Increased yearling weight as a proportion of 21-month weight was associated with increased milk production in dairy heifers

ABSTRACT

Aims: To examine the relationship between liveweight (LWT) at 12 months as a proportion of LWT at 21 months of age (LWT(12/21)%) and first lactation and cumulative 3-year milk production in dairy heifers in New Zealand.

Methods: Liveweight and milk production records were obtained for dairy heifers born from June to December (spring-calving season) between 2006–2007 and 2013–2014 dairy seasons; production records included first lactation (n?=?140,113) and cumulative 3-year (n?=?67,833) milksolids and energy-corrected milk (ECM) yields. Heifers were classified into five breed groups; Holstein-Friesian, Holstein-Friesian crossbred, Jersey, Jersey crossbred and Holstein-Friesian-Jersey crossbred. Within each breed group heifers were categorised into quintiles based on 21-month LWT. The LWT(12/21)% was calculated for each animal. Relationships between LWT(12/21)% and milk production within each breed group and LWT category were estimated using linear mixed effects models including the linear and quadratic effects of LWT(12/21)%.

Results: The relationship between LWT(12/21)% and milk production was predominantly curvilinear, with lower milk production at lesser LWT(12/21)% compared with greater LWT(12/21)%. For all breed groups and most LWT categories, heifers that were 55 or 65% LWT(12/21)% produced greater ECM and milksolids yields compared with heifers that were 45% LWT(12/21)%. Holstein-Friesian, Holstein-Friesian crossbred and Holstein-Friesian-Jersey crossbred heifers that were 65% LWT(12/21)% produced greater cumulative 3-year ECM and milksolids yields compared with heifers of the same breed group that were 45% LWT(12/21)%

Conclusions and clinical relevance: Heifers that were a greater proportion of their 21-month LWT at 12 months of age produced more first lactation and cumulative 3-year milk yields than heifers that were a lesser proportion of their 21-month LWT at 12 months of age. These results indicate that increased growth in early life of New Zealand dairy heifers is beneficial to future milk production.     

In Vitro Colonic Fermentation and Glycemic Response of Different Kinds of Unripe Banana Flour

This work aimed to study the in vitro colonic fermentation profile of unavailable carbohydrates of two different kinds of unripe banana flour and to evaluate their postprandial glycemic responses. The unripe banana mass (UBM), obtained from the cooked pulp of unripe bananas (Musa acuminata, Nanicão variety), and the unripe banana starch (UBS), obtained from isolated starch of unripe banana, plantain type (Musa paradisiaca) in natura, were studied. The fermentability of the flours was evaluated by different parameters, using rat inoculum, as well as the glycemic response produced after the ingestion by healthy volunteers. The flours presented high concentration of unavailable carbohydrates, which varied in the content of resistant starch, dietary fiber and indigestible fraction (IF). The in vitro colonic fermentation of the flours was high, 98% for the UBS and 75% for the UBM when expressed by the total amount of SCFA such as acetate, butyrate and propionate in relation to lactulose. The increase in the area under the glycemic curve after ingestion of the flours was 90% lower for the UBS and 40% lower for the UBM than the increase produced after bread intake. These characteristics highlight the potential of UBM and UBS as functional ingredients. However, in vivo studies are necessary in order to evaluate the possible benefic effects of the fermentation on intestinal health.     

Evaluation of the effects induced by dietary diphenyl diselenide on common carp Cyprinus carpio

Several diets employed in aquaculture are enriched with selenium (Se), as it is a fundamental element to aquatic vertebrates. Diphenyl diselenide [(PhSe)₂], which is a synthetic organoselenium compound, has been considered a potential antioxidant agent in different experimental models. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary diphenyl diselenide at concentrations of 1.5, 3.0, and 5.0 mg/kg for 60 days and to determine its optimal supplemental level for carp, Cyprinus carpio. Neither growth retardation nor hepatoxicity was induced by the inclusion of diphenyl diselenide at concentrations ranging from 1.5 to 5.0 mg/kg. In addition, the inclusion of 3.0 mg/kg of diphenyl diselenide stimulated the weight and length of the carp. The supplementation with 1.5 and 3.0 mg/kg of diphenyl diselenide did not produce oxidative damage in the tissues, verified by peroxidation lipid and protein carbonyl assays. However, at 5.0 mg/kg, it caused an increase of the lipid peroxidation in the liver, brain, and muscle, and inhibited the cerebral acetylcholinesterase activity. An increase of the hepatic superoxide dismutase activity and non-protein thiols content in all tissues and ascorbic acid in the liver, gills, and brain was verified in carp fed with the diet containing 3.0 mg/kg of diphenyl diselenide. This diet had advantageous effects for the fish used in experiments. Therefore, this compound could be considered a beneficial dietary supplement for carp nutrition.     

Early biochemical biomarkers for zinc in silver catfish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhamdia quelen</Emphasis>) after acute exposure

Contamination of aquatic ecosystems by metals causes various biochemical changes in aquatic organisms, and fish are recognized as indicators of environmental quality. Silver catfish were exposed to six concentrations of zinc (Zn): 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 and 12.5 mg/L for 96 h to determine the mean lethal concentration (LC₅₀). The value obtained was 8.07 mg/L. In a second experiment, fish were exposed to concentrations of 1.0 or 5.0 mg/L Zn and a control for 96 h. Afterward, the tissues were collected for biochemical analysis. Lipid peroxidation, as indicated by thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS), decreased in the liver and brain for all Zn concentrations tested, while in the gills TBARS levels increased at 1.0 mg/L and declined at 5.0 mg/L. Zn increased protein carbonyls in the muscle of silver catfish and decreased it in the other tissues. The enzyme superoxide dismutase increased in both exposed groups. However, catalase did not change. Glutathione S-transferase decreased in the liver and increased in the gills (1.0 mg/L), muscle (5.0 mg/L) and brain (1.0 and 5.0 mg/L). Nonprotein thiols changed only in brain and muscle tissue. Zn exposure inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the brain at both concentrations tested, but did not change it in muscle. Exposure to Zn inhibited the activity of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase in the gills and intestine at both concentrations tested. Our results demonstrate that Zn alters biochemical parameters in silver catfish and that some parameters such as AChE and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase could be considered as early biomarkers of waterborne Zn toxicity.     

Study on environmental indices and heat tolerance tests in hair sheep

The ability to predict the effects of climatic factors on animals and their adaptability is important for livestock production. The aim of the present study was to analyze whether existing indices are suitable for evaluating heat stress in Santa Ines and Morada Nova sheep, which are locally adapted hair sheep breeds from northeastern Brazil, and if the limits used to classify thermal stress are suitable for these breeds. Therefore, climatic, physiological, and physical parameters, as well as thermographic images, were collected in 26 sheep, 1 1/2 years old, from two genetic groups (Santa Ines 12 males and 4 females; Morada Nov. 7 males and 3 females) for 3 days in both morning (4:00 a.m.) and afternoon (2:00 p.m.) with six repetitions, totalizing 156 repetitions. Statistical analysis included correlations and broken-line regressions. Iberia and Benezra indices were the tolerance tests that best correlated with the assessed parameters. High correlations between environmental indices and rectal or skin surface temperatures was observed, which indicates that these indices can be used for Santa Ines and Morada Nova sheep raised in central Brazil. However, some indicative values of thermal discomfort are different from the existing classification. Therefore, in order to classify appropriately, the model used needs to be carefully studied, because these classifying values can vary according to the species and model. Further research is necessary to establish indicators of thermal stress for sheep breeds raised in the region.     

Antispasmodic effect of 4'-methylepigallocatechin on guinea pig ileum

The antispasmodic effect of 4'-methylepigallocatechin (MEC), which was isolated from Maytenus rigida Mart (Celestraceae), was investigated in vitro in guinea pig intestinal segments. In the isolated ileum, MEC (1 nM-100μM) did not modify the ileal spontaneous tonus or the electrically elicited contractions. MEC (8μM) significantly (p<0.01) reduced the submaximal contractions induced by histamine (2μM), carbachol (100μM) and BaCl(2) (0.03M). An additive relaxing action (p<0.001) was observed by co-incubation of verapamil (10 nM) and MEC (8μM). Although MEC (1nM-100μM) did not modify the contractions elicited by 60mM KCl, it significantly reduced the CaCl(2) contractile response without changing the EC(50) (effective concentration of CaCl(2) causing 50% of maximum response). In brief, these results show that MEC has a potent ileal spasmolytic effect and blocks spasms induced by specific and nonspecific stimuli. Importantly, the spasmolytic effects were attained at low concentrations and might be related to the symptomatic relief of abdominal pain that is obtained from the use of the M. rigida stem bark.     

The occurrence of Codiostomum struthionis in ostriches (Struthio camelus) of different ages and during the dry and rainy seasons at two farms in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Ostriches are susceptible to a wide variety of diseases that can affect their commercial breeding. The aim of this study was to identify morphologically Codiostomum struthionis and examine its seasonal occurrence among animals of three age categories in two commercial farms in Areal and Itaboraí, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Fresh fecal samples were collected monthly, from June 2004 to May 2006. Eggs per gram of feces (EPG) were counted after centrifugal flotation in saturated sugar solutions and infective larvae were evaluated after coproculture. A total of 432 fecal samples were collected from three groups according to ostrich age: up to 90 days, 91-365 days and over 365 days (adults). The dry and rainy seasons were defined according to official meteorological data. Typical eggs of the Strongylida order were identified in 242 samples (235 from adult ostriches). Once obtained, infective larvae were identified as C. struthionis. Adult ostriches exhibited significantly greater numbers of eggs in their feces during the rainy season compared to the dry season (p<0.05). In the Areal farm, significant (p<0.05) values were found when adults ostriches EPG were compared to ostriches up to 90 days and also for ostriches from 91 to 365 days. When comparing adult EPGs between the two commercial breeding farms, Areal exhibited greater EPGs during both the dry (p=0.0215) and rainy (p=0.0011) seasons.     

Fog precipitation and rainfall interception in the natural forests of Madeira Island (Portugal)

Situated in the Atlantic Ocean, Madeira is a within-plate volcanic island, approximately 600 km northwest of the Western African coast. Cloud cover formed mainly of orographic origin persists on Madeira for more than 200 days per year between 800 m and 1600 m altitude. Since vegetation occupies 2/3 of the island's surface, fog precipitation, which occurs when fog droplets are filtered by the forest canopy and coalesce on the vegetation surfaces to form larger droplets that drip to the forest floor, is an important hydrological input. Rainfall interception and fog precipitation data were collected between 1996 and 2005 in the natural forests of Madeira. Six throughfall gauges were placed under the canopy of three different types of forest: high altitude tree heath forest (1580 m), secondary tree heath forest (1385 m) and humid laurisilva forest (1050 m). Fog precipitation is higher under high altitude heath forest (average canopy interception was ?225% of gross precipitation) and dependent both on altitude and vegetation type, due to different tree architecture and leaf shape. Although results are conservative estimates of fog precipitation, they point towards the importance of fog-water as a source of groundwater recharge in the water balance of the main forest ecosystems of Madeira.     

Photo-Assisted Degradation,Toxicological Assessment,and Modeling Using Artificial Neural Networks of Reactive Gray BF-2R Dye

This work investigates the degradation of Reactive Gray BF-2R dye (a blend of reactive yellow 145, reactive orange 122 and reactive black 5 dyes) using UV/H₂O₂, Fenton, and photo-Fenton-advanced oxidative processes, with artificial sunlight and UV-C radiations. The photo-Fenton process employing UV-C radiation was the most efficient under the conditions studied. The ideal conditions for the degradation of the dye, determined using a factorial design 2³ and a study of the concentration of hydrogen peroxide ([H₂O₂]), were [H₂O₂] equal to 40 mg L^?1, iron concentration [Fe] of 1 mg L^?1, and pH between 3 and 4. The Chan and Chu non-linear kinetic model predicted the kinetic data with a degradation of over 98% for color and 68% for aromatics after 60 min. The behavior of the chemical oxygen demand fitted the first-order kinetic model well, with a degradation of 64% after 60 min. The Multilayer Perceptron 7-11-2 artificial neural network model enabled to model the degradation process of the aromatics and accurately predict the experimental data. Toxicity tests indicated that the post-treatment samples were non-toxic for Escherichia coli bacteria, and Portulaca grandiflora and Basil sabory seeds. However, they inhibited the growth of Lactuca sativa seeds and Salmonella enteritidis bacteria. The photo-Fenton process with UV-C radiation degraded the dye studied efficiently and the degradation percentages were, on average, 7% and 5% higher for color than those observed when employing the Fenton and UV/H₂O₂ processes, respectively. With the aromatic, however, they were 84% and 62% higher, thus justifying the use of this process.