Carcass and meat quality traits of wild boar (Sus scrofa s. L.) with 2n=36 karyotype compared to those of phenotypically similar crossbreeds (2n=37 and 2n=38) raised under same farming conditions. 1. Carcass quantity and meat dressing

The aim of this study was to compare wild boar (chromosomal number 2n = 36) to phenotypically similar animals of 2n = 37 and 2n = 38 chromosomes (crossbreeds) with respect to live weight, carcass yield, meat yield, fat and weight of inner organs. All animals were born and raised on the same farm and slaughtered at 39 weeks. The final live weight of wild boar 2n = 36 was significantly lower (47.2 kg) as compared to crossbreeds (80.0 kg). Animals 2n = 36 had more carcass yields (65.5%) than 2n = 37 karyotype (64.9%) and 2n = 38 (64.4%). Wild boar had the highest yields for the cuts with bones and boneless cuts compared to crossbreeds. Therefore, variations in karyotype are accompanied by differences in some carcass quantitative traits, i.e., 2n = 36 grow and fatten slower than crossbreeds 2n = 37 and 2n = 38. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Patterns of cell proliferation and apoptosis by topographic region in normal Bos taurus vs. Bos indicus crossbreeds bovine placentae during pregnancy

Background: Placental and fetal growth requires high rates of cellular turnover and differentiation, which contributes to conceptus development. The trophoblast has unique properties and a wide range of metabolic, endocrine and angiogenic functions, but the proliferative profile of the bovine placenta characterized by flow cytometry analysis and its role in fetal development are currently uncharacterized. Complete understanding of placental apoptotic and proliferative rates may be relevant to development, especially if related to the pathogenesis of pregnancy losses and placental abnormalities. Methods: In this study, the proliferation activity and apoptosis in different regions of normal bovine placenta (central and boundary regions of placentomes, placentomal fusion, microplacentomes, and interplacentomal regions), from distinct gestation periods (Days 70 to 290 of pregnancy), were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: Our results indicated that microplacentomes presented a lower number of apoptotic cells throughout pregnancy, with a higher proliferative activity by the end of gestation, suggesting that such structures do not contribute significantly to normal of placental functions and conceptus development during pregnancy. The placentome edges revealed a higher number of apoptotic cells from Day 170 on, which suggests that placentome detachment may well initiate in this region. Conclusion: Variations involving proliferation and apoptotic rates may influence placental maturation and detachment, compromising placental functions and leading to fetal stress, abnormalities in development and abortion, as frequently seen in bovine pregnancies from in vitro fertilization and cloning procedures. Our findings describing the pattern of cell proliferation and apoptosis in normal bovine pregnancies may be useful for unraveling some of the developmental deviations seen in nature and after in vitro embryo manipulations.

Meat quality characteristics of exotic and SPRD crossbred goats from the semiarid region

Thirty-two intact male goats from four genetic groups (eight pure-bred Boers, eight ¾ Boer + ¼ SPRD crossbreeds, eight ½ Boer + ½ SPRD crossbreeds, and eight ½ Anglo Nubian + ½ SPRD crossbreeds) were evaluated for meat quality. The goats were reared in confinement and slaughtered at the average live weight of 29 kg. Temperature and pH decrease in the longissimus dorsi muscle was determined for 24 hours, and analyses of colour, cooking loss, water-holding capacity, and sensory attributes were also performed. Genotype significantly (P < 0.05) influenced the confinement period; ½ Boer + ½ SPRD crossbreeds required the most time in confinement to reach the target weight, while the pure-bred Boers required the least time. Genotype also significantly influenced (P < 0.05) the weight loss due to cooking, shearing force, colour (intensity of yellowness and luminescence), and the sensory attributes of flavour, odour, and raw colour of the meat. The crossing of exotic Boer and Anglo Nubian breeds with the native SPRD resulted in a goat meat of high quality.

Gastrointestinal nematode infection in beef cattle of different genetic groups in Brazil

Resistance to natural infection by gastrointestinal nematodes was compared in 67 female calves of the following genetic groups: Nelore (NX); 1/2 Senepol + 1/2 Nelore (SN); and 1/2 Aberdeen Angus + 1/2 Nelore (AN). The NX (n = 26), SN (n = 23) and AN (n = 18) animals were monitored for 14 months, during which they remained without treatment, allowed to graze in a tropical environment. Eggs per gram of feces (EPG), coprocultures and packed cell volume (PCV) were carried out monthly. No significant effects of the interaction between the genetic groups and month/year of collection and the genetic group on the EPG were found, but there was a significant influence of the month of collection (P < 0.01). The monthly PCV measurements did not differ for the animals of the three genetic groups and there was no association found between the EPG and PCV. The animals of the SN and NX groups showed similar numbers of EPG with results zero, while for the AN group these numbers were significantly lower (P < 0.05). Although the NX group had a large number of EPG with results zero, it also contained many animals with high counts, meaning this group had higher averages during the entire study period. The following nematode genera were found in the coprocultures: Haemonchus, Cooperia, Oesophagostomum and Trichostrongylus, the latter in smallest proportion. There was no significant difference between the genetic groups for averages of all parasites identified, except Cooperia, which were present in higher numbers in the animals of the NX group (P < 0.05). The results obtained in this experiment suggest that the use of Bos taurus x Bos indicus crossbreeds can be a good strategy to reduce the use of chemical control in Brazil. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Análise econômica da produção de carne de cordeiros sob dois sistemas de terminação: pastagem e confinamento

Foram analisados os custos de produção e o retorno econômico do quilograma de carcaça, de 13 cordeiros Corriedale (C), 14 Bergamácia x Corriedale (BC) e 9 Hampshire Down x Corriedale (HC), em pastagem de Cynodon dactylon e 10 C, 11 BC e 8 HC em confinamento, recebendo ração completa, com 18% de proteína bruta e 72% de nutrientes digestíveis totais, idênticos ao da pastagem. A lotação utilizada foi de 20 cordeiros/ha. No confinamento, considerou-se 0,5m²/cordeiro. A despesa total para terminação dos cordeiros na pastagem foi R$2.382,40 e para terminação em confinamento foi R$2.918,40, com as respectivas receitas de R$3.686,90 e R$4.498,03. O custo de produção do kg de carcaça dos cordeiros confinados (R$2,30), em valor absoluto foi superior, porém, muito próximo dos terminados em pastagem (R$2,26). O retomo econômico para os cordeiros terminados em confinamento (R$1.579,63) foi superior ao dos terminados em pastagem (R$1.304,50), mostrando uma diferença em valores absolutos de R$275,13 a favor dos cordeiros confinados. A produção de carne de cordeiro em confinamento é economicamente viável.

Propriedades tensiométricas comparadas entre fragmentos do centro tendíneo do diafragma, pericárdio fibroso e peritônio parietal de bovinos não conservados e conservados em glicerina

The behaviour of the non conserved and 98% glycerin conserved specimens for periods of 30, 60 and 90 days of bovine diaphragma's tendinous center, fibrous pericardium and parietal peritoneum submitted to mechanical tests of traction, was observed in ten bovines between 30 months and 36 months of age, crossbreeds, males and females, collecting fragments of these aforesaid membranes in each animal. The diaphragma's tendinous center and parietal peritoneum did not suffered significant modification (p>0.05) in the values of tension when compared to the resistance tests of traction of non conserved and 98% glycerin conserved membranes. However, all the evaluated tissues showed significant increase (p£0.05) of the elongation values when conserved in 98% glycerin for until 90 days. It was also observed that fibrous pericardium is the one which supports greaters tensions. So, it to was concluded, that glycerin is efficient to the conservation of biological membranes besides modifying its mechanical properties.

Swimmer syndrome affecting an entire litter of kittens

Swimmer syndrome is a developmental abnormality characterized by a delay in the ability to walk and move about and is manifested in newborns between 15 and 20 days of age. These animals exhibit constant coxofemoral articulation abduction, and their pelvic limbs move caudally and laterally. This case reports a litter of three crossbreeds kittens (26 days old) with swimmer syndrome. Each animal was treated with physical therapy and shackle bandages that kept their pelvic limbs bent and close to the body. After seven days, all of the animals exhibited normal ambulation, indicating that this treatment had a curative effect on the kittens.

Avaliação radiográfica da articulação coxofemoral em cães submetidos a exercícios físicos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Propriedades morfológicas e tensiométricas comparadas de centro tendíneo, pericárdio e peritônio de bovinos a fresco e conservados em glicerina

Pós-graduação em Cirurgia Veterinária - FCAV

Prevalência da Rinotraqueíte Bovina (IBR) em touros bubalinos em propriedades localizadas no Amapá e Ilha de Marajó (PA), Brasil

Amostras sanguineas de 188 touros bubalinos, criados em sistema extensivo em areas de varzea, sem controle sanitario e reprodutivo eficiente, com idade de dois a 15 anos, das racas Murrah, Mediterraneo e seus mesticos, foram coletadas em tubos vacutainer esterilizados de 5 mL e avaliadas quanto a presenca de anticorpos para HBV-1, atraves do teste de soroneutrlizacao. Dos 188 touros examinados, somente de 51 foi possivel obter amostras de semen, as quais foram submetidas a analise de RT-PCR. Informacoes acerca da idade, raca e escore de condicao corporal (ECC) dos animais foram observadas. A estatistica descritiva foi aplicada atraves da distribuicao proporcional e determinacao dos quadris e medianas de variaveis categoricas. O estudo foi realizado em animais de oito propriedades, localizadas nos estados do Para e Amapa, regiao Norte do Brasil, encontrando-se distribuidos da seguinte forma: nos municipios de Itaubal do Piriri (N=59), Cutias do Araguari (N=33), Tartarugalzinho (N=14) e Bailique, distrito de Macapa (N=21), totalizando 127 animais no Amapa. Os 73 restantes localizavam-se no estado do Para nos municipios de Soure (N=38) e Muana (N=23), Ilha do Marajo. A analise estatistica constou da aplicacao do teste Binomial para comparar a prevalencia do HBV-1 nas propriedades examinadas nos municipios, e comparar a prevalencia entre as classes de raca, escore corporal e idade. Para avaliar a distribuicao da titulacao de anticorpos para HBV-1, entre Amapa e Marajo, foi utilizado o teste estatistico de Mann- Whitney. Todos os procedimentos foram executados pelo programa BioEstat 5, com nivel de significancia α=0.05. Em todas as propriedades estudadas havia animais positivos, e 82,4% das 188 amostras foram sorologicamente positivas. Entre as racas mediterraneo e Murrah e seus mesticos, houve diferenca real de prevalencia somente entre as racas Mediterraneo e Murrah (p=0,0004). Houve influencia do ECC na prevalencia de touros sorologicamente positivos, sendo que os de ECC=3 apresentaram maior prevalencia que os de ECC < 3 (p=0.009). A prevalencia conforme a idade mostrou que existe uma diferenca significativa (p<0.0001) entre os animais com dois anos e os touros com mais de dois anos de idade, havendo um incremento gradativo das taxas de infeccao com o avancar da idade. A prevalencia no estado do Amapa foi significativamente maior que no Para. As propriedades localizadas nos municipios de Cutias do Araguari, Tartarugalzinho e Bailique (Macapa), apresentram 100% de prevalencia. Foi observado que a titulacao minima ocorreu na maioria dos animais no Marajo, entretanto em somente em 4.8% do rebanho procedente do Amapa teve baixas titulacoes. Todas as 51 amostras de semen apresentaram-se negativas no teste da RTPCR. Concluimos assim que a prevalencia da IBR e altissima em touros bubalinos criados extensivamente no estado do Amapa e Para, Brasil.

Swimmer syndrome affecting an entire litter of kittens

A síndrome do filhote nadador é uma anormalidade do desenvolvimento caracterizada pelo atraso na capacidade de marcha e deslocamento, a qual se manifesta por volta dos 15 a 20 dias de idade. Os animais apresentam a articulação coxofemoral em constante abdução, deslocando os membros pélvicos lateral e caudalmente. Este trabalho relata uma ninhada de três filhotes felinos, sem raça definida, de 26 dias de idade, acometidos por síndrome do filhote nadador, e discute possíveis causas, complicações e tratamentos. Os filhotes foram submetidos à fisioterapia, algemas e bandagens, as quais mantiveram os membros pélvicos flexionados junto ao corpo. Ao final de sete dias, todos os filhotes apresentavam deambulação normal, e o tratamento proposto pode ser considerado curativo para felinos.

Genetic variability of banana with ornamental potential

The Musa germplasm collection at Embrapa Cassava and Fruits detains accessions from different sections of the Musa genus. The objective of the present study was to identify and morphologically characterize banana accessions from the banana germplasm with ornamental potential, as well as to quantify their genetic variability; and identify possible progenitors to be used in breeding aiming to achieve ornamental crossbreeds. The accessions were evaluated with the use of 32 morphological descriptors. Then, they were the following grouped into categories: landscape plants, cut flower, potted plants, and male inflorescence minifruits. The pre-selected accessions presented great genetic variability and ornamental potential for different uses. The accessions of the Rhodochlamys and Callimusa sections were selected to be used as landscape plants, cut flowers, potted plants, male inflorescence and minifruits. Most of the diploids from the Eumusa section evaluated in this study are indicated for the production of ornamental minifruits, except for 'Lidi' and Cici, which can also be indicated as landscape plants. The BB diploids have great potential for the use of the male inflorescence in floral arrangements, and did not offer any other indication.

The productivity effects of cattle tick (Boophilus microplus) infestation on cattle, with particular reference to Bos indicus cattle and their crosses

In response to uncertainty among cattle producers in Australia regarding the need to treat Bos indices and B. indicus crossbreeds, the scientific literature relating to the productivity effects of Boophilus microplus on cattle of all breeds was reviewed. Estimates of the mean effect of each engorging tick (damage coefficient, d) were made from a simple analysis of the reported data. On average, each engorging female tick is responsible for the loss of 1.37 +/- 0.25 g bodyweight in B. taunts cattle. The comparable value for B. taurus x B. indicus cattle is 1.18 +/- 0.21 g/engorging tick. These values were not statistically significantly different, indicating that if a threshold approach to tick control were taken, then the threshold number of standard ticks would be the same regardless of cattle genotype. No studies provided useable estimates of the effect of tick infestation on pure B. indices cattle. An economic threshold for treatment, below which acaricide application is not beneficial, can be predicted, using known values for the cost of acaricide application and the price of beef. However, the application of a threshold approach to control has not been embraced by government advisers and runs contrary to the accepted principals of strategic control programs. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.