Higher feeding diets effects on age and liveweight gain at puberty in crossbred Nelore × Hereford heifers

This study was conducted to determine the age and liveweight at puberty of 120 crossbred beef heifers submitted to four diets to achieve predetermined weight gains (kg/day): 0.5 (G500; n?=?32), 0.75 (G750; n?=?32), 1.0 (G1000; n?=?29), and 1.25 (G1250; n?=?27). Animals were classified depending on their level of crossing between Nelore (N) and Hereford (H): 25%N-75%H, 37.5%N-63.5%H, 43.7%N-56.7%H, 50%N-50%H, and 75%N-25%H. Reproductive evaluation was performed at the beginning and at the end of the experimental period by ultrasonography and hormone analysis. The average age and liveweight at puberty were 388.0?±?1.9 days and 331.4?±?1.3 kg, respectively. Animals from the 25%N-75%H group reached puberty earlier than heifers from other genetic groups supplemented with G1250 diet (P?<?0.05). Heifers with higher degree of Nelore (75%N-25%H) fed with G1000 diet showed estrus 42 days prior to mating, but only 57 % reached puberty at mating (P?<?0.05). Heifers with follicles of higher diameter reached puberty (P?<?0.05) earlier. Higher average daily weight gain showed a positive effect on follicular diameter and IGF-I level at puberty (P?<?0.01). Concentrations of GH were lower in heifers fed G1250 compared to G1000 diet (P?<?0.05). There was a significant interaction between nutritional level and insulin levels at puberty (P?<?0.01). We demonstrated the relationship between IGF-I and average daily gain on the onset of puberty in heifers. In conclusion, heifers submitted to the higher feeding level showed a higher follicular diameter and were younger at puberty.     

Mercury speciation in contaminated soils by thermal release analysis

Thermal release analysis of mercury species in contaminated soils was performed by temperature controlled continuous heating of the samples in a furnace coupled to an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). It was shown that this method allows the identification of different redox states of Hg-species through their characteristic releasing temperature ranges. The method was applied to Hg-contaminated samples from an inactive chlor-alkali production plant in former East Germany (GER), and from a gold mining area in Poconé, Mato Grosso, Brazil (BRA), as well as synthetic soil samples obtained by spiking pre-heated soil matrices (GER and BRA) with the following mercury species: Hg⁰, Hg₂Cl₂, HgCl₂, HgO and HgS. The samples GER, in general, frequently showed the presence of Hg²⁺ probably bound to humic substances, in the case of samples with higher total carbon content. Only in highly contaminated samples (>3000 ppm of mercury) was Hg⁰ the predominant species. The samples BRA more frequently showed the presence of mercury species in the lower oxidation states, i.e. Hg¹⁺ in combination with Hg⁰. The method allows observing changes in Hg-speciation in the samples with time, mainly changes among the oxidation states Hg⁰, Hg¹⁺ and Hg²⁺. The treated GER matrix showed a stronger tendency to oxidise Hf-species than the BRA treated matrix, in which only added Hg⁰ is partially oxidised to Hg²⁺ and Hg¹⁺. In contrast, the BRA matrix showed a pronounced tendency to reduce spiked Hg²⁺ to Hg¹⁺. This may be the reason for the presence of Hg¹⁺ in the majority of original BRA samples. The method appears to be very useful to study speciation of mercury and its dynamics. It can be used as a tool for monitoring mercury oxidation states and/or reactions of mercury in soils.     

The efficacy and safety of levobupivacaine administered by lumbosacral epidural route in conscious sheep

The aim of this study was to evaluate 3 doses of levobupivacaine (LB) epidurally administered in sheep. Six adult male 24-36 month-old sheep received levobupivacaine at 3 doses, LB05 (0.05 mg/kg), LB15 (0.15 mg/kg), and LB25 (0.25mg/kg), and saline solution into the lumbosacral epidural space. Heart rate, arterial blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, and mean), respiratory rate, rectal, and skin temperature, local anesthesia, and ataxia were determined before treatment and at predetermined intervals. The duration of local anesthesia was 30±5 min, 145±27 min, and 290±18 min for LB05, LB15, and LB25, respectively (P<0.05). Ataxia determined for LB05, LB15, or LB25 was similar to the anesthetic times. There was an increase in heart rate and reduction in arterial pressure in LB25 (P<0.05), whereas LB05 or LB15 did not affect these parameters. Lumbosacral epidural levobupivacaine is an appropriate choice for local anesthesia in sheep.     

Interleukin-8 as a prognostic serum marker in canine mammary gland neoplasias

Mammary gland tumors in female dogs are an excellent model for the clinic-pathological, diagnostic and prognostic investigation of mammary neoplasias. Prognostic and predictive markers are effective in research and routine diagnosis. Interleukins play a fundamental role in cancer, with a particular function in tumor growth, invasion and metastatic potential. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is known to possess tumorigenic and pro-angiogenic properties, and its overexpression is seen in a number of human tumors. IL-8 serum levels were determined and correlated with the clinic-pathological features and clinical evolution of mammary gland neoplasias in female dogs. IL-8 was measured by an immunoenzymatic assay in 30 female dogs with mammary neoplasias within a 12 month follow-up and in 50 control animals. The correlation between IL-8 concentration and clinical parameters was investigated. A statistically significant difference in the IL-8 serum levels was found in tumor-bearing dogs compared to the controls. In addition, when the individual parameters were evaluated, IL-8 content showed a positive correlation with the tumor progression, lymph node involvement, recurrence and death. Single and multivariate analyses showed associations between tumor recurrence, metastasis, high clinical staging and high IL-8, and also with the death risk. This was also consistent with the high IL-8 content in dogs showing tumor recurrence and metastasis. IL-8 superexpression has been detected in a number of human tumors, usually associated with a poor prognostic. Besides promoting angiogenesis, IL-8 is strongly related with the metastatic phenotype of mammary tumor cells. High IL-8 concentration was found in mammary gland cancer patients with advanced disease stages. Our results show that IL-8 can be used as a non-invasive prognostic marker for mammary gland cancer, and can be useful for the prediction of disease progression and recurrence in dogs with mammary neoplasias. The increased level of this cytokine acts as an independent prognostic marker of survival and the identification of animals with the poor prognostic.     

Comparison of Synthetic Oviductal Fluid and G1/G2 Medium under Low‐1 Oxygen Atmosphere on Embryo Production and Pregnancy Rates in Nelore (Bos indicus) Cattle

In this work, we evaluated whether embryo development and pregnancy rates would be affected by culturing bovine Bos indicus embryos in Synthetic Oviductal Fluid with amino acids (SOFaa) or G1/G2 sequential medium under a low‐oxygen atmosphere. Using Ovum Pick Up, we obtained 1,538 oocytes, divided into G1/G2 (n = 783) and SOFaa (n = 755). No difference was observed for blastocyst development among the groups (27.8% ± 14.6 and 34.9% ± 20.0 for G1/G2 and SOFaa respectively, p > 0.05). Transferring the embryos (n = 450) from both groups to recipients resulted in similar pregnancy rates for the G1/G2 (38.4% n = 78/203) compared to the SOFaa (39.7% n = 98/247). Our findings confirm that Bos indicus embryos cultured in SOFaa and G1/G2 under low‐oxygen atmosphere have similar in vitro (blastocyst rate) and in vivo (pregnancy rate) developmental capacity. However, embryos cultured in G1/G2 medium have higher cleavage than those cultured in SOFaa medium.     

Performance of beef heifers supplemented with sodium lasalocid

This study was conducted on 78 13-month-old crossbred beef heifers that weighed 215 kg in Southern Rio Grande do Sul (RS) State, Brazil. We evaluated the performance of beef heifers that were reared in a pasture system that received a mineral supplement energy-type protein with added sodium lasalocid (LAS). The heifers were randomly and uniformly divided into 2 groups, with 39 animals in each group. One group of animals received a mineral supplement energy-type protein without sodium lasalocid (CON), and the other group received a mineral supplement energy-type protein with added LAS. The mean feed intake, the body weight (BW), the average daily gain (ADG), the body condition score (BCS), and ovarian cyclicity were recorded, and economic parameters were calculated. No differences in supplement intake were observed between the groups, which ensures adequate intake of the other components of the mineral mixture, which are part of the nutritional requirements for the production process. Similarly, no difference in the ADG was observed between treatments. We observed that the heifers in the LAS group had a higher BW gain (51 kg) that the CON heifers (40 kg; P?<?0.05). In addition, LAS-supplemented heifers had a higher BCS (3.53) than CON heifers (3.38) at the end of the experiment (P?<?0.05). The heifers supplemented with LAS had a higher profitability than the CON heifers, even with the higher cost of the supplement containing LAS; this effect was due to the higher live BW at the end of the study. We concluded that the administration of a mineral supplement energy-type protein with added LAS has beneficial effects on beef heifers in terms of production and economic feasibility.     

Genetics components of rice root architecture and carbon isotopic fractionation parameters: a tracer for breeding in a water-saving irrigation management

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Phenotyping is the major bottleneck in the effort to develop varieties of rice (Oryza sativa L.) suitable for growing under a water-saving irrigation...     

Asynchronous Growth of the Canine Radius and Ulna: Surgical Correction following Experimental Premature Closure of the Distal Radial Physis

Marked lameness and elbow incongruity occurred in seven 21-week-old dogs following experimental premature closure of the distal radial physis at 10 weeks of age. Midradial transverse osteotomies and bone plate stabilization performed on five dogs resulted in marked reduction of elbow incongruity and forelimb lameness. Two dogs had no surgery and served as controls for the surgical procedure. At 50 weeks of age the proximal radial articular surface was displaced 5.3 mm farther from the coronoid process in control dogs as compared to dogs having transverse radial osteotomy. Markedly worse clinical, radiographic, and pathologic changes in the control group demonstrated the importance of reestablishing and preserving elbow congruity when treating asynchronous growth of the canine forelimb caused by premature closure of the distal radial physis. The technique described is recommended as one method to treat premature distal radial physeal closure clinically.     

Productivity and nutritional value of BRS capiaçu grass (Pennisetum purpureum) managed at four regrowth ages in a semiarid region

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The objective of this study was to evaluate the productivity, productive efficiency, and nutritional value of the elephant grass cultivar BRS capiaçu...