RESUMO
The research has shown the interesting contributions of shearing in mid-gestation on the performance of lambs from birth to weaning. Other studies have reported that shearing at early pregnancy influences the development of the placenta and lamb live weight at birth. However, there was a lack of information on the effect of early-prepartum shearing on the behavior of the offspring from weaning onward. This study evaluated the effect of shearing ewes at 50 days of gestation on the growth, reproductive behavior and response to a gastrointestinal parasite challenge in the female offspring from weaning to 18 months old. Fifty-seven Polwarth female lambs were used, 22 being singles and 35 twins born to ewes either shorn at 50 days of pregnancy (PS, n = 23) or shorn at 62 days postpartum (U, control, n = 34) resulting in four subgroups: single lambs born to PS ewes (n = 8), born to U ewes (n = 14), twin lambs born to PS ewes (n = 15) or born to U ewes (n = 20). All progeny were managed together under improved pasture with a minimum forage allowance of 6% live weight on dry basis. Body weight, body condition score and fecal eggs count were recorded every 14 days from weaning to 18 months of age. Concentrations of progesterone were measured weekly (from 4 to 10 months of age and from 14 to 18 months of age) to establish the onset of puberty. Ovulation rate at an induced and a natural heat (545 ± 1.0 and 562 ± 1.0 day old) was recorded. Prepartum shearing did not affect the age at puberty or the ovulation rate of female offspring, but those born as singles were more precocious ( P = 0.03) and heavier ( P = 0.02) at puberty than twin born lambs. Both the average value of parasite egg count ( P = 0.0 7) and the Famacha index ( P = 0.02) for the entire study period were lower in lambs born to prepartum shorn ewes than those born to postpartum shorn ewes. In conclusion, shearing at 50 days of gestation did not affect the growth or the reproductive behavior of female offspring. However, female lambs born from ewe shorn during gestation showed a better response to the parasitic challenge, and further research is required to confirm this.
Assuntos
Comportamento Sexual Animal , Ovinos/fisiologia , Animais , Feminino , Parto , Período Pós-Parto , Gravidez , Ovinos/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Desmame , Lã/fisiologiaRESUMO
INTRODUCCIÓN La información sobre demencia y deterioro cognitivo es escasa en Argentina, particularmente en la Patagonia. OBJETIVOS Determinar la prevalencia de deterioro cognitivo en la ciudad de Neuquén. MÉTODOS Se realizó una encuesta puerta a puerta a todas las personas mayores de 60 años que vivían en un barrio de la ciudad de Neuquén con alto riesgo social. Se evaluaron variables geriátricas y cognitivas, incluyendo mini-mental, test del reloj y set test según el nivel de instrucción. RESULTADOS De las 78 encuestas evaluadas, la media de edad fue de 70,75 años, 37 de sexo femenino, con una escolaridad promedio de 4,37 años y un 33% de personas analfabetas funcionales. Se evidenció deterioro cognitivo en 29,49% de los pacientes, que aumentó con la edad y con el menor nivel de instrucción. DISCUSIÓN La prevalencia de deterioro cognitivo en la población evaluada fue más elevada que en otros estudios argentinos, hallazgo que estuvo asociado a un porcentaje de analfabetismo más alto que en otras jurisdicciones.
Assuntos
Saúde Pública , Epidemiologia , Idoso Fragilizado , Demência , Disfunção Cognitiva , AlfabetizaçãoRESUMO
The goal of the present study was to determine whether ACTH and progesterone have any effect on LH secretion and pulse frequency in recently castrated rams. Six 2-year-old Corriedale rams were castrated in the winter. The day before castration, blood samples were taken in order to establish the precastration LH levels. The rams were divided into an untreated group (group U: n = 2) and a treated group (group T: n = 4). The first treatment consisted of the i.v. administration of 0.5 mg of ACTH on day 20 post-castration, immediately after the first sample had been taken. During the second treatment, subcutaneous progesterone implants were given to group T for 5 days. Control samplings were performed one week before each treatment. Prior to castration, the testosterone levels were low, while after castration they were below the detection limit of the assay. Cortisol and progesterone concentrations were basal before castration in all of the animals and after castration in group U and also in the control samplings for group T. ACTH treatment caused a significant increase in both cortisol and progesterone levels for 3 h (P < 0.001). Progesterone implants raised progesterone levels in group T, but cortisol levels remained basal. Before castration, all animals had low LH levels and hardly any pulse activity was seen. After castration, both the number of LH pulses and the mean LH production increased significantly in all of the animals (P < 0.01). During the ACTH trial, LH pulse frequency was significantly reduced for the first 4 h following ACTH administration (P = 0.013), however, no such differences occurred in the prior control period. No effect was seen on mean LH concentration during the ACTH treatment. Progesterone treatment did not have any effect on either the number of LH pulses nor on LH concentrations (P > 0.05).