Assessment of surface temperatures of buffalo bulls (Bubalus bubalis) raised under tropical conditions using infrared thermography / Avaliação de temperaturas superficiais de touros bubalinos (Bubalus bubalis) criados em ambiente tropical com uso da termografia infravermelha

This paper aimed to evaluate the surface temperatures of buffalo bulls using infrared thermography, considering four distinct anatomical parts over time, and to correlate surface temperatures and thermal comfort indexes. The humid tropical climate (Kõppen's Afi) was predominant in the research station where the experiment was performed and the trial lasted from April to August. Ten bulls (n=10) were evaluated every 25 days (morning: 6:00-9:00; afternoon: 12:00-15:00) and the parameters assessed were respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), and the thermograms of surface temperature for orbital area (ORB), right flank (RF), left flank (LF) and scrotum (SCR). Climatological data was continuously monitored and the Temperature and Humidity Index (THI) and the Index of Comfort of Benezra (ICB) were calculated. The average values of THI were ≥78, and significant differences between shifts were observed (P<0.05). The ICB ranged from 1.96 to 2.25 and significant differences were observed for shifts and throughout the months (P<0.05). The averages of surface temperatures were RT=38.2±0.5°C, ORB=36.1±0.8°C, LF=33.5±2.5°C, RF=35.4±1.7ºC and SCR=33.3±1.1°C, which exhibited significant differences for shifts and throughout the months (P<0.05). Positive correlations were obtained between THI and ORB (0.72), RF (0.77), LF (0.75) and SCR (0.41) (P<0.0001). The maximum temperature of ORB showed the highest correlation with RT (0.58, P<0.0001). Therefore, the surface temperatures are subject to climatic variations and increase throughout the day, due to the variation in thermal comfort indexes, and the maximum ORB temperature was the parameter most related to rectal temperature. Lastly, the results indicate that IRT may be a useful non-invasive and accurate tool to detect the variations in ORB, LF, RF and SCR temperature in buffalo bulls.(AU)

O presente trabalho visou avaliar as temperaturas superficiais de diferentes regiões anatômicas de búfalos ao longo do tempo, por meio da termografia infravermelha, e correlacioná-las a índices bioclimatológicos de conforto térmico. O ensaio foi realizado em região de clima tropical úmido (Afi de Kõppen), de abril a agosto. Dez touros (n=10) foram avaliados a cada 25 dias (manhã: seis-nove horas; tarde: 12-15h), quanto à frequência respiratória (FR), temperatura retal (TR) e imagens termográficas da órbita ocular (ORB), flanco direito (FLd), flanco esquerdo (FLe) e escroto (ESC). Os dados climatológicos foram ininterruptamente monitorados, e calculados o índice de temperatura e umidade (ITU) e o índice de conforto de Benezra (ICB). O ITU foi ≥78, com diferença entre turnos (P<0,05). Já o ICB variou de 1,96 a 2,25 e apresentou diferenças ao longo dos meses e entre turnos (P<0,05). As temperaturas observadas foram de TR=38,2±0,5ºC, ORB=36,1±0,8ºC, FLd=33,5±2,5ºC, FLe=35,4±1,7ºC e ESC=33,3±1,1ºC, as quais variaram significativamente ao longo dos meses e entre turnos (P<0,05). O ITU apresentou correlações positivas com ORB (0,72), FLd (0,77), FLe (0,75) e ESC (0,41) (P<0,0001). A temperatura máxima de ORB apresentou a maior correlação com a TR (0,58; P<0,0001). Portanto, as temperaturas superficiais dos animais sofrem interferências das variações climáticas e se elevam ao longo do dia, devido à variação nos índices de conforto térmico; a temperatura máxima de ORB foi o parâmetro mais condicionado à temperatura retal. Também, as oscilações de temperatura de superfície de ORB, FLd, FLe e ESC podem ser aferidas em bubalinos com o uso da termografia infravermelha, de modo preciso e não invasivo.(AU)

Feed supplementation with palm kernel cake-based concentrate increases the quality of water buffalo semen

[...] Fifteen water buffalos kept on pasture were used as semen donors. The animals received daily dietary supplementation (1% of body weight ) for 252 days, and were divided into three groups: Control ( n = 5; conventional concentrate), CM - Base ( n = 5; coconut meal concentrate) , and PKC - Base ( n = 5; palm kernel cake concentrate). Aspect, color, volume, pH, gross motility, vigor, progressive sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, and sperm morphology of ejaculates were evaluated (173 samples). The daily average for voluntary concentrate intake was 4.778 ± 1.233 kg in the Control group , 3.112 ± 0.693 kg in CM - Base, and 4.558 ± 1.077 kg in PKC - Base group ( P > 0. 05). Diet based on palm kernel cake supplementation had a positive effect on semen quality. The plasma membrane integrity levels were increased in PKC - Base animals (Control: 68.0 ± 19.5; CM - Base: 72.0 ± 22.6; PKC - Base: 8 2.1 ± 12.2; P 0.05) .Hence, palm kernel cake - based dietary supplementation for water buffalos provided more lipids and minerals, which intake is related to the improvement of sperm quality, with higher sperm motility an d higher levels of spermatozoa with plasma membrane integrity

Feed supplementation with palm kernel cake-based concentrate increases the quality of water buffalo semen

[...] Fifteen water buffalos kept on pasture were used as semen donors. The animals received daily dietary supplementation (1% of body weight ) for 252 days, and were divided into three groups: Control ( n = 5; conventional concentrate), CM - Base ( n = 5; coconut meal concentrate) , and PKC - Base ( n = 5; palm kernel cake concentrate). Aspect, color, volume, pH, gross motility, vigor, progressive sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, and sperm morphology of ejaculates were evaluated (173 samples). The daily average for voluntary concentrate intake was 4.778 ± 1.233 kg in the Control group , 3.112 ± 0.693 kg in CM - Base, and 4.558 ± 1.077 kg in PKC - Base group ( P > 0. 05). Diet based on palm kernel cake supplementation had a positive effect on semen quality. The plasma membrane integrity levels were increased in PKC - Base animals (Control: 68.0 ± 19.5; CM - Base: 72.0 ± 22.6; PKC - Base: 8 2.1 ± 12.2; P < 0.05). In addition, progressive sperm motility was higher in the PKC - Base group (71.7 ± 15.1% PKC - Base; 59.3 ± 20.5% Control; 56.7 ± 24.8% CM - Base; P < 0.05). Lower sperm concentration values were observed in the PKC - Base group, but they did not deviate from the physiological standards from 524.10 ± 20.70 to 1,031.4 ± 28.70 x 10 6 sptz/m l, or of 1,493 x 10 6 sptz/m l . The other sperm parameters did not have significant differences (P > 0.05) .Hence, palm kernel cake - based dietary supplementation for water buffalos provided more lipids and minerals, which intake is related to the improvement of sperm quality, with higher sperm motility an d higher levels of spermatozoa with plasma membrane integrity (AU)

Aspectos reprodutivos de caititus (Tayassu tajacu) / Reproductive features of collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu)

Caititus ou catetos (Tayassu tajacu) são animais gregários, que se adaptam a diversos habitats. Ocorrem praticamente em todo o continente americano e atualmente apresentam grande potencial para exploração zootécnica, devido à crescente demanda por sua carne e seu couro. Este artigo tem como objetivo revisar as características sexuais da espécie, com ênfase em aspectos que podem ser úteis para o estabelecimento de práticas reprodutivas, visando ao apoio a programas de conservação ou melhoramento genético.(AU)

Collared peccaries (Tayassu tajacu) are gregarious animals, which are adapted to live in different habitats. Specie is spread over America and it has been pointed as promising to economical exploitation due to increasing demand for peccaries meat and leather. This review describes sexual features of peccaries and highlights some aspects which can be useful to establish a reproductive management program of captive animal, in order to support conservation or genetic improvement programs.(AU)

Aspectos reprodutivos de caititus (Tayassu tajacu) / Reproductive features of collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu)

Caititus ou catetos (Tayassu tajacu) são animais gregários, que se adaptam a diversos habitats. Ocorrem praticamente em todo o continente americano e atualmente apresentam grande potencial para exploração zootécnica, devido à crescente demanda por sua carne e seu couro. Este artigo tem como objetivo revisar as características sexuais da espécie, com ênfase em aspectos que podem ser úteis para o estabelecimento de práticas reprodutivas, visando ao apoio a programas de conservação ou melhoramento genético.

Collared peccaries (Tayassu tajacu) are gregarious animals, which are adapted to live in different habitats. Specie is spread over America and it has been pointed as promising to economical exploitation due to increasing demand for peccaries meat and leather. This review describes sexual features of peccaries and highlights some aspects which can be useful to establish a reproductive management program of captive animal, in order to support conservation or genetic improvement programs.