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Trinta e dois cordeiros (¹/2 Texel + ¼ Bergamácia + ¼ Corriedale), 16 machos inteiros e 16 fêmeas, foram alimentados durante 71 dias com dietas isoenergéticas (72% NDT), variando os níveis protéicos (12, 16, 20 e 24 % PB) em baias individuais, com avaliação de carcaça após abate. O rendimento verdadeiro médio da carcaça foi 54%, enquanto o rendimento comercial médio foi 48%. Verificou-se que os níveis protéicos entre 12 e 24% não afetaram o peso da carcaça quente e fria; o rendimento comercial da carcaça, o índice de compacidade da carcaça e do pernil, bem como a condição corporal, conformação, cobertura de gordura, consistência da gordura, cor da carne, espessura de gordura e deposição de gordura. Os animais terminados com dietas com 12% de proteína bruta foram os que apresentaram maior rendimento verdadeiro de carcaça.

O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar níveis crescentes de proteína bruta (PB) na dieta de cordeiros em confinamento, por meio de seus efeitos sobre o desempenho animal. Trinta e dois cordeiros "tricross" (¹/2 Texel + fraction one-quarter Bergamácia + fraction one-quarter Corriedale), sendo 16 machos inteiros e 16 fêmeas, com idade média de 5 meses e peso vivo de 30 kg , foram alimentados durante 57 dias com dietas isoenergéticas (72% NDT), variando os níveis protéicos (12, 16, 20 e 24 % PB). Os animais foram identificados, pesados e distribuídos nos quatro tratamentos. Os cordeiros permaneceram em baias individuais, cobertas, com piso ripado e suspenso. Os parâmetros estudados foram ganho de peso, consumo de matéria seca, conversão alimentar e o custo de produção do quilograma de carcaça. A utilização de dietas, com diferentes níveis protéicos na terminação de cordeiros, mostrou efeito linear positivo para ganho de peso e negativo para conversão alimentar. Verificou-se que a utilização de dietas com níveis protéicos crescentes não influenciou o consumo de matéria seca dos cordeiros. Observou-se viabilidade econômica na terminação de cordeiros, utilizando-se dietas entre 12 e 24% de PB, entretanto, o maior retorno foi obtido com a ração contendo 12% PB. Não houve efeito de sexo para os parâmetros analisados.

Traditionally, in vitro oocyte and embryo culture progresses through a series of varying culture medium. To investigate simplifying the in vitro production of bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs), this study used synthetic oviductal fluid (SOF) supplemented with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Special interest was placed on gene expression linked to lipid metabolism and oocyte maturation. COCs were matured in different media: Medium 199 (M199 group), M199 with 100 μM CLA (M199 + CLA group), SOF (SOF group), and SOF with 100 μM CLA (SOF + CLA group). COCs matured with SOF showed a higher relative abundance of mRNA of quality indicators gremlin 1 ( GREM1 ) and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 ( PTGS2 ) in oocytes, and GREM1 in cumulus cells compared with in the M199 group. SOF medium COCs had a higher relative abundance of fatty acid desaturase 2 ( FADS2 ) compared with the M199 group, which is essential for lipid metabolism in oocytes. Furthermore, the abundance of stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 ( SCD1 ) in oocytes matured with SOF was not influenced by the addition of CLA, whereas the relative abundance of SCD1 was reduced in M199 medium with CLA. We concluded that maturation in SOF medium results in a greater abundance of genes linked to quality and lipidic metabolism in oocytes, regardless of the addition of CLA.

Feeding is a determining factor in the various characteristics of sheep meat and animal performance, the objectives were to evaluate the effect of supplementation of ewe lambs finished in different nutritional planes on the gene expression of CASP3, CAPN1, CAPN2 and CAST and its possible association with meat quality. Samples of the Longissimus lumborum muscle of 24 ewe lambs were used, distributed in 3 groups (n=8): P (pasture), PS (pasture and supplement) and F (feedlot). Physicochemical analyses were performed for centesimal analysis, pH, lipid oxidation, Warner-Bratzler shear force and RT-qPCR for the analysis of relative gene expression of the following genes: CASP3, CAPN1, CAPN2 and CAST. There is an increase in daily weight gain and ethereal extract values in the meat of confined animals, due to the greater energy intake in the nutrition of these animals. Animals kept only on pasture have lower lipid oxidation in meat than other treatments because of the lower percentage of lipids. The Warner-Bratzler shear force is considerably higher in the meat of animals kept only on pasture but is still considered tender. The different nutritional systems do not interfere with the gene expression of CASP3, CAPN1, CAPN2 and CAST in ewe lambs.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of different levels of probiotic in the diets of lambs, on ruminal characteristics, intake and digestibility of nutrients. The treatments were 0 (control group), 2, 4 and 6 g/day of probiotic doses, supplied orally and individually to the lambs. Four crossbred Santa Inês X Texel lambs were used, and the experimental design was a Latin square, with four treatments and four periods. Samples of diet, orts, feces, and ruminal fluid were collected from each animal. Intake and apparent digestibility variables were not different (p > 0.05) among the levels of probiotic evaluated. The average daily feed intake of lambs ranged from 1.27 to 1.28 kg of DM/day, and no significant differences (p > 0.05) were obtained between the levels of probiotics used in the diet. The percentage distribution of protozoa was not significant according to the different doses of probiotics used. A positive linear effect was obtained between the pH of the rumen fluid and the probiotic used, indicating that the highest pH values were obtained when the animals received the higher dose of 6 g probiotic; indicative that its use provides a ruminal environment closer to neutrality. The methylene blue reduction test in ruminal fluid samples did not differ between the different doses of probiotics used. The increasing levels of the probiotic in the diet of lambs are related to an increase in ruminal pH, without changing the levels of intake and digestibility of nutrients., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Veterinarians, among other health professionals, are considered health professionals at high risk of exposure to and contraction of COVID-19. The main objective of this study is to assess changes in the clinical practices of veterinarians during the COVID-19 pandemic around prophylactic and biosafety measures, as well as to evaluate changes in workload and cost-benefit ratio. An online questionnaire was sent to veterinary professionals from July 2020 to July 2021 using Google Forms. A total of 1134 veterinarians answered the questionnaire on clinical experiences and biosafety practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Veterinarians changed their routine clinical practices, as there was a reduction in working hours, and applied new patient approaches and advice to their owners, as well as restricting the number of people allowed inside. Biosafety measures were added in their workplaces, with an increase in the use of personal protective equipment. COVID-19 tests were administered at least once in 19.0%, and more than once in 9.5% of the respondents. Flu symptoms were present in 23.8% of the respondents, and 31.0% of the veterinarians attended to COVID-19 positive pet owners. Therefore, most veterinarians altered their routine practices, and some were exposed to sources of COVID-19 infection., Competing Interests: Conflict of interests: No conflict of interests., (Copyright Barreto et al.)

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the viability of a mycotoxin adsorbent based on beta-glucans from cell walls of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and bentonites in the diets of confined lambs of the Texel breed. Twenty-four lambs (12 males and 12 females) with an average weight of 18.6 kg ± 1.6 were divided into two groups: treated (with adsorbent) and control. The animal diets contained the mycotoxins aflatoxin B1, fumonisin B1 and B2, zearalenone, and deoxynivalenol in concentrations within guidance levels. The animals were slaughtered with body weight of approximately 26.4 kg. The performance and carcass variables of the lambs were evaluated. The daily weight gain was higher in the treated group (216.24 g) than in the control group (185.90 g). The averages for loin eye area, subcutaneous fat thickness, and marbling were 13.93 cm 2 , 2.66 mm, and 3.20 in the treated group and 12.16 cm 2 , 2.6 mm, and 3.25 in the control group, respectively. The true, hot, and cold carcass yield, and the carcass cooling losses did not differ between groups. The carcasses were similar in conformation and fat finishing degree, with averages of 3.95 and 3.83, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the effect of a mycotoxin additive in the diet of finishing lambs. The use of mycotoxin adsorbent in confined lambs was feasible, and its use resulted in greater daily weight gain in lambs and average net profit.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the peak in luteinizing hormone (LH) and the pregnancy rate of sheep (Texel × Santa Inês) in the tropics using short- (6 days) and long-term (12 days) progesterone protocols followed by artificial insemination (AI) both in and out of the breeding season. Experiment 1 was conducted within (IN) the breeding season (autumn, n = 36), and experiment 2 was conducted outside (OUT) of the breeding season (spring, n = 43). In each experiment, the sheep were divided into two groups (6 or 12 days) according to the duration of treatment with a single-use progesterone release vaginal device (CIDR ® , Pfizer, São Paulo, SP, Brazil), and blood samples were collected from 10 animals per group every 4 hr to measure the LH and progesterone concentrations. In the spring, the characteristics of the LH peak did not differ between groups; but in the autumn, there were differences between groups at the beginning (G-6 IN: 36.44 ± 5.46 hr; G-12 IN: 26.57 ± 4.99 hr) and end of the LH peak (G-6 IN: 46.22 ± 7.51 hr; G-12 IN: 34.86 ± 8.86 hr). The results showed alterations in the LH peak during the breeding season only in the sheep undergoing the short-term protocol., (© 2018 Japanese Society of Animal Science.)