Exploring candidate genes for heat tolerance in ovine through liver gene expression.

Thermotolerance has become an essential factor in the prevention of the adverse effects of heat stress, but it varies among animals. Identifying genes related to heat adaptability traits is important for improving thermotolerance and for selecting more productive animals in hot environments. The primary objective of this research was to find candidate genes in the liver that play a crucial role in the heat stress response of Santa Ines sheep, which exhibit varying levels of heat tolerance. To achieve this goal, 80 sheep were selected based on their thermotolerance and placed in a climate chamber for 10 days, during which the average temperature was maintained at 36 °C from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 28 °C from 4 p.m. to 10 a.m. A subset of 14 extreme animals, with seven thermotolerant and seven non-thermotolerant animals based on heat loss (rectal temperature), were selected for liver sampling. RNA sequencing and differential gene expression analysis were performed. Thermotolerant sheep showed higher expression of genes GPx3, RGS6, GPAT3, VLDLR, LOC101108817, and EVC. These genes were mainly related to the Hedgehog signaling pathway, glutathione metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, and thyroid hormone synthesis. These enhanced pathways in thermotolerant animals could potentially mitigate the negative effects of heat stress, conferring greater heat resistance.

Productive and reproductive performance of crossbred dairy heifers with induced lactation and efficacy of antimicrobial therapy associated with internal teat sealants / Desempenho produtivo e reprodutivo de novilhas com lactação induzida e eficácia da terapia antimicrobiana associada com selante interno de tetos

This study evaluated (a) the efficacy of an association between injectable antibiotic therapy and sealant (ATBS) on milk yield (MY), somatic cell count (SCC), and prevalence of intramammary infections (IMI); and (b) the efficacy of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) on follicular cyst (FCs) resolution (cyclicity at the 45th day in milk; DIM) and cumulative pregnancy rate (CPR) in heifers submitted to a lactation induction protocol (LIP). A total of 114 crossbred (Holstein × Jersey) heifers, with 34.7 ± 4.8 months and 439 ± 56.35 kg were submitted to LIP. On the 5th day of the LIP, the heifers were assigned to (i) ATBS (n = 57) with 7 mg/kg of norfloxacin associated with sealant and (ii) Control 1 (n = 57; CONT1) with no treatments. Lactation began on the 21st day of LIP and the 15th DIM, FCs were diagnosed and 106 heifers were randomized into two treatment groups with 53 heifers each: (i) GnRH (5 mL injectable GnRH) and (ii) Control 2 (CONT2; no treatment). Of the 114 heifers initially induced, 83.33% (n = 95) responded to LIP with an average MY of 15.19 kg/milk/day during 22 weeks of lactation. In the first 14 DIM, the IMI prevalence was 18% and 28% for heifers ATBS and CONT1 treated, respectively. Additionally, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was the most frequently isolated group of pathogens. Mammary quarters that received ATBS treatment had a lower risk of IMI and SCC than CONT1. The cyclicity at 45 DIM was 68% (ATBS) and 35% (CONT1), and 57% and 46% for animals in the GnRH and CONT2. CPR was 60% in the ATBS group and 89% in CONT1, but GnRH treatment did not affect the CPR. In conclusion, LIP was effective in stimulating MY in heifers, and the IMI prevalence decreased with ATBS treatment. Also, the use of GnRH did not affect the FC regression, cyclicity at 45 DIM, and CPR.(AU)

Este estudo avaliou a (i) eficácia da associação entre antibioticoterapia injetável e selante interno de tetos (ATBS) na produção de leite (PL), contagem de células somáticas (CCS), e prevalência de infecções intramamárias (IIM); e (ii) eficácia do hormônio liberador de gonadotrofina (GnRH) na resolução de cistos foliculares (CFs), ciclicidade ao 45º dia em lactação (DEL) e taxa de prenhez cumulativa (TPC) em novilhas submetidas a um protocolo de indução de lactação (PIL). Um total de 114 novilhas mestiças (Holandês × Jersey), com 34,7 ± 4,8 meses e 439 ± 56,35 kg foram submetidas ao PIL. No 5º dia do PIL, as novilhas receberam: (i) ATBS (n = 57) com 7 mg/kg de norfloxacina associada ao selante interno de tetos e (ii) Controle 1 (n = 57; CONT1) sem tratamento. A lactação teve início no 21º dia do PIL e no 15º DEL, foram diagnosticados CFs e 106 novilhas foram agrupadas em dois grupos de tratamento com 53 novilhas em cada: (i) GnRH (5 mL de GnRH injetável) e (ii) Controle 2 (CONT2; sem tratamento). Das 114 novilhas inicialmente induzidas, 83,33% (n = 95) responderam ao PIL com PL média de 15,19 kg/leite/d durante 22 semanas de lactação. Nos primeiros 14 DEL a prevalência de IIM foi de 18% e 28% para as novilhas tratadas com ATBS e CONT1, respectivamente. Além disso, estafilococos coagulase negativa foram o grupo de patógenos mais frequentemente isolados. Quartos mamários tratados com ATBS tiveram menor risco (0,56) de IIM e menor CCS do que CONT1. A ciclicidade a 45 DEL foi de 68% (ATBS) e 35% (CONT1), e 57% e 46% para os animais no GnRH e CONT2. A TPC foi de 60% no grupo ATBS e 89% no CONT1, porém o tratamento com GnRH não afetou a TPC. Em conclusão, o PIL foi eficaz em estimular a PL em novilhas tardias e a prevalência de IIM diminiuiu com o tratamento ATBS. Além disso, o uso de GnRH não afetou a regressão de CF, ciclicidade em 45 DEL e a TPC.(AU)

Internal Teat Sealant Administered at Drying off Reduces Intramammary Infections during the Dry and Early Lactation Periods of Dairy Cows.

The effect of an internal teat sealant (ITS) on subsequent infection of the mammary gland was evaluated on the following mammary gland health indicators: (a) bacteriological cure of preexisting intramammary infections at drying off, (b) risk of postpartum new intramammary infections (NIMI), (c) cure and risk of new cases of subclinical mastitis (SCM), and (d) risk of postpartum clinical mastitis (CM). A total of 553 cows during late gestation were randomly assigned into two treatment protocols at drying off: (a) Dry cow therapy with 0.25 g of intramammary anhydrous cefalonium (ADCT; Cepravin®, MSD Animal Health); or (b) ADCT combined with ITS (SDCT; 4 g bismuth subnitrate; Masti-Seal®, MSD Animal Health, São Paulo, Brazil). Mammary quarter (MQ) milk samples were collected for microbiological culture and somatic cell count (SCC) at drying off and early lactation, and data from 1756 MQ were used in the multivariate logistic regression. There was no effect on the risk of bacteriological cure, SCM cure, and new cases of postpartum SCM. Still, SDCT reduced the risk of CM up to 60 days postpartum (DPP), overall NIMI risk, and the NIMI caused by major pathogens compared to ADCT. Thus, the DCT combined with ITS at drying off is effective for preventing NIMI during the dry period and CM up to 60 DPP.

Noninferiority field trial for evaluation of efficacy of ciprofloxacin associated with internal teat sealant as dry-off protocol.

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of two dry-off protocols: (a) dry cow therapy using ciprofloxacin hydrochloride 400 mg followed by the administration of an internal teat sealant composed of 4 g of bismuth subnitrate, and (b) a positive control using dry cow therapy with 250 mg cephalonium followed by the administration of 2.6 g bismuth subnitrate internal teat sealant. A total of 578 Holstein cows selected from 7 commercial herds were randomly allocated into two groups at drying off: (a) ciprofloxacin hydrochloride 400 mg (CH) associated with ITS, n = 1112 mammary quarters/296 cows, or (b) positive control (PC) = cephalonium (250 mg) associated with ITS, n = 1058 mammary quarters/282 cows). A total of 1787 out of 2170 mammary quarters (82%) had negative culture at drying off. The microorganisms most frequently isolated at drying off were CNS (5.62%), Strep. uberis (1.9%), Corynebacterium spp. (1.8%), and Staphylococcus aureus (1.01%). A total of 465 mammary quarters experienced new intramammary infections (NIMIs), and the main microorganisms causing NIMI were CNS (21.94%), Strep. uberis (17.2%), and Pseudomonas spp. (9.7%). The CH protocol was not inferior to PC, as the cure risk of mammary quarters CH-treated was at the noninferiority limit. However, the mammary quarters treated by CH protocol had 24% and 31% lower risk of overall NIMI and NIMI caused by major pathogens, respectively, than mammary quarters dried with the PC protocol. In addition, the mammary quarters treated with CH protocol had a lower risk of CM through the first 60 DIM than those treated with PC protocol. Both DCT protocols showed similar odds of microbiological cure, but the CH protocol had greater prevention against NIMI during dry-off period.

Nutritional evaluation of corn silage with different levels of inclusion of wet corn gluten feed in sheep / Avaliação nutricional de milho ensilado com diferentes níveis de inclusão de farelo úmido de glúten de milho em ovinos

The objective of this study was to evaluate the intake and apparent digestibility of nutrients, as well as the feeding behavior of sheep fed an exclusively corn silage diet (0%); this diet incorporated wet corn gluten feed (WCGF) in increments of 30%, 50%, 60%, and 90%, together with the profile of the particles of these silages. Five crossbreed sheep were used with an average weight of 40 kg; they were housed in metabolic cages and were arranged in a Latin square 5×5 experimental design. There was a quadratic effect on dry matter (DM) intake, with a maximum consumption of 1.75 kg/day­1 to an inclusion of 39.09% of WCGF. The crude protein (CP) consumption exhibited an ascending linear effect with the inclusion of the co-product, and fiber consumption in neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber decreased linearly with the inclusion of WCGF. The apparent digestibility of DM, CP, and NDF increased linearly with the increasing inclusion of co-product in corn silage. Rumination time, total chewing, and idleness were influenced by increases in the inclusion of WCGF in corn silage, and there was a decreasing linear effect on the amount of time spent ruminating and total chewing, as well as an increasing linear effect for idleness duration. The chewing time for bolus, the number of chews for bolus, and the number of chews per day were influenced by the inclusion of WCGF. Through the obtained results, especially the equation of DM intake, which estimated a maximum point of 39.09%, as well as the presence of diarrhea at levels up to 50%, it was concluded that the addition of up to 40% of WCGF in corn silage can be recommended as it improves nutrient intake and features good digestibility without negatively altering the normal behavior of sheep.

Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar o consumo, a digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes, e o comportamento ingestivo de ovinos alimentados com dieta exclusiva de silagem de milho (0%), e acrescidas de 30, 50, 60 e 90% de farelo úmido de glúten de milho (FUGM), na matéria natural, juntamente com o perfil das partículas dessas silagens. Foram utilizadas cinco ovelhas sem raça definida com peso vivo médio de 40 kg, alojadas em gaiolas metabólicas, arranjadas no delineamento experimental em quadrado latino 5x5. Houve efeito quadrático para o consumo de matéria seca, com consumo máximo de 1,75kg/dia aos 39,09% de inclusão de FUGM. O consumo de proteína bruta sofreu efeito linear ascendente a com a inclusão do coproduto, e os consumos de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) diminuíram linearmente com a inclusão de FUGM. A digestibilidade aparente da MS, PB e FDN aumentaram linearmente com o aumento na inclusão do coproduto na silagem de milho. Os tempos de ruminação, mastigação total, e ócio foram influenciados pelo aumento na inclusão de FUGM na silagem de milho, houve efeito linear decrescente para o tempo em ruminação, e mastigação total, e efeito linear crescente para o tempo em ócio. O tempo de mastigação por bolo, número de mastigações por bolo, e o número de mastigações por dia, sofreram influencia da inclusão de FUGM. Através dos resultados obtidos, especialmente da equação de consumo de matéria seca, que estimou ponto de máximo de 39,09% e pela presença de diarreia em animais que consumiam níveis de inclusão acima de 50%, conclui-se que adições de até 40% de FUGM na silagem de milho são recomendadas devido ao fato do mesmo melhorar o consumo de nutrientes, tendo boa digestibilidade sem alterar negativamente o comportamento normal dos ovinos.

Physiological parameters, hair coat morphological characteristics and temperature gradients in holstein-gyr crossbred cows / Parâmetros fisiológicos, características morfológicas do pelame e gradientes térmicos de vacas cruzadas holandês-gir

The aim of this study was to assess physiological parameters, hair coat morphological characteristics and temperature gradients in crossbred Holstein-Gyr cows in the municipality of Tapira, Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil. Forty-nine lactating cows from six Holstein (H) and Gyr (G) genetic groups (1/4H 3/4G, 3/8H 5/8G, 1/2H 1/2G, 5/8H 3/8G, 3/4H 1/4G and 7/8H 1/8G) were distributed in a completely randomized design. The dry-bulb temperature and relative humidity were recorded, and the temperature and humidity index (THI) was calculated. The rectal temperature, respiratory rate and body surface temperature were measured, as were hair thickness, numbers, length and angle. Cows with a greater than 50% Holstein breed ratio (5/8H 3/8G, 3/4H 1/4G and 7/8H 1/8G) showed a higher respiratory rate and greater hair length than animals with genetic composition equal to or greater than 50% Zebu (1/2H 1/2G, 3/8H 5/8G and 1/4H 3/4G). Animals from the 1/2 and 1/4 HG genetic groups showed the greatest hair angle (P<0.05). With respect to climatic characteristics, the examined locality was within the thermoneutral zone and therefore did not impose conditions of thermal stress. The animals exhibited thermoregulation and hair coat characteristics that were within physiological parameters.

Objetivou-se avaliar parâmetros fisiológicos, características morfológicas de pelame e gradientes térmicos de vacas cruzadas Holandês-Gir no município de Tapira, MG. Foram utilizadas 49 vacas em lactação de seis grupos genéticos Holandês (H) e Gir (G): 1/4H 3/4G, 3/8H 5/8G, 1/2H 1/2G, 5/8H 3/8G, 3/4H 1/4G e 7/8H 1/8G distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso. A temperatura de bulbo seco e umidade relativa foram registradas e calculou-se o índice de temperatura e umidade (ITU). A temperatura retal, frequência respiratória, temperatura da superfície corporal, espessura, número, comprimento e inclinação dos pelos foram mensurados. Vacas com proporção maior que 50% da raça Holandesa (5/8H 3/8G, 3/4H 1/4G e 7/8H 1/8G) apresentaram frequência respiratória e comprimento dos pelos maiores em comparação aos animais com composição genética igual ou superior a 50% do Zebu (1/2H 1/2G, 3/8H 5/8G e 1/4H 3/4G). Os animais do grupo genético 1/2 e 1/4 HG apresentaram a maior inclinação de pelo (P<0,05). As características climáticas da localidade estiveram dentro da zona de termoneutralidade, não impondo desta forma condições de estresse térmico e os animais apresentaram características de termorregulação e de pelame dentro dos parâmetros fisiológicos.