Effect of artificial shading on performance and reproductive parameters of semi-confined young Brangus bulls

Thirty Brangus bulls were used in a 90-d study to assess the effect of artificial shading on the performance and reproductive characteristics of semi-confined cattle. Animals were kept in four one-ha paddocks in two groups of eight for shade treatment (5 m²/animal of 80% solar block shade cloth) and two groups of seven animals in no-shade treatment. Each treatment had two homogeneous groups, each divided into heavy-bulls (351-450 kg) and light-bulls (300-350 kg). Time spent under shade, time standing, average daily gain, testicular development and sperm quality were investigated. Animals spent 24% of the daylight under the shade and no-shaded bulls spent more time standing (P 0.05) and testicular development between shaded and no-shaded animals. However, scrotal perimeter was higher for shaded light animals compared to no-shaded light bulls (P < 0.10). Sperm motility increase during the experimental period for shaded animals (P < 0.05) and sperm abnormalities were higher for the shaded ones (P < 0.05). Although the results did not indicate pronounced benefits on cattle performance, this resource was an important alternative because it appears to provide an improvement in some reproductive parameters and ensure a better thermal comfort to the animals

Study of digital palmar and plantar arteries of horses and mules by B-mode and Doppler ultrasonography

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to evaluate and compare the palmar and plantar digital arteries of 10 horses and 10 mules through B-mode and spectral Doppler ultrasound. Likewise, compare the plantar arteries of the pelvic limbs with the palmar arteries of the thoracic limbs, in addition to verifying the differences of the digital arteries in the contralateral limbs (right and left) in horses and mules using B-mode and spectral Doppler ultrasonography. The evaluated parameters were the diameter and the intima-media thickness (IMT), resistivity index (RI), pulsatility index (PI), peak of systolic velocity (pSV), final diastolic velocity (fDV) and mean velocity (MV) of the lateral and medial palmar and plantar arteries digital in healthy horses and mules. The horses presented higher diameters values, IMT, pSV, fDV and MV in comparison to the mules. The variables RI and PI also presented differences between horses and mules. Also, both species showed higher values in the variables of B-mode and Doppler ultrasonography in the thoracic limbs. Differences were also detected in the comparison between the limb sides (right and left) in the two modalities. The B-Mode and spectral Doppler ultrasound techniques are viable tools to identify differences in the palmar and plantar digital arteries in healthy horses and mules, highlight the differences between the thoracic and pelvic limbs and their respective sides (right and left) as well

Diagnostic value of computed tomography, radiography and ultrasonography in metacarpophalangeal joint disorders in horses

In modern society the work and athletic performance of horses has led to a very important animal production sector in which Brazil possesses the third largest horse stock. Among all equine lesions described, metacarpophalangeal (fetlock) joint lesions are considered one of the main causes of lameness. Consequently, there is a need to improve the understanding and diagnosis of these injuries. The most efficient imaging diagnostic methods for the fetlock region are computed tomography, radiography and ultrasound. Imaging studies of the anatomical structures involving this joint are extremely important to obtain a more precise diagnose. The present study was performed in order to evaluate the capacity of different imaging diagnostic modalities to detect a variety of lesions in different fetlock structures. Twenty horses (Equus caballus) used for horsemanship activities were referred to the Department of Animal Reproduction and Veterinary Radiology of São Paulo State University, Botucatu campus, with clinical signs of metacarpophalangeal joint injuries. Horses were submitted to radiographic and ultrasonographic exam and computed tomography scan. Image analysis revealed a significant capacity of these methods to characterize lesions in this region. However, computed tomography provided broader and better evaluation of lesions in bones and adjacent structures, because it allows the analysis to be performed on three-dimensional projections, with attenuation coefficients (window selections) and tissue density measurement through Hounsfield Units (HU)

Estudo da correlação da densitometria óssea e do perímetro diafisário medial do terceiro metacarpiano em equinos

In this study, 14 "post mortem" equine metacarpal bones were evaluated to correlate the medial III metacarpus perimeter to dorsal bone density of the same region using Computed Tomography and Quantitative Ultrasound (QUS). According to Pearson's test, there were not correlations between these variables. Considering there are few bone densitometry studies in horses and there are many variables that can interfere with bone mineralization, new studies on equine bone density applying standard variables are recommended