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Conjugated linoleic acid is considered a functional food since its consumption improves people’s health. This compound is found in the milk of ruminant animals and is synthesized in the rumen and mammary gland using linoleic and α-linolenic acids as substrates, which are widely found in forage plants. Nevertheless, there is little information regarding the content of fatty acids in forages, particularly of native species. Therefore, the study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition and fatty acid profile of native forage shrubs that are consumed by goats under extensive grazing in northern Mexico in 2019. For this, forage shrubs consumed by goats were collected. The selected forages were determined: dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, total lipids, and fatty acid profile. The forage shrubs consumed by the goats in the rangeland were huizache [Vachellia farnesiana (L.) Wild.], mesquite [Prosopis laevigata (Humb & Bonpl) Wild], gobernadora [Larrea tridentata (Moç. & Seseé DC)] and chaparro prieto [Vachellia constricta (Bentham Siegler & Ebinger Waif)]. Of these, mesquite (CP 148 g kg-1 DM) and chaparro prieto (CP 147 g kg-1 DM) had the best crude protein contents; likewise, mesquite had a high concentration in linoleic (14.21 g 100 g-1 total fatty acids) and α-linolenic (36.22 g 100 g-1 total fatty acids) fatty acids, so these forage shrubs can be considered in the diet of goats that aim to increase the concentration of conjugated linoleic acid in milk or meat of grazing goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to compare carcass composition and physicochemical and sensory attributes of breast and leg meat from native Mexican guajolote (Meleagris g. gallopavo) as influenced by sex. For this, slaughter weight and carcass characteristics of male (n=8) and female (n=8) guajolotes raised traditionally under extensive systems with similar housing and feeding conditions were recorded. Also, physical characteristics, proximate composition, the fatty acid profile, and sensory attributes were determined in breast and leg meat using standard procedures. The results showed that males had higher (P<0.001) slaughter weight, hot and cold carcass weights, and dressing percentage, as well as carcass part weights, while females had higher (P<0.001) abdominal fat weights than males. The lightness (L*), yellowness (b*), and drip loss values of breast meat, as well as redness (a*) and water-holding capacity values of leg meat, were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by sex. Male breast meat had higher (P<0.05) moisture content, crude protein, erucic acid (C22:1n9), ∑ MUFAs (total monounsaturated fatty acids), ∑ UFAs (unsaturated fatty acids), ∑ DFAs (desirable fatty acids), ∑ UFA / ∑ SFA (total saturated fatty acid) ratio, ∑ PUFA (total polyunsaturated fatty acid) / ∑ SFA ratio, and chewiness scores than females. Likewise, leg meat from males showed higher (P<0.05) ash content, myristic acid (C14:0), palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), oleic acid (C18:1n9c), palmitoleic acid (C16:1n7), ∑ SFAs, ∑ OFAs (odd fatty acids), thrombogenic index, and atherogenic index, whereas females had high fat content. In conclusion, it would be suggested that, from a nutritional point of view, the meat from male guajolotes was preferable to the meat from females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective: To evaluate the effect of different selenium (Se) doses on semen quality and fertility of rams. Design/Methodology/Approach: Se was administered subcutaneously each month to nine two-month-old rams (from April 2018 to February 2020). The treatments were: T1=without Se, T2=0.1 mg Se kg-1, and T3=0.3 mg Se kg-1 . Semen evaluations were carried out using an electroejaculator; a total of 180 ejaculations were analyzed. The rams with better semen quality (one per treatment) were subjected to a mating. The following variables were evaluated: volume (Vol), masal motility (MM), progressive motility (MP), sperm concentration per mL and ejaculation, acrosome integrity percentage, living spermatozoa, normal spermatozoa, and fertility percentage. The normal distribution variables were evaluated using an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s comparison test (Tukey, 0.05); the percentages were raised to the inverse sine in order to perform the appropriate ANOVA. Fertility was analyzed using a χ² test. Results: There was no difference in semen quality and fertility percentage (p≤0.05). The ejaculation volume showed differences between treatments (p≤0.05). Study Limitations/Implications: A study including a higher number of rams and a previous fieldwork practice should be carried out, in order to evaluate semen parameters. These evaluations would help to accurately estimate semen quality and fertility, as well as to corroborate the results. Findings/Conclusions: Se did not improve semen quality and fertility of rams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]