Performance and carcass characteristics of lambs fed diets with increasing levels of Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) hay replacing Buffel grass hay.

This study evaluated the performance and carcass characteristics of lambs fed diets with increasing levels of Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) hay replacing Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris). Twenty-eight Santa Inês male lambs with an average body weight (BW) of 20.3 ± 1.49 kg(mean ± SD) were allocated in individual stalls and distributed in a completely random design with four treatments (0, 20, 40, and 60 g/100 g total DM M. tenuiflora hay replacing Buffel grass hay in diet) with seven replications. M. tenuiflora hay at the level of 20% dry matter (DM) total replacing Buffel grass hay increased final weight (P = 0.006), total weight gain (P < 0.001), average daily weight gain (ADWG; P < 0.001), DM intake (P < 0.001), and feed efficiency (P < 0.001). Intake of crude protein, NDFap, ADFap, ash, ether extract, total and non-fibrous carbohydrates, and total digestible nutrients presented a positive quadratic effect with M. tenuiflora hay replacing Buffel grass hay and 40 g/100 g total DM level presented greater intake. There were positive quadratic effects by M. tenuiflora hay inclusion at 20 g/100 g total DM level on slaughtering weight (P = 0.005), hot carcass weight (P = 0.002), cold carcass weight (P = 0.002), empty body weight (P = 0.001), hot carcass yield (P = 0.002), cold carcass yield (P = 0.003), and increase linear on biological yield (P = 0.003). There was no influence on cooling weight loss (P = 0.284). M. tenuiflora hay may be included in lamb diets at amounts up to 20 g/100 g total DM substitution of Buffel grass hay because increase in the nutrients intake, growth performance, and carcass characteristics.

Scrotum bipartite in sheep as a parameter indicative of adaptation to semi-arid climates: A thermographic and reproductive study.

With the objective of assessing the influence of scrotum bipartition on scrotum-testiclar thermoregulation and semen quality in sheep native to a semiarid region, 14 adult crossbred rams were placed into groups, GI (7 with bipartition in the scrotum) and GII (7 without bipartition). Images were taken of the caudal scrotum surface using a Fluke (Ti25®) thermographic camera, for temperature analysis. Two semen collections were made, at an eight-day interval, by electroejaculation, to analyze macroscopic and microscopic parameters. It was observed that the surface temperatures of the proximal, medial and distal regions of the testicle and the epididymis tail did not present significant statistical difference (p > 0.05) between the groups. The GI showed a great ability to regulate the temperature in the tail region of the epididymis (p = 0.062), location of the bipartition, and the difference in temperature between the body surface and the epididymis tail was 0.54 °C much lower than the G2. Although no significant statistical difference (p > 0.05) was observed, the animals with bipartition presented higher means for body surface temperature, showing greater efficiency in heat dissipation and indicating that these animals used peripheral vasodilation on a larger scale to eliminate excess heat and thus had a lower energy expenditure. The semen parameters studied in both groups were within the desirable values for the species, with no differences between the groups (p > 0.05). Higher scrotum testiclar values were observed (scrotum circumference GI = 30.40 cm ±â€¯0.53 and GII = 28.42 ±â€¯1.13 cm, testicle length, right and left, respectively GI = 8.14 ±â€¯0.90 cm, 8.00 ±â€¯0.00 cm and GII = 7.28 ±â€¯0.04 cm, 7.28 ±â€¯0.48 cm) and bodyweight (GI = 44.57 ±â€¯5.25 Kg and GII = 39.85 ±â€¯1.57 Kg) in rams with scrotum bipartition (p > 0.05). It is concluded that scrotum bipartite in rams was shown to be an evolutionary indicator showing that animals with this characteristic dissipate heat more efficiently, have bigger scrotum-testicle biometrical parameters and heavier body weight. However, as the rams with scrotum bipartite presented division of less than 50% of the scrotum length, this degree did not influence the scrotum surface temperature and semen quality, as has been observed in goats with the same characteristic.

Enxertia da faveleira (Cnidoscolus phyllacanthus) sem espinhos / Grafting of thornless “faveleira” Cnidoscolus phyllacanthus

A faveleira (Cnidoscolus phyllacanthus Pax et K. Hoffm.) é uma xerófita forrageira do semi-árido do Nordeste do Brasil. A presença de espinhos causticantes dificulta a coleta de suas ramas, no entatnto mutantes inermes podem ser multiplicados vegetativamente. Este trabalho teve o objetivo de determinar um protocolo de enxertia por garfagem da faveleira sem espinhos com enxertos dormentes ou em fase vegetativa enxertados em porta-enxertos na fase vegetativa. As enxertias foram realizadas no Viveiro Florestal da UFCG, campus de Patos, PB, em dezembro de 2003 e junho de 2004. Antes da enxertia, em dezembro de 2003, os enxertos dormentes foram mantidos por três dias sob refrigeração (+5°C) (T1) ou à sombra, à temperatura ambiente (T2). Os enxertos em fase vegetativa foram enxertados logo após cortados, em dezembro de 2003 (T3) ou junho de 2004 (T4). Foram realizadas 38, 26, 40 e 30 enxertias para T1, T2, T3 e T4, respectivamente. Nos enxertos que brotaram, foram avaliados o diâmetro e a altura do porta-enxerto e do enxerto, e o percentual de sucesso das enxertias. As médias de diâmetro (10,9 a 11,9mm e 8,6 a 9,6mm dos porta-enxertos e enxertos, respectivamente) e altura (7,7 a 12,6cm e 23,7 a 29,8cm dos porta-enxerto e enxertos, respectivamente) foram considerados semelhantes para todos os tratamentos. Os percentuais de sucesso das enxertias para T1, T2, T3 e T4 foram 45, 85, 15 e 33 por cento, respectivamente. Concluiu-se que enxertos dormentes de faveleira, com cerca de 9mm e 25cm de altura, e mantidos à sombra por três dias antes de serem enxertados, propiciaram a maior taxa de sucesso das enxertias.

The faveleira tree (Cnidoscolus phyllacanthus Pax et K. Hoffm.) is a forage producing xerophyte of the semiarid region of Northeast Brazil. Forage collection from faveleira plants is difficult due to its caustic thorns, however thornless mutants may be reproduced vegetatively. The present study was carried out in the Seedling Nursery of UFCG, in Patos-PB, to develop a protocol to produce thornless faveleira seedlings by full cleft-grafting using grafts in the dormant or active growth phase on rootstocks in the active growth phase. Dormant grafts were kept refrigerated (+5°C) (T1) or protected from the sun at room temperature (T2), for three days before grafting in December 2003, while active growth grafts were cut off from the tree in December 2003 (T3) or June 2004 (T4), just before grafting. There were 38, 26, 40 and 30 grafts for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Data collected in successful grafts consisted of rootstock and graft diameter and height, and percentage of successfully sprouted grafts. Rootstock and graft mean diameter (from 10.9 to 11.9mm and from 8.6 to 9.6mm, respectively) and height (from 7.7 to 12.6cm and from 23.7 to 29.8cm, respectively) were similar for all treatments. Grafting was successful in 45, 85, 15 and 33 percent of the cases for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Thus, the use of dormant 9mm-thick and 25cm-high grafts, kept protected from the sun at room temperature for three days before grafting, results in the highest rate of success in grafting of thornless faveleira.