Effects of bovine somatotropin administration on growth, physiological, and reproductive responses of replacement beef heifers

This experiment compared growth, body composition, plasma IGF-I and leptin, and reproductive development of beef heifers receiving or not recombinant bovine ST (BST) beginning after weaning until the first breeding season. Fifty Angus × Hereford heifers (initial BW = 219 ± 2 kg; initial age = 208 ± 2 d), weaned at approximately 6 mo of age, were assigned to the experiment (d 0 to 210). On d 0, heifers were ranked by initial BW and age and assigned to 1) treatment with BST or 2) saline control. Heifers assigned to the BST treatment received subcutaneous (s.c.) injections containing 250 mg of sometribove zinc whereas control heifers received a 5-mL s.c. injection of 0.9% saline every 14 d. Treatments were initiated on d 14 and last administered on d 196. Heifers were maintained on separate pastures harvested for hay the previous summer according to treatment and received grass and alfalfa hay at a rate to provide a daily amount of 7.0 and 1.0 kg of DM per heifer, respectively. Heifer shrunk BW was collected on d 1 and 211 for heifer ADG calculation. Blood samples were collected weekly from d 0 to 210 for determination of plasma progesterone to estimate puberty attainment as well as plasma concentrations of IGF-I and leptin in selected samples. On d 0, 63, 133, and 189, heifers were evaluated for intramuscular marbling, LM depth, and backfat thickness via real-time ultrasonography. No treatment effects were detected (P = 0.27) for heifer ADG (0.49 vs. 0.51 kg/d for control and BST heifers, respectively; SEM = 0.02). Mean backfat thickness was lesser (P < 0.01) in BST heifers compared with control cohorts (3.56 vs. 3.92 mm, respectively; SEM = 0.08). Heifers receiving BST had greater plasma IGF-I concentrations compared with control cohorts 7 d after treatment administration (treatment × day interaction; P < 0.01). Mean plasma leptin concentrations were lesser (P = 0.05) in BST heifers compared with control cohorts (1.82 vs. 2.03 ng/mL, respectively; SEM = 0.07). Onset of puberty was hastened in BST heifers compared with control cohorts (treatment x day interaction; P = 0.04). In summary, a greater proportion of BST heifers reached puberty during the experiment compared with control cohorts, despite lesser plasma leptin concentrations, backfat thickness, and similar ADG. Hence, circulating IGF-I was positively associated with hastened puberty attainment independently of growth rate, circulating leptin concentrations, and body fat content of replacement beef heifers. © 2013 American Society of Animal Science. All rights reserved.

Class II malocclusion treatment using high-pull headgear with a splint: a systematic review

Objective: To systematically review the scientific evidence pertaining to the effectiveness of high-pull headgear in growing Class II subjects. Methods: A literature survey was performed by electronic database search. The survey covered the period from January 1966 to December 2008 and used Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). Articles were initially selected based on their titles and abstracts; the full articles were then retrieved. The inclusion criteria included growing subjects between 8 to 15 years of age, Class II malocclusion treatment with high-pull headgear, and a control group with Class II malocclusion. References from selected articles were hand-searched for additional publications. Selected studies were evaluated methodologically. Results: Four articles were selected; none were randomized controlled trials. All of the articles clearly formulated their objectives and used appropriate measures. The studies showed that high-pull headgear treatment improves skeletal and dental relationship, distal displacement of the maxilla, vertical eruption control and upper molars distalization. One of the studies showed a slight clockwise rotation of the palatal plane; the others showed no significant treatment effect. The mandible was not affected by the treatment. Conclusion: While there is still a lack of strong evidence demonstrating the effects of high-pull headgear with a splint, other studies indicate that the AP relations improve due to distalization of the maxilla and upper molars, with little or no treatment effects in the mandible. Greater attention to the design should be given to improve the quality of such trials. © 2013 Dental Press Journal of Orthodontics.

Effects of calcium salts of soybean oil on factors that influence pregnancy establishment in Bos indicus beef cows

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

Effects of supplementation of calcium salts of polyunsaturated fatty acids on serum concentrations of progesterone and insulin of pregnant dairy cows

Forty-five non-lactating, pregnant Holstein animals (18 heifers and 27 multiparous cows; BW = 561 +/- 114 kg; BCS = 2.9 +/- 0.3; days pregnant = 110 +/- 56 d) were stratified by initial BW and BCS, and randomly assigned to receive daily (as-fed basis) 0.50 kg of ground corn plus 0.22 kg of kaolin (CON), calcium salts of saturated fatty acids (SFA) or polyunsaturated fatty acids (PF) for 14 d. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 7 and 14, immediately prior to (0 h) and 3, 6, 9 and 12 h after feeding, to determine the serum concentrations of P 4 and insulin. No treatment effects were detected for serum concentrations of P 4 (5.52, 6.13 and 5.63 +/- 0.41 ng/mL for CON, SFA and PF, respectively). No treatment effects were detected for serum concentrations of insulin (11.5, 10.5 and 10.1 +/- 1.43 mu IU/mL for CON, SFA and PF, respectively). Heifers had greater serum concentrations of P 4 than multiparous cows (6.35 vs. 5.16 +/- 0.42 ng/mL), but lower serum concentrations of insulin (7.0 vs. 14.4 +/- 1.49 mu IU/mL). Feeding 0.22 kg of calcium salts of polyunsaturated fatty acids is not sufficient to increase the serum concentrations of P 4 and insulin of non-lactating, pregnant dairy cows.

Effects of flunixin meglumine administration on physiological and performance responses of transported feeder cattle

The objective was to evaluate the effects of flunixin meglumine administration on physiological and performance responses of transported cattle during feedlot receiving. Forty-five Angus x Hereford steers were ranked by BW on d 0 and assigned to 1 of 3 treatments:1) transport for 1,280 km in a commercial livestock trailer and administration of flunixin meglumine (1.1 mg/kg BW; intravenous) at loading (d 0) and unloading (d 1; FM), 2) transport for 1,280 km in a commercial livestock trailer and administration of 0.9% saline (0.022 mL/kg BW; intravenous) at loading (d 0) and unloading (d 1; TRANS), or 3) no transport and administration of 0.9% saline (0.022 mL/kg BW; intravenous) concurrently with loading (d 0) and unloading (d 1) of FM and TRANS cohorts (CON). Upon arrival and processing for treatment administration on d 1, steers within each treatment were ranked by BW and assigned to 15 feedlot pens (5 pens/treatment, 3 steers/pen). Full BW was recorded before (d -1 and 0) treatment application and at the end of experiment (d 28 and 29) for ADG calculation. Total DMI was evaluated daily from d 1 to 28. Blood samples were collected on d 0 (before treatment administration), 1 (after unloading but before treatment administration), 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28. Body weight shrink from d 0 to 1 was less (P < 0.01) in CON vs. FM and TRANS but similar (P = 0.94) between TRANS and FM. Mean ADG was greater (P <= 0.04) in CON vs. FM and TRANS but similar (P = 0.69) between TRANS and FM. No treatment effects were detected on DMI, but CON had greater G:F vs. TRANS (P = 0.08) and FM (P = 0.02), whereas G:F was similar (P = 0.68) between TRANS and FM. Mean plasma cortisol concentrations tended (P <= 0.09) to be greater in TRANS vs. FM and CON but was similar (P = 0.87) between CON and FM. Plasma NEFA concentrations were greater (P <= 0.02) for TRANS and FM vs. CON on d 1 and greater (P <= 0.04) for FM vs. TRANS and CON on d 4. Plasma ceruloplasmin concentrations were greater (P <= 0.03) for TRANS vs. CON on d 1, 4, and 7, greater (P <= 0.05) for TRANS vs. FM on d 4 and 7, and greater (P <= 0.04) for FM vs. CON on d 1 and 4. Plasma haptoglobin concentrations were greater (P < 0.01) for TRANS vs. CON and FM on d 1 and 4 and greater (P <= 0.05) for FM vs. CON on d 1 and 4. In conclusion, flunixin meglumine reduced the cortisol and acute-phase protein responses elicited by road transport but did not improve receiving performance of feeder cattle.

Morphological effects of bacterial compounds on the testes of Eupemphix nattereri (Anura)

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

Effects of rumen-protected choline supplementation on metabolic and performance responses of transition dairy cows

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

Effects of protein supplementation frequency on physiological responses associated with reproduction in beef cows

The objective of this experiment was to determine if frequency of protein supplementation impacts physiological responses associated with reproduction in beef cows. Fourteen nonpregnant, nonlactating beef cows were ranked by age and BW and allocated to 3 groups. Groups were assigned to a 3 x 3 Latin square design, containing 3 periods of 21 d and the following treatments: 1) soybean meal supplementation daily (D), 2) soybean meal supplementation 3 times/week (3WK), and 3) soybean meal supplementation once/week (1WK). Within each period, cows were assigned to an estrus synchronization protocol: 100 mu g of GnRH + controlled internal drug release device (CIDR) containing 1.38 g of progesterone (P-4) on d 1, 25 mg of PGF(2 alpha) on d 8, and CIDR removal + 100 mu g of GnRH on d 11. Grass-seed straw was offered for ad libitum consumption. Soybean meal was individually supplemented at a daily rate of 1 kg/cow (as-fed basis). Moreover, 3WK was supplemented on d 0, 2, 4, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, and 18 whereas 1WK was supplemented on d 4, 11, and 18. Blood samples were collected from 0 (before) to 72 h after supplementation on d 11 and 18 and analyzed for plasma urea-N (PUN). Samples collected from 0 to 12 h were also analyzed for plasma glucose, insulin, and P-4 (d 18 only). Uterine flushing fluid was collected concurrently with blood sampling at 28 h for pH evaluation. Liver biopsies were performed concurrently with blood sampling at 0, 4, and 28 h and analyzed for mRNA expression of carbamoyl phosphate synthetase I (CPS-I; h 28) and CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 (h 0 and 4 on d 18). Plasma urea-N concentrations were greater (P < 0.01) for 1WK vs. 3WK from 20 to 72 h and greater (P < 0.01) for 1WK vs. D from 16 to 48 h and at 72 h after supplementation (treatment x hour interaction, P < 0.01). Moreover, PUN concentrations peaked at 28 h after supplementation for 3WK and 1WK (P < 0.01) and were greater (P < 0.01) at this time for 1WK vs. 3WK and D and for 3WK vs. D. Expression of CPS-I was greater (P < 0.01) for 1WK vs. D and 3WK. Uterine flushing pH tended (P <= 0.10) to be greater for 1WK vs. 3WK and D. No treatment effects were detected (P >= 0.15) on expression of CYP2C19 and CYP3A4, plasma glucose, and P-4 concentrations, whereas plasma insulin concentrations were greater (P <= 0.03) in D and 3WK vs. 1WK. Hence, decreasing frequency of protein supplementation did not reduce uterine flushing pH or plasma P-4 concentrations, which are known to impact reproduction in beef cows.

Outpatient versus inpatient treatment for acute pulmonary embolism

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common life-threatening cardiovascular condition, with an incidence of 23 to 69 new cases per 100,000 people per year. Outpatient treatment instead of traditional inpatient treatment in selected non-high-risk patients with acute PE might provide several advantages, such as reduction of hospitalizations, substantial cost saving and an improvement in health-related quality of life. Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of outpatient versus inpatient treatment for acute PE for the outcomes of all-cause and PE-related mortality; bleeding; and adverse events such as hemodynamic instability, recurrence of PE and patients'satisfaction.Search methodsThe Cochrane Peripheral Vascular Diseases Group Trials Search Co-ordinator (TSC) searched the Specialised Register (last searched October 2014) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2014, Issue 9). The TSC also searched clinical trials databases. The review authors searched LILACS (last searched November 2014). Selection criteria: Randomized controlled trials of outpatient versus inpatient treatment in people diagnosed with acute PE. Data collection and analysis: Two review authors selected relevant trials, assessed methodological quality, and extracted and analyzed data. Main results: We included one study, involving 339 participants. We ranked the quality of the evidence as very low due to not blinding the outcome assessors, the small number of events with imprecision in the confidential interval (CI), the small sample size and it was not possible to verify publication bias. For all outcomes, the CIs were wide and included clinically significant treatment effects in both directions: short-term mortality (30 days) (RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.01 to 7.98, P = 0.49), long-term mortality (90 days) (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.06 to 15.58, P = 0.99), major bleeding at 14 days (RR 4.91, 95% CI 0.24 to 101.57, P = 0.30) and 90 days (RR 6.88, 95% CI 0.36 to 134.14, P = 0.20), recurrent PE within 90 days (RR 2.95, 95% CI 0.12 to 71.85, P = 0.51) and participant satisfaction (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.03, P = 0.30). PE-related mortality, minor bleeding, and adverse course such as hemodynamic instability and compliance were not assessed by the single included study. Authors' conclusions: Current very low quality evidence from one published randomized controlled trial did not provide sufficient evidence to assess the efficacy and safety of outpatient versus inpatient treatment for acute PE in overall mortality, bleeding and recurrence of PE adequately. Further well-conducted research is required before informed practice decisions can be made.

Características bioquímicas da carne de bubalinos Mediterrâneo terminados em confinamento e abatidos em diferentes pesos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Nitrogênio e potássio em bananeira via fertirrigação e adubação convencional-atributos químicos do solo

Realizou-se um experimento em Pindorama (SP), no qual se avaliaram os efeitos da fertirrigação e da adubação convencional com N e K em alguns atributos químicos de solo sob cultivo com bananeira, durante dois ciclos de produção. Avaliaram-se a disponibilidade e a movimentação de nutrientes (P, K, Ca e Mg) no perfil do solo, bem como outros atributos químicos (matéria orgânica, acidez e saturação por bases), por meio de amostragens realizadas na implantação do experimento e ao final do primeiro e segundo ciclos de produção. Os principais efeitos dos tratamentos foram no pH do solo e no teor de K+ trocável. A adubação, tanto aplicada via fertirrigação como na forma convencional, implicou incrementos na acidez do solo, principalmente até 20 cm de profundidade. Observou-se que o impacto da adubação via fertirrigação no pH do solo foi proporcional à dose. A adubação convencional também causou decréscimo no pH, especialmente na região mais próxima das plantas, refletindo o efeito da aplicação localizada dos fertilizantes. A aplicação de adubo sólido na superfície do solo determinou significativo acúmulo de K nas camadas até 20 cm e na região mais próxima ao pseudocaule das plantas. Os efeitos da adubação via fertirrigação foram mais difusos, visto que os adubos são espalhados numa área de solo maior do que a coberta pela adubação convencional.

Nutrition, dry matter accumulation and partitioning and phosphorus use efficiency of potato grown at different phosphorus levels in nutrient solution

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Desempenho de bezerros holandeses alimentados após o desaleitamento com silagem de grãos úmidos ou grãos secos de milho ou sorgo

Avaliou-se o desempenho de bezerros alimentados após desaleitamento e até o abate com silagem de grãos úmidos ou grãos secos de milho ou sorgo para a produção de vitelos de carne rosa. Trinta bezerros holandeses foram distribuídos em delineamento em blocos casualizados, com cinco blocos e seis tratamentos, e alimentados com seis rações concentradas com teores similares de proteína (18,5% PB) e energia (3,2 Mcal EM/kg de MS), formuladas com: milho seco moído (MM); silagem de grãos úmidos de milho (SGUM); sorgo seco com tanino moído, (SCTM); silagem de grãos úmidos inteiros de sorgo com tanino (SGUISCT); sorgo seco sem tanino moído (SSTM); e silagem de grãos úmidos inteiros de sorgo sem tanino (SGUISST). Os animais foram recriados em piquetes coletivos até atingirem o peso pré-estabelecido para o abate (170 ± 10 kg PC). Não houve efeito das rações concentradas sobre a altura de cernelha, a idade ao abate, os dias no experimento e os ganhos de peso diários e totais. Os custos por kg de ganho de peso das rações contendo sorgo foram mais baixos que o das rações formuladas com milho. Todos os alimentos avaliados podem ser usados em rações concentradas para bezerros após o aleitamento, pois não comprometem o desempenho e conferem resultados similares.

Composição físico-química de carcaças de bezerros holandeses alimentados após o desaleitamento com silagem de grãos úmidos ou grãos secos de milho ou sorgo

Avaliou-se a composição físico-química de carcaças de bezerros após desaleitamento até o abate com silagem de grãos úmidos ou grãos secos de milho ou sorgo para a produção de vitelos de carne rosa. Trinta bezerros holandeses foram distribuídos em delineamento em blocos casualizados, com cinco blocos e seis tratamentos, e alimentados com seis rações com teores similares de proteína (18,5% PB) e de energia (3,2 Mcal EM/kg de MS), formuladas com: milho seco moído (MM); silagem de grãos úmidos de milho (SGUM); sorgo seco com tanino moído (SCTM); silagem de grãos úmidos inteiros de sorgo com tanino (SGUISCT); sorgo seco sem tanino moído; e silagem de grãos úmidos inteiros de sorgo sem tanino (SGUISST). Após o resfriamento, foram tomados nas meias-carcaças esquerdas os cortes da seção H&H para estimativa da composição tecidual da carcaça e os cortes no Longissimus dorsi à altura da 12ª e 13ª costelas para determinação da área de olho-de-lombo (AOL), da espessura de gordura subcutânea (EGS), da força de cisalhamento (FC) e da composição química. Não houve efeito da composição das rações concentradas sobre a composição física e a relação entre tecidos na seção H&H, bem como para AOL, EGS e FC. A ração concentrada SGUM resultou em maiores teores de EE no Longissimus dorsi, mas não diferiu das rações SCTM e SSTM. A ração concentrada SGUM gerou maior deposição de gordura muscular em comparação à MM, no entanto, as rações SGUISCT e SGUISST não aumentaram essa deposição em comparação ao fornecimento dos grãos secos moídos. Todos os alimentos avaliados podem ser usados em rações concentradas para bezerros após o aleitamento, pois não comprometem a composições física e química da carcaça e conferem resultados similares.

Desempenho de bezerros holandeses alimentados até o desaleitamento com silagem de grãos úmidos ou grãos secos de milho ou sorgo

Avaliou-se o desempenho de bezerros alimentados até o desaleitamento com silagem de grãos úmidos ou grãos secos de milho ou sorgo para posterior produção de vitelos de carne rosa. Trinta bezerros holandeses foram distribuídos em delineamento em blocos casualizados, com cinco blocos e seis tratamentos, e alimentados com seis rações concentradas com teores similares de proteína (22,5% PB) e de energia (3,2 Mcal EM/kg MS), formuladas com: milho seco moído (MM); silagem de grãos úmidos de milho (SGUM); sorgo seco com tanino moído (SCTM); silagem de grãos úmidos de sorgo com tanino (SGUSCT); sorgo seco sem tanino moído (SSTM); e silagem de grãos úmidos de sorgo sem tanino (SGUSST). Os animais receberam sucedâneo de leite até atingirem o peso pré-estabelecido para desaleitamento (60 ± 5 kg). Não houve efeito das rações concentradas sobre a altura de cernelha, a idade ao desaleitamento, os consumos diários de MS diários e totais das rações concentradas, os ganhos de peso diários e totais e a conversão alimentar. Os custos por kg de ganho de peso das rações concentradas contendo sorgo foram mais baixos que o das rações concentradas formuladas com milho. Todos os alimentos avaliados podem ser usados em rações concentradas para bezerros em fase de aleitamento, pois não comprometem o desempenho e conferem resultados similares.