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Food security, sustainability of food production, and greenhouse gas (GHG) production of ruminant livestock are topics that generate scrutiny and debates worldwide. In a scenario of increasing human population and concerns with climate change, it is necessary to increase animal-derived food in sustainable operations. Grazing systems are crucial for ruminant production worldwide, and in the tropics, well-managed grasslands can provide sustainable intensification of this activity. In these regions, production often relies on grass monoculture managed extensively, a practice that commonly has led to the occurrence of degraded soils, limited animal productivity, and increased intensity of GHG emissions. Silvopastoralism is a practice that promotes several ecosystem services, showing potential to maintain soil quality while reducing the environmental impacts of ruminant production. These systems also have the potential to improve animal productive performance and reduce GHG emissions. The review was guided by a search in the Web of Science database using population terms and refined by document type (Article) and language (English OR Portuguese) following PRISMA protocol. Infographics were created using the Bibliometrix package in R software (version 4.3.2), and a specific topic on Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray was explored to demonstrate the importance of this forage resource for tropical silvopastoral systems and its potential contribution to food security. The T. diversifolia shrub is widely distributed in Latin America and tropical regions and presents several characteristics that make it a good option for silvopastoral systems. Focusing on the tropics, our objectives were to present one literature review addressing the role of grazing ruminant production towards the current climate change and food security challenges. Additionally, we aimed to explore the state of knowledge on silvopastoral systems and the use of T. diversifolia, presenting their potential to cope with this scenario of increased concerns with the sustainability of human activities.

Among the alternatives identified as capable of making livestock farming a more efficient activity and reducing its environmental impact, the use of feeds with high digestibility and the use of non-conventional fodder species can be highlighted. Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray (TD) has already gained attention as a feed for ruminants. Nonetheless, there has been little discussion about the impacts of this plant on the rumen dynamics that lead to better animal performance. The aim of this study was to assess how increasing levels of TD could affect ruminal microbial biomass synthesis, degradability, and in vitro gas production (IVGP) of diets. Four diets were evaluated: a control diet (TD0: 400 g kg−1 soybean meal and maize grain, and 600 g kg−1 Tifton 85 hay (Cynodon spp.)) and three increasing levels of TD (TD9: 90, TD27: 270, and TD45: 450 g kg−1–dry matter basis) as a replacement for dietary roughage. A 96 h IVGP assay was carried out and five incubation times (2, 4, 10, 24, and 96 h) were used for degradability determination. Gas produced, methane (CH4), degradability of organic matter (IVDOM), short-chained fatty acid (SCFA) production, partitioning factor (PF), and microbial biomass (MB) were evaluated among treatments. There was no significant effect (p > 0.05) between TD inclusion and IVGP at most incubation times; only at 6 h of incubation did gas production increase linearly with TD inclusion (R2 = 0.19; p < 0.05). TD inclusion had no effects on CH4. IVDOM increased linearly with TD inclusion at 6 and 10 h, with TD45 being more degradable than the control diet at 6 h only. There was a positive linear relationship (R2 = 0.20; p < 0.05) between TD inclusion and PF. TD45 had significantly higher PF values than the control. MB also increased linearly (R2 = 0.30; p < 0.05) with TD inclusion, and all diets with TD had significantly more MB than the control diet. The inclusion of TD at the levels used in this work was revealed to have a positive impact on microbial protein synthesis, which could be related to the higher microbial efficiency of increased substrate quality.

Chloroleucon acacioides (Ducke) Barneby & J.W. Grimes is a nitrogen-fixing legume common in several Brazilian states that produces fruit during the dry season when tropical forages tend to have low biomass production and nutritional value. The objective of this work was to evaluate the chemical and morphological characteristics of the C. acacioides tree for its use in silvopastoral systems and the benefits of including its fruits in ruminant diets composed mainly of tropical grasses. Thirty C. acacioides trees were randomly selected, and their dendrometric parameters and fruit production were collected. From the fruits, the contents of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, lignin, non-structural carbohydrates, and tannins, were analyzed. The in vitro gas production technique was used to evaluate three treatments: CTL: 100% Tifton hay; 20CAC: 20% C. acacioides + 80% Tifton hay; and 100CAC: 100% C. acacioides. The C. acacioides trees had an average height of 6.6 m, a canopy area of 111.8 m2, and an average fruit production of 29.6 kg. The fruits had a high protein and non-structural carbohydrates content. The total tannins content was less than 25 g kg−1 of DM. A greater amount of short-chain fatty acids and microbial biomass was observed for the 20CAC and 100CAC treatments compared to the CTL treatments (P

Abstract Background The ewe lamb nutritional and physiological state interfere with the ovarian environment and fertility. The lack or excess of circulating nutrients reaching the ovary can change its gene expression. A protein deficiency in the blood caused by an Haemonchus contortus abomasal infection is detrimental to the organism’s development during puberty. The peripubertal period is a time of intensive growth that requires a high level of nutrients. An essential feature controlling pubertal arousal and female reproductive potential is ovarian follicle growth activation. Protein supplementation improves the sheep’s immune response to helminthic infections. We aimed to determine if supplementing protein in infected ewe lambs’ diet would impact the ovarian environment leading to earlier ovarian follicle activation than in infected not supplemented animals. Methods We fed 18 Santa Ines ewe lambs (Ovis aries) - bred by the same ram - with either 12% protein (Control groups) or 19% protein (Supplemented groups) in their diets. After 35 days of the diet, they were each artificially infected or not with 10,000 Haemonchus contortus L3 larvae. Following 77 days of the diet and 42 days of infection, we surgically collected their left ovaries and examined their genes expression through RNA sequencing. Results We found that protein supplementation in infected animals led to an up-regulation of genes (FDR p-values

Antibiotics are present in the environment, primarily due to their release through wastewater treatment plants, agricultural practices, and improper disposal of unused medications. In the environment, these drugs can be bioaccumulated by organisms and transferred along the food chain. This is a problem when considering the consumption of fish meat. In the United States, legislation stipulates that the maximum residue limit for sulfadiazine (SDZ) should not exceed 100 μg kg−1. Lambari fishes have potential economic importance in aquaculture, as they are relatively easy to breed and can be raised in small-scale operations. Finally, studying the biology and ecology of lambari could provide valuable information about freshwater ecosystems and their inhabitants. The current work aimed to measure the bioaccumulation and depletion of the antibiotic SDZ 14C in lambari (Astyanax bimaculatus). For this purpose, the tests were divided into two stages; seven days of exposure and seven days of depletion, where one fish was randomly selected and sampled every day. In the exposure phase, the fish were fed the medicated feed three times a day at a concentration of 2.5 mg·g−1. The control fish were fed uncontaminated feed. For the depletion phase, the remaining lambari were transferred to clean tanks and fed uncontaminated feed three times a day. The fish samples were burned in the Oxidizer and the reading of radioactivity was performed in a liquid scintillation spectrometer. It is worth noting that on day 7 and day 14, the water in the aquariums was filtered through filter paper to collect the metabolic excrement. SDZ concentrations increased over the days and accumulation occurred in the fish, with day seven presenting the maximum accumulation value of 91.7 ng·g−1 due to feeding uptake. After the depletion phase on day 13, the value found was 0.83 ng·g−1. The bioconcentration factor calculated was 20 L·kg−1. After the bioaccumulation period, the concentrations of SDZ in the water and excreta were 4.5 µg·L−1 and 363.5 ng·g−1, respectively. In the depletion period, the concentrations in the water and excreta were 0.01 µg·L−1 and 5.96 ng·g−1, respectively. These results imply that there was little SDZ bioaccumulation in the fish, but that it was distributed in larger amounts in the water. This is due to the physicochemical properties of the molecule with the low Log P value. Regarding the maximum residue limit, the value was below the established value. This study contributes to understanding SDZ dynamics in an aquatic species native to Brazil.

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. Keywords: Machine learning; food safety; public health; residues

The feasibility of unconventional feed for ruminants must be analyzed for appropriate use as sources of energy or protein that contribute to a sustainable production system addressing concerns about climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, and food security. The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritive value of by-products including bean residue (BR), bean straw (BS), cassava bagasse (CB), corn straw (CS), orange bagasse (OB), peanut shell (PS), sugarcane bagasse (SB), soybean hull (SH), and sugarcane straw (SS). Chemical composition, in vitro degradability, and fermentative parameters were analyzed and subjected to multivariate and principal component analyses. Crude protein content was highly variable among by-products with BR and SH presenting the highest values (p < 0.001). These values did not differ between BR and SH, while the lowest values were observed in OB, PS, SB, SS, CS, and CB. Neutral detergent fiber content was higher in SB, PS, CS, and SS (p < 0.001), while greater in vitro degradability was found for CB, BR, OB, BS, and SH (p < 0.001). However, the in vitro gas production (p < 0.001) and total short-chain fatty acid concentration (p < 0.001) were higher in CB, BR, BS, and OB. Multivariate cluster analysis showed three distinct groups with the most degradable in group 1 followed by group 2. These results demonstrate that the by-products used in this study did not impair in vitro fermentation, and thus have the potential to be used in the diets of ruminants and to improve the sustainability of the livestock production sector.

Abstract 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 importance of beef production for economy of Brazil and the growing demand for animal protein across the globe warrant an improvement in the beef production system. Although most attention has been on modulation of the rumen microbiome to improve ruminant production, the role of the lower gut microbiome in host health and nutrition remains relatively unexplored. This work aimed to investigate the taxonomy and functional variations in the fecal microbiome of Brazilian beef cattle reared in two different production systems using a metagenomic approach. Sixty male beef cattle from six farms representing semi-intensive (I, n = 2) and traditional (T, n = 4) Brazilian beef production systems were enrolled in the study. Shotgun sequencing was used to characterize taxonomic and functional composition and diversity of the microbiome in fecal samples collected from each animal. Fecal samples were analyzed for copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) and stable isotopes of carbon (13C) and nitrogen (15N). The fecal microbiome was influenced by the beef production systems with greater functional and lower taxonomic diversity in beef cattle feces from I systems compared with that from T systems. The concentration of N, P, and Zn was higher in beef cattle feces from I systems compared with that from T systems and was associated with taxonomic and functional profile of fecal microbiome in I system, suggesting the role of fecal nutrients in shaping system-specific microbiome. Semi-intensive management practices led to a more complex but less connected fecal microbiome in beef cattle. The microbial community in beef cattle feces from I systems was characterized by greater abundance of beneficial bacteria (phylum Firmicutes and butyrate-producing bacteria family Lachnospiraceae and genera Anaerostipes, Blautia, Butyrivibrio, Eubacterium, Roseburia, and Ruminococcus). In addition, the fecal abundance of microbial genes related to immune system, nutrient metabolism, and energy production was greater in beef cattle raised under I systems compared with that under T systems. Findings of the current study suggest that semi-intensive management practices could facilitate the development of a healthier and more efficient fecal microbiome in beef cattle by driving an increase in the abundance of beneficial bacteria and functional genes.

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.

Abstract This review details the negative effects of Trichostrongylus colubriformis infection in sheep phosphorus metabolism and direct and indirect impacts from high excretion from susceptible animals, as well as the advantages offered by precision feeding as potential strategies to mitigate loss. In sheep infected with T. colubriformis there is a high reduction in P bioavailability, because of depression in the absorptive capacity of this mineral, affecting the absorption and recycling of P to the digestive tract, causing mineral deficiency. Therefore, precision feeding compiles animal genetics information, feeding type and grazing management to control animal feed intake and quantity and quality of manure produced. In this sense, the adoption of precision feeding can provide a better arrangement of the information, making sheep production more economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade da carcaça em 74 ovelhas Santa Inês deslanadas com idades entre 6 a 48 meses. O abate ocorreu após jejum e eletrochoque, seguido de dissecção das veias jugulares e artérias carótidas. As avaliações realizadas foram peso de carcaça quente, rendimento de carcaça quente, comprimento de carcaça, espessura da pele, pesos e percentagens de ombro, pescoço, lombo, fralda, costelas e pernil e comprimento e perímetro do pernil. A área de olho de lombo, a cor usando o sistema CIELAB, a força de cisalhamento e a perda por cocção também foram avaliados. Os dados foram submetidos às análises de variância, regressões, correlações e de componentes principais utilizando o pacote estatístico SAS. O peso de carcaça quente foi 15,75 kg e o rendimento de carcaça foi de 43,65%. Os animais mais jovens apresentaram maior rendimento de pernil enquanto os rendimentos de lombo e ombro aumentaram com a idade. A carne foi mais escura em animais mais velhos. Com o aumento da idade, ocorreu redução na quantidade dos cortes comerciais e aumento das perdas de características de qualidade como cor, perda por cocção e força de cisalhamento; portanto, o abate deve ser realizado antes de 30 meses de idade.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate three tropical forage species for their in vitro methane (CH4) production and organic matter degradability, in order to determine the relationships between forage grass nutritive quality and CH4 production. Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus), palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha), and signal grass (Urochloa decumbens) were evaluated. Palisade grass showed the highest organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, lignin, and lower-crude protein content. Signal grass had the highest values for hemicellulose and neutral detergent fiber-nitrogen, and the lowest-cellulose content. Guinea grass and signal grass showed a higher-total gas production than palisade grass. Besides, Guinea grass showed an increased CH4 production, and palisade grass showed lower value for truly degraded organic matter, and reduced partitioning factor, in comparison to signal grass. An increased CH4 production was observed in cases of lower hemicellulose and paratitioning factor. The nutritive value and CH4 production of forages may be employed as parameters, aiming at the sustainability of ruminant production.

Livestock production is an important source of GHG (greenhouse gases), with the agriculture sector being responsible for 7 to 18% of total GHG emissions. The addition of oil to ruminant diets has been used as a methane mitigation strategy. The metabolism of fatty acids in the rumen does not contribute to the growth of ruminal microbial protein, but there is synthesis and incorporation of these acids by the ruminal microbiota. Methanogenic bacteria are more sensitive to fatty acids, so the use of lipids in ruminant nutrition would have potential in Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) proposals, opening the possibility of using fat supplementation to obtain more efficient ruminal fermentation, with higher propionic acid production and consequent greater carbon retention. Macadamia oil cake is a source of highly degradable proteins and can be a source of energy for animal production, especially for ruminants. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of lipid supplementation with macadamia oil cake in relation to the emission of methane. Dorper x Santa Inês sheep with approximately 90 days of age were used (n=30). They were kept in individual stalls with a diet composed of 30% roughage (Cynodon sp.) and 70% concentrated feed. The animals were distributed in four treatments with different levels of macadamia oil cake supplementation in concentrate (0% inclusion in the control treatment, 6.5% in M1 treatment, 12% in M2 and 20% in M3). Measurement of methane was done in a respirometry chamber. The data were analyzed by the SAS PROC MIXED logistic model, with the means analyzed by the Tukey test at 5%. The daily CH4 emission (g) of the control group (19.047 ± 0.596) was greater than treatments M1 (13.017 ± 0.561), M2 (14.085 ± 0.693) and M3 (13.750 ± 0.542), with P=0.0001. The daily emission of methane was lower in groups that received lipid supplementation with macadamia oil cake compared to the control group (0%).

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the influence of genetic group, pregnancy and animal age on the carcass traits and commercial cut patterns of sheep carcasses. In the first experiment, the effect of pregnancy and genetic group were evaluated on 61 eleven month old Santa Inês ewes and their crosses with Texel, Dorper and Ile de France. Experiment 2 was carried out with 132 Santa Inês nulliparous or lambed ewes slaughtered with ages ranging from 6 to 48 months to evaluate the influence of age on carcass traits. For both experiments, hot carcass weight, cold carcass weight, carcass yield, cold carcass yield and carcass length were measured, as well as the yields and percentages of shoulder, neck, loin, belly, ribs, leg and leg length and perimeter. In experiment 1, the Santa Inês breed presented similar carcass and cut traits compared to the others genetic groups evaluated, except for fasting body weight. Lambed animals had lower body condition score than nulliparous females. In experiment 2, fasting body weight, loin, rib and leg weights, as well as the leg perimeter, presented a quadratic effect with increasing age. Ideal slaughter age is before 16 months to obtain more expensive cuts.

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of alternative methods of feeding on the performance and mortality rate of suckling lambs. Eighty-four Santa Inês lambs, twins and singles, half male and half female, were used. The animals were divided into three groups: A (control), B (bovine milk) and C (bovine milk plus Multimixture). The experiment began when lambs were three weeks old and finished at weaning at 2 months of age. Each animal from group B received 200 mL of bovine milk daily; group C received 200 mL of bovine milk plus 20g of Multi-mixture daily. Weaning Weight (WW) was 10.90, 13.20 and 13.59 kg, respectively for groups A, B and C. Daily Weight Gain (DWG) was 126, 163 and 168 g.day-1respectively. The mortality rate was higher (p

There is an abundance of thermal indices with different input parameters and applicabilities. Infrared thermography is a promising technique for evaluating the response of animals to the environment and differentiating between genetic groups. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate superficial body temperatures of lambs from three genetic groups under different environmental conditions, correlating these with thermal comfort indices. Forty lambs (18 males and 22 females) from three genetic groups (Santa Inês, Ile de France × Santa Inês and Dorper × Santa Inês) were exposed to three climatic conditions: open air, housed and artificial heating. Infrared thermal images were taken weekly at 6h, 12h and 21h at the neck, front flank, rear flank, rump, nose, skull, trunk and eye. Four thermal comfort indices were calculated using environmental measurements including black globe temperature, air humidity and wind speed. Artificial warming, provided by infrared lamps and wind protection, conserved and increased the superficial body temperature of the lambs, thus providing lower daily thermal ranges. Artificial warming did not influence daily weight gain or mortality. Skin temperatures increased along with increases in climatic indices. Again, infrared thermography is a promising technique for evaluating thermal stress conditions and differentiating environments. However, the use of thermal imaging for understanding animal responses to environmental conditions requires further study.

This study compared the adaptation traits in common crosses of crossbred dairy cattle in central Brazil. Twenty animals of each of three genetic groups were used: zebu (Bos indicus), Simmental x Zebu (SZ) and Holstein x Zebu (HZ). The test measured variations in rectal temperature (RT), respiration rate (RR) and heart rate (HR) of animals in the shade and after exposure to the sun, as well as mean daily milk production throughout the lactation period. The procedure was repeated three times. There were significant interactions between test group and genetic group for the traits investigated and the correlations among traits were low. The RR of the crossbred groups may be controlling body temperature in such a way as not to cause an increase in RT. Milk production influenced RR in crossbred cows exposed to the sun, confirming their poorer adaptation in comparison with zebu cows. We observed that the adaptation can be measured in terms of production within the same genetic group. In conclusion, the crosses with European breeds produced more milk than zebu, although they were influenced by heat/solar radiation.

Three different genetic groups were evaluated for growth up to slaughter and carcass quality for kill out, commercial cuts, non-carcass components, as well as carcass morphometric measurements. Pure Santa Ines (SI), ½ Ile de France × ½ Santa Ines (I × SI) and ½ Texel × ½ Santa Ines (T × SI) lambs were weighed weekly until they reached predetermined slaughter weight (30, 35, 40 and 45 kg). In both creep feeding and fattening the animals from crosses were superior to the Santa Ines hair sheep in terms of daily weight gain and weaned in less time. Crossbred animals also showed better performance than purebred Santa Ines in terms of commercial cuts and carcass weights. Correlations showed that fat depth and eye muscle area decreased with an increase in morphometric measures, indicating that larger animals are possibly later developing in terms of carcass finishing compared with smaller animals. The optimal slaughter weight is approximately 35 kg.

The objective of this study was to evaluate performance and biometrics of lambs fed different sources of forage. Twenty-four six-month-old Santa Inês female lambs were randomly allocated to four experimental diets and housed in individual stalls. They weighed on average 26.35±0.20 kg. The diets were coast cross hay (HAY), cassava hay (CAS), dehydrated by-product of pea crop (PEA) and saccharin (SAC). The diets were formulated with the same amount of protein and energy with fixed levels of forage (60%) and concentrate (40%). Adaptation to the diet took 7 days, with 45 days on experiment. Weights and biometric measurements were obtained every fortnight and feed intake three times a week. Rights half-carcasses were weighed and sectioned into retail cuts, rib, loin, shoulder, belly, neck and leg, which were weighed individually. Weight gain in lambs was significantly different between diets, with those fed saccharin gaining more. Overall, treatments did not significantly affect biometric measurements. There was a significant difference for feed intake and live weight at the end of the experiment. Animals fed PEA and SAC showed the best results. Average positive correlations were found between biometric measurements and live weight. Treatment PEA had heavier hot (14.36 kg) and cold (14.01 kg) carcass weights than the other groups. Hot carcass kill-out was higher for animals fed PEA as well as ham weight, belly, neck and heart girth. The weight of the abdominal viscera (%) for lambs fed CAS was greater than those fed SAC and PEA. The weights of the thoracic viscera as well as the liver, for lambs fed PEA were higher. The by-product of pea yielded best results, followed by saccharin, and can replace traditional forage sources in the region, providing similar results in terms of cuts and body components. These could be an alternative for feeding sheep in the dry season. The substitution of forages using by-product of pea and saccharin led to improved productivity over the coast-cross hay available in the Federal District - Brazil.

Ultrassonography is an important option to evaluate carcass composition and quality, as it is a non-invasive technique which quantifies different tissues in live animals. The objective of this study was to estimate the correlation between measurements taken in vivo, using ultrasound and skinfold thickness, in sheep carcasses from Santa Inês breed. Eighty-one males, aging 8 to 18 months, and weighting on average 31 kg live weight were used. The measures taken in vivo by ultrassonography were longitudinal diagonal length, longitudinal rib eye area, transversal diagonal length, transversal rib eye area. Hot carcass weight, carcass yield, carcass fat thickness, carcass length, carcass rib eye area and commercial retail cut weight (leg, loin, shoulder, ribs and neck) were determined. The analyses of variance, main components, polynomial regression and correlation were carried out using SAS® statistical program. There was no difference between castrated and intact animals for carcass quality and components, indicating that castration does not provide better carcass quality. Animals with higher leg, shoulder and rib weights had lower skin weight, wither height and weight of abdominal organs, indicating a more desirable body type for selection. Body weight, body length and rib eye area by ultrasound (in vivo) can predict the rib eye area, leg weight, carcass length, hot and half carcass weight. However, loin, neck and rib weights, carcass yield and weight of abdominal organs cannot be predicted by these in vivo measurements. The measurements taken with skinfold showed no significant correlations with carcass measures, which indicates that they are not efficient for prediction of carcass components and therefore should not be used.

This study aimed to verify the existence of genotype–environment interaction and performance of Santa Inês sheep in confinement and on pasture. Eighty-two Santa Ines lambs at 75-135 days of age were used. The adaptation period lasted 22 days. Animals were from five different farms, 30 animals were kept on pasture for 112 days and 52 animals were kept in confinement for 85 days. Animals were evaluated on weight gain (WG), body length (BL), thoracic perimeter (TP), hip height (HH), breast height (BH), rib-eye area (REA) and fat thickness (FD) using ultrasound, and scrotal circumference (SC), worm load (FEC) and body condition score (CS). An index (FI) was calculated using the measures taken. The SAS® software was used for statistical analysis. There was a statistical difference among animals for type of test (confinement or pasture) for WG, REA, FD, SP as well as FI. Measures for animals in confinement were generally higher than for animals on pasture, except for FI and SP. The age at the start of the test did not influence the expression of characteristics. There was no evidence found of a genotype–environment interaction for Santa Ines breed animals in weight gain on pasture and in confinement for the evaluated characteristics.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of three types of rotational pasture: isolated (I – grazing only by sheep), simultaneous (S – simultaneous grazing by cattle and sheep) and alternated (A – granzing by cattle and then by sheep) on the structural and chemical traits of grass. Twelve crossbreed heifers, weighing initially 207 kg, 30 Santa Inês lambs, weighing 23 kg, and 16 adult ewes weighing 47 kg were used. The following parameters were determined on the pasture: forage mass available per grazing cycle (FMC); proportion of leaf (PF); stalk (PS); dead material (PDM), leaf:stalk ratio (L/S); levels of dry matter (DM); mineral matter (MM); crude protein (PB); ether extract (EE); neutral detergent fiber (NDF); acid detergent fiber (ADF); inorganic phosphorus (Pi) and total digestible nutrients (TDN). The S and I systems presented the smallest values for PS and NDF, while their values for L/S, CP, EE and TDN were higher than in A system. Therefore, the results showed that the grass offered to sheep in S and I systems had better quality than in the A system. There was not effect of systems and cycles of pasture on the others parameters evaluated. Tanzania grass available to sheep showed best structural and chemical traits in S and I systems while it presented worse quality in A system. The S system may be an alternative to traditional sheep rearing systems in the Brazilian savannah region.

Three production systems for sheep (Low - L, Medium - M and High - H technology), with increasing technological levels, were studied under conditions in the Center-west of Brazil, to determine economic weights and selection indices of important traits. Receipts and costs were simulated using an economic simulator to calculate the structure of the operational costs. Only characteristics that were responsible for more than 10% of the profit were studied, which included: number of weaned lambs, food consumption (ewe and lamb), weight of carcass and weight of female lambs sold for reproduction. Regardless of the index used (profitability or yield) or system (L, M or H), the economic weights are larger for the number of lambs weaned per ewe. With improvement in the technology used within the production system (H to L) the importance of this trait becomes less important. Lamb growth increased and weight of female for slaughter decreased in importance in higher technology systems. Changes in herd structure had little influence on economic values, whereas (co)variances were important sources of change in selection indices.

This study examined the effects of crossbreeding low genetic potential cows of Bos indicus origin characterized by Gyr crossed with Holstein-Friesian and Simmental bulls to produce animals in a low input dual purpose system. The farm is situated near Brasilia, in the savannah region of Brazil. The climate of the region is classified as Aw by Köppen. Data was available on 1580 calvings and completed lactations of cows with three genetic types: Gyr, Holstein-Friesian × Gyr and Simmental × Gyr. The bulls ran with the cows all year round and the diet comprised of pasture (mainly Brachiaria and Andropogon) during the summer (rainy season) and milled sugar cane with added urea during the winter (dry season). A mineral salt mixture was available ad libitum. Data was analysed using Statistical Analysis System. The results show that, under low input management conditions, the crossbred cows produce approximately twice the volume of milk per lactation, calve at a younger age and have a shorter open period, but there are no significant differences between crosses for growth rates of the calves or body condition of the cows. In this system, crossbred cows had production higher indices than zebu cattle. The best indices were found for cows calving in the rainy season (September to December) and thinner cows (with body condition 3-5 on a scale of 9).

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the economic viability of producing crossbred lambs in feedlots, and to determine which slaughter weight is more profitable. Fifty-three male and female animals were used, from three different genetic groups: Santa Inês (SI), Ile de France x Santa Inês (ISI) and Texel x Santa Inês (TSI). The animals were slaughtered at different body weights (BW) (30, 35, 40 and 45 Kg). Only variable costs were analyzed, as other costs were presumed to be fixed. The BW operational cost per kg was R$ 4.01, R$ 3.58 and R$ 3.38 for SI, ISI and TSI, respectively. The animals slaughtered with 45 kg BW cost R$ 3.51 per kg of BW produced, which was significantly lower than other groups. With estimated revenue of R$ 3.50 per kg of BW, sheep production in the Federal District (DF) is not profitable. The use of management practices to increase the number of twin births may increase the gross profit margin of the activity. Payment for carcass weight and meat quality as well as the improvement of productivity indices and better food conversion obtained by animal breeding programs are urgently needed to guarantee sheep production profitability.

Morphometric data was collected on 859 naturalized swine in Brazil (Piau, Tatu, Nilo, Caruncho, Casco de Burro, Moura, Monteiro and Rabo de Peixe), Colombia (Criolla Zungo, Sanpedreño and Casco de Mula) and Uruguay (Mamellado), both on farm and in published material. Information was collected on breed, sex and age, as well as various morphometric measurements. Analysis of variance was carried out using PROC MIXED of SAS ® on phenotypic data. The coefficients of variance varied between 11.50 and 83.81%, and the coefficient of determination was medium to high. Females were in general smaller for most measurements than males, showing sexual dimorphism. The Moura was the closest naturalized breed to the commercial breeds, followed by the Piau, while the Monteiro was the furtherest. The dendrogram obtained from morphological information showed a division of the pigs into three groups. Characterization was possible using morphological and morphometric data.Foram colhidos dados morfométricos de 859 suínos naturalizados do Brasil (Piau, Tatu, Nilo, Caruncho, Casco de Burro, Moura, Monteiro e Rabo de Peixe), Colômbia (Criolla Zungo, Sanpedreño e Casco de Mula) e Uruguai (Mamellado) Dados sobre raça, sexo e idade foram coletados, assim como varias avaliações morfométricas. A análise de variância foi realizada utilizando-se o procedimento PROC GLM do SAS sobre os dados morfométricos. Os coeficientes de variância oscilaram de 11,50 a 83,81% e o coeficiente de determinação foi de moderado a alto. As fêmeas foram em geral menores na maioria das avaliações em relação aos machos, indicando dimorfismo sexual. A Moura foi a raça naturalizada mais próxima das raças comerciais, seguida da Piau, enquanto a Monteiro apresentou-se mais distante. O dendograma obtido a partir de informações morfológicas apresentou divisão dentro de três grupos. A caracterização foi possível utilizando-se dados morfológicos e morfométricos.

Hanoverian, Brazilian Showjumper, English Thoroughbred and Crossbred horses reared by the Brazilian Army were weighed and measured from six months of age to adult. In total 4,860 measurements on 1,445 horses were available. General curves were estimated as a function of time by the Gompertz, Brody, Logistic, Weibull and Richards curves, using PROC NLIN procedures of SAS ®. The Richards Curve did not converge for weight or height of any of the genetic groups or sexes. The logistic curve did not converge for any of the weight traits while the Gompertz also did not converge for height in several groups. R2 varied between 0.55 for weight in females of the crossbred group to 0.92 for males of the same group. For the height traits the highest R2 (0.66) was found for female Hanovarian horses and lowest for males of the same breed (0.12). In general the curves estimated similar values for asymptotic height and weight, except for Logistic curve, which also showed lowest R2 and highest error. Results for the Weibull and Brody curves were similar in all cases so where possible the Brody curve was selected as the best curve as it had less parameters. The Gompertz curve tended to underestimate mature weights and height. Estimates for both weight and height were in general higher in males than for females. In most cases the b parameter was shown to account for < 0.0001% of the variation in the curve shape. The k parameters, which indicate maturity, were of similar magnitude for the Brody, Gompertz and Weibull curves, for both height and weight within breed. This parameter indicated that there is little difference in maturation rates between males and females.KEY WORDS: Brody, Gompertz, Logistic, Richards, Weibull. Cavalos das raças Hanoveriana (HA), Brasileiro de Hipismo (BH), Puro Sangue Inglês (PSI) e mestiços (PSIxBH) criados pelo Exército brasileiro foram pesados e medidos de seis meses de idade até adulto. Realizaram-se 4.860 medidas em 1.445 cavalos. Estimaram-se curvas de crescimento gerais usando os modelos de Gompertz, Brody, Logistic, Weibull e Richards, segundo o procedimento PROC NLIN do programa SAS ®. A curva de Richards não convergiu para peso nem altura para nenhum dos grupos ou sexos avaliados. A curva logística não convergiu para os pesos, enquanto o modelo de Gompertz não convergiu para altura em vários grupos. R2 variou entre 0,55 para peso em fêmeas mestiças até 0,92 em machos do mesmo grupo. Para altura, o maior R2 (0,66) foi para machos Hanovarianos e o menor para fêmeas da mesma raça (0,12). Em geral, as várias curvas estimaram a mesma altura e peso adulto, exceto a curva logística, que teve o menor R2 e mais alto erro dentro de cada grupo. Resultados para as curvas de Weibull e Brody foram similares em todos os casos. A curva de Brody foi selecionada como a melhor, porque possui menos parâmetros. A curva de Gompertz teve a tendência de subestimar pesos e alturas adultos. Estimativas para ambos as características foram mais altas em machos que fêmeas. No maior parte dos casos, o parâmetro b levou em consideração menos que 0,0001% da variação em forma da curva. Os parâmetros k, indicando maturidade, foram de magnitude similar para as curvas de Brody, Gompertz e Weibull, para altura e peso dentro de raça, o que indicou pouca diferença entre machos e fêmeas para taxa de maturação entre sexos.PALAVRAS-CHAVES: Brody, Gompertz, Logistic, Richards, Weibull.

Foram analisados quatro grupos de ovinos machos da raça Santa Inês nascidos em quatro estações do ano, no Distrito Federal, a fim de observar as idades e o peso corporal em que estes atingiram a puberdade. A partir dos cortes histológicos dos testículos, foram analisados parâmetros celulares e mensurações dos túbulos seminíferos. O efeito da data de nascimento sobre os parâmetros avaliados foi significativo (PFour groups of Santa Inês male sheep born in four seasons in the Distrito Federal were analyzed to evaluate the age and body weight at puberty, at which point were castrated. Histological measurements were carried out on the testicles to evaluate cellular parameters and size measurements of the seminiferous tubules. The effect of the group on cellular parameters was significant (P

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos de diferentes sistemas de pastejo, com ovinos e bovinos, sobre a quantidade de larvas no estágio L3 de nematódeos de ruminantes. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente ao acaso, em arranjo fatorial com quatro sistemas de pastejo e quatro períodos de rotação de pastagem. A duração do experimento foi de 91 dias, com sistema rotacionado (7 dias de ocupação e 21 de descanso), em 8 ha de Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia. Foram avaliados os sistemas de pastejo: alternado, simultâneo e isolado, com ovinos e com bovinos. Foram utilizados 20 bovinos (mestiços), 30 cordeiros e 15 ovelhas adultas (raça Santa Inês). As amostras do capim, para recuperação e identificação dos nematódeos, foram realizadas semanalmente no pré e pós-pastejo dos piquetes. Na média geral de todos os manejos, a ordem decrescente de número de larvas foi: Haemonchus spp., Trichostrongylus spp., Oesophagostomum spp., Strongyloides spp. e Cooperia spp. Correlações médias foram encontradas entre as quantidades de larvas L3 no pré e pós-pastejo. Com o aumento do número de rotações, houve aumento no grau de contaminação da pastagem pelas larvas, independentemente do sistema adotado. O sistema de pastejo simultâneo foi o que apresentou maior controle da carga parasitária de Haemonchus spp. na pastagem de capim-tanzânia.The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of different grazing management systems on the parasitic nematode load (L3 larvae) in ruminants. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a factorial arrangement with four grazing systems and four rotations. The experimental period was 91 days, in a rotational system (7 days of occupation and 21 of days rest), in 8-ha pasture cultivated with Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia. The different management systems evaluated were: alternate, simultaneous and isolate whit cattle and sheep. Twenty mixed breed cattle, 30 lambs and 15 ewes were used (Santa Inês breed). Grass samples were collected for recovery and identification of L3-larvae every week, during pre and postgrazing. In all systems, the decreasing order the number of identified larvae was Haemonchus spp., Trichostrongylus spp., Oesophagostomum spp., Strongyloides spp., and Cooperia spp. Mean correlations were found between L3-larvae numbers in pre and postgrazing. Increasing rotation caused increase in the degree of infection irrespectively of the system used. The simultaneous system had the best control on the parasitic load of Haemonchus spp., on Tanzania grass pasture.

Biometric testicular traits were evaluated on 24 entire male Santa Inês lambs, with mean initial weight of 24.5 kg ± 2.88. These were distributed in four treatments (n=6): HPv (animals drenched + high protein concentrate), HPn: (animals not drenched + high protein concentrate), LPv: (animals drenched + low protein concentrate), LPn: (animals not drenched + low protein concentrate) for eight and a half months. Before slaughter testicular measurements were taken in situ. Scrotal perimeter (SC) was measured using tape as well as length (LENG) and width (WID) using calipers. Testicular shape and volume (using prolate and cylinder equation) were calculated. After slaughter the measurements were taken in vitro. Real testicle volume (VOLR) was measured using water displacement. Length (LENGV) and width (WIDV) were measured with calipers after skin removal. The testicles were symmetrical and calipers were an accurate means of in situ measurement of the testicle size. The form of the testicles affected the volume. The average of the prolate sphere and cylinder equations gave the best estimate for real testicle volume. High protein levels in the diet accompanied by antihelminth treatment led to higher body weight in the sheep, this being the main factor for variation in testicle biometric traits. KEY WORDS: Shape, sheep, testicle biometry, volume. Para avaliar as características biométricas testiculares de carneiros da raça Santa Inês, 24 cordeiros machos, inteiros, com peso médio inicial de 24,5 kg ± 2,88, aos quatro meses de idade, foram distribuídos em quatro tratamentos: APv (animais vermifugados + concentrado com alta proteína), APn (animais não-vermifugados + concentrado com alta proteína), BPv (animais vermifugados + concentrado com baixa proteína), BPn (animais não vermifugados + concentrado com baixa proteína) durante 8 meses e meio. Antes do abate, realizaram-se as medições testiculares in situ: perímetro escrotal (PE), comprimento (COMP), largura testicular (LARG) e a forma dos testículos, bem como o volume testicular (cilindro e prolato esferóide). Após o abate, determinaram-se o volume testicular real (VOLR), o comprimento (COMPV) e a largura testicular (LARGV). Observou-se que os testículos dos animais eram simétricos e que o uso do paquímetro é uma forma altamente confiável para se realizar as medições testiculares in situ. O formato dos testículos afetou diretamente seu volume. O valor médio das equações do prolato esferóide e cilíndrica é a forma mais acurada para se estimar o volume testicular real em ovinos Santa Inês. O alto teor de proteína da dieta e o tratamento antiparasitário possibilitaram uma melhoria do peso corporal dos ovinos, sendo o principal fator de variação para as características biométricas testiculares.PALAVRAS-CHAVES: Biometria testicular, dieta, forma testicular, ovino, volume testicular.

The objective of the present study was to estimate the effect of fixed effects on production traits as well as genetic parameters, including heritabilities and repeatability. In total, 1255 registers were analyzed for mortality (MORT), 774 registers for calving interval (CI), 1255 registers for gestation length (GL), 402 registers for first calving age (FCA) and 3344 registers for insemination success (P). The data were collected at the CESIPL (Experimental Centre for Intensive Milk Production System) located on the road DF-100, Colônia Agrícola Itapeti, Distrito Federal - Brazil. The averages and the respective standard deviations for each reproductive trait were: MORT 0.02396 (0.15); CI 413.45 (94.58) days; GL 275.25 (6.87) days; FCA 1493.23 (690.69) days; PRE 0.46 (0.47). The value for difficult calving percentage (DC) was 3.875 % (0.19) and average calf birth weight (BW) was 39.17 kg (6.69). The effects of month and year of calving, degree of purity, sex, calving order, birth weight and type of birth were investigated as appropriate for each trait. The respective heritability coefficients for CI, PG, FCA and P were 0.18; 0.07; 0.13; and 0.24. The respective coefficients of repeatability for CI, PG and P were 0.13; 0,45x10-1; and 0,15x10-6. Thus, the coefficients for heritability and repeatability for reproductive parameters are low therefore unlikely to respond well to selection. KEY WORDS: Correlations, genetic parameters, heritability, repeatability. Com o objetivo de estimar os efeitos da idade ao primeiro parto (IPP), intervalo entre partos (IEP), tipos de parto (TP) e mortalidade (MORT) nos parâmetros genéticos, foram analisados 1.255 registros de mortalidade, 774 registros de intervalo entre partos, 1.255 registros de período de gestação (PG), 402 registros de idade ao primeiro parto e 3.344 registros de prenhez (PRE) de vacas da raça Holandesa do plantel do Centro Especial de Sistema Intensivo de Produção de Leite (CESIPL/EMBRAPA). As médias e os desvios-padrão foram: MORT 0,02396 ± 0,15; IEP 413,45 ± 94,58 dias; PG 275,25 ± 6,87 dias; IPP 1.493,23 ± 690,69 dias; PRE 0,46 ± 0,47; TP 0,03875 ± 0,19 e peso ao nascimento (PN) 39,17 ± 6,69kg. Analisaram-se os efeitos de mês, ano, grau de sangue, sexo, ordem do parto, peso ao nascer e tipo de parto. Os coeficientes de herdabilidade para IEP, PG, IPP e PRE foram, respectivamente, 0,18; 0,07; 0,13; e 0,24. E os coeficientes de repetibilidade para IEP, PG e PRE foram, respectivamente, 0,13; 0,45x10-1; e 0,15x10-6. Diante dos baixos coeficientes para herdabilidade e repetibilidade para parâmetros reprodutivos avaliados, conclui-se que se trata de animais que não devem ser utilizados quando o objetivo é uma boa resposta para a seleção. PALAVRAS-CHAVES: Correlações, herdabilidade, parâmetros genéticos, repetibilidade.

Twelve male lambs weighing 9,5 ± 0,4 kg were used to evaluate the use of sunflower silage as a roughage source in the sheep diet. Two treatments were used with six animals each. All received 300g/animal/day concentrate and sunflower or corn silage ad libitium depending on the treatment. Feed intake per group was controlled every three days and animals weighed every 15 days. The lambs were slaughtered 90 days after housed individually and the following traits measured: live weight, hot carcass weight, half carcass weight, carcass length, fat cover, skin (thickness and weight), leg, back, shoulder, rib, underbelly, neck, kidneys, liver, heart and lungs. The 12th rib was removed for later analysis. No significant differences were found between the two treatments in terms of weight gain or feed conversion. With the exception of fat cover, which was greater for lambs fed sunflower (pth rib analysis were found between the two treatments. Sunflower silage can be used as an alternative source of roughage in lamb diet, obtaining similar results to corn silage. KEY WORDS: Growth, housed, nutrition, Santa Inês. Com objetivo de avaliar o desempenho, a carcaça e componentes corporais de borregos deslanados, alimentados com silagem de girassol em comparação com a silagem de milho, foram utilizados doze ovinos machos com aproximadamente sessenta dias de idade, com peso vivo médio 9,5 ± 0,4 kg divididos em dois tratamentos com seis repetições cada. Os animais receberam individualmente 300 g de concentrado por dia e, como volumoso, silagem de girassol ou silagem de milho ad libitium, conforme seu tratamento. O controle da ingestão da dieta foi feito três vezes por semana e a pesagem dos animais a cada quinze dias. O abate ocorreu aos noventa dias de confinamento, com avaliação das seguintes variáveis: peso vivo, peso de carcaça quente, peso de meia-carcaça, comprimento de carcaça, cobertura de gordura, pele (espessura e peso), pernil, lombo, paleta, costeleta, costela-fralda, pescoço, rins, fígado, coração, pulmão e traquéia. Foi realizada ainda a retirada da 12a costela para posterior análise. Não houve diferença significativa entre os dois tratamentos para ganho de peso e conversão alimentar. Com exceção da cobertura de gordura, que foi maior nos cordeiros alimentados com girassol (P < 0,05), não se observaram diferenças significativas entre as características de carcaça e análise da 12a costela. A silagem de girassol pode ser utilizada como uma fonte alternativa de volumoso na alimentação de cordeiros, obtendo-se desempenho semelhante à silagem de milho. PALAVRAS-CHAVES: Crescimento, confinamento, nutrição, Santa Inês

Foram avaliadas as características de carcaça, os componentes não-carcaça e o rendimento da 12ª costela de cordeiros Santa Inês terminados em pastejo rotacionado com três forrageiras tropicais (A. gayanus Kunth, cv. Planaltina, P. maximum Jacq., cv. Aruana e P. maximum Jacq., cv. Tanzânia), no período seco do ano. Utilizou-se delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com 11 ovinos (3 meses de idade e 18,8 ± 2,88 kg PV) em cada tratamento. Os animais receberam suplementação com concentrado em níveis crescentes, conforme o avançar do período seco, além de sal mineral à vontade. Ao final de 82 dias de experimento, os animais foram abatidos; no dia anterior ao abate, a área de olho-de-lombo (AOL) foi mensurada com ultra-som (AOLUS). Avaliaram-se o peso ao abate (PA), o peso de carcaça quente (PCQ), o rendimento de carcaça quente (RCQ), o comprimento da carcaça (CC), o escore de gordura subcutânea (EGS), o peso da meia-carcaça quente (PMCQ), os cortes da meia-carcaça (costela/fralda, costeleta, lombo, paleta, pernil, e pescoço) e os pesos da pele (PELE), das vísceras torácicas (VT) e abdominais (VA) e dos testículos (TE). A 12ª costela foi avaliada quanto ao peso total (PT), AOL, aos pesos e às porcentagens de músculo (MUSC), osso (OSSO) e gordura (GORD) e os constituintes químicos. As características PA, PCQ, RCQ, PELE e GORD não diferiram entre os animais terminados em pastos de capim-aruana e capim-tanzânia, mas foram superiores nos animais terminados em pasto de capim-andropogon. Os rendimentos de pescoço, costela/fralda e costeleta dos animais terminados em capim-tanzânia foram superiores aos obtidos nos animais terminados em capim-andropogon e aruana, que não diferiram entre si. As demais características de carcaça, dos componentes não-carcaça e da 12ª costela não diferiram entre os tratamentos. Os ovinos mantidos em pastagem de capim-aruana e capim-tanzânia apresentaram melhores características de carcaça e desempenho mais satisfatório em comparação aos terminados em pasto de capim-andropogon.Carcass traits, non-carcass components and 12th rib yield of Santa Inês sheep finished in rotational grazing with three different tropical grasses (A. gayanus Kunth. cv. Planaltina, P. maximum Jacq. cv. Aruana and P. maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzania) were evaluated in the dry season of the year. A completely randomized design with 11 sheep (3 months old and 18.8 ± 2.88 kg LW) in each treatment was used. Animals were supplemented with increasing levels of concentrate, as advancing of the dry season, besides ad libitum mineral salt. At the end of 82 days of experiment, the animals were slaughtered, in the previous day of the slaughter; loin eye area (LYA) was measured using ultra-sound (EMUS). Carcasses were evaluated for slaughter weight (SW), hot carcass weight (HCW), hot carcass dressing (HCD), carcass length (CL), subcutaneous fat score (SFATS), hot half carcass weight (HHCW), half carcass cuts (Rib/Belly, Rack, Back, Shoulder, Leg and Neck), skin weight (SKIN), thoracic (TV) and abdominal (AV) viscera and testicular (TE). The 12th rib was evaluated for total weight (TW), LYA, amount and percentage of muscle (MUSC), bone (BONE) and fat (FAT) as well as chemical composition. The characteristics SW, HCD, HHCW, SKIN and FAT did not differ between animals finished on Aruana and Tanzania grass, however were superior to those on andropogon grass. The yields on Neck, Rib/Belly and Rack in animals finished in tanzânia grass was superior to those on andropogon grass and aruana grass, which did not differ between itself. The other carcass traits, non-carcass components and 12th rib analyses did not differ between treatments. Sheep kept on aruana grass and tanzania grass howed better carcass traits with more satisfactory production levels when compared to the animals finished on andropogon grass.

O presente trabalho objetivou a investigação do efeito da suplementação protéica e carga parasitária em relação à morfometria testicular, em carneiros jovens da raça Santa Inês. Utilizaram-se 24 cordeiros, inteiros, distribuídos em quatro tratamentos: HPd (animais vermifugados + concentrado com alta proteína), HPn (animais não-vermifugados + concentrado com alta proteína), LPd (animais vermifugados + concentrado com baixa proteína), LPn (animais não vermifugados + concentrado com baixa proteína) por oito meses. Realizaram-se cortes histológicos dos testículos após abate e análises em computador para contagem de células, mediante o programa IMAGE PRO-PLUS, para avaliação das mensurações testiculares. O tratamento de baixa proteína sem vermifugação (BPn)apresentou número maior de espermatogônias, porém número reduzido para células de Sertoli, espermatócito, espermátide e espermatozóide; o tratamento BPn apresentou menor diâmetro e circunferência do túbulo e altura do epitélio seminífero quando comparado aos demais tratamentos; houve correlação significativa entre o diâmetro do túbulo com altura do epitélio e circunferência do túbulo. As correlações entre o diâmetro do lúmen e a circunferência do lúmen, bem como entre a altura do epitélio e a circunferência do túbulo, também apresentaram correlações altas e positivas (P>0,70); comparando-se os parâmetros testiculares externos com os internos, observa-se que não houve correlação significativa (P PALAVRAS-CHAVES: Morfometria testicular, morfologia, nutrição, ovino, parasitas. The present study investigated the effect of protein supplementation and parasite load in relation to testicular morphology, in young Santa Inês male sheep. Twenty-four male lambs, non-castrated, were distributed in four treatments: HPd (dewormed animals + diet with high protein), HPn (animals non dewormed + diet with high protein), LPd (dewormed animals + diet with low protein), LPn (animals not dewormed + diet with low protein) during eight months. At the end of the experiment histological cuts of testicles were taken and cell count analyzed by computer and the program IMAGE PRO-PLUS was used for evaluation of measurements of the seminiferous tubules. The following results were found: LPn presented larger number of spermatogonias, but a reduced number of the other cells parameters (Sertoli cells, spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa) and smaller diameter and circumference of the seminiferous tubules and shorter seminiferous epithelium when compared to other treatments. There was a significant correlation among tubules diameter of the epithelium height and tubules circumference. Correlations between lumen diameter and lumen circumference, as well as epithelium height and tubules circumference also presented high and positive correlations (r>0.70). When the external testis parameters were compared with internal parameters no significant correlation was observed (r KEY WORDS: Morphology, nutrition, ovine, parasites, testicular morphometrics.

Com o objetivo de comparar o desempenho leiteiro e reprodutivo de vacas da raça Holandesa e mestiças Holandês × Gir na região do Planalto Central foram utilizados dados de 1.456 vacas de cinco composições raciais, originadas das raças Holandesa (H) e Gir (G): puras H; ¾H ¼G; ½H ½G; ³/8H 5/8G; e ¼H ¾G. Analisaram-se as características produção média diária de leite (PMD), número de dias em lactação (DL) e produção total da lactação corrigida para 305 dias (P305), idade ao primeiro parto (IPP), período de gestação (PG) e intervalo de partos (IEP). Os maiores valores de PMD e P305 foram obtidos para os animais ¾H ¼G e ½H ½G e os menores, para os animais com maior proporção da raça Gir (¼H ¾G). Os valores das características reprodutivas IPP e IEP, no entanto, foram menores para os animais ¾H ¼G.Esses resultados evidenciam a adaptação das vacas mestiças ao ambiente a que foram submetidas ou que os animais puros da raça Holandesa, em razão do estresse nutricional e/ou térmico, não expressaram todo o seu potencial genético para produção leiteira.Além disso, os dados comprovaram a importância da utilização de sistemas de cruzamento na manutenção da produção dos animais e na sua adaptação ao ambiente.Data from 1456 purebred and crossbred cows of five different crossbred groups involving the Holstein (H) and Gyr (G) breeds (H; ¾H ¼G; ½H ½G; ³/8H 5/8G e ¼H ¾G) were used to compare their milk production and reproductive traits in the Brazilian central plateau region. The performance traits studied were: average daily milk production (DMP); lactation length (LL); total production in 305 days (P305) and age at first calving (AFC), gestation length (GL) and calving interval (CI). Higher averages of DMP and P305 were observed for animals ¾H ¼G and ½H ½G and the smallest ones for crossbred animals with larger proportion of the Gyr breed (¼H ¾G). The lowest values of AFC and CI were observed for ¾H ¼G animals. These results indicate the importance of crossbreeding strategies to produce animals that are more adapted to the environmental conditions of the region. Holstein purebreds probably do not express their full genetic potential due to nutritional and/or heat stress.

Data from 1215 kids, with 402 Saanen, 396 Alpine, 200 Toggenburg and 217 ½ Alpine goats, was collected on growth of goats in the Federal District, Brazil from 1995 to 2001. For variance analyses were considered as fixed effect farm, breed, sex, kidding type, month and year of kidding and weight of dam as a covariable. Traits as birth weight and growth from birth to weaning and weaning to first insemination were studied. There was a significant effect of breed, sex and type of kidding on birth weight while weaning weight was only influenced by breed. Month and year of kidding were significant in influencing growth rate after birth. Number of days to insemination weight was influenced by both breed and month of kidding while the insemination weight itself was not influenced by any of the factors studied. Insemination weight was lowly correlated with the other traits in the study, as was to be expected. Days to insemination weight was most highly and negatively correlated with growth rate after weaning and weaning weight showing that faster growing animals that were larger at weaning reached insemination weight more quickly. The correlation between weaning weight and growth rate after weaning was low indicating that animals heavier at weaning did not necessarily grow faster after weaning. Key words: Correlation, growth curve, heritability, housed, weight. Coletaram-se dados de 1.215 crias caprinas, sendo 402 Saanen, 396 Pardo Alpina, 200 Toggenburg e 217 ½ Pardo Alpina, entre 1995 e 2001, no Distrito Federal, Brasil. Consideraram-se, como fixos, os efeitos de raça, sexo, número de crias, mês e ano de parto e, como covariável, o peso da cabra, para análise das características peso ao nascer e à desmama, ganho de peso do nascimento à desmama e da desmama à primeira inseminação, bem como idade à primeira inseminação. O peso ao nascer teve relação com a raça, o sexo e o número de crias. Já o peso à desmama, apenas com a raça. O mês e ano de nascimento afetaram o ganho de peso após à desmama. O número de dias para inseminação foi influenciado pela raça e mês de nascimento. As correlações genéticas estimadas entre o peso ao nascer e as demais características evidenciaram-se altas e positivas, exceto em relação ao ganho de peso do nascimento à desmama (0,23). Quanto às correlações obtidas entre o ganho do nascimento à desmama, observaram-se correlações altas e positivas, porém foram altas e negativas no que diz respeito ao número de dias para a inseminação (-1,0). As correlações estimadas entre ganho de peso da desmama à primeira inseminação se apresentaram altas e positivas. Em geral, os resultados indicaram que animais que cresceram mais rápido foram maiores à desmama e às idades posteriores. As herdabilidades estimadas mostraram-se moderadas, indicando que a seleção deve produzir animais com rápido crescimento e que atinjam idade de reprodução com menor idade. Palavras-chaves: Confinamento, correlação, curva de crescimento, herdabilidade, peso.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the voluntary intake, apparent digestibility and digesta kinetics of three protein-level forages fed to Santa Inês sheep. Six sheep (LW = 40 ± 5.7 kg) fitted with rumen cannulas were used. Lucerne (LUC), signalgrass (SIG) and Tifton-85 grass (TIF) hays were chosen due to their crude protein (CP) content (respectively, 191, 29 and 75 g kg-1 DM). Treatments and animals were fitted in a double Latin square (3 treatments, 3 periods, 6 animals). To measure the voluntary intake, animals were kept in individual stall with free access to water and food, during the first phase of each period. The feed consisted exclusively of LUC, SIG or TIF and mineral supplementation. Apparent digestibility was determined by total faeces collection. Digesta kinetics was estimated using Co-EDTA and Cr mordant fibre as markers to liquid and solid phases, respectively. Means were compared by Tukey test. Dry matter voluntary intake of treatment LUC was higher (P < 0.05) than treatments SIG and TIF and it reflected the strong relationship between intake and protein content in the diet. Dry matter and organic matter apparent digestibility coefficients were superior (P < 0.05) for LUC. Crude protein apparent digestibility showed differences (P < 0.05) between the three treatments, being LUC (0.694) the highest observed followed by TIF (0.500). Crude protein apparent digestibility of SIG was practically null (0.001), indicating intense protein deficit. Dry matter voluntary intake and digestibility of tested feeds were influenced by chemical composition and digestion kinetics. Low protein feeds had a prejudicial effect in nutrient apparent digestibi-lity, decreasing until nullity for protein of treatment SIG. Key-words: Lucerne, marker, nutrition, ruminant, signalgrass, Tifton. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o consumo voluntário, a digestibilidade aparente e a cinética diges-tiva de três forragens, com teores protéicos distintos, em ovinos. Utilizaram-se seis ovinos da raça Santa Inês (PV = 40 ± 5,7 kg), machos adultos, castrados e providos de cânulas ruminais. Optou-se pelo uso de fenos de alfafa (ALF), de braquiária (BRA) e de capim Tifton-85 (TIF) pelos seus teores de proteína bruta (PB), respectivamente, 191, 29 e 75 g kg-1 MS. Alocaram-se os tratamentos e os animais em delineamento de dois quadrados latinos (três tratamentos, três períodos e seis animais). As dietas consistiam exclusivamente de ALF, BRA ou TIF e mistura mineral, oferecida separadamente. O ensaio de consumo voluntário foi realizado em baias individuais e os de digestibilidade e cinética digestiva, em gaiolas de metabolismo. Determinou-se a digestibilidade aparente por coleta total de fezes. Estimou-se a cinética digestiva mediante o uso de Co-EDTA e fibra Cr-mordantada como marcadores das fases líquida e sólida, respectivamente. Compararam-se as médias por teste de Tukey. O consumo voluntário de MS do tratamento ALF foi maior (P < 0,05) que os tratamentos BRA e TIF, o que refletiu a forte relação entre consumo e teor de proteína na dieta. Os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente da MS e da MO também foram superiores (P < 0,05) para ALF. A digestibilidade aparente da proteína bruta mostrou diferenças (P < 0,05) entre os três tratamentos, sendo ALF (0,694) a mais alta que se observou, seguida por TIF (0,500). Para o tratamento BRA, essa variável foi praticamente nula (0,001), indicando déficit protéico intenso. O consumo voluntário e a digestibilidade aparente dos alimentos testados receberam influência da composição química e da cinética digestiva. Alimentos com baixo teor protéico prejudicaram a digestibilidade aparente de nutrientes, diminuindo, próximo à nulidade, para a proteína do tratamento BRA. Palavras-chaves: Alfafa, braquiária, marcadores, nutrição, ruminantes, Tifton.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar, por meio de modelos matemáticos, o metabolismo de fósforo (P) em ovinos adultos suplementados com teores crescentes de farinha de ossos calcinados com 0, 1, 2 e 3 g de P por animal por dia. Esses valores representaram diferentes tratamentos, adicionados à dieta basal com 225 g de concentrado e feno ad libitum. Foram utilizados 16 ovinos, Suffolk, com peso vivo de 38,2±4,35 kg e idade média de 18 meses, mantidos em gaiolas individuais. Após 21 dias, 7,4 MBq do radiofósforo (32P) foram injetados em cada ovino, e foram coletados sangue, fezes e urina por oito dias, a fim de determinar o fluxo de P entre três compartimentos: trato gastrintestinal, compartimento central (sangue) e tecidos (moles e ósseo). Houve relação linear positiva entre o P consumido e o P absorvido, excretado nas fezes, urina e retenção. A perda endógena fecal de P foi exponencial com o aumento de P da dieta. A elevação do teor de P da dieta interfere nas trocas do mineral para o trato gastrintestinal e urinário, o que indica que 0,82 g de P por dia são suficientes para mantença dessa categoria animal.An experiment was carried out to measure the phosphorus (P) flows in adult sheep by mathematical model. The work was conducted with 16 Suffolk sheep, live weight of 38.2±4.35 kg and 18-month aged, kept in individual cage to determine the effect of phosphorus (P) intake by adding bone meal (0, 1, 2 and 3 g P per animal per day) in the basal diet (225 g the concentrate and hay ad libitum). After 21 days, the lambs were injected with 7.4 MBq of 32P to trace the flows of P in the three compartments gastrointestinal tract, central (blood) and tissues (soft and bone). There was a positive relationship between P intake and P absorbed, P faeces, P urinary and P retained. Fecal endogenous loss of the P was exponentially related to P intake. The high levels of P on diet affected the exchanges between gastrointestinal and urinary tract. Results showed that 0.82 g of the P per day was enough for maintenance of the experimental animals.

Objetivou-se avaliar a inclusão do farelo de girassol na alimentação de ovinos Santa Inês. Dezoito cordeiros com 90 dias de idade, não-castrados, com 14±1,43 kg de PV inicial, foram distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado e mantidos em confinamento durante 87 dias. Além do feno de coastcross (Cynodon dactylon) oferecido ad libitum, os cordeiros receberam 300 g de três diferentes concentrados contendo farelo de girassol em substituição ao farelo de soja. Os tratamentos utilizados foram: S - milho triturado + farelo de soja; SG - milho triturado + 50% de farelo de soja + 50% de farelo de girassol; e G - milho triturado + 100% de farelo de girassol. O controle do consumo de alimento foi feito três vezes por semana e a pesagem dos animais, uma vez. No abate, foram determinados o peso vivo (PV), o peso de carcaça quente (PC), o peso da meia-carcaça (PMC), o comprimento de carcaça, a espessura de gordura de cobertura, a pele (peso e expessura), o peso dos órgãos torácicos (pulmão, traquéia e coração) e abdominais (fígado e rins) e o peso dos cortes comerciais (pescoço, pernil, lombo, paleta, costela e costela/fralda). O ganho de peso médio diário e o ganho de peso total foram melhores nos animais alimentados com o concentrado composto de milho e farelo de soja. O consumo de MS por peso metabólico nesses animais (S) foi menor em relação ao obtido com o concentrado contendo 50% de girassol (SG), mas semelhante ao encontrado com 100% de farelo de girassol (G). Na avaliação das características de carcaça, os animais do grupo S apresentaram PMC, lombo e costela/fralda superiores aos dos grupos SG e G. A substituição do farelo de soja por farelo de girassol em até 50% no concentrado promoveu menor desempenho e características de carcaça inferiores em ovinos em terminação.The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effect of replacing soybean meal with sunflower meal on carcass traits and body measurements of Santa Inês lambs. Eighteen intact lambs averaging 90 days of age and 14±1.43 kg of body weight (BW) at the beginning of the study were assigned to a completely randomized design and confined during 87 days. Animals were fed coastcross (Cynodon dactylon) hay ad libitum plus 300 g of one of the following three concentrate mixtures: ground corn + 100% soybean meal (SB), ground corn + 50% soybean meal + 50% sunflower meal (SBSF), or ground corn + 100% sunflower meal (SF). Feed intake was measured three times a week while body weight once a week. At slaughter the following measurements were taken: BW, hot carcass and half carcass weights, carcass length, carcass fat cover, skin weight and thickness, thoracic (lung, trachea and heart) and abdominal (liver and kidneys) organ weights, and retail cut weights (neck, ham, loin, shoulder, rib and rib/belly). The average daily weight gain and total weight gain were greater on animals fed SB than on those fed SBSF and SF. However, DM intake expressed as metabolic weight was lower on SB diet compared to SBSF but similar to SF diet. Weights of half-carcass as well as loin and rib/belly weights were all higher on SB than on SBSF and SF diets. Replacing SB with SBSF decreased production and carcass characteristics in feedlot finishing lambs.

Objetivou-se estimar parâmetros genéticos e fenotípicos para peso e altura (4.860 registros) em cavalos de quatro grupos genéticos - Brasileiro de Hipismo (BH), Puro-Sangue Inglês (PSI), Hanoveriano (HAN) e Sem Raça Definida (SRD) - por meio de informações de 1629 animais do Exército Brasileiro coletadas entre 1977 e 2002. Foram considerados fixos os efeitos de ano e mês de nascimento, idade da mãe, sexo do potro, ano e mês de mensuração e grupo genético. O mês de nascimento não afetou a altura ou o peso na população, exceto nos animais mais velhos. O sexo influenciou a altura, mas não afetou o peso dos animais de 21 meses e dos adultos e a raça influenciou a altura somente nos animais de 18 a 21 meses de idade e nos adultos. A influência dos efeitos fixos foi menor nos animais BH que nos SRD. As herdabilidades para o peso dos animais BH foram altas nas diversas idades, mas foram baixas para a altura. O comportamento do peso e da altura foi semelhante para as raças BH e SRD. De modo geral, nos dois grupos genéticos (BH e SRD), a herdabilidade do peso aumentou conforme as faixas etárias.This study aimed to estimate genetic and phenotypic parameters for weight and height (4860 records) of equines from four genetic groups: Brazilian Showjumper (BH), Thoroughbred (PSI), Hanoverian (HAN) and No Defined Breed (SRD). Data collected from 1977 to 2002 on 1629 animals was provided by the Brazilian Army. Models used for analyses included the fixed effects of month and year of foaling and measuring, age of dam, foal sex and genetic group. Foaling month did not affect height or weight of the horses, except for older animals. The sex effect influenced height but not weight of 21-month-old animals and adults. The genetic group influenced height between 18 and 21 months of age, as well as height of adults. BH was less influenced by environmental effects than SRD. Heritabilities for weights of BS were high at various ages, but were low for height. Overall, heritability estimates for weight of BH and SRD increased as age increased.

Objetivou-se estimar parâmetros genéticos e fenotípicos para intervalo de partos (IEP), idade ao primeiro parto (IPP), intervalo de gerações (IG), vida útil reprodutiva e distribuição de data de nascimentos na temporada em cavalos de quatro grupos genéticos: Brasileiro de Hipismo (BH), Puro-Sangue Inglês (PSI), Hanoveriano (HAN) e Sem Raça Definida (SRD). Foram avaliadas informações do rebanho do Exército Brasileiro coletadas entre 1977 e 2002. Os fatores fixos incluíram ano e mês de nascimento, idade da mãe, sexo do potro, ano e mês de mensuração e grupo genético. Em geral, os fatores examinados foram fontes significativas de variação para as características reprodutivas, à exceção de número do parto e ano de nascimento da mãe para data de nascimento e de raça para IPP. O valor médio de intervalo de partos (IEP) foi 563,9 dias, com efeito significativo da raça sobre essa característica. Os dados comprovaram tendência de diminuição de IEP à medida que mães jovens foram introduzidas na população. A IPP média foi de 7,17 anos e houve influência significativa do ano de nascimento da égua sobre esta característica. A vida reprodutiva média foi 5,34 anos; a raça BH apresentou o maior valor (6,70 anos) e a PSI o menor valor (4,24 anos). O número médio de filhos encontrado no rebanho foi de 22,98 produtos por reprodutor e 3,7 filhos por égua. O IG médio foi de 13,05 anos para machos e 9,99 anos para fêmeas. A data média de parição foi 07 de novembro, com melhora ao longo dos anos. A herdabilidade para as características reprodutivas foi baixa. A substituição mais cedo e o uso de menos PSI podem melhorar as características reprodutivas neste rebanho.This study aimed to estimate genetic and phenotypic parameters for foaling interval (FI), age at first foaling (AFF), generation interval (GI), reproductive life (RL) and foaling date distribution in equines of four genetic groups: Brazilian Showjumper (BS), Thoroughbred (Th), Hanoverian (HAN) and No Defined Breed (NDB). Data collected from 1977 to 2002 was provided by a Brazilian Army herd. Models used for analyses included the fixed effects of month and year of foaling and measuring, age of dam, foal sex and genetic group. With the exceptions of number of foaling and birth year of dam for foaling date and genetic group for AFF, fixed effects were significant sources of variation for the reproductive traits. The average for FI was 563.9 days and it was significantly influenced by breed effect. There was a trend towards a reduction on FI as younger dams entered the population. The average for AFF was 7.17 years and it was significantly influenced by birth year of the dam. Average reproductive life was 5.34 years. The highest value (6.70 years) was observed for BS and the lowest one (4.24 years) for Th. The average number of foals was 22.98 per stallion and 3.7 per mare. The GI was 13.05 years for males and 9.99 years for females. Heritability estimates for reproductive traits were low. Replacement of dams at younger age and less use of Th may improve the reproductive efficiency of this herd.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the aromatic compounds Anethole and Carvone and its synergic anthelmintic interactions against sheep gastrointestinal nematode Haemonchus contortus multi resistant strain. Anthelmintic resistance has been a hindrance in animal production causing economic losses and consequence of the repetitive use of those ineffective chemicals it is usual to found contamination on meat, milk and environment. New sources of anthelmintic compounds have been investigated. Plant extracts and natural compounds have demonstrated themselves as promising candidates. Eggs were collected from feces of sheep infected with H.contortus. A hundred eggs were exposed to solutions of Anethole and Carvone and half and half Anethole and Carvone diluted in water and solvent Tween 80 in concentrations ranging from 2.08 mg/mL to 0.007mg/mL (decreasing three fold concentrations) with six replicates using a 24 well plate to perform tests. Eggs were incubated for 24 h at 27°C and the count of eggs hatched was done using an inverted microscope. Data were analyzed by SAS Probit to estimate LC50 with independent variables (dose) transformed by natural logarithm (log dose). The LC50 (fiducial limits) in mg/mL of Anethole was 0.070 (0.068-0.076), Carvone was 0.085 (0.081-0.088) and the synergic interaction of Anethole+ Carvone was 0.013 (0.012-0.014), according to Table 1. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was performed for Anethole and Carvone and 98.14% and 99.88% were the similarity with authentic molecules, respectively.

Parasites are resistants to the main existing anthelmintic drugs on the market, so tanninipherous plants could be a sustainable alternative against gastrointestinal nematodes. The aim of this work was to evaluate the anthelmintic action of tanninipherous plants extracts on egg hatch assay (EHA) of Haemonchus contortus (H. contortus). The present research was conducted at the Institute of Animal Science (IZ/APTA/SAA) located in the city of Nova Odessa/São Paulo/Brazil. The leaves of the Fabaceae Peptadenia colubrina, Leucaena pulverulenta, Stylosanthes guianensis and Neonotonia wightii cv. tinaroo were collected at agrostological field at IZ/APTA/SAA, dried at 35°C and ground. Their actives were extracted with a solution of acetone:water (70:30), followed by washings with dichloromethane and freeze-dried. The percentages of total tannins (TT) and condensed tannins (CT) were calculated and values for TT and CT to P. colubrina was 12.7% and 0.89% respectively, followed by L. pulverulenta (7,5% and 6,9%), S. guianensis (2.4% and 1%) and N. wightii cv. tinaroo (1.1% and 0.09%). The extract concentration used to inhibit eggs hatching was 0.012 mg/mL to 50 mg/mL. Data were analyzed by SAS/Probit to determine Lethal Concentration (LC50) with independent variables (dose) transformed by natural logarithms (log-dose). The lowest LC50 was for P. colubrina (0.10 mg/mL), followed by S. guianensis (4.45 mg/mL), N. wightii cv. tinaroo (46.5 mg/mL) and finally L. pulverulenta, which did not reach the concentration of LC50. Among the tested plants P. colubrina has shown to be more effective in inhibiting the hatchability of H. contortus eggs.

O artigo não possui resumo em português.

O artigo não possui resumo em português.

Parasites are resistants to the main existing anthelmintic drugs on the market, so tanninipherous plants could be a sustainable alternative against gastrointestinal nematodes. The aim of this work was to evaluate the anthelmintic action of tanninipherous plants extracts on egg hatch assay (EHA) of Haemonchus contortus (H. contortus). The present research was conducted at the Institute of Animal Science (IZ/APTA/SAA) located in the city of Nova Odessa/São Paulo/Brazil. The leaves of the Fabaceae Peptadenia colubrina, Leucaena pulverulenta, Stylosanthes guianensis and Neonotonia wightii cv. tinaroo were collected at agrostological field at IZ/APTA/SAA, dried at 35°C and ground. Their actives were extracted with a solution of acetone:water (70:30), followed by washings with dichloromethane and freeze-dried. The percentages of total tannins (TT) and condensed tannins (CT) were calculated and values for TT and CT to P. colubrina was 12.7% and 0.89% respectively, followed by L. pulverulenta (7,5% and 6,9%), S. guianensis (2.4% and 1%) and N. wightii cv. tinaroo (1.1% and 0.09%). The extract concentration used to inhibit eggs hatching was 0.012 mg/mL to 50 mg/mL. Data were analyzed by SAS/Probit to determine Lethal Concentration (LC50) with independent variables (dose) transformed by natural logarithms (log-dose). The lowest LC50 was for P. colubrina (0.10 mg/mL), followed by S. guianensis (4.45 mg/mL), N. wightii cv. tinaroo (46.5 mg/mL) and finally L. pulverulenta, which did not reach the concentration of LC50. Among the tested plants P. colubrina has shown to be more effective in inhibiting the hatchability of H. contortus eggs.

O experimento foi realizado para se estudarem os efeitos da inclusão de níveis crescentes de farelo de girassol (0%, 15%, 30% e 45%) em substituição ao farelo de soja no concentrado utilizado para bovinos da raça Holandesa em fase de crescimento, sobre os consumos de matéria seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB), extrato etéreo (EE), extrato não nitrogenado (ENN), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) e matéria mineral (MM), e sobre ganhos de peso. Utilizaram-se, em blocos casualizados, 24 bovinos de treze meses de idade média inicial e peso médio inicial de 194 kg. Os consumos obtidos durante os 84 dias experimentais, expressos em gramas por unidade de tamanho metabólico, de MS, PB, ENN e MM, não foram influenciados pelos níveis de inclusão do farelo de girassol. Contudo, houve redução linear no consumo de EE e aumento linear nos consumos de FDN e FDA com o acréscimo do farelo de girassol na dieta. Não houve efeito dos níveis de inclusão do farelo de girassol sobre o ganho de peso. Concluiu-se que o farelo de girassol, até o nível de 45% de inclusão no concentrado, poderá ser utilizado com eficiência na dieta de bovinos leiteiros em fase de crescimento. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Concentrados, consumo de alimento, desempenho, silagem de milho.

Avaliou-se o comportamento de 36 cavalos estabulados, das raças Brasileiro de Hipismo, Lusitano,Puro Sangue Inglês e Mestiços, nas condições em que são criados no 1º Regimento de Cavalaria da Guarda do Ministério do Exército no Distrito Federal. Os animais foram observados 24 horas por dia, durante seis dias, fazendo-se anotações, de dez em dez minutos, do comportamento de cada animal, mostrando que as quatro raças estudadas tinham vários distúrbios de comportamento. Os cavalos da raça Lusitano apresentaram a menor incidência, e os da raça Mestiço, a menor. Com exceção da raça Lusitano, verificou-se o aumento da atividade durante o dia reduziu a incidência de distúrbios no comportamento dos animais. Os animais da raça Lusitano mostraram-se mais adaptados às condições de criação no 1º Regimento de Cavalaria da Guarda (1ºRCG) do Ministério do Exército no Distrito Federal. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Comportamento, distúrbios, eqüino, estabulado, raça.

Avaliou-se o comportamento de vinte cavalos estabulados, das raças Bretã e Percheron, nas condições em que são criados no 32º Grupo de Artilharia de Guardado Ministério do Exército no Distrito Federal. Os animais foram observados 24 horas por dia, durante seis dias, de dez em dez minutos, e anotou-se o comportamento de cada animal. Analisaram-se os dados coletados mediante procedimentos não-paramétricos. Os animais das duas raças estudadas apresentaram vários distúrbios de comportamento, sendo os cavalos da raça Bretã com menor incidência. Verificou-se que os animais com atividade física durante o dia apresentaram menor incidência de distúrbios no comportamento e que animais da raça Bretã mostraram-se mais adaptados às condições de criação que os da raça Percheron. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Eqüino estabulado, distúrbios de comportamento, raça.