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OBJECTIVE: Pregnant Nelore heifers (n = 417) were used to evaluate the effects of supplementation with monensin-molasses multinutrient block (B) during pre and/or postpartum on reproductive and progeny performance. METHODS: Heifers were allocated in four treatments: i) CC: heifers received control supplement (C) in loose meal form (0.06% of body weight [BW] offered daily before and after parturition; n = 108); ii) CB: received C before parturition and B (0.07% of BW offered weekly after parturition; n = 117); iii) BC: received B before and C after parturition (n = 103) and iv) BB: received B before and after parturition (n = 89). During pre and postpartum periods, concentration of metabolites/hormones and cow/calf performance was evaluated over time. Cows were synchronized twice for fixed timed artificial insemination (FTAI) using an estradiol/progesterone-based protocol. Data was analyzed by orthogonal contrasts (C). RESULTS: B increased pregnancy at first FTAI (p = 0.04) and overall pregnancy rate (C1: CC vs BB+BC+CB; p = 0.05). Supplemented cows had greater body condition score (BCS) only at parturition (D0; p = 0.04) and at D40 (p = 0.02). B increased BW (p = 0.03), glucose concentrations (p = 0.01) and subcutaneous fat thickness (p = 0.03) only at D40. Concentrations of insulin were higher in supplemented cows (p = 0.008). Calves born by cows supplemented before and after parturition (C2: BB vs BC+CB) were heavier at 80 (p<0.001), 120 (p<0.001), 170 (p = 0.002) and 210 (p = 0.02) days old. CONCLUSION: Regardless of period of treatment, block supplementation increased pregnancy at first FTAI and overall pregnancy rate. Additionality, block supplementation during both pre and postpartum periods improved progeny weight until weaning. Block supplementation can be a tool to optimize fertility and calf performance in Nelore primiparous cows.

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This study evaluated the association between plasma anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) concentration and fertility in Nelore (Bos indicus) heifers submitted to timed artificial insemination (TAI). At the onset of the synchronization protocol, heifers (n = 289) received a subcutaneous P4 ear implant (3 mg) and 2 mg of oestradiol benzoate. Eight days later, the P4 implant was removed and 0.5 mg of oestradiol cypionate, prostaglandin (0.265 mg, i.m.) and equine chorionic gonadotropin (300 UI, i.m.) was administered, and TAI was performed 48 hr after ear implant removal. Ovarian ultrasound evaluations were performed to measure number of ovarian follicles, dominant follicle size and ovulation response. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by ultrasound 30 days after AI. Heifers with greater circulating AMH had more antral follicles, a smaller dominant follicle near timed ovulation and lower ovulation response to the timed AI protocol compared to heifers with lower circulating AMH. Although AMH and pregnancy outcome had a quadratic-shaped pattern, AMH was not significantly associated with fertility. In conclusion, heifers with lower AMH had larger follicles towards the end of the synchronization protocol and greater ovulation responses, whereas greater circulating AMH was unrelated to conception success.

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INTRODUCTION: Endometritis is a condition marked by inflammation of the endometrium that affects dairy cows from 21 days after parturition, causing damage to herd fertility and economic losses on farms. The use of active compounds obtained from plant sources has gained importance as disease treatment agents in farm animals due to the high resistance rates currently observed against traditional antibiotics commonly used. The study was carried out to examine the chemical composition and to investigate the antibacterial activity of rosemary, cinnamon, cloves, eucalyptus, lemon, oregano and thyme essential oils against the reference strain of Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Fusobacterium necrophorum (ATCC 25286), Trueperella pyogenes (ATCC 19411) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213), considered as typical bacteria causing endometritis. METHODOLOGY: The chemical composition of the seven essential oils were analyzed by GC-MS and their antibacterial activity was evaluated by the disc diffusion method. RESULTS: Thirty-six components were identified in total using GC-MS analyzes. The main compounds were cinnamaldehyde (86.5% for cinnamon essential oil), eugenol (85.7% for clove essential oil), 1,8-cineol (80% for eucalyptus and 47.8% rosemary essential oils), limonene (65.5% for lemon essential oil), carvacrol (72.1% for oregano essential oil) and thymol (48.8% for thyme essential oil). The disc diffusion assay revealed that cinnamon, clove, oregano, and thyme essential oils showed the best results compared to the other three essential oils, showing the largest zone of inhibition against all bacteria evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicated that essential oils are a potential agent to be used as an alternative for bovine endometritis treatment.

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Recent advances in the field of animal assisted reproduction have allowed faster dissemination of animals with superior genetics. In cattle, the development of some biotechnologies such as the in vitro production (IVP) of embryos optimized the use of oocytes, which represents a great improvement in embryo production world-wide. Therefore, females with high net merit can be multiplied more efficiently to maximize the number of their offspring. The use of ultrasound-guided transvaginal follicle aspiration combined with IVP allowed wide commercial transfer of IVP-embryos with satisfactory pregnancy results. Yet, there are a number of unanswered areas including the level of repeatability and predictability in IVP systems. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the repeatability of some variables related to IVP of bovine embryos from Nellore breed. The study was conducted from 2011 to 2012 using 42 Nellore cows housed at the Centro APTA Bovinos de Corte located in Sertãozinho-SP, Brazil. Donors were kept under the same management throughout the entire experimental period. All animals underwent a total of 25 transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration sections. Oocytes were retrieved and handled similarly by Sexing Technologies using semen from 11 sires. Repeatability was evaluated in the following variables: total number of oocytes, embryos and viable oocytes, viable o

O artigo não possui resumo em português.

RESUMO

Several factors can influence the recovery of the amount of oocytes for in vitro embryo production (IVEP), including the age of the donor, the time and the frequency at which the animal is collected and climate station year. Another factor is the individual variation of each animal in the number of oocytes and embryos. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of the number of aspirations and the influence of the months of the year in the amount of total and viable oocytes in Nellore cows. The date was collected from January 2011 to December 2012. Non-lactating, cycling Nellore cows (n = 42) of high genetic value were used as oocyte donors. The procedures were carried out in a farm in southeast Brazil (21816S/48582W), located in humid tropical climate. All the donors were maintained on pasture consisting of guinea grass (Panicum maximum and Urochloa brizantha), getting protein mineral supplement energy and water ad libitum daily. The analyzes were performed by proc GLIMMIX of SAS 9.3 (SAS Inst., Inc., Cary, NC).  The amount of total oocytes (P=0.16) and viable (P=0.11) did not influenced by the number of aspirations. However, the months of the year have an effect on the amount of total and viable (P 0.0001) oocytes. Probably the production of oocytes did not suffer influences the number of aspirations performed mainly because the intervals between each OPU

O artigo não possui resumo em português.

RESUMO

Several factors can influence the recovery of the amount of oocytes for in vitro embryo production (IVEP), including the age of the donor, the time and the frequency at which the animal is collected and climate station year. Another factor is the individual variation of each animal in the number of oocytes and embryos. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of the number of aspirations and the influence of the months of the year in the amount of total and viable oocytes in Nellore cows. The date was collected from January 2011 to December 2012. Non-lactating, cycling Nellore cows (n = 42) of high genetic value were used as oocyte donors. The procedures were carried out in a farm in southeast Brazil (21816S/48582W), located in humid tropical climate. All the donors were maintained on pasture consisting of guinea grass (Panicum maximum and Urochloa brizantha), getting protein mineral supplement energy and water ad libitum daily. The analyzes were performed by proc GLIMMIX of SAS 9.3 (SAS Inst., Inc., Cary, NC).  The amount of total oocytes (P=0.16) and viable (P=0.11) did not influenced by the number of aspirations. However, the months of the year have an effect on the amount of total and viable (P 0.0001) oocytes. Probably the production of oocytes did not suffer influences the number of aspirations performed mainly because the intervals between each OPU

O artigo não possui resumo em português.

RESUMO

Recent advances in the field of animal assisted reproduction have allowed faster dissemination of animals with superior genetics. In cattle, the development of some biotechnologies such as the in vitro production (IVP) of embryos optimized the use of oocytes, which represents a great improvement in embryo production world-wide. Therefore, females with high net merit can be multiplied more efficiently to maximize the number of their offspring. The use of ultrasound-guided transvaginal follicle aspiration combined with IVP allowed wide commercial transfer of IVP-embryos with satisfactory pregnancy results. Yet, there are a number of unanswered areas including the level of repeatability and predictability in IVP systems. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the repeatability of some variables related to IVP of bovine embryos from Nellore breed. The study was conducted from 2011 to 2012 using 42 Nellore cows housed at the Centro APTA Bovinos de Corte located in Sertãozinho-SP, Brazil. Donors were kept under the same management throughout the entire experimental period. All animals underwent a total of 25 transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicular aspiration sections. Oocytes were retrieved and handled similarly by Sexing Technologies using semen from 11 sires. Repeatability was evaluated in the following variables: total number of oocytes, embryos and viable oocytes, viable o

O artigo não possui resumo em português.

RESUMO

Ovulation induction (OI) is a cornerstone of human assisted reproduction treatments (ART). Current OI protocols are based on the human follicular dynamics model known as propitious moment theory (PMT), by which follicles continuously grow from the primordial pool without any pattern, and follicular fate depend on the occurrence of a gonadotropin surge. Recently, a new paradigm of human follicular dynamics called follicular waves was revealed using sequential ultrasound examination of 1 interovulatory interval. Instead of random growth, follicles develop in coordinated groups or waves, occurring 2 to 3 times during an interovulatory interval. Follicular waves are common in several other mono-ovulatory species, like equines and bovines. In fact, this model was applied to the development of several OI protocols in veterinary medicine, especially in cows. It has been shown that synchronization of OI with the emergence of a follicular wave increases substantially success rates in animals, even with single embryo transfer. Veterinarians have already developed mechanisms to control wave emergence through mechanical or chemical ablation of the dominant follicle or corpus luteum. Considering the follicular dynamics similarities between humans and bovines regarding the follicular wave phenomenon, we hypothesize that synchronization of follicular wave emergence with ovarian stimulation produces more competent oocytes and embryos and will enhance ART efficiency in humans. At the end of this article, we propose 2 theoretical approaches to induce the emergence of a follicular wave in women: (1) a mechanical strategy by aspiration of the dominant follicle and (2) a pharmacological strategy by administering estradiol and progesterone.

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The performance of a commercial ELISA (Bovine Rhinotracheitis virus antibody test Kit, Herdcheck®, IDEXX Laboratories Inc., USA) designed to detect the presence of antibody to the Bovine Herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) in bovine serum, was evaluated in samples of buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) serum. Sera of 133 buffaloes without IBR vaccination were performed both by ELISA and standard serum neutralization technique. Sensitivity and specificity of ELISA were 97.14% and 46.03%, respectively. The estimated concordance between two serologic diagnostic methods by kappa index was 0.44 IC (0.29-0.59) using 95% confidence level.

O desempenho de um ELISA comercial (Bovine Rhinotracheitis virus antibody test Kit, Herdcheck®, IDEXX Laboratories Inc., USA) para a identificação de anticorpos anti-herpesvírus bovino tipo 1 (BHV-1), em soro bovino, foi avaliado em 133 amostras de soro de búfalos (Bubalus bubalis), sem histórico de vacinação para IBR, da Região do Vale do Ribeira, Estado de São Paulo. Tomando-se a técnica de soroneutralização como referência, o ELISA indireto apresentou sensibilidade e especificidade relativa de 97,14 e 46,03%, respectivamente. A concordância estimada pelo índice kappa, entre os dois métodos, foi de 0,44 IC (0,29-0,59), utilizando um intervalo de confiança de 95%.

RESUMO

Buffalo has peculiar reproductive patterns, which make artificial insemination programs a hard and expensive task. Artificial insemination in fixed time is advantaged because females show low incidence of homosexual behaviour and strong dominance relationships, which leads to a poor accuracy in estrus detection. The aim of this experiment was to compare the efficiency of two different GnRH agonists in the GnRH/PGF2alpha/GnRH protocol (Buserelin vs Lecirelin). Two hundred and seventy buffaloes with 45 to 60 days postpartum were synchronized and fixed-time inseminated. The animals were kept on pasture in two farms at São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul (Brazil). Cows in Group 1 (n = 132) received, intramuscularly, 20 µg of Buserelin at a random day of the estrous cycle and, seven days later, 15 mg of prostaglandin F2alpha. Two days after prostaglandin administration, 10 µg Buserelin were intramuscularly injected. Cows in Group 2 (n = 138) were treated with the same protocol, but with intra-muscular administrations of Lecirelin (50 µg in the first administration and 25 µg in the second). Artificial insemination was performed 16 hours after the last injection in both groups. Pregnancies were diagnosed by ultrasonography (Pie Medical 480, 5.0 and 7.5 MHz linear probe), 30 days after artificial insemination. Conception rates were not influenced by farm (P >; 0.05) and were similar in

O uso de protocolos de sincronização da ovulação em bubalinos é bastante vantajoso, em virtude de certas peculiaridades apresentadas pela espécie que podem prejudicar programas de inseminação artificial, como a baixa incidência de comportamento homossexual e relações de dominância entre os animais. Com o objetivo de verificar a eficácia da Lecirelina como agonista de GnRH no protocolo GnRH/PGF2alfa/GnRH, 270 búfalas, com período pós-parto entre 45 e 60 dias, mantidas a pasto em duas propriedades, foram submetidas a dois tratamentos de sincronização da ovulação. Os animais do Grupo 1 (n = 132) receberam, em dia desconhecido do ciclo estral, 20 µg de Buserelina IM, sendo aplicados, 7 dias mais tarde, 15 mg de prostaglandina (PGF2a). Dois dias após a administração da PGF2alfa, os animais receberam 10 µg de Buserelina, IM. As fêmeas do Grupo 2 (n = 138) foram tratadas seguindo o mesmo protocolo, com a diferença de que, na primeira e na terceira administrações hormonais, se aplicaram, respectivamente, 50 µg e 25 µg de Lecirelina, IM. A inseminação artificial foi efetuada em tempo fixo, 16 horas após a terceira administração hormonal, em ambos os grupos. O diagnóstico de gestação foi realizado por ultra-sonografia, 30 dias após a inseminação artificial. As taxas de concepção foram semelhantes [47,0% (62/132) e 50,0% (69/138) nos Grupos 1 e 2 (P >; 0,05)]. Não foi observado efeito

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In vivo internal and external pelvimetry was carried out in 255 mixed female buffaloes. A Menissier-Vissac pelvimeter was used for the internal measurements. The results were compared to age, heart girth, body weight, height and length. In order to compare the pelvic measurements, the animals were equitably divided into 3 groups (n=85) according to parturition occurrence and frequency (nuliparous, primiparous and multiparous). The internal transverse (horizontal) pelvic diameters, dorsal and ventral bi-iliac and the sacro-pubic (vertical) were respectively: 17.1 ± 2.17 cm; 15.7 ± 2.11 cm and 22.3 ± 2.51 cm; and the external bi-iliac (hipwidth), bi-isquiatic (pin width) and ilioisquiatic (rump length): 59.8 ± 6.13 cm; 32.4 ± 3.56 cm and 44.5 ± 3.31 cm, respectively. Significant positive correlations (p 0.01) were obtained for all measurements but heart girth was found to have the highest correlations to pelvic measurements. Adjusted means by heart girth revealed significant differences (p 0.05) for the 3 groups in respect to internal pelvimetry. However, as it concerns to external pelvimetry, significant differences were found only between the nuliparous and the other two groups for the bi-iliac and ilioisquiatic; for the bi-isquiatic diameter no significant differences were found. The internal pelvimetry was found to be less correlated to the body size and more eviden

Mensurações pélvicas internas e externas foram realizadas in vivo em 255 búfalas mestiças. Para a pelvimetria interna, utilizou-se o pelvímetro de Menissier-Vissac. Os resultados foram confrontados com a idade, perímetro torácico, peso, altura e comprimento. Para comparação das medidas pélvicas, os animais foram divididos equitativamente em 3 grupos (n=85), segundo a ocorrência e freqüência de partos (nulíparas, primíparas e multíparas). Os diâmetros pélvicos internos: biilíacos superior e inferior (horizontais) e sacropúbico (vertical) apresentaram respectivamente as seguintes médias e desvios padrões: 17,1 ± 2,17 cm; 15,7 ± 2,11 cm e 22,3 ± 2,51 cm; e os externos: biilíaco, biisquiático e ilioisquiático, da mesma maneira: 59,8 ± 6,13 cm; 32,4 ± 3,56 cm e 44,5 ± 3,31 cm. Correlações positivas significantes (p 0,01) foram verificadas entre todas as medidas, porém, dentre as medidas corpóreas gerais, o perímetro torácico revelou o mais alto índice de correlações com as medidas pélvicas internas e externas. Diferenças significativas (p 0,05) entre os 3 grupos foram observadas em relação à pelvimetria interna, quando comparados através das médias ajustadas em função do perímetro torácico, porém em relação à pelvimetria externa somente entre as nulíparas e os demais grupos para os diâmetros biilíaco e ilioisquiático. Para o diâmetro biisquiático externo nenhum dos grupos

RESUMO

32 postpartum Murrah buffaloes, aged 3 to 12 years, in good body conditions of Experimental farm, Zootechnic Institute in Ribeira Valley were examined twice weekly for uterine involution by rectal palpation. No uterine infection and laborious calving was observed. Complete involution of the uterus was observed in average 25.23 ± 5.41 days after calving. There was no statistical difference (p > 0.05) between time of involution of the uterus and month of calving, weight of calving, number os calving, age of buffaloes, sex of calves, milk yield, postpartum ovarian activity, first post partum estrus and service period. Weight of calves was significantly (r = 0.41; p 0.05) correlated to uterine involution.

Estudou-se a involução uterina durante o período pós-parto de 32 (trinta e duas) fêmeas bubalinas da raça Murrah com idades variando entre 3 e 12 anos, em boa condição corporal e sem problemas reprodutivos aparentes durante o exame ginecológico. Os animais pertenciam ao Instituto de Zootecnia, Estação Experimental de Zootecnia do Vale do Ribeira, município de Registro-SP. A completa involução anatômica do útero, verificada por palpação retal duas vezes por semana, ocorreu, em média, 25,23 ± 5,41 dias após o parto. Não foram observadas diferenças estatísticas (p > 0,05) entre o tempo de involução uterina (em dias) e o mês do parto, o peso da búfala ao parto, a ordem de partos, a idade da búfala, o sexo do bezerro, a produção leiteira, o reinício da atividade ovariana, o primeiro cio após-parto e o período de serviço. Verificou-se uma correlação positiva (r = 0,41; p 0,05) entre o tempo (em dias) para a ocorrência da involuçãi uterina e o peso do bezerro ao nascer.

RESUMO

32 postpartum Murrah buffaloes, aged 3 to 12 years, in good body conditions of Experimental farm, Zootechnic Institute in Ribeira Valley were examined twice weekly for uterine involution by rectal palpation. No uterine infection and laborious calving was observed. Complete involution of the uterus was observed in average 25.23 ± 5.41 days after calving. There was no statistical difference (p > 0.05) between time of involution of the uterus and month of calving, weight of calving, number os calving, age of buffaloes, sex of calves, milk yield, postpartum ovarian activity, first post partum estrus and service period. Weight of calves was significantly (r = 0.41; p 0.05) correlated to uterine involution.

Estudou-se a involução uterina durante o período pós-parto de 32 (trinta e duas) fêmeas bubalinas da raça Murrah com idades variando entre 3 e 12 anos, em boa condição corporal e sem problemas reprodutivos aparentes durante o exame ginecológico. Os animais pertenciam ao Instituto de Zootecnia, Estação Experimental de Zootecnia do Vale do Ribeira, município de Registro-SP. A completa involução anatômica do útero, verificada por palpação retal duas vezes por semana, ocorreu, em média, 25,23 ± 5,41 dias após o parto. Não foram observadas diferenças estatísticas (p > 0,05) entre o tempo de involução uterina (em dias) e o mês do parto, o peso da búfala ao parto, a ordem de partos, a idade da búfala, o sexo do bezerro, a produção leiteira, o reinício da atividade ovariana, o primeiro cio após-parto e o período de serviço. Verificou-se uma correlação positiva (r = 0,41; p 0,05) entre o tempo (em dias) para a ocorrência da involuçãi uterina e o peso do bezerro ao nascer.