Efeito do manejo de aleitamento nos níveis de cortisol no metabolismo e na produção de leite de vacas holandesas

Avaliou-se a influência do manejo de aleitamento nos níveis de cortisol, no metabolismo e na produção de leite de vacas leiteiras. Utilizaram-se 18 vacas holandesas e seus bezerros alocados em três tratamentos: T1: as vacas foram separadas dos bezerros 6 horas após o parto, sendo mantidas com suas crias 60 minutos por dia nos três primeiros dias; T2: as vacas foram separadas dos bezerros 6 horas após o parto; T3: as vacas foram mantidas com seus bezerros durante os três primeiros dias de lactação, exceto no momento das ordenhas. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue 168 horas antes do parto, no dia do parto (0 hora) e 24, 48, 72 e 96 horas após o parto para a determinação de glicose, triglicerídeos, proteína total e cortisol. A produção leiteira foi mensurada duas vezes ao dia e a porcentagem de leite residual foi estimada nas duas ordenhas posteriores à desmama. As concentrações de cortisol foram maiores ao parto, contudo, não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos. Durante o período experimental, as vacas separadas dos bezerros apresentaram maior produção de leite, porém, após este período, não houve diferença entre os tratamentos. Após a desmama, a porcentagem de leite residual foi maior em T1 e T3, demonstrando que o uso de ordenha mecânica exclusiva após um período de amamentação prejudicou a ejeção do leite, mesmo em vacas especializadas. Os níveis de glicose foram menores em T2 às 72 horas e as concentrações de triglicerídeos foram menores em T3 às 72 e 96 horas. Os manejos estudados não influenciaram os níveis de cortisol e o metabolismo das vacas e nem prejudicaram a produção leiteira após o período colostral.

Evaporative cooling and cutaneous surface temperature of Holstein cows in tropical conditions

Foram estudados os efeitos da temperatura cutânea (Ts) sobre a taxa de termólise por evaporação cutânea (Es) de vacas Holandesas cronicamente expostas ao sol, considerando a pigmentação do pelame. Dezesseis vacas puras de origem foram medidas quanto à evaporação e à temperatura cutâneas às 13 h, após 6 horas de exposição ao sol, no mesmo local (flanco, pescoço e glúteo) e considerando separadamente as malhas negras e as brancas. A evaporação cutânea foi medida por meio de cápsula ventilada. Nas áreas negras a taxa de sudação (138,9 ± 8,5 g.m-2.h-1), a taxa de termólise por evaporação cutânea (93,3 ± 5,7 W.m-2) e a temperatura da superfície cutânea (33,1 ± 0,2°C) foram maiores que nas áreas brancas (109,5 ± 9,7 g.m-2.h-1, 73,6 ± 6,5 W.m-2 e 32,6 ± 0,2°C, respectivamente). Há uma relação exponencial entre evaporação e temperatura cutâneas, que pode ser representada pela equação Es = 31,5+3,67 exp{(Ts-27,9)/2,19115}, com coeficiente de determinação r²=0,68. A taxa de termólise por evaporação cutânea permanece quase constante (cerca de 48 W.m-2) até que a temperatura cutânea atinge aproximadamente 31°C.

Repetibilidade de resposta superovulatória em vacas de raça Holandesa

The purpose of this study was to estimate the repeatability of transferable embryos in Holstein cows and to evaluate the effects of the year, season and order of the superovulation on the number of total structures, transferable embryos, non-transferable embryos and ovules. Four hundred and eighty-six superovulations were used in the analysis. The year of superovulation affected significantly all traits (P<0.01); however, we did not find effects of the season of the year. Superovulation order affected the total structures (P<0.01) and non-transferable embryos (P<0.05). The repeatability of the transferable embryo was 0.28 +/- 0.05. Positive correlations were found among total structures and transferable embryos (0.73) and total structure and ovule (0.51).

Produção de leite, leite residual e concentração hormonal de vacas Gir × Holandesa e Holandesa em ordenha mecanizada exclusiva

In a machine milking system in which calves were not present, oxytocin concentration (OT), cortisol release (CORT), milk yield and residual milk were evaluated for cows of three genetic groups: 1/2Gir x 1/2Holstein (n=6, genetic group F2), 1/4Gir x 3/4Holstein (n=6, genetic group F3) and Holstein (n=6, genetic group H). Group H had higher milk yield than groups F2 and F3, whereas OT was similar among groups. The increase in OT during milk-ing was greater for H and F3 than for F2. Residual milk for F2 was' higher than for F3 and H. The CORT for F2 was higher than for cows of the other two genetic groups. Cows from F2 and F3 were more stressed than H cows during machine milking, but the Gir x Holstein groups did release suffficient OT to induce an effective milk letdown response.

Constituintes sangüíneos de vacas das raças Nelore (Bos indicus) e Holandesa (Bos taurus) e de bubalinas (Bubalus bubalis) da raça Murrah durante a gestação, no dia do parto e no puerpério

Blood constituents of Nelore, Hosltein and buffalo cows were determined during pregnancy, at the time of calving and at post-partum. It was verified that. 1. The pregnancy and post-partum periods had no influence in the erythrocyte values, but at calving the red blood cell counts and hemoglobin levels of Holstein and buffalo cows were lower than for Nelore cattle; 2. leukocyte counts were similar among groups; 3. total protein levels of Nelore cows were lower than Holstein and buffalo. The albumin levels were rite lowest at rite time of calving compared to late pregnancy; 4. glicose levels were lower ill buffalo cows during pregnancy as compared with Holstein cows. The glicemia of Nelore cows was lower as compared to Holstein cow's irt late pregnancy; 5. urea and creatinine levels were higher in buffalo cows than cattle. The urea and creatinine levels were greater in buffalo cows with maximum values at the post-partum and at the parturition, respectively; 6. bilirrubin levels were higher in bovine than buffalo cows; 7. aspartate aminotransferase activity was greater in buffalo cows and increased at the time of calving; 8. alkaline phosphatase activity was increased during pregnancy and decreased after the time of calving; 9. gammnglutamyltransferase activity,vas the highest for buffalo cows after calving; IO. calcium levels were the highest for Holstein cows at the post-partum and the phosphorus levels were higher in buffalo cows, which had the highest magnesium levels at the parturation.

Estimativas do Consumo e da Taxa de Passagem do Capim-Elefante (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) sob Pastejo de Vacas em Lactação

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efeitos de baixas doses de cloprostenol via intramuscular ou submucosavulvar na indução do estro e taxas de prenhez em vacas Nelore

The present study aims to compare the effects of lower doses of cloprostenol intramuscular (IM) or into vulvar submucosa (IVS) on estrus induction and pregnancy rate in Nelore cows. A total of 100 cycling Nelore cows with body condition score (BCS 3.5) 1 to 5 scale (Radostitis; Blood, 1986) and 170 +/- 11 days postpartum. Females were randomly divided in 5 groups (N=20) G1 to G5 and treated with cloprostenol (Ciosin (R)) on day 0 (D0) and on day 11 (D11) if not detected in estrus. Cows were injected with 500 mu g IM (G1), 250 mu g IM (G2), 125 mu g IM (G3), 250 mu g IVS (G4) and 125 mu g IVS (G5). Estrus was observed twice a day and the females artificially inseminated 12 hours after heat detection. There was no statistical difference (P>0.80) between groups in the estrus induction (first injection to estrus interval): 16/20-96.00 hours (G1), 13/20-90.42 hours (G2), 10/20-84.45 hours (G3), 15/20-87.86 hours (G4), 12/20-81.25 hours (G5) and second injection (P>0.10): 4/20-67.50 hours (G1), 7/20-85.50 hours (G2), 10/20-57.00 hours (G3), 5/20-70.60 hours (G4), 8/20-60.00 hours (G5). There was no statistical difference (0.65(ns)) between groups in the pregnancy rates: 40% (G1), 45% (G2), 50% (G3), 40% (G4), 40% (G5). The results demonstrate that the treatments with lower doses of cloprostenol intramuscular or into vulvar submucosa may be used to induce heat with similar pregnancy rates in cycling Nelore cows with good body condition.

Respostas comportamentais de vacas holandesas, com acesso à sombra constante ou limitada

The experiment was carried out at Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil, from January to February 1993, with the objective of evaluating the behavior responses of Holstein cows, with constant or limited access to shade. The experimental design used was completely randomized. Twenty four dairy cows were used, at different lactation stages and production levels, kept in two free stall barns, with or without protection against solar radiation in south-east and north-west edge. The behavior parameters studied were: alimentation, rumination, rest time and frequency and water ingestion frequency. The protection of the free stall barn didn't affect the behavior responses. The alimentation, rumination and rest time, daily, were 3.4, 7.0 e 9.0 hours, respectively. The highest alimentation frequencies were before and after milking. The rumination was mainly during nocturnal period; the rest was more frequent during the period with higher solar radiation. The animals stayed more time in the shelter (13.4 vs 2.5 h/day). The highest daily water ingestion frequencies were in the hot time and next milking, mainly.

Repeatability and heritability of response to superovulation in Holstein cows

The objective of this study was to estimate the relative effects of genetic and phenotypic factors on the efficacy and efficiency of superovulation for Holstein-Friesian cows reared in Brazil. A database, established by the Associacao Brasileira de Criadores de Bovinos da Raca Holandesa, consisting of a total of 5387 superovulations of 2941 cows distributed over 473 herds and sired by 690 bulls was used for the analysis. The records were analyzed by MTDFREML (Multiple Trait Derivative-Free Restricted Maximum Likelihood), using a repeatability animal model. The fixed effects included in the model were contemporaneous group (veterinarian, herd, year and season of the superovulation); number of semen doses; cow age; and superovulation order. The estimated repeatability of the number of the transferable embryos was low (0.13), and the estimated heritability was 0.03. These results indicate that environmental factors play a critical role in the response of a cow to a superovulation treatment. There is little evidence that future responses to superovulation by individual females can be predicted by previous treatment(s) or that superovulation response is an heritable trait.

Respostas produtivas e comportamentais durante a ordenha de vacas Holandesas em início de lactação

Aiming to compare milk yield, residual milk and behavioral responses of Holstein cows during milking, fourteen experimental cows were mechanically milked twice a day, and evaluated during the first six weeks of lactation. Milk yield was measured daily, and residual milk volume weekly. Body (ribs region), udder and teat temperatures and respiratory frequency were measured twice a week. Animal behavior at the milking parlor was registered using ethograms and interviews with the milkers. During the first weeks of lactation, a higher percentage of kicks, over-steps, milking cups being knocked down, urinations and vocalizations in primiparous cows (p < 0.05) was observed, which were also considered more reactive by the parlors compared to multiparous cows. Multiparous cows produced more milk than primiparous (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in residual milk percentage (p > 0.05), which suggests adaptation of both groups to the milking environment.

Efeito do eCG ou benzoato de estradiol associado ao norgestomet na taxa de concepção de vacas de corte submetidas à IATF no pós-parto

This study aimed to compare conception rates at the postpartum period (PPP) in beef cows which were administered either Equine Chorionic Gonadotrophin (eCG) or Estradiol Benzoate (EB) after Norgestomet and submitted to fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI). The hypothesis was that the administration of eCG or EB enhances the conception rate. Lactating Nelore cows (n=138) and Brangus (n = 63), between 26 and 118 days of post partum period (PPP) were divided into three homogeneous groups, and subdivided in two blocks, inside each group one of them with a PPP d'' 45 days (PPP1; n=107) and another with a PPP > 45 days (PPP2; n=94). All cows received an auricular implant containing 3mg Norgestomet (Crestar®), followed by the administration of 5mg Estradiol Valerate. The auricular implants were kept during 10 days. Cows received 1mL saline solution (n=68, Control Group) or 500IU eCG (Folligon®; n=67; eCG Group) or 1mg Estradiol Benzoate (Index, n=66; EB Group) 24 hours after the removal of the implant. FTAI was made 54 hours after the implant removal. The pregnancy diagnosis was carried through ultrasonography 30 days after FTAI. There was an interaction between treatments and PPP. In the PPP1, the conception rate was higher in the eCG Group than in the EB Group (47.22% vs. 15.38%; Pd''0.01). In the PPP2, the conception rates of the eCG and EB Groups were higher than in the Control Group (41.93%, 44.44% vs. 22.22%: Pd''0.01). It was concluded that in cows up to 45 days of PPP, the eCG associated with Norgestomet enhances the conception rates.

Substituição dos grãos secos de milho pela silagem de grãos úmidos de milho para vacas da raça holandesa em lactação

In order to evaluate the effects of replacement of dried corn (GSM) for silage moisture corn (HMCS) on production and milk composition were used five Holstein cows, primiparous with a mean of 112 days post delivery, confined in Tie Stall, for 70 days. We used five diets according to NRC to 17.5% CP (DM) and 2.4 Mcal / kg DM, the 40:60 ratio of roughage and concentrate containing soybean meal, sugar cane silage and hay and substitution levels of the GSM HMCS the following treatments: a) 0%, 2) 25%, 3) 50%, 4) 75% and 5) 100%. Milk production and dry matter intake (DMI) were recorded daily. The animals were milked daily 6:00 and 18:00 h, and milk samples collected from consecutive milkings of each experimental period of 14 days (four days of collection). The experimental design was a 5x5 Latin square and the data analyzed by the statistical program SAS. Body weight (508 kg), milk (23.6 kg), corrected milk (22.7 kg), DMI (17.13 kg) showed no significant difference, but the intakes of neutral detergent fiber (6.67 kg), and detergent acid (3.39 kg), feed efficiency for the production of milk (milk 1.41 kg / day) urea nitrogen (17.67 mg / dL) differ, thus indicating that HMCS is more efficient than GSM in the diet of dairy cows not alter the production and milk composition.

Timing of prostaglandin F2α treatment in an estrogen-based protocol for timed artificial insemination or timed embryo transfer in lactating dairy cows

Objectives were to investigate progesterone concentrations and fertility comparing 2 different intervals from PGF2α treatment and induced ovulation in an estrogen-based ovulation synchronization protocol for timed artificial insemination (TAI) or timed embryo transfer (TET) in lactating dairy cows. A total of 1,058 lactating Holstein cows [primiparous (n=371) and multiparous (n=687)], yielding 34.1±0.33 kg of milk/d at various days in milk were randomly assigned to receive treatment with PGF2α on either d 7 or 8 of the following protocol: d 0: 2mg of estradiol benzoate + controlled internal drug release device; d 8: controlled internal drug release device removal + 1.0mg of estradiol cypionate; d 10: TAI or d 17: TET. Only cows with a corpus luteum at d 17 received an embryo and all cows received GnRH at TET. Pregnancy diagnoses were performed by detection (transrectal ultrasonography) of an embryo on d 28 or a fetus on d 60. Fertility [pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) or pregnancy per embryo transfer (P/ET)] was affected by breeding technique (AI vs. ET) and time of PGF2α treatment (d 7 vs. 8) at the 28-d pregnancy diagnosis for TAI [32.9% (238) vs. 20.6% (168)] and TET cows [47% (243) vs. 40.7% (244)] and at the 60-d pregnancy diagnosis for TAI [30% (238) vs. 19.2% (168)] and TET cows [37.9% (243) vs. 33.5% (244)]. The progesterone (P4) concentration at d 10 altered fertility in TAI cows, with higher P/AI in cows with P4 concentration <0.1 ng/mL compared with cows with P4 concentration ≥0.1 ng/mL, and in ET cows, with higher P/ET in cows with P4 concentration <0.22 ng/mL compared with cows with P4 concentration ≥0.22 ng/mL. Prostaglandin F2α treatment at d 7 increased the percentage of cows with P4 <0.1 ng/mL on d 10 [39.4 (85) vs. 23.2 (54)]. Reducing the period between PGF2α and TAI from 72 to 48h in dairy cows resulted in a clear reduction in fertility in cows bred by TAI and a subtle negative effect in cows that received TET. The earlier PGF2α treatment benefits are most likely mediated through gamete transport, fertilization, or early embryo development and a more subtle effect of earlier PGF2α treatment that may be mediated through changes in the uterine or hormonal environment that manifests itself after ET on d 7. © 2013 American Dairy Science Association.

Comportamento, produção e qualidade do leite de vacas Holandês-Gir com climatização no curral

This study was conducted with the objective to evaluate the duration of exposure of animals to the evaporative cooling system in the waiting barn on the weather variables (temperature and relative humidity), animal behavior, production and quality aspects of milk from Girolando cows. Sixteen multiparous lactating cows were used having a genetic composition of 7/8 Holstein-Gir and mean milk production of 18 kg animal-1day-1. A 4 × 4 Latin square design was used. The experiment was conducted during the summer season (February-March 2009) and lasted 56 days. The treatments consisted of different periods of 10, 20 and 30 minutes of exposure to acclimatization and control. Time of 30 minutes of exposure to thermal conditioning system enabled the second milking (evening shift), providing an increase in milk production in the next milking of 0.640 kg animal-1. A higher percentage of time spent on food intake and rumination (17.31 and 30.19%) in 30 minutes treatment, compared to control (15.50 and 27.37%), respectively. There was no significant effect of treatments in the composition of milk.

Timed artificial insemination programs during the summer in lactating dairy cows: Comparison of the 5-d Cosynch protocol with an estrogen/progesterone-based protocol

The objective of this study was to compare a GnRH-based to an estrogen/progesterone (E2/P4)-based protocol for estrous cycle synchronization and fixed timed artificial insemination (TAI), both designed for synchronization of ovulation and to reduce the period from follicular emergence until ovulation in cows with a synchronized follicular wave. A total of 1,190 lactating Holstein cows (primiparous: n = 685 and multiparous: n = 505) yielding 26.5 ± 0.30 kg of milk/d at 177 ± 5.02 d in milk were randomly assigned to receive one of the following programs: 5-d Cosynch protocol [d -8: controlled internal drug release (CIDR) + GnRH; d -3: CIDR removal + PGF2α; d -2: PGF2α; d 0: TAI + GnRH] or E2/P4 protocol (d -10: CIDR + estradiol benzoate; d -3: PGF2α; d -2: CIDR removal + estradiol cypionate; d 0: TAI). Rectal temperature and circulating progesterone (P4) were measured on d -3, -2, 0 (TAI), and 7. The estrous cycle was considered to be synchronized when P4 was ≥1.0 ng/mL on d 7 in cows that had luteolysis (P4 ≤0.4 ng/mL on d 0). To evaluate the effects of heat stress, cows were classified by number of heat stress events: 0, 1, and 2-or-more measurements of elevated body temperature (≥39.1°C). Pregnancy success (pregnancy per artificial insemination, P/AI) was determined at d 32 and 60 after TAI. The cows in the 5-d Cosynch protocol had increased circulating P4 at the time of PGF2α injection (2.66 ± 0.13 vs. 1.66 ± 0.13 ng/mL). The cows in the E2/P4 protocol were more likely to be detected in estrus (62.8 vs. 43.4%) compared with the cows in the 5-d Cosynch protocol, and expression of estrus improved P/AI in both treatments. The cows in the 5-d Cosynch protocol had greater percentage of synchronized estrous cycle (78.2%), compared with cows in the E2/P4 protocol (70.7%). On d 60, the E2/P4 protocol tended to improve P/AI (20.7 vs. 16.7%) and reduced pregnancy loss from 32 to 60 d (11.0 vs. 19.6%), compared with the 5-d Cosynch protocol. In cows with their estrous cycle synchronized, the E2/P4 protocol had greater P/AI (25.6 vs. 17.7%) on d 60 and lower pregnancy loss from 32 to 60 d (6.7 vs. 21.7%) compared with cows in the 5-d Cosynch protocol. Follicle diameter affected pregnancy loss from 32 to 60 d only in the cows in the 5-d Cosynch protocol, with smaller follicles resulting in greater pregnancy loss. Pregnancy per AI at d 60 was different between protocols in the cows with 2 or more measurements of heat stress (5-d Cosynch = 12.2% vs. E2/P4 = 22.8%), but not in the cows without or with 1 heat stress measurement. In conclusion, the 5-d Cosynch protocol apparently produced better estrous cycle synchronization than the E2/P4 protocol but did not improve P/AI. The potential explanation for these results is that increased E2 concentrations during the periovulatory period can improve pregnancy success and pregnancy maintenance, and this effect appears to be greatest in heat-stressed cows when circulating E2 may be reduced. © 2013 American Dairy Science Association.