Net energy, protein and macrominerals requirements for 70 to 120 day old female rabbits

In order to determine the net energy, protein and macrominerals requirements of 70 to 120 day old, 52 female White New Zealand rabbits, weighing 1900g +/- 40g were used. At the beginning of the experimental period, 14 of the 52 young does were slaughtered and the 38 remaining animals were kept under two dietary management: ad libitum and restricted feeding. Slaughters were performed to determine each nutrient body content. The weight gain nutrient requirements depicted by the quantities of each nutrient stored into the body were obtained by applying the regression equation, which estimate the empty body nutrient content logarithm as a function of the empty body weight logarithm, as described by ARC (1980). By determining the heat production logarithm at the zero level of metabolizable energy intake, the maintenance net energy requirement was estimated to be 45.31 Kcal/day/Kg(0.75) the mean net energy. protein, calcium, phosphorous, sodium, magnesium and potassium requirements for each gram of weight gain per day were estimated to be, 2.51 Kcal, 0.21g, 0.02g, 0.005g, 0.001g, 0.0004g and 0.002g, respectively.

Genetic Parameters For the Somatic Cells Count In the Milk of Buffaloes Using Ordinary Test Day Models

The buffaloes dairy milk production (BDMP) has increased in the last 20 years, mainly for the manufacturing of mozzarella cheese, which is recognized by its high nutritional quality. However, this quality can be affected by several factors i. e. high somatic cells count (SCC) provokes changes in the milk's constituents. As in bovine dairy milk, the SCC is used as diagnostic tool for milk quality; because it enables the diagnosis of sub-clinic mastitis and also allows the selection of individuals genetically resistant to that disease. Based on it, we collected information about SCC and BDMP along the lactation in Murrah breed buffaloes, during the period between 1997 and 2005. Curves were designed to estimate genetic parameters. These parameters were estimated by ordinary test-day models. There were observed variations in the estimated heritability for both characteristics the lowest score for somatic cells count (SSCC) was seen at first month (0.01) and the highest at sixth months (0.29 the genetic correlation between these traits varied from -1 at the 1 and 9(th) months to 0.31 and 0.30 in the2 and 4(th) month of lactation. Phenotypic correlations were all negative (-0.07 in the second month and up to -0.35 in the eighth month of lactation). These results showed that environmental factors are more important than genetics in explain SCC, for this reason, selection for genetic resistance to mastitis in buffalos based in SCC should not be done. In the other hand, negative phenotypic correlations demonstrated that as the SCC increased, the milk production decreased.

Genetic parameters estimates for milk, fat and protein yield analyzed by test day models for Murrah buffaloes in Brazil

The objectives of this study were to estimate genetic parameters for test-day milk, fat and protein yields, in Murrah buffaloes. In this study 4,757 complete lactations of Murrah buffaloes were analyzed. The (co) variance components were estimated by restricted maximum likelihood using MTDFREML software. The bi-trait animal test-day models included genetic additive direct and permanent environment effects, as random effects, and the fixed effects of contemporary group (herds-year-month of control) and age of the cow at calving as linear and quadratic covariable. The heritability estimate at first control was 0.19, increased until the third control (0.24), decreasing thereafter, reaching the lowest value at the ninth control (0.09). The highest heritability estimates for fat and protein yield were 0.23 (first control) and 0.33 (third control), respectively. For milk yield, genetic and phenotypic correlation estimates ranged from 0.37 to 0.99 and from 0.52 to 0.94, respectively. Genetic correlations were higher than phenotypic ones. For fat and protein yields, genetic correlation estimates ranged from 0.42 to 0.97.

Effect of fortification of drinking water with iron plus ascorbic acid or with ascorbic acid alone on hemoglobin values and anthropometric indicators in preschool children in day-care centers in Southeast Brazil

Background. Iron-deficiency anemia currently is the most frequently occurring nutritional disorder worldwide. Previous Brazilian studies have demonstrated that drinking water fortified with iron and ascorbic acid is an adequate vehicle for improving the iron supply for children frequenting day-care centers. Objective. The objective of this study was to clarify the role of ascorbic acid as a vehicle for improving iron intake in children in day-care centers in Brazil. Methods. A six-month study was conducted on 150 children frequenting six day-care centers divided into two groups of three day-care centers by drawing lots: the iron-C group (3 day-care centers, n = 74), which used water fortified with 10 mg elemental iron and 100 mg ascorbic acid per liter, and the comparison group (3 day-care centers, n = 76), which used water containing only 100 mg ascorbic acid per liter. Anthropometric measurements and determinations of capillary hemoglobin were performed at the beginning of the study and after six months of intervention. The food offered at the day-care centers was also analyzed. Results. The fo od offered at the day-care center was found to be deficient in ascorbic acid, poor in heme iron, and adequate in non-heme iron. Supplementation with fortified drinking water resulted in a decrease in the prevalence of anemia and an increase in mean hemoglobin levels associated with height gain in both groups. Conclusions. Fortification of drinking water with iron has previously demonstrated effectiveness in increasing iron supplies. This simple strategy was confirmed in the present study. The present study also demonstrated that for populations receiving an abundant supply of non-heme iron, it is possible to control anemia in a simple, safe, and inexpensive manner by adding ascorbic acid to drinking water. © 2005, The United Nations University.

Seminar on the regulation of public utilities: water and electricity

Includes bibliography

Summary of the presentation at the seminar on the regulation of public utilities: water and electricity

Includes bibliography

Summary of the presentation at the seminar on the regulation of public utilities: water and electricity

Includes bibliography

Sumary of the presentation at the seminar on the regulation of public services: water and elctricity

Includes bibliography

Promoting corporate social responsibility in small and medium enterprises in the Caribbean: survey results

Includes bibliography

Use of LH or eCG in the last day of superestimulatory treatment

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 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 mini-review put emphasis on superstimulatory protocols in which 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.

Test-day model for milk yield of dairy buffaloes in colombia

The test-day model is the preferred method for genetic evaluations in dairy cattle. For this study, 28372 test-day records of 1220 lactations from 1997 to 2009 were used. The (co)variance components for milk in test-day were estimated using a Uni and multiple-traits repeated animal model with the Restricted Maximum Likelihood method (REML). The Contemporary Group (herd, year, and season of parity) and the age of parity (linear and quadratic) fixed effects, and the additive genetic, permanent environmental, and residual random effects were included in the model. The heritabilities ranged between 0.06 and 0.45 during lactation. The genetic correlations were greater than 0.93. In conclusion, the test-day model is appropriate for the genetic evaluation of dairy buffaloes in Colombia.

Leucometric analysis of 1-day-old chicks inoculated with Salmonella Typhimurium or Lactobacilli

Salmonella infection is responsible for major economic losses in poultry industry. Consequently, the development of new methods for fighting such disease is desirable, such as the use of acid-lactic bacteria. However, reference values of chicks in such conditions are dissimilar to those of other species. Leucometry reference values for chicks have not been reported. The aim of this article was to evaluate and determine the leucometric values of chicks inoculated with Salmonella Typhimurium or treated with Lactobacilli probiotics. In this study, 144 1-day-old birds were divided in three groups of 48 animals each (non-treated group, Salmonella Typhimurium (ST)-inoculated group, and Lactobacilli inoculated group). A total of four blood collections were made with the first one performed 3 h after inoculation with ST or treatment with Lactobacilli. Subsequent samples were obtained every 48 h for 7 days. Leucometric evaluation was performed immediately after each collection. All birds presented an initial decrease pattern in general leukocyte values, and the chicks inoculated with ST revealed lymphomonoheteropaenic leukopaenia, eosinophilia and basophilia in conjunction with convalescence after 96 h of inoculation. The animals inoculated with Lactobacilli revealed leucocytosis with monocytosis, lymphocytosis and marked eosinopaenia. We conclude that there is no efficient bone marrow response in 1-day-old chicks challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium; additionally, an immunostimulatory effect in 1-day-old chicks treated with Lactobacilli-modulated probiotics could be stated. © 2011 Springer-Verlag London Limited.