Predicting the chemical composition of the body and the carcass of hair sheep using body parts and carcass measurements.

Determination of the chemical composition in the body and carcass of ruminants is important for both nutritional requirement studies and the meat industry. This study aimed to develop equations to predict the body and carcass chemical composition of hair sheep using the chemical composition of body parts, carcass measurements and shrunk BW as predictors. A database containing 107 individual records for castrated male hair sheep ranging from 24 to 43 kg BW was gathered from two body composition studies. The empty body, carcass and body parts were analyzed for water, ash, fat and protein contents (%). The body parts used to estimate body and carcass composition were fore leg, hind leg and 9-11th rib section. The carcass measurements used were leg length, thoracic circumference, hind circumference, hind width, thoracic width, thoracic depth and chest width. Each model performance was evaluated using a leave-one-out cross-validation. Multiple regression analysis considering the study as a random effect revealed that body parts in association with carcass measurements were significant for predicting the chemical composition in the body of castrate male sheep. However, the use of the chemical composition of hind leg produced the best models for predicting the ash and fat contents in the empty body, whereas the water and protein contents in the empty body were better predicted when using the chemical compositions of 9-11th rib section and fore leg, respectively. Multiple regression analysis also revealed that most body parts were suitable for predicting the carcass composition, except for 9-11th rib section whose chemical composition did not produce significant prediction equations for ash and protein carcass contents. The use of the chemical composition of hind leg in association with carcass measurements produced the best models for predicting the water and fat contents in the carcass, while the ash and protein contents in the carcass were better predicted when using the chemical composition of fore leg. In conclusion, precision, accuracy and goodness-of-fit of the equations drove the selection of the chemical composition of hind leg and carcass measurements in a multivariate approach, as the most suitable predictors of the chemical composition of the body and carcass of hair sheep. However, the chemical composition of fore leg may be used as well. The developed equations could improve the accuracy of the empty body and carcass composition estimations in sheep, optimizing the estimation of nutrient requirements, as well as the carcass quality evaluation for this species.

Cryopreservation of Bovine Semen Using Extract of Bertholletia excelsa (Brazil Nuts).

BACKGROUND: Semen cryopreservation is essential in animal breeding programs for improving the availability of genetic resources from animals with high breeding value. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the addition of Brazil nut extract as a replacement for egg yolk in bovine semen cryopreservation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semen was collected from five Nelore bulls and cryopreserved with the addition (treatments) of 0, 25, 50, 75, or 100% Brazil nut extract in the cryoprotectant medium. After thawing, spermatic cells were evaluated for morphology, plasma membrane integrity, spermatic kinetics, and in vitro fertilization. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, and the data were submitted to regression analysis. RESULTS: The minor-type and total defects, and plasma membrane integrity were affected (P < 0.05) as a function of egg yolk substitution with Brazil nut extract. There was a significant effect (P < 0.05) of Brazil nut extract addition on the spermatic kinetics and cleavage rate. CONCLUSION: The addition of Brazil nut extract in the cryoprotective medium as a substitute of egg yolk for freezing bovine semen negatively affects sperm quality and fertility.

Performance and digestibility of confined lambs fed with Babassu cake (Orbignya speciosa) as a substitute for elephant grass silage / Desempenho e digestibilidade de cordeiros confinados alimentados com torta de babaçu (Orbignya speciosa) em substituição à silagem de capim-elefante

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the partial replacement of elephant grass silage with babassu (Orbignya speciosa) on the performance, intake, digestibility, and carcass weight gain of sheep. Fifty-four castrated male lambs (19.08±2.76kg) were distributed in a completely randomized design and administered one of the following treatments: 0.0, 12.5, 25.0, 37.5 or 50% dry matter (%DM) replacement of elephant grass silage with babassu cake. No difference (P> 0.05) was observed in the dry matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber intake, but the ether extract intake increased (P< 0.05). The digestibility of the dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, and total digestible nutrients were unaffected. The crude protein digestibility decreased (P< 0.05), and the ether extract digestibility increased with the replacement of the elephant grass. There were no changes in mean daily weight gain and carcass weight gain. In the carcasses, a linear increase was observed in the proportion of the ether extract, and the crude protein decreased. The replacement of the silage with the babassu cake by up to 50% did not change the performance of sheep, however it led to an increase in fat deposit in the carcass.

Objetivou-se avaliar a substituição parcial da silagem de capim elefante por torta de babaçu (Orbignya speciosa) sobre o desempenho, consumo, digestibilidade, composição química e ganho em peso de carcaça de ovinos. Cinquenta e quatro machos, castrados (19,08±2,76kg) foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado e administrado um dos seguintes tratamentos: 0.0, 12.5, 25.0, 37.5 e 50% (%MS) de substituição da silagem pela torta de babaçu. Não houve diferença (P> 0.05) na ingestão de matéria seca, proteína bruta e fibra em detergente neutro, porém o consumo de extrato etéreo aumentou (P< 0.05). A digestibilidade da matéria seca, fibra em detergente neutro e nutrientes digestíveis totais não foram alterados, no entanto, os coeficientes de digestibilidade da proteína bruta reduziu (P< 0.05) e do extrato etéreo aumentou (P< 0.05), com a substituição. Não houve alterações no ganho de peso médio diário e ganho de peso em carcaça. Nas carcaças, observou-se aumento linear na proporção do extrato etéreo, no entanto a porcentagem de proteína bruta diminuiu. O aumento no extrato etéreo da carcaça mostrou uma tendência linear. A substituição da silagem pela torta de babaçu em até 50% não alterou o desempenho de ovinos, porém levou a aumento na deposição de gordura na carcaça.

Agronomic performance of Marandu grass treated with plant growth biostimulants in the Amazon biome / Desempenho agronômico de capim-marandu tratado com bioestimulantes no bioma Amazônia

The aim was to evaluate the effect of different doses of two biostimulants on the productivity and canopy structure of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu grass in the establishment fase. The study was conducted in Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia, Parauapebas, Pará, Brazil. One module of 35 plots of 25m² were established. A completely randomized experimental design was used, with seven treatments and five replicates. The treatments included a control, 0.5, 1, and 2kg/ha of biostimulant A (BIOST.A); and 0.25, 0.5, and 1L/ha of biostimulant B (BIOST.B). Three collections were performed. The data for application of the two biostimulants were analyzed separately, using the Dummy variable method and regression analysis. The application of 2kg/ha BIOST.A resulted in increases of 842kg/ha in the forage mass. The application of BIOST.B on Marandu grass resulted in a linear increase in stem mass. The application of 2kg/ha BIOST.A in the establishment of Marandu grass result in higher growth rates, forage accumulation, and stem proportion in the canopy.(AU)

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de diferentes doses de dois bioestimulantes sobre a produtividade e a estrutura do dossel do capim Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu na fase de estabelecimento. O estudo foi realizado na Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia, Parauapebas, Pará, Brasil. Um módulo de 35 parcelas de 25m² foi estabelecido. Utilizou-se delineamento experimental inteiramente ao acaso, composto de sete tratamentos e cinco repetições cada. Os tratamentos incluídos no controle foram: 0,5, 1 e 2kg/ha de bioestimulante A (BIOST.A); 0,25; 0,5 e 1L/ha de bioestimulante B (BIOST.B). Foram realizadas três coletas. Os dados para a aplicação dos dois bioestimulantes foram analisados separadamente, utilizando-se organização por método variável Dummy e análise de regressão. A aplicação de 2kg/ha BIOST.A resultou em incrementos de 842kg/ha na massa de forragem. A aplicação do BIOST.B na grama marandu resultou em aumento linear na produção de massa do caule. A aplicação de 2kg/ha BIOST.A no estabelecimento de erva de marandu resultou em maiores taxas de crescimento, acumulação de forragem e proporção de caule no dossel.(AU)

The Addition of AçaÍ Palm Fruit Extract in the Cryopreservation Diluent of Bull's Semen with Low Performance on Freezing.

BACKGROUND: Semen freezing is of great importance for animal production because it allows the use and the rapid diffusion of the genetic material from economically important animals. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of açai (Euterpe oleracea; Arecaceae family) extract addition to the semen cryopreservation diluent on the morphology, sperm motility parameters, and plasma membrane integrity of spermatozoa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ejaculates, obtained from five bulls with low performance on semen freezing, were fractionated and distributed according to the experimental group. The control samples did not have açaí extract added, whereas to the treated groups were added 5, 10, 15 or 20 mg ml-1 of açaí extract into the semen diluent. The sperm morphology was evaluated with a formalin-saline-buffered solution. The plasma membrane integrity was evaluated by the epifluorescent test, while the cellular kinetics was assessed by an automated analysis of the spermatic movement. RESULTS: The sperm defects showed a linearly decreasing effect (P < 0.05) with the addition of different concentrations of açaí extract. The plasma membrane integrity was higher (P < 0.05) after the açaí addition to the cryopreservation diluent. There was no significant effect (P > 0.05) of the açaí extract on the kinetics of spermatozoa. CONCLUSION: The addition of açaí extract to the cryopreservation diluent provided better preservation of the structural integrity of the sperm plasma membrane in the bull's semen with low tolerance to the cryopreservation process.

Morphological and molecular characterization of Cladosporium cladosporioides species complex causing pecan tree leaf spot.

The objective of this study was to characterize species of the Cladosporium cladosporioides complex isolated from pecan trees (Carya illinoinensis) with symptoms of leaf spot, based on morphological and molecular approaches. Morphological attributes were assessed using monosporic cultures on potato dextrose agar medium, which were examined for mycelial growth, sporulation, color, and conidia and ramoconidia size. Molecular characterization comprised isolation of DNA and subsequent amplification of the translation elongation factor 1α (TEF-1α) region. Three species of the C. cladosporioides complex were identified: C. cladosporioides, Cladosporium pseudocladosporioides, and Cladosporium subuliforme. Sporulation was the most important characteristic differentiating species of this genus. However, morphological features must be considered together with molecular analysis, as certain characters are indistinguishable between species. TEF-1αcan be effectively used to identify and group isolates belonging to the C. cladosporioides complex. The present study provides an important example of a methodology to ascertain similarity between isolates of this complex causing leaf spot in pecan trees, which should facilitate future pathogenicity studies.

Effects of pregnancy and feeding level on carcass and meat quality traits of Nellore cows.

Carcass and meat quality traits of 16 pregnant and 5 non-pregnant cows fed at 1.2 times maintenance and 16 pregnant and 6 non-pregnant fed ad libitum were evaluated. Pregnancy did not affect final body weight (FBW; P=0.0923), cold carcass yield (CCY; P=0.0513), longissimus muscle area (LMA; P=0.8260), rib fat thickness (RFT; P=0.1873) and shear force (WBSF; P=0.9707). A lower FBW (P=0.0028), LMA (P=0.0048) and RFT (P=0.0001) were observed in feed restricted cows. However, no differences were found for CCY (P=0.7243) and WBSF (P=0.0759) among feeding level groups. These data suggests that carcass and meat quality traits are not affected by pregnancy status in Nellore cows. Moreover, although cows experiencing feed restriction did have reduced deposition of subcutaneous fat and lean tissue, there were no major impacts on meat quality traits.