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The detection of Bovine Viral Diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection, especially among persistently infected calves (PI), should be performed earlier in order to eliminate the source of the infection and to prevent the spread of the disease in the herd. However, colostrum intake can influence the results of some of the tests used to diagnose the BVDV infection. Therefore, this study evaluated the efficacy of serum neutralization (SN) test in conjunction with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the diagnosis of BVDV infection before colostrum intake. The deliveries of the animals were assisted to select 52 newborn Holstein calves for inclusion in the study. Initially, the whole blood and serum samples were collected from the calves before (T0) and after (T1) the colostrum intake. The calves that were RT-PCR positive at any of the time-points were retested on the 30th day post birth (T2). The presence of specific antibodies for BVDV was evaluated by SN, and that of viral RNA by the RT-PCR. The BVDV-specific antibodies were observed in the serum of 13.46% (7/52) of the calves at T0 because of fetal infection. At T1, seroconversion was observed in 100% (52/52) of the calves. The geometric mean titers (GMT) of the antibodies for BVDV increased significantly from T0 (14.52) to T1 (2490) (P = 0.0001). Of the four calves that were RT-PCR positive before colostrum intake (T0), two were seronegative and two, seropositive. Of the forty-eight RT-PCR negative calves, five were seropositive. After 30 days post birth, all of the animals tested negative by RT-PCR, thus excluding the possibility of persistent infection. The association observed between the results of the SN and RT-PCR assays at T0 (P = 0.025) could not be observed at T1 (P > 0.05). The SN test before the colostrum intake allowed the detection of fetal infection in the herd; however, this test was ineffective as a diagnostic method after the transfer of passive immunity. The confirmation of the results of the SN assay by those of the RT-PCR was essential for the identification of the infected calves before colostrum intake.

The aim of this study was to identify etiologic agents and risk factors for mastitis in dairy goats. For this, two aliquots were collected from 257 milk samples, between April and September, 2012, from 136 Saanen goats from six intensive management farms, with manual and mechanical milking system located in the state of São Paulo. The first aliquot of milk samples was obtained in vials containing preservative bronopol for electronic somatic cell count (SCC), and the second in sterile bottles for bacteriological examination. For risk factors evaluation, epidemiologic questionnaires were performed by the research team by visual observation and survey with handler and owners. Analyzes univariate and multivariate were performed using multiple logistic regression. Was observed prevalence of 28.79% of mammary infection, and predominance of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS). The SCC median was 4,7x105 cells per mL (cells mL-1) of milk. In univariate analysis, was observed risk for mammary infection in places where, the goat was not the main activity of the property (p=0.03); when the diagnosis of clinical mastitis by proof of dark background was not performed (p=0.07); when chlorine was not used in the cleaning of the teats (p=0.29); improper cleaning of the milking parlor (p= 0.06); inadequate hygiene in the milking process (p=0.03) and inadequate hygiene of the milkers (p=03). The main group of pathogen isolated in this study was CNS. The biggest risk associated with mammary infection was the hygiene of ceilings, room, milker and also the process of milking resulting from these microorganisms. Thus, despite indications of hygienic measures in the programs of milk quality and mastitis control, the applicability and awareness of employees involved in the production chain of milk goats are not sensitized. Therefore, the personnel training is the principal measure recommended for the control of mastitis in dairy goats.

In order to establish hematological and biochemical Dorper sheep values and evaluate the influence of sex and age in these determinations, 72 animals were assigned to three experimental groups according to age: Group 1 (G1) consisting of animals up to 12 months of age (n=28), Group 2 (G2) composed of animals from 13 to 36 months (n=37) and Group 3 (G3) for animals from 37 to 60 months (n=7). The animals were still divided in another two groups according to gender: Group 4 (G4) – females (n=57) and Group 5 (G5) – males (n=15). Evaluating the results obtained for hematological and biochemical examinations it was found that the mean values of RBC (13.4 ± 2.5x106/mL), hemoglobin (12.6 ± 1.3 g/dL), packed cell volume (37.5 ± 3.7%), total leukocytes (7116.0 ± 1967.0/mL) and segmented neutrophils (4168.0 ± 1501.0/mL) were higher in the animals of G1, as well as urea, GGT and ALP (52.0 ± 17.0 mg/dL, 93.0 ± 19.0 IU/L, 257.0 ± 125.0 IU/L, respectively). Comparing the gender, it was found that the values of total leukocytes (7576.0 ± 2082.0/mL), segmented neutrophils (4296.0 ± 1510.0/mL) and lymphocytes (2428.0 ± 1084.0/mL) were greater in males (G5). The values of creatinine (1.3 ± 0.4 mg/dL), serum total protein (6.3 ± 0.9 g/dL) and globulins (3.7 ± 1.0 g/dL) were higher in females (G4). Statistical analysis of the results allowed to determine reference values for hematological and biochemical constituents of Dorper sheep breed, and concluded that there were variations in these parameters influenced by gender and different age groups. A fim de estabelecer os valores hematológicos e bioquímicos de ovinos da raça Dorper e avaliar a influência do sexo e idade nestas determinações, 72 animais foram distribuídos em três grupos experimentais de acordo com a faixa etária, sendo o Grupo 1 (G1) composto por animais com até 12 meses de idade (n=28), o Grupo 2 (G2) composto por animais de 13 a 36 meses de idade (n=37) e o Grupo 3 (G3) por animais de 37 a 60 meses de idade (n=7). Os animais foram distribuídos ainda em outros dois grupos exprimentais, de acordo com o sexo, sendo o Grupo 4 (G4) composto por fêmeas (n=57) e o grupo 5 (G5) por machos (n=15). Avaliando-se os resultados obtidos para os exames hematológicos e bioquímicos verificou-se que os valores médios de hemácias (13,4 ± 2,5x106/mL), hemoglobina (12,6 ± 1,3 g/dL), volume globular (37,5 ± 3,7%), leucócitos totais (7.116,0 ± 1.967,0/mL) e neutrófilos segmentados (4.168,0 ± 1.501,0/mL) foram maiores nos animais do G1, assim como a ureia, GGT e FA (52,0 ± 17,0 mg/dL, 93,0 ± 19,0 UI / L e 257,0 ± 125,0 UI / L, respectivamente). Comparando-se os sexos, verificou-se que os valores de leucócitos totais (7.576,0 ± 2.082,0/mL), neutrófilos segmentados (4.296,0 ± 1.510,0/mL) e linfócitos (2.428,0 ± 1.084,0/mL) foram maiores nos machos (G5). Os valores de creatinina (1,3 ± 0,4 mg/dL), proteínas totais séricas (6,3 ± 0.9 g/dL) e globulinas (3,7 ± 1.0 g/dL) foram maiores nas fêmeas (G4). A análise estatística dos resultados encontrados permitiu determinar os valores de referência para os constituintes hematológicos e bioquímicos de ovinos da raça Dorper, além de concluir que ocorreram variações nos referidos parâmetros, influenciados pelo sexo e por diferentes faixas etárias.