Genotype x environment interactions for fatty acid profiles in Bos indicus and Bos taurus finished on pasture or grain

A study was conducted to characterize lipid profiles in the M. longissimus thoracis of commercial Brazilian beef and to assess how those profiles are influenced by finishing system, genetic group, and their interaction. Intramuscular fat (IMF) and fatty acid (FA) profiles were determined in 160 bulls of the Bos taurus (n = 75) and Bos indicus (n = 85) genetic groups, finished on pasture (n = 46) or with grain supplementation (n = 114) and slaughtered in a commercial abattoir. Finishing system had a major impact on the deposition of IMF, as well as on the concentration of SFA, PUFA, and their ratio, but genetic groups showed important differences in the ability to convert SFA into cis-9 MUFA and to convert 16:0 into 18:0. When compared with pasture-finished animals, those finished with grain had greater content of IMF and SFA (P < 0.01), similar amounts of MUFA (P > 0.05), and about one-half the amount of PUFA (P < 0.01). Except for MUFA, differences in FA profiles among finishing systems were mostly mediated through their effect on IMF, even though the relationship of IMF with groups of FA differed among finishing systems. Under grain finishing, B. taurus had less SFA and greater MUFA than B. indicus (P < 0.01), but no differences were observed in PUFA (P > 0.05). With pasture-finishing, no differences were observed among the 2 genetic groups in SFA and MUFA (P > 0.05), but PUFA were decreased in B. taurus (P < 0.01). When genetic groups were compared in grain-finishing, B. taurus had a decreased ability for elongation and B. indicus had a decreased aptitude for desaturation of FA. On the other hand, with pasture-finishing a greater deposition of intermediate FA from ruminal biohydrogenation was observed in B. indicus than in B. taurus. Overall, FA profiles were affected more by finishing system in B. indicus than in B. taurus.     

Brucella-associated cervical bursitis in cattle

Bovine brucellosis poses a risk to human health and causes serious economic losses for the animal industry. This report describes the use of different diagnostic methods for the diagnosis of brucellosis in cattle affected by cervical bursitis from a slaughterhouse located in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. Serum samples from a total of 47 cattle with bursitis were collected and submitted to the Rose Bengal Test (RBT), and RBT-positive samples were further confirmed by the 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) assay. RBT indicated 85.1% (40/47) of positive samples, from which 78.7% (37/47) were confirmed by 2-ME. Immunohistochemistry detected Brucella spp. in 34.0% (16/47) of tissues with bursitis. PCR and/or bacterial isolation demonstrated that 63.8% (30/47) of samples were positive and morphologically compatible with Brucella sp. All colonies suggestive of Brucella sp. were confirmed by PCR. Isolates were further characterized by PCR Multiplex AMOS-ENHANCED, which indicated that the isolates corresponded to biovar 1, 2, 4 (43.33%). This study evidences an association between cervical bursitis and Brucella spp. infection in cattle, and that different biovars of Brucella circulate in bovine herds in Maranhão.

     

Dermatosparaxis in two Limousin calves

Background

An unusual presentation of skin disease was identified in two related neonatal Pedigree Limousin calves presented to University Veterinary Hospital, University College Dublin, following detailed post mortem examination a diagnosis of dermatosparaxis was made. Dermatosparaxis in animals or Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, which is the analogous condition seen in humans, is a connective tissue disorder characterised by extreme skin fragility. To the authors’ knowledge this is the first report of such a diagnosis in the Limousin breed and the features of this lethal phenotype were severe in comparison to previous reports of the condition.

Case presentation

Two calves, which were full siblings, a pedigree Limousin bull (Calf A) and pedigree Limousin heifer (Calf B) were examined clinically after presenting collapsed since birth, both had grossly abnormal skin with multiple skin fissures visible and both calves were subsequently euthanised. Both calves underwent gross post mortem examination, after which histological samples were reviewed and electron microscopical examination of selected skin samples was carried out. Histological features of dysplastic dermal collagen were identified. The diagnosis of dermatosparaxis in the Limousin breed was confirmed. Genetic testing was conducted to determine if the current cases had the same mutation as has previously been described in Belgian Blue cattle. Some common parentage was traced but genetic testing did not show a similar mutation to that previously described in cattle. The specific genetic cause in this case is unknown.

Conclusions

This is the first report of dermatosparaxis in the Limousin and the presentation of the dermatosparaxis phenotype has some noteworthy features thus further genetic testing is required to pinpoint the causative mutation or other genetic defect. Given the popularity of the breed and the lethal nature of the phenotype in this case it is important to raise awareness of the condition.

     

Efficiency of entomopathogenic fungi in the control of eggs and larvae of the horn fly Haematobia irritans (Diptera: Muscidae)

The present study assessed the pathogenic effect of isolates E9, IBCB425 and IBCB159 of the Metarhizium anisopliae fungus, JAB06, JAB07 and AM09 of Beauveria bassiana, IBCB133 and CB75 of Isaria fumosorosea (=Paecilomyces fumosoroseus) and CG189 and CG195 of Isaria farinosa (=Paecilomyces farinosus) against eggs and larvae of the horn fly Haematobia irritans. Eggs were inoculated with suspensions containing 10⁶, 10⁷ and 10⁸ conidia ml⁻¹ of the fungal isolates and observed after 48 h to determine viability. In the larvae study, eggs were allowed to hatch into fresh bovine feces that had been treated with 10⁸, 10⁷ or 10⁶ conidia mg feces⁻¹. In both studies, 5 days after initial procedures, all formed pupae were transferred to an incubator at 27 ± 0.5 °C until the emergence of the adult flies was complete. The M. anisopliae isolates did not cause the death of H. irritans eggs, but they did promote the death of larvae that hatched from treated eggs, and therefore increased the total mortality. Isolate E9 promoted 100% mortality of treated larvae at a concentration of 10⁸ conidia ml⁻¹. For the B. bassiana isolates, no activity was observed against insect eggs or larvae. Both I. fumosorosea isolates promoted significant mortality (p < 0.05) of eggs at every concentration of conidia. Isolate CG195 of I. farinosa increased the mortality of larvae and pupae that hatched from treated eggs and promoted significant total mortality (p < 0.05) of the insect at every concentration of conidia.     

‘Swingle’ citrumelo propagation by cuttings for citrus nursery tree production or inarching

‘Swingle’ citrumelo [Citrus paradisi MacFaden × Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.] has been extensively used as a rootstock in several citrus growing regions of the World, including Southern Brazil where ‘Rangpur’ lime (Citrus limonia Osbeck) is still the predominant variety despite being affected by several important pathogens. In this case, ‘Swingle’ citrumelo is used to produce nursery trees to establish new orchards or to be inarched in adult and healthy groves in order to change the rootstock. We report herein a system to produce trees on ‘Swingle’ citrumelo more rapidly by budding onto non-rooted cuttings, as well as assessing potential to rapidly multiply ‘Swingle’ through rooting of non-budded cuttings. Therefore, two potential products are described: budded trees and rooted rootstock cuttings. ‘Valencia’ sweet orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] was budded at different heights on cuttings derived from eight-month old rootstocks. Grafted and additional non-budded cuttings were then treated with indole-3-butyric acid (500 mg L⁻¹) or left untreated before rooting. Three types of cuttings were evaluated: softwood, semi-hardwood and hardwood. The use of nursery trees derived from pre-budded hardwood cuttings of ‘Swingle’ citrumelo is an alternative grafting method on this cultivar. Softwood cuttings with one leaf pair were considered the most adequate material for rapid multiplication of ‘Swingle’ citrumelo by cutting. This could be particularly useful for inarching production or conventional budding after transplant of cutting-derived rootstocks.     

Sequential medium with GH and IGF‐1 improved in vitro development of bovine preantral follicles enclosed in ovarian tissue

The growth hormone (GH) and growth insulin‐like factor‐1 (IGF‐1) act directly upon the regulation and growth in the different phases of preantral follicles. Thus, it is necessary to define their sequentiality until the in vitro preovulatory development. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the effects of a sequential medium containing GH and/or IGF‐1 in the long‐duration in vitro culture of preantral ovarian follicles. Ovarian fragments were cultivated: first half (days 1–7), second half (days 7–14) or during 14 culture days. Treatments were identified as: αMEM+; GH → IGF‐1; IGF‐1 → GH and GH + IGF‐1. The culture was designed in 24‐well plates, in an incubator at 37°C and 5% CO₂. The parameters of normality, viability, follicles (primordial/in developing) and follicle diameter were evaluated. In addition, the ultrastructure was confirmed with electron transmission microscopy. The results showed that the culture treated with GH → IGF‐1 kept the follicular normality and the viability until the 14th day of culture and increased both in the follicular development until 7th day and in the follicular diameter until 14th day, when compared to the control. The treatments IGF‐1 → GH and GH + IGF‐1 were not effective in the developing and follicular diameter after 7 days of culture, and also reduced the percentage of viability. It is concluded that the bovine preantral follicles cultured in the sequential medium treated with GH → IGF‐1 improved the follicular development until the first half of the culture and kept these parameters with normality, viability and ultrastructure until the second half of the in vitro culture.     

Vegetative compatibility groups and parasexual segregation in Colletotrichum acutatum isolates infecting different hosts

Heterokaryosis is an important mechanism which provides genetic variability increase in filamentous fungi. In order to assess the diversity of vegetative compatibility reactions existing among Colletotrichum acutatum isolates derived from different hosts, complementary nit mutants of each isolate were obtained and paired in all possible combinations. Vegetative compatibility groups (VCG) were identified among the isolates according to their ability to form viable heterokaryons. Seven VCGs were identified among the isolates, one of which contained isolates from different hosts. VCGs 2 and 6 contained two and three members, respectively; VCG-3 contained four members, and four VCGs (1, 4, 5, and 7) contained a single one. This study shows, for the first time, the isolation and the parasexual segregation of a heterozygous diploid sector derived from the heterokaryon formed with nit mutants from VCG-6. Diploid, named DE-3, showed nit+ phenotype and growth rate similar to the parental wild isolate. When inoculated in the presence of the haploidizing agent benomyl, the diploid strain produced parasexual haploid segregants exhibiting the nit phenotypes of the crossed mutants. Since viable heterokaryons and diploid may be formed among vegetative compatible isolates of C. acutatum, this study suggests that the parasexual cycle may be an alternative source of genetic variability in C. acutatum isolates.     

Exploratory analysis of differences in sperm morphology in Nelore and Gir (Bos indicus) bulls

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of breed and season on semen quality parameters of zebu bulls. Data (1,632 registers) of semen production from Gir (n?=?4) and Nelore (n?=?15) bulls were collected between October 2005 and November 2009. The ejaculates were collected twice a week during various seasons (summer, fall, winter, and spring) and evaluated for the following semen parameters: ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, forward progressive motility (FPM), and sperm morphology. Factor analysis was used to determine the relationship among variables. The effect of breed (Gir and Nelore) and season and their cross effect on each parameter and extracted factor were tested using ANOVA. A negative correlation (P?<?0.05) was observed between FPM and proximal droplet, as well as with abnormal loose head, abnormal small head, pouch formation, abnormal mid-peace, and strongly folded tail. Gir bull sperm showed more major defects, detached acrosome, and minor FPM (P?<?0.01), whereas Nelore bulls showed a higher number of sperm with normally loose head.     

Genetic potential of a maize population from Southern Brazil for the modified convergent–divergent selection scheme

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a very important cereal to world-wide economy which is also true for Brazil, particularly in the South region. Grain yield and plant height have been chosen as important criteria by breeders and farmers from Santa Catarina State (SC), Brazil. The objective of this work was to estimate genetic-statistic parameters associated with genetic gain for grain yield and plant height, in the first cycle of convergent–divergent half-sib selection in a maize population (MPA1) cultivated by farmers within the municipality of Anchieta (SC). Three experiments were carried out in different small farms at Anchieta using low external agronomic inputs; each experiment represented independent samples of half-sib families, which were evaluated in randomized complete blocks with three replications per location. Significant differences among half-sib families were observed for both variables in all experiments. The expected responses to truncated selection of the 25% better families in each experiment were 5.1, 5.8 and 5.2% for reducing plant height and 3.9, 5.7 and 5.0% for increasing grain yield, respectively. The magnitudes of genetic-statistic parameters estimated evidenced that the composite population MPA1 exhibits enough genetic variability to be used in cyclical process of recurrent selection. There were evidences that the genetic structure of the base population MPA1, as indicated by its genetic variability, may lead to expressive changes in the traits under selection, even under low selection pressure.