Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta-PPARδ agonist (L-165041) enhances bovine embryo survival and post vitrification viability.

The effect of L-165041 (PPARδ-agonist) on decreasing apoptosis and intracellular lipid content was assessed in fresh and vitrified-warmed in vitro -produced bovine embryos. It was hypothesised that the addition of L-165041 to the culture medium enhances development and cryopreservation. Oocytes were allocated to one of two treatments: control-standard culture medium, or L-165041 added to the medium on day1 with no media change. Ultrastructure, cleavage, and blastocyst rates were evaluated in fresh, and in post-vitrification cultured embryos by optical and electronic microscopy. A subset of fresh embryos were fixed for TUNEL assay and for Sudan-Black-B histochemical staining. Vitrified-warmed embryos were assessed using MALDI-MS technique. Cleavage and blastocyst rates (control 49.4±5.2, L-165041 51.8±4.3) were not influenced by L-165041. The proportion of inner cell mass cells (ICM) was higher in fresh embryos, and the rate of total and ICM apoptosis was lower in L-165041. In warmed-embryos, total and ICM apoptosis was lower in L-165041. The overall hatching rate was higher in L-165041 (66.62±2.83% vs 53.19±2.90%). There was less lipid accumulation in fresh L-165041-embryos. In conclusion, the use of L-165041 is recommended to improve the viability of in vitro -derived bovine embryos.

Effects of vulvar width and antral follicle count on oocyte quality, in vitro embryo production and pregnancy rate in Bos taurus taurus and Bos taurus indicus cows.

It was hypothesized that Brahman cows have greater in vitro embryo production than Simmental cows, and that regardless of breed, antral follicle count (AFC) and vulvar width (VW) are positively associated with oocyte quality, embryo number and pregnancy rate. Brahman (Bos taurus indicus, n = 184) and Simmental (Bos taurus taurus, n = 99) cows were classified as having a large AFC (Brahman: ≥50, Simmental: ≥25); intermediate AFC (Brahman: >30 and ≤49; Simmental: >16 and <24) and small AFC (Brahman: <30, Simmental: ≤15). The VW was considered to be large (Brahman: >123 mm, Simmental: >80 mm); intermediate (Brahman: >102 mm and ≤123 mm; Simmental: >65 mm and ≤80 mm) and small (Brahman: ≤102 mm and Simmental: ≤65 mm). For each group of cows, ovum pick up, oocyte in vitro maturation, fertilization and embryo culture were performed. Embryo transfers were subsequently performed and pregnancy rate was evaluated. Brahman cows had a larger number of viable oocytes, greater efficiency of embryo production and greater pregnancy rate (P < 0.05) than Simmental cows. Pregnancy percentages in Simmental cows with a small AFC were greater than those cows with an intermediate and large AFC. With the Brahman cows, there was no difference in pregnancy rate among the cows with different AFC classifications. In contrast to Simmental cows, Brahman cows with an intermediate VW had a greater pregnancy percentage than those with a small and large AFC. In conclusion, Brahman cows have a larger AFC, number of viable oocytes, and pregnancy rate than Simmental cows.

Rentabilidad económica de la actividad lechera de unidades demostrativas del programa Balde Lleno, en Río de Janeiro, Brasil / Economic Profitability of the Dairy Activity of Demonstration Units of the Balde Lleno Program, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Rentabilidade económica da atividade leiteira de unidades demonstrativas do programa Balde Cheio no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Resumen El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar la rentabilidad de 20 unidades demostrativas (UD) participantes del programa Balde Lleno ("Balde Cheio"), en Río de Janeiro, entre enero y diciembre de 2011. También se pretendió identificar los componentes que ejercen mayor influencia sobre el costo total y operacional efectivo, además del impacto de cada uno de ellos en los ingresos. Los datos fueron analizados con el software PASW 18.0. Se utilizó el modelo de regresión lineal múltiple con el método stepwise para identificar los componentes del costo de producción que más influenció en la margen líquida, la lucratividad y la rentabilidad. En el análisis económico, cuando se consideraron los indicadores de margen bruta, líquida y el resultado de la actividad lechera, se observaron condiciones para producir en el corto y mediano plazo, pero no a largo plazo, debido al resultado negativo, el cual llevaría a la descapitalización del productor. Los ítems componentes del costo operacional efectivo, que ejercieron mayores representatividades sobre el costo de la actividad lechera, en orden decreciente, fueron la alimentación, la mano de obra y los diversos gastos; en cuanto al costo total, en orden decreciente, los ítems fueron la alimentación, la mano de obra y la remuneración del capital invertido.

Abstract This research aimed to analyze the profitability of 20 demonstration units (DUs) participating in the Balde Lleno program ("Balde Cheio"), in Rio de Janeiro, between January and December 2011. It also sought to identify components with the greatest influence on total and effective operational costs, in addition to their impact on revenues. Data were analyzed with the PASW 18.0 software. The multiple linear regression model was used with the stepwise method to identify production cost components that had the greatest influence on the liquid margin, lucrativeness, and profitability. Regarding the indicators of gross and liquid margin, as well as the result of dairy activity, the economic analysis examined conditions to produce in the short and medium term, but not in the long run, due to a negative result, which would lead to the decapitalization of the producer. The component items of effective operational cost that had greater representativeness on the cost of dairy activity were, in decreasing order, food, labor, and various expenses; in terms of total cost, in decreasing order, the components were food, labor, and the remuneration of the capital invested.

Resumo O objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar a rentabilidade de vinte unidades demonstrativas (UD) participantes do programa Balde Cheio, no Rio de Janeiro, entre janeiro e dezembro de 2011. Pretendeu-se também identificar os componentes que mais exercem influência sobre o custo total e operacional efetivo, além do impacto de cada um deles nas rendas. Os dados foram analisados com o software PASW 18.0. Utilizou-se o modelo de regressão linear múltipla com o método stepwise para identificar os componentes do custo de produção mais influenciadores na margem líquida, lucratividade e rentabilidade. Na análise económica, quando considerados os indicadores de margem bruta, líquida e o resultado da atividade leiteira, observaram-se condições para produzir no curto e médio prazo, mas não no longo prazo, devido ao resultado negativo, que levaria à descapitalização do produtor. Os itens componentes do custo operacional efetivo que exerceram maiores representatividades sobre o custo da atividade leiteira, em ordem decrescente, foram refeições, mão de obra e despesas diversas. No que diz respeito do custo total, em ordem decrescente, os itens foram refeições, mão de obra e remuneração do capital investido.