Evaluation of a commercially available organic acid product on body weight loss, carcass yield, and meat quality during preslaughter feed withdrawal in broiler chickens: A poultry welfare and economic perspective

The effect of a commercial organic acid (OA) product on BW loss (BWL) during feed withdrawal and transportation, carcass yield, and meat quality was evaluated in broiler chickens. Two experiments were conducted in Brazil. Commercial houses were paired as control groups receiving regular water and treated groups receiving OA in the water. Treated birds had a reduction in BWL of 37 g in experiment 1 and 32.2 g in experiment 2. In experiment 2, no differences were observed in carcass yield between groups. Estimation of the cost benefit suggested a 1: 16 ratio by using the OA. In experiment 3, conducted in Mexico, significant differences on water consumption, BWL, and meat quality characteristics were observed in chickens that were treated with the OA (P < 0.05). These data suggest this OA product may improve animal welfare and economic concerns in the poultry industry by reducing BWL and improving meat quality attributes.

Assessment of the reproductive parameters, laparoscopic oocyte recovery and the first embryos produced in vitro from endangered Caninde goats (Capra hircus)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Exploratory analysis of differences in sperm morphology in Nelore and Gir (Bos indicus) bulls

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of breed and season on semen quality parameters of zebu bulls. Data (1,632 registers) of semen production from Gir (n = 4) and Nelore (n = 15) bulls were collected between October 2005 and November 2009. The ejaculates were collected twice a week during various seasons (summer, fall, winter, and spring) and evaluated for the following semen parameters: ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, forward progressive motility (FPM), and sperm morphology. Factor analysis was used to determine the relationship among variables. The effect of breed (Gir and Nelore) and season and their cross effect on each parameter and extracted factor were tested using ANOVA. A negative correlation (P < 0.05) was observed between FPM and proximal droplet, as well as with abnormal loose head, abnormal small head, pouch formation, abnormal mid-peace, and strongly folded tail. Gir bull sperm showed more major defects, detached acrosome, and minor FPM (P < 0.01), whereas Nelore bulls showed a higher number of sperm with normally loose head.

Clostridium perfringens in ingredients of poultry feed and control of contamination by chemical treatments

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Serological survey and risk factors for brucellosis in water buffaloes in the state of Para, Brazil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Tuberculosis prevalence and risk factors for water buffalo in Para, Brazil

The prevalence of and possible risk factors for tuberculosis were studied in water buffalo from Para, Brazil. In this study, 3,917 pregnant and nonpregnant female Murrah and Mediterranean buffaloes were studied; 2,089 originated from Marajo Island, and 1,108 were from the mainland. The comparative cervical tuberculin test was used as a diagnostic test for tuberculosis in these animals. The prevalence of positive buffaloes was 3.5 % (100/2,809) on Marajo Island and 7.2% (80/1,108) on the mainland. The municipalities with the highest tuberculosis prevalence rates in animals were Ipixuna do Para (10.1 %), Marapanim (9.8 %), Chaves (9.4 %), Paragominas (8.6 %), and Cachoeira do Arari (6.7 %). The tuberculosis prevalence was not significantly different between the Murrah (4.3 %) and Mediterranean (4.8 %) breeds or between pregnant (5%) and nonpregnant (4.3%) buffaloes. Tuberculosis was detected in water buffaloes from Para, Brazil; the mainland buffalo exhibited the highest tuberculosis prevalence. These results indicate that this disease is dangerous to public health and buffalo farming in Para.

Genetic association between milk yield, stayability, and mastitis in Holstein cows under tropical conditions

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effects of food processing and fibre content on the digestibility, energy intake and biochemical parameters of Blue-and-gold macaws (Ara ararauna L. - Aves, Psittacidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Qualidade do manejo no frigorífico: efeitos no bem-estar animal e na qualidade da carcaça e da carne

Pós-graduação em Zootecnia - FCAV

Environmental and genetic effects on weight and visual score traits at postweaning in Suffolk sheep

This study aimed to investigate the following environmental effects in Suffolk lambing: contemporary groups, type of birth, and age of animal and age of dam at lambing on conformation (C), precocity (P), musculature (M), and body weight at postweaning (W), and the heritability coefficients and genetic correlations among these traits. Contemporary groups, type of birth, and age of animal and age of dam at lambing were significant for W. For C, all the effects studied were significant, except linear and quadratic effects of age of the animal. For P, all effects studied were significant, except the quadratic effect of age of the animal. For M, the effects of contemporary group, type of birth, and the linear effect of the age of the animal were significant. Heritability estimates were 0.07 +/- 0.03, 0.14 +/- 0.03, 0.09 +/- 0.03, and 0.11 +/- 0.03 for C, P, M, and W, respectively, indicating a positive low response for direct selection. Estimates of genetic correlations among the visual scores (C, P, and M) and W were moderate to highly favorable and positive, ranging from 0.48 to 0.90. These results indicate that selection for visual scores will increase body weight.

Genetic parameter estimation for pre- and post-weaning traits in Brahman cattle in Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Incidence of subclinical endometritis and its effects on reproductive performance of crossbred dairy cows

In dairy cattle, uterine infections are not life threatening and often unavoidable; however, they reduce fertility and increase the production costs of properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of subclinical endometritis from 32 to 70 days in milk (DIM) and its effects on the reproductive performance of crossbred dairy cows. Lactating cows (Holstein/Gir; n = 172), with no history of retained placenta, without clinical signs of uterine infection were used. The body condition score (BCS) was evaluated on a scale from 1 to 5. Ultrasound examination was performed to evaluate uterine lining and ovarian activity, while vaginal mucus was analyzed by gloved hand. The diagnosis of subclinical endometritis was performed by endometrial cytobrush technique. The samples were collected, stained, and examined microscopically; positive cases for subclinical endometritis were considered with the presence of a parts per thousand yen5 % of neutrophils. Later, the cows were submitted to conventional artificial insemination or timed artificial insemination. The incidence of subclinical endometritis in the herd was 26 %, and this was not affected by the season of calving, presence of corpus luteum, DIM, and parity. Cows with a BCS a parts per thousand currency sign2.50 had a higher incidence of subclinical endometritis. The conception rate to first insemination and pregnancy rate at 150 days postpartum were not influenced by the presence of subclinical endometritis in crossbred dairy cows.

Microbiological quality of whole and filleted shelf-tilapia

Despite fish being a rich source of animal nutrients and having numerous associated health benefits, it is an extremely perishable food, prone to a wide range of hazards. The bacterial load associated with shelf-whole-fish organs (e.g. digestive tracts and skin) or mishandling of fish may be a vehicle of infection and become a risk to public health. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the microbiological quality of whole ungutted and filleted shelf-tilapia, as well as assess the safety for human consumption. For this purpose, in order to investigate the distribution and occurrence of bacterial populations, the count of total and thermotolerant coliforms, coagulase-positive Staphylococcus and presence of Salmonella spp. was determined. This paper shows that all fish organs were contaminated with thermotolerant coliform. Skin and fillet show higher populations and occurrence of all microorganisms analyzed. Lower bacterial populations were recovered from the gut and muscles of whole tilapia. Two samples of fillet were contaminated with coagulase-positive Staphylococcus. It can be concluded that the skin and filleted tilapia are important carriers of food-borne pathogens. In addition, fish might become an important cross and self-contamination source. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Immunization of Wistar female rats with 255-Gy-irradiated Toxoplasma gondii: Preventing parasite load and maternofoetal transmission

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

Linkage disequilibrium levels in Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle using medium and high density SNP chip data and different minor allele frequency distributions

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)