Inclusion of weaning management group as a random effect in the genetic evaluation of postweaning traits in Nellore cattle

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of including weaning management group (WMG) as an uncorrelated random effect in the genetic evaluation of postweaning traits. Data from 186,507 Nellore animals' sons to 1,734 sires and 75,016 cows were analyzed. Three single-trait models were studied. These models included the contemporary group (CG) as a fixed effect and age of animal at measurement and age of dam at calving as covariates, in addition to the direct additive breeding value as random effect. The CGs for postweaning traits varied between models which included or not WMG as part of the concatenation of fixed effects. In the model in which WMG was not part of the CG, the trait was included as an uncorrelated random effect. The results suggest that although no significant effects were observed on genetic parameter estimates or animal ranking, the inclusion of WMG as an uncorrelated random effect increased the number of observations per CG and contributed to maintaining animals in the analysis that would be discarded because they were in a CG with a small number of observations. This model could therefore be recommended for the genetic evaluation of this Nellore population.     

Identification of Apoptotic Bodies in Equine Semen

Apoptosis in the testis is required to ensure an efficient spermatogenesis. However, sometimes, defective germ cells that are marked for elimination during this process escape elimination in the testes, giving rise to ejaculates with increased percentages of abnormal and apoptotic spermatozoa and a high percentage of apoptotic bodies. Apoptosis markers in the ejaculate have been associated with low fertility, either in animals or humans. Therefore, the goal of this study was to investigate whether fresh equine semen contains apoptotic bodies [initially named Merocyanine 540 (M540) bodies] and to study the relationship between the quantity of these bodies and cell concentration, the volume of ejaculate, viability and motility. Moreover, we also studied whether the presence apoptotic bodies in fresh semen was related to the resistance of the stallion spermatozoa to being incubated at 37°C or being frozen and thawed. Fresh equine semen was stained with fluorescent dyes such as M540 and Annexin‐V. Active Caspase 3 was studied in fresh semen through Western blotting and immunofluorescence with a specific antibody. Sperm kinematics was assessed in fresh, incubated and thawed samples using computer‐assisted semen analysis, and viability was evaluated with the LIVE/DEAD Sperm Viability Kit. Overall, our results demonstrate for the first time the presence of apoptotic bodies in equine semen. The quantity of apoptotic bodies was highly variable among stallions and was positively correlated with Caspase 3 activity in fresh samples and negatively correlated with the viability and motility of stallion spermatozoa after the cryopreservation process.     

Systemic Immunosuppression by Methylprednisolone and Pregnancy Rates in Goats Undergoing the Transfer of Cloned Embryos

The presence of the zona pellucida has been perceived as a requirement for the oviductal transfer of cloned embryos at early stages of development while protecting the embryo from an immune system response. We hypothesized that steroid hormone therapy could reduce a potential cellular immune response after the transfer of zona‐free cloned embryos into the oviduct of recipient female goats. In Experiment 1, seven does were used to study the systemic immunosuppressant effect of the methylprednisolone administration (for 3 days) on blood cell counts. Whole blood was collected prior to treatment with methyprednisolone and then on Days 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 14, 21 and 28 after the first dose of methylprednisolone for the analysis of haematological parameters. Methylprednisolone treatment significantly reduced circulating white blood cells and neutrophils in comparison with pre‐treatment levels, demonstrating a systemic immunosuppressant effect. In Experiment 2, a group of 58 does were used as recipient females to study the effect of administration of methylprednisolone for 3 days on the establishment of pregnancies after the transfer of zona‐free cloned embryos into the oviducts. No effects on pregnancy rates on Day 30 were observed regarding the distinct treatment groups (control vs. methylprednisolone), the source of oocytes (in vivo‐ vs in vitro‐matured) or the presence or absence of the zona pellucida in embryos. In summary, methylprednisolone was effective at inducing a systemic immunosuppressed state in goats, but the treatment prior to embryo transfer did not affect pregnancy rates. Moreover, pregnancy rates were similar between zona‐free and zona‐intact goat cloned embryos.     

For how long does the quality and quantity of residues in the soil affect the carbon compartments and CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-C emissions?

Purpose

The mineralization/immobilization of nutrients from the crop residues is correlated with the quality of the plant material and carbon compartments in the recalcitrant and labile soil fractions. The objective of this study was to correlate the quality and quantity of crop residues incubated in the soil with carbon compartments and CO₂-C emission, using multivariate analysis.

Materials and methods

The experiment was conducted in factorial 4?+?2?+?5 with three replicates, referring to three types of residues (control, sugarcane, Brachiaria, and soybean), and two contributions of the crop residues in constant rate, CR (10 Mg ha^?1 residue), and agronomic rate, AR (20, 8, and 5 Mg ha^?1 residue, respectively, for sugarcane, soybean, and Brachiaria), evaluated five times (1, 3, 6, 12, and 48 days after incubation). At each time, we determined the CO₂-C emission, nitrogen and organic carbon in the soil, and the residues. In addition, the microbial biomass and water-soluble, labile, and humic substance carbons fractionated into fulvic acids, humic acids and humin were quantified.

Results and discussion

Higher CO₂-C emissions occurred in the soil with added residue ranging from 0.5 to 1.1 g CO₂-C m^?2 h^?1 in the first 6 days of incubation, and there was a positive correlation with the less labile organic soil fractions as well as residue type. In the final period, after 12 days of soil incubation, there was a higher relation of CO₂-C emission with carbon humin. The sugarcane and soybean residue (20 Mg ha^?1) promoted higher CO₂-C emission and the reduction of carbon residue. The addition of residue contributed to an 82.32 % increase in the emission of CO₂-C, being more significant in the residue with higher nitrogen availability.

Conclusions

This study shows that the quality and quantity of residue added to soil affects the carbon sequestration and CO₂-C emission. In the first 6 days of incubation, there was a higher CO₂-C emission ratio which correlates with the less stable soil carbon compartments as well as residue. In the final period of incubation, there is no effect of quality and quantity of residue added to soil on the CO₂-C emission.

     

Anti-Mullerian hormone and its relationship to ovulation response and fertility in timed AI Bos indicus heifers

This study evaluated the association between plasma anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) concentration and fertility in Nelore (Bos indicus) heifers submitted to timed artificial insemination (TAI). At the onset of the synchronization protocol, heifers (n = 289) received a subcutaneous P4 ear implant (3 mg) and 2 mg of oestradiol benzoate. Eight days later, the P4 implant was removed and 0.5 mg of oestradiol cypionate, prostaglandin (0.265 mg, i.m.) and equine chorionic gonadotropin (300 UI, i.m.) was administered, and TAI was performed 48 hr after ear implant removal. Ovarian ultrasound evaluations were performed to measure number of ovarian follicles, dominant follicle size and ovulation response. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by ultrasound 30 days after AI. Heifers with greater circulating AMH had more antral follicles, a smaller dominant follicle near timed ovulation and lower ovulation response to the timed AI protocol compared to heifers with lower circulating AMH. Although AMH and pregnancy outcome had a quadratic-shaped pattern, AMH was not significantly associated with fertility. In conclusion, heifers with lower AMH had larger follicles towards the end of the synchronization protocol and greater ovulation responses, whereas greater circulating AMH was unrelated to conception success.     

Impact of anthropogenic activity on the Hg concentrations in the Piracicaba river basin (São Paulo State, Brazil)

A sampling and analysis program has been completed between 1995 and 1998 in order to determine mercury concentrations in water, sediments, soils and fish in the Piracicaba river basin, one of the most populated and industrialized regions in Brazil. In sediment, the average Hg concentrations varied between 33 ± 17 ng g^?1 and 106 ± 78 ng g^?1, in samples collected during the rainy and dry season, respectively. The same averages were also found for soil samples (35 ± 14 and 109 ± 61 ng g^?1). In water, the total Hg concentration varied between < 1.1 and 24.0 ng L^?1. In piscivore fish, up to 943 μ g Hg kg^?1 was found. Our results show that all compartments undergo Hg contamination, in view of the levels found in pristine environments. Water contamination seems to be due mainly to diffuse processes of soil erosion and suspension of river bed sediment during the rainy season. Also untreated wastewaters generated by industrial activities and from domestic sewage appear to be potential non-point sources in the most industrialized and populated part of the basin. On the other hand, atmospheric transport of mercury originating from the Campinas Metropolitan Region could be another source of mercury contamination, especially in the basin headwaters.     

THE NATURE AND RADIOGRAPHIC PATTERNS OF PERIOSTEAL RESPONSE IN THE BOVINE

Seventy-five bovine radiographic examinations with definite periosteal response were analyzed for quality and pattern of new bone formation. Three patterns were recognized — amorphous, lamellar, and spiculated; they appeared singly or in various combinations. The lamellar and amorphous types seemed to be generally bone-related: with lamellar predominantly in the metacarpal and metatarsal bones and amorphous in the phalanges. The spiculated pattern in the bovine does not seem to be related to neoplastic processes. Bovine periosteum responded rapidly and with high magnitude.     

A genomewide association mapping study using ultrasound‐scanned information identifies potential genomic regions and candidate genes affecting carcass traits in Nellore cattle

The aim of this study was to identify candidate genes and genomic regions associated with ultrasound‐derived measurements of the rib‐eye area (REA), backfat thickness (BFT) and rumpfat thickness (RFT) in Nellore cattle. Data from 640 Nellore steers and young bulls with genotypes for 290 863 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were used for genomewide association mapping. Significant SNP associations were explored to find possible candidate genes related to physiological processes. Several of the significant markers detected were mapped onto functional candidate genes including ARFGAP3, CLSTN2 and DPYD for REA; OSBPL3 and SUDS3 for BFT; and RARRES1 and VEPH1 for RFT. The physiological pathway related to lipid metabolism (CLSTN2, OSBPL3, RARRES1 and VEPH1) was identified. The significant markers within previously reported QTLs reinforce the importance of the genomic regions, and the other loci offer candidate genes that have not been related to carcass traits in previous investigations.