Heterogeneity of variance and genetic parameters for milk production in cattle, using Bayesian inference.

The goal of this study was to verify the effect of heterogeneity of variance (HV) on milk production in up to 305 days of lactation (L305) of daughters of Girolando, Gir and Holstein sires, as well as in the genetic evaluation of these sires and their progenies. in Brazil. The model included contemporary groups (consisting of herd, year and calving season) as a fixed effect, cow age at calving (linear and quadratic effects) and heterozygosity (linear effect) as covariates, in addition to the random effects of direct additive genetic and environmental, permanent and residual. The first analysis consisted of the single-trait animal model, with L305 records (disregarding HV). The second considered classes of standard deviations (SD): two-trait model including low and high classes (considering HV), according to the standardized means of L305 for herd-year of calving. The low SD class was composed of herds with SD equal to or less than zero and the high class with positive SD values. Estimates of (co)variance components and breeding values were obtained separately for each scenario using Bayesian inference via Gibbs sampling. Different heritability was estimated. Higher for the high DP class in the Gir (0.20) and Holstein (0.15) breeds, not occurring the same in the Girolando breed, with a lower value among the classes for the high DP (0.10). High values of genetic correlations were also found between low and high SD classes (0.88; 0.85 and 0.79) for the Girolando, Gir and Holstein breeds, respectively. Like the order correlations (Spearman) which were also high for the three breeds analyzed (equal to or above 0.92). Thus, the presence of HV had a smaller impact for L305 and did not affect the genetic evaluation of sires.

Evaluation of the temperature and humidity index to support the implementation of a rearing system for ruminants in the Western Amazon.

The good productive and reproductive performance of the animals depends on multiple factors, including favorable climatic conditions, which are responsible for causing changes in the physiological and behavioral responses. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the temperature and humidity index (THI) to support the implementation of a rearing system in ruminants in the Western Amazon, Brazil. Monthly temperature and relative humidity data were obtained from the Database for Teaching and Research (BDMEP) for the capitals Manaus (Amazonas), Boa Vista (Roraima), and Rio Branco (Acre), considering a historical series of 27 years (1993 to 2020), referring from January to December. In the capital Boa Vista, the months of January, February, May, June, and July showed an indication of mild stress and the months of March, April, August, September, October, November, and December had moderate stress. In Rio Branco, all months of the year presented the average THI in mild stress with variations of lower THI (73) and higher THI (77). In the capital Manaus, the months from January to July signaled mild stress, but from August to November, there was moderate stress, and in December, there was mild stress. It is possible to observe significant climatic variations during the months as well as the years of study, with the animals under thermal stress with THI > 72 or in a warning signal, with a gradual increase in temperature and humidity indices over the last 10 years. The importance of the breeding system and the consideration of environmental factors, such as the THI, are fundamental for the wellbeing and performance of cattle raised in the field. Our results support the adoption of heat stress mitigation strategies for ruminants in Western Amazon.

Evaluation of thermoregulation of horses (Equus caballus) submitted to two methods of post-exercise cooling, in hot and humid climate conditions, in the Eastern Amazon.

In Brazil, the study on equine thermoregulation has not shown considerable advances, moreover, in the Amazon, this is a little explored aspect. This study aims to evaluate the thermoregulation of horses submitted to two methods of post-exercise cooling, in the climatic conditions of the Eastern Amazon. The experiment was conducted at Centro Hipico, Ananindeua, Para, for 15 days. Ten male horses, castrated of the Brazilian breed, aged 13 years and with an average weight of 482.3 kg were used. Equestrianism, which was exercised with pre-established protocol in the arena and track, for 30 min. After the exercise, the animals were divided into two groups for application of the treatments, which were two cooling methods, such as a bath with water at room temperature (about 25°C) and a hiper cooling method (6-9°C). During the experimental period, air temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH) data were recorded and the Temperature and Humidity Index (THI) was calculated. Data from the rectal temperature (RT), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and Body surface temperature (BST) of the animals were also measured at three moments: before exercise, after exercise and after applying the cooling methods. The adaptability index used was the Benezra Thermal Comfort Index (BTCI). The BST was performed with the help of infrared thermograph, which were the left side of the neck, thorax, rump, and right side to the armpi, before the exercise, after the exercise and after applying the cooling methods. The statistical design was completely randomized. Analysis of variance was performed using the GLM Procedure of SAS 9.1.3. After the application of the cooling techniques in the animals, the AT and THI were higher and the highest RH values were found before the exercise (87.21%). The highest RT, RR, HR, BST, and BTCI values were observed after exercise. There was no significant dierence (P > 0.05) between cooling methods. There was a highly significant and positive correlation (P < 0.01) between all physiological variables (RT, RR, HR, and BST) and the Iberian Index with AT and THI and negative with RH (P < 0.01), thus demonstrating the influence of the environment on the thermoregulation of animals. It is concluded the evaluation of stress, welfare and thermoregulation of horses submitted to two methods of post-exercise cooling, in the climatic conditions of the Eastern Amazon, demonstrated that the studied cooling methods showed to reduce the rectal temperature, the respiratory rate, the heart rate and the body surface temperature with equal efficiency. However, in terms of practical ease of use, the room temperature water cooling method has proven to be more practical.

Key points for the thermal comfort of water buffaloes in Eastern Amazon / Pontos-chave do conforto térmico de bubalinos na Amazônia Oriental

This study presented relevant aspects about the Amazonian environment and how it impacts the thermal comfort of domestic buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) raised in the Eastern Amazon. Furthermore, strategies for monitoring and mitigating animal heat stress are presented, based on research results with the species. Although domestic buffaloes are considered adaptable animals, exposure to intense solar radiation causes thermal discomfort. This condition is expressed in biophysical indicators, in metabolic, endocrine, behavioral responses, and in body thermographic patterns. Therefore, the biometeorological monitoring of production is crucial to support decision-making regarding environmental management strategies, genetic selection of thermotolerant individuals, and increase in animal welfare. Lastly, the use of silvopastoral systems can help to provide higher thermal comfort, which is a condition that directly impacts the productivity of milk and meat buffaloes when they are raised in tropical regions, such as in the Eastern Amazon.

Objetivou-se apresentar aspectos relevantes sobre o ambiente amazônico e como este impacta no conforto térmico de búfalos domésticos (Bubalus bubalis) criados na Amazônia Oriental. Adicionalmente, são apresentadas estratégias para monitoramento e mitigação do estresse térmico animal, a partir de resultados de pesquisa com a espécie. Apesar dos búfalos domésticos serem considerados animais adaptáveis, a exposição à intensa radiação solar provoca desconforto térmico. Essa condição é expressa em indicadores biofísicos, nas respostas metabólicas, endócrinas, comportamentais e nos padrões termográficos corporais. Assim, o monitoramento biometeorológico da produção é crucial para subsidiar tomadas de decisão em relação a estratégias de manejo ambiental, seleção genética de indivíduos termotolerantes e incremento do bem-estar animal. Por fim, o uso de sistemas silvipastoris pode auxiliar na oferta de maior conforto térmico, que é uma condição que impacta diretamente na produtividade de bubalinos de leite e carne, quando estes são criados em regiões tropicais, como na Amazônia Oriental.

Mixed Models in Nonlinear Regression for Description of the Growth of Nelore Cattle.

Body weight records were used to characterize the growth curve of Nelore cattle. Body weight was regressed as a function of age, for both sexes, by using nonlinear models through the functions of Brody, Gompertz, Logistic, Richards, Meloun 1, Von Bertalanffy, and Von Bertalanffy. The quality of the model arrangements was evaluated by employing Akaike and Bayesian Schwarz information criteria. The Brody function provided the best adaptations by the evaluators and, considering the asymptotic weight and the maturation rate as random, a reduction in residual variance of 79% for males and 83% for females was obtained in relation to the models under fixed contexts. In males, the absolute and relative growth rates ranged from 0.921 to 0.261 kg/day and 2.39 to 0.08%, respectively. For the same rates, under another approach, females ranged from 0.922 to 0.198 kg/day and 2.55 to 0.06%, respectively. Males showed greater growth acceleration at the beginning of the growth trajectory, being equal to females at 397 days of age and from that age onward they presented lower estimates. The nonlinear regression model approach under the mixed-models context allows reduction of residual variance, increasing model accuracy.

Lesões de pele diagnosticadas em búfalos (Bubalus bubalis) na região do baixo Amazonas / Skin injuries diagnosed in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in the lower Amazon region

A pele é o maior órgão do corpo e pode ser acometida por uma série de processos patológicos. As doenças dermatológicas em geral são um aspecto frustrante na clínica de animais de grande porte. Desse modo, o objetivo deste estudo foi relatar lesões de pele diagnosticadas em búfalos na região do Baixo Amazonas, estado do Pará. Foram avaliados 156 búfalos das raças Murrah, Mediterrâneo e seus mestiços; adultos e jovens, com idade variando de oito meses a nove anos. No exame físico constatou-se que 36,5% (57/156) dos animais apresentavam abscessos no local de vacinação. Destes, 12,2% (19/156) eram abscessos com presença de alopecia e 1,3% (2/156) com fistulação Além disso, 1,3% (2/156) dos animais apresentaram ainda no local de vacinação, feridas ulceradas com presença de secreção purulenta. Identificou-se que 3,8% (6/156) dos búfalos possuíam lesões provenientes da marcação a fogo, com queimaduras, de aspecto crostoso, eritematoso e exsudativo, na região da garupa.; A maioria 64,1% (100/156) dos animais apresentaram corte das orelhas, 1,9% (3/156) apresentaram lesões por penetração de corno e em 1,2% (2/156) observou-se lesão de pele no membro posterior direito. Conclui-se que foi possível diagnosticar diversas lesões cutâneas nos búfalos na região do Baixo Amazonas, sendo o erro no manejo dos animais as principais causas das lesões diagnosticadas. Além disso, houve correlação entre dois grupos de animais avaliados (com e sem lesão).

The skin is the largest organ in the body and can be affected by a series of pathological processes. Dermatological diseases in general are a frustrating aspect in the clinic of large animals. Thus, the objective of this study was to report skin lesions diagnosed in buffaloes in the region of Baixo Amazonas, state of Pará. 156 buffaloes of the Murrah, Mediterranean and crossbred breeds were taken; Adults and young people, with ages varying from eight months to nine years. On physical examination, it was found that 36.5% (57/156) of the animals had abscesses at the vaccination site. Of these, 12.2% (19/156) were abscesses with the presence of alopecia and 1.3% (2/156) with fistulation. In addition, 1.3% (2/156) of the animals separated at the vaccination site, ulcerated wounds with the presence of purulent secretion. It was identified that 3.8% (6/156) of the buffaloes had the location of the fire mark, with burns, with a crusted, erythematous and exudative aspect, in the croup region. The majority 64.1% (100/156) of the animals separation of the ears, 1.9% (3/156) dissipation by penetration of the horn and in 1.2% (2/156) a skin lesion was observed in any limb posterior right. It was concluded that it was possible to diagnose several cutaneous lesions in buffaloes in the region of Baixo Amazonas, with the error in handling animals being the main causes of the diagnosed injuries. In addition, there was a correlation between two groups of acquired animals (with and without injury).

Lesões de pele diagnosticadas em búfalos (Bubalus bubalis) na região do baixo Amazonas / Skin injuries diagnosed in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in the lower Amazon region

A pele é o maior órgão do corpo e pode ser acometida por uma série de processos patológicos. As doenças dermatológicas em geral são um aspecto frustrante na clínica de animais de grande porte. Desse modo, o objetivo deste estudo foi relatar lesões de pele diagnosticadas em búfalos na região do Baixo Amazonas, estado do Pará. Foram avaliados 156 búfalos das raças Murrah, Mediterrâneo e seus mestiços; adultos e jovens, com idade variando de oito meses a nove anos. No exame físico constatou-se que 36,5% (57/156) dos animais apresentavam abscessos no local de vacinação. Destes, 12,2% (19/156) eram abscessos com presença de alopecia e 1,3% (2/156) com fistulação Além disso, 1,3% (2/156) dos animais apresentaram ainda no local de vacinação, feridas ulceradas com presença de secreção purulenta. Identificou-se que 3,8% (6/156) dos búfalos possuíam lesões provenientes da marcação a fogo, com queimaduras, de aspecto crostoso, eritematoso e exsudativo, na região da garupa.; A maioria 64,1% (100/156) dos animais apresentaram corte das orelhas, 1,9% (3/156) apresentaram lesões por penetração de corno e em 1,2% (2/156) observou-se lesão de pele no membro posterior direito. Conclui-se que foi possível diagnosticar diversas lesões cutâneas nos búfalos na região do Baixo Amazonas, sendo o erro no manejo dos animais as principais causas das lesões diagnosticadas. Além disso, houve correlação entre dois grupos de animais avaliados (com e sem lesão).

The skin is the largest organ in the body and can be affected by a series of pathological processes. Dermatological diseases in general are a frustrating aspect in the clinic of large animals. Thus, the objective of this study was to report skin lesions diagnosed in buffaloes in the region of Baixo Amazonas, state of Pará. 156 buffaloes of the Murrah, Mediterranean and crossbred breeds were taken; Adults and young people, with ages varying from eight months to nine years. On physical examination, it was found that 36.5% (57/156) of the animals had abscesses at the vaccination site. Of these, 12.2% (19/156) were abscesses with the presence of alopecia and 1.3% (2/156) with fistulation. In addition, 1.3% (2/156) of the animals separated at the vaccination site, ulcerated wounds with the presence of purulent secretion. It was identified that 3.8% (6/156) of the buffaloes had the location of the fire mark, with burns, with a crusted, erythematous and exudative aspect, in the croup region. The majority 64.1% (100/156) of the animals separation of the ears, 1.9% (3/156) dissipation by penetration of the horn and in 1.2% (2/156) a skin lesion was observed in any limb posterior right. It was concluded that it was possible to diagnose several cutaneous lesions in buffaloes in the region of Baixo Amazonas, with the error in handling animals being the main causes of the diagnosed injuries. In addition, there was a correlation between two groups of acquired animals (with and without injury).

Increased quality of in natura and cryopreserved semen of water buffaloes supplemented with saturated and unsaturated fatty acids from the palm oil industry.

Ruminant energy supplementation with vegetable oils or fats has been standing out worldwide and oil palm processing has been receiving growing interest. This study assessed the effect of supplementation with saturated and unsaturated fatty acids from the palm oil industry on the lipid profile of seminal plasma and of the sperm membrane, as well as on the morphological and functional characteristics of raw and cryopreserved buffalo semen. Twelve purebred Murrah bulls (Bubalus bubalis) were assigned to the experimental groups and fed diets for 120 days with no added lipids (CONT, four bulls), or with an extra amount of 3% lipids from crude palm oil (PALM, four bulls), or from palm oil deodorizer distillate (PODD, four bulls). Semen was collected and cryopreserved every 15 days. The lipid composition of membranes and semen quality were determined after collections. Lipid supplementation did not impact feed intake (P>0.05). Diet enrichment with PALM increased the linoleic acid (C18:2,ω6) in seminal plasma. Lipid supplementation did not increase the polyunsaturated fatty acids in the sperm membrane composition, but significantly increased the lignoceric acid (C24:0). Cryopreserved semen of the supplemented bulls presented higher progressive motility (60.2 vs. 67.9 vs. 65.2%; P<0.05) and sperm viability detected by eosin-nigrosin staining (61.1 vs. 69.4 vs. 67.8%; P<0.05). Palm oil reduced major sperm defects in both raw (12.2 vs. 9.3 vs. 13.2%; P<0.0001) and cryopreserved semen (12.4 vs. 9.4 vs. 11.2%; P<0.0001). The lipids added to the diet did not impact the population of spermatozoa with intact plasma and acrosomal membranes (PI-/PSA-), but significantly increased the percentage of spermatozoa with high mitochondrial potential (25.6 vs. 31.5 vs. 32.0%; P=0.008). The results suggest that lipid supplementation based on crude palm oil or palm oil deodorizer distillate can be safely used to feed buffalo bulls and may increase sperm attributes related to male fertility.

Evaluation of thermal comfort, physiological, hematological, and seminal features of buffalo bulls in an artificial insemination station in a tropical environment.

This study aimed to assess the variation over time in thermal comfort indices and the behavior of physiological parameters related to thermolysis, blood parameters, and semen in natura of buffalo bulls reared in tropical climate. The study was carried out in an artificial insemination station under a humid tropical climate (Afi according to Köppen). Ten water buffalo bulls (Bubalus bubalis) were used during the 5 months (April to August) of study. The environmental Temperature Humidity Index (THId) and the pen microclimate Temperature Humidity Index (THIp) were calculated. Every 25 days, respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR), rectal temperature (RT), and Benezra's thermal comfort index (BTCI) were assessed in the morning and in the afternoon. A blood assay was performed every month, while semen was collected weekly. THIp did not vary over the months (P > 0.05) and was higher in the afternoon than in the morning (77.7 ± 2.6 versus 81.8 ± 2.1, P < 0.05). RR, HR, and BTCI significantly increased over the months and were different between the periods of the day (P > 0.05) but within the physiological limits. RT varied between the periods of the day and decreased over the months, being the lowest in August (37.8 ± 0.7 °C), time-impacted hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, hemoglobin levels, and spermatic gross motility and vigor (P < 0.05). Thus, buffalo bulls reared under a humid tropical climate may have variations in thermal comfort during the hotter periods but are able to efficiently activate thermoregulatory mechanisms and maintain homeothermy, hence preserving their physiological and seminal parameters at normal levels.