Productive, thermoregulatory, and hormonal responses of dairy goats supplemented with selenium-enriched yeast in the Brazilian semi-arid region.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding selenium-enriched yeast (SE) in the diet of dairy goats during 60 days of lactation and its effect on productive, thermoregulatory, and hormonal responses of animals managed in a semi-arid region. Sixteen Saanen × Toggenburg crossbred goats were used in a completely randomized design. Goats were weighed, and their milk yield was monitored weekly. Before the animals entered the treatments and at every 20-day milk producing, blood samples were collected to determine the SE levels. At 20, 40, and days of the lactation cycle, individual milk samples were collected to determine composition, casein, urea nitrogen, and selenium content. Measurements of respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), coat surface temperature (CST), and epidermal temperature (ET) were performed weekly during the experimental period in two shifts, one in the morning (9 am) and the other in the afternoon (3 pm). No difference (P > 0.05) was detected for body weight, milk yield, composition, selenium concentration, and urea nitrogen. Lower RR and ET (P < 0.05) were observed for animals that received SE supplementation. Thyroid hormone concentrations were similar between treatments (P > 0.05). The positive results of the SE supplementation were concentrated in thermoregulatory responses, and there was no effect on productive, hormonal responses, and plasmatic concentration of selenium in the milk. The SE supplementation for dairy goats managed in a Brazilian semi-arid region was able to promote reduction of RR and coat temperatures.

Effects of Duration of Calcium Propionate Supplementation in Lambs Finished with Supplemental Zilpaterol Hydrochloride: Productive Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Meat Quality.

Forty-five male non-castrated crossbred Dorper lambs (40.17 ± 0.35 kg body weight, BW) were employed in a completely randomized design with five treatments to investigate the effects of the duration of calcium propionate (CaPr) supplementation (10 g CaPr/lamb/d for 0, 14, 28, or 42 d before slaughter) on lambs finished with zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH, 7.2 mg/lamb/d for a fixed period of 28 d before slaughter) regarding their productive performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality. Treatments consisted of the following: (1) No additives (CTL), (2) 0 days on CaPr plus 28 d on ZH, (3) 14 days on CaPr plus 28 d on ZH, (4) 28 days on CaPr plus 28 d on ZH, and (5) 42 days on CaPr plus 28 d on ZH. When compared with CTL, ZH lambs exhibited a similar average daily gain (ADG) but had lower dry matter intake (DMI), leading to increased feed efficiency. Supplementing with ZH alone did not affect carcass traits, visceral mass, whole cuts, or meat quality. Lambs that received both CaPr 28 d and ZH exhibited quadratic increases (p < 0.05) in final body weight (FBW), ADG, and dressing percentage (D%). These increases were optimal at estimated inclusion durations of 26 d for FBW, 30 for ADG, and 39 d for D%. The ADG:DMI ratio and the longissimus muscle area (LMA) both exhibited quadratic increases (p < 0.05). The optimal duration of CaPr supplementation for ADG:DMI ratio was found to be 28 d, while for LMA, it was 14 d. As the period of CaPr supplementation increased, there was a linear increase (p < 0.05) in hot carcass weight, leg circumference, and whole cuts of breast IMPS209 and shoulder IMPS207. Cook loss percent increased quadratically (p < 0.05), and was higher when CaPr was included for an estimated duration of 26 d. As the duration of CaPr supplementation increased, the purge loss percentage (PRL) also increased linearly (p < 0.05). In conclusion, including CaPr in the diet for a duration of 28 d in lambs improved the response to ZH supplementation on the productive performance, carcass weight, and some whole cuts. However, it can also have a negative effect on PRL%.

Effects of traditional brewery dried residue and field pea hull mixtures supplementation on feed utilization and performance of Washera sheep fed natural pasture grass hay as basal diet.

BACKGROUND: The major feedstuffs (natural pasture and crop residues) used for sheep in Ethiopia are fibrous and the crude protein (CP) content is less than 7% that is inadequate to meet the maintenance requirement of sheep. These poor quality feeds should be improved and can be improved through supplementation with nutritious feedstuff. Therefore, to overcome this challenge, there is a need to look for some alternatives but locally available and cheap sources of protein. In this regard, traditional brewery dried residue (TBDR) and field pea hull (FPH) could be an important sources of feed for ruminant livestock. OBJECTIVES: This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of supplementing mixtures of TBDR and FPH on the feed intake, digestibility, live weight gain, and economic feasibility of the feeding treatments. METHODS: In a 3-month experiment, 20 yearling intact male Washera sheep were blocked based on their initial BW of 22.1 ± 1.58 kg (mean ± standard error of mean), and treatment diets were randomly assigned within a block. Treatments comprised feeding natural pasture grass hay (NPGH) ad libitum + 50 g ground nut cake (GNC) (T1 , control); T1  + supplemented with 25% TBDR:75% FPH (T2 ); T1  + 50% TBDR:50% FPH (T3 ) and T1  + 75% TBDR:25% FPH (T4 ). The supplement feed was offered twice a day at 08:00 and 16:00 while, common salt lick and water were available all time. RESULTS: NPGH, FPH, TBDR, and GNC in the current study contained 5.7%, 13.4%, 22.2%, and 45.4% CP and 62%, 61%, 34%, and 20% neutral detergent fibre, respectively. Sheep in supplemented treatments had higher (p < 0.05) apparent digestibility percentage of dry matter and nutrients than those in T1 . Among the supplemented treatments, sheep fed T4 recorded 4.49 kg extra (p < 0.0001) body weight as compared to that fed T1 by growing at an average of 49.8 g/day and returned the highest net income (255.8 Ethiopian birr) CONCLUSION: Thus, based on the highest body weight gain and net return, the combinations of 75% TBDR and 25% FPH (T4 ) appeared to be recommendable for poor farmers.

Streptomycin treatment of genital carriers of Leptospira in experimentally infected sheep on different estrous phases.

Leptospirosis in ruminants presents as a chronic disease that causes several reproductive disorders leading to severe economic losses. The current recommended treatment can be efficient to eliminate the renal carrier state, however little is known about the effect of this drug in removing the genital carrier state and the hormonal influence on it. A total of 12 primiparous sheep experimentally infected with a strain of Leptospira santarosai serogroup Sejroe, FV52 strain, were used and distributed as group A (estrus; n = 5), group B (metaestrus; n = 4) and group C (control; n = 3). At D0, groups A and B were treated with streptomycin (25 mg/kg) single dose. Samples of cervicovaginal mucus (CVM) were collected on days 0, 3, and 35 post-treatment, while uterine fragment (UF) samples were collected on days 3 and 35, for PCR. Even after antibiotic treatment, all groups presented infected animals, at D3 and D35, with no significant difference between the treated and control groups. Based on these results, it was conducted a second protocol of treatment with streptomycin, IM (25 mg/kg) for three consecutive days, which was 100% effective to eliminate the genital carrier state; therefore, that protocol should be recommended.

In vitro nematocidal activity of Punica granatum L. against gastrointestinal helminths in goats.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro ovicidal activity, phytochemistry, and toxicity of a saline extract obtained from peel of Punica granatum L fruits. The ovicidal activity was evaluated by the hatching inhibition of eggs recovered from fecal samples of naturally infected goats; the phytochemical analysis was carried out using the fruit peel; and the toxicity was tested on Artemia salina, using saline extract. The results showed that the ovicidal effect of the tested extract was 99% (25 mg mL-1), 99% (12.5 mg mL-1), 98% (6.25 mg mL-1), and 95% (3.12 mg mL-1), higher than that of the control drug, thiabendazole (83%). The phytochemical analysis showed presence of phenols, anthraquinones, and condensed and hydrolysable tannins in the fruit extract. The toxicity test of the extract of P. granatum showed an LC50 of 6.19 mg mL-1, which indicates a safe use for a concentration of 3.12 mg mL-1, since it was the tested concentration that was below the reliable LC50. The saline extract from peels of P. granatum has ovicidal activity, important secondary metabolites, and absence of toxicity at the lowest concentration tested. However, in vivo tests in experimental models are recommended before performing experiments in ruminants.

Compartmentalization of Subtype A17 of Small Ruminant Lentiviruses between Blood and Colostrum in Infected Goats Is Not Exclusively Associated to the env Gene.

The compartmentalization of small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs) subtype A17 was analyzed in colostrum and peripheral blood leukocyte cells of three naturally infected goats. This study aimed to analyze heterogeneity of the SRLV env (V4V5) gene, which encodes neutralizing epitopes of SU glycoprotein, the gag gene encoding capsid protein (CA), and LTR, a noncoding region, responsible for determination of cell tropism. Compartmentalization was assessed using six established tree or distance-based methods, including permutation test to determine statistical significance. We found statistical evidence of compartmentalization between blood and colostrum in all infected goats although phylogenetic evidence of such compartmentalization was not obvious. Our study demonstrated that compartmentalization is not exclusively specific to the env gene, as we revealed that gag and LTR sequences are also compartmentalized between blood and colostrum. The work also confirms the combined use of different methods as essential for reliable determination of intrahost viral compartmentalization. Identifying and characterizing distinct viral subpopulations and the genetic evolution of SRLV in specific anatomical sites enhances our overall understanding of SRLV pathogenesis, immune control, and particularly virus transmission.

A cysteine protease from the latex of Ficus benjamina has in vitro anthelmintic activity against Haemonchus contortus / Atividade anti-helmíntica in vitro de uma protease cisteínica do látex de Ficus benjamina contra Haemonchus contortus

Abstract Haemonchus contortus is a gastrointestinal nematode that is responsible for high mortality rates in ruminant herds. The resistance of nematodes to synthetic anthelmintics is widespread and requires a continuous search for new bioactive molecules, such as proteins. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anthelmintic potential of a protease purified from the latex of Ficus benjamina against H. contortus . Fresh latex was collected from plants via small incisions in the green stems, the rubber was removed by centrifugation, and the latex protein extract (LPE) was obtained. After LPE fractionation with ammonium sulfate and chromatography of the fraction containing the highest proteolytic activity on CM-cellulose, a cysteine protease (FbP) was purified. FbP has a molecular mass of approximately 23.97 kDa, and its proteolytic activity was stable between pH 6.0 and pH 10 and over a broad temperature range, with optimum activity at 60 °C. FbP inhibited both the development and exsheathment of H. contortus larvae, with 50% effective concentrations of 0.26 and 0.79 mg/mL, respectively. We conclude that this cysteine protease from F. benjamina latex with anthelmintic activity against H. contortus could be a promising alternative for the development of products for use in parasite control programmes.

Resumo Haemonchus contortus é um nematoide gastrintestinal, responsável por altas taxas de mortalidade em rebanhos de pequenos ruminantes. A resistência dos nematoides aos anti-helmínticos sintéticos está generalizada e requer uma busca contínua por novos compostos bioativos, como as proteínas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o potencial anti-helmíntico da protease purificada do látex de Ficus benjamina contra H. contortus . O látex fresco foi coletado das plantas por pequenas incisões nas hastes verdes e o extrato proteico de látex (EPL) foi obtido. Após o fracionamento do EPL com sulfato de amônio e cromatografia da fração contendo a maior atividade proteolítica da CM-Celulose, uma protease cisteínica (FbP) foi purificada. A FbP tem massa molecular de cerca de 23,97 kDa, a atividade proteolítica foi estável entre pH 6,0 e pH 10 e ao longo de uma ampla faixa de temperatura, com atividade ótima a 60 °C. A FbP inibiu tanto o desenvolvimento quanto o desembainhamento das larvas de H. contortus, com 50% de inibição nas concentrações de 0,26 e 0,79 mg/mL, respectivamente. Concluímos que esta protease cisteínica do látex de F. benjamina, com ação anti-helmíntica contra H. contortus, pode ser uma alternativa promissora para o desenvolvimento de produtos a serem utilizados em programas de controle de parasitos.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as an inactivator of caprine lentivirus (CLV) in colostrum and milk / Avaliação in vitro e in vivo do dodecil sulfato de sódio (SDS) como inativador do lentivírus caprino (LVC) em colostro e leite

The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro and in vivo the effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) on the caprine lentivirus (CLV) in colostrum and milk. This was performed to develop a practical and efficient method of blocking the lactogenic transmission of the virus. In the in vitro experiment, colostrum and milk were treated with 0.25%; 0.50% and 1% SDS. Then, somatic cells of colostrum and milk were submitted to co-culture with caprine synovial membrane cells (CSM). In the in vivo test, goats were fed with colostrum and milk provided from CLV-positive goats treated with SDS in the same concentrations used in the in vitro experiment. Animals were tested by nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) and Western blot (WB) assays. In the in vitro experiment, inhibitory activity against CLV without inactivation occurred in colostrum with all SDS concentrations. However, concentrations of 0.25 and 0.5% SDS presented only inhibitory activity against CLV in milk cells, and 1% concentration provided inactivation of the virus. In the in vivo tests, none of the three concentrations of SDS was effective in inactivating LVC in colostrum or goat milk, which was confirmed by seroconversion and presence of proviral DNA in animals afterwards.(AU)

O objetivo da pesquisa foi avaliar in vitro e in vivo o efeito do dodecil sulfato de sódio (SDS) sobre o lentivírus caprino (LVC) no colostro e no leite, a fim de desenvolver um método prático e eficiente no bloqueio da via de transmissão lactogênica do vírus. No experimento in vitro, o colostro e o leite de cabras positivas foram tratados com SDS a 0,25%, 0,50% e 1,0%. Em seguida, as células somáticas do colostro e do leite foram obtidas e direcionadas ao cocultivo com células de membrana sinovial caprina (MSC). No teste in vivo, os cabritos foram alimentados com colostro e leite providos de cabras positivas para LVC, tratados com SDS nas mesmas concentrações usadas no teste in vitro. Os animais foram acompanhados pelos testes de reação em cadeia da polimerase nested (nPCR) e western blot (WB). Nos resultados in vitro, no colostro, observou-se que, em todas as concentrações de SDS, ocorreu uma atividade inibitória contra o LVC, sem a inativação. Em relação às células do leite, o SDS apresentou, nas concentrações de 0,25 e 0,5%, atividade inibitória contra o LVC, e na concentração de 1%, houve inativação viral. Nos testes in vivo, as três concentrações de SDS testadas não foram efetivas na inativação do LVC no colostro e no leite caprino, o que se comprovou pela soroconversão e pela presença de DNA proviral nos animais.(AU)

ANTHELMINTIC EFFECTS OF DRIED GROUND BANANA PLANT LEAVES (MUSA SPP.) FED TO SHEEP ARTIFICIALLY INFECTED WITH HAEMONCHUS CONTORTUS AND TRICHOSTRONGYLUS COLUBRIFORMIS.

BACKGROUND: Helminths is a endoparasites that cause the major losses for profitable sheep production in Brazil. The increased development of resistant strains of endoparasites have enforced the search for sustainable alternatives. The aim of this paper was to provide information about endoparasites control with banana leaves in infected sheep as alternative control strategies and see its viability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we performed two trials to investigate the anthelmintic properties of banana leaves on endoparasites in sheep. In Trial 1, twelve sheep were artificially infected with Trichostrongylus colubriformis; in Trial 2, eleven sheep were artificially infected with Haemonchus contortus. Clinical examinations, packed cell volume, total protein, faecal egg counts (FECs) and egg hatchability tests (EHTs) were performed. At the end of the trials, the sheep were humanely slaughtered, and total worm counts were performed. RESULTS: In Trial 1 and 2, no significant FEC decreases were note but significant diference in EHTs were observed. Total worm counts, clinical and haematological parameters did not reveal significant changes between the treatment and control groups. These results suggest that feeding dried ground banana plant leaves to sheep may reduce the viability of Trichostrongylus colubriformis eggs, and this anthelmintic activity is potentially exploitable as part of an integrated parasite management programme. CONCLUSION: However, further investigation is needed to establish the optimal dosage, develop a convenient delivery form and confirm the economic feasibility of using banana plantation byproducts as feed for ruminant species. Abbreviations: Coproculture test (CT)., Faecal egg count (FEC)., Egg hatchability test (EHT).

Anthelmintic activity of plant extracts from Brazilian savanna.

Helminth infections represent a serious problem for the production of small ruminants that is currently aggravated by resistance to anthelmintic products and has induced a search for control alternatives, such as natural products. In this study, extracts of Turnera ulmifolia L. (leaves and roots), Parkia platycephala Benth. (leaves and seeds) and Dimorphandra gardneriana Tul. (leaves and bark), which have been cited in ethnoveterinary studies and selected naturally by goats in the cerrado (Brazilian savanna), were tested in vitro against Haemonchus contortus. Hydroacetonic (ACT) and hydroalcoholic (ETH) extracts were evaluated using an Egg Hatching Assay (EHA), a Larval Exsheathment Inhibition Assay (LEIA) and a Larval Development Assay (LDA). A second set of incubations was performed using polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) to determine the influence of polyphenols on the anthelmintic effects of EHA and LEIA. Data from each extract were used to calculate inhibition concentrations (IC50). All tested extracts showed activity against at least one life stage of H. contortus. The use of PVPP revealed that the tannins are not the only extracts of secondary metabolites responsible for the anthelmintic effects. The results showed clear in vitro anthelmintic activities against H. contortus at different stages and indicated the potential use of these species as a promising alternative approach to control helminthic infections of small ruminants.

Effect of changes in the nutritional status on the performances of growing Creole kids during an established nematode parasite infection.

In this study, we evaluated the effect of changes in the nutritional status on the performances of growing Creole kids during an established experimental gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection. Eighteen 6-month-old Creole kids were distributed in two main groups infected (I) and non-infected (NI) and were placed for a period of 4 weeks on each of three diets differing in their nutritional values: (1) fresh grass (FG, 6.7 MJ/kg dry matter (DM) and 7.9% crude protein (CP)) non-supplemented, (2) FG supplemented with a commercial concentrate (CC, 12.2 MJ/kg DM and 20.6% of CP), and (3) FG supplemented with dried banana (Ban, 11.1 MJ/kg DM and 4.3% CP). The experiment was designed as a split-plot with experimental infection (I and NI) as the main plot and the diets (FG, CC, and Ban) as the subplots with three replicates. We showed a significant effect of the diet changes on the fecal egg counts. A higher dry matter intake, digestibility, and growth rate were observed with the CC diet but together with a slight but significant increase of the intensity of the GIN infection. These data suggest that the improvement of the protein nutritional status during an establish GIN infection would improve the animal performance at the expense of the mechanism involved in the control of the infection.

Medicinal plants used to control internal and external parasites in goats.

The use of medicinal plants plays a major role in the primary health care of animals in South Africa. A survey was conducted to document medicinal plants used to control parasites in goats in Kwezi and Ntambethemba villages in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Information from 50 farmers and 3 herbalists was obtained through the use of a structured questionnaire, and a snowball sampling technique was used to identify key informants. The obtained data were analysed using PROC FREQ of SAS (2003), and fidelity level values were determined to estimate the healing potential of the mentioned plants. The survey revealed nine plant species belonging to eight families that were used to control parasites in goats. Asphodelaceae (22.22%) was the most frequently used plant family. Leaves were the most used plant parts, constituting 60.38%. They were prepared either as infusions or decoctions of single plants or in mixtures. Aloe ferox, Acokanthera oppositifolia and Elephantorrhiza elephantina were the plants having the highest fidelity level for their use to control parasites, each scoring 100%, followed by Albuca setosa (83.33%). The study revealed low knowledge about ethnoveterinary medicine in the study area. It also revealed that information on ethno-veterinary medicine in this area is mostly confined to older people and there is danger that this knowledge can be lost before being passed on to other generations. Therefore, there is an urgent need to document information on these plant species so that the future generation can benefit. Further investigation should be carried out to validate the efficacy and safety of the above-mentioned plants so as to provide cheap alternative ways of controlling parasites.

Mineral requirements of hair sheep in tropical climates.

In this study, we evaluated the requirements of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na) and potassium (K) for sheep hair growth. Experimental diets contained different levels of metabolizable energy [ME; 0.96, 1.28, 1.72, 2.18 and 2.62 Mcal/kg of dry matter, (DM), corresponding to 4.23, 5.64, 7.58, 9.61 and 11.55 MJ/kg DM]. The lambs' hair (n = 48) at 2 months of age presented an average body weight (BW) of 12.05 ± 1.81 kg. At the beginning of the experiment, eight animals were slaughtered as a reference group to estimate the initial empty body weight and body composition. Net mineral requirements (g/day) ranged from 0.73 to 0.71 g of Ca, 0.51 to 0.49 g of P, 0.026 to 0.026 g of Mg, 0.16 to 0.19 g of Na and 0.15 to 0.13 g of K for animals with a BW ranging from 15 to 30 kg and a daily gain of 100 g. The results of this study indicate that the net macromineral requirements for weight gain in Morada Nova lambs are different from the values commonly recommended by the Agricultural and Food Research Council.

Interspecific transmission of small ruminant lentiviruses from goats to sheep.

This study was conducted in order to evaluate the transmission of caprine lentivirus to sheep using different experimental groups. The first one (colostrum group) was formed by nine lambs receiving colostrum from goats positive for small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLV). The second group (milk group) was established by nine lambs that received milk of these goats. Third was a control group, consisting of lambs that suckled colostrum and milk of negative mothers. Another experimental group (contact group) was formed by eight adult sheep, confined with two naturally infected goats. The groups were monitored by immunoblotting (IB), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR). All lambs that suckled colostrum and milk of infected goats and six sheep of the contact group had positive results in the nPCR, although seroconversion was detected only in three of the exposed animals, with no clinical lentiviruses manifestation, in 720 days of observation. There was a close relationship between viral sequences obtained from infected animals and the prototype CAEV-Cork. Thus, it was concluded that SRLV can be transmitted from goats to sheep, however, the degree of adaptation of the virus strain to the host species probably interferes with the infection persistence and seroconversion rate.

Interspecific transmission of small ruminant lentiviruses from goats to sheep

This study was conducted in order to evaluate the transmission of caprine lentivirus to sheep using different experimental groups. The first one (colostrum group) was formed by nine lambs receiving colostrum from goats positive for small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLV). The second group (milk group) was established by nine lambs that received milk of these goats. Third was a control group, consisting of lambs that suckled colostrum and milk of negative mothers. Another experimental group (contact group) was formed by eight adult sheep, confined with two naturally infected goats. The groups were monitored by immunoblotting (IB), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR). All lambs that suckled colostrum and milk of infected goats and six sheep of the contact group had positive results in the nPCR, although seroconversion was detected only in three of the exposed animals, with no clinical lentiviruses manifestation, in 720 days of observation. There was a close relationship between viral sequences obtained from infected animals and the prototype CAEV-Cork. Thus, it was concluded that SRLV can be transmitted from goats to sheep, however, the degree of adaptation of the virus strain to the host species probably interferes with the infection persistence and seroconversion rate.

Physiological responses and characteristics of sperm collected after electroejaculation or transrectal ultrasound-guided massage of the accessory sex glands in anesthetized mouflons (Ovis musimon) and Iberian ibexes (Capra pyrenaica).

The objective was to characterize the stress response and the seminal parameters obtained with electroejaculation (EE) or transrectal ultrasound-guided massage of the accessory sex glands (TUMASG) in two captive but nondomestic ruminants, the mouflons and the Iberian ibex under general anesthesia. In mouflons, the physiological responses (heart and respiratory rate, rectal temperature, cortisol, creatine kinase, potassium and glucose concentrations) changed similarly with both procedures. The TUMASG procedure was faster than EE in mouflons (21.7 ± 1.4 vs. 12.4 ± 1.2 minutes, P < 0.01). In ibexes, respiratory rate, cortisol and creatine kinase concentration changes were greater with EE than with TUMASG (final respiratory rate: 62.7 ± 5.5 vs. 38.1 ± 5.6 breaths/min [P < 0.05]; final cortisol: 51.4 ± 5.1 vs. 25.3 ± 5.6 ng/mL [P < 0.001]; and final creatine kinase: 300.9 ± 99.9 vs. 87.1 ± 16.9 U/L [P < 0.001]). Electroejaculation provided better results in some sperm parameters (mouflons: sperm score: 3.4 ± 0.3 vs. 2.6 ± 0.2 [P < 0.01]; total number of sperm ejaculated: 982.4 ± 299 vs. 710.0 ± 542.2 [P < 0.05]; ibexes: sperm with progressive motility: 47.7 ± 6.2 vs. 20.5 ± 8.3 [P < 0.05]). The transrectal ultrasound-guided massage of the accessory sex glands appears to be an alternative technique to collect sperm from wild ruminants, reducing the need for electrical stimuli and thus decreasing the undesired responses of EE in the more sensitive species. On the other hand, better fresh sperm may be collected with EE. However, TUMASG provides practical advantages in animal welfare, firstly in these wild species more sensible to stress management and capture myopathy.

Atividade anti-helmíntica do extrato aquoso das folhas de Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Lam. (Rutaceae) / Anthelmintic activity of aqueous extract of Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Lam. leaves (Rutaceae)

O estudo avaliou a atividade anti-helmíntica do extrato aquoso das folhas de Zanthoxylum rhoifolium em dois experimentos. O teste in vitro utilizou cultivos de fezes de caprinos tratados com diferentes concentrações do extrato: (134,5 a 335,0 mg.mL-1). No teste in vivo, utilizaram-se 20 ovelhas: G1 tratado durante quatro dias (0,63 g.kg-1 PV); G2, mesma dose, por oito dias; G3, ivermectina (200 μg.kg-1); e G4, sem tratamento. In vitro, observou-se redução de larvas de Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus e Oesophagostomum superior a 95% nas concentrações de 193,7 a 335,0 mg.mL-1. In vivo, a redução de ovos por grama de fezes foi de 51, 56 e 90%, respectivamente, para G1, G2 e G3, no oitavo dia de tratamento, enquanto para os estágios imaturos e adultos variou de 0 a 91% no G1 e 26 a 94% no G2. A eficácia da ivermectina alcançou 99% para L4 e L5 de H. contortus e 100% para as demais espécies de nematoides. Parâmetros clínicos e bioquímicos permaneceram na faixa de normalidade, e as análises histopatológicas não revelaram alterações sugestivas de toxicidade. Embora altamente efetivo in vitro, o extrato aquoso de folhas de Z. rhoifolium foi pouco eficaz in vivo na redução de nematoides gastrintestinais.

The study evaluated the anthelmintic activity of aqueous extract of Zanthoxylum rhoifolium leaves in two experiments. In vitro test, cultures of goat fecal samples were treated with different concentrations of extract (134.5 to 335.0 mg.mL-1). In vivo test was composed of 20 sheep: G1: treated with 0.63 g.kg-1, during four days; G2: same dose, for eight days; G3: ivermectin (200 μg.kg-1) and G4 untreated group. In vitro results showed a reduction of Haemonchus spp, Trichostrongylus spp. and Oesophagostomum spp. larvae greater than 95% in the concentrations between 335.0 and 193.7 mg.mL-1. Faecal egg counting reduction was 51, 56 and 90% in G1, G2 and G3, respectively, while immature stages and adults ranged from 0 to 91% in G1 and from 26 to 94% in G2. Ivermectin effectiveness was 99% for L4 and L5 of H. contortus and 100% for other nematodes species. Clinical and biochemical parameters have remained in the normality and histophatologic analyses did not show alteration suggesting absence of toxicity. Although the great effectiveness of Z. rhoifolium leaves extract in vitro test, it displayed poor efficiency in vivo regarding gastrointestinal nematodes reduction.

Atividade anti-helmíntica do extrato aquoso das folhas de Zanthoxylum rhoifolium Lam. (Rutaceae)

The study evaluated the anthelmintic activity of aqueous extract of Zanthoxylum rhoifolium leaves in two experiments. In vitro test, cultures of goat fecal samples were treated with different concentrations of extract (134.5 to 335.0 mg.mL-1). In vivo test was composed of 20 sheep: G1: treated with 0.63 g.kg-1, during four days; G2: same dose, for eight days; G3: ivermectin (200 g.kg-1) and G4 untreated group. In vitro results showed a reduction of Haemonchus spp, Trichostrongylus spp. and Oesophagostomum spp. larvae greater than 95% in the concentrations between 335.0 and 193.7 mg.mL-1. Faecal egg counting reduction was 51, 56 and 90% in G1, G2 and G3, respectively, while immature stages and adults ranged from 0 to 91% in G1 and from 26 to 94% in G2. Ivermectin effectiveness was 99% for L4 and L5 of H. contortus and 100% for other nematodes species. Clinical and biochemical parameters have remained in the normality and histophatologic analyses did not show alteration suggesting absence of toxicity. Although the great effectiveness of Z. rhoifolium leaves extract in vitro test, it displayed poor efficiency in vivo regarding gastrointestinal nematodes reduction.

O estudo avaliou a atividade anti-helmíntica do extrato aquoso das folhas de Zanthoxylum rhoifolium em dois experimentos. O teste in vitro utilizou cultivos de fezes de caprinos tratados com diferentes concentrações do extrato: (134,5 a 335,0 mg.mL-1). No teste in vivo, utilizaram-se 20 ovelhas: G1 tratado durante quatro dias (0,63 g.kg-1 PV); G2, mesma dose, por oito dias; G3, ivermectina (200 g.kg-1); e G4, sem tratamento. In vitro, observou-se redução de larvas de Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus e Oesophagostomum superior a 95% nas concentrações de 193,7 a 335,0 mg.mL-1. In vivo, a redução de ovos por grama de fezes foi de 51, 56 e 90%, respectivamente, para G1, G2 e G3, no oitavo dia de tratamento, enquanto para os estágios imaturos e adultos variou de 0 a 91% no G1 e 26 a 94% no G2. A eficácia da ivermectina alcançou 99% para L4 e L5 de H. contortus e 100% para as demais espécies de nematoides. Parâmetros clínicos e bioquímicos permaneceram na faixa de normalidade, e as análises histopatológicas não revelaram alterações sugestivas de toxicidade. Embora altamente efetivo in vitro, o extrato aquoso de folhas de Z. rhoifolium foi pouco eficaz in vivo na redução de nematoides gastrintestinais.