Variações anátomo-fisiológicas face à aclimatação sazonal - estudo em vacas leiteiras com diferente potencial leiteiro

O presente estudo teve como objetivo a caracterização de variações anátomo-fisiológicas que decorrem do processo de aclimatação sazonal em bovinos leiteiros com alto (Altas) e baixo (Baixas) potencial leiteiro, com vista a selecionar animais que conciliem bons desempenhos produtivos e índices de adaptabilidade que possibilitem a mudança de homeostase face às condições climáticas presentes no clima mediterrânico. O estudo foi realizado numa herdade comercial, situada no Alentejo, utilizando 13 vacas multíparas (6 Baixas e 7 Altas), durante três períodos: P1 (animais aclimatados ao verão; presença de stresse térmico); P2 (animais aclimatados ao verão; termoneutralidade); P3 (animais aclimatados ao inverno; termoneutralidade). Em stresse térmico (P1), verificaram-se maiores esforços termolíticos e maiores armazenamentos de calor no grupo das Altas. Observou-se também que a produção de leite das Altas foi afetada pelo stresse térmico, evidênciando uma redução 24-48h após os valores de temperatura retal mais elevados. Nesta situação, as Baixas apresentaram uma variação na produção oposta à das Altas. Em P1, os valores de proteína e de gordura no leite foram significativamente mais baixos que em P3, em ambos os grupos. A ureia no leite foi significativamente mais elevada nas Altas durante o P1, revelando potencial como biomarcador de stresse térmico. Do P1 para o P3 obser-vou-se uma redução gradual do hematócrito, da hemoglobina e da triiodotironina (T3). As Altas apresentaram uma maior redução de triiodotironina (T3) que as Baixas, como consequência de uma maior intensidade de aclimatação. Nos pelos não se registaram diferenças entre os períodos, o que contrasta com alguma bibliografia. Porém, a ausência da insolação direta poderá ter sido um fator determinante; ABSTRACT: The main objective of the present study was the characterization of anatomical and physiological variations that occur in the seasonal acclimatization process of dairy cows with high (Altas) and low (Baixas) milk yield potential. In this way it should be possible to do a selection of animals with good productive traits and also with adaptability indexes that allow a change in homeostasis to cope with the climatic conditions of the mediterranean climate. Meteorological, clinical, productive, physiological and anatomical data were collected. The study was conducted in an Alentejo's dairy farm, using 13 multiparous cows (6 with low milk yield and 7 with high milk yield), during three periods: P1 (animals acclimated to summer, in heat stress); P2 (animals acclimated to summer, thermoneutrality); P3 (animals acclimated to winter; thermoneutrality). In thermal stress (P1), the high milk yield group (Altas) shown greater thermolytic efforts and also higher heat storage. The milk yield in this group was also affected by heat stress, showing a decrease in production when the rectal temperature increased, with a delay of 24-42 hours. In this situation the Baixas group showed an opposite milk production variation. In P1, the protein and fat milk content was lower than in P3, in both groups. Milk urea levels were significantly higher during P1 in the Altas group, revealing potential as an heat stress biomarker. Hematocrit, hemoglobin and triiodothyronine (T3) values gradualy decreased from P1 to P3. T3 values were lower in Altas than in Baixas group, as a consequence of a more intense acclimatization. The hair analysis didn’t show the standard seasonal acclimatization process, indicating the absence of direct solar radiation as a determinant factor.

Exploring the potential of novel biomixtures and Lentinula edodes fungus for the degradation of selected pesticides. Evaluation for use in biobed systems

An approach to reduce the contamination of water sourceswith pesticides is the use of biopurificaction systems. The active core of these systems is the biomixture. The composition of biomixtures depends on the availability of local agro-industrial wastes and design should be adapted to every region. In Portugal, cork processing is generally regarded as environmentally friendly and would be interesting to find applications for its industry residues. In this work the potential use of different substrates in biomixtures, as cork (CBX); cork and straw, coat pine and LECA (Light Expanded Clay Aggregates), was tested on the degradation of terbuthylazine, difenoconazole, diflufenican and pendimethalin pesticides. Bioaugmentation strategies using the white-rot fungus Lentinula edodes inoculated into the CBX, was also assessed. The results obtained from this study clearly demonstrated the relevance of using natural biosorbents as cork residues to increase the capacity of pesticide dissipation in biomixtures for establishing biobeds. Furthermore, higher degradation of all the pesticides was achieved by use of bioaugmented biomixtures. Indeed, the biomixtures inoculated with L. edodes EL1were able to mineralize the selected xenobiotics, revelling that these white-rot fungi might be a suitable fungus for being used as inoculum sources in on-farm sustainable biopurification system, in order to increase its degradation efficiency. After 120 days, maximum degradation of terbuthylazine, difenoconazole, diflufenican and pendimethalin, of bioaugmented CBX, was 89.9%, 75.0%, 65.0% and 99.4%, respectively. The dominant metabolic route of terbuthylazine in biomixtures inoculated with L. edodes EL1 proceeded mainly via hydroxylation, towards production of terbuthylazine-hydroxy-2 metabolite. Finally, sorption process to cork by pesticides proved to be a reversible process,working cork as a mitigating factor reducing the toxicity to microorganisms in the biomixture, especially in the early stages.