Genetic evaluation for productive traits in endangered Portuguese Malhado de Alcobaça pig

Malhado de Alcobaça (MA) is a swine breed from center west Portugal, recognized in 2003. Herdbook (LGMA) has information of >17,000 animals (1985-2022). It´s a very endangered breed with only 244 sows, 18 boars and 12 breeders. Within the scope of MA’s genetic conservation plan, for genetic evaluation, genetic parameters and fixed effects were estimated for birth weight (PN), for adjusted weight at 30 d (P30) and at 90 d (P90). Pedigree records (n=16,883) and weighing records (nPN=9,198; nP30=5,799; nP90=2,429) from LGMA of 362 litters were compiled. Genetic parameters and fixed effects, genetic values and precisions were predicted for PN, P30 and P90, through BLUP, with a mixed model including fixed effects of breeder × year of birth, season of birth, sex, age of mother (linear / quadratic effect) and as random effects genetic value of animal, maternal genetic effect and permanent environmental effect of litter. Fixed effects of prolificacy and number of weaned piglets were included as covariates, respectively, in PN and P30/P90 analyses. Mean values for PN 1.32±0.28 kg, 7.16±1.6 kg P30 and 34.1±6.4 kg P90 were recorded. For PN, P30 and P90, respectively, a heritability for direct effects of 0.170±0.156, 0.145±0.161 and 0.293±0.175; a maternal heritability of 0.084±0.109, 0.124±0.173 and 0.250±0.186 and a genetic correlation between direct and maternal effects of -0.344, -0.524 and -0.174 was estimated. Permanent environmental effect of litter was 0.395±0.056 PN, 0.403±0.086 P30 and 0.129±0.047 P90. In fixed effects, a superiority was observed for males of +0.031 kg PN, +0.046 kg P30 and +0.201 P90. Breeder × year effect showed maximum differences of 0.93, 5.21 and 19.25 kg for PN, P30 and P90, respectively, with Spring being the best season of birth. Sow age at farrowing had a quadratic effect for all traits. For each increase of 1 piglet in prolificacy, PN, P30 and P90 were reduced by 4, 7 and 58 g, respectively.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Gastrointestinal parasites as a threat to grazing sheep

Despite pressure to increase farm productivity, a tendency for animal-friendly production systems, like the one that includes grazing, is becoming more common due to an increased consumer awareness of animal welfare. Pasture is generally the main food source for these animals. Grazing sheep are therefore exposed to a huge diversity of parasites. These parasites impact greatly on animal health, welfare and productivity, and can be responsible for high economic losses due to delayed development of lambs and low productivity levels of adult sheep, which can be especially threatening in endangered breeds. Nematodes of the genera Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Teladorsagia, Cooperia and Nematodirus can cause serious health problems in sheep. Haemonchus contortus is responsible for the main health problems in sheep, and represents a significant cause of mortality worldwide. Nematodirus battus is a common cause of lamb diarrhoea. Some trematodes, besides affecting animal health, are zoonotic and may have health implications for farmers and local communities. Prophylaxis plans are essential in order to keep acceptable infection levels. A detailed knowledge of parasite species involved, as well as their burden and prevalence, is necessary. Pasture management should be a primary tool to control parasites. Integration of more than one measure like good farming practices, and appropriate biological control measures is essential to achieve the sustainable control on the parasites. Anti-parasitic drugs are still an important part of parasite control in grazing sheep. Consumers worry about the quality of meat as well as about the animal welfare, but studies of the effects of parasites are scarce, and there is a concern that grazing management systems increase the prevalence of parasites. The question is whether to choose less productive breeds but well adapted to the local environmental conditions (autochthonous breeds) and more resistant to parasites, or high productive breeds but not adapted to the local environment and its parasites. The aim of this review was to understand the current situation of the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in grazing sheep, and the consequences on sheep management and the effects on meat quality.A91F-E8B8-FA62 | Teresa Susana Letra MateusN/

Fat area and lipid droplet morphology of porcine oocytes during in vitro maturation with trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid and forskolin

Lipid droplets (LD) in porcine oocytes form a dark mass reaching almost all cytoplasm. Herein we investigated changes in fat areas, cytoplasmic tone and LD morphology during in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes cultured with 100mM trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid (t10,c12 CLA) or 10mM forskolin at different time periods. Four groups were constituted: control, excipient, t10,c12 CLA and forskolin, with drugs being supplemented during 44 to 48h and the initial 22 to 24h in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively. In Experiment 3, forskolin was supplemented for the first 2 h. Matured oocytes were inseminated with frozen-thawed boar semen and cleavage rate recorded. Before and during IVM, samples of oocytes were evaluated for LD, total and fat areas and fat gray value or for meiotic progression. Results showed that forskolin supplementation during 44 to 48 h or 22 to 24 h inhibits oocyte maturation (exp. 1: forskolin = 5.1±8.0%, control = 72.6±5.0%; exp. 2: forskolin =24.3±7.4%, control =71.6±5.6%) and cleavage (exp. 1: forskolin=0.0±0.0%, control=55.4±4.1%; exp. 2: forskolin=8.3±3.3%, control=54.5±3.0%). Forskolin also reduced oocyte and fat areas. In Experiment 3, forskolin negative effect on oocyte maturation and cleavage disappeared, although minor (P<0.03) LD and oocyte fat areas were identified at 22 to 24 h of IVM. Oocytes supplemented with t10,c12 CLA during 44 to 48h presented a lighter (P<0.04) colour tone cytoplasm than those of control and forskolin. In conclusion, t10,c12 CLA and forskolin were capable of modifying the distribution and morphology of cytoplasmic LD during porcine oocyte maturation, thus reducing its lipid content in a time-dependent manner

Blood lactate, pH, base excess and pCO(2) as prognostic indicators in caesarean-born kids from goats with pregnancy toxaemia

Research Areas: Veterinary SciencesArticle in International JournalsABSTRACT - The objective of this study was to identify the prognostic value for survival of blood parameters in the immediate post-caesarean surgery period in kids born from pregnancy toxaemia (PT) goats. This study involved 10 PT goats, in which a caesarean surgery was performed. Twenty-five kids were born after caesarean surgery of which 16 survived. A blood sample was collected from the jugular vein of the 10 goats and from the kids immediately after caesarean surgery (within 15 min). There were differences between the kids that survived and the kids that did not survive concerning the blood levels of pH (7.22 vs 7.00), base excess (- 9 vs - 18 mmol/L), pCO(2) (46 vs 62 mmHg) and L-lactate (5.6 vs 16 mmol/L). Maternal ketoacidosis due to PT has a negative impact on the survival rate of the offspring. This appears to be associated to a metabolic acidosis of the offspring. However, the only blood parameter in which there was a strong association between the maternal and newborn kids was blood urea nitrogen (r = 0.97).Barao & Barao and Faculdade de Medicina Veterinaria -Universidade de Lisboainfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Exames andrológicos em bovinos de carne na região do Alentejo, Portugal#

É referida a importância do exame andrológico em bovinos explorados em regime extensivo e como este serviço médico-veterinário tem vindo a ser oferecido em Portugal. Descrevem-se os resultados encontrados por uma equipa médico-veterinária em contexto prático na região do Alentejo e discute-se como podem ser avaliados estes resultados com critérios o mais objectivo possiveis para selecção dos melhores touros

Use of topical local anesthetics to control pain during treatment of hoof lesions in dairy cows

Research Areas: AgricultureFood Science & TechnologyABSTRACT - Hoof pathologies in dairy cows have a major effect on both production and animal welfare. Trimming of excess or diseased hoof tissue is essential for the treatment of many of these conditions. Trimming hoof lesions can cause severe pain, resulting in adverse behavioral responses with risk for animal and human safety. Interventions are usually carried out by nonveterinary technicians in the absence of pain management training. Pain control during trimming is not only an ethical obligation but also allows for better manipulation and more meticulous treatment. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of Tri-Solfen (Bayer Australia Ltd., Pymble, NSW, Australia), a combination of local anesthetics in a topical gel form, containing lidocaine, bupivacaine, adrenaline, and cetrimide, for the treatment of pain associated with trimming of hoof lesions. Sixty-two Holstein-Frisian cows were selected for trimming at the drying-off period and were visually scored for lameness before entering the chute. After diagnosis of the hoof lesion but before deep trimming was initiated, each animal was randomly distributed to 2 groups: C, usual trimming with no pain control, and T, trimming with a local anesthetic formulation being applied immediately after live corium was exposed. During curative trimming, behavior observation was conducted by 2 observers blind to treatment. In 27 cows, algometry measurements were performed before and after the procedure to assess animal reaction to pressure. Lameness scoring was again performed as the cow left the chute. Nonparametric tests and ANOVA were performed. Results showed that use of the topical anesthetic formulation significantly reduced reaction to trimming and lameness score after trimming when compared with nontreated animals. Algometry values showed increased pressure threshold after application of topical anesthetics. This study suggests that the use of topical local anesthesia with lidocaine and bupivacaine helps reduce pain associated with corrective trimming of severe hoof lesions, enhancing animal welfare and potentially ensuring safety of trimmers.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A Simplified and Accurate Front-End Electronics Chain for Timing RPCs

Recent advances in electronics and construction techniques have pushed the timing resolution of Resistive Plate Chambers below 50 ps sigma with detection efficienciesclose to 99% for MIPs. In this paper we describe a new front-end electronics chain for accurate time and charge measurement in these devices, having in view a possibleapplication in ALICE's T0 counter.(Abstract only available, full text to follow)

Avaliação genómica nas espécies pecuárias

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio