Ação da dopamina na secreção do hormônio do crescimento em novilhas pré-púberes da raça Nelore

The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of dopamine in the growth hormone secretion (GH) during Nellore heifer's sexual maturation. The animals were randomly assigned into two experimental groups: Sulpiride group (dopamine D-2 antagonist, 0.59 mg/kg, S. C.) and control group (saline solution S. C.) at 8, 12 and 16 months of age. Blood samples were collected every 15 min for 10h after drug injection. Growth hormone was quantified by RIA, sensitivity (0.25 ng/mL) and intra and inter-assay variation coefficients were 15% and 17%, respectively. GH concentration was higher in sulpiride group than control group at 8 mo (10.1 +/- 0.38 ng/mL vs 4.3 +/- 0.34 ng/mL; P < 0.05) and 12 mo of age (9.46 +/- 0.35 vs 3.74 +/- 0.19 ng/mL; P < 0.05). In sulpiride group GH average concentration was greater at 8 and 12 mo compared to 16 mo of age (10.10 +/- 0.38 ng/mL and 9.46 +/- 0.35 ng/mL vs 4.87 +/- 0.35 ng/mL; P < 0.05) respectively. There was no difference between groups (P > 0.05) in total GH secretion area, total peak area and maximum peak amplitude. These results suggested an inhibitory dopamine effect on GH secretion in pre-pubertal Nellore heifers that decreases according to age.

Luteinizing Hormone Receptor (LHR): basic concepts in cattle and other mammals. a review

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

Uso de LH ou eCG no último dia do protocolo superovulatório em bovinos

In the last decades several hormonal treatments to induce multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) have been developed. Tight control of the time of ovulation allowed the use of fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) in bovine embryos donors, facilitating animal management. Although, protocols that allow FTAI have evolved and yield as much embryo as conventional protocols that requires estrus detection, substantial increase in viable embryo production has not been observed in superestimulated bovine cattle. The present review put emphasis on superestimulatory protocols in wich the last two doses of pFSH are replaced by eCG or LH. Recent results indicate that an extra LH stimulus (using eCG or LH), on the last day of P-36 superestimulatory treatment, seems to improve transferable embryo yield in both Bos taurus and Bos indicus cattle.

Ovarian superstimulation using FSH combined with equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) upregulates mRNA encoding proteins involved with LH receptor intracellular signaling in granulosa cells from Nelore cows

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

Parâmetros genéticos para o perfil de ácidos graxos do longissimus thoracis de bovinos da raça Nelore terminados em confinamento

Pós-graduação em Genética e Melhoramento Animal - FCAV

Análise ampla do genoma para detecção de erros de montagem no genoma de referência bovino e para detecção de locos relacionados a características de produção e reprodução da raça GIR

Pós-graduação em Genética e Melhoramento Animal - FCAV

Global liver gene expression differences in Nelore steers with divergent residual feed intake phenotypes

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effects of polyethylene film wrap on cooler shrink and the microbial status of beef carcasses

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Genomic data as the hitchhiker's guide to cattle adaptation: tracking the milestones of past selection in the bovine genome

The bovine species have witnessed and played a major role in the drastic socio-economical changes that shaped our culture over the last 10,000 years. During this journey, cattle hitchhiked on human development and colonized the world, facing strong selective pressures such as dramatic environmental changes and disease challenge. Consequently, hundreds of specialized cattle breeds emerged and spread around the globe, making up a rich spectrum of genomic resources. Their DNA still carry the scars left from adapting to this wide range of conditions, and we are now empowered with data and analytical tools to track the milestones of past selection in their genomes. In this review paper, we provide a summary of the reconstructed demographic events that shaped cattle diversity, offer a critical synthesis of popular methodologies applied to the search for signatures of selection (SS) in genomic data, and give examples of recent SS studies in cattle. Then, we outline the potential and challenges of the application of SS analysis in cattle, and discuss the future directions in this field.

Low frequency of Y anomaly detected in Australian Brahman cow-herds

Indicine cattle have lower reproductive performance in comparison to taurine. A chromosomal anomaly characterized by the presence Y markers in females was reported and associated with infertility in cattle. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of the anomaly in Brahman cows. Brahman cows (n = 929) were genotyped for a Y chromosome specific region using real time-PCR. Only six out of 929 cows had the anomaly (0.6%). The anomaly frequency was much lower in Brahman cows than in the crossbred population, in which it was first detected. It also seems that the anomaly doesn't affect pregnancy in the population. Due to the low frequency, association analyses couldn't be executed. Further, SNP signal of the pseudoautosomal boundary region of the Y chromosome was investigated using HD SNP chip. Pooled DNA of non-pregnant and pregnant cows were compared and no difference in SNP allele frequency was observed. Results suggest that the anomaly had a very low frequency in this Australian Brahman population and had no effect on reproduction. Further studies comparing pregnant cows and cows that failed to conceive should be executed after better assembly and annotation of the Y chromosome in cattle.

A genomewide association mapping study using ultrasound-scanned information identifies potential genomic regions and candidate genes affecting carcass traits in Nellore cattle

The aim of this study was to identify candidate genes and genomic regions associated with ultrasound-derived measurements of the rib-eye area (REA), backfat thickness (BFT) and rumpfat thickness (RFT) in Nellore cattle. Data from 640 Nellore steers and young bulls with genotypes for 290 863 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were used for genomewide association mapping. Significant SNP associations were explored to find possible candidate genes related to physiological processes. Several of the significant markers detected were mapped onto functional candidate genes including ARFGAP3, CLSTN2 and DPYD for REA; OSBPL3 and SUDS3 for BFT; and RARRES1 and VEPH1 for RFT. The physiological pathway related to lipid metabolism (CLSTN2, OSBPL3, RARRES1 and VEPH1) was identified. The significant markers within previously reported QTLs reinforce the importance of the genomic regions, and the other loci offer candidate genes that have not been related to carcass traits in previous investigations.

First genetic identification of Cryptosporidium parvum subtype IIaA14G2R1in beef cattle in Brazil

The presence of Cryptosporidium spp. in a cattle herd registered with an outbreak of diarrhea was investigated and the the molecular subtyping of Cryptosporidium parvum was characterized. Fecal samples from 85 Nellore beef cattle (Bos indicus) were collected and examined with Ziehl-Neelsen modified staining method. Fifty-four cattle (63.52%) had Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in their feces. Fragments of genes encoding the 18S ribosomal RNA subunit and a 60-kDa glycoprotein (gp60) were amplified by nested PCR accomplished in the 11 most heavily parasitized samples, and the amplicons were sequenced. Eight of the 11 analyzed samples were positive for 18S rRNA sequences and identified monospecific infections with C. parvum. Seven samples were positive for gp60 and identified subtypes IIaA15G2R1 (6/11) and IIaA14G2R1 (1/11). This report is the first for C. parvum subtype IIaA14G2R1 in beef cattle in Brazil.

Raising of horn fly haematobia irritans (L.) (diptera: muscidae) in laboratory by means of egg and larva inoculation

Several studies have required Haematobia irritans (L.) raising in laboratory. The present study assessed two methods of inoculating immature forms of H. irritans to obtain adults. In 2007, 15 Nellore steers (Bos indicus) (L.) were used for the collection of feces free of anthelmintic treatment and flies to produce for eggs and larva. For method I, 30 eggs were incubated in square filter paper (5 × 5 cm) and deposited on bovine feces (500 g) where they were kept until hatching and spontaneous penetration of larvae (L1) into the fecal mass. After 24 h, eggs were analyzed under a stereoscope microscope (40×) for the number of larvae that instinctively penetrated the feces. In method II, larvae were obtained only by natural egg hatching. At birth, 30 larvae were collected and individually inoculated, directly onto the fecal plate by employing a moistened brush. The tests were carried out at controlled temperature (28˚C ± 2˚C) and saturated humidity (80%) until the emergence of flies with both methods. The number of emerged flies was considered in the result. Using method I, 276 (76.7%) flies emerged from 360 inoculated eggs, while using method II, 283 (78.6%) flies emerged from 360 inoculated larvae. There was no significant difference (P = 0.7821) between methods for the number of flies; however, the proportion between males and females by means of larva inoculation was different from 1:1 (P = 0.0146). Results indicated that both methods led to a satisfactory production of flies and egg inoculation provided an easier establishment.

Association among residual feed intake, residual body weight gain, residual intake and body weight gain and temperament of Nellore cattle

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

Biopsias luteais em vacas Nelore

The present study describes a technique to obtain consecutive luteal samples by colpotomy. The animals received an epidural anesthesia and local anesthesia (vaginal vault) and after ten minutes the vaginal vault was incised with a scalpel blade and tissue was dissected to provide access to the pelvic cavity and to retract the ovary into the vagina. Then, a luteal biopsy was performed with a Yomann biopsy nipper. Signs indicative of pain and stress during the vaginal vault incision, traction of ovary or luteal biopsy were observed only in two collections. However, these signs were observed in ten collections during dissection of the vaginal wall and peritoneum. The occurrence of ataxia was observed in 26 collections and it was usually related to a longer duration of the procedure. Ataxia could be divided in light (15/26), moderate (6/26) and severe (5/26). The occurrence of ovarian adhesions ipsilateral to the incision was evaluated only in the initial four collections. Adhesions were present in 16 collections. The protocol described above provided a safe and efficient method to acquire luteal samples. The low incidence of adhesions allows the consecutive use of females without any interference in subsequent ovulations and collections.