Employment of the 18s rRNA screening PCR technique in the detection of Equine Piroplasmosis, in horses of sports and military operations, of the Brazilian Army / Emprego da técnica de PCR para triagem da região do genoma 18s rRNA, detecção de Piroplasmose em equinos de desporto e operações militares do Exército Brasileiro

The present work had the objective of detecting the occurrence of Equine Piroplasmosis in horses housed in the 3rd Guards Cavalry Regiment (GCR) - Brazilian Army (BA) ˗ Porto Alegre, RS-Brazil, as well as to demonstrate the proactivity of PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) technique, aiming at the judicious use of the resources involved in the training and employment of Equines in the Brazilian Army. Fifty horses of the 3rd GCR - Porto Alegre ˗ RS, which are employed for Sport, Military Ceremonial, Law and Order Guarantee Operations (LOGO), were evaluated by means of the 18s r RNA screening with PCR technique, thirty eight horses with Babesia Caballi and Theileria Equi were detected, which corresponds to an incidence of 76% of the horses effective analyzed at the time. In this way, it can be verified that the Military activity have its "performance and effectiveness" factors threatened in case the health of the principal of his means employed, that is the horse, is compromised. The PCR technique then offers a reliable and feasible tool for the detection of Equine Piroplasmosis in BA horses.(AU)

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo detectar a ocorrência de Piroplasmose equina em cavalos alojados no 3º Regimento de Cavalaria de Guarda (RCG) - Exército Brasileiro (EB) - Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil, bem como demonstrar a forma proativa do método da PCR (reação em cadeia de polimerase), objetivando o uso criterioso dos recursos envolvidos no treinamento e emprego de equinos no Exército Brasileiro. Foram avaliados 50 cavalos da 3ª GCR-Porto Alegre, RS, empregados nas modalidades de: esporte, cerimonial militar e operações de garantia da lei e da ordem (GLO), por meio da triagem da região do genoma 18S rRNA mediante a aplicação do método da PCR. Foram positivas as amostras de 38 equinos para Babesia caballi e Theileria Equi, o que corresponde a uma incidência de 76% dos cavalos efetivos analisados na época. Dessa forma, verifica-se que as atividades militares tem seus fatores de "desempenho e efetividade" ameaçados no caso da saúde do principal de seus meios empregados, o Cavalo, estar comprometida. A técnica de PCR, então, oferece uma ferramenta confiável e viável para a detecção de Piroplasmose em equinos do EB.(AU)

Employment of the 18s rRNA screening PCR technique in the detection of Equine Piroplasmosis, in horses of sports and military operations, of the Brazilian Army / Emprego da técnica de PCR para triagem da região do genoma 18s rRNA, detecção de Piroplasmose em equinos de desporto e operações militares do Exército Brasileiro

The present work had the objective of detecting the occurrence of Equine Piroplasmosis in horses housed in the 3rd Guards Cavalry Regiment (GCR) - Brazilian Army (BA) ˗ Porto Alegre, RS-Brazil, as well as to demonstrate the proactivity of PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) technique, aiming at the judicious use of the resources involved in the training and employment of Equines in the Brazilian Army. Fifty horses of the 3rd GCR - Porto Alegre ˗ RS, which are employed for Sport, Military Ceremonial, Law and Order Guarantee Operations (LOGO), were evaluated by means of the 18s r RNA screening with PCR technique, thirty eight horses with Babesia Caballi and Theileria Equi were detected, which corresponds to an incidence of 76% of the horses effective analyzed at the time. In this way, it can be verified that the Military activity have its "performance and effectiveness" factors threatened in case the health of the principal of his means employed, that is the horse, is compromised. The PCR technique then offers a reliable and feasible tool for the detection of Equine Piroplasmosis in BA horses.(AU)

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo detectar a ocorrência de Piroplasmose equina em cavalos alojados no 3º Regimento de Cavalaria de Guarda (RCG) - Exército Brasileiro (EB) - Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil, bem como demonstrar a forma proativa do método da PCR (reação em cadeia de polimerase), objetivando o uso criterioso dos recursos envolvidos no treinamento e emprego de equinos no Exército Brasileiro. Foram avaliados 50 cavalos da 3ª GCR-Porto Alegre, RS, empregados nas modalidades de: esporte, cerimonial militar e operações de garantia da lei e da ordem (GLO), por meio da triagem da região do genoma 18S rRNA mediante a aplicação do método da PCR. Foram positivas as amostras de 38 equinos para Babesia caballi e Theileria Equi, o que corresponde a uma incidência de 76% dos cavalos efetivos analisados na época. Dessa forma, verifica-se que as atividades militares tem seus fatores de "desempenho e efetividade" ameaçados no caso da saúde do principal de seus meios empregados, o Cavalo, estar comprometida. A técnica de PCR, então, oferece uma ferramenta confiável e viável para a detecção de Piroplasmose em equinos do EB.(AU)

Effect of Prostaglandin F2 at the beginning of the ovulation synchronization protocol in dairy Bos indicus, Bos taurus and Bos indicus x Bos taurus heifers / Efeito da Prostaglandina F2 no início do protocolo de sincronização da ovulação em novilhas leiteiras Bos indicus, Bos taurus e Bos indicus x Bos taurus

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of treatment with prosta-glandin F2α (PGF2α) at the beginning of the protocol for ovulation synchronization on follicular dy-namics in Bos indicus (Gyr; n=11), Bos taurus (Holstein Black and White, HBW; n=10), and crossbred animals (Gyr x HBW; n=12). On a random day of the estrous cycles (day 0, D0), the animals received 2.0 mg estradiol benzoate (EB) intramuscularly plus an intravaginal progesterone (P4) device, which was maintained for 8 days (day 8, D8). Half the heifers of each group received a dose of 25 mg PGF2αintramuscularly at the time of insertion of the intravaginal P4 device. When the intravaginal device was removed (D8), all animals received another dose of 25 mg PGF2α intramuscularly, followed by intramuscular injection of 1.0 mg EB 24 h later (day 9, D9). Ultrasonographic evaluations were per-formed at intervals of 24 hours from D0 to D8 and at intervals of 12 hours from removal of the P4 device to 96 hours thereafter. Samples were collected on days 0, 3, 6, 8, 10 and 22 for the measurement of P4. The mean maximum diameter of the dominant follicle (DF) was smaller (P=0.01) in Gyr heifers (10.0 ± 0.8 mm) than in Gyr x HBW (13.0 ± 0.6 mm) or HBW (12.5 ± 0.8 mm). Furthermore, treatment with PGF2α on D0 increased (P=0.02) the maximum diameter of DF (12.9 ± 0.5 vs. 10.9 ± 0.7 mm)...

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito do tratamento com prostaglandina F2α (PGF2α)no início do protocolo de sincronização da ovulação, sobre a dinâmica folicular de novilhas Bos indicus (Gir; n=11), Bos taurus (Holandesa Preto e Branco - HPB; n=10) e cruzadas (Gir x HPB; n=12). Em dia aleatório do ciclo estral (dia 0 - D0), os animais receberam 2,0 mg de benzoato de es-tradiol (BE) via intramuscular, mais um dispositivo intravaginal de progesterona (P4) que foi man-tido por oito dias (dia 8 – D8). Metade das novilhas de cada grupo recebeu uma dose de 25 mg de PGF2α via intramuscular no momento da inserção do dispositivo intravaginal de P4. Na retirada do dispositivo intravaginal (D8), todos os animais receberam outra dose de 25 mg de PGF2α via intra-muscular e 24 h após (dia 9 - D9) receberam 1,0 mg de BE via intramuscular. Foram realizadas ava-liações ultrassonográficas com intervalos de 24 horas do D0 até o D8 e com intervalos de 12 horas da retirada do dispositivo de P4 até 96 horas. Para a dosagem de P4, foram colhidas amostras nos dias 0; 3; 6; 8; 10 e 22. A média do diâmetro máximo do folículo dominante (FD) foi menor (P=0,01) nas novilhas Gir (10,0 ± 0,8 mm) do que nas cruzadas Gir x HPB (13,0 ± 0,6 mm) ou HPB (12,5 ± 0,8 mm). Além disso, o tratamento com PGF2α no D0 aumentou (P=0,02) o diâmetro máximo do FD (12,9 ± 0,5 mm vs. 10,9 ± 0,7 mm) nos três grupamentos genéticos avaliados. A taxa de crescimento do FD foi menor (P=0,008) nas novilhas Gir (0,8 ± 0,1 mm/dia), do que nas novilhas cruzadas (1,3 ± 0,1 mm/dia) ou HPB (1,2 ± 0,1 mm/dia)...

Effect of Prostaglandin F2 at the beginning of the ovulation synchronization protocol in dairy Bos indicus, Bos taurus and Bos indicus x Bos taurus heifers / Efeito da Prostaglandina F2 no início do protocolo de sincronização da ovulação em novilhas leiteiras Bos indicus, Bos taurus e Bos indicus x Bos taurus

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of treatment with prosta-glandin F2α (PGF2α) at the beginning of the protocol for ovulation synchronization on follicular dy-namics in Bos indicus (Gyr; n=11), Bos taurus (Holstein Black and White, HBW; n=10), and crossbred animals (Gyr x HBW; n=12). On a random day of the estrous cycles (day 0, D0), the animals received 2.0 mg estradiol benzoate (EB) intramuscularly plus an intravaginal progesterone (P4) device, which was maintained for 8 days (day 8, D8). Half the heifers of each group received a dose of 25 mg PGF2αintramuscularly at the time of insertion of the intravaginal P4 device. When the intravaginal device was removed (D8), all animals received another dose of 25 mg PGF2α intramuscularly, followed by intramuscular injection of 1.0 mg EB 24 h later (day 9, D9). Ultrasonographic evaluations were per-formed at intervals of 24 hours from D0 to D8 and at intervals of 12 hours from removal of the P4 device to 96 hours thereafter. Samples were collected on days 0, 3, 6, 8, 10 and 22 for the measurement of P4. The mean maximum diameter of the dominant follicle (DF) was smaller (P=0.01) in Gyr heifers (10.0 ± 0.8 mm) than in Gyr x HBW (13.0 ± 0.6 mm) or HBW (12.5 ± 0.8 mm). Furthermore, treatment with PGF2α on D0 increased (P=0.02) the maximum diameter of DF (12.9 ± 0.5 vs. 10.9 ± 0.7 mm)...(AU)

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito do tratamento com prostaglandina F2α (PGF2α)no início do protocolo de sincronização da ovulação, sobre a dinâmica folicular de novilhas Bos indicus (Gir; n=11), Bos taurus (Holandesa Preto e Branco - HPB; n=10) e cruzadas (Gir x HPB; n=12). Em dia aleatório do ciclo estral (dia 0 - D0), os animais receberam 2,0 mg de benzoato de es-tradiol (BE) via intramuscular, mais um dispositivo intravaginal de progesterona (P4) que foi man-tido por oito dias (dia 8 D8). Metade das novilhas de cada grupo recebeu uma dose de 25 mg de PGF2α via intramuscular no momento da inserção do dispositivo intravaginal de P4. Na retirada do dispositivo intravaginal (D8), todos os animais receberam outra dose de 25 mg de PGF2α via intra-muscular e 24 h após (dia 9 - D9) receberam 1,0 mg de BE via intramuscular. Foram realizadas ava-liações ultrassonográficas com intervalos de 24 horas do D0 até o D8 e com intervalos de 12 horas da retirada do dispositivo de P4 até 96 horas. Para a dosagem de P4, foram colhidas amostras nos dias 0; 3; 6; 8; 10 e 22. A média do diâmetro máximo do folículo dominante (FD) foi menor (P=0,01) nas novilhas Gir (10,0 ± 0,8 mm) do que nas cruzadas Gir x HPB (13,0 ± 0,6 mm) ou HPB (12,5 ± 0,8 mm). Além disso, o tratamento com PGF2α no D0 aumentou (P=0,02) o diâmetro máximo do FD (12,9 ± 0,5 mm vs. 10,9 ± 0,7 mm) nos três grupamentos genéticos avaliados. A taxa de crescimento do FD foi menor (P=0,008) nas novilhas Gir (0,8 ± 0,1 mm/dia), do que nas novilhas cruzadas (1,3 ± 0,1 mm/dia) ou HPB (1,2 ± 0,1 mm/dia)...(AU)

Sex-sorted sperm for artificial in semination and embryo transfer programs in cattle

The selection of offspring from the desired sex can be one of the determining factors to increase the genetic progress and farmer ́s profitability in either beef or dairy cattle. In fact, the use of sex-sorted sperm has been applied worldwide combined with artificial insemination (AI) upon estrus detection in heifers. Additionally, several researches have been performed aiming to investigate the use of sex-sorted sperm during timed AI (TAI) programs and for insemination of superstimulated donors for in vivo embryo programs. Pregnancy per AI (P/AI) of cyclic heifers inseminated in estrus with sex-sorted sperm has been reported to be approximately 75 to 80% of the P/AI of heifers inseminated with non-sorted sperm. Insemination of superstimulated cows with sex-sorted sperm has been reported to reduce the production of viable embryos. Recently, however, it has been demonstrated that P/AI and embryo production per flushing resulting from AI with sex-sorted sperm may be improved when the time of AI is postponed in relation to the time of AI with non-sorted sperm. The P/AI of non stimulated females and fertilization rates and number of embryos recovered from superstimulated females were increased when AI occurred between 16 and 24 h after the onset of estrus (i.e. 6 to 14 h before ovulation). Nonetheless, despite the improvements achieved in the last decade, there is still a significant individual variability in fertility among bulls that have their sperm se x-sorted. It is critical that the pre-determination of the sire fertility is a paramount when sex-sorted sperm is utilized in commercial AI and ET programs. Thus, the aim of this review is to discuss the main concepts related to the use of sex-sorted sperm in TAI and ET programs, addressing some strategies to increase the efficiency of the technique.

Sex-sorted sperm for artificial in semination and embryo transfer programs in cattle

The selection of offspring from the desired sex can be one of the determining factors to increase the genetic progress and farmer ́s profitability in either beef or dairy cattle. In fact, the use of sex-sorted sperm has been applied worldwide combined with artificial insemination (AI) upon estrus detection in heifers. Additionally, several researches have been performed aiming to investigate the use of sex-sorted sperm during timed AI (TAI) programs and for insemination of superstimulated donors for in vivo embryo programs. Pregnancy per AI (P/AI) of cyclic heifers inseminated in estrus with sex-sorted sperm has been reported to be approximately 75 to 80% of the P/AI of heifers inseminated with non-sorted sperm. Insemination of superstimulated cows with sex-sorted sperm has been reported to reduce the production of viable embryos. Recently, however, it has been demonstrated that P/AI and embryo production per flushing resulting from AI with sex-sorted sperm may be improved when the time of AI is postponed in relation to the time of AI with non-sorted sperm. The P/AI of non stimulated females and fertilization rates and number of embryos recovered from superstimulated females were increased when AI occurred between 16 and 24 h after the onset of estrus (i.e. 6 to 14 h before ovulation). Nonetheless, despite the improvements achieved in the last decade, there is still a significant individual variability in fertility among bulls that have their sperm se x-sorted. It is critical that the pre-determination of the sire fertility is a paramount when sex-sorted sperm is utilized in commercial AI and ET programs. Thus, the aim of this review is to discuss the main concepts related to the use of sex-sorted sperm in TAI and ET programs, addressing some strategies to increase the efficiency of the technique. (AU)