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The aim of this study was to evaluate if the cottonseed intake during gestation and lactation affects the ovarian population in ewes and lambs. Therefore, 39 ewes were evaluated during 10 months under two treatments: Cottonseed and soybeans. The quantification of ovarian follicular dynamics was analyzed by ultrasound and the determination of progesterone and estradiol levels was interpreted by radioimmunoassay. After weaning, ovaries of lambs (n = 10) were collected by ovariectomy and fixed for the assessment of follicular parameters as normality, classification, diameter, ultrastructure, stereology, and as well as immunoexpression of the α-estradiol receptor α (ER-α). The results showed that the cottonseed consumption altered neither the ovarian nor the hormonal follicular dynamics of Santa Ines ewes after calving and did not affect the normality, classification, diameter, stereology and follicular ultrastructure of offspring. Nevertheless, the offspring of ewes fed with cottonseed showed high ER-α immunoexpression in the ovarian structures. It is concluded that cottonseed did not affect the maternal-descendant follicular dynamics. However, lambs' ovaries had highest α-ER immunoexpression in oocytes, granulosa and theca cells and corpus luteum. This fact warns of a possible change in the future steroidogenic response of these lambs that had progenitors consuming cottonseed in their reproductive period.

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T11:08:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-12-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Larvae of Heliothis virescens (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) often infest soybean crops, Glycine max (L.) (Fabaceae), causing significant yield losses in important soybean-producing regions. The use of soybean varieties resistant to lepidopteran larvae is a major approach in soybean integrated pest management. However, standardization and optimization of bioassays that are used to screen genotypes for insect resistance are essential for high-throughput phenotyping. Methodologies for screening were assessed to determine the most effective method for discriminating levels of antixenosis to H. virescens in soybean plants. Feeding and oviposition preference assays were performed to determine optimal densities of larvae and adults, and optimal plant structures and growth stages for conducting assays. In addition, trichome densities, and fiber and lignin contents were quantified in plant structures of soybean cultivars differing in resistance. Resistance levels of cultivars were best differentiated using nine neonate larvae and two 6-day-old larvae, and by using young leaves of plants at the vegetative stage. This was likely due to the more pronounced differences in lignin and fiber contents in young leaves of vegetative-stage plants. Density of adult pairs, plant structure, and growth stage did not affect ability to distinguish differences in oviposition preference by H. virescens. Higher numbers of eggs were found on the leaves, which were the plant structures that exhibited the lowest trichome densities. The protocol developed in this work will benefit future evaluations of soybean genotypes for antixenosis against H. virescens. Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences São Paulo State University (UNESP), Professor Paulo Donato Castellane St Federal University of Lavras (UFLA), University Campus Center of Nuclear Energy in Agriculture University of São Paulo (USP), Luiz de Queiroz campus, 303 Centenário Ave. Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences São Paulo State University (UNESP), Professor Paulo Donato Castellane St FAPESP: 2014/08373-3 CNPq: 303.572/2015-9

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T11:06:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-06-01 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Information on Phaseolus vulgaris L. resistance categories and mechanisms to the Mexican bean weevil Zabrotes subfasciatus Boheman (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae) is important for breeding and subsequent commercialization of improved P. vulgaris genotypes. Using resistant genotypes in the bruchid beetles control may reduce insecticide applications, environmental risks, and production costs. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate antixenosis and antibiosis of P. vulgaris genotypes to Z. subfasciatus and the relation of bromatological components on resistance. Free- and no-choice tests were carried out in a climate-controlled room (temperature 25 ± 1 °C, relative humidity 70 ± 10%, and 12:12 h light:dark photoperiod). Host selection for oviposition, total and viable numbers of eggs, emerged adults, egg to adult period (life cycle), adult longevity, and dry mass consumed of Z. subfasciatus were evaluated on 10 P. vulgaris genotypes. Bean samples of P. vulgaris genotypes were subjected to a bromatological analysis to determine possible resistance mechanisms. In the oviposition antixenosis, none of the P. vulgaris genotypes showed resistance to Z. subfasciatus. Contrastingly, the genotypes Raz 59, 173, 177, 179, 283, 284, 361, and 364 showed resistance in the categories of feeding antixenosis and/or antibiosis to Z. subfasciatus. On average, these genotypes reduced the number of emerged adults in 95.9%, the dry mass consumed in 88.3%, and increased the Z. subfasciatus life cycle in 40.3% compared to susceptible genotypes (IAC Alvorada and 178). Crude protein content in the resistant genotypes was on average 10.9% higher than in the susceptible genotypes. Some proteins, such as arcelin, have antibiotic effects on bruchid beetles, indicating that a higher protein content in resistant genotypes may have been one of the mechanisms responsible for antibiosis of these genotypes to Z. subfasciatus. São Paulo State University Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences (UNESP/FCAV) São Paulo State University Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences (UNESP/FCAV) Departament of Agricultural Science, Professor Paulo Donato Castellane São Paulo University Center for Nuclear Energy in Agricultural (USP/CENA) Agronomic Institute of Campinas (IAC) São Paulo State University Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences (UNESP/FCAV) São Paulo State University Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences (UNESP/FCAV) Departament of Agricultural Science, Professor Paulo Donato Castellane

Food Safety is an important topic for public health and international trade in food. Residues of veterinary drugs and environmental contaminants in animal products can cause diseases and acute toxicity in organisms exposed to these substances. This study evaluated official monitoring data of veterinary drug residues from the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply in tissues of poultry and swine in the period between 2002 and 2014 to check for hidden patterns in the occurrence of six common drugs (Closantel, Diclazuril, Nicarbazin, Sulfaquinoxaline, Doxycycline and Sulfamethazinein). The analysis of data was performed by using two machine learning methods: decision tree and neural networks, in addition to visual evaluation through graphs and maps. Contamination rates were low, varying from 0 to 0.66%. A spatial distribution pattern of detections of substances by region was identified, but no pattern of temporal distribution was observed. Nevertless, regressions showed an increase in levels when these substances were detected, so monitoring should continue. However, the results show that the products monitored during the study period presented a low risk to public health.

The use of cotton co-products in animal feed is restricted by the presence of gossypol, which is a toxic and highly reactive molecule of complex minerals. In mammals, part of the offspring phenotype is influenced by dam nutrition. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ewe diet, with and without cottonseed (gossypol), on the testicular development of lambs from birth to weaning through the assessment of lamb live weight (LW), macro and histological morphology of testes, and mass fraction of chemical elements by neutron activation analysis (NAA) and microprobe X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, as well as the multielement distribution map in the testes. Eighteen lambs were used with an average LW at birth of 4 ± 1.0 kg. All lambs were offspring of Santa Inês ewes, fed on ration either with or without cottonseed during mating, gestation, and lactation, thus forming two treatments: control group (C) without cottonseed and treatment group with cottonseed (G). The animals were weighed from birth to 60 days of age, at fortnightly intervals. At 60 days of age, the lambs were orchidectomized to collect their testes for macroscopy, histological, neutron activation, and X-ray fluorescence analysis. Besides dry matter (DM), protein, ether extract (EE), calcium (Ca), and potassium (K) were higher in the ewe milk from the C group compared with the G group (P 0.05). Lambs from the C group showed higher LW from 45 days onwards, as well as higher average daily gain when compared with the G group (P 0.05). They also presented higher testicular weight, volume, length, width, as well as tubule and lumen diameters compared with lambs from the G treatment (P 0.05). Multielementary NAA revealed higher mass fractions of rubidium (Rb), selenium (Se), and cesium (Cs) in the testes of lambs from the C group when compared with the G group, while G showed higher zinc (Zn) content (P 0.05). No differences between treatments were found for element levels and distribution using X-ray fluorescence microanalysis (P 0.05). In conclusion, the maternal cottonseed diet compromised performance and testes development of the lambs and reduce the content of Se in the testes.

Haemonchus contortus is the most important gastrointestinal nematode in small ruminant systems worldwide and has developed resistance to several drugs, including ivermectin (IVM). IVM is not only a veterinary drug but also a safe, broad-spectrum, antiparasitic drug used in humans. One of the main IVM-resistance mechanisms in H. contortus involves P-glycoprotein (PgP), a trans-membrane transport protein that rids worm cells from toxic molecules. This study aimed to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of IVM, alone or combined with main terpenes of essential oils (alpha-terpinene, beta-citronellol, beta-pinene, citronellal, limonene, menthol, and terpinolene) and with phenolic compounds (epicatechin, epigallocatechin, gallocatechin, pentagalloylglucose, procyanidin, and quercetin). All compounds were tested, alone or combined with IVM, against susceptible (HcS) and resistant (HcR) isolates of H. contortus through the larval development test (LDT) and the adult motility assay (AMT) using verapamil (VP), a known PgP modulator, as a control. Results for the LDT determined that the lethal concentration required to kill 50% of nematodes (LC

Despite tropical grasses being the main feed source for major part of ruminant livestock, information about nutritional quality changes under climate changes scenario are still scarce. The novelty of this work was to determine the effects of season and elevated CO2 under field conditions upon biomass production and nutritional value of Brachiaria decumbens during 2 years. The Free-Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment was established in twelve rings: six of them being the control (current atmosphere) and others six fumigated with pure CO2 to achieve a higher concentration (e[CO2]). In each ring, two 0.25 m2 plots have been established with B. decumbens and after standardization cut, green forage yield was evaluated frequently. Plant samples were collected at 20 cm height and evaluated for determining the biomass production, nutritive value and in vitro enteric methane (CH4) production. Season and year had significant effect (P 0.05). Overall, e[CO2] and rainfall seasons significantly increased forage production, contributing to sequester carbon in plant biomass, but this C4 tropical grass must be grazed at its best protein and fermentable carbohydrate ratio for advantages in the rumen microbial synthesis and lowering CH4 production intensity of the production system.

Feed additives are used in animal diets various beneficial reasons including animal growth, remedy for nutrient deficiency, adsorption of toxins, breakdown of anti-nutritional factors and reduced methane production in the rumen. In past 2 decades, many investigations have focused on studying effects of antibiotics on ruminal fermentation, however, European Union has banned the use antibiotics in animal feeds due to human food safety. Therefore, using plant extracts containing a high level of plant secondary metabolites (PSM) can be an alternative for improving animal performance without compromising food security issues. Most of the plant extracts contains PSM that can be serve as natural resource for animal production systems, nevertheless it is largely unexploited as it is considered as anti-nutritional factors. However, in recent years, various studies emphasized that a group of PSM (e.g. tannins, essential oil and saponins) has ability to manipulate rumen fermentation in a favorable way, thus can be used as natural alternatives for improving ruminant production systems. However, the role of PSM still remains unclear due to limited data and need to be more fully exploited to better understand their properties as bioactive compounds. The present review will discuss the use of plant secondary metabolites in rumen metabolism in terms of biochemical and physiological performance on ruminant production systems, covering topics on proven effectiveness, consumer acceptance, environment, animal safety and welfare.

Background: Little information is available on carcass quality in nulliparous and primiparous ewes of different breeds and genetic groups. Objective: To evaluate the effect of genetic group, pregnancy, age and their interactions on carcass traits, meat quality and fatty acid profile in sheep. Methods: Eighty-five Santa Ines ewes and their crosses with Texel, Dorper and Ile de France, aged 12 month were bred with White Dorper rams to assess the influence of pregnancy on carcass composition and meat quality. After weaning, all ewes (nulliparous and primiparous) were fattened for slaughter at 21 months of age. A further 24 six to twenty one-month-old female lambs from the same genetic groups were included in the analysis to determine the fatty acid profile. Results: Genetic group affected muscle and fat weight as well as the eye muscle length. Fat weight, muscle and fat ratios, subcutaneous fat thickness and cooking loss were affected by pregnancy with nulliparous females being fatter. Meat purpose breeds such as Dorper, Texel and Ile de France showed better meat quality compared to the Santa Ines hair breed. Of the 19 identified fatty acids, saturated were present in greater quantities, especially stearic and palmitic. Omega-6 content was influenced by age and pregnancy. Conclusions: Younger and nulliparous females have better carcass quality in terms of fatty acid composition. Keywords: commercial cuts, fat content, meat breeds, ovines, Santa Ines, slaughter age. Resumen Antecedentes: Existe poca informacion sobre la calidad de la canal en ovejasjovenes nuliparas y primiparas de diferentes razas y grupos geneticos. Objetivo: Evaluar la influencia del grupo genetico, de la prenez, de la edad y sus interacciones sobre la composicion de la canal, calidad de la carne y perfil de acidos grasos en la carne de ovejas. Metodos: Ochenta y cinco ovejas de 12 meses de edad de raza Santa Ines y sus cruces con Texel, Dorper y Ile de France fueron cruzadas con carneros White Dorper para evaluar la influencia de la gestacion sobre la composicion de la canal y la calidad de la carne. Despues del destete, todas las ovejas (nuliparas y primiparas) fueron engordadas y sacrificadas a los 21 meses de edad. Otras 24 ovejas de seis a veintiun meses de edad del mismo grupo genetico fueron incluidas en el analisis para determinar el perfil de acidos grasos. Resultados: El grupo genetico afecto el peso del musculo y de la grasa, como tambien la longitud del ojo del musculo. El peso de la grasa, porcentajes de musculo y grasa, el grosor de la grasa subcutanea y las perdidas por coccion fueron afectadas por la prenez, siendo mas gordas las hembras nuliparas. Los grupos geneticos especializados en producir carne como Dorper, Texel e Ile de France mostraron mejor calidad de carne comparado con la raza Santa Ines. De los 19 acidos grasos identificados, los saturados estaban presentes en mayores cantidades, especialmente estearico y palmitico. Los contenidos de Omega-6 fueron influenciados por la edad y la prenez. Conclusiones: Las ovejas mas jovenes y nuliparas tienen mejor calidad de carcasa en terminos de composicion de acidos grasos. Palabras clave: contenido de grasa, cortes comerciales, edad de sacrificio, ovinos, razas de carne, Santa Ines. Resumo Antecedentes: Existe pouca informacao sobre a qualidade da carcaca em ovelhas jovens nuliparas e primiparas de diferentes racas e grupos geneticos. Objetivo: Avaliar a influencia do grupo genetico, da prenhes, da idade e suas interacoes sobre as caracteristicas da carcaca, qualidade da carne e perfil de acidos graxos na carne de ovelhas. Metodos: Oitenta e cinco ovelhas Santa Ines e suas cruzas com Texel, Dorper e Ile de France com 12 meses de idade foram cruzadas com carneiros White Dorper para avaliar a influencia da prenhes sobre a composicao da carcaca e a qualidade da carne. Apos o desmame, todas as ovelhas (nuliparas e primiparas) foram engordadas para serem abatidas aos 21 meses de idade. Mais 24 ovelhas com idade variando entre seis a vinte e um meses do mesmo grupo genetico foram incluidas na analise para determinar o perfil de acidos graxos. Resultados: O grupo genetico influenciou os pesos do musculo e da gordura bem como o comprimento da area de olho de lombo. O peso da gordura, a relacao musculo e gordura, a espessura de gordura subcutânea e as perdas por coccao foram influenciadas pela prenhes,sendo asfemeas nuliparas as mais gordas. Os grupos geneticos especializados em producao de carne como o Dorper, o Texel e o Ile de France apresentaram melhor qualidade de carne comparado a raca Santa Ines. Dos 19 acidos graxos identificados, os presentes em maiores quantidades foram os saturados, principalmente o estearico e o palmitico. O Conteudo de omega 6 foi influenciado pela idade e pela prenhes. Conclusoes: As femeas jovens e nuliparas apresentam melhor qualidade de carcaca em termos de composicao de acidos graxos. Palavras-chave: conteudo de gordura, cortes comerciais, idade de abate, ovinos, racas de corte, Santa Ines.

Manipulation of oocytes enclosed in preantral follicles (MOEPF) allows for analyzing follicular development and use of this biotechnology in the pre-analysis of the beneficial or toxic effects of bio-products on granulosa cells and oocytes at different developmental stages. In this study, there was evaluation of the effects of gossypol by culturing granulosa cells and oocytes in ewe ovarian tissues. Ovarian tissues were cultured with gossypol at 37 °C, in humidified air and 5% CO2. Variables that were evaluated were morphology, morphometry, ultrastructure and abundance of estradiol receptor α (α-ER). There were no differences in developmental characteristics when there was treatment with any of the gossypol doses that were evaluated. Immunostaining indicated that when the gossypol dose increases, the abundance of α-ER also increases in the cytoplasm, nucleus, and granulosa cells. Findings with the ultrastructural analysis indicated that for granulosa cells there was fewer cells and greater disorganization and a lack of structural integrity of follicular cell layers as a result of all gossypol treatments. The culture of oocytes in preantral ovarian follicles in presence of gossypol did not affect the morphological-metric structure at the doses evaluated. The findings with evaluation of ultrastructural and immunohistochemical structures indicated granulosa cells and α-ER were affected by the treatments with gossypol indicating there were effects of this compound on ovarian function in sheep. This study indicated there is a toxic action of gossypol when using the biotechnology, MOEPF. Thus, gossypol negatively affects granulosa cell development and structural integrity of preantral follicles in sheep.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T15:31:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-02-01 Molecules from natural sources, such as essential oils, have shown activity against parasites in vitro, but have not yet been explored extensively in vivo. Anethole and carvone (10% each), encapsulated with 80% of a solid matrix, referred to as EO (encapsulated oils), were tested in vivo in 2 experiments. In Experiment 1: Lambs were artificially infected with multidrug resistant Haemonchus contortus, or left uninfected, and treated (or not) with 50 mg/kg bw (body weight) of EO in a controlled environment. Thirty-two male lambs were kept in individual cages for a period of 45 days, after which animals were evaluated for parasitological, hematological, toxicological, and nutritional parameters. After 45 days of treatment, EO at 50 mg/kg bw provided a significant (P ≤ 0.05) reduction in fecal egg count (FEC). Although FEC was reduced, animals from both treatments had similar counts of total adult worms. The low FEC was caused probably by a significant reduction (P ≤ 0.05) in both male worm size and female fecundity. Dry matter intake of uninfected controls was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced, although no toxicity was observed in treated animals. Thus, in Experiment 2, conducted for five months we used an EO dose of 20 mg/kg bw. Thirty-four weaned lambs, free of parasites, were divided in two groups and kept in collective pens. One group received EO at 20 mg/kg bw mixed with concentrate for 5 months and the other was kept as a control group (CTL). Parasitological and hematological parameters as well as body weight were evaluated. In the first 2.5 months, CTL and EO groups were confined, and both presented similar clinical parameters. Then, animals were allotted to graze on contaminated pastures to acquire natural infection for the next 2.5 months. The infection was patent after 25 days and both groups had similar decreases in weight gain, increases in FEC, and decreases in blood parameters. Coprocultures from CTL and EO groups established that parasite population was 90% Haemonchus sp. We concluded that the technology of encapsulation is safe and practical to deliver to lambs at the farm level and anethole and carvone at 50 mg/kg bw caused a significant decrease in FEC and, consequently, in pasture contamination by free living stages of H. contortus. However, EO at 20 mg/kg bw was not effective to prevent or treat sheep naturally-infected with gastrointestinal nematodes. Instituto de Zootecnia (IZ/SAA), Rua Heitor Penteado 56 GRASP Ind. e Com. LTDA, Av. Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA/USP), Rua do Centenário 303 US Salinity Lab (USDA-ARS), 450 W. Big Springs Rd. Instituto de Biociências (UNESP) Instituto de Biociências (UNESP)

Cottonseed has been used as a nutritional alternative in animal production. However, consequences of this nutrient in the progeny is not well characterized. Thus, this work evaluated the effect on the immune and antioxidant status of the progeny of feeding Santa Ines ewe with or without cottonseed. Twenty-four Santa Ines ewes were distributed in two feeding regimes: cottonseed (CS) concentrate (n = 12) and soybean (SB) concentrate (n = 12). After birth, lambs remained with their mothers and blood samples were collected at 1st, 3rd, 7th, 15th, 30th and 60th day of life of 24 lambs born from mothers fed with (CS, n = 12) or without (SB, n = 12) cottonseed. Serum total protein, albumin, alpha beta globulin, gamma globulin, immunoglobulin G and M, activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and variables related to iron metabolism were affected only by sampling times (P

Infrared thermography of the lateral side portion of the udder was taken from 38 lactating cows in a 6-day experiment. Thermograms were analyzed using specific software with the use of eight different methods. The experiment was aimed at correlating the different methods with each other and with rectal temperature (RT), in order to suggest a method to assess udder side temperature, and also at creating regression equations to enable RT calculation through the use of thermographic data. All methods of analyzing thermograms were highly correlated; correlations between thermograms and RT were significant (P

Made available in DSpace on 2022-05-01T15:13:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2022-04-01 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Food security and climate change concerns are pressing livestock production industry to seek sustainable practices to increase productivity while reducing the intensity of enteric methane (CH4) emissions. In this scenario, the use of enzyme products in ruminant nutrition may be an important alternative to meet future increased demands for animal products with reduced environmental impacts. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of treating forage with a fibrolytic enzymes extract (FEE), produced by Trichoderma reesei, on animal performance, blood biochemical parameters, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and enteric CH4 production of growing lambs. Nineteen Santa Inês growing lambs were divided into two groups: control (CTL) and enzyme (ENZ). The animals were fed with 700 g/kg of tifton-85 hay and 300 g/kg (as fed basis) of concentrate mixture for 73 days. The FEE was manually applied 24 h before each feed supply. Initially, animals were kept in individual pens for the growth performance trial (15 days of adaptation plus 45 for data collection), then were taken to metabolic cages (seven days) and to gas measurement chambers (six days) for the metabolism assay and determination of CH4 production, respectively. No effects (P > 0.05) were observed on dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain (ADG), and feed conversion ratio. However, ENZ animals showed higher proportion of body weight gain (PBWG) when considering the entire growth performance period (P < 0.05). Analysis of blood parameters indicated that FEE did not impair animals’ health. Lambs fed forages treated with FEE showed 12% higher acid detergent fiber (ADF) digestibility (P < 0.05) and 20% lower enteric CH4 yield (i.e. per kg of digestible organic matter intake) (P < 0.05). Microbial protein synthesis, pH, ammonia nitrogen, short-chain fatty acids concentration and protozoa population were not affected by the addition of FEE (P > 0.05). The results indicated that FEE can be used in diets of lambs, leading to higher PBWG, improving ADF digestibility and reducing CH4 yield, suggesting its potential suitability as a strategy to increase animal productivity and contribute to the mitigation of enteric CH4 production, especially when animals are fed poor-quality forages. Universidade de São Paulo Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura Laboratório de Nutrição Animal Universidade Estadual Paulista Instituto de Pesquisas em Bioenergia Unidade de Bioprocessos Universidade do Oeste Paulista Departamento de Ciências Funcionais Laboratório de Biofísica Instituto Federal Goiano de Educação Ciência e Tecnologia Campus Iporá Laboratório de Produção Animal Universidade Estadual Paulista Instituto de Pesquisas em Bioenergia Unidade de Bioprocessos CNPq: 152612/2016-5 CAPES: CAPES/PROEX - 0227080

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) bagasse is the by-product from industry (BCI), generated during manufacturing of cassava flour; this material has significant amounts of carbohydrates consisting in a potential energy source for ruminants. We hypothesized that the inclusion of BCI in the diets may lead to fermentation parameters equivalent to those of conventional feedstuff such as tropical grasses or grains; therefore, we aimed to evaluate ruminal fermentation parameters of BCI in in vitro conditions. Three different substrates were prepared: 100% BCI (BCI diet), 100% tifton (Cynodon spp.) hay (CTL diet), and 50% tifton hay +50% BCI (THB diet). Ruminal fermentation parameters of these diets were evaluated in in vitro gas production assays. In a 24-h incubation, increased values for total gas production, organic matter degradability, and methane production were observed for BCId and THB as compared to CTL (p

Background Reproductive capacity can be altered by challenges experienced during critical periods of development, including fetal development and early neonatal life. Gossypol is a polyphenolic compound, commonly found in cotton seeds, that impairs male reproduction. Here, we investigated whether the exposure to gossypol in utero and during lactation alters male reproductive function in sheep. From conception until 60 days postpartum, ewes were randomly assigned to a control diet or a gossypol-rich diet based on cottonseed. Lamb testicles were removed at 60 days of age and subjected to RNA-sequencing. Results Lambs derived from the maternal cottonseed diet showed significantly lower growth and lower testis weight as a proportion of the total body weight, and reduced testosterone levels. In addition, the testis transcriptome was significantly altered by the maternal cottonseed diet. Most of the altered genes are directly implicated in testis development and sperm biology, cell communication, iron ion metabolism, calcium homeostasis and signaling, among other functions. Interestingly, network analysis revealed that exposure to gossypol significantly disturbed coexpression patterns among spermatogenesis-related genes, suggesting a disruption in coregulation mechanisms. Conclusions Our findings provide evidence that maternal exposure to gossypol alters male reproductive function in the offspring, with potential lasting or lifelong negative consequences.

The use of new feed resources, particularly local agroindustrial byproducts, such as banana, may be an option for replacing those traditionally used for sheep feed to reduce production costs. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the dietary effects of replacing corn bran with banana leftovers on performance, carcass, non-carcass components, meat traits, and fatty acid profile of Santa Inês lambs. Twenty-four Santa Inês female lambs with an average weight of 23.73 kg were fed diets containing 60 % coast cross hay and 40 % concentrate (30 % corn bran and 10 % soybean meal). Treatments consisted of corn bran replaced by banana leftovers at rates of 0, 25, 50, and 75 % on a dry matter basis. The experiment lasted 120 days. Animals were slaughtered and carcasses and non-carcass components were evaluated. The half-carcasses were weighed and sectioned into commercial cuts. The 12th and 13th ribs were dissected to collect bones, muscle and fat proportions. Cooking loss, color, shear force and sarcomere length were measured. Fatty acid profiles were obtained by gas chromatography. Hot and cold carcass weight, leg, neck, lung, loin eye area, fat thickness, initial sample weight of the 12th and 13th ribs, fat and bone, presented a negative linear effect of banana leftovers replacing corn in the diet. Loin, fat thickness, cooking loss and carcass redness showed a negative quadratic effect, while full and empty abomasum, full omasum, sarcomere length and yellowness presented a positive quadratic effect. Replacement of up to 75 % of corn bran by banana leftovers did not interfere in the intake, performance, meat traits and the fatty acid profile of lambs. The use of banana leftovers may be an alternative for reducing animal production costs.

Context Using legumes in ruminant production system may provide benefits such as improvement in animal performance and decrease in methane (CH4) emissions, mainly based on nutritional characteristics of these plants and the presence of tannins. Macrotiloma (Macrotyloma axillare) is a tropical legume that still lacks studies regarding its effects on animal performance and CH4 emissions. Aims The objective of this experiment was to evaluate productive performance, CH4 emission, ruminal fermentation parameters, carcass characteristics and fatty acid profile of the meat from lambs fed tropical grass hay supplemented with the legume forage macrotiloma. Methods For a 90-day experimental period, 14 Santa Inês male lambs (aging 100 days; 18.06 ± 3.26 kg initial bodyweight) were allocated in individual pens and divided into two treatments: chopped aruana grass (Panicum maximum cv. Aruana) hay (CON); aruana hay supplemented with chopped macrotiloma hay at a ratio of 75:25 grass to legume (MAC). Lambs were weighed fortnightly for calculation of average daily bodyweight gain (ADG) and CH4 emission was measured on three occasions (days 28 to 32; 57 to 61; 85 to 89) using the sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) tracer technique. At the last day of CH4 collection, rumen fluid samples were collected for: determination of ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N) and short chain fatty acids (SCFA); ruminal protozoa count; and relative abundance determination of general bacteria (BACT); Ruminococcus flavefaciens (RUMI); Fibrobacter succinogenes (FIBRO); methanogenic archaea (METH) by real-time quantitative PCR (real-time-qPCR) analysis. Subsequently, after 16 h fasting, the animals were slaughtered; carcass characteristics were then evaluated and longissimus thoracis samples were collected for fatty acid profile analysis. Key results No significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed between MAC and CON for productive performance, CH4 emission, SCFA and carcass characteristics. Reduced protozoa count and relative abundance of METH were observed for MAC (P < 0.05). Conclusions Despite the lack of effects on productive performance and CH4 emission, the decreased relative abundance of METH and protozoa count indicated that macrotiloma may possibly present anti-methanogenic activity. Implications The inclusion of this legume in the diet of ruminants may affect rumen microbes and potentially decrease environmental impacts of the production system.

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-11T16:25:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-04-28 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) During specific times of the year, especially dry seasons, tropical forages typically have poor nutritional value due to high contents of neutral and acid detergent fibres, and low crude protein in their composition, which may reduce productivity of ruminant livestock production and lead to increased enteric methane (CH4) emissions per unit of generated product in forage-bases systems. In order to increase fibre degradability and the efficiency of energy utilisation from low-quality forages, exogenous fibrolytic enzymes have been studied. In this assay, we evaluated the effects of increasing dose levels of fibrolytic enzymes extract (FEE) produced by Trichoderma reesei on in vitro rumen organic matter degradability, fermentation parameters, total gas and CH4 production of tropical forages. Forage samples were analysed for their bromatological composition, and enzyme activity from FEE was performed for xylanase and endoglucanase. The in vitro gas production technique was used in a 5 x 3 factorial arrangement with five FEE dose levels (0, 5, 50, 500 and 5,000 mu l) and three substrates (Cynodon spp., Panicum maximum and Cenchrus ciliaris L.). The highest dose level of FEE increased degradability, total gas and CH4 production in all substrates (p < .05). Butyrate concentration also increased while acetate:propionate ratio and pH decreased with the addition of FEE (p < .05). These results indicated that the use of fibrolytic enzymes can be a reliable strategy to improve degradability of low-quality forages, contributing to the sustainability and intensification of livestock production in tropical countries. Univ Sao Paulo, Ctr Energia Nucl Agr, Lab Nutr Anim, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Ctr Energia Nucl Agr, Lab Ecol Isotop, Av Centenario 303, BR-13400970 Piracicaba, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Unidade Bioproc, Inst Pesquisa Bioenergia, Assis, SP, Brazil Univ Oeste Paulista, Lab Biofis, Dept Ciencias Funcionais, Presidente Prudente, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Unidade Bioproc, Inst Pesquisa Bioenergia, Assis, SP, Brazil FAPESP: 2014/24188-1 CNPq: 152612/2016-5 CAPES: 0227080

This study was conducted to evaluate the metabolism and phosphorus (P) kinetics in lambs experimentally infected with Trichostrongylus colubriformis using the isotope dilution technique and modelling. Fifteen male lambs (21.1 ± 1.50 kg) of the Santa Ines hair breed of approximately six months old, distributed in the treatments infected (I, n = 8) and control (C, n = 7) were used. The infected lambs received serial infections with 5000 T. colubriformis larvae, three times per week, for 3 weeks (45 000 T. colubriformis total larvae). After 66 days of the last inoculation of infective larvae, 6.6 MBq of 32P were injected in each lamb to evaluate the P kinetics. Blood, faeces and urine samples were collected in the following seven days and the slaughter of lambs were carried out on the last day in order to collect bone and soft tissues (Liver, kidney, heart and muscle) samples. To analyse P flows, the biomathematical model with four compartments (C1 - gastrointestinal tract, C2 - plasma, C3 - bone and C4 - soft tissue) was used. Similar P intake (VI) between treatments (C and I) was verified. Lower absorption of endogenous (Vaf) and dietary P (Vaa), as well as, lower amount of endogenous P (from saliva) that reaches the gastrointestinal tract (VIT), consequently, higher excretion of dietary P (VFD) were verified in infected lambs (P

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) cause considerable economic losses in grazing goat herds. At present, GIN control cannot rely on conventional anthelmintic (AH) drugs because parasites have developed resistance against such drugs. Thus, alternative control methods are being sought to reduce the dependence on AH. Many tannin-rich plants exhibit AH activity and may be used as alternatives for GIN control. Mimosa caesalpiniifolia is a tannin-rich shrub consumed by small ruminants in Brazil. This study evaluated the in vivo AH effect of M. caesalpiniifolia leaf powder supplementation on GIN egg fecal excretion and worm burden in goats. Plant leaves were harvested, dried and ground to obtain a powder. Twenty-four castrated male goats, aged six to eight months, with a mean body weight of 15.0 ± 2.5 kg were used in the experiment. Animals were infected orally with 16,000 larvae comprising 50% Haemonchus spp., 41% Trichostrongylus spp. and 9% Oesophagostomum spp. Once the infection was patent, the goats were distributed into four groups of six animals. The control group received concentrate without condensed tannins (CTs) and did not receive any drench against GINs. The monepantel group received concentrate without CTs and were drenched once with monepantel. The other two groups received the M. caesalpiniifolia leaf powder in two periods of seven consecutive days (days 1-7 and 14-21), with one of the groups also receiving 10 g of polyethyleneglycol (PEG)/day. The animals were weighed weekly, and individual fecal eggs counts (FECs) were performed daily. After 28 days, the animals were humanly slaughtered, and the worm burden was estimated. Although live weight gain and FECs did not differ among the groups (P 0.05), post-mortem worm counts showed a reduction in Haemonchus contortus adult worm burden (57.7%) in goats of the CT group compared to control goats (P 0.05). The addition of PEG did not diminish AH activity in the CT + PEG group (66.9% reduction compared to the control). No AH effect against other GIN species was found. The result for the addition of PEG suggested that the observed AH activity was associated with plant secondary compounds, as opposed to CTs. As expected, no AH effect against Oesophagostomum columbianum was found for the monepantel group showed. Thus, feeding dry leaves of M. caesalpiniifolia represent a promising alternative for the control of GIN infections in goats.

Albendazole (ABZ), a benzimidazole widely used to control gastrointestinal parasites, is poorly soluble in water, resulting in variable and incomplete bioavailability. This has favored the appearance ABZ-resistant nematodes and, consequently, an increase in its clinical ineffectiveness. Among the pharmaceutical techniques developed to increase drug efficacy, cyclodextrins (CDs) and other polymers have been extensively used with water-insoluble pharmaceutical drugs to increase their solubility and availability. Our objective was to prepare ABZ formulations, including β-cyclodextrin (βCD) or hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD), associated or not to the water-soluble polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). These formulations had their solubility and anthelmintic effect both evaluated in vitro. Also, their anthelmintic efficacy was evaluated in lambs naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) through the fecal egg count (FEC) reduction test. In vitro, the complex ABZ/HPβCD had higher solubility than ABZ/βCD. The addition of PVP to the complexes increased solubility and dissolution rates more effectively for ABZ/HPβCD than for ABZ/βCD. In vivo, 48 lambs naturally infected with GIN were divided into six experimental groups: control, ABZ, ABZ/βCD, ABZ/βCD-PVP, ABZ/HPβCD, and ABZ/HPβCD-PVP. Each treated animal received 10 mg/kg of body weight (based on the ABZ dose) for three consecutive days. After 10 days of the last administered dose, treatment efficacy was calculated. The efficacy values were as follows: ABZ (70.33%), ABZ/βCD (85.33%), ABZ/βCD-PVP (82.86%), ABZ/HPβCD (78.37%), and ABZ/HPβCD-PVP (43.79%). In vitro, ABZ/HPβCD and ABZ/HPβCD-PVP had high solubility and dissolution rates. In vivo, although the efficacies of ABZ/βCD, ABZ/βCD-PVP, and ABZ/HPβCD increased slightly when compared to pure ABZ, this increase was not significant (P > 0.05).

We evaluated Haemonchus contortus (HC) and Trichostrongylus colubriformis (TC) infection on the ruminal microbial community of Santa Ines lambs to better understand the pathophysiology of parasite infections and the interactions among gastrointestinal nematodes and gut resident microbiota. In this study, 18 six months of age lambs were maintained for 34 days in individual pens divided into three treatments that included animals infected with HC and TC, and control (infection-free). Haematological, ruminal parameter and microbial nitrogen absorbed by pune derivatives, as well as enteric methane emission (CH4), were analysed, and the rumen microbial taxonomic and functional profile assessed by shotgun metagenomics. The analysis showed that total protein, albumin, urea, and butyrate level were lower in animals infected by both parasites, while HC infection also decreased the haemoglobin level. Both infected groups (TC and HC) increased the enteric methane emission (CH4). TC and HC infections increased the diversity and richness of functional microbial genes. Most alterations in the rumen microbiome composition of infected groups are associated with the suppression of microbes involved in microbial homeostasis maintenance and expansion of the archaeal community in the infected animals. Infection led to an increased abundance of nitrogen, amino acid, protein, and energy metabolism genes. Overall, TC and HC infection increased the enteric methane emission, negatively affected taxon's responsible for maintenance de rumen homeostasis and modulate some important genes related to protein and energy metabolism.

Intestinal endoparasite infection may promote a nutrient competition with host, reducing absorption and performance as consequence. Phosphorus could be more affected due to the main absorption site is the duodenum. Thus, the study measured the performance, phosphorus metabolism, bone density and blood markers in Santa Ines lambs infected Trichostrongylus colubriformis and fed with different phosphorus (P) levels were tested. Eighteen healthy six-month old, castrated male, Santa Ines lambs (initial body weight 22.4 ± 2.7 kg) were randomly assigned to 4 treatments in a 2 × 2 split-plot arrangement. Treatment factors were sufficient (SP) or deficient (DP) dietary P and uninfected (ui) or infected (i) resulting in 4 treatments: SPui, DPui, SPi, and Dpi). Five animals were assigned to each of the infected treatments and 4 to the uninfected treatments. Infection was established using a single oral dose of 40.000 T. colubriformis in the larval stage (L3). All the animals were fed Tifton 85 hay (Cynodon spp.; 60 %) supplemented with cassava and maize gluten meal (40 %). Animals were weighed and blood was sampled weekly. Body composition was estimated twice by computed tomography. P metabolism was assessed by isotope dilution after a bolus infusion of 32P (7.4 M Bq/0.5 mL). Fecal egg counts (FEC) were assessed every 3 days beginning d 18 post-infection, and adult nematodes were counted and characterized (gender, length, and eggs in reproductive tract) at slaughter. The experiment lasted 96 d, and 45 d after infeciton. Statistical procedures were performed using R studio. Infection was successful as evidenced by increased FEC, and the elevated counts were maintained longer with Dpi than SPi. Performance, feed intake, and blood parameters were not affected by treatments. Infected animals had reduced bone density and bone P concentrations as compared to uninfected ones. Endogenous P loss was reduced for DP. Plasma, saliva, and ruminal liquid P concentrations decreased in infected animals. Phosphorus absorption and retention coefficients did not differ by treatment, but the biological half-life (T1/2) of P was reduced for infected animals due to faster blood 32P removal. We concluded that T. colubriformis infection modified P metabolism, and blood P concentrations are an indicator of animal problems, connecting infection and bone mineralization.

This study consisted of two experiments with the following objectives: to evaluate the effects of tannins from the tropical legume macrotiloma (Macrotyloma axillare) on total gas and methane (CH4 ) production, as well as on ruminal fermentation parameters by performing an in vitro bioassay, with samples incubated with and without polyethylene glycol (PEG) in a semi-automatic system; and secondly in a 17 day in vivo experiment, to determine apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dietary nutrients and ruminal fermentation parameters of 12 intact 8- to 9-month-old Santa Ines (averaging 24.95 ± 1.8 kg body weight) ewes fed tropical grass hay supplemented with macrotiloma hay. The ewes were divided into two treatment groups depending on their diet: chopped aruana grass hay (Panicum maximum cv. Aruana) (control-CON); and aruana grass hay supplemented with chopped macrotiloma hay (macrotiloma-MAC). The animals were kept for 5 consecutive days in metabolic cages for the ATTD assay, and at the end of this period, samples of rumen fluid were collected from each ewe to determine ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3 -N) and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and protozoa count. For the in vitro assay, a decrease in total gas and CH4 production was observed for samples incubated without PEG (p .05). In the in vivo experiment, increased intake and ATTD of crude protein were observed for the animals fed MAC when compared to CON (p

Strategies for the sustainable intensification of ruminant production suggest breeding animals adapted to the environment in which they live using local fodders to maximize efficient ruminal fermentation. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of using Orbignya phalerata (Babassu) and Combretum leprosum (Mofumbo) leaves in ruminal short chain fatty acids (SCFA) and microbial community, as well as finishing performance, carcass characteristics and meat fatty acid profile of Santa Ines hair lambs. The experimental treatments were diets with 50:50 forage:concentrate ratios, using the leaves of the experimental plants as a 33 g/100 g of dry matter (DM) replacement of Cynodon dactylon (Tifton-85) hay, with three groups: Control (no hay replacement), Babassu and Mofumbo. Twenty-four Santa Ines lambs (body weight = 20.0 ± 5.2 kg) were used in a randomized experimental design with eight repetitions (5 males and 3 female) per treatment. Ruminal fluid samples of each animal were collected to determine SCFA and microbial community. The male animals were evaluated for finishing performance and carcass characteristics while longissimus lumborum muscle samples were used for determination of fatty acid profile. Interaction between treatment and sex was observed for total SCFA ( P P Ruminococcus flavefaciens , and lower Archaea. There was no difference between treatments ( P > 0.05) for finishing performance and carcass characteristics but meat fatty acid characteristics were affected by treatments. A redundancy analysis based on microbial abundance profile demonstrated two clusters, one cluster with Babassu and Control treatments, and other cluster with Mofumbo, with some variables associated to dissimilarity between clusters. These results indicated that the inclusion of these plants in lamb diets affects ruminal short chain fatty acids and microbial population, without compromising the production potential, carcass characteristics and meat fatty acid profile.

Immune indicators and oxidative stress markers were analyzed in blood and lacteal secretions of twenty Santa Ines ewes distributed in two feeding regimes: cottonseed concentrate (CS; n=10) and soybean concentrate (SB; n=10). Blood catalase activity and oxygen radical absorbance capacity were higher in SB than CS (P

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T15:48:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-08-01 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) In this study we aimed to evaluate the effect of Trichostrongylus colubriformis infection on digesta passage rate, rumen fermentation and lamb performance. Eighteen three-month-old Santa Ines castrated male lambs (16.9 ± 1.43 kg of body weight) were randomly distributed in two experimental treatments: Infected with T. colubriformis (I, n = 9) and Uninfected (U, n = 9). The I lambs received a total of 45,000 L3 larvae of T. colubriformis (5,000 infective larvae, three times per week for three weeks). Daily feed intake was assessed using the I lambs as a reference for their respective pairs on the U group (pair-fed). Weight, body condition score and faeces (stool) samples were obtained every 15 days for 75 days. In both treatments, faecal egg count (FEC), digesta passage rate, rumen fermentation parameters, protozoa count and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) were evaluated. The lambs presented moderate infection (FEC = 620). The retention time of the digesta in the rumen-reticulum segment was lower (P < 0.05) in I lambs. The I lambs presented no inappetence, however, lower concentrations of total SCFA and butyrate, while higher acetate concentration were observed in these lambs (P < 0.05). The present findings highlight that T. colubriformis infection decreased the retention time (solid and liquid content) of the digesta in the rumen-reticulum, as well as negatively affected lamb growth. Laboratório de Nutrição Animal Centro de Energia nuclear na Agricultura (CENA) Universidade de São Paulo Departamento de Cirurgia da Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Universidade de São Paulo Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Universidade de Brasília/Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Distrito Federal University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Department of Animal Sciences, PO Box 110910 Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) FAPESP: 2014/05023-1 FAPESP: 2018/06191-6

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of castration on carcass characteristics and fatty acid profile of visceral fat and meat from lambs. Eighteen six-month-old Santa Ines male lambs (18.9 ± 2.4 kg of body weight (BW)) were used. Animals were assigned to two treatments according to their sexual condition: uncastrated (U) or castrated (C). During a 98-day experimental period, animals were kept on an Andropogon gayanus grass pasture area of 1 ha and supplemented with 200 g/animal/day of concentrate mixture. Water and mineral salt were available ad libitum. The lambs were weighed fortnightly, and at the last day of the trial, they were slaughtered for evaluation of carcass characteristics and fatty acids profile of perirenal fat and longissimus lumborum muscle samples. Castrated lambs showed higher BW than U during most part of the experiment (p 0.05) (U, 0.74 and C, 0.76%). The cis-9, cis-12 C18:2n-6 (U, 10.6 and C, 6.86%) fatty acid and the PUFA:SFA (saturated fatty acids) ratio (U, 0.36 and C, 0.25) were higher in the muscle of U lambs (p

Chromium (Cr) is a micromineral that is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, ammonia, and nucleic acids; thus, its supplementation can influence the nutritional status of ruminants, and consequently, colostrum profile, since this secretion depends on products secreted by the mammary gland and elements of the maternal bloodstream. The present study investigated the influence of supplementation with Cr bound to organic molecule on the nutritional, immune, and antioxidant quality of ewe colostrum. Thirty-two multiparous Santa Ines ewes (55.3 ± 8.00 kg body weight) were randomly assigned into four groups: T1 (0.0 mg of chromium picolinate (CrPic) supplementation per ewe, n = 8), T2 (0.15 mg of CrPic per ewe, n = 9), T3 (0.30 mg of CrPic per ewe, n = 7), and T4 (0.45 mg of CrPic per ewe, n = 8). Supplementation was supplied during the breeding season, pregnancy, and lactation. Shortly after calving, the first milking colostrum was collected to determine its chemical composition, activity of lysozyme, lactoperoxidase, ceruloplasmin, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity. The results show that lactoperoxidase activity decreased with CrPic supplementation (P

In this study, the possibility of using Babassu (Orbignya phalerata) and Mofumbo (Combretum leprosum) leaves for lambs feed was verified. Performance, biochemical and haematological parameters, microbial protein synthesis, nutrient apparent digestibility and enteric production of methane (CH4 ) were evaluated. The experimental treatments included diets with forage-to-concentrate ratios of 50:50, with the leaves of the experimental plants replacing 33% of the Cynodon dactylon (Tifton-85) hay with three treatments: control (no hay replacement) and substitution with Babassu or Mofumbo. For the performance study, 24 Santa Ines lambs were used, in a randomized experimental design with eight repetitions (5 male and 3 female) for each treatment and 48 days of experimental trial. After this period, for nine days, six animals from each treatment were allocated in metabolic cages to determine the apparent nutrient digestibility, microbial protein synthesis and nitrogen balance. Simultaneously, enteric CH4 was measured in vivo. The control group showed higher (p

Santa Ines (SI) and Morada Nova (MN) are hair breeds with potential for the production of lambs for early slaughter. However, they tend to show low carcass quality and meat production. On the other hand, this could be overcome by crossing these sheep with highly productive breeds. This study aimed to evaluate parasitic infection as well as reproductive and productive performance in 51 MN ewes with an average weight 33.1 ± 4.98 kg and 52 SI ewes averaging 51.8 ± 7.07 kg, mated with rams of their own breed or crossed with Dorper (D). The animals were raised on Aruana grass (Panicum maximum cv. Aruana) pasture and in the final third of gestation and lactation kept in collective pens receiving corn silage ad libitum and 400 g/animal/day of concentrate. During mating, gestation (every 28 days), at parturition and at 30 and 60 days postpartum the ewes were weighed, assessed for body condition score (BCS), Famacha© score, fecal egg counts (FEC), coproculture and hematological variables (packed cell volume, hemoglobin, total plasma protein and fibrinogen). β-Hydroxybutyrate levels were determined at 115 and 130 days of gestation, at parturition and 10, 20, 30, 45 and 60 days postpartum. Conception rates, prolificacy, multiple births, return to estrus, gestation length, litter weight at birth and at weaning and the ratio of theses relative to the weight of the dam in the same periods were calculated. In both breeds, FEC (Haemonchus contortus) increased (P 0.05) in conception rate, return to estrus, multiple births and prolificacy. Crossing with Dorper rams produced heavier litter at birth in both maternal breeds (P 0.05) and producing proportionally higher (P

To evaluate the effects of Diet and corticosteroid-induced immune suppression during infection by Haemonchus contortus, 28 lambs were allocated to one of four groups treated as follows: Group Basal Diet – Normal; Group Basal Diet – Immune-Suppressed; Group Supplemented Diet – Normal; and Group Supplemented Diet – Immune-Suppressed. The Basal Diet contained Cynodon dactylon (cv. coast cross) hay with 82g crude protein (CP)/kg dry matter (DM), which was provided to the lambs in all groups ad libitum. In addition, animals on the Supplemented Diet received daily a commercial concentrate containing 171g CP/kg DM, which was offered in an amount corresponding to 3% of the animal's live weight. The Immune-Suppressed groups received treatments with the glucocorticoid methylprednisolone sodium succinate (1.33mg/kg of body weight), administered weekly. All lambs received a single infection with 4000 H. contortus infective larvae (L3) and were euthanised 28 days post-infection. Differences in pH and in the short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentrations occurred in rumen as a result of the distinct Diets offered to lambs. Such changes, however, did not have any apparent effect on larvae exsheathment and/or larvae survival inside the rumen, with all groups presenting similar worm burdens. However, animals on the Supplemented Diet presented reductions in worm growth and faecal egg counts. There was a significant effect of the Diet on the IgG levels against total antigens of H. contortus L3 from 7 to 27 days post-infection, with supplemented animals showing higher overall mean values (P

Heat is a major factor limiting the production of animals in the tropics. Sheep are well adapted to diverse ecosystems, however, temperature and relative humidity can influence animal husbandry. Therefore, this study was carried out to verify the thermoregulation in rams of six breeds (Bergamasca, Dorper, Ile de France, Hampshire Down, Santa Ines and Texel) through the evaluation of physiological traits, body measures, laser and thermographic infrared temperatures as well as testicle morphometry associated with heat tolerance. Animals were measured and weighed, coat and hair colour determined, as well as physiological traits and laser and thermographic infrared temperatures measured twice a day. Data were analyzed with the Statistical Analysis System®. There were differences among breeds for most of the traits linked to heat tolerance, with the Santa Ines showing better adaptation to heat stress compared to other breeds. The Dorper was not significantly better than Bergamasca or Hampshire Down breeds, while Texel and Ile de France were less well adapted. Scrotal temperatures were lowest in Hampshire Down and Dorper, while highest in Texel. Temperature gradient measured by thermography identified Hampshire Down as the least heat tolerant breed. Traits linked to heat tolerance should be taken into consideration when choosing breeds for lamb production in tropical regions.

Nitrate (NO3¯) salts can be used as an alternative to urea in ruminant diets. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of using encapsulated nitrate (EN) alone or combined with cashew nut shell liquid (EN + CNSL) to replace urea (UR) on intake and nutrient digestibility, nitrogen (N) balance, microbial nitrogen (MN) supply, carcass attributes, and meat quality of growing lambs. Eighteen Santa Ines male lambs (36.2 ± 5 kg of body weight; mean ± SD) were allocated individually to metabolic crates and fed a backgrounding diet with a 60:40 concentrate to forage ratio for 92 days. Lambs were assigned to a randomized complete block design with 6 blocks and 3 experimental diets: UR, 15 g urea/kg dry matter (DM); EN replacing UR at 45.1 g/kg DM; and EN + CNSL replacing UR at 45.1 g/kg DM. After finishing the digestibility and N balance trials, all lambs were fasted for 18 h, weighed, and then slaughtered. The dry matter intake (DMI) and nutrient digestibility were similar (P > 0.05) among treatments. The addition of EN or EN + CNSL tended to increase urinary NO3¯ excretion (P = 0.056) and NO2¯ excretion (P 0.05) in purine derivative excretion or daily MN supply were observed among treatments. The addition of EN or EN + CNSL did not affect (P > 0.05) hot or chilled carcass yields, chilling weight losses, or carcass pH. No differences (P > 0.05) in 12thrib longissimus muscle (LM) area, fat thickness, or color were observed. Fresh LM samples indicated no effects (P > 0.05) of EN or EN + CNSL on NO3¯ concentrations, and NO2¯ in LM samples was not detected. In conclusion, EN could be used as a replacement for UR in the diets of growing lambs with no adverse effects on nutrient digestibility or fresh meat quality.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T17:19:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-01-01 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Jilin Agricultural University Resistance to insect pests can be found in several native, landrace plants and can be an important alternative to conventional control methods. Diabrotica speciosa (Germar) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) larvae are important maize (Zea mays L.) (Cyperales: Poaceae) root pests and finding native resistance in landraces would greatly contribute to maize-breeding programs aimed at controlling this pest. This study investigated whether the growth, survival, oviposition rhythm, fecundity, and fertility of D. speciosa are negatively influenced by specific maize landraces, and the existence of any morphological barriers in the roots that may correlate with plant resistance to the larval attack. Nineteen genotypes (17 landraces and 2 cultivars) were screened for antibiosis in assays that were conducted in the laboratory using seedling maize plants where the development time, longevity, weight, total survival, and sex ratio of adults were evaluated. Out of nineteen genotypes, eight were selected according to their resistance levels for an additional rearing study evaluating oviposition and fecundity. Landrace Pérola and cultivar SCS 154-Fortuna were classified as resistant because they increased the maturation period from larva to adult and decreased survivorship; and the landrace Palha Roxa was also classified as resistant for showing a lower fertility rate than other landraces. Resistant landraces that were infested by D. speciosa larvae showed greater amounts of some morphological barriers comparing with uninfested plants. The landraces classified as resistant may be considered in future plant-breeding programs, aiming to develop resistant maize cultivars to D. speciosa larval attack. Departamento de Fitossanidade Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Campus de Jaboticabal Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Departamento de Agronomia Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (UFGD), 79.804-970 Departamento de Entomologia Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA) Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura-CENA/USP Laboratório de Nutrição Animal Universidade de São Paulo Southwest Research and Extension Center Kansas State University Departamento de Fitossanidade Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias Campus de Jaboticabal Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) CNPq: 140589/2013-9

To evaluate the anthelmintic effect of Musa spp. leaves, 12 animals were artificially infected with Haemonchus contortus, and another 12 animals were infected with Trichostrongylus colubriformis. Then, both treatment groups were offered 400 g of dried ground banana plant leaves, and the control animals were offered only 1000 g of coast cross hay. During the trials, the animals received weekly physical examinations. The methods used to evaluate the efficiency of this treatment were packed cell volume, total plasma protein and faecal egg counts, and egg hatchability tests were performed on days -2, +3, +6, +9, +13 and +15. Coproculture tests were performed on day -2 to confirm monospecific infections. In the FEC and EHT, a statistically significant difference (0.04, 0.005; p 0.05) was noted for T. colubriformis. There were no statistically significant differences (p 0.05) for Haemochus contortus group in all tests. Our results confirmed previous findings suggesting that dried ground banana plant leaves possess anthelmintic activity.

This experiment evaluated the effect of genetic group and slaughter weight on rib eye area, tissue and centesimal composition of the 12th rib. Were used lambs Santa Ines, ½ Ile de France x ½ Santa Ines and ½ Texel x ½ Santa Ines lambs, slaughtered at different weights (35 and 45kg). After cooling at 4°C for 24 h, the 12th rib was removed for tissue and centesimal. The experiment was in a 3 (genetic group) x 2 (sex) x 2 (slaughter weight) factorial design and analyzed using Correlation and Duncan 0.05 means test in SAS®. Texel x Santa Ines animals had the best potential for quality traits of the 12th rib, with earlier finishing for slaughter. The lambs slaughtered at 35kg had lowest fat and highest edible proportion, this being the recommended slaughter weight. Objetivou-se com o presente experimento, avaliar o efeito do grupo genético e do peso de abate sobre a área de olho de lombo, composição tecidual e centesimal da 12ª costela. Utilizaram-se cordeiros Santa Inês, ½ Ile de France x ½ Santa Inês e ½ Texel x ½ Santa Inês, abatidos com diferentes pesos (35 e 45kg). Após o resfriamento da carcaça a 4°C durante 24 h, a 12ª costela foi removida para mensuração da composição tecidual e centesimal. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento fatorial 3 (grupo genético) x 2 (sexo) x 2 (peso de abate) e analisado pelo softwareSAS®, utilizando-se o teste Duncan para comparação de médias e realizada correlação a 0,05 significância. Animais Texel x Santa Inês apresentam melhor potencial para característica de qualidade da 12ª costela, com acabamento mais precoce para o abate. Os cordeiros abatidos aos 35kg apresentam menor teor de gordura e maior proporção comestível, sendo este o peso recomendado ao abate.

This study was conducted to evaluate the metabolism and phosphorus (P) kinetics in lambs experimentally infected with Trichostrongylus colubriformis using the isotope dilution technique and modelling. Fifteen male lambs (21.1 ± 1.50 kg) of the Santa Inês hair breed of approximately six months old, distributed in the treatments infected (I, n = 8) and control (C, n = 7) were used. The infected lambs received serial infections with 5000 T. colubriformis larvae, three times per week, for 3 weeks (45 000 T. colubriformis total larvae). After 66 days of the last inoculation of infective larvae, 6.6 MBq of

Haemonchus contortus is the most important nematode in small ruminant systems, and has developed tolerance to all commercial anthelmintics in several countries. In vitro (egg hatch assay) and in vivo tests were performed with a multidrug strain of Haemonchus contortus using Terminalia catappa leaf, fruit pulp, and seed extracts (in vitro), or pulp and seed powder in lambs experimentally infected with H. contortus. Crude extracts from leaves, fruit pulp and seeds obtained with 70% acetone were lyophilized until used. In vitro, the extracts had LC50=2.48μg/mL (seeds), LC50=4.62μg/mL (pulp), and LC50=20μg/mL (leaves). In vitro, seed and pulp extracts had LC50 similar to Thiabendazole (LC50=1.31μg/mL). Condensed tannins were more concentrated in pulp extract (183.92g of leucocyanidin/kg dry matter) than in either leaf (4.6g) or seed (35.13g) extracts. Phytochemical tests established that all extracts contained alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, phenols, and terpenoids. Based on these results, in vivo tests were performed to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of T. catappa whole fruit (pulp+seed) powder. Male Santa Ines lambs were artificially infected with multidrug-resistant H. contortus and divided, according to similar fecal egg count (FEC) and weight, into two groups: Control (infected/untreated) and treated (infected/treated with whole fruit powder). Whole fruit powder was mixed with concentrate and provided at 2g/kg of body weight (BW) for five days. After treatment, parasitological analysis (FEC and egg hatch assay), renal profile (urea and creatinine), liver profile (aspartate aminotransferase) and BW were determined. In vitro (based on LC50), seed/pulp extracts had ovicidal effect similar to Thiabendazole but whole fruit powder had no anthelmintic effect on adult nematodes in the abomasum. We discuss the plausible causes of the lack of in vivo activity.

Jatropha meal, produced as co-product of biodiesel production process, can be used in animal diets as a feedstuff. Hence, the purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of increasing dietary levels (0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%) of detoxified Jatropha curcas kernel meal (DJCM) on performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and intoxication of bioactive molecules, such as the phorbol esters, by hepatic transaminase enzymes in finishing pigs. Sixty hybrid crossbred pigs (70.7±3.3 kg body weight, BW) were assigned to 5 treatments with 6 replicate pens per treatment and 1 castrated male and 1 female per pen in a randomize complete block design. Isoenergetic and isoproteic diets and water were provided ad libitum to the pigs during 30-d growth study. At the end of the experimental period, pigs were slaughtered and hot carcass yield weight, carcass length, backfat thickness, loin eye area, and muscle-to-fat ratio were determined. In addition, blood samples were collected for the analysis of hepatic enzymes, and Longissimus dorsi muscle samples were also collected for the measurement of pH, color, and water drip loss. Increasing dietary levels of DJCM reduced (P