Haematological and biochemical parameters in Churra-da-Terra-Quente ewes from the northeast of Portugal

Hematological and biochemical parameters, including plasma electrolytes and thyroid hormones, were determined in 73 clinically healthy Churra-da-Terra-Quente ewes, a typical breed from the northeast of Portugal. The hemogram values were: erythrocytes 9.8±1.51012/L; haemoglobin 118.1±19.1g/L; haematocrit 40.8±5.9%; leukocytes 5.7±1.8109/L; and platelets 544.3±177.2109/L. The thrombin time was 17.3±1.7 seconds. The values of biochemical parameters were: total protein 76.4±6.1g/L; glucose 2.87±0.60mmol/L; total cholesterol 1.65±0.33mmol/L; aspartate aminotransferase 155.9±49.2U/L; alanine aminotransferase 23.2±9.6U/L; γ-glutamyl transferase 48.0±18.7U/L; total alkaline phosphatase 121.6±76.1U/L; glutamate dehydrogenase 6.4±3.7U/L; urea 7.32±2.22mmol/L; creatinine 123.0±54.1μmol/L; total calcium 2.53±0.25mmol/L; phosphorus 2.10±0.46mmol/L; magnesium 1.01±0.09mmol/L; sodium 152.04±3.65mmol/L; potassium 4.7±0.4mmol/L; ionized calcium 1.32±0.07mmol/L; total thyroxine 111.75±42.29nmol/L; total triiodothyronine 1.01±0.28nmol/L; free T4 11.93±1.78pmol/L; free T3 4.22±1.33pmol/L; and thyroid-stimulating hormone 0.18±0.19μIU/mL. Although differences among the Churra-da-Terra-Quente breed and other breeds may occur, the hematological and biochemical parameters, plasma electrolytes, and thyroid hormones, for this indigenous breed, were generally situated within the reference intervals previously reported for sheep

Postweaning growth of the non-carcass components of Texel crossbred lambs Crescimento dos componentes não-integrantes da carcaça de cordeiros mestiços Texel no período pós-desmama

Twenty 11/16 Texel x 5/16 Ile de France crossbred lambs were slaughtered at different body weights to evaluate the growth of their non-carcass components. Animals were weaned at 42 days of age (15.9 ± 2.1 kg of body weight), housed in individual stalls, and fed ad libitum. After ten days of an experimental adaptation period, 5 lambs were slaughtered. The remaining lambs were randomly assigned to one of three following slaughter weights: 25, 30 or 35 kg of body weight at fast. At slaughter, all body components were individually weighed and expressed as percentage of the empty body weight. To determine allometric growth of individual components, the exponential equation Y = aXb was logarithmically transformed and used. Proportions of feet and head decreased, while wool proportion increased linearly as slaughter weight increased. Greater fat deposition in viscera (kidney and mesenteric fat) was observed for lambs slaughtered at more elevated body weights. Growth rate of small intestine was lower than that of the empty body (b = 0.39), and it decreased linearly as a proportion of empty body weight with advancing maturity. Growth rates of both liver and large intestine were isogonics (b = 0.90 and 1.08, respectively), i.e., similar to the empty body weight. On the other hand, rumen presented late growth (b = 1.37), and its proportion was lower only for the lambs slaughtered at weaning (1.58% of EBW). Once increased slaughter weights result in higher deposition of nutrients on body parts that are not intended to consumption, maximum slaughter weight of 11/16 Texel x 5/16 Ile de France crossbred lambs is recommended to be at 30 kg of body weight.<br>Vinte cordeiros 11/16 Texel x 5/16 Ile de France foram abatidos em diferentes pesos com o objetivo de avaliar o crescimento dos componentes não-integrantes da carcaça. Os animais foram desmamados aos 42 dias de idade (15,9 ± 2,1 kg de peso corporal) e confinados em baias individuais, recebendo alimentação à vontade. Após um período de 10 dias de adaptação às condições experimentais, 5 cordeiros foram abatidos e os remanescentes foram aleatoriamente sorteados para serem abatidos aos 25, 30 ou 35 kg de peso corporal em jejum. Ao abate, cada componente corporal foi pesado individualmente, e seus valores expressos em percentual do peso de corpo vazio (PCV). Para determinação do crescimento alométrico de cada componente, foi utilizada a equação exponencial Y = aXb, transformada logaritmicamente em um modelo linear. As proporções de patas e cabeça decresceram, e a de lã aumentou linearmente de acordo com o peso de abate. Observou-se acentuado acúmulo de gordura interna (renal e mesentérica) no corpo dos animais abatidos em pesos mais elevados. A taxa de crescimento do intestino delgado foi menor que a do corpo vazio (b = 0,39) o que reduziu a proporção desse órgão com o avanço da maturidade. O crescimento do fígado e do intestino grosso foi isogônico, ou seja, equivalente ao do corpo vazio (b = 0,90 e 1,08, respectivamente), enquanto o rúmen foi heterogônico e tardio (b = 1,37). Menores proporções de rumen foram observadas apenas para os animais abatidos logo após o desmame (1,58%). Tendo em vista que pesos de abate mais elevados resultam em maior acúmulo de nutrientes em regiões do corpo não-destinadas ao consumo humano, recomenda-se que o abate de cordeiros 11/16 Texel x 5/16 Ile de France seja realizado com, no máximo, 30 kg de peso vivo

Complete genome sequences of corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis strains 3/99-5 and 42/02-A, isolated from sheep in Scotland and Australia, respectively

Here, we report the whole-genome sequences of two ovine-pathogenic Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis isolates: strain 3/99-5, which represents the first C. pseudotuberculosis genome originating from the United Kingdom, and 42/02-A, the second from Australia. These genome sequences will contribute to the objective of determining the global pan-genome of this bacterium