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Copyright of Revista de Ciencias Agroveterinarias is the property of Revista de Ciencias Agroveterinarias and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Mastitis is an inflammatory disease of the mammary gland, mostly associated with bacterial infections. It is responsible for great economic losses due to decreased milk yield, discarded milk, milk composition alterations and treatment costs, besides it impairs the animal health and welfare. The rumination time is an important behavioral marker and its assessment can be used as an early diagnosis tool, which can improve cure rate. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the sensitivity of behavior monitoring system collars in the diagnosis of mastitis and the average rumination time (RT) of Holstein cows during the healthy period and affected by the disease. Materials, Methods & Results: The study was conducted on a commercial property located in the municipality of Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The RT data from 39 multiparous Holstein cows with an average milk yield of 38.4 L/ day was collected. RT monitoring was performed using C-Tech1 collars combined with CowMed® software, which assess behavior data from the animals and emits warning signals when it finds abnormalities in any parameter. In order to verify whether the animals were determined correlated with diseases, the sensitivity of the data was evaluated, when the system had given the alert to animals considered ill, they underwent to a further clinical evaluation performed by a veterinarian to confirm the diagnosis. From the diagnosis, the cows were divided into subclinical mastitis (SM) and clinical mastitis (CM) groups. SM was detected by the California Mastitis Test (CMT) and cows that were graded 1 (++), 2 (++) or 3 (+++) without the presence of any other clinical sign were assigned to the SM group. CM was assessed by observation of abnormalities in milk such as changes in color and consistency, as well as the presence of lumps, clots or blood; and clinical examination of the udder was performed for detection of hot, hard, swollen or painful quarters. Thereafter, variations in the mean RT between the healthy (15 days) and sick periods (days when there was an alert) were evaluated. For the identification of the etiological agents involved in the cases of CM, microbiological cultures were performed on Accumast® plates with milk samples, which were incubated at a temperature of 37°C and the diagnosis of the pathogens were performed after16 hours of incubation. During the study, 57 cases of mastitis were observed, 42 were SM and 15 were CM. The sensitivity of the system, which is the ability to detect positive cases of the disease, was 73.8% for SM and 73.3% for MC. The RT of the animals were compared individually during the healthy period with the sick period and it was observed that SM reduced the RT by 5.33% whereas MC reduced the RT by 14.9%. Discussion: The maximum RT values were lower during the disease period in relation to the period in which the animals were healthy, for both SM and CM, which is due to the fact that the disease is responsible for causing inappetence in animals, among other clinical signs, therefore, reducing feed consumption. The lowest variation in RT, between the healthy and sick period, was observed in cases of SM, which was already expected, since the clinical form tends to cause more discomfort to the animals. As for the main etiological agents involved in the clinical condition, Streptococcus agalactiae and S. uberis were detected. In view of the above, the evaluation of the mean RT of multiparous dairy cows was efficient in the predictive diagnosis of SM and CM up to two days before the onset of the disease. In addition, the variability of this result demonstrated that animals with subclinical cases presented less fluctuation in RT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accumulation of industrial by-products increases the use of sweet potato waste for ruminants, but ruminal pH characteristics are still not well known. The objective was to assess the fluctuation of ruminal pH in sheep supplemented with different levels of sweet potato flour inclusion in their diet. Four rumen-fistulated sheep were used; they were fed a diet based on ryegrass haylage (Lolium multiflorum) and sweet potato flour (Ipomoea batatas), provided according to the level of inclusion in the total diet (0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%). Approximately 80 ml of ruminal fluid was collected for reading on a bench pH meter. Statistical data analysis was run on Statistical Analysis System (SAS Institute INC. Cary, NC, USA), and statistical difference was considered for p < 0.05. The animals that received 1.5% of sweet potato flour in their diet presented acid rumen pH; the 1.0% group presented rumen pH acidification in the first 6 hours after feeding, and the 0.5% level of inclusion did not change the rumen environment. It is concluded that the inclusion of 0.5% sweet potato flour in sheep diet proved to be an efficient energy supplementation strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Arquivos de Ciências Veterinárias e Zoologia da Unipar is the property of Associacao Paranaense de Ensino e Cultura and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The development of innovate pharmaceutical forms is a constant practice in research, development and innovation in laboratories, being of interest to researchers in both academia and industry. The search for knowledge on these release platforms has been gaining considerable space in several areas of study and in the development of new products. One of these areas is veterinary medicine, in which we can describe about the administrations of drug doses that can be improved with the use of sustained release tools. In this review we refer to the main biodegradable polymers utilized in veterinary science and their utilization in pharmaceutical formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Science / Revista Brasileira de Ciência Veterinária is the property of Revista Brasileira de Ciencia Veterinaria and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Bovine mastitis causes major economic losses for milk producers by reducing the quantity and the quality of the milk or even leading to the complete loss of the mammary gland secretory capacity. During the transition period, dairy cows are susceptible to infectious diseases; therefore, markers that allow early identification of cows in higher risk of developing diseases are especially useful at this time. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate serum markers in the pre and postpartum of multiparous dairy cows with clinical mastitis and with health condition in the postpartum period in a semi-extensive management system. Materials, Methods & Results: Thirty-Six Holstein cows were monitored daily during milking until 59 days postpartum and were categorized according to the pre-milking strip cup test into clinical mastitis (mastitis group (MG)) and absence of symptoms (control group (CG)) that were negative to the test, representing the health cows. All cows were reared as one group and maintained in a semi-extensive pasture-based system. Blood samples were collected weekly after morning milking via venipuncture of the coccinea vein into tubes without anticoagulant and grouped for prepartum (-21 to 0 days from calving), early postpartum (0 to 30 days from calving), and late postpartum (30 to 59 days from calving) periods. Milk production was recorded daily. The serum markers albumin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), phosphorus, gammaglutamyltransferase (GGT) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were measured. Statistical analyses were performed using SAS®. The cases of clinical mastitis occurred on average at 37.2 ± 4.9 days postpartum. Health cows (CG) had higher milk production compared to the mastitis group (MG) only in the late postpartum period (P < 0.05). There was no difference among groups for albumin and NEFA concentrations in all periods evaluated (P > 0.05). In the early postpartum period the AST activity was higher in CG than in MG (P = 0.02). The GGT enzyme tended to be more concentrated in the CG than in the MG during the early (P = 0.06) and late (P = 0.08) postpartum periods. Late postpartum phosphorus concentration was lower for MG than CG (P = 0.04). In the prepartum and early postpartum periods, there was no difference among groups for phosphorus concentration (P > 0.05). Discussion: A decrease in milk production in MG compared to CG observed in late postpartum period was due to the incidence of mastitis observed around 37 days postpartum. Cows that presented clinical mastitis in the postpartum period did not differ in the blood concentration of NEFA in the prepartum period. In the late postpartum period higher concentration of phosphorus was observed in the CG than in MG, indicating that animals affected by mastitis may be in the weakest energy status. Regarding liver health, the concentration of AST was higher in the recent postpartum period for CG, in disagreement with previous studies that related AST to tissue injury caused by mastitis. The GGT enzyme tended to had higher concentrations in CG than MG during the whole postpartum period and may be related to increased hepatic metabolism due to higher production. There were no changes in albumin levels among healthy and mastitis cows, indicating that this marker can not be used to predict clinical mastitis. There were no metabolic alterations in the prepartum period related to the occurrence of postpartum mastitis in multiparous cows in a semi-extensive management system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The post-partum period in dairy cows is accompanied by a low glucose metabolism in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle tissue, being glucose conducted to the milk production. In humans, low glucose metabolism is associated with metabolic syndromes, the high glucose levels reduce tubular reabsorption of Magnesium (Mg) and Calcium (Ca), leading to hypomagnesemia and hypocalcemia. These minerals are important to the dairy cow, as their decrease leads to diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between glucose metabolism rate with the urinary excretion of Ca and Mg in multiparous dairy cows during the post-partum period. Materials, Methods & Results: Twenty dairy cows were used from a commercial farm southern Brazil, in the semi-extensive system. Glucose tolerance tests were performed (TTG) on day 9 relative to calving. The cows were categorized into three groups according to the glucose metabolism rate (area under the glucose curve, glucose half-life and glucose consumption rate): High Glucose Metabolization (GA); Intermediate Glucose Metabolizing (GI); and Low Glucose Metabolization (GL). Blood and urine samples were collected on days 0, + 3, + 6, + 9, +16 and +23 in relation to calving for to determine the levels of Ca, Mg, insulin (Ins), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and Glu. In urine was evaluated the excretion of Ca and Mg. The cows were milked twice a day (at 3:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.) and the milk yield (kg/cow) was recorded daily and averages were generated every five days from day 15 to day 60 postpartum. The statistical analyses were performed with the MIXED procedure to assess the main effect of group, time (in days) and their interaction by using version 9.2 SAS software. The influence of the different rates of glucose metabolism on milk production was observed, the GB group had a production than GH group (30.88 ± 1.44 kg vs 23.96 ± 1.43 kg, P < 0.01), but did not differ from GI. The GL group showed higher levels of Glu compared to GA (P < 0.05). The plasma Ca levels were higher in GL (P < 0.05) compared with GH. The NEFA, insulin, and excretion of minerals did not differ between groups (P > 0.05). Discussion: The low glucose metabolism in humans causes an increase in the excretion of Ca and Mg urine, however, in the animals studied, these changes were not observed. This result can be attributed to the fact that insulin resistance is transitory in dairy cattle. The higher glucose levels in the GL group are related due to the lower capacity of glucose entry in the peripheral tissues (adipose and skeletal muscle), which reflected in the higher milk production observed this group. However, the higher calcium concentrations were not expected, since the release of insulin by ß-pancreatic cells is dependent on calcium. Possibly, these higher calcium levels in GB, are related to higher milk production, requiring a greater amount of calcium for the production of casein, increasing bone mobilization, intestinal absorption. The energy metabolites, non-esterified fatty acids and insulin, did not differ between groups, suggesting that the animals did not present different metabolic conditions. We conclude that multiparous dairy cows with low glucose metabolism rate (GB) have higher levels of glucose after delivery and increased milk production. The metabolism rate of glucose did not influence the excretion of the Ca and Mg minerals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Science / Revista Brasileira de Ciência Veterinária is the property of Revista Brasileira de Ciencia Veterinaria and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Science / Revista Brasileira de Ciência Veterinária is the property of Revista Brasileira de Ciencia Veterinaria and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: The timed artificial insemination (TAI) protocols have been used worldwide as a first service artificial insemination (AI) breed system as well as to resynchronize cows diagnosed as not pregnant. The benefits associated to Heatsynch are the lower cost of the protocol and the increase in the number of cows detected in estrus. Furthermore, it has been suggested that protocols combining AI after estrus detection followed by TAI could increase overall conception rates, as well as increased AI submission rates. The aim of this study was evaluate reproductive responses of dairy cows submitted to a Heatsynch protocol according the estrus behavior and controlled internal device release (CIDR) uses. Material, Methods & Results: Holstein lactating cows (n = 562) were enrolled in protocol using (CIDR) (1.9 g of progesterone) insertion at (day 0) D0 either a new one, a previous used once (7 days - second use) or twice used (14 days - third use). Based on the detection of estrus and the moment of AI after the CIDR removal, cows were divided into 3 groups: cows showing signs of estrus and therefore AI 36 to 60 h after CIDR removal (EPTAI group; n = 241); cows showing estrus and AI 72 h after CIDR removal (ETAI group; n = 207); and cows that did not show any sign of estrus after CIDR removal and were TAI 72 h later (NoETAI group; n = 335). Previous to the first postpartum insemination (47.01 ± 5.43 days in milk) cows were pre-synchronized using one dose of PGF2α (Lutalyse, Pfizer Saúde Animal, Brazil). At 60 ± 3.52 days in milk (DIM), day 0 of the Heatsynch protocol, cows were subjected to gynecological examination by a Veterinarian, where only those animals considered as healthy cows with no signs of uterine disease were kept in the study. In a subset of animals (105/783; 13.4%) an ovary evaluation was performed by ultrasonography (WED-3000, B-mode, linear array, ultrasound scanner equipped with a 5.0-MHz transducer, Welld, Shenzhen, China) at the beginning of synchronization protocol aiming to check the presence of a corpus luteum (CL) and classify the cows as cycling or not cycling. Ovarian structures were examinated aiming to check the CL presence on day zero of the program in a subset of the cows and pregnancy status was also determined by ultrasonography. Higher conception rates were found in EPTAI and ETAI groups than NoETAI, respectivaly 44.8%, 38.2% and 24.8%. Pregnancy losses were calculating considering cows that were not pregnant at 60-65 days re-check and those that showed signs of estrus before the first pregnancy determination. The CIDR reutilization did not affect the estrus behavior, conception rate or pregnancy losses. In conclusion, reproductive responses in dairy cows during a Heatsynch protocol are not affected by CIDR reutilization and are improved in cows showing estrus signs. Discussion: Cows submitted to Heatsynch protocols that demonstrate estrus signs have increased pregnancy rates and lower pregnancy losses. In addition to that, cows exposed to low estradiol concentrations were more likely to experience subsequent premature luteolysis. Thus, coupled with the estradiol cypionate (ECP) action, it can be postulated that cows showing estrus signs during a timed AI protocol could have a higher ovulation rate. This can assume great importance in high producing dairy herds, since in response to ECP becomes possible to overcome the lower concentrations of estradiol due to high hepatic clearance and catabolism o esteroid hormones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study determined the zootechnical, metabolic, and health performance of Girolando calves born with high or low birth weight, conceived through in vitro fertilization. The study was carried out on a commercial dairy farm located in Passos, Minas Gerais, Brazil. For this, a hundred Girolando calves were divided into two groups: The Control, which consisted of calves that were born weighing = 35 kg; and high birth weight (HBW) calves, which were born weighing > 35 kg. The calves were monitored for zootechnical parameters; epidemiological indices, for diseases such diarrhea and pneumonia; as well as serum concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, cholesterol, triglycerides, paraoxonase1, albumin, urea, and globulin. Calves from the HBW group had a higher general mortality rate, but no effects on the zootechnical performance or metabolism were observed. The results obtained allow us to conclude that Girolando calves generated by IVF and heavier at birth have a greater chance to present diseases such as omphalophlebitis, tympany, and bovine parasitic sadness, and have a higher rate of general mortality. Conversely, birth weight of the calves does not influence diarrhea or pneumonia, the zootechnical performance, or the metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to confirm the possible consequences of prepartum lameness on subsequent lactation among Holstein cows. In this research, 27 multiparous cows, were monitored from the 30th to 63rd day, relative to calving. Thirty days prior to parturition, the animals were segregated into two groups based on the locomotion score (LS), where LS 1 is attributed to animals without claudication, LS 2 to those with suspected lameness and LS 3, 4 and 5 to those with mild, moderate and severe lameness, respectively; in the lame cows group (LC) (n=15), the animals displayed LS ≥ 3, whereas in the non-lame cows group (NLC) (n=12) they showed LS 1. Milk production, body condition score (BCS) and blood concentration levels of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), urea, phosphorus, calcium aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and total plasma proteins (PPT) were evaluated. Milk production (17.675 ± 0.31 L of milk/day) and blood calcium concentration (7.42 ± 0.12 mg/dL) were lower in the lame cows in comparison to those without lameness (22.27 ± 0.42 L of milk/day and 9.63 ± 0.13 mg/dL). Besides, the lame cows showed higher BCS loss during the early postpartum period. The metabolites AST, GGT, PPT, urea, BHB and phosphorus revealed no difference between the groups during the period evaluated. The lameness evident in cows during prepartum exerted major negative effects on the milk production and calcemia, making the LS evaluation during these period an important tool in the early diagnosis of losses for future lactation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]