Taxa de deposição de tecidos corporais de novilhas Nelore e suas cruzas com Angus e Simental

The objective of this work was to evaluate deposition pattems of body tissues of Nellore and crossbreed with Angus and Simmental heifers. Fifty seven heifers (19 Nellore, 19 Angus and 19 Simmental) were used, being 12 heifers (four in each genetic group) slaughtered before the beginning of the experiment as the baseline group. Thirty six (twelve in each genetic group) were ad libitun fed with 30 (six in each group) and 50% (six in each group) of dry matter diet in concentrate. The animals were in a completely randomized design, 3x2 factorial (tree genetic group and two diet), with six replicates per treatment. Nine remaining animals were used for a digestibility trial. At the end of the experiment all these animals were slaughtered and its corporal composition determined. The percentage of subcutaneous fat was greater for Angus heifers. Chemical constituents of empty body weight and empty body gain there did not suffer effects of genetic group. The crossing between Nellore and Angus, as well as the level of concentrate improve carcass characteristics and pattern of deposition of body tissues.

Restauração florestal visando à conservação de recursos hídricos por meio da combinação linear ponderada

This study evaluated using of Multicriteria Evaluation in a GIS, specifically by Weighted Linear Combination Method for generation of map of priority areas for forest restoration in the initial part of River Pardo Basin, SP, in order to water resources conservation. Aiming to define criteria and restrictions it was used Participatory Techniques, and the following factors had been selected: proximity of the hydrographic network, proximity of forest cover, slope and erodibility of soil. To calculate the weight to each factor it was used the decision-making process, known as Analytic Hierarchy Analysis, this method consists of a paired comparison of factors to determine the relative importance of each. According to Weighted Linear Combination, the very high priority areas have a more limited spatial distribution, with an apparent concentration around the water bodies, outlining a buffer to the river system. The proximity factor of the hydrographic network, and enables the connection forestry, contributed, along with the factor of proximity to forest cover, so there would be the definition of most of the areas with the highest priority in the basin, which concentrate the largest areas of forest and native riparian areas along the hydrographic.

Ruminal acidosis challenge impact on ruminal temperature in feedlot cattle

The objective of this experiment was to determine if ruminal temperature rise coincides with pH reduction using an acidosis challenge model. Twelve ruminally cannulated steers (518 ± 28 kg BW) were administered ruminal temperature-monitoring devices that recorded temperature every 2 min. Steers were fed a 63% concentrate diet at 1.6% BW for 20 d before being randomly assigned to 1 of 3 acidosis challenge treatments: no dietary change (CON), onehalf of daily DMI replaced with cracked corn (HALF), or all of daily DMI replaced with cracked corn (CORN). The challenge was initiated by ruminally dosing steers with their treatment diets. Ruminal pH and rectal temperatures (Trec) were recorded every 3 h for 72 h. All steers were offered CON diets at 24 and 48 h after challenge. Ruminal pH showed a treatment × day effect (P = 0.01). Ruminal pH of CORN steers was lower (P = 0.03) than that of HALF steers on d 1, was lower (P ≤ 0.004) than that of HALF and CON steers on d 2, and tended to be lower (P ≤ 0.10) than that of HALF and CON steers on d 3. Treatment did not affect (P ≥ 0.42) RecT. Ruminal temperature (Trum) showed a treatment · d-1 × h-1 after feeding interaction (P < 0.01). At 3 h after challenge, Trum of CORN and HALF steers was higher (P ≤ 0.01) than that of CON steers. On d 2, Trum of CORN steers was higher (P ≤ 0.03) than that of CON between 6 and 12 h after feeding. From 15 to 21 h after feeding on d 2, Trum of HALF steers was higher (P < 0.01) than that of CORN and CON steers. On d 3, at the time of feeding until 3 h later, Trum of CORN steers was lower (P ≤ 0.04) than that of all other steers. Rectal temperature was correlated (P ≤ 0.01) with Trum on all days for CON and CORN steers. Ruminal pH was negatively correlated (P ≤ 0.04) with Trec on d 2 and Trum on d 1 in CORN steers, and Trum was negatively correlated (P ≤ 0.02) with ruminal pH in HALF and CON steers on d 1 and 3, respectively. The amount of time above Trum of 39.0°C or 39.45°C was correlated (P ≤ 0.05) with the time spent below a ruminal pH of 5.5 in CORN steers; however, time above Trum of 39.0°C did not differ (P = 0.87) among treatments. Results indicate that there is a negative relationship between Trum and ruminal pH during an acidotic episode; therefore, Trum monitoring can detect a potential acidotic episode. © 2012 American Society of Animal Science. All rights reserved.

Fontes energéticas associadas ao farelo de girassol ou à ureia em dietas para novilhos

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance and carcass traits of steers fed corn or citrus pulp associated with sunflower meal or urea. Diets were composed of two energy sources (corn grain and citrus pulp) associated with two protein sources (soybean meal and urea), resulting in four treatments in forage:concentrate ratio of 40:60. It were used 24 steers, 1/2 Angus × 1/2 Nellore (18 months old and 329 kg BW) distributed in a completely randomized design which were finished in feedlot for 80 days. It were evaluated the intake, average daily gain and carcass traits of the animals. Intake of dry matter (DMI), crude protein (CPI) and neutral detergent fiber (NDFI) were affected (p<0.05) by diets. The diet with citrus pulp and urea (PU) showed the lowest (p<0.05) DMI (8.30 kg), CPI (1.03 kg) and NDFI (3.31 kg). The average daily weight gain (ADG) followed the behavior of DMI, NDFI and CPI and the lowest value (p<0.05) was observed for animals fed diet PU. Regarding carcass traits, diets containing corn associated with urea (MU) or sunflower meal (MFG) and citrus pulp associated with sunflower meal (PFG), provided the highest (p<0.05) carcass cold weights (238.37, 247.26 and 237.14 kg, respectively). However, the lowest cold carcass dressing percentage (p<0.05) was obtained in diet MU (50.57%). The association of citrus pulp with urea should not be performed when citrus pulp partially or totally replace corn as energy source in diets, because possibly this association promote an energy deficit resulting in lower performance and worse carcass traits of animals finished in feedlot.

Crescimento, comportamento ingestivo e desempenho reprodutivo de novilhas mestiças holandês x zebu, em pastejo, submetidas à suplementação protéica durante a época das águas

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplemental protein during the rainy season on body growth, ingestive behavior and reproductive performance of crossbred Gir x Holstein dairy heifers, with mean age of 21 ± 4.1 months and average initial body weight of 296.7 ± 57.3 kg, distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments and six replicates per treatment. Heifers remained on Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu pasture, managed according to a rotational grazing system and, as treatment, it was supplemented with protein concentrate (34%, 43%, 56% and 66% BW) and level of supply of 0.30% body weight (BW). The animals were weighed and the mean weight of the lot was used for the calculation of adjustment of the amount of concentrate offered. Heifers that reached 330.0 kg of live weight were artificially inseminated and, 45 days after insemination, pregnancy diagnosis was performed for the calculation of pregnancy rate and age at conception. No significant difference of protein levels was observed on grazing, eating behavior, productive performance and age at conception of dairy heifers on pasture. The average daily weight gain of BW and age at conception were, on average, 0.907 kg/animal and 24.03 months, respectively.

Substituição dos grãos secos de milho pela silagem de grãos úmidos de milho para vacas da raça holandesa em lactação

In order to evaluate the effects of replacement of dried corn (GSM) for silage moisture corn (HMCS) on production and milk composition were used five Holstein cows, primiparous with a mean of 112 days post delivery, confined in Tie Stall, for 70 days. We used five diets according to NRC to 17.5% CP (DM) and 2.4 Mcal / kg DM, the 40:60 ratio of roughage and concentrate containing soybean meal, sugar cane silage and hay and substitution levels of the GSM HMCS the following treatments: a) 0%, 2) 25%, 3) 50%, 4) 75% and 5) 100%. Milk production and dry matter intake (DMI) were recorded daily. The animals were milked daily 6:00 and 18:00 h, and milk samples collected from consecutive milkings of each experimental period of 14 days (four days of collection). The experimental design was a 5x5 Latin square and the data analyzed by the statistical program SAS. Body weight (508 kg), milk (23.6 kg), corrected milk (22.7 kg), DMI (17.13 kg) showed no significant difference, but the intakes of neutral detergent fiber (6.67 kg), and detergent acid (3.39 kg), feed efficiency for the production of milk (milk 1.41 kg / day) urea nitrogen (17.67 mg / dL) differ, thus indicating that HMCS is more efficient than GSM in the diet of dairy cows not alter the production and milk composition.

Glicerina bruta na dieta de bovinos de corte confinados: Efeito sobre o hemograma

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hemogram in cattle fed crude glycerin. 30 Nellore steers, were used for blood sampling, which were done each 28 days. The animals were confined for 103 days and were fed with five diets containing 0, 7.5, 15, 22.5 and 30% crude glycerin based on dry matter, formulated in a forage:concentrate ratio of 30:70. Corn silage was used as forage and the concentrate was composed by corn grain, soybean hulls, sunflower meal, glycerin, limestone, dicalcium phosphate and salt. The experimental design was a randomized block with five treatments. Orthogonal contrasts were used to determine the linear, quadratic, cubic effects and gliceryn treatments × the control one. There was no treatment effect (P>0,05) on blood concentrations of erythrocytes, hematocrit, basophils, eosinophils, band neutrophils and lymphocytes, but were linearly effect on the concentrations of platelets, hemoglobin and monocytes (P=0.009, P=0.001 and P=0.043, respectivelly), and cubic effect on the concentrations of total leukocytes and segmented neutrophils (P=0.008 and P=0.004, respectivelly). Diets for beef cattle, with forage:concentrate ratio of 30:70 added with crude glycerin promote changes in the erytrhogram and leucogram of these animals.

Dispersion and evaporation of droplets amended with adjuvants on soybeans

Quantification of the effects of adjuvants on droplet behaviour on plant surfaces is needed to improve pesticide spray application efficiency for soybeans. Dispersion and evaporation of single 300-μm diameter droplets amended with each of four spray adjuvants at five concentrations were investigated for four soybean plant surfaces (abaxial and adaxial leaflet surfaces, petiole, basal stem). The four adjuvants were a crop oil concentrate (COC), a modified seed oil (MSO), a non-ionic surfactant (NIS) and an oil surfactant blend (OSB). A single-droplet generator was used to produce and deposit 300-μm diameter droplets on target surfaces under controlled environmental conditions. Adjuvants significantly increased the dispersion (or wetted area) of droplets on plant surfaces. Droplet-wetted areas increased with increased adjuvant concentrations but not in direct proportion. The average increases of wetted areas across the four soybean plant surfaces were 443, 462, 416, or 343% when the spray mixture was amended with COC, MSO, NIS or OSB at the manufacturer-recommended concentrations, respectively. Among the four surfaces, the largest wetted area was on the abaxial surface, followed by the adaxial surface, the petiole and then the basal stem. Droplet evaporation times were inversely proportional to the wetted areas. The evaporation time of 300-μm diameter droplets ranged from 36 to 142. s on the four surfaces when the spray mixture was amended with an adjuvant, whereas the water-only droplets ranged from 161 to 190. s. The results demonstrated that use of adjuvants offers great potential to improve the homogeneity of sprayed pesticides, to increase spray coverage and to reduce pesticide application rates on soybean plants. These effects could benefit farmers economically and reduce environmental contamination by pesticides. © 2012.

Short communication: Acute but transient increase in serum insulin reduces messenger RNA expression of hepatic enzymes associated with progesterone catabolism in dairy cows

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of glucose infusion on serum concentrations of glucose, insulin, and progesterone (P4), as well as mRNA expression of hepatic CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 in nonlactating, ovariectomized cows in adequate nutritional status. Eight Gir × Holstein cows were maintained on a low-quality Brachiaria brizantha pasture with reduced forage availability, but they individually received, on average, 3. kg/cow daily (as fed) of a corn-based concentrate from d -28 to 0 of the experiment. All cows had an intravaginal P4-releasing device inserted on d -14, which remained in cows until the end of the experiment (d 1). On d 0, cows were randomly assigned to receive, in a crossover design containing 2 periods of 24. h each (d 0 and 1), (1) an intravenous glucose infusion (GLUC; 0.5. g of glucose/kg of BW, over a 3-h period) or (2) an intravenous saline infusion (SAL; 0.9%, over a 3-h period). Cows were fasted for 12. h before infusions, and they remained fasted during infusion and sample collections. Blood samples were collected at 0, 3, and 6. h relative to the beginning of infusions. Liver biopsies were performed concurrently with blood collections at 0 and 3. h. After the last blood collection of period 1, cows received concentrate and returned to pasture. Cows gained BW (16.5 ± 3.6. kg) and BCS (0.08 ± 0.06) from d -28 to 0. Cows receiving GLUC had greater serum glucose and insulin concentrations at 3. h compared with SAL cohorts. No treatment effects were detected for serum P4 concentrations, although mRNA expression of CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 after the infusion period was reduced for cows in the GLUC treatment compared with their cohorts in the SAL treatment. In conclusion, hepatic CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 mRNA expression can be promptly modulated by glucose infusion followed by acute increases in circulating insulin, which provides novel insight into the physiological mechanisms associating nutrition and reproductive function in dairy cows. © 2013 American Dairy Science Association.

Digestibility, fermentation and rumen microbiota of crossbred heifers fed diets with different soybean oil availabilities in the rumen

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of different soybean oil availabilities on the intake and partial and total digestibility of dry matter (DM) and nutrients, rumen fermentation parameters, efficiency of microbial synthesis, and the rumen microbiota of crossbred beef heifers. Nine crossbred heifers fitted with rumen and duodenal cannulae were evaluated in a triple 3 × 3 Latin square design with three treatments and three periods in three simultaneous repetitions. Heifers approximately 18 months old, with mean initial and final body weights of 316.3±28.8 and 362.6±34.4 kg, respectively, were fed a diet containing 600. g/kg of corn silage and 400. g/kg concentrate with a 58.0. g/kg fat content in the total diet. The sources of lipids included soybean grain, rumen-protected fat, and soybean oil. The statistical analyses were conducted using PROC MIXED from SAS, and the means were compared using Tukey's test (P<0.05). Dietary lipid sources did not affect nutrient intake (P>0.05). Except the apparent digestibility of organic matter (P=0.024), the apparent digestibility of the other nutrients did not differ among the treatment groups. Regarding body nitrogen retention, the soybean grain treatment was more effective than the rumen-protected fat treatment (P=0.045); however, the soybean oil treatment did not differ from the other two treatments. In relation to the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis (g. N/kg of organic matter apparently digested in the rumen corrected for microbial organic matter), the soybean oil and soybean grain treatments were more efficient than the rumen-protected fat treatment (P=0.001). Animals fed rumen-protected fat had larger numbers of protozoa (P<0.001) and fungi (P<0.001) than those supplemented with soybean grain and soybean oil. The dietary lipid sources did not affect pH, the molar concentration of propionate and total volatile fatty acids (P>0.05), whereas the concentrations of ammonia nitrogen and acetate were higher in animals fed with rumen-protected fat than in those submitted to the other treatments. The use of different soybean oil availabilities did not affect nutrient intake; however, treatments with soybean oil and soybean grain were more efficient regarding nutrient intake than rumen-protected fat because they reduced the numbers of fungi and protozoa and consequently improved the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Consumo e digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes em ovinos alimentados com dietas contendo diferentes quantidades de farelo de linhaça

The aim of this research was to evaluate the intake and apparent digestibility of nutrients in sheep fed with diets containing different amounts of linseed meal. The treatments evaluated were: corn silage exclusive (control); corn silage + concentrate; corn silage + concentrate + 5% of linseed meal; corn silage + concentrate + 10% of linseed meal. The dry matter (DM) intake has increased in diets containing concentrated if compared to diet exclusively with corn silage (P<0.05), however, there was no effect of the inclusion of linseed meal in diets (0; 5 and 10%). As it was expected, the diets containing 5 and 10% of linseed meal resulted in an increase of ether extract (EE) intake. A higher apparent digestibility of DM, organic matter (OM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in the animals fed with diets containing the concentrate was observed, independently of linseed meal proportion. According to the experimental conditions under which the experiment was developed, itis recommended to provide the diets containing until 5% of linseed meal, because there is no negative effect on dry matter and nutrients intake, as well as on apparent digestibility.

Supplementation with protected fat to manage gastro-intestinal nematode infections in Santa Ines sheep

This experiment aimed to determine the influence of supplementation with protected fat on nematode infections in periparturient sheep or sheep in their final stage of pregnancy. Fifty Santa Ines ewes received 200 g of concentrate/animal/day, mineral salt and water and were grouped according to their weight, hematocrit and the number of eggs per gram of feces (EPG). Two diets were used: a control treatment and a treatment consisting of supplementation with 30 g/animal/day of protected fat in the concentrate. Three monthly evaluations were performed over a total of 84 days of testing. The variables analyzed were weight, body condition, EPG and coprocultures; blood tests were performed for the determination of packed cell volume, hemoglobin concentration and total plasma protein, and leukograms and eosinophil counts were performed. For weight and hemoglobin concentrations, interactions were observed between diet and collection date (P<0.05); body condition, total plasma protein, packed cell volume and total leukocytes did not differ statistically among treatments (P> 0. 05) but did differ by collection day (P <0.05). The EPG and eosinophil counts did not differ statistically by either diet or collection date (P>0.05). The genus Haemonchus was predominant, followed by the genera Cooperia, Trichostrongylus and Oesophagostomum. The protected fat did not decrease EPG and did not improve the blood parameters of infected sheep.

Study on the Curcumin dynamics and distribution through living biofilms

Human oral cavity is colonized by a wide range of microorganisms, often organized in biofilms. These biofilms are responsible for the pathogenesis of caries and most periodontal diseases. A possible alternative to reduce biofilms is the photodynamic inactivation (PDI). The success of the PDI depends on different factors. The time required by the PS to remain in contact with the target cells prior to illumination is determinant for the technique's efficacy. This study aimed to assess the interaction between the PS and the biofilm prior to the PDI. We used confocal microscopy and FLIM to evaluate the interaction between the PS and the biofilm's microorganism during the pre-irradiation time (PIT). The study of this dynamics can lead to the understanding of why only some PSs are effective and why is necessary a long PIT for some microorganisms. Our results showed that are differences for each PIT. These differences can be the determinate for the efficacy of the PDI. We observed that the microorganism needs time to concentrate and/or transport the PS within the biofilm. We presented preliminary results for biofilms of Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans in the presence of Curcumin and compared it with the literature. We observed that the effectiveness of the PDI might be directly correlated to the position of the PS with the biofilm. Further analyses will be conducted in order to confirm the potential of FLIM to assess the PS dynamics within the biofilms. © 2013 SPIE.

Effects of bovine somatotropin injection on serum concentrations of progesterone in non-lactating dairy cows

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of bovine somatotropin administration on serum concentrations of glucose, insulin, NEFA, IGF-I, and progesterone (P4) in ovariectomized non-lactating dairy cows receiving exogenous P4, as a model to estimate treatment effects on hepatic P4 degradation. Ten non-lactating, non-pregnant, and ovariectomized Gir×Holstein cows were assigned to the experiment (d -14 to 27). On d 0, cows were ranked by BW and BCS, and randomly assigned to one of two treatments: (1) bovine somatotropin (BST; n=5) or (2) saline control (control; n=5). Cows assigned to the BST treatment were administered s.c. injections containing 500. mg of sometribove zinc on d 0, 9, and 18 of the experiment, whereas control cows concurrently received a 10-mL s.c. injection of 0.9% saline. On d -2, cows were inserted with an intravaginal releasing device containing 1.9. g of P4, which remained in the cows until the end the experiment (d 27). Cow BW and BCS were assessed on d -14, 0, and 27. Blood samples were collected daily from d 0 to d 27, at 0 (immediately before), 1, and 2. h relative to concentrate feeding for determination of serum glucose, insulin, NEFA, P4, and IGF-I concentrations. Concentrations of glucose, NEFA, and insulin obtained prior to feeding (0. h) were used to determine pre-prandial revised quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (RQUICKI). No treatment effects were detected for BW (P=0.72) and BCS change (P=0.79) during the experiment. Beginning on d 2 of the experiment, BST cows had greater (P≤0.01) serum IGF-I concentrations compared with control cohorts (treatment×day interaction; P<0.01). Cows receiving BST had greater (P≤0.05) insulin concentrations compared with control cohorts from d 8 to d 11, d 16 and 17, as well as from d 19 to d 21 of the experiment (treatment×day interaction; P<0.01). Cows receiving BST had greater (P≤0.01) mean glucose and NEFA concentrations, as well as reduced (P<0.01) mean RQUICKI during the experiment compared with control cohorts. No treatment effects, however, were detected (P=0.73) for serum P4 concentrations. In conclusion, results from this experiment indicate that hepatic P4 catabolism is not directly regulated by circulating IGF-I, whereas BST administration decreases insulin sensitivity in non-lactating dairy cows in adequate nutritional status. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

The reactive surface of Castor leaf [Ricinus communis L.] powder as a green adsorbent for the removal of heavy metals from natural river water

In this study, a green adsorbent was successfully applied to remove toxic metals from aqueous solutions. Dried minced castor leaves were fractionated into 63-μm particles to perform characterization and extraction experiments. Absorption bands in FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) spectra at 1544, 1232 and 1350 cm-1 were assigned to nitrogen-containing groups. Elemental analysis showed high nitrogen and sulfur content: 5.76 and 1.93%, respectively. The adsorption kinetics for Cd(II) and Pb(II) followed a pseudo-second-order model, and no difference between the experimental and calculated Nf values (0.094 and 0.05 mmol g-1 for Cd(II) and Pb(II), respectively) was observed. The Ns values calculated using the modified Langmuir equation, 0.340 and 0.327 mmol g-1 for Cd(II) and Pb(II), respectively, were superior to the results obtained for several materials in the literature. The method proposed in this study was applied to pre-concentrate (45-fold enrichment factor) and used to measure Cd(II) and Pb(II) in freshwater samples from the Paraná River. The method was validated through a comparative analysis with a standard reference material (1643e). © 2013 Elsevier B.V. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.