Predictive value of prepartum serum metabolites for incidence of clinical and subclinical mastitis in grazing primiparous Holstein cows.

The aim of this study was to measure changes in biochemical markers in the peripartum period of primiparous Holstein cows diagnosed with subclinical and clinical mastitis. In this study, 37 dairy cows were monitored daily during milking until 60 days postpartum and were categorized according to the occurrence of clinical mastitis (group mastitis (GM), n = 9) or subclinical mastitis (group subclinical mastitis (GSUB), n = 10) or absence of symptoms (control group (CG), n = 18). Blood samples were collected weekly from -30 to 60 days from calving. Samples were grouped for prepartum (-30 to 0 days from calving), early postpartum (0 to 30 days from calving), and late postpartum (30 to 60 days from calving) periods. Prepartum serum non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration was higher in GM than in CG (P < 0.01). In addition, CG had higher prepartum serum glucose concentration than GM (P = 0.03). In the early postpartum period, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity was lower in CG than in GSUB (P < 0.05), and in the late postpartum period, AST activity was lower in CG than GSUB and GM (P = 0.01). Somatic cell count was higher during the early and late postpartum periods for GM and GSUB when compared to CG (P < 0.01). In this study, primiparous cows with low glucose and higher NEFA in the prepartum were more susceptible for mastitis in the early postpartum, probably due to low immune function associated to a more negative energy balance. In sum, increased prepartum serum NEFA concentration and decreased glucose in primiparous cows were associated with clinical mastitis incidence in the postpartum period.

Reduction of liver function delays resumption of postpartum ovarian activity and alters the synthesis of acute phase proteins in dairy cows.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration of acute phase proteins, milk production, and resumption of postpartum ovarian activity of clinically healthy dairy cows in a semi-extensive system with different Liver Functionality Index (LFI) values. The animals were divided into two groups: Low LFI (LLFI: -7 to -12; n: 10) and High LFI (HLFI: -7 to -4; n: 10). Animals with LLFI had lower paraoxonase activity and lower albumin concentration in the pre- and postpartum periods (P<0.05), higher non-esterified fatty acids prepartum (P<0.005), and higher haptoglobin concentration postpartum (P<0.01). The LLFI group showed lower resumption of ovarian activity until 44days postpartum (29%; P<0.05) than HLFI (86%). Milk production did not differ between groups. Therefore, this study suggests that the LFI is an important biomarker of synthesis of acute phase proteins and the first ovulation interval, and it can be used to improve the production and reproductive performance.

Characterization of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter region of the bovine paraoxonase 1 (PON1) gene affecting serum enzyme activity in dairy cows.

The aim of the present study was to characterize single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of the bovine paraoxonase 1 (PON1) gene and determine their relationship with PON1 serum activity. Blood samples were collected from 47 Holstein cows during the periparturient period. Serum PON1 was measured and DNA extracted for PCR and sequencing of the promoter region of the PON1 gene. Seven novel SNPs were identified and of these, five SNPs, at positions -105, -221, -392, -611 and -674, upstream of the start of the published mRNA sequence (NM_001046269.2), were found to be associated with variability in serum PON1 activity (P < 0.05). The SNPs at positions -221 and -611 were located in regions predicted to bind to transcription factors linked to the acute phase response.

Associations between resumption of postpartum ovarian activity, uterine health and concentrations of metabolites and acute phase proteins during the transition period in Holstein cows.

The resumption of ovarian activity, uterine health, severity of the negative energy balance and the synthesis of inflammatory mediators during the transition period in dairy cows are interrelated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the resumption of postpartum ovarian activity and the percentage of polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells in endometrial cytology, lipid mobilization and the secretion of acute phase proteins. For this study, 20 multiparous Holstein cows were used. Blood samples that were collected from 21d before calving to 44d in milk (DIM) were analyzed for serum glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), insulin, haptoglobin, albumin, paraoxonase and progesterone. Endometrial cytology was performed at 37±2DIM to evaluate the percentage of PMN cells in the uterine flushing. Cows were divided into two groups: (1) ovulatory cows (n=12), which returned to ovarian activity by 44±2DIM; and (2) anovulatory cows (n=8), which did not resume ovarian activity during this period. Ovulatory cows had a lower (P=0.05) percentage of PMN cells in endometrial cytology than anovulatory cows (26.3±8.3% vs. 53.4±16.9%, respectively). Ovulatory cows had higher serum albumin during the pre- (P=0.03) and postpartum periods (P=0.01), and tended to have lower haptoglobin concentrations in the prepartum period (P=0.07) and higher paraoxonase activity in the postpartum period (P=0.09). In conclusion, cows that resumed ovarian activity early in the postpartum period had higher albumin concentrations in the peripartum period, which were associated with a lower percentage of uterine PMN cells.

Butafosfan e cianocobalamina: estratégia para melhorar a funcionalidade hepática de vacas leiteiras primíparas / Butaphosphan and cyanocobalamin: strategy to improve the liver function of primiparous dairy cows

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do butafosfan isolado ou associado à cianocobalamina sobre marcadores do metabolismo energético, mineral e inflamatório, produção de leite e índice de funcionalidade hepática (IFH) de vacas leiteiras primíparas. Vinte e três vacas da raça Holandês foram aleatoriamente distribuídas em três grupos experimentais: Grupo Combinação (COM, n = 8), que recebeu 100 mL da combinação de butafosfan+cianocobalamina;Grupo Butafosfan (BUT, n = 8), que recebeu 100 mL de solução aquosa de Butafosfan; e Grupo Controle (CTL, n = 7), que recebeu 100 mL de solução fisiológica 0,9%. Todos os animais recebram 5 doses subcutâneas de 20 mL a cada 24 horas, iniciando logo após o parto. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas nos dias 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20 e 28 para análises de cálcio, fósforo, ácidos graxos não esterificados (AGNEs) e ß-hidroxibutirato (BHBA). Albumina, bilirrubina, colesterol total, haptoglobina e paraoxonase foram analisadas nos dias 0, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 e 28. Foi avaliado o escore de condição corporal e a produção leiteira até 60 dias pós-parto. Níveis reduzidos de BHBA (P<0,05) foram encontrados no grupo BUT. Animais com alto IFH apresentaram menores níveis de BHBA (P<0,05) e tendência de redução nos níveis de AGNEs (P<0,10), porém o IFH não foi influenciado pelos tratamentos. Apesar de o butafosfan reduzir os níveis de BHBA, o índice de funcionalidade hepática de vacas primímaras não foi influenciado pelos tratamentos.

The objective of study was to evaluate the effects of butafosfan and cyanocobalamin on markers of energetic, mineral and inflammatory metabolism, milk production and the liver functionality index (LFI) of primiparous dairy cows. Twenty-three Holstein cows were allocated into: Combination group (COM, n = 8), receiving 100 mL of Catosal®; Butafosfan group (BUT, n = 8) that received 100 mL of aqueous Butafosfan; and Control (CTL, n = 7), receiving 100 mL of 0.9% saline. All the animals received 100 mL (5 doses of 20mL every 24h), subcutaneously, beginning soon after calving. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 28 for analysis of calcium, phosphorus, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB). The analysis of albumin, bilirubin, cholesterol, haptoglobin and paraoxonase were performed on days 0, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 28. We evaluated body condition score (BCS) and milk production (kg /day) until day 60 after calving. The LFI was determined considering the plasma levels of total cholesterol, albumin and bilirubin on days 3 and 28 after calving. The BUT group showed lower BHB levels (P<0.05) than CTL group. The animals from group with high LFI had lower concentrations of BHB (P<0.05) and a trend of lower concentrations of NEFA (P<0.10), whereas the animals with poor liver function (low) showed tendency to have lower level of albumin (P <0.10). Howerver, the LFI was not affected by treatments (P> 0.05). In conclusion, despite the butafosfan and cyanocobalamin modulate energy metabolism in this study the hepatic functionality index was not affected by treatments.

Hipomagnesemia subclínica em vacas leiteiras durante o período de transição: ocorrências hormonais e metabólicas / Subclinic hypomagnesemia in dairy cows during transiton period: hormonal and metabolic events

O objetivo, com este estudo, foi investigar as conseqüências da hipomagnesemia subclínica sobre parâmetros metabólicos de vacas leiteiras. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas de 12 animais, a cada dois dias, entre os dias 22 pré e 22 pós-parto, para a realização de análises sanguíneas e determinação do perfil metabólico. Os animais foram categorizados de acordo com os níveis séricos de magnésio: Grupo Hipomagnesêmicas (n=5), com níveis abaixo de 1,8 mg/dL em ao menos dois dias consecutivos, e o Grupo Controle (n=7), com níveis acima de 1,8 mg/dL em todo o período. O grupo hipomagnesêmicas apresentou níveis de glucagon maiores nos dias 10, 18 e 20, e a taxa Glucagon/Insulina foi maior nos dias 6, 8, 10, 12 e 16 após o parto. As concentrações de aspartato amino transferase foram maiores no grupo hipomagnesêmicas nos dias 0, 6, 8, 10, 12 e 14 pós-parto. Os resultados indicaram que níveis reduzidos de magnésio no periparto podem estar relacionados com níveis elevados de aspartato amino transferase e de glucagon. Em geral, a hipomagnesemia subclínica não altera os níveis dos indicadores do metabolismo energético, mas os resultados demonstraram que as vacas com hipomagnesemia apresentaram maior taxa de glucagon/insulina, demonstrando um maior desafio para manter os níveis glicêmicos.

The objetctive, with this study, was to investigate the consequences of subclinical hypomagnesemia on the metabolic parameters of dairy cows. Blood samples were collected from 12 animals every two days, between -22 pre and 22 days postpartum, for blood analysis and determining the metabolic profile. The animals were grouped according to magnesium blood concentrations: Hypomagnesemia group (n=5), with blood levels below 1.8 mg/dL in at least two consecutive days, and Control group (n=7), with blood levels above 1.8 mg/dL during the period. The hypomagnesemia group had higher levels of glucagon on days 10, 18 and 20 as well as glucagon/insulin ratio was higher on 6, 8, 10, 12 and 16 days after calving. The blood concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase in the hypomagnesemia group were higher during days 0, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 after calving. The results indicate that the low blood levels of magnesium during peripartum may be associated with elevated levels of aspartate amino transferase and glucagon in the blood. In general, subclinical hypomagnesemia does not alter the levels of indicators of energy metabolism, but the results show that cows with hypomagnesemia have a higher rate of glucagon/insulin, demonstrating a greater challenge to maintain glucose blood concentration.

Hipomagnesemia subclínica em vacas leiteiras durante o período de transição: ocorrências hormonais e metabólicas

O objetivo, com este estudo, foi investigar as conseqüências da hipomagnesemia subclínica sobre parâmetros metabólicos de vacas leiteiras. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas de 12 animais, a cada dois dias, entre os dias 22 pré e 22 pós-parto, para a realização de análises sanguíneas e determinação do perfil metabólico. Os animais foram categorizados de acordo com os níveis séricos de magnésio: Grupo Hipomagnesêmicas (n=5), com níveis abaixo de 1,8 mg/dL em ao menos dois dias consecutivos, e o Grupo Controle (n=7), com níveis acima de 1,8 mg/dL em todo o período. O grupo hipomagnesêmicas apresentou níveis de glucagon maiores nos dias 10, 18 e 20, e a taxa Glucagon/Insulina foi maior nos dias 6, 8, 10, 12 e 16 após o parto. As concentrações de aspartato amino transferase foram maiores no grupo hipomagnesêmicas nos dias 0, 6, 8, 10, 12 e 14 pós-parto. Os resultados indicaram que níveis reduzidos de magnésio no periparto podem estar relacionados com níveis elevados de aspartato amino transferase e de glucagon. Em geral, a hipomagnesemia subclínica não altera os níveis dos indicadores do metabolismo energético, mas os resultados demonstraram que as vacas com hipomagnesemia apresentaram maior taxa de glucagon/insulina, demonstrando um maior desafio para manter os níveis glicêmicos.

The use of sodic monensin and probiotics for controlling subacute ruminal acidosis in sheep / O uso de monensina sódica e probióticos para o controle de acidose ruminal subaguda em ovinos

It was to validated a protocol for induction of subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) (Experiment 1) and test the efficiency of probiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae or monensin to avoid pH ruminal drops in sheep (Experiment 2). In Experiment 1, six ewes were fasted for two days and then fed most with concentrate during four days. Ewes in this protocol had ruminal fluid pH below 6.0 and kept it for 75 consecutive hours. In Experiment 2, 18 sheep were distributed into three groups: Control (CG, n = 6), monensin (MG, n = 6) and probiotic group (PG, n = 6). SARA was induced according Experiment 1. PG had lower pH (5.7 ± 0.1) than CG (6.0 ± 0.1) (P = 0.05), while MG (5.7 ± 0.1) was similar to both during SARA induction. SARA induction reduced ruminal protozoa population (P < 0.05) and increased chloride concentrations in ruminal fluid (P < 0.01). In serum, SARA increased concentrations of phosphorus (P < 0.01), AST (P < 0.01) and GGT (P < 0.01), but reduced LDH (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the protocol used for SARA induction was able to maintain ruminal pH between 5.5-6.0 for more than 48 hours. However, monensin and probiotics supplementation was not effective in preventing changes in ruminal and serum parameters during SARA.

Foi validado um protocolo para a indução de acidose ruminal subaguda (SARA) (Experimento 1) e testar a eficácia do probiótico Saccharomyces cerevisiae ou monensina na prevenção da queda do pH do fluido ruminal em ovinos (Experimento 2). No Experimento 1, seis ovelhas foram mantidas em jejum por dois dias e, em seguida, alimentadas basicamente com concentrado durante quatro dias. Nesse protocolo as ovelhas mantiveram o pH do fluido ruminal abaixo de 6,0 por 75 horas consecutivas. No Experimento 2, 18 ovelhas foram distribuídas em três grupos: controle (GC, n = 6), monensina (GM, n = 6) e o grupo probiótico (GP, n = 6). A SARA foi induzida de acordo com o Experimento 1. GP apresentaram valores de pH mais baixos (5,7 ± 0,1) do que o GC (6,0 ± 0,1) (P = 0,05), enquanto GM (5,7 ± 0,1) foi semelhante durante a indução de SARA. A indução SARA reduziu a população de protozoários no rúmen (P < 0,05) e aumentou a concentração de cloreto no líquido ruminal (P < 0,01). Durante a SARA observou-se aumento das concentrações séricas de fósforo (P < 0,01), AST (P < 0,01) e GGT (P < 0,01), mas reduziu a de LDH (P < 0,01). Em conclusão, o protocolo utilizado para a indução de SARA foi capaz de manter o pH do rúmen entre 5,5-6,0 por períodos superiores a 48 horas. No entanto, a suplementação com monensina e probióticos não foi eficaz na prevenção das alterações nos parâmetros ruminais e séricos durante SARA.

Pesquisa de emprego e desemprego: sua importância como metodologia de pesquisa / Survey on employment and unemployment: its importance as research methodology

A importância da desenvolvimento da Pesquisa de Emprego e Desemprego – PED para a Região Metropolitana de São Paulo ultrapassa a capacidade de gerar informações sobre um mercado de trabalho heterogêneo. Além da inovadora construção teórica, a PED criou uma metodologia de dados que complementa as percepções dos analistas e que pode ser reproduzida para outros temas e localidades.

Desafios da regulação no Brasil / Challenges of regulation in Brazil

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo apresentar a visão da Associação Brasileira de Agências de Regulação (Abar) quanto aos desafios da regulação no Brasil. Tal visão tem a finalidade de propor uma reflexão sobre as condutas das agências reguladoras, depois de pouco mais de 10 anos de seu surgimento na administração pública brasileira, no formato de entidades independentes.