Uso combinado de sêmen sexado e acasalamento dirigido sobre uma população de bovinos de corte submetida a seleção: estudo de simulação

Desenvolveu-se um estudo de simulação estocástica com o objetivo de verificar as consequências do uso combinado de acasalamento dirigido e sêmen sexado em uma população de bovinos de corte sob seleção. Simularam-se seis gerações de seleção para três cenários de acasalamento e uso de sêmen sexado. O primeiro cenário foi caracterizado por acasalamento aleatório e uso exclusivo de sêmen convencional. O segundo cenário caracterizou-se pelo uso de acasalamento associativo positivo nas 40% melhores vacas e acasalamento associativo negativo nas demais, sem uso de sêmen sexado. O terceiro cenário seguiu o mesmo procedimento de acasalamento do segundo, combinando-o com uso de sêmen sexado nas vacas submetidas a acasalamento associativo positivo. O acasalamento associativo positivo teve maior impacto no progresso genético que o uso de sêmen sexado, apesar de ter aumentado a incidência de endogamia na população. O uso de acasalamento associativo negativo foi ineficiente em reduzir a variabilidade dos animais destinados ao abate. O uso combinado de acasalmento associativo positivo e sêmen sexado aumentou a produção de animais geneticamente superiores.

Estimativas de parâmetros genéticos para os escores visuais e suas associações com peso corporal em bovinos de corte

Foram avaliados 27.523 e 21.746 registros das características conformação, precocidade e musculatura à desmana e ao sobreano, respectivamente, para estimar os componentes de covariância entre estas características e entre estas e os pesos corporais medidos nas mesmas idades. Para as análises dos dados, foram empregados modelos animais com efeitos genéticos direto e materno e efeito de ambiente permanente materno. Máxima verossimilhança restrita foi empregada para estimar os parâmetros genéticos. As estimativas de herdabilidade dos escores à desmama foram 0,13; 0,25 e 0,23 para conformação, precocidade e musculatura, respectivamente. As estimativas de herdabilidade dos escores visuais avaliados ao sobreano foram de maiores magnitudes (0,24; 0,32 e 0,27 para conformação, precocidade e musculatura, respectivamente). As estimativas das correlações genéticas entre escores medidos às mesmas idades, considerando desmana e sobreano, foram 0,67 e 0,75 entre conformação e precocidade; 0,61 e 0,71 entre conformação e musculatura; 0,95 e 0,95 entre precocidade e musculatura. As correlações genéticas estimadas entre o peso corporal à desmama e conformação, precocidade e musculatura, respectivamente, foram 0,97; 0,67 e 0, 62. As estimativas entre conformação, precocidade, musculatura ao sobreano e o peso corporal foram 0,83; 0,59 e 0,58, respectivamente. Os resultados indicam que os escores visuais podem ser utilizados como critérios de seleção. Aumento nos pesos corporais deve ser esperado como resposta correlacionada à seleção para essas características.

Genetic analysis of visual scores and their relationships to mature female weight in Nellore breed

Dados de 79.884 animais da raça Nelore foram utilizados para estimar parâmetros genéticos e avaliar as relações entre os escores de conformação, precocidade e musculatura obtidos à desmama e ao sobreano e o peso das fêmeas à idade adulta. Utilizou-se o método da máxima verossimilhança restrita, em análise multicaracterísticas, com modelo que incluiu os efeitos genéticos aditivos direto e residual, como aleatórios, e os efeitos fixos de grupo de contemporâneos e, como covariáveis, a idade do animal à pesagem e a idade da mãe ao parto (exceto para o peso das fêmeas à idade adulta). Os grupos contemporâneos à desmama foram definidos pelas variáveis: sexo, rebanho, ano e mês de nascimento, grupo de manejo ao nascimento e à desmama. Na definição de grupo contemporâneo ao sobreano também foi incluída a variável grupo de manejo ao sobreano. Para o peso das fêmeas à idade adulta, o grupo de contemporâneos foi composto por rebanho, ano de nascimento, grupo de manejo ao sobreano, ano e estação da pesagem. Os efeitos genético materno e de ambiente permanente materno também foram incluídos no modelo para análise dos escores de conformação, precocidade e musculatura à desmama. As estimativas de herdabilidade direta obtidas foram 0,18 ± 0,02 para o escore de conformação; 0,21 ± 0,01 para o escore de precocidade; 0,22 ± 0,01 para o escore de musculatura à desmama e 0,24 ± 0,01 para o escore de conformação; 0,27 ± 0,01 para o escore de precocidade; e 0,26 ± 0,01 para o escore de musculatura ao sobreano e 0,42 ± 0,02 para o peso das fêmeas à idade adulta. As correlações genéticas estimadas entre os escores visuais medidos à desmama e ao sobreano foram positivas, variando de média a alta magnitude (0,56 ± 0,03 a 0,85 ± 0,01). Por outro lado, as correlações genéticas estimadas entre os escores visuais e o peso das fêmeas à idade adulta foram positivas e moderadas, variando de 0,21 ± 0,03 a 0,35 ± 0,03. Os resultados obtidos indicam que a seleção de animais com maiores escores visuais, principalmente ao sobreano, deve promover aumento do peso das fêmeas à idade adulta.

Animal performance and carcass characteristics of Nellore young bulls fed coated or uncoated urea slaughtered at different weights

The objective of this study was to evaluate animal performance and carcass characteristics of 64 Nellore young bulls at 22 months of age finished in a feedlot and slaughtered at five body weights (350; 455; 485; 555 and 580 kg) fed diets containing coated or uncoated urea. The experimental design adopted was completely randomized, set in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement, and for the variables assessed in the control animals, it was 5 × 2. No effect of interaction between slaughter weights and diets were observed, so the variables were analyzed separately, compared by polynomial contrasts and by the F test, respectively. The time animals remained in the feedlot to reach slaughter weights was 66, 88, 145 and 194 days. Average daily gain (ADG) showed quadratic behavior, with a maximum of 1.44 kg/day with animals of 491.7 kg. Dry matter intake (DMI) (kg/day) was similar in all the treatments, but it decreased linearly as body weight increased. The bionutritional efficiency worsened linearly as body weight rose. The elevation in slaughter weight resulted in linear decrease in the percentage of beef round and increase in forequarter. Backfat thickness and rib eye area of the longissimus increased linearly and the percentages of muscle and protein in the carcass reduced and those of fat and ether extract increased linearly as body weight increased. Average daily gain, DMI, feed efficiency and carcass characteristics were not affected by diets containing coated or uncoated urea. However, animals fed coated urea presenter better crude fiber and neutral detergent fiber intake.

Evaluation of TFAM and FABP4 gene polymorphisms in three lines of Nellore cattle selected for growth

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

Genetic parameters and relationships of heifer pregnancy and age at first calving with weight gain, yearling and mature weight in Nelore cattle

The objectives of the current study were to investigate the additive genetic associations between heifer pregnancy at 16 months of age (HP16) and age at first calving (AFC) with weight gain from birth to weaning (WG), yearling weight (YW) and mature weight (MW), in order to verify the possibility of using the traits measured directly in females as selection criteria for the genetic improvement of sexual precocity in Nelore cattle. (Co)variance components were estimated by Bayesian inference using a linear animal model for AFC, WG, YW and MW and a nonlinear (threshold) animal model for HP16. The posterior means of direct heritability estimates were: 0.45 +/- 0.02; 0.10 +/- 0.01; 023 +/- 0.02; 0.36 +/- 0.01 and 0.39 +/- 0.04, for HP16, AFC, WG, YW and MW, respectively. Maternal heritability estimate for WG was 0.07 +/- 0.01. Genetic correlations estimated between HP16 and WG, YW and MW were 0.19 +/- 0.04; 0.25 +/- 0.06 and 0.14 +/- 0.05, respectively. The genetic correlations of AFC with WG, YW and MW were low to moderate and negative, with values of -0.18 +/- 0.06; -0.22 +/- 0.05 and -0.12 +/- 0.05, respectively. The high heritability estimated for HP16 suggests that this trait seem to be a better selection criterion for females sexual precocity than AFC. Long-term selection for animals that are heavier at young ages tends to improve the heifers sexual precocity evaluated by HP16 or AFC. Predicted breeding values for HP16 can be used to select bulls and it can lead to an improvement in sexual precocity. The inclusion of HP16 in a selection index will result in small or no response for females mature weight. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Breeding value accuracy estimates for growth traits using random regression and multi-trait models in Nelore cattle

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

Random regression analyses using B-spline functions to model growth of Nellore cattle

The objective of this study was to estimate (co)variance components using random regression on B-spline functions to weight records obtained from birth to adulthood. A total of 82 064 weight records of 8145 females obtained from the data bank of the Nellore Breeding Program (PMGRN/Nellore Brazil) which started in 1987, were used. The models included direct additive and maternal genetic effects and animal and maternal permanent environmental effects as random. Contemporary group and dam age at calving (linear and quadratic effect) were included as fixed effects, and orthogonal Legendre polynomials of age (cubic regression) were considered as random covariate. The random effects were modeled using B-spline functions considering linear, quadratic and cubic polynomials for each individual segment. Residual variances were grouped in five age classes. Direct additive genetic and animal permanent environmental effects were modeled using up to seven knots (six segments). A single segment with two knots at the end points of the curve was used for the estimation of maternal genetic and maternal permanent environmental effects. A total of 15 models were studied, with the number of parameters ranging from 17 to 81. The models that used B-splines were compared with multi-trait analyses with nine weight traits and to a random regression model that used orthogonal Legendre polynomials. A model fitting quadratic B-splines, with four knots or three segments for direct additive genetic effect and animal permanent environmental effect and two knots for maternal additive genetic effect and maternal permanent environmental effect, was the most appropriate and parsimonious model to describe the covariance structure of the data. Selection for higher weight, such as at young ages, should be performed taking into account an increase in mature cow weight. Particularly, this is important in most of Nellore beef cattle production systems, where the cow herd is maintained on range conditions. There is limited modification of the growth curve of Nellore cattle with respect to the aim of selecting them for rapid growth at young ages while maintaining constant adult weight.

Genetic parameter estimates for live weight and daily live weight gain obtained for Nellore bulls in a test station using different models

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

Resistance of cattle of various genetic groups to the tick Rhipicephalus microplus and the relationship with coat traits

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Genetic correlations between heifer subsequent rebreeding and age at first calving and growth traits in Nellore cattle by Bayesian inference

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

Viabilidade de uso de um fogão solar para cocção de alimentos com parábola refletora fabricada em compósito que utiliza fibras de Carnaúba e resina Ortoftálica

Presents a composite formed by orthophthalic resin and fiber loading of carnauba straw. The fibers were first dried in direct sun exposure and subsequently ground into fodder for the reduction in size. Various formulations of the composite were preliminarily tested by choosing the one presenting the best processability in applying the mold. The composite produced is used for the manufacture of a parabolic surface subsequently coated with mirror segments, flexible plastic, for reflecting the solar rays incident on it. The reflective parable represents the main element of the solar cooker that works with the concentration of sunlight and has dimensions of 1.14 m in diameter and area of 1.0 m². Manufacturing processes and assembly of solar cooker concentration produced are presented. The results of tests for cooking and baking various foods, including rice, pasta, beans, cake, cassava, shrimp, beef, breaded demonstrating the competitiveness of solar cooker studied with other stoves already manufactured and tested in Brazil are presented and in the world. It was also demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed composite for Prototypes manufacture of solar and other structures that do not require great efforts resistance

Efeito do ácido lático sobre as características microbiológicas, físico-químicas e sensoriais na carne do sol

The dried beef is a food traditionally eaten by Northeastern and has an extensive trade in the city of Natal-RN. It is usually produced in an empirical manner, without any standardization in production. Characterized as partially dehydrated meat product, so that the activity of water present is not sufficient to prevent microbial growth, degradation or the production of microbial toxins. The guarantee that the market dried beef is to provide a quality product hygienic, microbiological, physicochemical and sensory stable and adequate for the safety and consumer satisfaction, which has been increasingly attracted to food with natural preservatives. Thus, the meat industries are replacing the current seasonings and natural preservatives for similar, with it without affecting the shelf life of products. Lactic acid has been used to meet these requirements. In this sense, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of lactic acid on the physico-chemical, microbiological and sensory, besides knowing the consumer profile of dried meat of the City of Natal / RN. The results demonstrated that the use of lactic acid in concentrations of 1% and 2% during the processing of dried meat, had statistically significant effect (p < 0.05) on the physico-chemical (pH and water activity) and consequently reduced the microbial count does not alter the taste of the new product developed. Regarding the results on the consumer profile, it was found that the majority of respondents (71.75%) did not observe the presence of the stamp of the Federal Inspection Service (SIF) to buy this meat food that 81.55% of consumers check the hygiene conditions of the site and handlers, however, a large proportion of respondents not concerned with the guarantee of origin of typical regional products featuring a hazard to food safety for consumers of the city of Natal-RN

Caracterização e modelagem dos sistemas de produção de caprinos leiteiros

The objectives of this research were characterizing the dairy goat production systems and model it using linear program. On the first step of this research, the model was developed using data from farms that was affiliated in the ACCOMIG/Caprileite, used a similar dairy goat production systems and have a partnership program with Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais . The data of research were from a structured questionnaire applied with farmers and monitoring of production systems during a guided visit on their farms. The results permitted identify that all farms were classified as a small and have a intensive production system. The average herd size had 63.75 dairy goats on lactation; it permits a production of 153, 38 kg of goat milk per day. It was observed that existing more than one channel of commercialization for the goat milk and their derivative products. The data obtained, on the first step of this research, was used to develop a linear program model. It was evaluated in two goat production systems, called P1 and P2. The results showed that the P1 system, with an annual birth and lactation during approximately 300 days was the best alternative for business. These results were compared with a mixed (beef and dairy) goat system in the semiarid region, which indicated merged with both systems. Therefore, to achieve profits and sustainability of the system, in all simulations it was necessary a minimum limit of funding of U.S. $ 10,000.00; this value permit earning of U.S. $ 792.00 per month and pay the investment within 5 years

Hydrogen production utilizing glycerol from renewable feedstocks-The case of Brazil

Various reports concerning catalytic reaction of glycerol for hydrogen production is available. However, economic analyses of this activity are not found yet. The objective of this work is to evaluate the process of hydrogen production via steam reforming of glycerol obtained through transesterification process of bio-oils. The thermochemical process of steam reforming process was determined due to high efficiency, feasibility and lower cost of design, development, operation and maintenance. These bio-oils come from feedstocks largely encountered in Brazil such as soybean, palm, castor bean, peanut and cotton seed as also come from residues such as defective coffee, tallow beef, wastewater (scum) and others. Various findings were obtained such as potential of production of glycerol utilizing residues (considering available amounts in the Brazilian states) and some vegetable feedstocks (considering production of harvested feedstock per hectare). Subsequently, production of hydrogen via steam reforming of generated glycerol, and foreseen electricity production via fuel cells were also determined. An additional estimation was paid for production of H-BIO, an innovative fuel developed by PETROBRAS (Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.), where hydrogen and bio-fuel are utilized and generates propane as co-product. About this work, it was concluded that high amounts of hydrogen and electricity could be produced considering an enormous potential from each cited feedstock being an attractive alternative as distributed electricity source and as an additional source for some activities, inclusively those that produce their own feedstocks such as abattoirs (beef tallow), and wastewater treatment plants. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.