa, kvantitativnih i kvalitativnih indikatora stvaranja sperme za prve tri godine njihove uporabe u regionalnom rasplodnom gospodarstvu. Temeljem različite dinamike kortizola prije i nakon stresa, bikovi su podijeljeni u skupine: prva skupina većom otpornošću na stres (n=9) i druga skpina s manjom otpornošću na stres (n=7). Životinje druge skupine imale su 11,9% veću učestalost odbačenog sjemena zbog loše kvalitete. Životinje prve skupine koje su bile otpornije na stres imale su veću relativnu površinu sjemenovoda za 16,6 %, veću masu i veličinu testisa, a i opseg testisa je bio veći. Razlikovali su se i u veličini mase testikularnih privjesaka i oba testikularna privjeska su bila bolje razvijena u žitotinja prve skupine. Predlažemo selektivno povećati kapaciteta prilagodbe rasplodnih bikova i procijenu njihovu otpornost na stres prema dinamici koncentracije kortizola prije i sat vremena nakon stresa. Prilikom remonta stada, preporučumo korištenje životinja s većom otpornošću na stres.

Despite stringent quality control checks, some bulls with apparently normal semen quality yield lower than expected pregnancy rates. This study profiled the transcriptome and performed histological analysis of the bovine uterus in response to sperm from high-fertility (HF) and low-fertility (LF) bulls. Postmortem uterine biopsies and uterine explants were collected from heifers 12 h after a fixed time artificial insemination (AI) to a synchronized estrus with frozen–thawed semen from five HF (fertility rate 4.01% ± 0.25) and five LF (fertility rate − 11.29% ± 1.11; mean ± SEM) bulls. Uterine biopsies were also collected from control (CTRL) heifers, which were not inseminated. RNA-sequencing and histological analysis were performed for differential gene expression and neutrophil quantification. In the HF treatment relative to CTRL heifers, there were 376 genes significantly differentially expressed in the endometrium with just one gene differentially expressed in the LF treatment relative to CTRL heifers. Comparing the HF and LF treatments directly, there were 40 significantly differentially expressed genes (P

Selekcija slovenske pasme lisasto govedo je v zadnjih 50. letih pretežno usmerjena v prirejo mleka. V nalogi smo analizirali korelacije med lastnostmi klavne kakovosti bikov, vključenih v progeni test, in napovedmi plemenskih vrednostmi (NPV) za lastnosti mlečnosti njihovih mater. Analizo smo opravili pri 1.952 bikih, ki so bili zaklani med letoma 1990 in 2020. Najmočnejšo korelacijo smo izračunali med NPV za količino mleka pri materah ter maso toplih polovic (r = 0,17). Z večanjem NPV za količino mleka mater je delež mesa v klavnih polovicah sinov upadal (r = -0,13), delež loja pa naraščal (r = 0,11). Delež večvrednih kosov (r = 0,15) in delež mesa v večvrednih kosih (r = 0,15) sinov pa sta z NPV za količino mleka pri materah naraščala. EUROP oceni za konformacijo in zamaščenost ter klavnost sinov niso bile statistično značilno korelirane z NPV za lastnosti mlečnosti pri materah, prav tako NPV za vsebnost maščob in beljakovin v mleku pri materah nista bili korelirani z nobeno od opazovanih lastnosti klavne kakovosti sinov. NPV za okvir mater je najmočneje korelirana s konformacijo sinov (r = -0,11), kar pomeni, da se je konformacija klavnih trupov sinov s povečevanjem NPV za okvir mater slabšala, medtem ko se je delež loja v trupih sinov, z večanjem okvirja pri materah povečal (r = 0,09). Korelacija podpira ugotovitev, da sta bili NPV lastnosti mlečnosti in okvirja negativno korelirani z deležem mesa v klavnih polovicah sinov (r = -0,13 in -0,15). Iz sklopa plodnosti se je za najpomembnejšo izkazala NPV za starost ob prvi telitvi, saj ta odraža sposobnost za rast sinov. Korelacija med NPV za starost mater ob prvi telitvi in maso toplih polovic sinov (r = 0,21) nakazuje, da sinovi dosegajo večje mase toplih polovic ob zakolu pri materah, ki prvič telijo mlajše. S povečanjem NPV za starost ob prvi telitvi, delež mesa v klavnih polovicah sinov upada (r = -0,22), delež loja pa narašča (r = 0,16). Korelacije med spremljanimi lastnostmi so osnova za nadaljnjo selekcijsko delo in ohranjanje kombiniranega tipa pri lisastem govedu. In the last 50 years, the selection of Simmental cattle in Slovenia has been mainly focused on milk production. In this master thesis we analyzed the correlations between carcass traits of bulls included in progeny testing, and estimated breeding values (EBV) for milk production traits of their dams. The analysis included 1.952 bulls slaughtered between 1990 and 2020. The strongest correlation we found was between the EBV for milk yield of dams and carcass warm weight (r = 0.17) of their sons. As the EBV for milk yield of the dams increased, the meat percentage in the carcasses of the sons decreased (r = -0.13), and fat percentage increased (r = 0.11). In contrast the proportion of higher-value carcass cuts (r = 0.15) and the proportion of meat in higher-value carcass cuts (r = 0.15) in sons increased with the EBV for milk yield of dams. EUROP conformation and fatness scores and dressing percentage of sons were not statistically significantly correlated with EBV for milk yield of dams, and EBV for milk fat and protein percent were also not correlated with carcass traits of sons. EBV for maternal frame size was most strongly correlated with their sons EUROP carcass conformation score (r = -0.11), indicating that the carcass conformation of sons deteriorated with increasing frame size of dams, whereas carcass fat percentage increased with increasing frame size (r = 0.09). This trend was supported by the finding that EBV for milk yield and frame size of dams was negatively correlated with carcass meat percentage in sons (r = -0.13 and -0.15, respectively). Among the group of EBV, related to fertility, EBV for age at first calving was found to be the most important as it reflects the growth potential of the cow. The correlation between EBV for age at first calving of dams and carcass weight of sons (r = 0.21) shows that sons of cows younger at first calving achieve higher carcass weights at slaughter. As EBV was increased for age at first calving of dams, the percentage of carcass meat in sons decreased (r = 0.22) and the percentage of carcass fat increased (r = 0.16). These calculated correlations between those observed traits are the basis for further selection work and maintenance of the dual purpose of Simmental breed.

Carcasses from pasture-finished early-maturing (EM), rather than late-maturing (LM), breed bulls may be more suited to meet the minimum carcass fatness classification of 2+ (6.0 on a 15-point scale) required for some markets. The comparative colour and eating quality of beef from grass-fed bulls of different maturities are unknown. Sixty yearling suckler-bred bulls were assigned to a 2 (maturities: EM and LM) × 2 (finishing strategies: grass only (G0) or grass + 4.0 kg concentrate daily (GC)) factorial design. Bulls were at pasture from 7 April, concentrates were introduced (or not) 97 days later, and bulls were slaughtered at 192 d post-turnout (approximately 19 mo of age). Carcass fat scores averaged 5.02, 6.20, 6.33 and 7.30 for LMG0, LMGC, EMG0 and EMGC bulls, respectively. Muscle colour did not differ between treatments. Muscle from LM had lower intramuscular fat concentration, collagen solubility and a tendency (p < 0.1) towards lower ratings for tenderness, texture, and acceptability of 14 d aged beef. Concentrate supplementation decreased the ratings for muscle tenderness but ratings for acceptability were not affected. Achieving the minimum carcass fatness was therefore not required to produce beef of acceptable eating quality and suckler bulls can access the “grass-fed” beef market. This project (11/SF/322, “BullBeef”) was funded by the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s competitive research programmes.

El principal indicador, para comenzar a seleccionar un toro, es la circunferencia escrotal (CE). El tamaño de los testículos adquiere relevancia debido a su alta repetibilidad y heredabilidad que se correlaciona con el peso del parénquima testicular (r = 0,95), y está directamente relacionada con la producción potencial de células espermáticas e influye en la maduración sexual más temprana de sus hijos (machos y hembras), lo que determina que sea el factor de mayor importancia en evaluación y selección de reproductores, siendo fácilmente medida y de bajo costo. Investigaciones realizadas en distintos centros reproductivos, han demostrado que la CE ofrece más certeza para predecir el comienzo de la pubertad que medidas como el peso o la edad. Como sucede, con la edad de la pubertad en hembras que está favorablemente asociada a su eficiencia reproductiva durante su vida útil, seleccionar por mayor CE incrementará el potencial reproductivo del rodeo. Todos los toros deberían tener una CE no menor de 32 centímetros a los dos años de edad, aunque existen variaciones entre las distintas razas, que deben ser tenidas en cuenta. El toro, representa, aproximadamente, el 85% de la eficiencia del comportamiento reproductivo del rodeo; en este sentido, debería ser evaluado de manera periódica, con el fin de determinar su aptitud reproductiva, sin embargo, esta práctica es poco frecuente en la región. El objetivo del trabajo, fue determinar la relación entre la circunferencia escrotal (CE), con la edad en toritos de razas Criollo Argentino, Aberdeen Angus y su cruza (5/8 Aberdeen Angus y 3/8 Criollo Argentino), entre los 9 y 13 meses de edad. EEA La Rioja Fil: Vera, Carlos Nieves. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria La Rioja; Argentina Fil: Brunello, Gabriela Esther. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria La Rioja; Argentina Fil: Ojeda Fermoselle, Pablo Matias. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Catamarca; Argentina Fil: Castro, María Azul. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria La Rioja. Agencia de Extensión Rural Chamical; Argentina

Bacterial contamination of semen samples represents potential threat to the sperm quality. Enterococcus faecium was identified in our previous study concerning bacteriocenosis of fresh bovine ejaculates. The objectives of this study are focused on the effect of Enterococcus faecium-induced bacteriospermia on sperm motility, mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species generation. Bovine semen samples came from breedeng bulls kept in a breeding centre (Slovak Biological Services, a.s., Lužianky, Slovakia). Immediately, samples were subjected to density gradient separation using Percoll PLUS to separate seminal plasma along with seminal bacteriocenosis. An 18-hours culture of E. faecium isolated from bovine semen was diluted to 0.5 McFarland and co-incubated with spermatozoa, while held at 37°C during 4 hours. One-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s comparison test were used to express arithmetic mean ± standard error of mean of obtained data. Data obtained using the Computer-assisted sperm analysis showed that spermatozoa motility slightly decreased when treated with E. faecium. However, a significant decrease (P

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality in young bulls, steers and heifers produced by crossing Limousin bulls with Holstein-Friesian cows, fattened semi-intensively and slaughtered at 18 months of age.Methods: Thirty-one young calves were reared in a conventional production system, and were fed milk replacer, hay and concentrate. At 6 months of age, the animals were divided into groups based on gender, and were fed a total mixed ration composed of grass silage, concentrates I and II in a semi-intensive production system. At the end of the fattening period (18 months), the animals were slaughtered, carcass quality was evaluated, and samples of musculus longissimus thoracis were collected to determine the proximate composition and quality of meat.Results: Bulls were characterized by the highest percentage share of the most valuable cuts in the carcass, and three-rib sections from bull carcasses had the highest lean meat content with low intramuscular fat content (0.93%). No significant differences in carcass conformation, dressing percentage or the percentage share of round in the right half-carcass were found between bulls vs. steers and heifers. Heifers and steers had higher carcass fat content than bulls, which had a positive influence on the sensory properties of beef. In comparison with the meat of bulls, the meat of steers and heifers was characterized by more desirable physical properties and sensory attributes (water-holding capacity, shear force, color lightness, aroma, juiciness, tenderness, flavor).Conclusion: Under the semi-intensive production system, heifers and steers had higher carcass fat content than bulls, which had a positive effect on the sensory properties of beef. Bulls are better suited for intensive systems, which contribute to improving the quality of their meat. The results of this study may encourage producers to breed steers and heifers for beef.

The aim of this study was to compare Aberdeen Angus (AA) and Holstein Friesian (HF) bulls in Turkey based on fattening performance, carcass properties, and production costs. In the trial, 105 AA and 105 HF 10- to 12-month-old bulls with a mean initial bodyweight (IBW) of 302 kg were used. The bulls were distributed into 14 paddocks in groups of 15 based on their IBW at an open-shed facility in İzmir. The bulls were fed different rations for the grower and finisher periods for 90 days each, but otherwise were kept under similar conditions. At the end of the finishing period, the animals were slaughtered and carcass characteristics, organ weights, quality of meat, and meat production costs were evaluated. In terms of fattening performance, the AA bulls were superior to the HF bulls. The ultimate pH of the Longissimus dorsi in the AA bulls was lower than in the HF bulls and the sensory characteristics of the AA bulls were higher. Production costs were higher for the AA bulls, but so too were income over feed costs (IOFC), making the AA bulls more profitable. Thus, it might be concluded that beef breed bulls that mature quickly, such as AA, are more advantageous for meat production in Turkey than HF bulls, which are a by-product of the dairy industry.

The aim of this study was to evaluate reproductive parameters of Nellore bulls by cottonseed (CS) addition with different concentrations of free gossypol in their diet. Twenty-eight animals (from 18 to 24 months) divided into 4 treatments were used in which (T1) was represented by animals that had no addition of CS (i.e. no free gossypol); (T2) addition of 860 g of CS - 1.65 g/of free gossypol/animal/day; (T3) addition of 1.72 g of CS - 3.30 g of free gossypol /animal day and (T4) addition of 2,580 g of CS - 4,95 g of free gossypol/animal/day. Blood samples for testosterone free evaluation, semen collection and testicular consistence were performed in 30-day intervals (D0, D30, D60, D90 and D120). Semen analysis consisted of of volume, appearance, pH, whirlpool, vigor, motility, concentration (/mL and /ejaculate) and sperm morphology. Testicular analysis consisted of of scrotal circumference, length and testicular width and testicular consistency. Sterilization were performed in day 121 for histopathological analysis. Free gossypol did not interfere in free testosterone, sperm concentration, major defects, scrotal circumference and testicular width. However, whirlpool, vigor, motility and minor defects were altered. Testicular length and consistence showed difference from day 60 (p

A group of purebred Brahman cull heifers (n = 22) and cows (n = 19) were fattened on pasture (165 days) along with Zebu-type bulls (n = 20) to compare their carcass traits, fabrication yield and meat palatability traits. Bulls significantly outperformed females in carcass weight and dressing percentage, conformation and fat cover ratings, and ribeye size. Heifers graded better than cows (P 0.05) from bulls in weights of tenderloin, sirloin, top round, bottom round, and low-value cuts (skirts and ribplate). Loin steaks from cows had lower shear force values (P

The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during cryopreservation of semen alters the sperm motion and mobility characteristics, resulting in poor or failure of conception rate after artificial insemination (AI). Melatonin an antioxidant is able to modulate the effect of ROS and prevents spermatozoa by reducing the oxidative stress during freezing process. Eight ejaculates from eight healthy HF bulls diluted with Tris egg yolk glycerol extender were divided into five equal aliquots. The Computer Assisted Semen Analyser (CASA) results showed no significant difference between the control—post‐ thaw samples and melatonin‐treated samples; however, the velocity of spermatozoa with regard to the VAP, VSL showed highest increase in the 0.25 mM MLT‐treated semen followed by 0.1 mM MLT treated semen except for VCL where velocity increased with increase in the concentration of melatonin. The vigour of spermatozoa regard to BCF, STR and LIN recorded highest increase in the 0.25 mM MLT treated semen followed by 0.1 mM MLT‐treated semen except for the ALH where vigour increased with increase in the concentration of melatonin. The electron micrography images illustrated that the addition of 0.1 mM melatonin protected the plasma membrane and acrosome region and maintained the ultrastructure integrity of the cryopreserved spermatozoa when compared to control group, whereas the electron micrography of spermatozoa treated with 0.2 and 0.25 mM melatonin illustrated highest damage to the plasma and acrosome membrane. Thus concluding that inclusion of melatonin to sperm extender can improve the post‐thaw quality of cryopreserved bull spermatozoa., The production of ROS during cryopreservation of semen alters the sperm motion and mobility characteristics, resulting in poor or failure of conception rate after AI. Melatonin an antioxidant is able to modulate the effect of ROS and prevents spermatozoa by reducing the oxidative stress during freezing process. The electron micrography images illustrated that the addition of 0.1 mM melatonin protected the plasma membrane and acrosome region and maintained the ultrastructure integrity of the cryopreserved spermatozoa indicating inclusion of melatonin to sperm extender can improve the post‐thaw quality of cryopreserved bull spermatozoa

The behaviour of two groups of two bulls, lactating cows and calves from the Hereford and Limousin breeds was studied in the artificial pasture/meadow complex "Boyadzhievo" owned by the Research Institute of Mountain Stockbreeding and Agriculture on the outskirts of the town of Troyan. The complex is situated at 610 m above sea level, on a flat terrain with traditional grass. The meteorological characteristics of the late spring were studied, behavioural reactions were studied: grazing, rest, movement and acts of aggression. Natural grassland, which is also the main source of food for the animals surveyed in the pasture complex, was rich in plant species, of which the largest share belonged to the group of forbs (55%), followed by the group of cereals (38%) and leguminous (7%) grasses. Atmospheric conditions and the botanical composition of the pasture had an influence on the ethological reactions of the studied animals. It was found that Index for functional activity (IFA) grazing of Hereford bulls was 0.45455 on pastures, cows – 0.46934 at the time of the experiment and those of the Limousin breed - 0.45448, cows 0.47846. The index of functional activity rest in bulls of both breeds on averages 0.50360 and cows 0.48144.The acts of aggression for the research period were comparatively short: for Hereford bulls and cows 40 and 35 minutes respectively, and for the Limousin breed – 39 and 35 min. The most prolonged acts of aggression were those to motor vehicles, cars passing through and birds, and less pronounced were those to humans, dogs and wild game (foxes).

This study evaluated the effects of offering growing bulls a diet with 40% modified wet distillers grains plus solubles (MWDGS; dry matter [DM] basis) on growth, composition, hoof scores, and reproductive performance. Simmental × Angus bulls (n = 28) were stratified by body weight (BW; 316 ± 29 kg), sire, and day 0 semen production (Y/N) and assigned into one of six pens. Pens were randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatments (n = 3 pens/treatment): 1) offered free-choice access to a corn-based diet with no MWDGS (CON) or 2) offered free-choice access to a diet with 40% MWDGS (DST; DM basis). Bulls were offered treatments for 140 d and, then, switched to a free-choice, common, low-energy diet for an additional 70 d. Bull BW, body condition score (BCS), hip height (HH), ultrasound (rump fat depth [RF], 12th rib fat thickness [BF], marbling score [MS], and longissimus muscle depth [MD]), hoof evaluations, breeding soundness examination (BSE), and semen evaluations were performed on days 0, 28, 56, 84, 112, 140, 175, and 210. There was a tendency (P

[EN] The primary objective of this study was to compare the colour of muscle from bulls finished at pasture or indoors on a high concentrate diet. The ancillary objectives were to identify possible explanations for any differences in the colour observed and the potential of muscle colour to discriminate between bull beef from different production systems. Growth, longissimus muscle colour, fibre type composition and metabolic profile were measured in late-maturing breed sired suckler bulls slaughtered at 19 months of age after 199 days at pasture (G0), 100 days indoors after 98 days at pasture (G0AL) and indoors for 199 days (AL). When compared to bulls finished indoors and offered a high concentrate ration, the carcass weight of G0 bulls was lower, their carcasses were leaner, and their longissimus muscle was similar in lightness but less red and had a lower glycolytic metabolism. The temperature at which the longissimus muscle reached pH 6.0 was lower (19.7 °C) for G0 than for G0AL (29.9 °C) and AL (31.6 °C), which did not differ. Co-variate adjustment for this variable removed the differences in redness. Adjusting the chill settings appears to be a practical strategy for abattoirs to minimise early post-mortem differences in muscle colour between lighter grass-fed and heavier concentrate-fed carcasses. The preliminary results demonstrate the potential of both L*, a*, b* values and the visible reflectance spectra of muscle to discriminate between grass- finished and concentrate-finished bull beef, but further refinement and validation of the models is required. This project (11/SF/322, “BullBeef”) was funded by the competitive research programmes of the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

В статье рассмотрена динамика живой массы бычков-сыновей, телок и коров-дочерей; интенсивность роста бычков, телок. Проведена оценка быков по энергии роста бычков-сыновей и молочной продуктивности дочерей.В зависимости от генетического происхождения животные Московской области сформировали в шесть групп: I – российская селекция, II – животные завезенные из стран СНГ, III – французская селекция, IV – немецкая селекция, V – канадская селекция, VI – животные американской селекции.При изучении скорости роста за возрастные периоды установили определенные различия по живой массе бычков. Бычки от голштинских производителей немецкой, канадской и американской селекции достоверно (Р≥0,99) превосходили все другие группы по живой массе в 12-месячном возрасте. Наиболее высокая вариабельность живой массы молодняка была в возрасте 3 месяцев, в дальнейшем происходило некоторое ее снижение. Анализ данных показал, что интенсивность роста бычков в отдельные периоды развития была неодинаковой., The article examines the dynamics of the live weight of bull calves, heifers and cow daughters; the intensity of growth of bulls, heifers. The bulls were evaluated according to the growth energy of the bull-sons and the milk productivity of the daughters.Depending on the genetic origin, the animals of the Moscow region were formed into six groups: I - Russian selection, II - animals imported from the CIS countries, III - French selection, IV - German selection, V - Canadian selection, VI - American selection.When studying the growth rate over age periods, certain differences were found in the live weight of bulls. Bulls from Holstein producers of German, Canadian and American breeding significantly (P≥0.99) outperformed all other groups in live weight at 12 months of age. The highest variability of the live weight of young animals was at the age of 3 months, later a decrease was observed. The analysis of the data showed that the intensity of the growth of bulls in certain periods of development was not the same., Международный научно-исследовательский журнал, Выпуск 4 (118) 2022, Pages 159-162

One hundred and forty-six bulls (178.2 ± 6.64 kg BW and 146.0 ± 0.60 d of age) were randomly allocated to one of eight pens and assigned to control (C) or citrus flavonoid (BF) treatments (Citrus aurantium, Bioflavex CA, HTBA, S.L.U., Barcelona, Spain, 0.4 kg per ton of Bioflavex CA). At the finishing phase, the dietary fat content of the concentrate was increased (58 to 84 g/kg DM). Concentrate intake was recorded daily, and BW and animal behavior by visual scan, fortnightly. After 168 d, bulls were slaughtered, carcass data were recorded, and rumen and duodenum epithelium samples were collected. Performance data were not affected by treatment, except for the growing phase where concentrate intake (p < 0.05) was lesser in the BF compared with the C bulls. Agonistic and sexual behaviors were more frequent (p < 0.01) in the C than in the BF bulls. In the rumen epithelium, in contrast to duodenum, gene expression of some bitter taste receptors (7, 16, 39) and other genes related to behavior and inflammation was higher (p < 0.05) in the BF compared with the C bulls. Supplementing citrus flavonoids in high-fat finishing diets to Holstein bulls reduces growing concentrate consumption and improves animal welfare info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Holstein Friesian bull calves were assigned to either a high (HI) or moderate (MOD) diet and fed milk replacer and concentrate to achieve growth rates of at least 1.0 and 0.5 kg/day, respectively. Animal growth performance, feed intake, and systemic concentrations of metabolites, metabolic and reproductive hormones were assessed. Pulsatility of reproductive hormones was recorded at 15 min intervals during a 10-hour period at 10 weeks old. At 87 ± 2.14 days of age, calves were euthanized, testes weighed and testicular tissue harvested. Differential expression of mRNA candidate genes involved in testicular development was examined using qPCR assays. Calves offered HI had greater mean slaughter weight and testicular tissue weight than MOD. Relative mRNA abundance data indicated advanced testicular development through up-regulation of genes involved in cellular metabolism, cholesterol biosynthesis, testicular function and Sertoli cell development in HI compared with MOD calves. The testicular parenchyma was sampled, and global transcriptome and proteome analyses was undertaken. Bioinformatic analyses of omics data revealed 7 differentially expressed (DE) miRNA and 20 DE mRNA. There were no differentially abundant proteins between the two dietary groups. Enrichment of processes involved in Sertoli cell development, as well as androgen and AMPK signalling was apparent from the DE mRNA, emphasizing the effect of enhanced early life nutrition on testicular development. Integrative analysis highlighted a role for CDH13, in earlier reproductive development, through differential expression of both miR-2419-5p and CDH13. Furthermore, co-regulatory protein network analysis revealed CDH13 as a hub protein within a network for processes related to insulin, IGF-1, androgen and Sertoli cell junction signalling pathways and cholesterol biosynthesis. The second study assessed the variation in reproductive development and semen characteristics in young early post pubertal Holstein-Friesian (HF) bulls (n=1,117). Spring born HF bulls with a mean age and liveweight of 394 days and 412 kg, respectively, located on eight Irish commercial herds were enrolled in the study. Liveweight and scrotal circumference were measured on each animal and semen was collected using electroejaculation on a once off basis at 13 months old. Fresh semen characteristics were assessed using computer aided semen analysis including. Volume was also recorded, and total sperm number was generated. Morphology was assessed subjectively. Heritability estimates were calculated. Mean (SD) SC was 32.6 (2.15) cm. For SC values of >28cm for puberty, 98.37% of the bulls in this population reached this threshold. Approximately 88.5% of the bulls had >70% morphologically normal sperm. Mean heritability estimates of all traits was between 0.01 and 0.66, with SC, LW and normal sperm morphology displaying the largest heritabilites of 0.66, 0.28 and 0.22. Results highlight the large phenotypic and genetic variation in a range of semen quality traits, some of which were found to be highly heritable. A GWAS was carried out to screen the entire bovine genome for genetic variants associated with scrotal measurements as well as both semen quality and quantity characteristics in ejaculates produced by these early post pubertal HF bulls. Data on physical and semen quality characteristics were recorded from this population. Low-pass genome sequencing was conducted, and the sequence data were aligned to the ARS-UCD1.2 genome and missing genotypes where imputed. 16,929 suggestively significant SNPs were detected in the traits. The distribution of these SNPs suggests that most of the effects on the traits of interest were dispersed across all autosomes. 13 QTLs were associated with both the physical and semen traits examined and were located close to genes of interest including: CFAP52, MBD3L1, TMEM95, SPEM1, DLD, RIMS1, TEX10 LRRC18, H2BC1, RND3, CDH18, PRKCB and FNDC1.

Die bakterielle Kontamination des männlichen Genitaltraktes und vor allem des Seminalplasmas von Bullen ist ein bekanntes Problem in der Rinderzucht. Pathogene Bakterien, die venerische Erkrankungen verursachen, wurden in den letzten Jahren intensiv untersucht. Im Gegensatz dazu ist das Wissen über kommensale Bakterien des Genitaltraktes von Bullen bislang sehr gering. Aus diesem Grund war es das Ziel dieser Studie, kommensale Bakterien aus dem bovinen männlichen Genitaltrakt zu isolieren und deren Effekt auf endometriale Epithelzellen und bovine Spermien in vitro zu untersuchen. 57 Seminalplasmaproben von 40 verschiedenen Zuchtbullen wurden untersucht. Zusätzlich wurden bei 12 geschlachteten Mastbullen Tupferproben von Penisspitze und Präputium genommen. Bakterien wurden in speziellen Nährmedien für die Anzucht von Milchsäurebakterien inkubiert. Erhaltene Isolate wurden durch eine Sequenzierung der 16S-rDNA charakterisiert. Endometriale Epithelzellen wurden bis zur zweiten Passage kultiviert und dann in Ko-Kultur mit isolierten Bakterien verbracht. Diese Ko-Kultur fand immer in drei unterschiedlichen „multiplicities of infection“ (MOI 1, 5 und 10) statt. Jeder untersuchte Bakterienstamm wurde mit Zellen von mindestens vier verschiedenen Schlachttieren kokultiviert. Eine Untersuchung der Zellviabilität via Trypanblau-Färbung wurde alle 24 Stunden über einen Zeitraum von drei Tagen durchgeführt. Zusätzlich wurden endometriale Epithelzellen für einen Zeitraum von sechs Stunden ko-kultiviert, welche alle zwei Stunden lysiert wurden. Diese Zell-Lysate dienten der Untersuchung der Chemokin-X-Ligand (CXCL) 1/-2-, CXCL3-, CXCL5-, Interleukin (IL) 6-, IL8- und Prostaglandin-Endoperoxid-Synthase 2-(PTGS2) mRNA-Expression. Dies geschah durch eine reverse Transkription und anschließender Real-time-PCR. Bovine Spermien wurden nach der Samengewinnung für bis zu 4 Stunden mit unterschiedlichen Milchsäurebakterien in dem Verdünner Triladyl kokultiviert. Nach 2 und 4 Stunden wurde via computergestützer Vitalitätsanalyse (CASA) die progressive Motilität der Spermien ermittelt. Die bakteriologische Untersuchung des Seminalplasmas von Zuchtbullen ergab bei 27 der insgesamt 54 Proben kein Nachweis von Bakterien. In 27 Proben konnten Bakterien charakterisiert werden; darunter einige Spezies der Gattungen Staphylococcus, Streptococcus und Bacillus. Allerdings konnten in vier Proben, welche von drei verschiedenen Bullen stammten, Milchsäurebakterien isoliert werden. Drei der Isolate wurden als Lactobacillus (L.) mucosae (L. mucosae 8.1, 8.2 und 31) identifiziert und ein weiteres Isolat als Leuconostoc mesenteroides. Bei den Tupferproben des Genitaltraktes von Mastbullen konnten in allen Proben Bakterien isoliert werden. Darunter war einmal Streptococcus sp. und Corynebacterium sp., während alle anderen Isolate den Milchsäurebakterien zugerechnet werden. Ein Isolat wurde als Lactococcus garviae und alle anderen als Pediococcus spp. (n = 28) oder Weissella spp. (n = 3) identifiziert. Alle vier isolierten Milchsäurebakterien aus dem Seminalplasma wurden weiterführend untersucht, während aus den Isolaten der Mastbullen nur fünf Isolate zufällig ausgesucht und weiter untersucht wurden. Einige der Isolate führten nach Ko-Kultur zu einem Zelltod der Epithelien, während andere Isolate nach 72 Stunden keine Veränderungen an endometrialen Epithelzellen bewirkten. L. mucosae 8.2, L. mucosae 31 und Leuconostoc mesenteroides führten nicht zu Veränderungen der Zell-Viabilität, während Enterococcus faecalis, Lactococcus garviae, Pediococcus acidilactici, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Weissella thailandensis und Weissella hellenica teilweise bereits nach 24 Stunden zu einem vermehrten Zelltod und zu einer verringerten Konfluenz der endometrialen Epithelzellen führten. L. mucosae 8.2, Pediococcus acidilactici, Pediococcus pentosaceus und Weissella hellenica führten nicht zu Veränderungen der mRNA-Expression der untersuchten pro-inflammatorischen Faktoren, während L. mucosae 8.1, L. mucosae 31 und Leuconostoc mesenteroides zu einer signifikanten Erhöhung der mRNA-Expression von einigen pro-inflammatorischen Faktoren führten. Die Ko-Kultur von bovinen Spermien mit Milchsäurebakterien zeigte, dass L. buchneri, isoliert aus dem bovinen Uterus, Leuconostoc mesenteroides und L. mucosae 8.1 nicht zu Veränderungen der progressiven Motilität führten. L. mucosae 8.2 und L. mucosae 31 hingegen führten bereits nach 2 Stunden zu einer geringfügigen Verringerung der progressiven Motilität boviner Spermien um maximal 5,5 %. Nach 4 Stunden wurde nur bei L. mucosae 8.2 eine Verringerung der progressiven Motilität um 4,3 % beobachtet. Abschließend lässt sich festhalten, dass kommensale Bakterien im bovinen männlichen Genitaltrakt existieren. Es wurden nur wenige Isolate aus dem Seminalplasma isoliert, während von den Schleimhäuten des Genitaltraktes aller Bullen Milchsäurebakterien kultiviert werden konnten. Der Einfluss dieser Bakterien auf das Uterusepithel und auf bovine Spermien in vitro ist speziesspezifisch sehr unterschiedlich., Bacterial contamination of the bovine male genital tract, especially of the seminal plasma, is a known problem in reproduction of dairy cattle. Pathogenic bacterial which can cause venereal diseases have been investigated intensively. However, knowledge about commensal bacteria in the genital tract of bulls is rare. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence of commensal bacteria in the bovine male genital tract and to investigate their effect on endometrial epithelial cells and on bovine spermatozoa in vitro. 57 seminal plasma samples obtained from 40 healthy Holstein-Frisian bulls were examined. In addition, the preputial cavity and penis of 12 slaughtered fattening bulls were examined by swabbing. Samples were incubated on selective agar plates to reveal the presence of lactic acid bacteria. Obtained colonies were further characterized by sequencing of the 16S rDNA. Endometrial epithelial cells were cultured until passage 2 and incubated with isolated bacteria. This co-culture was performed in 3 different “multiplicities of infection” (MOI 1, 5 and 10, respectively). Every bacterial strain was co-cultured with cells from at least 4 different animals. Cell viability staining with trypan blue was performed every 24 hours for 3 days. In addition, endometrial epithelial cells were incubated with selected bacterial strains for 6 hours and cells were lysed every 2 hours. Theses lysed cells were analyzed for mRNA expression of the selected pro-inflammatory factors interleukin (IL) 6, IL8, chemokine-ligand- (CXCL) 1/-2, CXCL3, CXCL5 and prostaglandin-synthase 2 (PTGS2). Therefore, total RNA was extracted and used for reverse-transcription-real-time-PCR. Bovine spermatozoa were co-cultured with different lactic acid bacteria for up to 4 hours in Triladyl. After 2 and 4 hours, progressive motility of spermatozoa was measured by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). 27 of the 54 seminal plasma samples from breeding bulls did not contain any cultivable bacteria. 27 bacterial colonies could be characterized, such as Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., and Bacillus spp. From 4 samples, obtained from 3 different bulls, lactic acid bacteria were isolated. 3 isolates were identified as Lactobacillus (L.) mucosae 8.1, 8.2, 31 and another isolate as Leuconostoc mesenteroides. Concerning the swabs from the genital tract of fattening bulls, bacteria were isolated from all samples. Besides Streptococcus sp. and Corynebacterium sp., all other strains belong to the order of lactic acid bacteria. One strain was identified as Lactococcus garviae, all others as Pediococcus spp. (n = 28) and Weissella spp. (n = 3). All 4 lactic acid bacteria from the seminal plasma and 5 bacterial strains from the swabs of fattening bulls were chosen for further experiments. Some isolates caused death of endometrial epithelial cells while other strains did not lead to morphological alterations of cells. L. mucosae 8.2, L. mucosae 31 and Leuconostoc mesenteroides did not cause endometrial cell death while Enterococcus faecalis, Lactococcus garviae, Pediococcus acidilactici, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Weissella thailandensis and Weissella hellenica caused death of cells and a decrease of cell-confluence, partly after only 24 hours. L. mucosae 8.2, Pediococcus acidilactici, Pediococcus pentosaceus and Weissella hellenica did not influence mRNA-expression of pro-inflammatory factors. In contrast, L. mucosae 8.1, L. mucosae 31 and Leuconostoc mesenteroides caused a significant increase of mRNA-expression of certain pro-inflammatory factors. Co-culture of bovine spermatozoa with lactic acid bacteria revealed that L. buchneri, isolated from the bovine uterus, L. mucosae 8.1 and Leuconostoc mesenteroides did not influence progressive motility of spermatozoa. L. mucosae 8.2 and L. mucosae 31 caused a significant decrease of progressive motility after 2 hours by a maximum of 5.5 %. After 4 hours, a decrease of progressive motility was observed only for L. mucosae 8.2 by 4.3 %. In conclusion, lactic acid bacteria exist in the bovine male genital tract. Only few isolates could be characterized from the seminal plasma while lactic acid bacteria were cultured from mucosal membranes of the genital tract of all animals. The immunological response of endometrial epithelial cells and bovine spermatozoa to these bacteria in vitro varies in a strain specific manner.

Dairy farming is an important aspect of the Brazilian agricultural sector. The presence of numerous producers has created a large number of jobs in this field, contributing significantly to the rural economy. Artificial insemination (AI), used as one of the main means of reproduction, is increasingly gaining importance in the genetic improvement of animals. Given this scenario, the semen of bulls has become extremely marketable and an important aspect of the animal industry. This study aims to develop a hedonic model for the price of semen doses of dairy bulls based on the information from the main sellers of the product in the Brazilian market. The main findings reveal that there is an additional premium for proven bulls. Semen doses from Gir bulls proved to be more expensive, and the AI firm ALTA has a discount compared to the other firms. From the characteristics obtained in the tests, there is a premium only for the Predicted Transmitting Ability?Milk (volume). The most valued feature found is the dose being sexed, that is, the dose that guarantees the gestation of a female from its use. Semen doses from dead bulls has proved to be more expensive. Made available in DSpace on 2022-05-03T18:12:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Hedonic-pricing.pdf: 611719 bytes, checksum: 4604b461eda6eb478ee7e079d99cfa53 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2022

Epicatechin (EPC) is a flavonoid belonging to the family of catechins; it has been described as a powerful scavenger of a wide spectrum of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a modulator of ex vivo sperm vitality. In this study, we assessed the potential protective abilities of EPC on cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa. We focused on conventional quality parameters, as well as the oxidative profile of spermatozoa alongside capacitation patterns, and expression profiles of proteins involved in the process of capacitation. Semen samples were cryopreserved in the presence of 25, 50 or 100 μmol/L EPC and compared to native semen (negative control) as well as ejaculates frozen in the absence of EPC (positive control). A dose-dependent improvement of conventional sperm quality parameters was observed following EPC administration, particularly in case of the sperm motility, membrane, acrosome and DNA integrity in comparison to the positive control. Experimental groups exposed to all EPC doses presented with a significantly lower proportion of capacitated spermatozoa as opposed to the positive control. While no significant effects of EPC were observed in cases of superoxide production, a significant decrease in the levels of hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radical were recorded particularly in the experimental groups supplemented with 50 and 100 μmol/L EPC. Western blot analysis revealed that supplementation of particularly 100 μmol/L EPC to the semen extender prevented the loss of the cation channel of sperm (CatSper) isoforms 1 and 2, sodium bicarbonate cotransporter (NBC) and protein kinase A (PKA), which play important roles in the process of sperm capacitation. In summary, we may hypothesize that EPC is particularly effective in the stabilization of the sperm membrane during the freeze–thaw process through its ability to quench ROS involved in damage to the membrane lipids and to prevent the loss of membrane channels crucial to initiate the process of sperm capacitation. These attributes of EPC provide an additional layer of protection to spermatozoa exposed to low temperatures, which may be translated into a higher post-thaw structural integrity and functional activity of male gametes.

Experimental investigations carried out using Kholmogory bulls, kept under vivarium conditions, have been aimed to study the effect of different levels of metabolizable protein in the diet on the use intensity of metabolizable energy. The main diet contained 478 g of metabolizable protein and included cereal hay, mixed grass silage and compound feedstuff. According to experimental scheme the bulls were consequently supplied with increasing levels of metabolizable protein (491, 513 and 526 g.) at the expense of partial replacement of the compound feedstuff by feed additives with different protein degradability (sunflower meal or soybean cake). According to the indicators of energy balance, the efficiency of metabolizable energy use for the increase in body weight was established. On the basis of the balance of energy substrates the correlation was determined between substrate expenditures for heat production and expenditures for deposition in body weight gain of bulls during the growing period. When soybean cake (750 g) was supplied with the diet the expenditure of energy substrates for heat production was the highest, that led to the decrease in output gain. When sunflower meal (250 g) was included in the ration the contribution of enegy substrates to gain was most significant.

ΔΕΝ ΔΙΑΤΙΘΕΤΑΙ ΠΕΡΙΛΗΨΗ, The aim of the present study was to evaluate age related changes in testicular histomorphometry and spermatogenic activity of bulls during their sexual development. A total of 36 bulls were selected and divided into four groups (n=9 in each) according to their age. Bulls included in Groups I, II, III and IV were 10, 12, 14 and 16 months old respectively. Left testes of bulls were subjected to histomorphometry after slaughter. Statistical analysis revealed that the secondary spermatocytes, round and elongated spermatids increased significantly (P˂0.05) with the age of bulls. Likewise, both sertoli and leydig cell numbers increased significantly (P˂0.05) with the age of bulls. However, the number of spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes did not change (P>0.05) due to age. The mean tubular diameter increased from 200.70±5.45 μm (10 months of age) to 227.30±9.16 μm (16 months of age) and the total volume of seminiferous tubule per testis from 69.63±1.50 % (10 months of age) to 84.64±2.53 % (16 months of age). A positive linear relationship (P

Bovine genital campylobacteriosis (BGC) is a sexually transmitted disease that causes early reproductive failure in natural breeding cattle that are managed extensively. The aim of this study was to assess the BGC prevalence in Spain from 2011 to 2019 using data collected cross-sectionally from the diagnostic reports issued by the SALUVET veterinary diagnostic laboratory from a total of 5,182 breeding bulls from 1,950 herds managed under “dehesa” systems (large herds within fenced pastures and all-year breeding season) or mountain systems (smaller herds with seasonal breeding management and grazing in communal mountain pastures). Infection was detected by PCR in 7.7 and 12.2% of the bulls and herds tested, respectively. The “dehesa” herd management system (OR = 2.078, P = < 0.001, 95% CI = 1.55–1.77), bovine trichomonosis status of the herd (OR = 1.606, P = 0.004, 95% CI = 1.15–2.22), and bulls ≥3 years old (OR = 1.392, P = 0.04, 95% CI = 1.01–1.92) were identified as risk factors associated with Campylobacter fetus venerealis infection. We also studied the high-risk areas for circulation of the infection in extensive beef cattle herds in Spain, showing four significant clusters in “dehesa” areas in the south-western provinces of the country and a fifth cluster located in a mountain area in northern Spain. The results obtained in the present study indicate that BGC is endemic and widely distributed in Spanish beef herds. Specifically, “dehesa” herds are at greater risk for introduction of Cfv based on relatively high local prevalence of the infection and the use of specific management practices.

The present study aimed to determine the contribution of the genetic effect of bulls used via artificial insemination on the dairy production of Brown Swiss cows from the El Mantaro Agricultural Experiment Station of the National University of Central Peru, in terms of daily milk production (PLD) and by lactation (PLC). In total, 112 lactations were used, from a total of 49 cows, daughters of 7 Brown Swiss bulls, standardized to 305 days (PLE) and two milking by non-linear projection. The statistical analysis was carried out by using a mixed linear model, considering as fixed factors the number of lactations, year, season and age at calving of the cow, and as a random factor the genetic effect of the bull. Corrected phenotypic means were obtained for PLD and PLC with the correction factors obtained from the model, and predictions of the predicted transmission ability (PTA) of the evaluated bulls and their respective precisions. The corrected phenotypic means ranged from 9.39 ± 0.62 kg to 12.18 ± 0.87 kg for PLD and from 3 218.8 ± 40.2 kg to 4 690.4 ± 54.6 kg for PLC, while the PTA of the bulls ranged from -2.82 to 1.98 kg/day for PLD and from -841.55 to 630.33 kg/lactation for PLC, registering precision levels of 58.87 to 78.34%. The results show an important differential in the genetic level of the bulls and the potential use of some to contribute to the increase in milk production in the study area., El presente estudio tuvo por objetivo determinar la contribución del efecto genético de toros usados vía inseminación artificial sobre la producción láctea de vacas Brown Swiss de la Estación Experimental Agropecuaria El Mantaro de la Universidad Nacional del Centro del Perú, en términos de producción de leche diaria (PLD) y por campaña (PLC). Se utilizaron 112 lactaciones depuradas, procedentes de un total de 49 vacas, hijas de 7 toros Brown Swiss, estandarizadas a 305 días (PLE) y dos ordeños mediante proyección no lineal. El análisis estadístico fue realizado mediante el uso de un modelo lineal mixto, considerándose como factores fijos al número de lactación, año, estación y edad al parto de la vaca, y como factor aleatorio al efecto genético del toro. Se obtuvieron medias fenotípicas corregidas para PLD y PLC con los factores de corrección obtenidas del modelo, y predicciones de la habilidad transmisión predicha (PTA) de los toros evaluados y sus respectivas precisiones. Las medias fenotípicas corregidas tuvieron un rango de 9.39 ± 0.62 kg a 12.18 ± 0.87 kg para PLD y de 3218.8 ± 40.2 kg a 4690.4 ± 54.6 kg para PLC, mientras que el PTA de los toros oscilaron entre -2.82 a 1.98 kg/día para PLD y de -841.55 a 630.33 kg/campaña para PLC, registrándose niveles de precisión del 58.87 al 78.34%. Los resultados evidencian un importante diferencial en el nivel genético de los toros evaluados y el potencial uso de algunos para contribuir con el aumento de la producción láctea de la zona de estudio.

There are no studies in the literature that comprehensively present the impact of factors related only to kosher slaughter on the content of minerals in beef. Therefore, learning the impact of such kosher determinants of beef as follows: no stunning during slaughter, cattle category, muscle, or the so‐called kosher treatment for mineral content in beef has an original character. In this connection, the aim of the research was a comprehensive analysis of the impact of kosher determinants (slaughter type, muscle, cattle category, and technological treatment) on the content of selected macro‐ and microelements in beef. On the content of minerals in muscles obtained from beef carcasses, the statistically significant (p

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine the effects of age and gender (bull vs steer) on feeding behavior parameters in young beef cattle fed grass silage. METHODS The study was conducted on 180 young beef cattle at 7 to 18 mo of age. The experimental materials comprised 90 bulls produced by commercial crossing of Polish Holstein-Friesian cows with Charolais, Limousin and Hereford bulls (30 animals of each breed) and 90 steers of the same genotypes. The animals had ad libitum access to grass silage; the concentrate was fed separately, in feed stations. They received 28 g dry matter of concentrate per kg of metabolic body weight per day. Bunk visit data and silage intake for all experimental animals were recorded individually using the Roughage Intake Control system (5 feed bunks per 15 animals). RESULTS Age and gender (bull vs steer) exerted significant effects on the feeding behavior of young beef cattle. The frequency of bunk visits and meal frequency decreased, whereas the feeding rate of silage, and the average duration and size of a single meal increased with age (p

Effects of dietary crude protein (CP) supply on intake, digestibility, performance, and N balance were evaluated in young Nellore bulls consuming static or oscillating CP concentrations. Forty-two young bulls (initial BW of 260 ± 8.1 kg; age of 7 ± 1.0 mo) were fed ad libitum and were randomly assigned to receive one of six diets with different CP concentrations for 140 d: 105 (LO), 125 (MD), or 145 g CP /kg DM (HI), and LO to HI (LH), LO to MD (LM), or MD to HI (MH) oscillating CP at a 48-h interval for each feed. At the end of the experiment, bulls were slaughtered to evaluate carcass characteristics. Linear and quadratic effects were used to compare LO, MD, and HI, and specific contrasts were applied to compare oscillating dietary CP treatments vs. MD (125 g CP/kg DM) static treatment. Dry matter intake (DMI) was not affected (P > 0.26) by increasing or oscillating dietary CP. As dietary N concentration increased, there was a subsequent increase in apparent N compounds digestibility (P = 0.02), and no significant difference (P = 0.38) was observed between oscillating LH and MD. Daily total urinary and fecal N increased (P < 0.01) in response to increasing dietary CP. Significant differences were observed between oscillating LM and MH vs. MD, where bulls receiving the LM diet excreted less (P < 0.01; 71.21 g/d) and bulls fed MH excreted more (P < 0.01) urinary N (90.70 g/d) than those fed MD (85.52 g/d). A quadratic effect was observed (P < 0.01) for retained N as a percentage of N intake, where the bulls fed LO had greater N retention than those fed HI, 16.20% and 13.78%, respectively. Both LH and LM had greater (P < 0.01) daily retained N when compared with MD. Performance and carcass characteristics were not affected (P > 0.05) by increasing or oscillating dietary CP. Therefore, these data indicate that although there is no alteration in the performance of growing Nellore bulls fed with oscillating CP diets vs. a static level of 125 g CP/kg DM, nor static low (105 g CP/kg DM) and high (145 g CP/kg DM) levels; there may be undesirable increases in environmental N excretion when the average dietary CP content is increased. The results suggest that dietary CP concentrations of 105, 125 g/kg DM, or within this range can be indicated for finishing young Nellore bulls, since it reaches the requirements, reduces the environmental footprint related to N excretion, and may save on costs of high-priced protein feeds.

At present great attention is paid to studying genetic regulation of farm animal adaptations to environmental conditions. This problem is very important due to a wide expansion of highly productive cattle breeds created in Europe and North America. However, until the present no investigation of changing semen quality in bulls of imported breeds during their adaptations to environmental conditions of Western Siberia has been conducted. The aim of this study was to investigate semen quality peculiarities and the diversity of morphological sperm abnormalities in bulls of imported and local breeds kept in the environmental conditions of the southern part of Western Siberia. We determined sperm concentration, sperm count, and rate of sperm with progressive motility and percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa. The rate of sperm abnormalities according to Blome’s classifcation was determined too. It was found that the mean values of sperm concentration, sperm motility and percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa in the bulls investigated were similar to those in bulls kept in European countries. Inter­breed differences in these parameters were not found. However, bulls of the Red Danish, Angler, and Simmental breeds had a higher percentage of misshapen sperm head and pyriform sperm head than bulls of the Black­White breed. An inter­strain difference in sperm motility in bulls of the Black­White breed was observed. It was found that bulls of Reflection Sovereign 198998 strain had lover sperm motility than bulls of Wis Burke Ideal 1013415 strain. No inter­strain differences in sperm production, percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa and rate of main sperm abnormalities were found. Thus, it has been found that the environmental conditions of the southern part of Western Siberia do not seriously affect the sperm production, sperm motility or percentage of morphologically normal spermatozoa in bulls. However, the increased rate of misshapen and pyriform sperm heads in the bulls of the foreign breeds points to a need to study sperm DNA fragmentation.

Bovine herpes virus-1 (BHV-1) was isolated from bull semen by inoculation onto chorioallantoic membrane of specific pathogen free eggs. The isolated virus was identified by agar gel precipitation test, Dot ELISA, pock reduction and neutralization test, as well as by histopathology. The isolated virus was propagated on Madin Darby Bovine Kidney cells and identified by polymerase chain reaction. In sero-survey for BHV-1 antibodies on 1091 collected serum samples 188 sera showed clear precipitation lines by AGPT

Study on performance, semen quality and testosterone levels of 2 young bulls (age range 3-5 years) Limousine and Simental and 2 old bulls (age range 6-8 years) types Limousin and Simental have been carried out in the Teaching Farm, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga. This study aimed to determine the performance, semen quality and testosterone levels can be used as a guideline whether or not the ejaculate of young and old bulls should be continued into frozen semen. Performance tests were carried out using measuring sticks and weight bands, semen quality tests included macroscopic and microscopic tests, semen concentration using a spectrophotometer and testosterone test using the Sandwich-ELISA method. The mean results of the performance test in young bulls were, while the mean for older bulls were: body weight 700 kg; hump height 136.5 cm; circumferens of chest 213 cm; body length 171 cm and scrotal circumference 35.5 cm. The performance test for old bulls is body weight 840 kg; hump height 143 cm; circumferens of chest 225.5 cm; body length 177.5 cm and scrotal circumference 40.25 cm. Mean macroscopic of semen examination for young bulls, mean volume 8 cc; milky white color; characteristic odor; The degree of acidity was 6.5 and mucous consistency, while for the old bulls the volume was 6.85; milky white color; characteristic odor; 6.5 degrees of acidity and mucous consistency. The mean microscopic examination for young bulls was mass movement ++ / +++; individual movement 80/3; concentration 745.5 million / ml; abnormalities 3% and 92.25% viability, for old bulls: movement mass ++ / +++; individual movement 77.5 / 3; concentration 1291.5 millon / ml; abnormalities 5% and viability 90%. Examination of serum testosterone levels using the Sandwich-ELISA technique was obtained by an average of 1.299 ± 0.1598 ng/ml in young bulls and 1.101 ± 0.1502 ng/ml in older bulls. This study concluded that young bulls and old bulls in the Teaching Farm, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga in terms of performance, semen quality and testosterone levels are suitable for processing into high quality frozen semen.

N-carbamylglutamate (NCG), a structural analog of N-acetylglutamate, improves nitrogen utilization in dairy cows. However, the effects of NCG on bulls are unknown. The purpose of the current research was to investigate the effects of adding different amounts of NCG on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen metabolism and plasma metabolites of fattening Holstein bulls. Twenty-four Holstein bulls with similar body weights (BW, 408 &plusmn, 21.9 kg) and ages (450 &plusmn, 6.1 d, all mean &plusmn, SD) were selected for the feeding trial. After 2 weeks of adaptation, bulls were blocked by BW and age and subsequently randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups: (1) CON group (control diet), (2) L group (supplementation with 20 mg/kg BW NCG), (3) M group (supplementation with 40 mg/kg BW NCG), or (4) H group (supplementation with 80 mg/kg BW NCG). The addition of NCG linearly and quadratically increased the average daily gain (CON vs. L vs. M vs. H = 1.03 vs. 1.19 vs. 1.40 vs. 1.26 kg/d) (p &lt, 0.05), feed conversion ratio (CON vs. L vs. M vs. H = 11.92 vs. 9.22 vs. 7.76 vs. 8.62) (p &lt, 0.05), crude protein digestibility (CON vs. L vs. M vs. H = 64.3 vs. 63.8 vs. 67.7 vs. 65.8%) (0.05 &lt, p &lt, 0.10), N retention (p &lt, 0.05) and N utilization (p &lt, 0.05) of bulls, whereas the contents of fecal N (0.05 &lt, 0.10) and urinary N (0.05 &lt, 0.10) in NCG-fed bulls linearly decreased compared with those in CON bulls. Bulls fed NCG showed a quadratic increased plasma nitric oxide (p &lt, 0.05) concentration. Furthermore, Arg (p &lt, 0.05), Ile (p &lt, 0.05), Val (p &lt, 0.05), Ala (p &lt, 0.05), Glu (p &lt, 0.05), Ser (p &lt, 0.05), total essential amino acid (p &lt, 0.05) and total nonessential amino acid (p &lt, 0.05) concentrations linearly and quadratically increased with increasing doses of NCG. In contrast, plasma urea (p &lt, 0.05) and ammonia (p &lt, 0.05) concentration linearly and quadratically decreased with increasing doses of NCG. Overall, the addition of NCG increased plasma Arg, Ile, Val, TEAA and TNEAA concentration, which in turn resulted in a higher N utilization and, therefore, higher average daily gain in NCG-fed bulls, providing baseline data for the widespread application of NCG in beef cattle production.

It has been established that the topography of the spleen in cattle changes depending on the rumen filling and is corrected by a starvation diet, because the spleen is located in the left hypochondrium on the rumen. The animal should be fixed in a lateral position in the stall. Available puncture sites are the 10th, 11th, and 12th intercostal spaces. Ultrasound scanning is best to be performed paracostally, parallel to the caudal surface of the appropriate rib, slightly below the transverse processes of the thoracic vertebrae at the level of the horizontal line of the hook bone. The biopsy needle should be directed towards the opposite ulnar process (standard G 18 guillotine needle for biopsy of parenchymal organs, diameter 1.2 mm, with the length no less than 75 mm). The needle trajectory is visualized in the focus area of the scanner's ultrasonic sensor. ultasonography

Flow cytometry can be used to evaluate many sperm attributes and Dr. Duane Garner was influential in developing assays to understand sperm physiology and function. We review some of Dr. Garner's work and describe experiments that evaluate sperm capacitation using Dr. Garner's philosophy. In exploratory experiments, boar sperm were cryopreserved in lactose egg yolk (LEY) or Beltsville Freezing Extender 5 (BF5) and incubated in one capacitating medium. In another experiment, frozen-thawed bull sperm were incubated in TALP-Ca or CFDM1 capacitating media. In both experiments, sperm viability and capacitation were evaluated using multiple probes. Boar sperm frozen in LEY had greater survival rates (38%) than sperm frozen in BF5 (22%; P 0.05) but did not capacitate as effectively as sperm in BF5 (P 0.05). In Experiment 2, bull sperm survived to a greater extent when incubated in TALP-Ca than in CFDM1 (P 0.05) and had greater capacitation for most parameters (P 0.05). Of particular interest, 77% of sperm incubated in TALP-Ca had activated second messenger systems involved in capacitation, compared with 5% of sperm incubated in CFDM1. The results indicate different freezing and capacitating media induce different responses to sperm capacitation and functions. If only sperm viability and acrosomal integrity were evaluated, these results would be interpreted very differently. Dr. Garner's philosophy of evaluating multiple sperm parameters was an impetus to determine unique treatment differences which help in understanding sperm capacitation, and design further experiments to determine how media content causes sperm physiology differences.

Antes de que los europeos fueran "conmocionados" por la magnitud de la extensión del espacio americano abierto por los descubrimientos, el Nuevo Mundo fue pensado -reensamblado y deconstruido- dentro de los marcos constrictivos del pensamiento medieval. La primera imagen funcional que permitió "componer mentalmente" estos nuevos espacios fue la insularidad. Dicha imagen se adecuaba perfectamente a la matriz tradicional de la doctrina jurídica sustentada por el papado romano que dará por resultado las llamadas Bulas Alejandrinas de Partición de 1493. La potestas omninsular -desarrollada durante toda la Baja Edad Media en el Occidente europeo- constituye el basamento jurídico que otorga sentido a esta donación. Before Europeans were "shocked" by the sheer extent of American space opened up by discovery and conquest, the New World was thought -assembled and deconstructed- within the constricting frames of medieval thought. The first functional image that made it possible to "mentally compose" these new spaces was insularity. This image was perfectly suited to the traditional matrix of legal doctrine upheld by the roman papacy that will result in the so- called Alexandrian Bulls of Partition of 1493. The potestas omninsu-lar -developed throughout the Late Middle Ages in Western Europe- constitutes the legal basis that gives meaning to this donation. Fil: Pereyra, Osvaldo Víctor. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación. Instituto de Investigaciones en Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales (UNLP-CONICET); Argentina.

Campylobacter fetus is an important animal pathogen that causes infectious infertility, embryonic mortality and abortions in cattle and sheep flocks. There are two recognized subspecies related with reproductive disorders in livestock: Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus (Cff) and Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis (Cfv). Rapid and reliable detection of this pathogenic species in bulls is of upmost importance for disease control in dairy and beef herds as they are asymptomatic carriers. The aim of the present work was to assess the performance a real-time PCR (qPCR) method for the diagnosis of Campylobacter fetus in samples from bulls, comparing it with culture and isolation methods. 520 preputial samples were both cultured in Skirrow's medium and analyzed by qPCR. The estimated sensitivity of qPCR was 90.9% (95% CI, 69.4%–100%), and the specificity was 99.4% (95% CI, 98.6% - 100%). The proportion of C. fetus positive individuals was 2.1% by isolation and 2.5% by qPCR. Isolates were identified by biochemical tests as Cfv (n = 9) and Cff (n = 2). Our findings support the use of qPCR for fast and accurate detection of C. fetus directly from field samples of preputial smegma of bulls. The qPCR method showed to be suitable for massive screenings because it can be performed in pooled samples without losing accuracy and sensitivity. EEA Balcarce Fil: Delpiazzo, Rafael. Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay. Facultad de Veterinaria. Estación Experimental "Dr. Mario A. Cassinoni"; Uruguay. Fil: Barcellos, Maila. Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay. Facultad de Ciencias; Uruguay. Fil: Barros, Sofía. Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay. Facultad de Ciencias; Uruguay. Fil: Bentacor, Laura. Universidad de la República. Facultad de Medicina; Uruguay. Fil: Fraga, Martín. Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria. Estación Experimental La Estanzuela; Uruguay. Fil: Gil, Jorge. Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay. Facultad de Veterinaria. Estación Experimental "Dr. Mario A. Cassinoni"; Uruguay. Fil: Iraola, Gregorio. Institut Pasteur de Montevideo. Laboratorio de Genómica Microbiana; Uruguay. Universidad Mayor. Facultad de Ciencias; Chile. Wellcome Genome Campus, Wellcome Sanger Institute; United Kingdom. Fil: Morsella, Claudia Graciela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentina. Fil: Paolicchi, Fernando. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; Argentina. Fil: Pérez, Ruben. Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay. Facultad de Ciencias; Uruguay. Fil: Riet-Correa, Franklin. Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria. Estación Experimental La Estanzuela; Uruguay. Fil: Sanguinetti, Margarita. Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay. Facultad de Ciencias; Uruguay. Fil: Silva, Alfonso. Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay. Facultad de Ciencias; Uruguay. Fil: Silva Silveira, Caroline da. Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria. Estación Experimental La Estanzuela; Uruguay. Fil: Caballeros, Lucía. Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay. Facultad de Ciencias; Uruguay.

Las fiestas de toros conforman un amplio y diverso complejo iberoamericano. Sin embargo, durante siglos se ha distinguido a la tauromaquia como la más civilizada de estas celebraciones, considerándola un arte que sólo los entendidos pueden apreciar. A partir de las reflexiones del filósofo Francis Wolff, se emprende un recorrido histórico y antropológico para mostrar cuán diversas son las tradiciones taurinas en España y México, así como las tensiones que hay entre ellas. The taurine fests are a wide and diverse Ibero-American complex. However, for centuries the tauromaquia has been distinguished as the most civilized of these celebrations, considering it an art that only connoisseurs can appreciate. Based on the reflections of the philosopher Francis Wolff, a historical and anthropological journey is undertaken to show how diverse the bullfighting traditions are in Spain and Mexico, as well as the tensions that exist between them.

Flavonoid supplementation may modify the behavior and rumen inflammatory response of fattening bulls, and this could be related to the concentrate presentation (mash or pellet) form. In the present study, 150 Holstein bulls (183.0 ± 7.53 kg BW and 137 ± 1.8 d of age) were randomly allocated to one of eight pens and assigned to control (C) or (BF) (Citrus aurantium, Bioflavex CA, HealthTech Bio Actives, Spain, 0.4 kg per ton of concentrate of Bioflavex CA, 20% naringin). Concentrate (pellet) intake was recorded daily, and BW and animal behavior fortnightly. Animals were slaughtered after 168 d of study, and ruminal epithelium samples were collected for gene expression analyses. Treatment did not affect animal performance, however, BF supplementation reduced agonistic interactions and oral non-nutritive behaviors and increased the time devoted to eating concentrate and ruminating activity (p &lt, 0.05). The gene expression of some genes in the rumen epithelium was greater or tended to be greater in BF than C bulls (bitter taste receptor 16, cytokine IL-25, β-defensin, p &lt, 0.10, pancreatic polypeptide receptor 1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha, 0.05). In conclusion, flavonoid supplementation modifies the expression of genes in the rumen epithelium that could be related to inflammation and animal behavior modulation.

For modern cattle industry, it is very important to evaluate bull-sires of different breeds by semen quality. The relevance of this problem arises in the context of development of artificial insemination technologies and biotechnology, the increasing role of sire-bulls in the genetic improvement of the herd, which makes it possible to significantly change the breed composition of herds in large regions in a short period of time.In cattle breeding, sires of Black-and-white and Holstein black-and-white breeds, which are imported into the Russian Federation, are used almost throughout the country.The purpose of the study is to assess the practical possibility of using the measured data of the bioelectric potential of superficially localized biologically active centres of sire-bulls to evaluate the quality of their semen production.The subject of the study was the semen production of the bulls of Black-and-white and Holstein blackand-white breeds. The groups were formed according to the principle of analogues; the bulls were from 2 to 4 years old; the body weight was from 700 to 800 kg.As a result of evaluating the sperm quality in sire-bulls with a high level of biopotential of the superficially localized biologically active centres, in the field of vision of the preparation, spermatozoa with an intact acrosome were found, which amounted to 96.5% of the total number of spermatozoa of the preparation and had a significant difference with the experimental group. The use of bioenergetic data of the superficially localized biologically active centres makes it possible to evaluate the sperm quality before semen collection and thereby, reduce the time and labour costs for low-quality ejaculates culling.

It has been found that the growth rate in this type of repair heifers from birth to 7 months of age in the genotype Simmental Canadian3/4 + Simmental Austrian1/16 Simmental German1/8 + Simmental American1/16 is higher; they reliably predominate by 3.4% (P0.095); at 7 months of age r=-0.02 and at 12 months of age r=-0.05 (P>0.095). The studies have determined that the linear and mass di-mensions of a new population Simmental cattle increase with the raise of their heredity in the genotype Sim-mental Canadian3/4 Simmental Austrian1/16 + Simmental German1/8 + Simmental American1/16. Their live weight increased by 15.5 kg, the height at withers – by 3.1 cm, the chest circumference – by 4.8 cm, the oblique length of the torso and buttocks – by 1.7 and 2.1, respectively, and the overall dimensions – by 13.5 cm. It has been found that the growth rate in the repair heifers of meat-based polled Simmental cattle from birth to 7 months of age in a new productive genotype Simmental Canadian3/4 Simmental Austrian1/16 + Sim-mental German1/8 + Simmental American1/16 is 15.7%; they reliably predominate by 3.4% (P

Фізіологічна особливість травної системи жуйних використовувати у рубці небілковий азот і перетворювати його в білковий робить можливим застосування кормових добавок, що містять небілковий азот. Безазотисті кормові добавки мають в своєму складі цінні макроі мікроелементи, що приймають участь у обмінних процесах організму і забезпечують формування продуктивності тварин. Обґрунтування формування продуктивних якостей молодняку великої рогатої худоби, що вирощується на м’ясо, пов’язаних з пристосуванням організму тварин до різних кормових добавок, є актуальною проблемою у тваринництві. А вивчення структур рубця, їх ступеня пристосованості до нового кормового фактору представляє науковий і практичний інтерес., The physiological feature of the digestive system of ruminants to use non-protein nitrogen in the rumen and convert it into protein makes it possible to use feed additives containing non-protein nitrogen. Nitrogen-free feed additives contain valuable macroand microelements that take part in the body's metabolic processes and ensure the formation of animal productivity. Justification of the formation of productive qualities of young cattle raised for meat, associated with the adaptation of the animal body to various feed additives, is an urgent problem in animal husbandry. And the study of rumen structures, their degree of adaptation to the new feed factor is of scientific and practical interest

El calendario de festejos de España -especialmente en verano-, está teñido de la sangre y el dolor de los animales que se usan en ellos para, pretendidamente continuar ritos o tradiciones, que se justifican como expresión de la identidad colectiva, o como defensa de la cultura. En este escrito, se plantea, desde un punto de vista jurídico, la inconsistencia de todo el argumentario que permite que el dinero público se use en espectáculos que degradan a la sociedad que los consiente. The feasts and events calendar in Spain -especially during the summer- is stained with the blood and the suffering of animals that are used for these activities, with the excuse of keeping alive rituals and traditions justified as an expression of collective identity or as safeguarding the cultural heritage. This paper raises the attention, from a legal point of view, on the incoherence of all the arguments that allow public money to be spent in performances that degrade the society that let it happen.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of 24 h’ fasting prior to semen collection by electroejaculation on behavioral responses, volume of rectal fecal content, bladder size, penis protrusion, erection, ejaculation stimuli, and ejaculate parameters in young Simmental bulls. Twenty-two Simmental beef bulls with an age of 13.2 ± 1.2 mo (mean ± SD) were used in a prospective randomized blinded controlled cross-over design with two pens fasted for 24 h (n = 9; FAS group), and the other three pens were non-fasted (n = 13; CON group). The bulls were maintained under confined conditions without access to pasture. One week later, the pen treatments were inverted, and semen was collected again under the same conditions and by the same team. The behavioral responses, volume of fecal rectal content, bladder size, as well as the number of stimuli required to obtain penis protrusion, erection, and ejaculation to electroejaculation were measured. The following ejaculate parameters were measured: volume, concentration, spermatozoa motility, and morphology. The behavioral response of the bulls to electroejaculation was not different between the CON group and the FAS group (3.2 ± 0.5 and 3.0 ± 0.7, respectively; P = 0.36). Bladder size was significantly reduced in the FAS group compared with the CON group (2.3 ± 0.8 vs. 2.8 ± 0.9, respectively; P = 0.02). The volume of feces in the rectum was not different between the two groups (CON was 2.3 ± 1.7 and FAS was 3.0 ± 1.8; P = 0.23). Compared with the CON group, the FAS group showed a higher proportion of penis protrusion (100% versus 81.8%, P = 0.10), erection (100% versus 81.8%; P = 0.10), and ejaculation (100% versus 90.9%; P = 0.49). The combined efficiency of penis protrusion, erection, and ejaculation (CE-PPEE) in the FAS group was superior to that of the CON group (P = 0.001). The number of stimuli necessary for penis protrusion, erection, and ejaculation for the CON group were 13.5 ± 3.7, 14.9 ± 3.7, and 20.8 ± 5.8, and they were 15.0 ± 4.2, 16.6 ± 4.2, and 20.2 ± 8.1 for the FAS group. The number of stimuli for penis protrusion (P = 0.09), erection (P = 0.08), and ejaculation (P = 0.77) were no different between the two groups. Ejaculate volume was 4.0 ± 2.6 ml and 4.1 ± 2.3 ml for the CON and FAS groups, respectively (P = 0.90). The motility was 1.4 ± 0.7 and 1.4 ± 0.8 for the CON and FAS groups, respectively (P = 0.72). The concentration of spermatozoa was 336.2 ± 273.1 million and 421.1 ± 300.6 million for the CON and FAS groups, respectively (P = 0.31). The percentage of normal spermatozoa was 50.9 ± 18.8 and 45.6 ± 14.3 for the CON and FAS groups, respectively (P = 0.16). It was concluded that fasting for 24 h prior to semen collection by electroejaculation reduced the bladder size and increased the proportion of bulls with penis protrusion, erection, and ejaculation without any difference detected in behavioral responses, volume of rectal fecal content, and ejaculate parameters.

RESUMEN. El objetivo de la investigación fue evaluar la seroprevalencia de Neospora caninum en ganado bovino de carne de las categorías, vacas, vaquillas y toros de 3 establecimientos ganaderos del Departamento de Concepción, previo al servicio de primavera del año 2020. Se seleccionaron al azar 100 animales en total, entre los 3 establecimientos (45 vacas del establecimiento 1, 45 vaquillas del establecimiento 2 y 10 toros del establecimiento 3). Se extrajo muestras de sangre de la vena yugular las cuales se depositaron en tubos colectores tapa roja sin anticoagulante (EDTA), identificados, refrigerados a 4°C y remitidos a un laboratorio privado donde fueron analizados por el método de ELISA de competición para el diagnóstico, encontrándose los siguientes resultados: el 15% (15 muestras) del total resultaron positivas, y un 85% de muestras negativas. La distribución de los animales positivos según categoría y establecimiento fue: 8% (8 muestras) de categoría vacas secas correspondientes al establecimiento 1, un 6% (6 muestras) de la categoría vaquillas, dieron positivo en el establecimiento 2; y 1% (1 muestra) categoría toros dieron positivo en el establecimiento 3, teniendo en cuenta para los cálculos el total de muestreados. ABSTRACT. The objective of the research was to assess the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in beef cattle of the categories, cows, heifers and bulls of 3 livestock establishments in the Department of Conception, prior to the spring service of 2020. A total of 100 animals were randomly selected from the 3 establishments (45 cows establishment 1, 45 heifers establishment 2, and 10 bulls from the property 3). Blood samples were extracted from the jugular vein which were deposited in red cap without (EDTA) collecting tubes, identified, refrigerated at 4oC and sent to a private laboratory where they were analyzed by the ELISA competition method for diagnosis, with the following results found: 15% (15 samples) of the total were positive, and 85% of negative samples. The distribution of positive animals by category and establishment was: 8% (8 samples) of category dried cows corresponding to establishment 1, 6% (6 samples) of the heifer category, tested positive at establishment 2; and 1% (1 sample) category bulls tested positive in establishment 3, taking into account for the calculations the total samples.

V magistrskem delu smo raziskovali razlike v razporeditvi maščobnega tkiva pri bikih cikaste in lisaste pasme. V raziskavo je bilo vključenih 50 cikastih in 47 lisastih bikov. Ob doseženi optimalni stopnji zamaščenosti so bili zaklani v komercialni klavnici, kjer smo stehtali ledvično-medenični loj, popoln razsek klavnih polovic pa smo opravili v šolski klavnici in razsekovalnici, na Biotehniški fakulteti, Oddelku za zootehniko. Vsak kos smo ločili na mišično in maščobno tkivo, kosti ter kite, maščobno tkivo pa še na podkožno in medmišično. Izračunali smo deleže posameznih tkiv v klavnih polovicah in kosih ter deleže posameznih maščobnih depojev glede na maso klavnih polovic in telesno maso pred zakolom ter glede na skupno količino maščobnega tkiva v klavnih polovicah in v telesu. Pridobljene podatke smo obdelali s statističnim programom SAS. Cikasti biki so bili ob enakem deležu maščobnega tkiva (9,45 %) statistično značilno (p ⡤ 0,05) lažji, imeli so večji delež mesa (73,95 %) in manjši delež kosti (15,08 %) v klavnih trupih, kot lisasti (72,27 % mesa, 16,46 % kosti). Delež podkožnega in medmišičnega maščobnega tkiva glede na maso klavnih polovic in skupno količino maščobnega tkiva v klavnih polovicah se ni razlikoval med pasmama. Glede na telesno maso pa so imeli lisasti biki manjši delež ledvično-medeničnega (0,82 vs 0,79 %) in podkožnega loja (1,03 vs 1,11 %), glede na skupno količino maščobnega tkiva v telesu pa več medmišičnega (68,58 vs 66,12 %) in manj ledvično-medeničnega (13,63 vs 15,55 %) kot cikasti biki. Delež podkožnega maščobnega tkiva od vsega maščobnega tkiva v posameznem kosu je bil večji v vratu, stegnu, zadnjem bočniku in ledjih ter manjši v podplečju pri cikastih kot lisastih bikih. In master's thesis we compared the distribution of adipose tissue in Cika and Simmental bulls. The analysis included 50 Cika and 47 Simmental bulls. The bulls were slaughtered when they reached the optimal fatness in a commercial slaughterhouse, where kidney-pelvic fat was also recorded. A complete dissection was performed in the experimental slaughterhouse, where each carcass cut was separated into muscles, subcutaneous fat, intermuscular fat, bones and tendons. Based on the data, the percentage of each tissue in carcasses or cuts and percentage of each adipose tissue depot according to carcass and animal live weight or carcass and body fat weight was calculated. Statistical analysis was performed by SAS statistical programme. At the same proportion of fat (9.45 %), Cika bulls had statistically significantly (p ⡤ 0.05) lower body weight, they had higher proportion of meat (73.95 %) and lower proportion of bones (15.08 %) in carcasses than Simmental bulls (72.27 % meat, 16.46 % bones). Based on carcass weight and total amount of carcass adipose tissue there were no significant differences in percentage of subcutaneous and intermuscular fat tissue between breeds. Based on the live weight, Simmental bulls had lower percentage of kidney-pelvic fat (0.82 vs 0.97 %) and subcutaneous fat (1.03 vs 1.11 %) whereas based on the total fat they had higher percentage of intermuscular fat (68.58 vs 66.12 %) and lower percentage of kidney-pelvic fat (13.63 vs 15.55 %). Cika bulls had higher percentage of subcutaneous fat from the total fat in chuck, leg, hind shank and loin and lower percentage in rib roast as Simmental bulls.

Alterações de cromatina espermática tem sido estudada nas diversas espécies animais por serem consideradas um importante fator relacionado a infertilidade que prejudicam os resultados de biotecnicas reprodutivas. O objetivo ao realizar este trabalho foi verificar as alterações de cromatina de espermatozoides bovinos em microscopia eletrônica de transmissão, classificando-as e correlacionando-as com os resultados na produção in vitro de embriões (PIVE). Bovinos mestiços entre 30 e 36 meses de idade foram submetidos à insulação escrotal por 72 horas e ejaculados foram coletados semanalmente durante 60 dias. Amostras de sêmen dos ejaculados foram processados e as alterações de cromatina avaliadas em microscopia eletrônica de transmissão e classificadas em 5 categorias, de acordo com a intensidade da alteração. Rotinas de PIVE foram realizadas semanalmente para avaliar as taxas de clivagem e formação de blastocistos ao utilizar estes ejaculados. Os resultados das rotinas de PIVE não tiveram correlação com as alterações de cromatina avaliadas em microscopia eletrônica de transmissão. Os poucos espermatozoides encontrados com alterações mais intensas de cromatina tinham morfologia também alterada. Pequenos pontos mais claros foram encontrados com grande frequência próximo à inserção do flagelo. Conclui-se que ao avaliar entre 100 e 200 imagens de secções de cabeças de espermatozoides por ejaculado, em microscopia eletrônica de transmissão, não foi possível verificar influência das alterações de cromatina nos resultados da PIVE. Sperm chromatin changes has been studied in several animal species to be considered an important factor related to infertility that impair the results of reproductive biotechnologies. The aim of this work was to verify the bovine sperm chromatin changes in transmission electron microscopy, classifying and correlate them with the results of in vitro embryo production (IVP). Crossbred cattle between 30 and 36 months were subjected to scrotal insulation for 72 hours and ejaculates were collected weekly for 60 days. Semen samples of ejaculates were processed and chromatin changes evaluated in transmission electron microscopy and classified into 5 categories according to the intensity of the change. IVP routines were performed weekly to evaluate cleavage and blastocyst rates when using these ejaculates. The results of IVP routines were not correlated with the chromatin changes evaluated in transmission electron microscopy. The few spermatozoa found with more intense changes in chromatin also had morphology changed. Small light dots were found very frequently near to the insertion of the flagellum. It is concluded that when evaluating between 100 and 200 images of sections of sperm heads per ejaculate in transmission electron microscopy, it was not possible to verify the influence of chromatin changes in the results of IVP. Dissertação (Mestrado)

Genomic selection in modern farming demands sufficient semen production in young bulls. Factors affecting semen quality and production capacity in young bulls are not well understood; DNA methylation, a complicated phenomenon in sperm cells, is one such factors. In this study, fresh and frozen-thawed semen samples from the same Norwegian Red (NR) bulls at both 14 and 17 months of age were examined for sperm chromatin integrity parameters, ATP content, viability, and motility. Furthermore, reduced representation bisulfite libraries constructed according to two protocols, the Ovation® RRBS Methyl-Seq System (Ovation method) and a previously optimized gel-free method and were sequenced to study the sperm DNA methylome in frozen-thawed semen samples. Sperm quality analyses indicated that sperm concentration, total motility and progressivity in fresh semen from 17 months old NR bulls were significantly higher compared to individuals at 14 months of age. The percentage of DNA fragmented sperm cells significantly decreased in both fresh and frozen-thawed semen samples in bulls with increasing age. Libraries from the Ovation method exhibited a greater percentage of read loss and shorter read size following trimming. Downstream analyses for reads obtained from the gel-free method revealed similar global sperm DNA methylation but differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between 14- and 17 months old NR bulls. The majority of identified DMRs were hypomethylated in 14 months old bulls. Most of the identified DMRs (69%) exhibited a less than 10% methylation difference while only 1.5% of DMRs exceeded a 25% methylation difference. Pathway analysis showed that genes annotated with DMRs having low methylation differences (less than 10%) and DMRs having between 10 and 25% methylation differences, could be associated with important hormonal signaling and sperm function relevant pathways, respectively. The current research shows that RRBS in parallel with routine sperm quality analyses could be informative in reproductive capacity of young NR bulls. Although global sperm DNA methylation levels in 14 and 17 months old NR bulls were similar, regions with low and varying levels of DNA methylation differences can be identified and linked with important sperm function and hormonal pathways. Copyright © 2020 Khezri, Narud, Stenseth, Zeremichael, Myromslien, Wilson, Ahmad and Kommisrud. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.