Milk production and feeding behavior of lactating cows supplemented with a dry fungus fermentation product that expresses residual fibrolytic enzyme activity / Produção de leite e comportamento alimentar de vacas em lactação suplementadas com um produto de fermentação de fungo seco que expressa atividade de enzima fibrolítica residual

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation with a product of fermentation of dry fungi expressing residual enzymatic fibrolytic activity on the productive and behavioral performance of lactating cows. The study was carried out on a commercial dairy farm. 36 Holstein cows divided into two groups (control and supplemented) were evaluated for 23 days. The product came from a commercial source MAXFIBER® (Provita Supplements, Pinneberg / Germany) and was supplied in the amount of 10g / animal / day. The total digestibility of the mixed feed, the individual milk production, the feeding behavior in intelligent feeders (Intergado®), and the behavior of the animals were verified using cowMed animal monitoring collars (ChipInside® Technology / Santa Maria / RS / Brazil). Supplementation affected the animals' behavior, with an increase in activity time (P = 0.002) and a tendency to decrease in rumination time (P = 0.08). There was an increase in the frequency of ingestion (P = 0.001) and the duration of the meal (P = 0.001). Milk production was higher in the supplemented group (P = 0.05). The use of this additive alters the animals' behavior, reflecting an increase in milk production.

Use of postpartum body condition score to identify the most fertile beef cows raised in extensive operations

The assessment of postpartum body condition score in beef cattle may be a useful tool to recommend technologies to improve reproductive efficiency based on nutrition and reproductive management. The variability and repeatability of body condition scores between 60-90 d postpartum were investigated in order to verify the possibility that such assessments could indicate the inheritance of fertility in beef cows. In three consecutive years a total of 3721 cows predominantly Hereford purebreds and crossbreds, kept on natural pastures in seven farms in the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, were evaluated. More than 60% of these cows had intermediate to superior body condition score (scale of five classes), varying significantly among farms and years studied. A low repeatability of scores in the same animal in two or three consecutive years was found, refuting the possibility of direct selection for higher fertility as a function of body condition score. Although the scoring system does not define fertility phenotypes, it allows the identification of the one in every 200 cows with the characteristic of being pregnant and maintaining high body condition scores during three consecutive years, which may serve as base animals for future genome association studies employing single nucleotide polymorphisms

Caracterização molecular de isolados de escherichia coli em casos de diarreia neonatal bovina / Molecular characterization of escherichia coli isolates in cases of bovine neonatal diarrhea

A E. coli caracteriza-se como o agente etiológico mais diagnosticado em casos de diarreia neonatal bovina, todavia esta bactéria nem sempre é a causadora da enfermidade, tendo em vista que alguns sorovares possuem fatores de virulência não capazes de causar a doença. Sendo assim o objetivo do corrente estudo foi identificar genes de virulência de diferentes sorovares de E. coli presentes em amostras de fezes de bezerras acometidas por diarreia, através da técnica de PCR. Foram acompanhadas 14 bezerras diarreicas da raça Holandês. A partir do diagnóstico de diarreia, eram realizadas coletas de fezes nos dias 0 e 7 onde era realizado isolamento e identificação do agente bacteriano e posterior extração do DNA genômico dos isolados e caracterização genotípica através da reação em cadeia de polimerase (PCR). A partir do cultivo microbiológico das fezes, foi possível a identificação de Escherichia coli em 100% (n=17) das amostras coletadas. Através da análise de PCR, foram identificados genes de hemolisina (hlyA) em 32,35% das amostras, 8,82% foram positivas para produtoras de toxina shiga (stx1), 8,82% apresentavam o gene intimina (eae), 8,82% apresentavam a toxina termoestável A (estlA) e ainda 41,19% das amostras foram negativas para esses genes pesquisados (não patogênicas). Diante do exposto, fica evidente a importância do conhecimento dos sorovares e fatores de virulência que caracterizam a patogenia da diarreia de bezerros de modo a compreender a epidemiologia, a manifestação clínica e o diagnóstico correto

Avaliação dos níveis de vitamina D3 e progesterona sob o comportamento alimentar de vacas leiteiras no pós-parto recente: Evaluation of vitamin D3 and progesterone levels under the feeding behavior of dairy cows in the recent postpartum period

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a influência da Progesterona (P4) e 25-hidroxivitamina D (VitD3) plasmática sobre o comportamento alimentar de vacas leiteiras durante a primeira semana pós-parto. Foram utilizadas 41 vacas da raça Holandês, multíparas, ECC de 3,0 a 3,5, de 2 a 4 lactações. Durante os dias 0 (dia do parto), 1, 2, 3 e 7 pós-parto foram mensurados o consumo, tempo de consumo, número de visitas ao cocho com e sem consumo, através dos alimentadores automáticos (Intergado®) e o tempo de ruminação, atividade e ócio a partir das coleiras inteligentes do tipo “C-TECH” (Cowmed Assistant®). Além disso, foram realizadas coletas sanguíneas nos mesmos dias para análise de VitD3, P4, glicose e ácidos graxos livres. A produção de colostro foi registrada até 7 dias pós-parto e a produção de leite foi registrada até 60 dias pós-parto através do software (DELPRO® Windows, DeLaval, MG, Brasil). No dia 0, os animais foram categorizados a partir dos níveis de VitD3, sendo que os animais que apresentaram níveis de VitD3 > 60ng/mL, foram alocados no grupo ALTAD3 (n=18), abaixo deste valor, foram direcionadas para o grupo MODERADAD3 (35 e 60ng/mL; n= 23). Os mesmos animais também foram categorizados em relação aos níveis de P4, sendo os que apresentaram concentrações de P4 > 0,70ng/mL foram alocados no grupo MAIORP4 (n=24) e abaixo deste valor (0,20 e 0,70ng/mL; n=17), no grupo MENORP4. Os grupos foram analisados separadamente entre ALTAD3 e MODERADAD3 e entre MENORP4 e MAIORP4. O grupo MENORP4 apresentou maior produção de colostro (30,03 ± 1,08; P = 0,03) e leite (44,95 ± 0,40; P = 0,02), maior número de visitas aos cochos com consumo (38,17 ± 1,55; P = 0,001) e tempo de ruminação (619,87 ± 18,49 ; P = 0,001) em comparação ao grupo MAIORP4. Além disso, o grupo ALTAD3 apresentou menor número de visitas aos cochos com (31,03 ± 1,72; P = 0,001) e sem (18,01 ± 1,73; P = 0,001) consumo do que os animais do grupo MODERADAD3. Houve correlação negativa entre os níveis de P4 e o tempo de ruminação nos grupos MENORP4 (r = -0,71; P = 0,01), ALTAD3 (r = -0,55; P = 0,03) e MODERADAD3 (r = -0,38; P = 0,01). A partir deste estudo, foi possível concluir, que os animais do grupo MENORP4 apresentaram maior produção de colostro e leite, número de visitas aos cochos com consumo e tempo de ruminação do que vacas do grupo MAIORP4. Já os animais do grupo ALTAD3 apresentaram menor número de visitas aos cochos com e sem consumo do que os animais do grupo MODERADAD3. Analisar os níveis P4 e VitD3, no dia do parto de vacas leiteiras, pode auxiliar no aperfeiçoamento do manejo das propriedades, pois, podem ter influência sob o comportamento alimentar e produção dos animais

Effect of GnRH or Estradiol Benzoate on Reproductive Traits during a Heatsynch Protocol in Dairy Cows

Background: Milk production of cows is closely correlated with its reproductive efficiency. One of the several factors influencing the dairy efficiency is the decline in fertility of the cows/heifers. Use of hormonal protocol are often used to improve the fertility of the recipients. Several programs are available to inseminate dairy cows, with variation in the use of different types of hormones, time of use and range of duration period, as well as the time of AI. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of follicular wave emergence induction of estradiol benzoate in comparison to GnRH in a Heatsynch protocol and its influence on reproductive parameters.Materials, Methods & Results: In this study were used primiparous and multiparous Holstein cows (n = 325). Animals were divided randomly into two different treatments according with the hormone used to induce follicular wave emergence (D0). The GnRH group (n = 167), was given 25 mg, while in the EB group (n = 158) was used 2 mg. At same day, were inserted, a controlled internal drug-releasing containing 1.9 g of progesterone CIDR®. On day 7, CIDR was removed and cows were given 25 mg luteinizing hormone followed by an injection of 1 mg Inducer Ovulation at day 8. Cows were then observed for signs of estrus for at least two hours (twice daily at 7 am and 6 pm) for three days following CIDR® removal. Cows detected in estrus were inseminated 12 h later the estrus detection. Pregnancy status was determined by ultrasonography at 30 ± 5 d and 60 ± 5 d after AI. A single technician was responsible for the estrus detection and inseminations. A single technician was responsible for the estrus detection and inseminations. Ultrassonographic examinations with ultrasound, transrectal linear probe of 5 MHz, were performed for the diagnosis of pregnancy at 30 and 60 days after artificial insemination. Binomially distributed data, such as, estrous response, conception rate, pregnancy rate and pregnancy losses, were analyzed by Chi-square test. Pregnancy rates at 30-35 days and 60-65 days as well as pregnancy losses were considered in the model for the effect of parity (primiparous vs. multiparous) and the group of estrus behavior during the Heatsynch protocol. Conception rate was similar between GnRH (36.1%, 57/158) and EB (37.7%, 63/167) treatments. Cows showing estrus signs after CIDR removed were 71.9% in GnRH and 62% in EB group (P = 0.05). Embryonic losses were different (P = 0.03) according to groups of cows showing estrus signals or not.Discussion: Our results demonstrate that conception rates are not affected by using either EB or GnRH at the beginning of the Heatsynch protocol. Therefore, the EB can be an alternative choice to GnRH at Heatsynch beginning. Similar results were found by autor in dairy cows, once it was also observed that there is no difference in conception rate in two TAI protocols using either GnRH or EB. In Heatsynch protocols the increase in estrus detection are a key factor to increase fertility in lactating dairy cows. It can be explained once animals in regular estrous cycle have a palpable corpus luteum and circulating progesterone concentration higher than 1 ng/mL which leads than to enhance pregnancy ratios. The use of BE at the time of CIDR insertion in TAI protocols for dairy cattle proved to be an alternative to GnRH considering conception rates. Therefore, the use of BE at the time of CIDR insertion in a Heatsynch protocol in dairy cattle proved to be an alternative to GnRH which can be an important tool to increase the TAI utilization by farmers. Furthermore, in Heatsynch protocol cows showing estrus have pregnancy rates improved and lower pregnancy losses

Use of the Rumination Profile Through Collar Sensors for Mastitis Diagnosis in Dairy Cows

Background: Mastitis is an inflammatory disease of the mammary gland, mostly associated with bacterial infections. It is responsible for great economic losses due to decreased milk yield, discarded milk, milk composition alterations and treatment costs, besides it impairs the animal health and welfare. The rumination time is an important behavioral marker and its assessment can be used as an early diagnosis tool, which can improve cure rate. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the sensitivity of behavior monitoring system collars in the diagnosis of mastitis and the average rumination time (RT) of Holstein cows during the healthy period and affected by the disease.Materials, Methods & Results: The study was conducted on a commercial property located in the municipality of Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The RT data from 39 multiparous Holstein cows with an average milk yield of 38.4 L/day was collected. RT monitoring was performed using C-Tech1 collars combined with CowMed® software, which assess behavior data from the animals and emits warning signals when it finds abnormalities in any parameter. In order to verify whether the animals were determined correlated with diseases, the sensitivity of the data was evaluated, when the system had given the alert to animals considered ill, they underwent to a further clinical evaluation performed by a veterinarian to confirm the diagnosis. From the diagnosis, the cows were divided into subclinical mastitis (SM) and clinical mastitis (CM) groups. SM was detected by the Californian Mastitis Test (CMT) and cows that were graded 1 (++), 2 (++) or 3 (+++) without the presence of any other clinical sign were assigned to the SM group. CM was assessed by observation of abnormalities in milk such as changes in color and consistency, as well as the presence of lumps, clots or blood; and clinical examination of the udder was performed for detection of hot, hard, swollen or painful quarters. Thereafter, variations in the mean RT between the healthy (15 days) and sick periods (days when there was an alert) were evaluated. For the identification of the etiological agents involved in the cases of CM, microbiological cultures were performed on Accumast® plates with milk samples, which were incubated at a temperature of 37°C and the diagnosis of the pathogens were performed after16 h of incubation. During the study, 57 cases of mastitis were observed, 42 were SM and 15 were CM. The sensitivity of the system, which is the ability to detect positive cases of the disease, was 73.8% for SM and 73.3% for MC. The RT of the animals were compared individually during the healthy period with the sick period and it was observed that SM reduced the RT by 5.33% whereas MC reduced the RT by 14.9%.Discussion: The maximum RT values were lower during the disease period in relation to the period in which the animals were healthy, for both SM and CM, which is due to the fact that the disease is responsible for causing inappetence in animals, among other clinical signs, therefore, reducing feed consumption. The lowest variation in RT, between the healthy and sick period, was observed in cases of SM, which was already expected, since the clinical form tends to cause more discomfort to the animals. As for the main etiological agents involved in the clinical condition, Streptococcus agalactiae and S. uberis were detected. In view of the above, the evaluation of the mean RT of multiparous dairy cows was efficient in the predictive diagnosis of SM and CM up to 2 days before the onset of the disease. In addition, the variability of this result demonstrated that animals with subclinical cases presented less fluctuation in RT

Utilização de sulfonamidas para o tratamento de diarreia neonatal bovina: parâmetros clínicos e zootécnicos

Este estudo foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar parâmetros clínicos, hematológicos e zootécnicos de bezerras acometidas por diarreia provocada pelo agente bacteriano Escherichia coli, tratadas com três diferentes protocolos contendo sulfonamidas. Quatorze bezerras da raça Holandês foram monitoradas do nascimento até os 60 dias de vida e divididas em 3 grupos: Grupo 1 (n=5), animais tratados com a dose de 80g de Kaopek®, Ibasa, Brasil, por via oral (VO), dissolvido em 160ml de água a cada 24 horas; Grupo 2 (n=4) receberam sulfadiazina e trimetropim (Ibatrim®, Ibasa, Brasil), na dose de 16mg/Kg de peso vivo, por dia, por via intramuscular (IM); Grupo 3 (n=5) 80g de Kaopek®, Ibasa, Brasil, por VO dissolvido em 160ml de água, a cada 24 horas e com 16mg/Kg de peso vivo, por dia, de sulfadiazina e trimetoprim (Ibatrim®, Ibasa, Brasil), por via IM. Durante o estudo, os animais foram avaliados clinicamente e a partir do diagnóstico de diarreia foram coletadas amostras de fezes para a identificação do agente bacteriano, antibiograma, reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) e exames coproparasitológicos. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas para avaliação do perfil hematológico e o perfil zootécnico foi acompanhado semanalmente. No exame clínico, todas as bezerras apresentaram redução na temperatura corporal (<39,2°C) e melhora na hidratação após o período de tratamento (p=0,31), porém o grupo 2 obteve maior concentração de linfócitos e PPT em relação aos demais, assim como melhor desempenho zootécnico, além disso em 100% das amostras de fezes foi detectado E. coli. Sendo assim, os protocolos terapêuticos com sulfonamidas utilizados para o tratamento da diarreia neonatal bovina foram eficazes na melhora clínica dos animais. Porém, o protocolo com terapia sistêmica com sulfadiazina e trimetoprim (Ibatrim®, Ibasa, Brasil) por via intramuscular proporcionou um melhor desempenho zootécnico, com melhor ganho de peso e desenvolvimento corporal dos animais.This study was developed to evaluate the clinical, hematological, and performance parameters of calves affected by diarrhea caused by the bacterial enteric pathogen Escherichia coli, treated with three different protocols containing sulfonamides. Fourteen Holstein calves were monitored from birth to 60 days of age, and divided into 3 groups. Group 1 (n=5) animals were treated with 80 g of Kaopek®, Ibasa, Brazil, administered orally (BM), dissolved in 160 ml of water every 24 h; Group 2 (n=4) received IM sulfadiazine and trimethoprim (Ibatrim®, Ibasa, Brazil), and Group 3 (n=5) animals were treated with 80 g of Kaopek®, Ibasa, Brazil, which is made up of 16 g of phthalylsulfathiazole, associated with 2.28 g neomycin sulfate, 1.6 g of pectin, and 80 g of kaolin, dissolved in 160 ml of water and administered every 24 h by mouth, in addition to sulfadiazine and trimethoprim (Ibatrim®, Ibasa, Brazil), at a daily dose of 16 mg/kg live weight, through IM injection. During the study, the animals were clinically evaluated, and once they were diagnosed with diarrhea, feces samples were collected to identify the bacterial enteric pathogen, antibiogram, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and coproparasitological exams. Blood samples were collected to evaluate the hematological profile, and the performance profile was monitored weekly. In the clinical examination, all calves presented a reduction in body temperature (<39.2°C) and some improvement in hydration after treatment (p=0,31). However, group 2 had a better concentration of lymphocytes and TP concerning the other animals, as well as better performance. Besides, E.coli was detected in 100% of feces samples. Thus, the therapeutic protocols with sulfonamides used to treat bovine neonatal diarrhea were effective in the clinical improvement of the animals. Nonetheless, the protocol with systemic therapy using sulfadiazine and trimethoprim (Ibatrim®, Ibasa, Brazil) intramuscularly, provided better performance, with better weight gain, and body development of the animals.

Effect of a yeast compound on the incidence of diarrhea in calves raised in different housing systems

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito da suplementação de um produto composto de cultura de levedura e levedura enzimaticamente hidrolisada na incidência de diarreia e no desenvol¬vimento corporal de bezerras leiteiras submetidas à diferentes sistemas de alojamento. Foram usadas cento e dezenove bezerras mantidas em dois sistemas de alojamento e divididas aleatoriamente em dois grupos: grupo levedura (n = 62, 36 ao ar livre e 26 no curral) e grupo controle (n = 57, 30 ao ar livre e 27 no curral). O grupo levedura foi tratado com 8 ml de cultura de levedura / animal, que foi administrada oralmente uma vez por dia durante 42 dias. As medidas zootécnicas foram analisadas e a incidência de diarreia infecciosa foi monitorada, também foram realizadas coletas de sangue e fezes. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância por medidas repetidas do Software SAS, Tukey’s HSD e Teste Qui quadrado, sendo considerado diferença estatística (p≤0,05). Os animais do grupo controle criados ao ar livre apresentaram maior incidência de diarreia (80,00%) quando comparado aos animais do grupo tratamento (55,55%) (p=0,03). O período de maior incidência de diarreia (96,92%) foi nos primeiros 15 dias de vida (p<0,001). As análises bacteriológicas de fezes mostraram que 53,38% apresentaram Enterococcus sp. e 46,61% Eschechiria coli. Após o diagnóstico de diarreia, ambos os grupos (controle e levedura) apresentaram leucocitose. Conclui-se que a suplementação oral de levedura para animais criados ao ar livre foi capaz de reduzir os efeitos dos desafios causados por esse sistema, diminuindo a incidência de diarreia.The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation of a product composed of yeast culture and enzymatically hydrolyzed yeast on the incidence of diarrhea and on the body development of dairy calves submitted to different housing systems. One hundred and nineteen calves were used in two housing systems and randomly divided into two groups: yeast group (n = 62, 36 outdoors and 26 in the corral) and control group (n = 57, 30 outdoors and 27 in the corral). The yeast group was treated with 8 ml of yeast / animal culture, which was administered orally once daily for 42 days. The zootechnical measures were analyzed and the incidence of infectious diarrhea was monitored, blood and feces were also collected. The data were submitted to analysis of variance by repeated measures of the SAS Software, Tukey’s HSD and Chi-square test, being considered a statistical difference (p≤0.05). The animals in the control group raised outdoors had a higher incidence of diarrhea (80.00%) when compared to animals in the treatment group (55.55%) (p = 0.03). The period with the highest incidence of diarrhea (96.92%) was in the first 15 days of life (p <0.001). The bacteriological analysis of feces showed that 53.38% had Enterococcus sp. and 46.61% Eschechiria coli. after the diagnosis of diarrhea, both groups (control and yeast) presented leukocytosis. It is concluded that oral yeast supplementation for animals raised in the open was able to reduce the effects of the challenges caused by this system, decreasing the incidence of diarrhea

Efeito da utilização de Doramectina 1 % (dual oil) sob o tratamento anti-helmíntico e ganho de peso de bezerros de corte / Effect of the use of Doramectin 1 % (dual oil) in deworming and weight gain in beef calves

Bezerros são uma categoria animal de extrema importância dentro do sistema pecuário, necessitando atenção em relação a parasitoses gastrointestinais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi demonstrar os efeitos de um antihelmíntico no ganho de peso e controle de helmintos em bezerros de corte. Foram utilizados 40 bezerros, da raça Angus, com 45 a 100 dias de idade, peso médio 112,9 ± 19 Kg divididos em dois grupos: Grupo Tratamento (n = 20), composto por animais que receberam 1 mL / 50 Kg de peso vivo do produto doramectina 1 % e Grupo Controle (n = 20), composto por animais que não receberam algum tratamento. Foram realizadas 2 pesagens para avaliação do ganho médio diário (GMD) durante o período experimental e, 4 coletas de fezes para realização de exame parasitológico contagem de ovos por grama de fezes (O.P.G.). O resultado do O.P.G. não apresentou diferença estatística entre os grupos (p &gt; 0,05), contudo, o GMD em Kg do Grupo Tratamento foi superior ao do Grupo Controle (p &lt;0,0001), apresentando GMD de 0,884 Kg e 0,446 Kg, respectivamente. Em suma, o tratamento com doramectina 1% (dual oil) foi eficaz em bezerros de corte no aumento do ganho de peso durante o período estudado.

Efeitos de lipopolissacarídeos na ativação e apoptose de folículos ovarianos primordiais em novilhas

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration on activation and apoptosis of primordial follicles. There was no difference in the total number of follicles as well as in the different types of follicles. Furthermore, the LPS challenge didn’t modulate the expression of genes related with ovarian reserve (HAM), oocyte survival (Survivin), activation rate (Pten, KIT, KITL1, KITL2, AKT1, SIRT1), and follicular abnormalities. Therefore, the LPS exposure with 24h interval had no effect on activation rate and primordial follicles abnormalities, and also had no effect on expression of anti-apoptotic genes and genes related with ovarian reserve, oocyte survival, activation rate, and primordial follicles abnormalities.O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito da administração de lipopolissacarídeo (LPS) na ativação e a apoptose de folículos primordiais. Dez novilhas saudáveis (Bos taurus taurus), com idade média de 14 meses, alojadas em sistema de confinamento e alimentadas com TMR, foram utilizadas neste experimento. Os animais foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em dois grupos: grupo LPS (LPS; n = 5), que recebeu duas injeções intravenosas de 0,5μg/kg de peso corporal de lipopolissacarídeo (Sigma Aldrich®) diluído em 2mL de solução salina (0,9% de NaCl), com intervalo de 24h; e grupo controle (CTR; n = 5), que recebeu duas injeções intravenosas de 2mL de solução salina (0,9% de NaCl), com intervalo de 24h. A primeira injeção de LPS foi realizada no d 1, e no d 5 os animais foram abatidos, os ovários foram pesados e as amostras dos ovários foram coletadas para avaliação histológica e molecular. Não houve diferença no número total de folículos, bem como nos diferentes tipos de folículos. Além disso, o desafio com LPS não modulou a expressão de genes relacionados à reserva ovariana (HAM), à sobrevivência oocitária (Survivin), à taxa de ativação (Pten, KIT, KITL1, KITL2, AKT1, SIRT1) e às anormalidades foliculares. Portanto, a exposição ao LPS com intervalo de 24h não teve efeito sobre a taxa de ativação e as anormalidades dos folículos primordiais, bem como não teve efeito sobre a expressão de genes antiapoptóticos e de genes relacionados com a reserva ovariana, a sobrevivência oocitária, a taxa de ativação e as anormalidades dos folículos primordiais