Hemogram, Fibrinogen Concentration and Plasma Total Protein from Calves of Criollo Lageano Breed Variety Hornless and Aberdeen Angus Breed (Red Angus) on the First Six Months of Life

Background: Neonatal period in bovine presents important variations in hematologic and immunologic parameters, and the resulting mortality rates may be due to increased susceptibility to disease. Race, age, environmental, climate and management factors are sources of CBC’s parameters variation in cattle. The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare the CBC variables and concentrations of total protein (PTP) and plasma fibrinogen calves of Criolo Lageano Breed variety hornless and Aberdeen Angus (Red Angus) in the first six months of life, which are produced under extensive management at the Planalto Serrano Catarinense (southern Brazil).Materials, Methods & Results: Two groups were selected, comprising 11 calves of Hornless Criolo Lageano and 14 calves of the Aberdeen Angus breed (Red Angus). Blood samples were collected for complete blood count and determination of total protein concentrations, and plasma fibrinogen in the periods between 24 h and 36, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 days of life. The statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance for repeated measures (ANOVA) and Tukey’s test (P < 0.05). During the experimental period infestations by ticks in both races were observed. In the first month of life, blood smears revealed the presence of blood parasites of the genus Babesia spp. and Anaplasma sp. The fluctuations seen for erythrocyte in the neonatal period (30 days), although not significant, consisted of raising the number of values of erythrocytes, hemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV), and reduction in mean corpuscular volume values (MCV). From 90 days of age there was a significant reduction in number of red blood cells and VG values, and elevated MCV values and mean corpuscular volume (MCHC) for the Aberdeen Angus (Red Angus). For the WBC, the neonatal period was marked by increase in the number of lymphocytes and decrease in neutrophil ratio: lymphocyte (N, L) with respect to the inversion of 15 days. In the age group 90 days of life was evident increase in the number of leukocytes and lymphocytes in both races. The plasma fibrinogen concentrations showed no significant variations during the trial period. The plasma total protein (PTP), had higher values on the second day of life, with reductions up to 60 days and gradual increase in subsequent times.Discussion: The fluctuations related to the values of erythrocyte variables in the neonatal period are consistent with results reported by other authors in calves of other races. Changes in erythrocyte values observed from 90 days of age on race Aberdeen Angus (Red Angus) can be attributed to infection by blood parasites and consequent hemolysis. As for the leucocyte count, increasing the number of lymphocytes and inversion of N:L is the neonatal period in a physiological variation and confirms observations made by other authors in calves of other races. In the age group 90 days, leukocytosis by lymphocytosis was related to natural premonition against Babesia spp. and Anaplasma spp., which is documented in cattle in tropical and subtropical regions. When analyzing the PTP values on the second day of life, it can be said that there has been proper transfer of passive immunity in both races, given the high correlation of PTP values and gamma globulins. The reduction of PTP and subsequent elevation values are characteristic of the physiological curve related to degradation of passively transferred immunoglobulin and immunoglobulin synthesis by competent immune system

Investigation of the genetic variability of fifteen microsatellite loci in brazilian (blu-egg caipira) chiken

Brazilian Caipira chicken are hardy birds that, it is believed, show high genetic diversity. However, there is almost no scientific studies that prove the alleged high genetic variability of the Caipira chicken. Studies that investigate this issue are very important, because the scientific evidence of this polymorphism makes the maintenance and conservation of these animals essential. The gene polymorphism is fundamental to the perpetuation of the species, besides being a source of alleles for genetic improvement programs for livestock. The commercial birds, for example, have lost much of their genetic variability because they have been through strict selection processes. Even though these animals are highly productive, some features related to production still deserve the attention of breeders, such as disease resistance. Some brazilian (blue-egg Caipira) chicken. This coloration of the egg shell is characteristic of a South American breed of chickens that participated in the formation of the native caipira chicken. This study used fifteen microsatellite loci to assess the genetic variability of brazilian (blue egg caipira) chicken. The animals were from the city of Two Lajeados - RS. By PCR, the amplicons obtained using a primer labeled with fluorophores were genotyped in an automatic sequencer and the results analyzed using the statistical program ARLEQUIN. It was detected a total of 168 alleles with an average of 11.2 alleles per locus, 288 genotypes, HE = 0.76 and HO = 0.49. These results confirmed the suspicion of high genetic variability in brazilian (blue egg Caipira) chickenGalinhas caipiras brasileiras são aves rústicas, que, acredita-se, apresentam elevada diversidade genética. Entretanto, quase não há trabalhos científicos que comprovem a suposta alta variabilidade genética das aves caipiras. Trabalhos que investiguem esta questão são muito importantes, pois a comprovação científica deste polimorfismo transforma a manutenção e conservação destes animais imprescindível. O polimorfismo gênico é fundamental para a perpetuação da espécie, além de ser fonte de alelos para programas de melhoramento genético de animais de produção. As aves comerciais, por exemplo, perderam muito de sua variabilidade gênica por terem passado por rigorosos processos de seleção. Mesmo que estes animais sejam altamente produtivos, algumas características relacionadas à produção ainda merecem atenção dos melhoristas, como é o caso da resistência a doenças. Algumas galinhas caipiras brasileiras colocam ovos azuis. Esta coloração da casca do ovo é característica de uma raça sul-americana de galinhas que participou da formação das aves caipiras nacionais. Este trabalho utilizou quinze loci de microssatélites para avaliar a variabilidade genética de galinhas caipiras brasileiras de ovos azuis. Os animais foram provenientes do município de Dois Lajeados RS. Através da técnica da PCR, os amplicons obtidos com a utilização de iniciadores marcados com fluoróforos foram genotipados em seqüenciador automático e os resultados obtidos analisados através do programa estatístico ARLEQUIN. Foi detectado um total de 168 alelos, com média de 11,2 alelos por locus, 288 genótipos, HE=0,76 e HO=0,49. Estes resultados comprovaram a suspeita de alta variabilidade genética presente em galinhas caipiras brasileiras de ovos azui

Genetic polymorphism of fifteen microsatellite loci in Brazilian (blue-egg Caipira) chickens

The purpose of this study was to investigate the genetic polymorphism of fifteen microsatellites loci in Brazilian (blue-egg Caipira) chickens. Samples were collected from 100 blue eggs of Caipira chickens from rural properties in the city of Dois Lajeados, RS. After DNA extraction, the fragments related to molecular markers LEI0248, LEI0221, LEI0214, LEI0192, LEI0217, LEI0254, LEI0194, LEI0212, MCW0371, ADL0278, LEI0234, MCW0183, MCW0216, MCW0330 and MCW0081 were obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The statistical analysis were carried out with the softwares ARLEQUIN 3.5 version and CERVUS 3.0.3 version. The allelic and genotypic frequencies, deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, estimates of observed (HO) and expected (HE) heterozygosity and polymorphic information content (PIC) were obtained for each marker locus. A total of 186 alleles from 15 loci were obtained, with sizes ranging of 83 to 490 base pairs. The medium number of alleles was 12.4, the HE was 0.76±0.14 and HO was 0.49±0.21 and PIC was 0.706. The first conclusion is that the microsatellites used are polymorphic and can be used to genetic studies in chickens. The second is that the "Caipira" chicken (blue eggs) population investigated has a great genic variability, which makes than an important source of genetic resources for future animal breeding programs