Salmon oil supplementation in dogs affects the blood flow of testicular arteries.

The administration of fish oils is known to cause changes in several reproductive parameters of domestic animals. The ingestion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) of the omega-3 family, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), has been described and correlated with changes in the semen quality, testosterone levels and male fertility. Nevertheless, few studies monitored and registered effects after ceasing supplementation. In the present study, we monitored the Doppler velocimetric and ultrasonographic parameters of nine dogs' testis for 90 days (D90) checking the effect of salmon oil supplementation, and monitoring continued for 60 days more, after ceasing supplementation (D150). Ultrasonographic evaluations comprised determining the Doppler velocimetric parameters, testicular and epididymal volume, and testicular echotexture. Peak systolic velocity (PSV) as well as final diastolic velocity (EDV) in the supratesticular arteries (STA), and marginal artery (MA) increased during the period of treatment and kept that level up to D150. There was no difference between the fish-oil supplementation period and the unsupplemented one regarding the testicular and epididymal volume and echogenicity and heterogeneity characteristics. A negative correlation was found between heterogeneity of testis and sperm production (r = -.41, p = .008). Doppler velocimetry indices were affected by the supplementation, leading to an increase in testicular blood flow.

Partial inhibition of nitric oxide synthase activity stimulates the nuclear maturation progression of bovine cumulus-oocyte complex in vitro in the presence of hemisections of the follicular walls.

This study aimed to assess the effects of the inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) on events that modulate bovine in vitro oocyte maturation. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured with hemisections (HSs) of the follicular walls in a maturation medium supplemented with different concentrations (0.1-10.0 mM) of Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (l-NAME). Controls consisted of COCs cultured in the presence (+HSs) or absence of HSs (-HSs) with no additional l-NAME supplementation. The following parameters were assessed: oocyte nuclear maturation stage; cumulus cell (CC) membrane integrity; nitrate/nitrite, progesterone, and estradiol concentrations in the culture medium at 22 h of cultivation; and the concentrations of cGMP and cAMP in COCs during the first hour of maturation. The addition of 1.0 mM l-NAME increased the percentage of oocytes that reached metaphase II (MII) and the percentage of intact CCs (P < 0.05). All l-NAME concentrations reduced the nitrate/nitrite concentrations (P < 0.05), but none affected steroid concentrations compared with control +HSs (P > 0.05). The addition of 1.0 mM l-NAME reduced cGMP concentrations at 3 h and increased cAMP concentrations in the first hour of culture (P < 0.05). Our findings suggest that the NOS/NO/cGMP pathway participates in meiosis progression (MI to MII) of the bovine oocytes matured in vitro in the presence of hemisections of the follicular walls. Lastly, the mechanisms that lead to the progression of meiosis after NOS inhibition do not involve changes in steroid production.

Evaluation of a cattle rapid test for early pregnancy diagnosis in sheep.

The early pregnancy diagnosis allows optimizing production and timely management correction, with a greater reproductive output of livestock. The Idexx Rapid Visual Pregnancy Test® consists of an ELISA for visual reading which does not require the use of readers in the laboratory, with satisfactory pregnancy diagnoses at 28 days of pregnancy in cattle. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate this rapid test and to verify the most appropriate day for the diagnosis of pregnancy in the ovine species. For this purpose, 98 serum samples from pregnant sheep and 36 from non-pregnant were used, with duplicate samples, and diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasound examination, used as the gold standard. The numbers of positive samples obtained at 26, 28, and 30 days of pregnancy were 26, 27, and 45, respectively. The Rapid Visual Pregnancy Test correctly identified 100% of the samples as positive at pregnancy of days 26, 28, and 30. The sensitivity and specificity of the test were also 100%. The Idexx Rapid Visual Pregnancy Test, initially indicated for cattle, is effective for the detection of pregnancy in the ovine species, enabling diagnosis of pregnant sheep from the 26th day of pregnancy.

Uterine hemodynamics during a short-term progesterone synchronization protocol in ewes.

Twenty-eight pluriparous and non-lactating Santa Inês sheep were synchronized with vaginal sponge and an intramuscular (IM) injection of 37.5 µg of cloprostenol on random days of the estrous cycle (D0); day 6 (D6), at 7:00 am, the devices were removed, and after 24 h (D7), GnRH analog (25 µg of lecirelin) was administrated. Fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) with cervical traction by the transcervical route was performed 52 to 58 h after sponge removal. Doppler velocimetry of both uterine arteries was performed on D0, D2, D4, and the morning of D6 (every 48 h), and then every 12 h from D6 to D8 (7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.). We analyzed the peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EVD), time-averaged maximum and mean velocity (TAMAX, TAMEAN), pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), systolic/diastolic ratio (S/D), arterial diameter (AD), and blood flow volume (BFV), with the objective of evaluating the hemodynamic behavior of blood flow velocity parameters of the uterine artery during a short-term progesterone synchronization protocol in ewes. With respect to phases, we noted increases in the means of TAMAX and TAMEAN and decreases of EDV, PI, and RI (P < 0.05). S/D, EDV, TAMEAN, PI, RI, SD, AD, and BFV showed differences between the time of progesterone insertion and the estimated time of ovulation (which was considered the last evaluation) (P < 0.05). The PI and RI values were different when comparing the times of insertion and withdrawal of the progesterone device (PI 2.53-1.54 and RI 0.76-0.68) (P < 0.05). The PI was different with respect to side (P < 0.001), but no side effect was seen in the RI. In conclusion, the two uterine arteries behave differently under the effect of progesterone (intravaginal sponges) and the effect of estradiol during the follicular phase, and estrous phase was responsible for increasing uterine blood flow.

Residual effect after salmon oil supplementation on semen quality and serum levels of testosterone in dogs.

The objective of present study was to evaluate the effects of oral supplementation of salmon oil on seminal parameters and testosterone serum levels in dogs, following also the residual effects for 60 days after treatment. Nine healthy male dogs with proven fertility, weighing between 10 and 36 kg, ageing from 2 to 11 years, of different breeds, fed diets supplemented with salmon oil at the manufacturer's recommended dosage. The parameters measured were sperm volume, motility, vigour, normal morphology and concentration, live/dead ratio, membrane viability by means of HOST test and serum testosterone levels. Evaluations occurred at baseline (D0), after 90 days of supplementation (D90) and at the end of the experiment, 60 days after supplementation cessation (D150). Results (mean ± SD) obtained at time D0, D90 and D150 were as follows: motility of 76.66% ± 13.7, 92.77 ± 4.41 and 93.0 ± 7.90 (p = .001); normal spermatozoa of 69.11% ± 24.90, 90.00% ± 5.15 and 80.66 ± 16.04 (p = .05); live/dead (%) from 64.44 ± 22.86 to 85.33 ± 8.41 (p = .001); and spermatozoa (%) with integral membrane in the membrane integrity (HOST) test ranging from 76.44 ± 20.74 to 91.22 ± 4.68 (p = .05). Serum levels of testosterone (ng/ml) increased from 5.50 ± 1.13 to 8.84 ± 1.13 at D90 (p = .003) and decreased after 2 months (D150) to 5.13 ± 1.13. In conclusion, a 90-day supplementation with salmon oil had a positive influence on semen quality and serum testosterone levels. The supplementation of omegas 3 and 6 at the ratio of 10:1 for 90 days determined an increase in concentration and motility of the sperm, and these effects were maintained for 60 days, with the only exception of testosterone levels.

Nitric oxide impacts bovine sperm capacitation in a cGMP-dependent and cGMP-independent manner.

We aimed to elucidate whether NO acts in in vitro sperm capacitation in bovine via cGMP/PKG1 pathway. For this, cryopreserved bovine sperm were capacitated in vitro with 20 µg/ml heparin (Control) plus treatments: 1 mM L-arginine (L-arg, NO precursor), 50 µM Rp-8-Bromo-ß-phenyl-1,N2 -ethenoguanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate (Rp-8-Br-cGMPS, selective inhibitor of the binding site for cGMP in PKG1), 1 mM 2-Phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl 3-oxide (PTIO, NO scavenger), and the combinations of L-arg + RP-8-Br-cGMPS and L-arg + PTIO. Sperm motility and vigour were determined by phase-contrast microscopy, capacitation status by chlortetracycline staining, and the intracellular concentration of cGMP was measured by ELISA. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means compared with SNK test at 5% probability. Motility and vigour were lower in sperm treated with PTIO when compared to Control and other treatments (p < .05). The L-arg treatment showed the highest percentage of capacitated sperm when compared to the Control and other treatments (Rp-8-Br-cGMPS, L-arg + Rp-8-Br-cGMPS and PTIO) (69.8 ± 3.4%, 51.2 ± 3.0, 51.1 ± 2.1, 51.2 ± 3.0 and 45.5 ± 2.7, respectively) (p < .05). The capacitation ratio (%) was lower in treatments with Rp-8-Br-cGMPS, L-arg + Rp-8-Br-cGMPS and PTIO, respectively (p < .05). Lastly, cGMP concentration (pmol/ml) was lower in PTIO and L-arg + PTIO (1.3 ± 0.3 and 1.6 ± 0.4) and was higher in Rp-8-Br-cGMPS and L-arg + Rp-8-Br-cGMPS (3.7 ± 0.4 and 4.0 ± 0.5) treatments. We showed that during in vitro capacitation of cattle: (a) NO influences sperm motility and vigour; (b) NO is associated with cGMP synthesis through two independent pathways and (c) the cGMP/PKG1 pathway has a partial role in sperm capacitation and does not involve the L-arg/NO.

Diversity of indigenous sheep of an isolated population.

BACKGROUND: Because of the influence of genetics on animal production and the risk of losing genetic diversity of naturally adapted breeds, this study evaluated the genetic diversity of sheep of the Morada Nova breed belonging to an animal science institute in Brazil. The herd in question is one of the country's most representative of the breed. Samples of DNA extracted from the plasma of 61 animals were used for later analysis of the genotypes using microsatellite molecular markers. RESULTS: The polymorphic information content was 0.66, the observed heterozygosity was 0.65 and the fixation index was 0.048. According to the results, there is moderate genetic diversity in the studied population, suggesting the implantation of breeding programs aimed at conservation of the observed genetic diversity. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study will be of great importance to decisions on herd structure, besides contributing to other work to be carried out at the research center.

Variants in the CYP19A1 gene can affect in vitro embryo production traits in cattle.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to associate DNA variants in promoter and exon flanking regions of the CYP19A1 gene with in vitro embryo production traits in cattle. The role of transcription factor binding sites created or lost due to DNA sequence variation and their possible effect on gene expression was also evaluated. METHODS: We collected date from Gyr dairy oocyte donor cows (Bos taurus indicus) at a commercial in vitro embryo production farm and analyzed the genotype-phenotype association with in vitro production traits. Using Sanger sequencing and web-based software, we assessed important CYP19A1 gene regions in oocyte donor cows and analyzed the effects of variants on the transcription factor binding sites. RESULTS: Two SNP mutations significantly associated with oocyte production, oocyte viability, embryo development, and pregnancies were found (T > C in the untranslated exon 1 flanking region ([GenBank: AJ250379.1]: rs718446508 T > C), and a T > C in the 5'-upstream region (1.1 promoter) ([GenBank: AC_000167.1]: rs41651668 T > C). Six new transcription factor binding sites were created. A binding site for transcription factors associated with the development of the placenta and embryo implantation was eliminated due to variations in the DNA sequence identified. CONCLUSIONS: The CYP19A1 gene contributes to genetic variation of in vitro embryo production traits in cattle. The complexity of the physiological phenomena related to estrogen pathways and their influence on reproduction in cattle allow indication of the mutations evaluated here as possible genetic markers for embryo production traits, which should be validated in the next steps of marker-assisted selection.

Effect of odontoplasty on intake, nutrient digestibility, and intake time of tifton hay in ponies.

We aimed to evaluate the effects of dental correction on voluntary nutrient intake, time of intake, apparent digestibility and fecal particle size in Brazilian ponies. Twelve mares, with no history of previous dental treatments, housed in individual pens and fed a diet based on tifton 85 were used. The study comprised two consecutive experimental phases, pre and post dental treatment. Each phase consisted of 15 days for adaptation to the pen and treatment and 5 days for data collection, totaling 20 days. To calculate nutrient intake and digestibility coefficients, samples of diets, leftovers, and feces were analyzed for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), crude fat (CF), mineral matter (MM), organic matter (OM), and non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC). Food intake time was recorded using a digital video recorder. Fecal particles were analyzed by wet sieving. Dental correction did not influence the intake of DM, CP, NDF, CF, and OM by the animals. However, there was an increase in NFC intake from 0.12 kg to 0.14 kg and in food intake time from 654.50 ± 138.98 to 774.95 ± 167.14. There was a decrease in the digestibility of CP from 0.08 kg to 0.04 kg and an increase in the digestibility of NDF from 0.65 kg to 0.82 kg. Although odontoplasty increased the time of hay intake and the digestibility of the fibrous fractions of the feed of ponies, it did not influence the intake of nutrients and the size of the fecal particles.

Effects of a Single Intra-Articular Injection of 2% Lidocaine or 0.5% Bupivacaine on Synovial Fluid Acute Phase Protein Concentrations in Healthy Horses.

The purpose of this study was to compare the extent of inflammation response in the middle carpal joints of healthy horses following intra-articular injection of 2% lidocaine, 0.5% bupivacaine, or 0.9% saline solution. The right middle carpal joint of 20 horses was injected with 5 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine (GB, n = 10) or 5 mL of 2% lidocaine (GL, n = 10). The left middle carpal joint of horses was used as a control (5 mL 0.9% saline). Serum and synovial fluid (SF) were aseptically collected before and at predetermined times after each injection. Serum and synovial fluid protein, albumin, transferrin, haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin, α1-antitripsin, and α1-acid glycoprotein concentrations were measured by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and compared among treatments. The results were submitted to analysis of variance using the SAS statistical program, and means were compared by the Student-Newman-Keuls test (P < .05). Both lidocaine and bupivacaine induced serum and SF changes indicative of inflammation, but the magnitude of those changes was more pronounced for lidocaine. Administration of 0.9% saline also induced an inflammatory reaction, but the magnitude of these changes was less pronounced than those caused by GB and GL. The results suggested that bupivacaine is safer than lidocaine for intra-articular injection in horses. Saline solution should not be used as an adjunct to intra-articular injections in horses.

Clinical and Antinociceptive Effects of Distal Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block in Ponies With Tramadol 5% or Lidocaine 2.

This study aimed to compare the antinociceptive effects of tramadol 5% and lidocaine 2% on mental nerve block in horses of the Brazilian Pony breed. Eight adult non-pregnant mares were used in this study. The ponies were tranquilized with acepromazine (5 µg kg-1, IV), and the infiltration of the mental foramen was performed in Treatment 1- tramadol 5% (T, 150 mg) or Treatment 2- lidocaine 2% (L, 60 mg), both at a total dose of 3 ml in each foramen. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), systolic arterial pressure (SAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), rectal temperature (RT), and formation of skin lesions (SL) were evaluated. Evaluation of nociception of the outer lip (OL), inner lip (IL), and gingiva (GG) were performed using an electronic von Frey device with the evaluation of the ponies' reactions to each stimulus. From these reactions, we determined latency time (LT) and duration of antinociception (DAN). Analysis of variance with 16 observations was performed for HR, RR, SAP, DAP, MAP, LT and DAN. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation and the means were compared by the SNK and Student's t-test (P< 0.05). Changes in HR, RR, SAP, DAP, and MAP between evaluation times were associated with the effects of acepromazine (P>0.05). No formation of skin lesions was observed. Latency time did not differ between treatments (P>0.05). Both lidocaine 2% and tramadol 5% produced an antinociceptive effect. We conclude that the duration of the antinociceptive effect of tramadol 5% is longer than that of lidocaine 2%.

Process of Introduction of Australian Braford Cattle to South America: Configuration of Population Structure and Genetic Diversity Evolution.

This study analyzes the evolution of the population structure and genetic diversity of Braford cattle in South America from 1949 to 2019 to suggest effective strategies for breeding in the future. The percentage of bulls historically increased. The average generational interval decreased to 11.78 years for the current population. Average inbreeding (F) and coancestry (C) are low and show a historically increasing trend (0.001% to 0.002%, respectively). The degree of nonrandom mating (α) increased from -0.0001 to 0.0001 denoting a change in the trend to mate similar individuals. The average relatedness coefficient (ΔR) increased in the current period from 0.002% to 0.004%. A single ancestor explained 4.55% to 7.22% of the population's gene pool. While the effective population size based on the individual inbreeding rate (NeFi) was 462.963, when based on the individual coancestry rate (NeCi), it was 420.168. Genetic diversity loss is small and mainly ascribed to bottlenecks (0.12%) and to unequal contributions of the founders (0.02%). Even if adequate levels of diversity can be found, practices that consider the overuse of individual bulls (conditioned by nature or not), could lead to a long-term reduction in diversity. The present results permit tailoring genetic management strategies that are perfectly adapted to the needs that the population demands internationally.

Effects of feed deprivation on physical and blood parameters of horses.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of feed restriction on some physical and blood parameters in horses kept outdoors under natural conditions. Twenty horses were deprived of food for 48 h. They were closely monitored and examined, and blood samples were taken at the beginning (0) of the experiment and 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42 and 48 hours afterward. During the experimental period, the control group (12 animals) had free access to water and hay, while the restricted group had free access to water only. Data were submitted to two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures, and statistical significance was P ≤ 0.05. The horses tolerated feed restriction without complications. Feed restriction had no effect on body mass and body condition score, heart rate, respiratory rate, capillary filling time and body temperature. However, feed restriction decreased the intensity of gastrointestinal sounds (P<0.05) compared to the control horses. Feed restriction did not cause any changes in erythrocyte variables and gamma glutamyl transferase, creatinine, total protein, and albumin concentrations. During fasting, there was a reduction in the leukocyte response (P<0.05). Feed restriction significantly raised the levels of blood urea nitrogen (24 to 48 hours), aspartate aminotransferase (36 to 48 hours) and total cholesterol (42 to 48 hours). During 48 hours of fasting, there was a continuous increase in triglyceride concentration. Feed restriction for 48 h had a marked effect on the intensity of gastrointestinal sounds and was responsible for important metabolic changes in the healthy horses of our sample.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da restrição alimentar sobre parâmetros físicos e sanguíneos em equinos mantidos a pasto de Tifton (Cynodon spp) e em condições naturais. Vinte cavalos foram privados de alimento por 48 h. Eles foram monitorados, examinados e amostras de sangue foram coletadas no início (0) do experimento e 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42 e 48 horas depois. Durante o período experimental, o grupo controle (12 animais) teve livre acesso a água e feno, enquanto o grupo restrito teve livre acesso apenas a água. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância bidirecional com medidas repetidas e a significância estatística foi P ≤ 0,05. Os cavalos toleraram a restrição alimentar sem complicações. A restrição alimentar por 48 h não teve efeito sobre a massa corporal e escore de condição corporal, frequência cardíaca, frequência respiratória, tempo de enchimento capilar e temperatura corporal. No entanto, o jejum alimentar diminuiu a intensidade dos sons gastrointestinais (P <0,05) em comparação com os cavalos do grupo controle. Não houve alteração nas variáveis eritrocitárias e nas concentrações de gama glutamil transferase, creatinina, proteína total e albumina. Durante o jejum, houve redução da resposta leucocitária (P <0,05) e, aumento significativo dos níveis de nitrogênio uréico no sangue (24 a 48 horas), aspartato aminotransferase (36 a 48 horas) e colesterol total (42 a 48 horas). Durante 48 horas de jejum alimentar, houve aumento contínuo da concentração de triglicerídeos. A restrição alimentar por 48 h teve um efeito marcante na intensidade dos sons gastrointestinais e foi responsável por importantes alterações metabólicas em cavalos saudáveis.

Effects of Flunixin Meglumine, Firocoxib, and Meloxicam in Equines After Castration.

This study is "aimed" to evaluate and compare the efficacy of flunixin meglumine (FM), firocoxib (FX), and meloxicam (MX) after castration of horses. Thirty horses were submitted to open castration and divided into three groups (n = 10) depending on the anti-inflammatory drug administered: group I (GI) (FM, 1.1 mg kg1, IV, once a day [SID], 5 days); group II (GII) (FX, 0.1 mg kg1, IV, SID, 5 days), and group III (GIII) (MX, 0.6 mg kg1, IV, SID, 5 days). Clinical, behavioral, and hematological parameters and the peritoneal fluid (PF) were evaluated before (day [D] 0) and 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 days afterward. In the postoperative, scores of limb rigidity and prepuce edema of animals of GII and GIII were greater than those of GI. Tachycardia was observed in the horses of GII and GIII and hyperthermia in GIII. An increase in the number of leukocytes, neutrophils, and monocytes without exceeding the reference values and hyperfibrinogenemia was observed in the animals of GI (D7), GII (D1-D7), and GIII (D7). There was reduction in serum protein after castration, together with an increase of this in the PF of the animals of the three groups. The PF on D0 was straw yellow and limpid, became reddish and cloudy on D1, and then gradually moved toward its normal color on the ensuing days, but without returning to normal on D7 in any of the groups. The results showed that castration triggers significant clinical and laboratory changes and that FM, FX, and MX are equally effective in controlling pain and inflammation in horses after castration; however, FM was more advantageous.

Physicochemical composition, lipid oxidation, and microbiological quality of ram mortadella supplemented with Smallanthus sonchifolius meal.

This study evaluated the physicochemical, lipid peroxidation, and microbiological quality of mortadellas prepared with ram and supplemented with different amounts of Smallanthus sonchifolius meal. Three mutton mortadella formulations supplemented with 1.25%, 2.50%, and 5% yacón meal and control formulation without yacón meal was included. The physicochemical, lipid peroxidation, and microbiological analyses were carried out in the time periods 10, 45 days, three, and six month after the preparation of mortadella. The control formulation presenting lighter and more intense red tone compared with the other formulations. All formulations presenting lipid peroxidation increased 90 days after processing; already the pH and Aw values were constant for all formulations at the experimental times stipulated. All formulations had the physicochemical characterization and microbiological quality standards, according to defined in regulations for mortadella production in Brazil. The results show that mutton mortadella supplemented with yacón meal is a promising alternative in the manufacture of healthy meat products.

New intragastric sleeve technique reduces adipose tissue in pig experimental model: tomographic study.

In order to implement a new bariatric surgery technique, we verify the efficacy of intragastric sleeve to reduce weight gain and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). Animals were divided into two groups: G1 (single-port intragastric sleeve) and G2 (sham group). The stomach was surgically reduced by single-port intragastric sutures to fo a gastric sleeve. Animals were submitted to computer tomography (CT) before the surgical procedure and after 18 weeks. Images were analyzed and measurements of the thickness of SAT, depth and width of the longissimus dorsi muscle and the rib eye area were made. Body weight and CT measurements were analyzed using the GLM PROC. The correlation coefficients were calculated among weight, moments and measures. There was a significant difference in weight gain, in which G1 had an average of 42.803 ± 3.206 kg, lower than G2 (45.966 ± 4.767 kg). The mean values for SAT and muscle measurements differed significantly between groups, in which G1 achieved the lowest values. All variables had significant correlations and high magnitude. Intragastric sleeve surgery induced a significant decrease of SAT. The new intragastric sleeve technique is feasible, safe and effective, mainly in reducing fat deposition, making it an important alternative in bariatric surgical treatment.

Irradiation of reduced-sodium uncooked lamb sausage: antimicrobial efficacy and physicochemical impact.

Excess sodium in food is associated with an increased risk of noncommunicable diseases. Faced with this reality, consumers are becoming aware of the importance of eating foods with reduced sodium content. This work assesses the effects of partial replacement of NaCl by KCl on the microbiological and physicochemical characteristics of uncooked lamb sausage treated with different doses of gamma radiation. Analyses of thermotolerant coliforms, sulfite-reducing Clostridium, Salmonella sp., protein, moisture, ash, lipids, pH, water activity, and color were performed. The results showed that the formulations with reduced sodium content did not differ significantly concerning microbial growth and met the identity and quality standards considering its physicochemical characteristics. Also, irradiation is efficient as a microbiological control method, and the ± 3-kGy dose was the most effective to eliminate pathogenic bacteria present in the sausage formulation prepared with reduced sodium content, inducing less intense changes in physicochemical parameters.

Effect of Dental Correction on Fecal Fiber Length in Horses.

The aim of the study was to determine if dental correction changes fecal fiber length (FFL) in horses that had never been subjected to dental treatments. Thirty adult horses with mild to moderate dental abnormalities were selected. Dental disorders noted included sharp enamel points, focal overgrowths, shear mouth, step mouth, wave mouth, accentuated transverse ridges, and diastema. The horses were confined to individual stalls and fed Tifton hay (Cynodon spp.) 1.5% bwt/d, divided equally between two feedings. Fecal samples were taken for FFL analysis before (Day 0) and after (Day 15) dental correction. Mean FFL, determined by laboratory analysis, was recorded for each horse and time. The results were submitted to analysis of variance using the SAS statistical program, and means were compared by T-test (P < .05). Dental treatment resulted in significant (P < .05) reductions in FFL, with mean ± standard deviation of 3.27 ± 2.27 mm before dental correction and 2.15 ± 1.29 mm after correction. The results suggest that dental treatment improved the mastication efficiency and that FFL can be used to assess the dental health of equines.

Evaluation of environmental effects on reproductive characteristics of Mangalarga Marchador mares in a commercial embryo transfer program.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the environmental effects on embryo recovery rate and pregnancy rate of Mangalarga Marchador mares. The reproductive characteristics of donor and recipient mares were evaluated during five years in Brazilian tropical environment. The mares were used throughout the year and seasons were classified as: October to April (breeding season - BS); May (autumn transition out of the breeding season - ATBS); June to August (non-breeding season - nBS); and September (vernal transition into the breeding season - VTBS). Daily temperature rainfall and hours of daylight (photoperiod) were measured during all months and years of evaluation. The embryo recovery rate (ERR) and the pregnancy rate (PR) were observed and frequencies were calculated. The effect of environmental variables, day of flushing, and hormonal treatments (estradiol benzoate and progesterone) were determined for the reproductive measures using the Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Significant effects were noted of the year, season and temperature on ERR (P < 0.05), but no significant effects were observed of the environmental parameters (year, season, hormone treatment, rainfall and photoperiod) on PR (P > 0.05). The day of uterine flush affected ERR (P < 0.05) but did not affect PR (P > 0.05). In addition, hormone treatment also supported favorable results of PR in recipient mares during nBS. The conclusion is that mares of this breed can be used in reproduction all year long, with good pregnancy rates, in Brazil's tropical environment. The hormone treatment also supported favorable pregnancy rates in recipient mares during the non-breeding season. It seems that mares can have good pregnancy rates throughout the year in Brazil´s tropical environment.

Diagnostic methods to detect uterus illnesses in mares.

Uterine illnesses are the major problem in horse reproductive programs. The diagnosis of these pathologies is often neglected or does not provide enough information about the cause. The aim of this study was to evaluate different diagnoses to provide more accurate information about endometritis and the real endometrial profile at the beginning of a breeding season. Fifty-one mares with reproductive failure were evaluated. Two different uterine cytology diagnoses, culture of uterine flush material and biopsy assay, were performed. The data were analyzed by the Chi-squared test to compare different diagnostic methods for the same sample from each mare, and sensitivity and specificity tests were performed. Most of evaluations showed no association between cytology and other diagnostic methods, except with bacterial culture. The most common bacterium found was Escherichia colli, but it was not associated with neutrophil presence in cytology. The presence of ß-hemolitic streptococcus was well characterized by positive cytology and cloudy lavage fluid aspect. Endometrial profile was affected by age and whether the mare was a donor or recipient. The most sensitive diagnostic method was gross aspect of lavage fluid. Endometritis should be diagnosed by at least two methods to increase accuracy. Endometritis is not the only uterine disease that causes embryo loss, since endometrial fibrosis can also be a cause.