Estimativas de parâmetros genéticos e proposição de critérios de seleção para pesos na raça Canchim

The objectives of this study were to obtain heritability and genetic, phenotypic and environmental correlation estimates for birth (B), weaning (WW), yearling (YW) and 18 - (EW) and 24 - month (TW) weights, and to propose selection criteria for body weight in Canchim cattle. The data were analyzed by the least-squares method with models that included the fixed effects of herd, year and month of birth, sex of calf and age of cow at calving, and the random effects of sire within herd. The heritability estimates obtained were equal to 0.36 0.06 (BW), 0.47 0.06 (WW), 0.53 0.07 (YW), 0.54 0.08 (EW) and 0.27 0.06 (TW). The genetic correlations were equal to 0.51 (BW and WW), 0.36 (BW and YW), 0.14 (BW and EW), 0.00 (BW and TW), 0.92 (WW and YW), 0.77 (WW and EW), 0.75 (WW and TW), 0.94 (YW and EW), 0.86 (YW and TW) and 0.85 (EW and TW). The phenotypic correlations ranged from 0.19 to 0.72, and the environmental correlations from 0.11 to 0.61. The results showed that, in general, mass selection for weight will result in genetic progress, selection for weight at any age will result in correlated changes at other ages, and EW and TW are good selection criteria for increasing weight in the Canchim breed.

Efeito de parâmetros analíticos sobre a precisão de métodos de extração de zinco do solo

Fifteen soil samples and four extradants (DTPA, Na 2EDTA, HCl and Mehlich 1) were used to study soil extraction methods for available zinc. Each extradant was studied in three soil:solution ratios (1:2, 1:4 and 1:10) and in three extraction periods in the ratio most frequently used. The zinc extracted by DTPA, Na 2EDTA and HCl was not affected by use of soil:solution ratios 1:2 and 1:4, but the amount extracted increased with the 1:10 ratio. In this relation, the variation coefficients increased. With Mehlich, no definite tendency was observed. The increase of extraction period for DTPA extractant, in 1:2 ratio, had little effect on the amount of zinc extracted and on the precision. As to Na 2EDTA extractant in 1:10 ratio, with the increase of extraction time, both increased. As to HCl and Mehlich, both in 1:4 ratio, the increase in extraction period had no effect on the amount of zinc extracted and no definite effect on the precision. Thus, the use of 1:2 ratio for DTPA and Na 2EDTA and 1:4 ratio for acid extractants is recommended. Concerning the period of extraction, 120 min should be used with DTPA and Na 2EDTA, 15 min with HCl and 5 min with Mehlich.

Estimativas de parâmetros genéticos e fenotípicos para características de crescimento até a desmama em bovinos da raça Canchim

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Estádio de desenvolvimento do milho. 3. Avaliação de silagens por intermédio de parâmetros de fermentação ruminal

The objective of this experiment was to analyze the rumen fermentation of silages made from corn harvested at milk stage (MS), milk early dough stage (MEDS), medium dough stage (MDS) and semi-hard dough stage (SHDS). Rumen fluid was collected from sheep by esophageal tube at 0, 1, 3 and 6 hours after feeding. There were no differences among silages for ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and methylene blue reduction time (MBRT). Only the MS and SHDS silages differed in rumen pH (6.82 and 6.53, respectively). Differences in total rumen VFA and acetic acid concentrations (mmoles/L) were observed among stages, but not between MS (36.40 and 22.13) and MEDS (42.49 and 25.73), nor between MDS (64.52 and 40.34 respectively) and SHDS (64.09 and 43.61, respectively). The periods of 1 and 3 hours after feeding showed the smallest pH values (6.47 and 6.63), the highest NH3-N concentrations (9.75 and 10.56 mg/dL) and the highest concentrations of total VFA, and acetic and propionic acids (60.33, 37.05 and 16.73; 59.40, 35.28 and 16.84 mmoles/L, respectively). On the whole, the MDS and SHDS silages showed the best rumen fermentation patterns based on pH and total and individual VFA values.

Relação do perímetro escrotal com a média de peso do grupo contemporâneo para estimação de um modelo de ajuste

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Determinação de parâmetros genéticos em população de gonçalo-alves (Astronium fraxinifolium) através das características fisiológicas da semente

Seeds of Astronium fraxinifolium (Anarcadiaceae) were collected in two years, and submitted to tests of seed germination and vigour (first count, aging and electric conductivity), in order to verify the potencial of conservation and if variations in the seed quality presented on association with genetic parameters. Coefficient of heritability in average (ĥm 2) were 0.91 and 0.97 to germination; 0.90 and 0.96 to first count; 0.93 and 0.97 to aging and 0.95 and 0.99 to electric conductivity, for seeds collected in 1997 and 1998, respectively, evidencing a great heritability to all studied characteristics. Genetic variability was influenced more by environmental conditions of blooming and harvest of seeds than storage time.

Estudo de modelo alternativo para estimação de componentes de (co)variância e predição de valores genéticos de características de crescimento em bovinos da raça Nelore

The objectives of this study were to estimate genetic parameters for non-standardized weights at nursing (PR120), at weaning (PR240), at yearling (PR365) and at post yearling (PR550), and to predict EPD's (expected progeny differences) for these traits using records from 29,769 Nellores. Covariance components and genetic parameters were estimated by mixed-model methodology, REML, using an animal model. Models for PR120, PR240, PR365 and PR455 included the random direct and maternal animal effects, the dam permanent environmental effect and the error. Fixed effects were contemporary group (CG) and age of cow at parturition (CIVP) and the covariate age of the calf at measuring. Two additional models for PR365, PR455 and PR550 analyses were used: the first included CG and CIVP, animal and maternal direct effect, residual and age of the calf (as covariate), and the second included CG and CIVP (as fixed effects), animal direct effect, residual and age of calf at measuring. Observed means±standard deviations were: 127±25kg (PR120); 191±34kg (PR240); 225±42kg (PR365); 266±51kg (PR455) and 310±56kg (PR550). From single-trait analyses, direct and maternal heritabilities for PR120, PR240, PR365 and PR455 were, respectively, .23 and .08; .19 and .10; .24 and .04; .30 and .04. Direct heritabilities were .39; .44 and .43, respectively, for PR365, PR455 and PR550. In the model without permanent effect, direct and maternal heritabilities for PR365, PR455 and PR550 were .25 and .08; .32 and .07; .38 and .03, respectively. When the estimates for standardized traits at the same period were compared, no differences in magnitude were found. Rank correlation had important changes when standardized and non-standardized traits were compared.

Efeitos do tabagismo nos parâmetros seminais

Objectives: We performed a study to evaluate the adverse effects of smoker patient on semen parameters. Material and Methods: We studied retrospective 238 semen specimen, 115 from men smoking and 123 from men nosmoking. Sperm concentration, motility, morphology and vitality were confront in statistic test. Results: In 31% smoke between 1 and 10 cigarettes per day, 26% smoked 10 and 19 per day, 42% smoke more than 20 per day. The distribution of heavy smokes and light smokes did not differ statistically between the groups. Only a significant difference found between smoker and controls, there was about motility, morphology. There is difference in vitality and concentration per ml. Conclusions: This study indicates only a minor effect of smoker patient on male subfertility. Although smokers as a group may not experience reduced fertility, men with marginal semen quality may benefit from quitting smoking.

Comparação entre parâmetros externos e internos de ninhos de Atta bisphaerica Forel, 1908 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

Six Atta bisphaerica, Forel, 1908 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) nests were excavated with the aim of studying the relationship between area and volume of the mound, the total volume and total number of chambers in the nest. Prior to excavation, the area and the volume of refused soil in the nests were measured. During excavation, all data referring to chambers were recorded, such as: length, depth and width. The nests named A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 and A6 presented 31.16; 40.87, 67.08, 35.04, 73.48 and 18,73m 2 of mound area, respectively. The mound area did not correlate either with the volume or with the total number of chambers. The mound volume correlated significantly with the mound area, total number and total volume of chambers. The total volume of chambers was correlated with the total number of chambers.

Série plaquetaŕria: Valores de referência e correlações observadas entre os parâmetros plaquetários em uma população aparentemente saudável

Mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW) and plateletcrit (PCT) platelet parameters can be important to improve the initial identification of platelet disorders. The purpose of this study is to establish reference values for the platelet count (PLT), MPV, PDW and PCT in a population of 1346 apparently healthy adults, from both sexes, as well as to evaluate the correlations among these platelet parameters and to build the necessary nomograms for the clinical interpretations of the platelet indices. The platelet parameters were analyzed in blood samples collected into dipotassium ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (K 2 EDTA) by an electrical aperture-impedance method. There were non-linear and an inverse correlations between MPV and PLT, and between PDW and PLT, throughout the reference range of platelet count: the change in MPV and PDW was most accentuated at the lower platelet counts. Because of this non-linear inverse correlation, MPV versus PLT and PDW versus PLT nomograms were built. These correlations among the platelet parameters on a normal population provide a better understanding of these indices and may contribute to establish the real clinical significance of these platelet parameters in many diseases.

Parâmetros geotécnicos e previsão da capacidade de carga de estacas apiloadas em solo tropical arenoso obtidos com o Pressiômetro Ménard

This paper presents and discusses Ménard Pressuremeter test results used to predict bearing capacity of pounded piles installed in a tropical sandy soil. Fifteen pre-bored pressuremeter tests were carried out at the Experimental Research Site from Unesp - Bauru up to 15 m depth, one test per meter. Several laboratory and in situ tests were carried out in this research site as well as load tests on plates and on piles. Pressuremeter test results were firstly analyzed to determine geotechnical soil parameters based on empirical methods, emphasizing the estimative of the earth pressure coefficient at rest (K0). After that, bearing capacity prediction of pounded piles with 4 m, 7 m and 10 m were made and compared with test results from instrumented load tests. Pressuremeter test results allowed a very good estimative of bearing capacity for the pile with 4 m length and underestimated in 25,7% and 20,0% the bearing capacity for the pile with 7 and 10 m length, respectively. The back analysis of the test results suggests that the appropriate value for the bearing capacity factor for the tested soil-pile system on this soil is equal to 2.

Parâmetros genéticos para caracteres de crescimento, de produção e tecnológicos da madeira em clones de Eucalyptus spp

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efeito do extrato aquoso de Allium sativum L. sobre parâmetros bioquímicos de ratas com diabete induzido por Streptozotocin

Many plants, even without scientific confirmation, are used in Brazil as hypoglycemic. The objective of the present work was to study the influence of the Allium sativum treatment, plant known popularly as garlic, on characteristic biochemical parameters in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Female Wistar rats were injected with 40 mg kg-1 streptozotocin (STZ). Oral administration of an aqueous extract of A. sativum was given to the diabetic animals in 2 doses: 200 and 400 mg kg-1 (n=6 animals/group). Diabetic rats given distilled water constituted the control group. After 28 days of treatment, the female rats were anesthetized and died by decapitation for collection of the blood for biochemical determinations and retreat of liver samples for hepatic glycogen dosage. The treatment with Allium sativum in the doses of 200 and 400 mg kg-1 alter no concentrations of total proteins, hepatic glycogen, triglycerides and VLDL, but it promoted reduction in the total cholesterol rate (control=280.5 ± 30.9; 200 mg kg-1 A. sativum =169.9 ± 19.5 and 400 mg kg-1 A. sativum =148.4 ± 26.6 mg dL-1) and LDL (control=128.8± 25.3; 200 mg kg-1 A. sativum = 41.4 ± 16.2 and 400 mg kg-1 A. sativum=42.0 ± 26.0 mg dL-1). The extract presented beneficial effect because it decreased 13.0% of glycemia in the highest dose. Therefore, the of garlic extract reduced the HDL concentration in two tested doses (control= 81.4 ± 30.2; 200 mg kg-1 A. sativum=49.6 ± 14.3 and 400 mg kg-1 A. sativum=41.7 ± 16.1 mg dL -1), presenting impaired effect. Thus, the garlic extract showed efficiency in the analyzed experimental conditions, and it could be used as complementary therapy to diabetic patients.

Efeitos de parâmetros de extrusão nas propriedades físicas de produtos expandidos de inhame

Effect of extrusion parameters was studied on the expansion index, specific volume, water absorption index (WAI) and water solubility index (WSI) of expanded yam snacks. The central composite design was used to study the parameters effect. It was verified three levels of temperature in the barrel (100, 115 and 130°C), three levels of screw speed (163, 204 and 245 rpm) and three levels of flour moisture (12, 15 and 18%). The results showed that expansion properties (expansion index and specific volume) depend on flour moisture and extrusion temperature. The WSI was dependant of three parameters. Higher levels of temperature and screw speed increase the water solubility index (WSI). The studied parameters did not influence the water absorption index (WAI).

Uso de regressão linear para estimar parâmetros físico-químicos relacionados à qualidade do jerked beef

Jerked beef is officially defined as salted, cured and dried beef. Water activity (Aw), moisture, ash and residual nitrite are the physicochemical parameters that define this product identity and quality standards. In this work, the behavior of these parameters during jerked beef processing was evaluated and a significant correlation among them was revealed. These results allowed the establishment of statistical equations that enable the estimation of all the physicochemical parameters from the results obtained in the measurement of just one of them.