Productive and reproductive performance of crossbred dairy heifers with induced lactation and efficacy of antimicrobial therapy associated with internal teat sealants / Desempenho produtivo e reprodutivo de novilhas com lactação induzida e eficácia da terapia antimicrobiana associada com selante interno de tetos

This study evaluated (a) the efficacy of an association between injectable antibiotic therapy and sealant (ATBS) on milk yield (MY), somatic cell count (SCC), and prevalence of intramammary infections (IMI); and (b) the efficacy of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on follicular cyst (FCs) resolution (cyclicity at the 45th day in milk; DIM) and cumulative pregnancy rate (CPR) in heifers submitted to a lactation induction protocol (LIP). A total of 114 crossbred (Holstein × Jersey) heifers, with 34.7 ± 4.8 months and 439 ± 56.35 kg were submitted to LIP. On the 5th day of the LIP, the heifers were assigned to (i) ATBS (n = 57) with 7 mg/kg of norfloxacin associated with sealant and (ii) Control 1 (n = 57; CONT1) with no treatments. Lactation began on the 21st day of LIP and the 15th DIM, FCs were diagnosed and 106 heifers were randomized into two treatment groups with 53 heifers each: (i) GnRH (5 mL injectable GnRH) and (ii) Control 2 (CONT2; no treatment). Of the 114 heifers initially induced, 83.33% (n = 95) responded to LIP with an average MY of 15.19 kg/milk/day during 22 weeks of lactation. In the first 14 DIM, the IMI prevalence was 18% and 28% for heifers ATBS and CONT1 treated, respectively. Additionally, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was the most frequently isolated group of pathogens. Mammary quarters that received ATBS treatment had a lower risk of IMI and SCC than CONT1. The cyclicity at 45 DIM was 68% (ATBS) and 35% (CONT1), and 57% and 46% for animals in the GnRH and CONT2. CPR was 60% in the ATBS group and 89% in CONT1, but GnRH treatment did not affect the CPR. In conclusion, LIP was effective in stimulating MY in heifers, and the IMI prevalence decreased with ATBS treatment. Also, the use of GnRH did not affect the FC regression, cyclicity at 45 DIM, and CPR.(AU)

Este estudo avaliou a (i) eficácia da associação entre antibioticoterapia injetável e selante interno de tetos (ATBS) na produção de leite (PL), contagem de células somáticas (CCS), e prevalência de infecções intramamárias (IIM); e (ii) eficácia do hormônio liberador de gonadotrofina (GnRH) na resolução de cistos foliculares (CFs), ciclicidade ao 45º dia em lactação (DEL) e taxa de prenhez cumulativa (TPC) em novilhas submetidas a um protocolo de indução de lactação (PIL). Um total de 114 novilhas mestiças (Holandês × Jersey), com 34,7 ± 4,8 meses e 439 ± 56,35 kg foram submetidas ao PIL. No 5º dia do PIL, as novilhas receberam: (i) ATBS (n = 57) com 7 mg/kg de norfloxacina associada ao selante interno de tetos e (ii) Controle 1 (n = 57; CONT1) sem tratamento. A lactação teve início no 21º dia do PIL e no 15º DEL, foram diagnosticados CFs e 106 novilhas foram agrupadas em dois grupos de tratamento com 53 novilhas em cada: (i) GnRH (5 mL de GnRH injetável) e (ii) Controle 2 (CONT2; sem tratamento). Das 114 novilhas inicialmente induzidas, 83,33% (n = 95) responderam ao PIL com PL média de 15,19 kg/leite/d durante 22 semanas de lactação. Nos primeiros 14 DEL a prevalência de IIM foi de 18% e 28% para as novilhas tratadas com ATBS e CONT1, respectivamente. Além disso, estafilococos coagulase negativa foram o grupo de patógenos mais frequentemente isolados. Quartos mamários tratados com ATBS tiveram menor risco (0,56) de IIM e menor CCS do que CONT1. A ciclicidade a 45 DEL foi de 68% (ATBS) e 35% (CONT1), e 57% e 46% para os animais no GnRH e CONT2. A TPC foi de 60% no grupo ATBS e 89% no CONT1, porém o tratamento com GnRH não afetou a TPC. Em conclusão, o PIL foi eficaz em estimular a PL em novilhas tardias e a prevalência de IIM diminiuiu com o tratamento ATBS. Além disso, o uso de GnRH não afetou a regressão de CF, ciclicidade em 45 DEL e a TPC.(AU)

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in water buffaloes

Our expanding knowledge of ovarian function during the buffalo estrous cycle has given new approaches for the precise synchronization of follicular development and ovulation to apply consistently assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Recent synchronization protocols are designed to control both luteal and follicular function and permit fixed-time AI with high pregnancy rates during the breeding (autumn-winter) and nonbreeding (springsummer) seasons. Additionally, allow the initiation of superstimulatory treatments at a self-appointed time and provide opportunities to do fixed-time AI in donors and fixed-time embryo transfer in recipients. However, due the scarce results of in vivo embryo recovery in superovulated buffaloes, the association of ovum pick-up (OPU) with in vitro embryo production (IVEP) represents an alternative method of exploiting the genetics of high yeld buffaloes. Nevertheless, several factors appear to be critical to OPU/IVEP efficiency, including antral follicle population, follicular diameter, environment, farm and category of donor. This review discusses a number of key points related to the manipulation of ovarian follicular growth to improve assisted reproductive technologies in buffalo.

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in water buffaloes

Our expanding knowledge of ovarian function during the buffalo estrous cycle has given new approaches for the precise synchronization of follicular development and ovulation to apply consistently assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Recent synchronization protocols are designed to control both luteal and follicular function and permit fixed-time AI with high pregnancy rates during the breeding (autumn-winter) and nonbreeding (springsummer) seasons. Additionally, allow the initiation of superstimulatory treatments at a self-appointed time and provide opportunities to do fixed-time AI in donors and fixed-time embryo transfer in recipients. However, due the scarce results of in vivo embryo recovery in superovulated buffaloes, the association of ovum pick-up (OPU) with in vitro embryo production (IVEP) represents an alternative method of exploiting the genetics of high yeld buffaloes. Nevertheless, several factors appear to be critical to OPU/IVEP efficiency, including antral follicle population, follicular diameter, environment, farm and category of donor. This review discusses a number of key points related to the manipulation of ovarian follicular growth to improve assisted reproductive technologies in buffalo.(AU)

Number of oocytes retrieved per donor during OPU and its relationship with in vitro embryo production and field fertility following embryo transfer

The association of OPU-IVEP is an important instrument to drive genetic progress. In vitro embryo production (IVEP) has remarkably expanded in the last decade compared to in vivo embryo production. Because of the high repeatability of oocyte retrieval within oocyte-donors, studies exploring the relationship between the number of oocytes recovered per OPU section with IVEP efficiency, as well as with field fertility (pregnancy results following embryo transfer; P/ET) are extremely important to guide cow-donor selection and optimize field reproduction efficiency and the herd’s genetic gain. Based on this rationale, our group conducted a retrospective analysis of a large database comprising IVEP records from several cattle breeds, including Bos indicus and Bos taurus for either beef or dairy purposes. A total of 205,140 oocytes recovered from 7,906 OPU procedures of 6,902 donors (5,227 beef and 1,675 dairy) of Brazilian farms were analyzed. Beef breeds analyzed were Nelore (Bos indicus) and Senepol (Bos taurus) and dairy breeds Were Gyr (Bos indicus) and Holstein (Bos taurus). According to our analysis, the IVEP in beef cattle had a great improvement throughout the last years, with a remarkable increase in numbers of pregnancies per OPU compared to late 90’s (averaging only 1 pregnancy per OPU in 1998 vs 2,4 in 2014). As for the distribution of oocytes retrieved, both Bos indicus beef (Nelore = 27.2) and dairy (Gyr = 23.8) breeds seem to yield greater average numbers of oocytes per OPU compared to Bos taurus (Senepol = 21.8; Holstein = 19.3).

Number of oocytes retrieved per donor during OPU and its relationship with in vitro embryo production and field fertility following embryo transfer

The association of OPU-IVEP is an important instrument to drive genetic progress. In vitro embryo production (IVEP) has remarkably expanded in the last decade compared to in vivo embryo production. Because of the high repeatability of oocyte retrieval within oocyte-donors, studies exploring the relationship between the number of oocytes recovered per OPU section with IVEP efficiency, as well as with field fertility (pregnancy results following embryo transfer; P/ET) are extremely important to guide cow-donor selection and optimize field reproduction efficiency and the herds genetic gain. Based on this rationale, our group conducted a retrospective analysis of a large database comprising IVEP records from several cattle breeds, including Bos indicus and Bos taurus for either beef or dairy purposes. A total of 205,140 oocytes recovered from 7,906 OPU procedures of 6,902 donors (5,227 beef and 1,675 dairy) of Brazilian farms were analyzed. Beef breeds analyzed were Nelore (Bos indicus) and Senepol (Bos taurus) and dairy breeds Were Gyr (Bos indicus) and Holstein (Bos taurus). According to our analysis, the IVEP in beef cattle had a great improvement throughout the last years, with a remarkable increase in numbers of pregnancies per OPU compared to late 90s (averaging only 1 pregnancy per OPU in 1998 vs 2,4 in 2014). As for the distribution of oocytes retrieved, both Bos indicus beef (Nelore = 27.2) and dairy (Gyr = 23.8) breeds seem to yield greater average numbers of oocytes per OPU compared to Bos taurus (Senepol = 21.8; Holstein = 19.3).(AU)

Desempenho produtivo, digestão e metabolismo de vacas leiteiras alimentadas com diferentes concentrações de quitosana nas dietas / Productive performance, digestion and metabolism in dairy cows fed with different concentrations of chitosan in diets

O presente estudo foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos de diferentes concentrações de quitosana nas dietas de vacas em lactação sobre o consumo, digestibilidade aparente total da matéria seca e nutrientes, fermentação e síntese de proteína microbiana ruminal, produção e composição do leite, concentrações de parâmetros sanguíneos, perfil de ácidos graxos na gordura do leite, e os balanços de energia e de nitrogênio. Foram utilizadas 16 vacas da raça Holandesa, multíparas, pesando em média 610 kg, agrupado em 4 quadrados latinos 4x4 contemporâneos e balanceados, possuindo respectivamente 60, 81, 102, 123 dias em lactação ao início de cada período experimental nos quais foram oferecidos as seguintes dietas: 1) Controle; 2) Quitosana 50; 3) Quitosana 100 e 4) Quitosana 150 compostas, respectivamente, com a inclusão de 0, 50, 100 e 150 mg/kg de peso corporal de quitosana. Foi utilizada dieta com a proporção volumoso:concentrado de 50:50. A suplementação com quitosana foi fracionada em duas porções de mesmo peso, colocada sobre o concentrado imediatamente antes do primeiro e do segundo fornecimento das rações. Diariamente foram realizadas pesagens das quantidades dos volumosos e concentrados fornecidos e das sobras de cada animal, para estimativa do consumo. As amostras de sobras e silagem foram coletadas do 15° ao 21° dias de cada período experimental, armazenadas em sacos plásticos em freezer à -20°C, e posteriormente submetidas a análises químico-bromatológicas dos principais nutrientes. Na determinação da digestibilidade aparente total da matéria seca e nutrientes a quantidade total de fezes excretada foi estimada pela concentração de fibra em detergente ácido indigestível (FDAi). As amostras de líquido ruminal foram coletadas com a utilização de sonda esofágica três horas após a alimentação matinal. A produção de leite e o consumo de matéria seca foram mensurados diariamente durante todo o período experimental. As amostras utilizadas para análise da composição do leite foram coletadas no 16° dia de cada período experimental, sendo provenientes das duas ordenhas diárias. Amostras de urina foram no 16° dia de cada período experimental, quatro horas após a alimentação matinal, durante micção estimulada por massagem na vulva. As amostras de sangue foram coletadas em tubos vacuolizados por punção da veia e/ou artéria coccígea. Não houve efeito para as variáveis de consumo da matéria seca e nutrientes, fermentação e síntese de proteína microbiana ruminal, produção e composição do leite. Foi observado efeito linear para as variáveis ureia e nitrogênio ureico no soro; excreção de N-Fecal (% Nitrogênio Total). No entanto, houve efeito linear decrescente (P<0,05) para as variáveis excreção de N-Fecal (g/dia) e concentrações dos ácidos graxos de cadeia curta (C16) foram inversamente correlacionadas, a qual, observou maior concentração para as dietas em que houveram inclusão do aditivo. Houve efeito quadrático das dietas experimentais sobre a digestibilidade da matéria seca, matéria orgânica, proteína bruta e fibra em detergente neutro; eficiência de utilização de Energia e Nitrogênio; excreção de N-Leite (% Nitrogênio Total). Da mesma forma, observou-se efeito quadrático das dietas experimentais sobre a concentração total dos ácidos graxos de cadeia com 18 carbonos (C18), a qual foi observado maior concentração de AG quando incluído 100mg/kg PV de quitosana. O mesmo efeito ocorreu para o total de AG insaturados (C18 insaturado), dado em que se verifica numericamente maior concentração para a dieta com 100 mg/kg PV de quitosana. A utilização de quitosana como aditivo modulador da fermentação ruminal em rações de vacas leiteiras no terço médio de lactação, tendo como volumoso a silagem de milho, não alterou o consumo de alimentos e o desempenho, no entanto, houve melhora na digestibilidade aparente total da matéria seca e nutrientes, assim como também na eficiência de utilização de nitrogênio

This study was carried to evaluate the effect of different levels of chitosan in feeding of dairy cows in lactation on intake and nutrients digestibility, ruminal fermentation, microbial protein synthesis, productive performance, fatty acids profile of milk fat, concentrations of blood parameters, balance of energy and nitrogen. Sixteen Holstein cows, multiparous, weighing an average 610 kg, was allocated in four latin squares balanced 4x4, having respectively 60, 81, 102, 123 days in milk at the start of each experimental period, in which were offered the following diets: 1) Control (CT), 2) 50 Chitosan (Q50) 3) Chitosan 100 (Q100 and 4) Chitosan 150 (Q150) respectively composed with the inclusion of 0, 50, 100 and 150 mg / kg body weight of chitosan. The diets consisted of corn silage and concentrate in ratio 50:50. Supplementation with chitosan was fractionated into two portions of equal weight and put above the concentrate immediately before the first and second feeding. Daily, weight measurements were carried of amount of forage and concentrates provided and remnant from the diets from each animal to estimate the intake. Samples of silage, remnant from diets and feces were collected the 15th to the 18th day of each experimental period, stored in plastic bags in a freezer at -20°C, and later undergoing analyzes chemical bromatologic of major nutrients. The digestibility was determined using of an internal indicator (FDAi). The samples of ruminal liquid were collected with use of esophageal probe three hours after the morning feeding. The milk production and dry matter intake were measured daily during the whole experimental period. The samples used for analysis of milk composition were collected in the 16th day of each experimental period, derived to the two daily milkings. Spot urine samples were obtained on the 16th day of each experimental period, four hours after the morning feeding during urination stimulated by massage at the vulva. Blood samples were collected in tubes vacuolized by venipuncture and / or coccygeal artery. There was no effect for the variables of intake of dry matter and nutrients, fermentation and microbial protein synthesis ruminal, milk production and composition. Linear effect was observed for the variables urea excretion N-fecal (% Total Nitrogen). However, there was negative linear effect (P <0.05) for the variables of excretion N-Fecal (g / day) concentrations of short chain fatty acids ( C16) were inversely correlated, in which noted higher concentrations was at the diets there was wherein inclusion of the additive. There was quadratic effect of experimental diets on digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber; utilization efficiency Energy and Nitrogen; excretion of NMilk (% Total Nitrogen). Similarly, we observed a quadratic effect of experimental diets on the total concentration of chain fatty acids with 18 carbons (C18), which was a higher concentration when included AG 100 mg / kg BW of chitosan. The same effect was seen for the total fatty acids, unsaturated (C18 unsaturated), where there was numerically, greater concentration in the diet with 100 mg / kg BW of chitosan. The use of chitosan as an additive modulator ruminal fermentation in feed of lactating cows in mid lactation, feeding with corn silage, did not showed change at food intake, however, showed improvement in apparent digestibility of dry matter and nutrients as well as, in the use of nitrogen efficiency