Additive genetic relationships between scrotal circumference, heifer pregnancy, and stayability in Nellore cattle

Scrotal circumference data from 47,605 Nellore young bulls, measured at around 18 mo of age (SC18), were analyzed simultaneously with 27,924 heifer pregnancy (HP) and 80,831 stayability (STAY) records to estimate their additive genetic relationships. Additionally, the possibility that economically relevant traits measured directly in females could replace SC18 as a selection criterion was verified. Heifer pregnancy was defined as the observation that a heifer conceived and remained pregnant, which was assessed by rectal palpation at 60 d. Females were exposed to sires for the first time at about 14 mo of age (between 11 and 16 mo). Stayability was defined as whether or not a cow calved every year up to 5 yr of age, when the opportunity to breed was provided. A Bayesian linear-threshold-threshold analysis via Gibbs sampler was used to estimate the variance and covariance components of the multitrait model. Heritability estimates were 0.42 +/- 0.01, 0.53 +/- 0.03, and 0.10 +/- 0.01, for SC18, HP, and STAY, respectively. The genetic correlation estimates were 0.29 +/- 0.05, 0.19 +/- 0.05, and 0.64 +/- 0.07 between SC18 and HP, SC18 and STAY, and HP and STAY, respectively. The residual correlation estimate between HP and STAY was -0.08 +/- 0.03. The heritability values indicate the existence of considerable genetic variance for SC18 and HP traits. However, genetic correlations between SC18 and the female reproductive traits analyzed in the present study can only be considered moderate. The small residual correlation between HP and STAY suggests that environmental effects common to both traits are not major. The large heritability estimate for HP and the high genetic correlation between HP and STAY obtained in the present study confirm that EPD for HP can be used to select bulls for the production of precocious, fertile, and long-lived daughters. Moreover, SC18 could be incorporated in multitrait analysis to improve the prediction accuracy for HP genetic merit of young bulls.

Assessment of luteal function in goats by ultrasonographic image attribute analysis

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Efeito das condições climáticas do semiárido sobre o comportamento fisiológico de caprinos mestiços f1 saanen x boer

This research aimed at evaluating the effect of the semiarid climatic conditions on the physiological behavior of F1 Saanen x Boer crossbred goats, created at an intensive system. The experiment was carried out in the Health and Rural Technology Center, in the Federal University of Campina Grande, in the town of Patos, Paraiba. Twenty-four animals were used, with ages varying between three and four months, being 12 females and 12 males, weaned and prevented against worms, receiving ad libitum water and controlled concentrate and roughage. The environmental variables were checked inside and outside the experiment place, as well as the physiological variables of all animals. Except for the humid bulb temperature, the variance analysis revealed shift effect (P<0.05) for all environmental variables. There was merely shift effect (P<0.05) for Cardiac Frequency and Rectal Temperature, and the averages of both, in the afternoon, overcame those observed in the morning. The obtained results based on the studied physiological and environmental variables conclude that crossbred goats, resulting of Boer (paternal) and Saanen (maternal), present a good resistance to heat, permitting their indication for the meat production in confinement on semiarid conditions.

Influência dos períodos, seco e chuvoso, sobre os parâmetros clínicos em caprinos das raças Canindé e Moxotó

Os caprinos têm um sistema de termorregulação que visa manter a temperatura corporal constante dentro de certos limites, independente da temperatura ambiente. Quando esses limites são estabelecidos, eles são usados em diversos mecanismos fisiológicos para manter a temperatura corporal (TC) dentro dos limites normais. Assim, a produção animal pode diminuir devido ao estresse térmico causado por temperaturas elevadas, especialmente em áreas semi-áridas como o Nordeste do Brasil. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o comportamento fisiológico de diferentes grupos genéticos de caprinos nativos de acordo com a resposta fisiológica das varáveis temperatura retal (TR), frequência respiratória (FR), batimentos cardíacos (BC) e movimentos ruminais (MR), e estabelecer os parâmetros fisiológicos para estas raças sob as condições do semiárido do Nordeste do Brasil. Foram selecionados aleatoriamente 30 animais, sendo cinco machos e dez fêmeas da raça Canindé e cinco machos e dez fêmeas da raça Moxotó, dos quais foram aferidos as variáveis BC, FR e TR nos meses de abril e setembro/2007 e 2008. Observou-se influência significativa (P<0,05) do período do ano no BC, na FR e na TR na raça Canindé, sendo observados valores mais elevados de BC e TR no período chuvoso. Na raça Moxotó observou-se uma diferença significativa (P<0,05) quanto ao BC e TR entre os períodos estudados, sendo observadas na estação seca maiores valores para estas variáveis. Também se observou nesta raça, uma correlação negativa (47%) entre a temperatura ambiente (TA) e TR no período seco, enquanto que no período chuvoso, essa correlação foi positiva (28%). A correlação entre TA e BC foi negativa (21%) no período chuvoso e, positiva (25%) no período seco. Na raça Canindé observou-se correlação negativa (39%) entre TA e movimento ruminal (MR) na época chuvosa, enquanto que no período seco, essa correlação foi positiva (33%). Os parâmetros clínicos avaliados neste estudo encontram-se dentro da normalidade para a espécie caprina no semi-árido nordestino e a raça Moxotó apresentou comportamento condizente com uma maior tolerância ao clima da região e um maior grau de adaptabilidade.

Effect of passive pneumoperitoneum on oesophageal pressure, cardiovascular parameters and blood gas analysis in horses

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Anestesia epidural em cutias (Dasyprocta azarae) submetidas à ovariossalpingohisterectomia

In this research, the epidural anesthesia technique in nulliparous and non non-nulliparous submitted to ovarysalpingohysterectomy was studied. These are rodents belonging to the Missina Palmeira Zancaner municipal zoo of catanduva in São Paulo. The tranquilization was achieved using azaperone (4mg/kg) and meperidine (4mg/kg) followed by injection of cetamine (20mg/kg) and xylazine (0.4mg/kg), intramuscularly from the same syringe. Subsequently, lidocaine (5mg/kg) was injected into the lumbosacral space. The time of latency of the anesthesic association (4.0[plus or minus]1.51min), time of latency of epidural lidocaine (6.87[plus or minus]2.35min) and time of analgesia (115.0[plus or minus]12.49min) were analyzed, in addition to rectal temperature, which decreased 2.12[plus or minus]0.86[degree]C on average from the beginning of the anesthesia to the end of its effective time. All animals recovered satisfactorily without presenting signs of excitation or complications due to the epidural tecnique. It was concluded that the balanced anesthesia tecnique provided adequate analgesia during a time considered sufficient for several procedures, by means of low doses of xylazine and ketamine.

Food intake and thermic effect of feeding in thyroid-deficient pigs

Short and long-term thyroidectomy and Methimazole treatment reduced food intake in young growing pigs. The thermic effect of feeding assessed by the increment in rectal temperature after the beginning of food ingestion was reduced in thyroidectomized animals, but no effect could be observed in Methimazole-treated pigs. Propranolol injection after short-term treatment decreased food intake in sham-operated and treated animals, but reduced the thermic effect of feeding only in the thyroidectomized and Methimazole-treated pigs. Long-term treatment inhibited the effect of propranolol in reducing food intake and the thermic effect of feeding. On the basis of these data, it was suggested that the interaction between thyroid hormones and catecholamines (noradrenaline) plays an important role in the regulation of food intake and in the thermic effect of feeding in thyroid-deficient pigs.

Trisomy X and 1 29 translocation in infertile heifers

In a group of 12 Pitangueiras breed heifers exhibiting a high return rate to service, three were noted to be carriers of the 1 29 translocation. One of the heifers exhibited trisomy for the X-chromosome in addition to the 1 29 translocation. The appearance and external genitalia of the 1 29 T; trisomy X heifer were not altered, although on rectal examination the internal genitalia, including the ovaries, appeared similar to that of a prepubertal heifer. © 1987.

Influence of age on the febrile response to E. coli and S. typhimurium endotoxins in growing pullets.

1. The effect of bacterial endotoxin injection was studied in growing pullets of different ages. Commercial chicks were divided into 5 groups according to age. Bacterial endotoxins (E. coli and S. typhimurium) were injected intravenously and rectal temperature was measured over a period of 300 min. 2. The results showed no significant effect of age on the febrile response induced by bacterial endotoxins, but a slight tendency towards a reduced fever peak was observed with increasing age. The response latency also increased with age.

ESTUDO DA UMIDIFICACAO E DO AQUECIMENTO DOS GASES INSPIRADOS DURANTE A VENTILACAO MECANICA NO CAO

The authors studied the effect of temperature and humidity of inhaled gases on the respiratory tract of dogs submitted to mechanic ventilation. According to these two variables, fourty dogs were divided in five groups: -G1: 22-26°C and 17-20 mg H2O.l-1; G2: 27-31°C and 23-27 mg H2O.l-1; G3: 32-36°C and 30-36 mg H2O.l-1; G4: 37-41°C and 40-49 mg H2O.l-1; G5: 42-46°C and 59-65 mg H2O.l-1. The following parameters were evaluated: medial arterial pressure, cardiac frequency, venous pressure of inferior cava (CVP), endotracheal pressure, arterial pH, PaO2, PaCO2, rectal temperature, and the histology of the tracheobronchial tree. In the groups G1 and G5, the endotracheal pressure and CVP presented a slight raise. In the groups G1, G2 and G3, there was no histological modification or progressive hypothermia. The group G5 presented metabolic acidosis and great histological alteration; in this group the rectal temperature remained stable. The group G4 presented great histological alteration and hypothermia. In conclusion, the temperature and humidity of inhaled gases should not be higher than 36°C and 36 mm H2O.l-1, respectively. However, the stability of body temperature only is achieved when the temperature of the inhaled air is 42°C or higher.

Efeitos do alopurinol em rins isquemicos de caes anestesiados com pentobarbital sodico

Background and Objectives - Allopurinol is a drug which inhibits the formation of noxious renal free radicals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protecting renal effects of allopurinol in ischemic kidneys of dogs. Methods - Sixteen dogs were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital and submitted to extracellular volume expansion (1.4 ml.kg-1.min-1), to mechanic ventilation with air, to right nephrectomy and to left renal artery clamping. Changes which might occur in renal morphology and function after 30 min of total ischemia and posterior reperfusion were studied in Group 1 (G1), in addition to the action of allopurinol (50 mg.kg-1) on those kidneys, when administered 24 h before the experiment and 1 h before the ischemic procedure in Group 2 (G2). The following parameters: heart rate, inferior vena cava pressure, mean blood pressure, PAH clearance (PAH(c)), renal blood flow (RBF), renal vascular resistance (RVR), creatinine clearance (Cr(c)), filtration fraction, urine output, plasma and urine osmolality, osmolar clearance, free water, sodium and potassium clearance, urine and fractional sodium and potassium excretion, hematocrit, rectal temperature, and left kidney histology were evaluated in four moments: M1 control, and M2, M3, M4 obtained immediately, 15 and 30 min after unclamping of the left renal artery. In G2, M1, M2, M3 and M4 were obtained 45, 90, 105, and 120 min after the second allopurinol dose. Results - Both groups showed the highest values for PAH(c), RBF, and Cr(c), and the lowest values for RVR in M1. Animals were tachycardiac since the beginning of the experiment both in G1 and in G2. The other parameters were not changed. Left kidney histological evaluation showed alterations compatible with acute tubular necrosis in both experimental groups. Conclusions - Alterations found in renal hemodynamics were compatible with the release of vasoconstrictor substances due to renal ischemia. Allopurinol was not effective in preventing renal alterations caused by ischemia and reperfusion.

Um Modelo para a Determinação do Equilíbrio Térmico de Bovinos em Ambientes Tropicais

An equation based on heat transfer theory was presented to estimate the rate of heat loss from cattle exposed to a tropical environment, specified by the air temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and wind speed. The animals' variables (sweating rate, rectal temperature, respiratory rate, surface temperature, haircoat color, and body weight) were considered together with environmental variables (air temperature and humidity, solar radiation, wind speed, and globe temperature). The equation allows the prediction of (a) the metabolic heat production level necessary to balance heat losses under specified environmental conditions; (b) the combination of environmental factors that provide a determined heat flux between a given animal and its environment.

Subcutaneous and testicular metastasis from prostatic adenocarcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation

The pathological finding of testicular metastasis in cases of disseminated prostatic adenocarcinoma is rare, but was more frequently reported in the past, when bilateral castration was performed more often. The existence of skin and subcutaneous metastasis adds a worse prognosis, because generally it is sign of advanced disease with an average survival time of less than one year. The synchronous occurrence of such metastasis has not been described previously, neither their association to neuroendocrine differentiation. The presence of such differentiation of prostatic adenocarcinoma represents a very unfavorable prognostic factor, as suggested in recent literature. Herein, we discuss the case of a 53 year old man, who presented with macroscopic hematuria and frequency associated to several painless subcutaneous nodules in left axilla and shoulder, as well as in the lower abdominal wall. The right testis was painful, endured and on rectal examination, the prostate was diffusely enlarged. Serum PSA was elevated, reaching 1760 ng/ml and prostatic biopsy disclosed a Gleason 10 prostatic adenocarcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation. The same pathological pattern was detected in the right testis and in all subcutaneous nodules, documented by positive staining of chromogranin, a marker of neuroendocrine cells. He was submitted to a prostate tunnelization and maximal androgen blockade plus adjuvant chemotherapy, nevertheless, he died 5 months latter.

Results of prostate cancer screening in non-symptomatic men

Objectives: To verify prostate cancer prevalence in non-symptomatic men between 50 and 70 years old as well as cancer characteristics. Material and Methods: 2815 non-symptomatic men had total PSA and digital rectal examination performed between March 1998 and April 1998. Racial distribution was: 2331 Caucasians (83.9%), 373 Blacks (13.4%) and 75 Asiatic (2.7%). PSA was normal in 2554 (91.4%), 4 to 10 in 177 (6.3%) and greater than 10 in 64 (2.3%). DRE was normal in 2419 (86.3%), suspicious in 347 (12.4%) and characteristic for cancer in 37 (1.3%). Men with abnormal DRE and/or PSA had transrectal prostate biopsy indicated. Results: 461 biopsies were done and 78 tumors was detected (prevalence = 2.8%). Prevalence was progressively higher with age (p < 0.001), PSA level (p < 0.0001) and DRE findings (p = 0.0216). Cancer prevalence in Blacks was 1.65 times higher than in Caucasians (p > 0.05) and 94.9% of detected tumors were moderately or poorly differentiated. Sensibility, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and total accuracy for PSA were respectively: 66.6%; 89.7%; 51.7%; 94.2% and 86.5%. For DRE, the respective values were: 49.1%; 79.4%; 50.9%; 78.3% and 70.3%. Conclusions: prostate cancer prevalence in the studied population (2.8%) was similar to that of other countries populations. Cancer prevalence in blacks was 1.65 times higher than in Caucasians (difference was not statistically significant). Cancer prevalence becomes higher with aging. The association of DRE and PSA is of paramount importance for cancer diagnosis. The great majority of detected tumors (94.9%) was moderately and poorly differentiated. Brazil probably needs regional studies to better characterize prostate cancer epidemiology due to population heterogeneity.

Dietary electrolyte balance for broiler chickens under moderately high ambient temperatures and relative humidities

Cobb male broiler chicks (1,000) on new litter were used to evaluate effects of dietary electrolyte balance [DEB; Na+K-Cl, milliequivalents (mEq) per kilogram] under tropical summer conditions. Corn-soybean meal-based mash diets had salt (NaCl) alone or in combination with one or more supplements: sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), ammonium chloride (NH4Cl), or potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3). A completely randomized design, with five starter and grower feed treatments (control: 145, then 130 mEq/kg; or 0, 120, 240, or 360 mEq/kg throughout) and four replicate pens (1.5 x 3.2 m) per treatment (50 chicks per pen), was used. Diets were analyzed for Na, K, and Cl for confirmation. There were no significant (P < 0.05) effects of treatments on mortality or processing parameters. Water intake increased linearly with increasing DEB, giving higher litter moistures and lower rectal temperatures. Blood HCO3 and pH increased with the highest DEB (360 mEq/kg) causing respiratory alkalosis. The DEB of 240 mEg/kg gave best weight gain and feed conversion ratio, and ideal DEB predicted by regression analyses were 186 and 197 mEq/kg from 0 to 21 d of age and 236 and 207 mEq/kg of feed from 0 to 42 d, respectively. These DEB corresponded to estimated (interpolated) values in predicted optimal 186 to 197 mEq/kg starter of Na 0.38 to 0.40% and Cl 0.405 to 0.39% (K = 0.52%), in 207 to 236 mEq/kg starter, Na 0.409 to 0.445% and Cl 0.326 to 0.372% Cl (K = 0.52%), and in grower Na 0.41 to 0.445%, Cl 0.315 to 0.267% (K = 0.47%).