Epidemiological Aspects in the Leptospira spp. and Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Horses from Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil

Leptospirosis and toxoplasmosis are zoonoses with high importance because of the economic and public health impact. This study was aimed to determine the seroprevafence of leptospirosis and toxoplamosis in 714 serum samples of horses from different farms from Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil. The samples were researched for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and for Leptospira spp. antibodies by microscopic agglutination test. of 714 serum samples, 128 (17.9%; 95% Cl: 15.3%-20.9%) were positive for one or more serovars of Leptospira spp., with icterohaemorrhagiae, canicola, and castellonis as the most prevalent serovars, whereas 42 (5.9%; 95% CI: 4.4%-7.9%) were positive for T gondii, of which 33 samples (78.57%; 95% CI: 64.0%-88.2%) presented a titer of 16, 7 (16.7%; 95% CI: 8.4%-30.7%) a titer of 64, and 1 (2.38%; 95% CI: 0.6%-12.3%) a titer of 256. No significant difference was found among the results obtained and the associated variables such as age and sex. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Characterization of gene polymorphisms related to immune system physiology in Mangalarga horses

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

Parâmetros sanguíneos de cavalos alimentados com concentrados lipídicos submetidos a treinos aeróbicos montados

Avaliou-se o fornecimento de concentrados com baixo e alto teor de óleo de soja a cavalos atletas, submetidos a duas intensidades de treinos aeróbicos montados, sobre a resposta metabólica de parâmetros bioquímicos do sangue, de importância ao desempenho esportivo. Foram utilizados quatro cavalos, em delineamento experimental quadrado latino, com tratamentos em esquema fatorial 2x2 (duas inclusões de óleo de soja e duas rotinas de treinos aeróbicos). Os tratamentos foram compostos por teores de 5 e 15% de óleo de soja nos concentrados e duas intensidades de treinos montados por 40 e 60min, classificadas como aeróbicas. As amostras de sangue foram colhidas após o último treino de 40 ou 60min, de cada período experimental. Monitorou-se, após o exercício, os parâmetros bioquímicos, triglicerídeos (TG), colesterol total (CT), glicose (GLI) e lactato (LAC). Houve redução no teor TG (P<0,05) para cavalos consumindo 15% de óleo e treinados aerobicamente por 60 min., o CT elevou-se em função do aumento da inclusão de óleo (P<0,05), incremento LAC (P<0,05) em cavalos treinados por 60min., independente do nível de óleo ingerido (1,48mmol/L), bem como não se verificou efeito (P>0,05) dos tratamentos sobre GLI. Concluiu-se que, para cavalos atletas em atividade aeróbica, o oferecimento de concentrado com alto teor óleo de soja deve ser associado ao treino montado de maior intensidade.

Comparison of indigestible markers from in situ and in vivo incubation to predict apparent digestibility in hay- and corn-fed horses

Foram utilizados quatro cavalos castrados sem raça definida pelo delineamento em blocos casualizados. Objetivou-se viabilizar os indicadores internos indigestíveis, FDNi e FDAi, obtidas pelas técnicas in situ nos bovinos e in vivo nos equinos por meio do saco de náilon móvel (SNM). Os tratamentos consistiram de digestibilidade determinada por método direto com a coleta total de fezes (CT) e indireto pelo uso de FDNi e FDAi obtidos pelas técnicas in situ (IS) na cavidade ruminal de bovinos e in vivo (IV) nos equinos por meio do SNM. As FDNi-IV e FDAi-IV promoveram a melhor taxa de recuperação (TR) do indicador, igualando-se ao grupo CT, em 91,50%, enquanto a técnica in situ resultou nas piores taxas, na média 86,50%, para ambos os indicadores indigestíveis (p < 0,05). As estimativas dos CD dos nutrientes foram adequadamente preditos pela FDAi-IV, para equinos alimentados com feno, no qual os valores observados foram de 46,41; 48,16; 47,92 e 45,51% para MS, MO, FDN e EB, respectivamente. Concluiu-se que o SNM em equinos pode ser usado para obter a FDAi em equinos alimentados exclusivamente com feno de coast-cross e para cavalos consumindo dieta mista, as FDNi e FDAi foram eleitas para predizer CD de nutrientes.

Indigestible cellulose and lignin in determining feces production and apparent digestibility in horses

Foram utilizados quatro cavalos castrados sem raça definida, distribuídos em blocos casualizados. Objetivou-se estudar a viabilização dos indicadores internos, celulose (CELi) e lignina indigestíveis (LIGi), para predizer a digestibilidade em cavalos. Os tratamentos consistiram na determinação da digestibilidade por método direto com a coleta total de fezes (CT) e indireto pelo uso CELi e LIGi obtidos pelas técnicas in situ (IS) na cavidade ruminal de bovinos e in vivo (IV) nos equinos por meio do saco de náilon móvel (SNM). A produção fecal e taxa de recuperação (p > 0,05) médios encontrados foram de 2,80 kg na MS e 101%, respectivamente. As estimativas dos CD dos nutrientes (p > 0,05) foram adequadamente preditos pela CELi e LIGi, obtidos in situ e in vivo, no qual os valores médios observados foram de 52,63, 54,17, 64,90, 43,73 e 98,28% para MS, MO, PB, FDN e Amido, respectivamente. Concluiu-se que a CELi e LIGi podem ser obtidas in vivo por meio do SNM em equinos, para predizer os coeficientes de digestibilidade de nutrientes, consumindo dieta mista.

Nutritive value of high and low tanin content of sorghum high moisture silage for horses

Foram utilizados oito cavalos castrados sem raça definida em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. O objetivo foi determinar o valor nutritivo das silagens de grãos de sorgo de baixo (SBT) e alto (SAT) teores de tanino na alimentação de equinos. Os tratamentos consistiram de duas dietas-teste compostas pelos grãos de sorgo ensilados (SBT e SAT), substituindo em 30% a MS da dieta-referência, constituída exclusivamente por feno. Os valores de digestibilidade dos nutrientes dos SBT e SAT apresentaram diferenças nos CDMS, CDMO, CDEB, CDPB e CDAmido em que SAT foi inferior (p < 0,05) para todos os parâmetros, em que os valores médios foram de, respectivamente, 79,53, 84,54, 79,36, 76,11 e 100% para SBT e 60,29, 64,47, 59,38, 44,63 e 97,06% para SAT. Concluiu-se que a utilização do SBT é promissora na nutrição de equinos, tornando-se alimento alternativo nas formulações de rações.

Caracterização da variabilidade de genes relacionados à fertilidade de machos e ao temperamento em eqüinos da raça brasileira Mangalarga

The aims of the present study were to propose a PCR-RFLP genotyping method for the AJ_315378:c.110A>G and AB_264325:c. 771G>C SNPs in the equine CRISP1 and HTR1A genes, respectively, as well as to characterize these and another polymorphism, AB_098561:c.1470G>A of the SLC6A4 gene, in order to provide a basis for future studies investigating the association between DNA markers and traits of interest in this breed. For this, 151 Mangalarga horses of both sexes, representatives of the population of the Sate of São Paulo, Brazil, were used. PCR-RFLP was found to be adequate for the genotyping of the SNPs AJ_315378: c.110A>G of the CRISP1 and AB_264325:c.771G>C of the HTR1A. However, the polymorphism of the CRISP1 probably does not occur in Mangalarga horses, a fact impairing association studies of this marker with traits related to male fertility. The estimative of the population genetic parameters obtained for the polymorphisms AB_264325:c.771G>C of the HTR1A and AB_098561:c.1470G> A of the SLC6A4 in the studied sample discourage the conduct of research addressed the association between markers and traits related to temperament.

Influence of sire and sire breed (Gyr versus Holstein) on establishment of pregnancy and embryonic loss in lactating Holstein cows during summer heat stress

Heat stress has negative effects on pregnancy rates of lactating dairy cattle. There are genetic differences in tolerance to heat stress; Bos taurus indicus (B. t. indicus) cattle and embryos are more thermotolerant than Bos taurus taurus (B. t. taurus). In the present study, the effects of sire and sire breed on conception and embryonic/fetal loss rates of lactating Holstein cows during the Brazilian summer were determined. In Experiment 1, cows (n = 302) were AI after estrus detection or at a fixed-time with semen from one Gyr (B. t. indicus) or one Holstein sire (B. t. taurus). Pregnancy was diagnosed 80 days after AI. In Experiment 2, cows (n = 811) were AI with semen from three Gyr and two Holstein sires. Pregnancy was diagnosed at 30-40 and at 60-80 days after AI. Cows diagnosed pregnant at the first examination but non-pregnant at the second were considered as having lost their embryo or fetus. Data were analyzed by logistic regression. The model considered the effect of sire within breed, sire breed, days postpartum, period of lactation, and AI type (AI after estrus versus fixed-time). There was no effect of the AI type, days postpartum or milk production on conception or embryonic loss rates. The use of Gyr bulls increased pregnancy rate when compared to Holstein bulls [9.1% (60/657) versus 5.0% (23/456), respectively, P = 0.008; data from Experiments 1 and 2 combined]. Additionally, in Experiment 2, cows inseminated using semen from sire #4 (Gyr) had lower embryonic loss (10%) when compared with other B. t. indicus (35.3% and 40%) or B. t. taurus sires (18.2% and 38.5%, P = 0.03). In conclusion, the use of B. t. indicus sires may result in higher conception rates in lactating Holstein cows during summer heat stress. Moreover, sire can affect embryonic loss and selection of bulls according to this criterion may result in higher parturition rates in lactating Holstein cows. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Selection of X chromosome of buffaloes sperm with Percoll gradients

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the selection of X chromosome of buffaloes sperm with Percoll gradients. The stock solution of Percoll was prepared in the proportion of 1:11 (1 part of Percoll:11 parts of a solution containing KCl 1M, NaH(2)PO(4) 0.1M, NaCl 1.5M and sodium HEPES 23.8 g/ml). In order to prepare 9 different gradients were added to the stocked Percoll the A solution (glicine-yolk extender) in the following proportions: 90, 80, 72, 65, 57, 49, 34 and 25%. A sample of 0.7 ml of the fresh semen was deposited at 2 ml of Percoll 80% for the sperm wash. The precipitate was put in tube with 0.7 ml of each gradient. Then, the precipitated was washed in TES solution by centrifugation (500xg for 10 minutes), and collected again and diluted in TES solution to be freeze. The presence of the F body in the spermatozoa was observed in 58.7 +/- 5.4% of the control group and in 41.2 +/- 5.4% of the treated group (p<0.01). This result showed an increment of 17.55 of male sperm in the Percoll's group. The reduction of the centrifugation force did not improve the percentage of X sperm.

Comportamento sexual de touros Zebuínos e Angus em central de coleta e processamento de sêmen

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Parâmetros e tendência genética da produção de leite de cabra no Brasil

A caprinocultura leiteira no Brasil, apesar de ser uma atividade rural consolidada há algumas décadas, tem se mostrado totalmente dependente de outros países no que se refere ao melhoramento genético. A maioria dos plantéis existentes atualmente tem como base animais importados, e a renovação do material genético é feita por meio da importação de sêmen. Inexistem informações sobre o valor genético dos animais e sua evolução no decorrer dos anos. No presente trabalho, foram estimadas a herdabilidade e a repetibilidade da produção de leite utilizando o REML. Os valores obtidos foram 0,21557 e 0,21564, respectivamente. Para a predição do valor gênico dos animais, foi usado o procedimento BLUP com modelo animal. A mudança na tendência genética anual estimada por um modelo quadrático foi -0,8109 kg/ano², indicando desaceleração no ganho genético. A correlação de Pearson entre os valores gênicos dos bodes estimados com base na média da capacidade provável de produção das filhas obtida pelo método de mínimos quadrados com as estimadas pelas equações do modelo misto foi de 0,5751. A correlação de SPEARMAN entre as classificações dos bodes obtidos pelos dois métodos foi de 0,5813.

Strategies to improve fertility in Bos indicus postpubertal heifers and nonlactating cows submitted to fixed-time artificial insemination

Two experiments were designed to evaluate strategies to increase fertility of Bos indicus postpubertal heifers and nonlactating cows submitted to a fixed-time artificial insemination (TAI) protocol consisting of an intravaginal device containing 1.9 g of progesterone (CIDR) insertion + estradiol benzoate on Day 0, CIDR withdrawal + estradiol cypionate on Day 9, and TAI on Day 11. In Experiment 1, heifers (n = 1153) received a new or an 18-d previously used CIDR and, on Day 9, prostaglandin F(2 alpha) (PGF(2 alpha)) + 0, 200, or 300 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG). Heifers treated with a new CIDR had greater (least squares means +/- SEM) serum concentration of progesterone on Day 9 (3.06 +/- 0.09 ng/mL vs. 2.53 +/- 0.09 ng/mL; P < 0.05) and a smaller follicle at TAI (11.61 +/- 0.11 nim vs. 12.05 +/- 0.12 mm; P < 0.05). Heifers with smaller follicles at TAI had lesser serum progesterone, concentrations on Day 18 and reduced rates of ovulation, conception, and pregnancy (P < 0.05). Treatment with eCG improved (P < 0.05) follicle diameter at TAI (11.50 +/- 0.10 mm, 11.90 +/- 0.11 mm, and 12.00 +/- 0.10 mm, for 0, 100, and 200 IU, respectively), serum progesterone concentration on Day 18 (2.77 +/- 0.11 ng/mL, 3.81 +/- 0.11 ng/mL, and 4.87 +/- 0.11 ng/mL), and rates of ovulation (83.8%, 88.5%, and 94.3%) and pregnancy (41.3%, 47.0%, and 46.7%). In Experiment 2, nonlactating Nelore cows (n = 702) received PGF(2 alpha) treatment on Days 7 or 9 and, on Day 9, 0 or 300 IU cCG. Cows receiving PGF(2 alpha) on Day 7 had lesser serum progesterone concentrations on Day 9 (3.05 +/- 0.21 ng/mL vs. 4.58 +/- 0.21 ng/mL; P < 0.05), a larger follicle at TAI (11.54 +/- 0.21 mm vs. 10.84 +/- 0.21 mm; P < 0.05), and improved (P < 0.05) rates of ovulation (85.4% vs. 77.0%), conception (60.9% vs. 47.2%), and pregnancy (52.0% vs. 36.4%). Treatment with eCG improved (P < 0.05) serum progesterone concentration on Day 18 (3.24 +/- 0.14 ng/mL vs. 4.55 +/- 0.14 ng/mL) and the rates of ovulation (72.4% vs. 90.0%) and pregnancy (37.5% vs. 50.8%). In conclusion, giving PGF(2 alpha) earlier in the protocol in nonlactating cows and eCG treatment in postpubertal heifers and nonlactating cows improved fertility in response to a TAI (progesterone + estradiol) protocol. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Progesterone-based estrous synchronization protocols in non-suckled and suckled primiparous Bos indicus beef cows

In Experiment 1, effects of an intravaginal progesterone insert (CIDR) for synchronization of estrus in non-suckled cycling primiparous Bos indicus beef cows were evaluated. Cows received either no treatment (Control), prostaglandin F(2 alpha) (PGF), or CIDR (6 d)+prostaglandin F(2 alpha) (CIDR+PGF). There were greater (P<0.05) percentages of cows inseminated and pregnant in 4 d of breeding season in CIDR+PGF (81.6%; 48.7%) than in PGF (53.8%; 32.5%) and Control cows (14.6%; 8.5%). In Experiment 2, efficacy of a treatment with CIDR (6 d)+prostaglandin F(2 alpha)+48 h temporary weaning (CIDR+PGF+TW) associated or not with equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) for synchronization of estrus in suckled primiparous B. indicus beef cows was evaluated. Cows were assigned to receive either no treatment (Control), CIDR+PGF+TW, CIDR+PGF+TW+200 IU of eCG, or CIDR+PGF+IW+400 IU of eCG. There were greater (P<0.05) percentages of insemination and pregnancy in 4 d of breeding season in treatment groups (47.0%; 27.5%) than in Control cows(4.5%; 3.0%) and in cows treated with eCG (50.9%; 29.4%) than in cows treated only with CIDR+PGF+TW (39.4%: 23.7%). No effects of eCG dosage were detected. The percentage of cows inseminated and pregnant in a 30 d breeding season were greater (P<0.05) in cows assigned to synchronization treatments (53.3%; 37.2%) than in Control cows (35.3%; 21.4%). In the beginning of the BS, non-suckled primiparous cows treated with CIDR+PGF with estrous cycles having been initiated following calving had greater estrous detection and pregnancy rates than PGF and Control cows, and suckled primiparous cows had improved estrous detection and pregnancy rates when eCG was associated with CIDR+PGF+TW. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Fixed-time artificial insemination with estradiol and progesterone for Bos indicus cows II: Strategies and factors affecting fertility

In Experiments 1, 2, and 3, we evaluated the effects of temporary weaning (TW), equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) treatments on results of it fixed-time artificial insemination (TAI) protocol in postpartum Bos indicus cows. In Experiment 1, treatment with 400 IU eCG or with TW for 48 h consistently improved pregnancy rates (PRs) at TAI, but, in Experiment 2, FSH treatment was less effective than eCG or TW. In Experiment 3, the inclusion of eCG treatment in cows subjected to TW did not improve PRs. We concluded that TW or 400 IU eCG should be included in the TAI protocol in postpartum Bos indicus cows to enhance fertility. In Experiment 4, we used records front heifers and cows treated with the proposed protocol during the 2006-2007 (n = 27,195) and 2007-2008 (n = 36,838) breeding seasons from multiple locations in Brazil to evaluate factors potentially affecting PRs. Overall PR at TAI was 49.6% (31,786 of 64,033). Pregnancy rate differed (P < 0.01) among farm within location (results ranging between 26.8% and 68.0%; P < 0.01), cow group within farm, by breed (Bos indicus, 48.3% [26,123 of 54,145]; Bos taurus, 61.7% [3652 of 5922]; and crossbred Bos indicus x Bos taurus, 50.7% [2011 of 3966]), category (nulliparous, 39.6% [2095 of 52901] suckled primiparous, 45.2% [3924 of 8677]; suckled multiparous, 51.8% [24,245 of 46,767]; and nonsuckled multiparous, 46.1% [1522 of 3299]), body condition score at TAI (<= 2.5 43.0% [3409 of 7923]; 3.0, 49.6% [18,958 of 38,229]; and >3.5, 52.7% [9419 of 17,881]). Days postpartum at beginning, of protocol did not affect PR (30 to 60 d, 47.6% [4228 of 8881]; 61 to 90 d, 51.7% 116,325 to 31,5721; and 91 to 150 d, 50.8% [7616 to 14,991]; P > 0.1). Pregnancy rate was also consistently affected (P < 0.01) by sire (results ranging from 7.2% to 77.3%) and artificial insemination technician (results ranging from 15.1% to 81.8%). (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Fertility-associated antigen on Nelore bull sperm and reproductive outcomes following first-service fixed-time AT of Nelore cows and heifers

The objective was to determine whether the presence of fertility-associated antigen (FAA) on sperm collected from Nelore (Bos indicus) bulls can be used to assess potential fertility of sperm for use at first-service fixed-time AI (TAI). Six Nelore bulls were selected based on FAA status (FAA-negative: N = 3; FAA-positive: N = 3) and the ability to produce neat semen with >= 70% morphologically normal sperm and 60% estimated progressive motility before cryopmservation. In Experiment 1, suckled multiparous Nelore cows (N = 835) were evaluated for body condition score (BCS) and received an intravaginal progesterone device (CIDR) and 2.0 mg of estradiol benzoate (Day 0). on Day 9 the CIDR was removed, 12.5 mg of PGF(2 alpha) and 0.5 mg of estradiol cypionate were administered, and calves were removed for 48 h. All cows received TAI on Day II (48 h after CIDR removal). Pregnancy per TAI (P/TAI) was not different between FAA-positive and FAA-negative bulls (41.5% vs. 39.3%, respectively). There was an effect of AI technician on P/TAI (36.0% vs. 43.9%; P < 0.05) and BCS tended to affect P/TAI (P = 0.09), as cows with BCS >= 2.75 were 1.4 times more likely to become pregnant compared with cows with BCS < 2.75. In Experiment 2, nulliparous Nelore heifers (N = 617) were evaluated for BCS and received a CIDR and estradiol benzoate (2.0 mg) on Day 0. on Day 7, all heifers received PGF(2 alpha) (12.5 mg). on Day 9, CIDR inserts were removed and all heifers received estradiol cypionate (0.6 mg) and 200 IU eCG. All heifers received TAI on Day 11 (48 h after CIDR removal). Pregnancy/TAI was different (P = 0.04) between FAA-positive and FAA-negative bulls (33.7% vs. 40.7%, respectively). Presence of FAA on sperm was unsuccessful in assessing the potential fertility of sperm for use in TAI. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.