Carcass and meat quality traits of wild boar (Sus scrofa s. L.) with 2n=36 karyotype compared to those of phenotypically similar crossbreeds (2n=37 and 2n=38) raised under same farming conditions. 1. Carcass quantity and meat dressing

The aim of this study was to compare wild boar (chromosomal number 2n = 36) to phenotypically similar animals of 2n = 37 and 2n = 38 chromosomes (crossbreeds) with respect to live weight, carcass yield, meat yield, fat and weight of inner organs. All animals were born and raised on the same farm and slaughtered at 39 weeks. The final live weight of wild boar 2n = 36 was significantly lower (47.2 kg) as compared to crossbreeds (80.0 kg). Animals 2n = 36 had more carcass yields (65.5%) than 2n = 37 karyotype (64.9%) and 2n = 38 (64.4%). Wild boar had the highest yields for the cuts with bones and boneless cuts compared to crossbreeds. Therefore, variations in karyotype are accompanied by differences in some carcass quantitative traits, i.e., 2n = 36 grow and fatten slower than crossbreeds 2n = 37 and 2n = 38. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Gastrointestinal nematode infection in beef cattle of different genetic groups in Brazil

Resistance to natural infection by gastrointestinal nematodes was compared in 67 female calves of the following genetic groups: Nelore (NX); 1/2 Senepol + 1/2 Nelore (SN); and 1/2 Aberdeen Angus + 1/2 Nelore (AN). The NX (n = 26), SN (n = 23) and AN (n = 18) animals were monitored for 14 months, during which they remained without treatment, allowed to graze in a tropical environment. Eggs per gram of feces (EPG), coprocultures and packed cell volume (PCV) were carried out monthly. No significant effects of the interaction between the genetic groups and month/year of collection and the genetic group on the EPG were found, but there was a significant influence of the month of collection (P < 0.01). The monthly PCV measurements did not differ for the animals of the three genetic groups and there was no association found between the EPG and PCV. The animals of the SN and NX groups showed similar numbers of EPG with results zero, while for the AN group these numbers were significantly lower (P < 0.05). Although the NX group had a large number of EPG with results zero, it also contained many animals with high counts, meaning this group had higher averages during the entire study period. The following nematode genera were found in the coprocultures: Haemonchus, Cooperia, Oesophagostomum and Trichostrongylus, the latter in smallest proportion. There was no significant difference between the genetic groups for averages of all parasites identified, except Cooperia, which were present in higher numbers in the animals of the NX group (P < 0.05). The results obtained in this experiment suggest that the use of Bos taurus x Bos indicus crossbreeds can be a good strategy to reduce the use of chemical control in Brazil. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Análise econômica da produção de carne de cordeiros sob dois sistemas de terminação: pastagem e confinamento

Foram analisados os custos de produção e o retorno econômico do quilograma de carcaça, de 13 cordeiros Corriedale (C), 14 Bergamácia x Corriedale (BC) e 9 Hampshire Down x Corriedale (HC), em pastagem de Cynodon dactylon e 10 C, 11 BC e 8 HC em confinamento, recebendo ração completa, com 18% de proteína bruta e 72% de nutrientes digestíveis totais, idênticos ao da pastagem. A lotação utilizada foi de 20 cordeiros/ha. No confinamento, considerou-se 0,5m²/cordeiro. A despesa total para terminação dos cordeiros na pastagem foi R$2.382,40 e para terminação em confinamento foi R$2.918,40, com as respectivas receitas de R$3.686,90 e R$4.498,03. O custo de produção do kg de carcaça dos cordeiros confinados (R$2,30), em valor absoluto foi superior, porém, muito próximo dos terminados em pastagem (R$2,26). O retomo econômico para os cordeiros terminados em confinamento (R$1.579,63) foi superior ao dos terminados em pastagem (R$1.304,50), mostrando uma diferença em valores absolutos de R$275,13 a favor dos cordeiros confinados. A produção de carne de cordeiro em confinamento é economicamente viável.

Propriedades tensiométricas comparadas entre fragmentos do centro tendíneo do diafragma, pericárdio fibroso e peritônio parietal de bovinos não conservados e conservados em glicerina

The behaviour of the non conserved and 98% glycerin conserved specimens for periods of 30, 60 and 90 days of bovine diaphragma's tendinous center, fibrous pericardium and parietal peritoneum submitted to mechanical tests of traction, was observed in ten bovines between 30 months and 36 months of age, crossbreeds, males and females, collecting fragments of these aforesaid membranes in each animal. The diaphragma's tendinous center and parietal peritoneum did not suffered significant modification (p>0.05) in the values of tension when compared to the resistance tests of traction of non conserved and 98% glycerin conserved membranes. However, all the evaluated tissues showed significant increase (p£0.05) of the elongation values when conserved in 98% glycerin for until 90 days. It was also observed that fibrous pericardium is the one which supports greaters tensions. So, it to was concluded, that glycerin is efficient to the conservation of biological membranes besides modifying its mechanical properties.

Swimmer syndrome affecting an entire litter of kittens

Swimmer syndrome is a developmental abnormality characterized by a delay in the ability to walk and move about and is manifested in newborns between 15 and 20 days of age. These animals exhibit constant coxofemoral articulation abduction, and their pelvic limbs move caudally and laterally. This case reports a litter of three crossbreeds kittens (26 days old) with swimmer syndrome. Each animal was treated with physical therapy and shackle bandages that kept their pelvic limbs bent and close to the body. After seven days, all of the animals exhibited normal ambulation, indicating that this treatment had a curative effect on the kittens.

Avaliação radiográfica da articulação coxofemoral em cães submetidos a exercícios físicos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Propriedades morfológicas e tensiométricas comparadas de centro tendíneo, pericárdio e peritônio de bovinos a fresco e conservados em glicerina

Pós-graduação em Cirurgia Veterinária - FCAV