Reproductive performance of Santa Inês ewes during dry and rainy seasons in eastern Amazon

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive performance of ewes during the dry and wet months in northern Brazil. The females were divided into two groups: reproduced during the dry season and lambing in the rainy season (Group A, n = 38), and the opposite with the other group (Group B, n = 55). There was no difference (P > 0.05) for expression of estrus (86.8 and 98.3%), pregnancy rate (86.8 and 90.9%), lambing (76.3 and 83.6%), abortion (9 and 7.4%), fecundity (86.8 and 96.3%), birth (103.4 and 110.8%) and prolificacy (113.7 and 115.2%) observed in groups A and B, respectively. However, there was a difference (P < 0.05) in lamb mortality (26.6% for group A and 49% for group B). Ewes from group A presented a higher average live weight at the end of the reproductive season and during the final third of pregnancy (P < 0.05).

Reproductive performance of Santa Inês ewes during dry and rainy seasons in eastern Amazon

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive performance of ewes during the dry and wet months in northern Brazil. The females were divided into two groups: reproduced during the dry season and lambing in the rainy season (Group A, n = 38), and the opposite with the other group (Group B, n = 55). There was no difference (P > 0.05) for expression of estrus (86.8 and 98.3%), pregnancy rate (86.8 and 90.9%), lambing (76.3 and 83.6%), abortion (9 and 7.4%), fecundity (86.8 and 96.3%), birth (103.4 and 110.8%) and prolificacy (113.7 and 115.2%) observed in groups A and B, respectively. However, there was a difference (P < 0.05) in lamb mortality (26.6% for group A and 49% for group B). Ewes from group A presented a higher average live weight at the end of the reproductive season and during the final third of pregnancy (P < 0.05).(AU)

The effects of parturition season and suckling mode on the puerperium of Santa Ines ewes and on the weight gain of lambs / Efeitos do período das parições e dos sistemas de amamentação sobre o puerpério de ovelhas Santa Inês e desempenho ponderal de cordeiros

Seventy-seven ewes were randomly divided into groups according to parturition season and suckling mode [Rainy season: continuous (n=14) and controlled (n=13); Dry season: continuous (n=25) and controlled (n=25)]. The controlled suckling mode, in both seasons, resulted in a decrease in variables, intervals between parturition and first estrus (reduction of 27.11 and 11.46 days for rainy and dry season, respectively; P<0.05) and between parturition and estrus of conception (reduction of 12.81 and 13.58 days, for rainy and dry season, respectively; P<0.05). As to the lambs, the weight gain was higher in animals subjected to controlled suckling in relation to continuous, especially when lambing occurred in the rainy season (17.83±0.56 vs. 13.95±0.52kg for Lambs' weight at 90 days old, respectively; P<0.05). Therefore, it was concluded that controlled suckling management is better indicated for the Amazonian region, since it allows the ewes to have a shorter puerperium period and the lambs exhibit higher weight gain.(AU)

Foram utilizadas 77 ovelhas, divididas aleatoriamente em grupos de acordo com o período de parição e o manejo de amamentação [chuvoso: contínua (n=14) e controlada (n=13); seco: contínua (n=25) e controlada (n=13)]. O sistema de amamentação controlado, em ambos os períodos, resultou em decréscimo para as variáveis intervalos entre parto e primeiro estro (redução de 27,11 e 11,46 dias para os períodos chuvoso e seco, respectivamente; P<0,05) e entre parto e estro da concepção (redução de 12,81 e 13,58 dia para os períodos chuvoso e seco, respectivamente; P<0,05). Quanto ao desempenho ponderal dos cordeiros, o ganho de peso foi maior para os animais submetidos ao regime de amamentação controlada em relação à contínua, especialmente quando os nascimentos ocorreram no período chuvoso (17,83±0,56 vs. 13,95±0,52kg para o peso dos cordeiros aos 90 dias de idade, respectivamente; P<0,05). Contudo, o manejo de amamentação controlada é indicado para a região amazônica, por permitir menor tempo de puerpério das ovelhas e maior ganho de peso dos cordeiros.(AU)

Ocorrência de anticorpos anti-neospora caninum, brucella sp. e leptospira spp. em búfalos (bubalus bubalis) criados na amazônia

ABSTRACT This study was aimed at establishing the occurrence of antibodies against neosporosis, brucellosis and leptospirosis in some herds in the Amazônia region. A total of 212 blood samples from buffaloes from the Island of Marajó (n = 135) and in Pará State (n = 77) were collected. A total of 212 serum samples were submitted to the ELISA test for antibodies to Neospora caninum using the kit (HerdeChek IDEXX Laboratories, USA); 160 serum samples were examined forBrucella sp. using the complement fixation test (CF); 205 samples were examined for Leptospira spp., using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT) with a battery of 27 antigens. The frequency of buffaloes with antibodies against Neospora caninum, Brucella sp. and Leptospira spp. was 88.21%, 3.75% and 80.00% respectively. Statistical analyses were performed by the chi-square test (p 0.05). It was concluded that there was no variation in the prevalence of antibodies against Neospora caninun, Brucella sp and Leptospiraspp related to the age of the animals, and that the high presence of antibodies against Neospora caninun and Leptospira spp. clearly demonstrates the need for a more effective control of these two diseases. The low brucellosis prevalence might indicate efficient control measures for this disease.

RESUMO Este trabalho teve como objetivo estabelecer a ocorrência de anticorpos contra neosporose, brucelose e leptospirose em alguns rebanhos bubalinos da Amazônia. Foram colhidas 212 amostras de sangue de búfalas, na Ilha do Marajó (n = 135) e na região nordeste do Estado do Pará (n = 77). Examinaram-se 212 amostras submetidas à prova de ELISA para pesquisa de anticorpos anti-Neospora caninum utilizando o kit (HerdeChek IDEXX Laboratories, USA); 160 amostras de soro utilizando a prova de fixação de complemento (FC) para pesquisa de anticorpos anti-Brucella sp.; e 205 amostras através do método de soroaglutinação microscópica (SAM) para pesquisar anticorpos contraLeptospira spp., utilizando uma bateria de 27 antígenos. A frequência de búfalas com anticorpos contra N. caninum, Brucella sp. e Leptospira spp. observada foi, respectivamente, 88,21%, 3,75% e 80,00%. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas pela prova de qui-quadrado (x2, p 0,05). Concluiu-se que não houve uma variação da prevalência de anticorpos contra essas doenças em função da idade do animal e que a elevada presença de anticorpos contraN. caninun e Leptospira spp. demonstrou claramente a necessidade de um controle sanitário mais efetivo para essas enfermidades. Constatou-se ainda que a reduzida prevalência de anticorpos anti-Brucella sp. indicou que o controle aplicado nas fazendas para essa doença tem sido eficaz.