Suplementação com gordura protegida para vacas de corte desmamadas precocemente mantidas em pastagem natural

The objective of this work was to evaluate the productive and reproductive performance of beef cows, as well as the performance of their calves according to the following dietary treatments: PRE: supplemented with protected fat (PF) during 45 days prepartum; PREPOS: supplemented with PF during 45 days prepartum and 63 days postpartum; POS: supplemented with PF during 63 days postpartum; PN: without supplementation. The productive performance of cows was not influenced by feed management (P>0.05), except for body condition score (BCS), which was lower for PRE and PREPOS cows at the end of mating season, with the latter cows having similar BCS POS and PN. The calving interval (CI) was shorter for cows supplemented in PREPOS - 376 days -, and did not differ in cows maintained in PN - 383 days. Supplemented PREPOS cows weaned 4.4% more pounds of calf per 100kg of cow at calving - 22.6kg - than the PRE and POS cows - 21.6kg and 21.6kg, respectively - and 8,4% more pounds of calf per 100 of cow at calving than the cows maintained in native pasture - 20.7kg. The fat protected supplementation during pre and/or postpartum periods did not affect the performance of cows and calves.

Pulmonary Maturation in Canine Foetuses From Early Pregnancy to Parturition

Development of the foetal respiratory system includes both pulmonary growth and maturation. In human medicine, a higher incidence of respiratory distress is reported in newborn males. This study aimed to identify different phases of canine foetal lung maturation throughout pregnancy, to determine the stage of pregnancy in which surfactant production begins and to compare pulmonary development of male and female foetuses. Pregnant bitches (34) were subjected to elective ovariohysterectomy and allocated into four groups, according to the stage of pregnancy: 30-40 days of pregnancy (n = 10), 41-50 days (n = 10), 51-60 days (n = 10) and bitches in the first stage of parturition (n = 4). Foetal lungs were histologically processed and evaluated by optical microscopy. The pseudoglandular phase was identified between the 35th day and 46th day of gestation; the onset of canalicular and saccular periods was observed, respectively, from the 48th day and 60th day of pregnancy. Lungs from foetuses at term were in the saccular phase; thus, the development into the alveolar period occurs in the neonatal period. The histological analyses revealed that respiratory tract development is centrifugal, from upper to lower airways. Therefore, it is possible to identify distinct development periods in different portions of the same organ. In conclusion, the saccular phase of lung development begins around 57 and 60 days of pregnancy, the period in which surfactant production is believed to occur. Male and female foetuses present similar pulmonary development from early pregnancy until parturition.

Role of PGF(2 alpha) and oxytocin in parturition in the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)

Maturation of the fetal pituitary and adrenal glands allows the secretion of cortisol, which in turn leads to an increase in prostaglandin and mesotocin production. The production of prostaglandin and mesotocin results in an increase in uterine contractions and initiates birth in marsupials. The major metabolite of PGF(2alpha), 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F-2alpha (PGFM), has been found in the plasma of the possum at the time of birth and administration of PGF(2alpha) to female possums induced the adoption of the birth position. Evidence that mesotocin is an integral hormone of birth in the tammar wallaby indicates that both PGF(2alpha) and mesotocin or oxytocin are required for marsupial birth. The presence of PGF(2alpha) receptors in the uterus and corpus luteum of the possum, and the in vitro uterine responsiveness to PGF(2alpha) or oxytocin, were examined. PGF(2alpha) receptors were not observed in possum uteri and the inability of PGF(2alpha) to cause contractions indicates that PGF(2alpha) is not involved directly in contraction of the uterus at parturition. The presence of oxytocin and mesotocin receptors in the uterus of possoms and the ability of oxytocin to induce uterine contraction in vitro supports the view that mesotocin is required for expulsion of the young from the uterus. Low numbers of PGF(2alpha) receptors were found in the possum corpus luteum at birth, indicating an involvement of PGF(2alpha) in regression of the corpus luteum.

Food availability dictates the timing of parturition in insectivorous mouse-eared bats

Which of these two confounding factors, weather or food availability - that largely correlate and interact - controls the timing of parturition in insectivorous bats? To answer this question. we took advantage of a predator-prey system that offers a unique opportunity to perform natural experiments. The phenology of reproduction of two sibling bat species that inhabit the same colonial roosts, but exploit different feeding niches. was investigated. Myotis myotis feeds mainly on carabid beetles, a food source available from the end of hibernation onwards, whereas bush crickets, the main prey of M. blythii, are not available early in the season due to their successive instars; cockchafers are actually the sole possible alternative prey for M. blythii at that time of the year, but they occur every third year only, independently of local weather conditions. By comparing the species responses to the presence/absence of cockchafers, we could test the hypothesis that food availability, rather than climate. influences the timing of bat parturition. Our data show that Nt. blythii gave birth, on average. 10 d later than M. myotis in years without cockchafers, whilst parturition (1) was synchronous during cockchafer years, and (2) did not show much among-year time variation in M. myotis. This suggests that food availability is the chief factor regulating the timing of parturition in mouse-eared bats.

Changes in the foraging strategy of female South American sea lions (Carnivora: Pinnipedia) after parturition.

This study tests the hypothesis that female South American sea lions shift from off-shore, pelagic prey to coastal, benthic prey after parturition in order to reduce the foraging trip duration and hence the time pups remain unattended on the beach during early lactation. The δ13C and δ15N values of the serum and blood cells of 26 South American sea lion suckling pups from northern Patagonia were used to track the dietary changes of their mothers from late pregnancy to early lactation, after correction for differential isotopic fractionation between tissues. Primary producers and potential prey species were also analysed to establish a baseline for interpreting the stable isotope concentration of serum and blood cells. Isotopic ratios revealed a generalized increase in the consumption of coastal-benthic prey after parturition. Such a generalized post-partum shift will allow females to spend more time on land and look after their pups. The effects of this foraging strategy on the nutritional quality of the female"s diet are discussed.

The influence of the broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. itálica)fill weigth on postharvest quality

Broccoli is a vegetable of important economic value as well as a source of vitamin C and anticarcinogenic property substances. Although it can be minimally processed, this vegetable presents fast senescence, characterized by yellowing, loss of turgescence, development of off-odors, increase in enzymatic activity and reduction of nutritional value. Among the frequently used techniques that can extend the shelf-life of minimally processed broccoli, we have the use of cool storage and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). Several factors interfere in the efficiency of MAP, influencing the speed and intensity of the changes on atmosphere composition. This work aimed to study the influence of the amount packaged broccoli on its postharvest quality, when stored at 1ºC. Results demonstrated strong influence of the use of MAP compared to control treatment. It was observed that for all packaged treatments there was better vitamin C retention, lower loss of weight, lower peroxidase activity and better turgidity score of broccoli. This study demonstrated that the treatments with higher amounts of product showed the worst performance on vitamin C and aroma evaluation. The peroxidase activity was also influenced, and the best results were found in the treatment with higher amounts, which presented lowest values. However there is a tendency of increase in the activity along the time, especially at the end of the experiment. It was not detected the influence of the fill weight about color evaluation.

Short communication: Suppressor of cytokine signaling-2 mRNA increases after parturition in the liver of dairy cows

After parturition, the somatotropic axis of the dairy cow is uncoupled, partly because of reduced concentration of liver-specific GH receptor (GHR) 1A. Estradiol-17 beta (E-2) concentrations increase at parturition and E-2 upregulates suppressors of cytokine signaling-2 (SOCS-2) mRNA expression, potentially inhibiting GH signaling. Therefore, we hypothesized that SOCS-2 mRNA is upregulated after parturition. Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 18) were dried off 45 d before expected parturition and fed diets to meet nutrient requirements at ad libitum or limited dry matter intake during the dry period. All cows were fed the same diet ad libitum from calving until 4 wk after parturition. Blood samples were collected weekly and more frequently near parturition. Liver biopsies obtained at -21, -7, 2, and 28 d relative to parturition were assessed for SOCS-2 and GHR 1A mRNA by quantitative real-time reverse-transcription PCR. The relative amount of SOCS-2 mRNA increased after parturition with both treatments and was greater on d 2 for cows limit-fed during the dry period compared with cows fed at ad libitum dry matter intake. Plasma E2 concentrations increased on d -13, -5 and 1 relative to parturition and the increases were greater in limit-fed cows. Plasma GH concentration was greater for limit-fed cows and increased after parturition in all cows. The amount of GHR 1A mRNA did not differ between diets but decreased on d 2. In addition to reduced GHR 1A, increased SOCS-2 mRNA after parturition, perhaps because of increased E-2, may further uncouple GH signaling in the liver of the transition dairy cow.

Parturition intervals and distributions of parturitions by months of buffalo in Southern and South-eastern Brazil

Reproductive rate is an important component of economic success in livestock production. Parturition interval (IEP) is a direct measure of the productivity of the animal. Long IEP reduce the number of calves produced per year. The objective this study was to determine the distribution of parturitions across month and to evaluate factors affecting IEP. The data included 7,588 parturitions of Murrah, Mediterranean and Carabobo buffalo from 10 herds in Southern and South-eastern Brazil. The analysis of distribution of parturitions evaluated the effects of month, year and their interaction on birth date of calves by using a Chi-Square test in SAS PROC FREQ (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Parturition intervals (n = 2,630) were evaluated using analysis of variance in SAS PROC GLM. The model for IEP included the fixed effects of season (December to May = 1, June to November = 2), year, season x year, sex of the preceding parturition, age of weaning of the previous calf, and herd. All sources of variation were significant (P<0.0001) except sex of the preceding parturition (P <0.85). The mean IEP was 446.7 +/- 10.4 days, for seasons 1 and 2 IEP were 419.8 +/- 11.3 and 473.6 +/- 40.7 days, respectively, a difference of 54 days. As weaning age increased there was a lengthening of IEP. Buffalo in Brazil showed seasonal parturition with calving concentrated from January to April, although the frequency by month differed across years (P<0.0001). These months also had the lowest calving interval.

Prolonged interval between parturition of normal live pups in a bitch

On day 64 after artificial insemination, a six-year-old primiparous briard bitch whelped three live pups between 05.00 and 08.00. It was presented at 11.00 on the same day with failure to complete parturition. on ultrasound examination, a normal live fetus was observed and the bitch was treated with oxytocin three times during the day (1(.)0, 2(.)0 and 2(.)0 iu intramuscularly), with no effect. The following day, a higher dose of oxytocin (5(.)0 iu) was administered intramuscularly at 11.00, after a uterine ultrasound examination confirmed viability of the fetus. At 18.00 of the same day, the bitch whelped the fourth normal live pup, 37 hours after initiation of parturition and 34 hours after expulsion of the last fetus. Effectiveness of oxytocin and normal versus prolonged parturition due to uterine inertia are discussed.

Comparison of the susceptibility of Santa Ines and Ile de France ewes to nematode parasitism around parturition and during lactation

Breeds of sheep with resistance to nematode infection often display a reduced periparturient rise (PPR) in faecal egg counts (FEC) when compared with susceptible sheep. This trial was carried out to compare the resistance of Santa Ines, an indigenous Brazilian breed of sheep, and Ile de France ewes to natural infections by gastrointestinal nematodes, especially in the periparturient period. Twelve Santa lnes and 10 Ile de France ewes were estrus synchronized and then mated (December 2001). Lambing occurred from 30 April to 19 June 2002 and the lambs were weaned at 60 days of age. Faecal egg counts, packed cell volume (PCV), total plasma protein levels and peripheral eosinophils counts were determined from November 2001 to September 2002. To prevent deaths, individual treatment with anthelmintics was provided to ewes with FEC higher than 4000 eggs per gram (EPG) or with PCV lower than 21%. The percentage of Santa Ines ewes treated with anthelmintics was lower than that of Ile de France sheep. Eight of the 10 Ile de France ewes were treated, with one of them requiring four treatments, one requiring three treatments, and two requiring two treatments. The remaining four received a single treatment. In contrast, only 5 of the 12 Santa lnes ewes required treatment and for each this was done only once. The mean values of PCV were in the normal range in the Santa Ines ewes. In contrast, mean PCVs of Ile de France ewes reached a low of 24.5% in the second month after lambing and were significantly lower than Santa Ines 1 month before lambing (P < 0.05) and 2 months after lambing (P < 0.07). The mean plasma protein level was significantly lower in the Ile de France ewes in the second month after lambing (P < 0.01) coinciding with a reduction in PCV. The ewes of both breeds had high mean numbers of eosinophils in blood, which increased even further post-weaning when a marked reduction in FEC occurred. Haemonchus larvae were the most numerous genus in faecal cultures for both breeds followed by Trichostrongylus, Oesophagostomum and Cooperia. A periparturient rise in FEC was observed in both breeds. However, Santa Ines ewes showed a higher capacity to support the infection in an environment contaminated with large number of infective larvae of gastrointestinal nematodes. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Genetic and environmental effects on parturition and lactation intervals in water buffaloes from Brazil

Genetic and environmental effects on parturition interval (PI) and duration of lactation (DL) were evaluated in 107 Jafarabadi, 98 Mediterranean, 1027 Murrah and 624 crossbred buffalo females (n=1856), based on data from the Buffalo Genetic Improvement Program-PROMEBUL from 1980 to 2003. The statistical model included effects of herd, parturition year and month, calf's sex, parturition order and genetic group, composing 11, 34, 12, 2, 12 and 4 classes, respectively. A significant effect over PI was observed (P<0.01) in all classes, excepting sex. Mean parturition intervals per genetic group presented significant differences through SNK test (P<0.05), with mean values of 451.29; 429.47; 406.97 and 389.78 days in Mediterranean, crossbred, Murrah and Jafarabadi, respectively. Mean DL values were 276.68; 270.33; 258.03 and 235.59 days for Mediterranean, Murrah, crossbred and Jafarabadi groups, respectively. No significant differences in DL were observed in relation to genetic groups. However, herd and parturition order, year and month significantly influenced DL (P<0.01). The herd was the main source of variation over DL, followed by parturition year and month. A regression based on parturition month in relation to PI and DL showed that females giving birth in the last months of the year presented higher PI and DL.

Geographic distribution and parturition of mabuya arajara Rebouças-Spieker, 1981 (Squamata, sauria, scincidae) from Ceará, northeastern Brazil

Mabuya arajara Rebouças-Spieker, 1981 has been considered an endemic species from the southern of state of Ceará, restricted to the Deciduous Dry Forests in the slopes of Plateau of Araripe (Chapada do Araripe). Here, we present an updated distributional map for the species and demonstrate that its range is not restricted as formerly believed. In addition, we had an opportunity to observe a gravid female and we describe aspects regarding parturition and number of offspring for the species.