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ABSTRACT Artificial insemination success in swine is mainly associated with semen dose quality. Thus, this study compared quality control parameters in 11 Brazilian boar studs after applying audit services for 24 months (1,650 boars). An extensive checklist was applied in each audit, registering ‘compliance’ or ‘noncompliance’ for 75 items. Semen doses produced were analyzed as regards volume and sperm concentration, and microbiological analyses were conducted for semen and water samples collected at distinct production stages. On average, boar studs produced 112.9 semen doses per boar per month, and the odds of raw semen contamination increased when boars were inadequately housed and doses were collected under increased temperatures, with no anti-slip rubber mat or after a poor prepuce cleaning (p < 0.05). Collection from boars with locomotor problems and no regular change of reverse osmosis filters increased the contamination odds in semen doses produced and stored at the stud (p < 0.05). As regards the water submitted to the osmosis reverse process, contamination odds increased as a result of deficient cleaning and disinfection of the purification equipment (p < 0.05). Risk factors for reduced sperm motility (< 70 %) were: no anti-slip rubber mat for semen collection, no cleaning program for automatic feeding system (drops) and bins, and inadequate intervals between semen collections (≤ 2 days or > 7 days; p < 0.05). Two boar studs had the best results for compliance with the checklist items. Constant monitoring, appropriate hygiene of facilities and equipment, and periodical staff training are highlighted as non-negotiable points for boar semen dose quality.

Condenações de suínos no momento do abate devido a lesões tuberculóides causadas por micobactérias são descritas em diversos países, inclusive no Brasil. No presente trabalho, 146 animais de idades variando entre 2,5 e >; 14 meses, provenientes de uma propriedade com problema de condenações por tuberculose foram abatidos e os linfonodos examinados quanto ao tipo de lesão macro e microscópica e à presença de micobactérias. Ao mesmo tempo, a ração, a água e a maravalha utilizadas na propriedade foram investigadas quanto à presença de micobactérias. Macroscopicamente, os linfonodos afetados apresentavam nódulos arredondados de 1-2 mm de diâmetro, de coloração amarelo-clara com conteúdo pastoso a caseoso, delimitados por uma cápsula. Em linfonodos de 12 animais foi possível visualizar bacilos álcool-ácido resistentes, sendo que em 4 deles foi isolado o Mycobacterium-grupo III (Runyon). As lesões foram encontradas principalmente em animais entre 6 e 14 meses de idade. A mesma bactéria foi isolada da maravalha, que pode ter sido a fonte de infecção dos animais.