RESUMO
The main objective of this research was to carry out a comparative study between different types of slaughter in beef cattle with and without stunning. In addition, the hygienic quality of the obtained meat was determined through microbiological analysis and the animal welfare at the time of slaughtering was assessed by means of physiological parameters. A total of 52 blood samples collected at the slaughterhouse during slaughter (10 for each type of slaughter: regular, halal, and halal with stunning; 10 at the time of resting; and 12 from rotating box slaughter) were analysed for physiological parameters indicating animal welfare status, namely, glucose, cortisol, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK). In addition, the meat from 30 of the above animals was analysed for aerobic mesophilic bacteria, enterobacteria and coliforms. Moreover, a radiological study of the possible skull damage due to the non-penetrative captive bolt used at the time of stunning in the halal rite slaughter was carried out. A significance difference (p < 0.05) in the microbiological counts per type of slaughter was observed. It was proven that the amounts of glucose, LDH, CK, and cortisol in plasma were influenced (p < 0.05) by the type of slaughter. The halal rite slaughter using stunning with a non-penetrative captive bolt resulted in the best hygienic quality of meat and obtained the lowest values for all animal welfare biomarkers.
RESUMO
Tritordeum is a new cereal resistant to drought and high temperatures, and it is a very healthy crop. The aim of this study was to compare two different diets (tritordeum meadow vs. oat meadow) for grazing pregnant ewes to determine if there was any effect on the objective physiological indicators of animal welfare. A total of 150 pregnant Merino ewes (3-5 years) were randomly divided into two groups (n = 75 each) to be fed with two different meadows, being evaluated during the spring season. Red blood cells count, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, white blood cell count, neutrophiles/lymphocytes ratio, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine phosphokinase, aspartate aminotransferase, glucose, cortisol, total plasma proteins, albumin, globulins, albumin/globulins ratio, alkaline phosphatase, glutamate dehydrogenase, IgA, and IgG were determined. Overall, the results of this study indicate that the welfare of pregnant ewes fed with tritordeum meadow was better than that of pregnant ewes fed with oat meadow. Tritordeum meadow had a positive influence on the physiological parameters of animal welfare studied in pregnant Merino ewes. Therefore, tritordeum meadow can be considered a functional feed, as it has a beneficial effect on health beyond its basic nutritional value. Farmers are recommended to feed a cereal such as tritordeum grassland to their sheep, as it not only ensures that the animals benefit from all the nutrients, but also prevents diseases and improves their quality of life. In addition, the cereal's resistance to fungal diseases makes it suitable for use in sustainable production systems with a reduced environmental footprint.
RESUMO
In equine reproduction, accurate and timely detection of the moment of ovulation is of great importance. Power Doppler ultrasound technology is a non-invasive method that enables to assess the morpho-echogenic features and blood flow changes during the estral cycle in mares. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of age on ultrasonographic parameters (follicular diameter, follicular blood flow-FBF, corpus luteum (CL) area and corpus luteum blood flow-CLBF) and blood plasma progesterone concentrations in cycling Spanish Purebred mares (15 less than 8 years old and 15 equal o higher than 8 years old). The ultrasound images obtained were analyzed with the Image Colour Summarizer software, which allows the quantification of the pixels of each image. Young mares had significantly higher FBF, CLBF and plasma progesterone levels. Moreover, linear regression analysis showed that blood progesterone levels could be predicted in both groups from CLBF with moderate precision and accuracy. In conclusion, Power Doppler was useful to assess ovarian hemodynamics. Our results support that age is a factor that significantly influences FBF and CLBF as well as blood progesterone concentration in mares. More studies would be needed to develop high precision and accuracy predictive models of blood progesterone concentration from CLBF measured by Power Doppler.
RESUMO
The hypothesis posed was whether being part of a football/soccer team influenced the quality of life (QL) of the people who participated in it since their perception of themselves is enhanced by factors, such as self-determination, social inclusion, emotional well-being, physical well-being, material well-being, rights, personal development, and internal relationships. The objective was to evaluate the QL of people with Down Syndrome (DS) using their self-perception (n = 39) and the perception of the informants (family members, teachers) (n = 39). The KidsLife-Down Scale, with a few modifications, was used. In general, differences of opinion between the subgroups of participants with DS and informants showed that results were higher in terms of perception for participants in the DS subgroup. Scores for all variables were higher for those participants with DS who said they did engage in practicing competitive football/soccer. Although the perception of informants provides a great deal of information regarding the QL of participants with DS, participants with DS should also be involved in the evaluation process and their self-perceptions taken into account. It is not participating in a football team that causes the conclusions of the study, but training (which includes the friendly matches that are played), the cause correlated with the improvements detected in the athlete's DS.
RESUMO
Gender differences have not been shown in relation to the immune system in athletic horses. The aim of the present paper was to elucidate gender differences in the non-specific immune response of the polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN), plasma glucose and in hormones before and after an exercise in the lactate threshold (LT). A group of 12 Anglo-Arabian horses (6 females and 6 males, 4-7 years old) was observed. A submaximal exercise test was carried out at the LT. The results showed that males had a higher PMN percentage, plasma glucose values, Adherence index (AI) and random migration than females. Also, females showed significant negative correlations between cortisol and catecholamines with PMN and glucose with phagocytosis, and positive ones between AI and catecholamines. In males, negative correlations were established between random migration and chemotaxis with cortisol, and positive ones between cortisol and phagocytosis.
Assuntos
Cavalos/fisiologia , Ácido Láctico/sangue , Condicionamento Físico Animal/fisiologia , Caracteres Sexuais , Animais , Epinefrina/sangue , Feminino , Hidrocortisona/sangue , Masculino , Norepinefrina/sangueAssuntos
Comportamento de Escolha , Processos Grupais , Fisiologia/educação , Aprendizagem Baseada em Problemas , Reforço Psicológico , Estudantes/psicologia , Ensino/métodos , Televisão , Adaptação Fisiológica , Animais , Compreensão , Currículo , Ecossistema , Avaliação Educacional , Humanos , Universidades , VoliçãoRESUMO
The present study was conducted to establish the normal values of the combined thickness of the uterus and placenta (CTUP) in Spanish Purebred maresduring late pregnancy. A total of 107 mares were examined at 210, 240, 270 and 300 days of gestation, of which 13 had abnormal gestations (foetal death, abortion or stillbirth). In mares with healthy foals, CTUP measurements showed significant differences (P < 0.0001) at the various gestational ages (4.83 ± 0.59 mm, 6.12 ± 0.60 mm, 7.41 ± 0.61 mm and 10.45 ± 0.92 mm at 210, 240, 270 and 300 days, respectively). A high positive correlation was observed between CTUP and gestational age (r = 0.923; P < 0.001). In mares with abnormal gestation, CTUP measurements were significantly (P < 0.0001) higher than in healthy gestations at day 270 (8.89 vs.7.41 mm) and day 300 (14.17 vs. 10.45 mm). The age of the mare, fertilization time, type of semen and gestation length did not affect the CTUP. The results obtained suggest that the cut-off point for detecting abnormal pregnancies in Spanish Purebred mares is 7.75 mm on day 270 and 12.7 mm on day 300. The authors find that the incidence of placental thickness enlargement in the late gestation of Spanish Purebred is 14%, and a transrectal ultrasonographic examination is highly advisable at 270 days of gestation. Such timely placental assessment could reveal otherwise undetected disorders, thereby enabling early and proper treatments to be administered to prevent foetal loss.
Assuntos
Feminino , Animais , Cavalos/anatomia & histologia , Cavalos/fisiologia , Ultrassonografia/métodosRESUMO
The present study was conducted to establish the normal values of the combined thickness of the uterus and placenta (CTUP) in Spanish Purebred maresduring late pregnancy. A total of 107 mares were examined at 210, 240, 270 and 300 days of gestation, of which 13 had abnormal gestations (foetal death, abortion or stillbirth). In mares with healthy foals, CTUP measurements showed significant differences (P < 0.0001) at the various gestational ages (4.83 ± 0.59 mm, 6.12 ± 0.60 mm, 7.41 ± 0.61 mm and 10.45 ± 0.92 mm at 210, 240, 270 and 300 days, respectively). A high positive correlation was observed between CTUP and gestational age (r = 0.923; P < 0.001). In mares with abnormal gestation, CTUP measurements were significantly (P < 0.0001) higher than in healthy gestations at day 270 (8.89 vs.7.41 mm) and day 300 (14.17 vs. 10.45 mm). The age of the mare, fertilization time, type of semen and gestation length did not affect the CTUP. The results obtained suggest that the cut-off point for detecting abnormal pregnancies in Spanish Purebred mares is 7.75 mm on day 270 and 12.7 mm on day 300. The authors find that the incidence of placental thickness enlargement in the late gestation of Spanish Purebred is 14%, and a transrectal ultrasonographic examination is highly advisable at 270 days of gestation. Such timely placental assessment could reveal otherwise undetected disorders, thereby enabling early and proper treatments to be administered to prevent foetal loss.(AU)