Genetic Parameters for Milk Yield and Lactation Length of Crossbred Buffaloes from Brazil by Bayesian Inference

The objective of the study was to estimate heritability and repeatability for milk yield (MY) and lactation length (LL) in buffaloes using Bayesian inference. The Brazilian genetic improvement program of buffalo provided the data that included 628 females, from four herds, born between 1980 and 2003. In order to obtain the estimates of variance, univariate analyses were performed with the Gibbs sampler, using the MTGSAM software. The model for MY and LL included direct genetic additive and permanent environment as random effects, and contemporary groups, milking frequency and calving number as fixed effects. The convergence diagnosis was performed with the Geweke method using an algorithm implemented in R software through the package Bayesian Output Analysis. Average for milk yield and lactation length was 1,546.1 +/- 483.8 kg and 252.3 +/- 42.5 days, respectively. The heritability coefficients were 0.31 (mode), 0.35 (mean) and 0.34 (median) for MY and 0.11 (mode), 0.10 (mean) and 0.10 (median) for LL. The repeatability coefficient (mode) were 0.50 and 0.15 for MY and LL, respectively. Milk yield is the only trait with clear potential for genetic improvement by direct genetic selection. The repeatability for MY indicates that selection based on the first lactation could contribute for an improvement in this trait.

Genetic Parameter Estimates for Milk Yield and Lactation Length in Buffalo

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for milk yield at 244 days and lactation length in graded buffalo cows at the El Cangre Cattle Genetic Enterprise. Data were gathered from 2575 lactations, 1377 buffalo cows, 37 milking units and between 2002-2009 calving years. It was employed the Restricted Maximum Likelihood method (REML) for estimating (co) variance components with multi trait model. Average of milk yield at 244 days and lactation length were 864 kg and 240 days, respectively. Heritability was 0.15 for milk yield and 0.13 for lactation length. Genetic correlation between these traits was 0.63. It was concluded that it is necessary to intensify selection and to increase control of the information of the genetic herds to obtain high precision in the estimates and therefore, obtain bigger genetic progress in of this species in our country.

Reaction norm model to describe environmental sensitivity across first lactation in dairy cattle under tropical conditions

Reaction norm models have been widely used to study genotype by environment interaction (G��������E) in animal breeding. The objective of this study was to describe environmental sensitivity across first lactation in Brazilian Holstein cows using a reaction norm approach. A total of 50,168 individual monthly test day (TD) milk yields (10 test days) from 7476 complete first lactations of Holstein cattle were analyzed. The statistical models for all traits (10 TDs and for 305-day milk yield) included the fixed effects of contemporary group, age of cow (linear and quadratic effects), and days in milk (linear effect), except for 305-day milk yield. A hierarchical reaction norm model (HRNM) based on the unknown covariate was used. The present study showed the presence of G��������E in milk yield across first lactation of Holstein cows. The variation in the heritability estimates implies differences in the response to selection depending on the environment where the animals of this population are evaluated. In the average environment, the heritabilities for all traits were rather similar, in range from 0.02 to 0.63. The scaling effect of G��������E predominated throughout most of lactation. Particularly during the first 2��months of lactation, G��������E caused reranking of breeding values. It is therefore important to include the environmental sensitivity of animals according to the phase of lactation in the genetic evaluations of Holstein cattle in tropical environments.

Medicinal plants in pregnancy and lactation: perception of the health risk and practical educational group in Araraquara, S��o Paulo State, Brazil

The use of medicinal plants among pregnant women and lactating is a common practice in diverse countries. However, many medicinal plants are contraindicated during pregnancy and lactating, due to various adverse effects, such as teratogenic, embryotoxic and abortive effects, exposing these women, their fetus and babies to health unknown risks. Thus, the purpose of this commentary, was to analyze the perception about the use of medicinal plants by pregnant women and lactating registered in the "baby on board" NGO, Araraquara, S��o Paulo state, Brazil, between 2010 at 2013. The group was constituted by 48 women, between the first and last trimester of pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding. Information was collected during group meetings by oral interview, using a questionnaire, as script. The nature of the study was a qualitative analysis. The results were based on reports about the use of medicinal plants by pregnant women during group meetings: use, indication of use, knowledge about risks. All participants received written and oral information about the study and they gave a written informed consent. The use of medicinal plants is a reality among pregnant and lactating women of the "baby on board" NGO. They reported that they feel that "natural" products are not harmful for their health. The primary information sources for the majority of women about medicinal plants during pregnancy are family, neighbors and herbalists. The plants most cited (in popular name in Brazil) were: senna, chamomile, boldo, lemon balm, lemon grass. They were used mainly for: nausea, heartburn, indigestion, flatulence, intestinal and abdominal pain, anxiety, intestinal constipation and low milk production. The pregnant and lactating women lacked knowledge about the health risks of the use of medicinal plants and herbal medicines in pregnancy and lactation. They also reported difficulties in clarifying some questions about the use of medicinal plants with their doctors. The results of the present study showed that educative actions about the rational use of medicinal plants in pregnancy and breastfeeding could be part of the operating protocols to promote the maternal and child health programs in Araraquara. Thus, our results also suggest the importance of creating institutionalized places, to the implementation of continued education programs about rational use of medicinal plants in pregnancy and lactation. These targeted programs are not only for health professionals, but also for community members, pregnant women and breastfeeding. Our results pointed out the importance of guidance of doctors and healthcare professionals on the scientific studies about medicinal plants and herbal medicines and the risk/benefit of using herbs during pregnancy. Finally, it is noted the importance of the health professionals to inform women of childbearing on risks to their health, as well as on possibilities of utilization of herbs during fertile period, giving special attention to the potential risk of self-medication.

Effect of inclusion of NDF in ration of Bergamasca ewes in lactation about the milk production and composition

Funda����o de Amparo �� Pesquisa do Estado de S��o Paulo (FAPESP)

Fatores gen��ticos e ambientais sobre a probabilidade de prenhez precoce em bovinos Caracu

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient��fico e Tecnol��gico (CNPq)

��ndices de sele����o para um rebanho Caracu de duplo prop��sito

Neste trabalho, objetivou-se determinar ��ndices de sele����o para um rebanho da ra��a Caracu de duplo prop��sito, cujo objetivo de sele����o (H) incluiu a venda de bezerros desmamados e a produ����o de leite. As caracter��sticas que compuseram H foram: produ����o total de leite, idade ao primeiro parto, per��odo de servi��o, peso �� desmama e dura����o da vida produtiva. Foram propostos dois ��ndices de sele����o para H. Os crit��rios de sele����o adotados no ��ndice 1 foram: produ����o de leite na primeira lacta����o, primeiro per��odo de servi��o, peso �� desmama (PD) e per��metro escrotal. No ��ndice 2, foram consideradas as mesmas caracter��sticas, sendo, entretanto, o ganho m��dio di��rio do nascimento �� desmama empregado como crit��rio de sele����o para PD. As an��lises estat��sticas para a obten����o dos componentes de (co)vari��ncias e das estimativas dos par��metros gen��ticos e fenot��picos foram realizadas pelo m��todo da m��xima verossimilhan��a restrita livre de derivada, por um modelo animal (uni e bi-caracter��stica). As informa����es zoot��cnicas e geneal��gicas, os pre��os e as quantidades dos insumos e dos produtos foram obtidos no escrit��rio da empresa estudada. Os custos de produ����o e as receitas da atividade pecu��ria foram determinados para o per��odo de 1994 a 2000. A equa����o de lucro foi tomada em base anual, usando-se valores m��dios para n��mero de animais por categoria, caracter��sticas biol��gicas e pre��os..�� O valor econ��mico para cada caracter��stica foi obtido pela derivada parcial da fun����o de lucro em rela����o �� caracter��stica em quest��o. Os dois ��ndices econ��micos de sele����o trariam consider��vel resposta para o objetivo proposto. Entretanto, o ��ndice 1, que incluiu PD, seria um pouco mais eficiente em termos de resposta �� sele����o total.

Efeito da metionina protegida e n��o protegida da degrada����o ruminal sobre a produ����o e composi����o do leite de vacas holandesas

Utilizaram-se vacas Holandesas com produ����o superior a 20 kg de leite/dia, de primeira e segunda lacta����es, com 19��6 dias em lacta����o, para avaliar o efeito da suplementa����o com 8,4 g/dia de metionina protegida (MPDR) ou 8,4 g/dia de metionina n��o-protegida da degrada����o ruminal (MNPDR) sobre a produ����o e composi����o do leite, comparativamente a vacas controle, durante 90 dias. As vacas foram alimentadas com ra����o completa constitu��da por silagem de milho e concentrado. Produ����o de leite, teor de prote��na do leite e produ����o de prote��na n��o foram afetados pela suplementa����o com MPDR. As produ����es m��dias de leite foram 27,70; 27,09 e 27,61 kg/dia; os teores m��dios de prote��na, 2,83; 2,85 e 2,77%; e as produ����es de prote��na do leite, 0,77; 0,76 e 0,79 kg/dia, respectivamente, para vacas controle, suplementadas com MPDR e MNPDR. O teor de gordura do leite foi de 2,39; 2,12 e 1,89% paras vacas suplementadas com MPDR, MNPDR e controle, respectivamente. A produ����o di��ria de gordura foi 0,57; 0,58 e 0,58 kg/dia e a produ����o di��ria de leite corrigido para gordura (3,5%), 21,25; 21,19 e 21,35 kg/dia, para os respectivos tratamentos controle, MPDR e MNPDR. A suplementa����o com MPDR n��o alterou a produ����o de leite, por��m melhorou a sua composi����o no in��cio da lacta����o.

Passive immunity transfer and serum constituents of crossbred calves

Funda����o de Amparo �� Pesquisa do Estado de S��o Paulo (FAPESP)

Influ��ncia do est��dio de lacta����o, hora e n��mero de ordenhas sobre o teor de cloretos no leite caprino

De outubro de 1998 a fevereiro de 1999 foram analisadas 359 amostras de leite colhidas de 28 cabras lactantes, nos est��dios inicial, m��dio e final da lacta����o, nas ordenhas da manh�� e da tarde. de mar��o a julho de 1999 foram analisadas 150 amostras de leite dos mesmos animais, ordenhados uma ��nica vez ao dia. Os teores de cloretos de amostras colhidas nos per��odos da manh�� e da tarde apresentaram valores crescentes (P<0,01) durante a lacta����o, 0,175gCl/100ml e 0,211gCl/100ml de leite nos est��dios inicial e m��dio, respectivamente, para as amostras colhidas nas ordenhas da manh�� e 0,183gCl/100ml e 0,217gCl/100ml de leite nos est��dios inicial e m��dio, respectivamente, para as amostras colhidas nas ordenhas da tarde. Para as amostras de leite colhidas de animais ordenhados uma ��nica vez observou-se aumento no teor de cloretos (P<0,01) do in��cio para o final da lacta����o, 0,179gCl/100ml e 0,216gCl/100ml de leite, respectivamente. em rela����o ao hor��rio e n��mero de ordenhas, as diferen��as n��o foram significativas. Os resultados ressaltam a necessidade de se estabelecer padr��es f��sico-qu��micos espec��ficos para o leite de cabras, uma vez que, independente do est��dio da lacta����o e do n��mero de ordenhas di��rias, os valores est��o acima dos limites considerados normais para o leite bovino.

Organic and inorganic sources of zinc, copper and selenium in diets for dairy cows: intake, blood metabolic profile, milk yield and composition

The present study was carried out with the objective of evaluating the effects of feeding dairy cows with organic or inorganic sources of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) on blood concentrations of these minerals, blood metabolic profiles, nutrient intake and milk yield and composition. Nineteen Holstein cows were selected and randomly assigned to two groups for receiving organic (n = 9) or inorganic (n = 10) sources of Zn, Cu and Se from 60 days before the expected date of calving to 80 days of lactation. Samples of feed, orts and milk were collected for analysis. Body condition score (BCS) was determined and blood samples were collected for analysis of Zn, Cu and Se concentrations, as well as for metabolic profile. Supplying organic or inorganic sources of Zn, Cu, and Se did not affect dry matter and nutrient intake, blood metabolic profile, milk yield and composition, plasma concentration of these minerals, and BCS or change the BCS in cows from 60 days before the expected date of calving to 80 days of lactation. An effect of time was observed on all feed intake variables, plasma concentrations of Zn and Se, milk yield, milk protein content, BCS and change in BCS.

Genetic aspects of productive and reproductive traits in a Murrah buffalo herd in S��o Paulo, Brazil

This study investigated genetic trends of some productive and reproductive traits in a herd of Murrah buffalo raised in S��o Paulo, Brazil. Variance components for milk production (Mr), length of lactation (LL), calving interval (CI) and age of first calving (AFC) were estimated by che restricted maximum likelihood method, using an animal model. Estimated heritability values were 0.38; 0.01; 0.10 and 0.20 for MP, LL, CI and AFC, respectively. Estimated repeatability values were 0.50, 0.13 and 0.20 for MP, LL and CI, respectively. Means of predicted breeding values for cows, dams and sires according to calving year and the genetic correlations were presented.

Genetic parameters for milk yield of Bubalus bubalis using unadjusted and adjusted milk production for days in milk.

Coordena����o de Aperfei��oamento de Pessoal de N��vel Superior (CAPES)

Persist��ncia na lacta����o para vacas da ra��a Holandesa criadas no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul via modelos de regress��o aleat��ria

Coordena����o de Aperfei��oamento de Pessoal de N��vel Superior (CAPES)