Film production with flaxseed mucilage and polyvinyl alcohol mixtures and evaluation of their properties.

Flaxseed mucilage was extracted with distilled water, dried and used for film production with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (ratio 1:1) of different hydrolysis degrees (88.0 and 98.3%). The properties of the films were evaluated by determining the thickness, tensile measurements, moisture content, water vapor permeability, apparent opacity, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. Flaxseed mucilage, when mixed with PVA, produces less resistant, less rigid, more-flexible films, has a higher thermal stability, and does not change the water vapor barrier properties compared with pure mucilage films. SEM revealed that films with mucilage and PVA mixtures formed a compact and homogeneous structure, corroborating the FTIR spectra that indicated a chemical interaction between these two biopolymers. In general, the degree of PVA hydrolysis did not influence the properties of the films when mixed with flaxseed mucilage extract. Therefore, films obtained from mixtures of flaxseed mucilage and PVA can be an interesting and advantageous alternative for producing bio-based packaging.

Ruminal fatty acid outflow in dry cows fed different sources of linoleic acid: reticulum and omasum as alternative sampling sites to abomasum.

This study was designed to determine the rumen outflow of fatty acids (FA) and biohydrogenation (BH) extent using alternative sampling sites (reticulum and omasum) to abomasum in dry cows fed different sources of FA. Four Holstein non-pregnant dry cows (≥3 parturitions, and 712 ± 125 kg BW), cannulated in the rumen and abomasum, were randomly assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment, containing the following treatments: 1) control (CON); 2) soya bean oil (SO), dietary inclusion at 30 g/kg; 3) whole raw soya beans (WS), dietary inclusion at 160 g/kg; and 4) calcium salts of FA (CSFA), dietary inclusion at 32 g/kg. Rumen outflow of nutrients was estimated using the three markers reconstitution system (cobalt-EDTA, ytterbium chloride, and indigestible neutral detergent fibre [NDF]). Diets with FA sources decreased feed intake and increased FA intake. No differences in nutrient intake and digestibility were detected among cows fed diets supplemented with different FA sources. Diets with FA sources reduced the rumen outflow of DM and NDF, hence decreasing their passage rates. In addition, SO diet reduced the ruminal outflow of DM and NDF in comparison with WS and CSFA. Omasal sampling yielded the highest values of rumen outflow of NDF and potentially degradable NDF (pdNDF), whereas the reticular and abomasal samplings yielded intermediate and least values, respectively. The interaction effect between diet and sampling site was observed for rumen outflow of majority FA (except for C16:0, C18:0, and C18:2 trans-10, cis-12) and BH extension of C18:1 cis, C18:2, and C18:3. Calculations derived from abomasal sampling revealed that WS and CSFA diets had lower BH extent of C18:1 cis and C18:2 in comparison with SO, whereas cows fed CSFA had greater BH extent of C18:3 and lower BH extent of C18:1 cis compared to those fed WS. However, the latter results were not similar when calculations were performed based on the reticular and omasal samplings. Thus, there is evidence that neither reticular nor omasal samplings are suitable for estimating rumen outflow of FA in dry cows. In addition, WS and CSFA diets can increase the abomasal flow of polyunsaturated FA in dry cows.

Persistent efficacy of 3.5% doramectin compared to 3.15% ivermectin against gastrointestinal nematodes in experimentally-infected cattle in Brazil.

The present study aimed to evaluate the persistent efficacy of a 3.5% doramectin(*) (700 µg/kg) formulation compared to 3.15% ivermectin(**) (630 µg/kg) treatment, administered subcutaneously at a dose of 1 mL/50 kg body weight in cattle experimentally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes. Seventy-two male crossbred Holstein cattle that were negative for helminth infection were divided into nine groups. Treatments of 3.5% doramectin (Groups 2, 4, 6 and 8) and 3.15% ivermectin (Groups 3, 5, 7 and 9) were administered on days 49, 42, 35 and 28 prior to challenge with infectious nematode larvae (L3). Animals in the control group (Group 1) received saline solution on day 49 before challenge. Beginning on day zero, each animal received 50 mL orally of a mixed culture containing approximately 3,000 third stage larvae (L3) of Haemonchus (60%), Oesophagostomum (20%), Cooperia (15%) and Trichostrongylus (5%) for seven consecutive days, resulting in a total challenge of 21,000 larvae/animal. Due to the large number of cattle, autopsies were performed between days 28 and 35 after the last day of inoculation. The formulation containing doramectin (700 mcg/kg) achieved persistent efficacy against H. placei and C. punctata for 49 and 35 days, respectively. The persistent efficacy of ivermectin (630 mcg/kg) against H. placei lasted for 49 days, but this treatment was ineffective against C. punctata. Both formulations demonstrated persistent efficacy against T. axei for 49 days. The persistent efficacy of doramectin (700 mcg/kg) and ivermectin (630 mcg/kg) lasted for 49 and 42 days against O. radiatum, respectively.

Implementation of DNA markers to produce genomically - enhanced EPDs in Nellore cattle

Background: The sequencing and publication of the cattle genome and the identification of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) molecular markers have provided new tools for animal genetic evaluation and genomic-enhanced selection. These new tools aim to increase the accuracy and scope of selection while decreasing generation interval. The objective of this study was to evaluate the enhancement of accuracy caused by the use of genomic information (Clarifide® - Pfizer) on genetic evaluation of Brazilian Nellore cattle. Review: The application of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) is recognized as one of the most practical approaches to modern genetic improvement. Genomic selection is perhaps most suited to the improvement of traits with low heritability in zebu cattle. The primary interest in livestock genomics has been to estimate the effects of all the markers on the chip, conduct cross-validation to determine accuracy, and apply the resulting information in GWAS either alone [9] or in combination with bull test and pedigree-based genetic evaluation data. The cost of SNP50K genotyping however limits the commercial application of GWAS based on all the SNPs on the chip. However, reasonable predictability and accuracy can be achieved in GWAS by using an assay that contains an optimally selected predictive subset of markers, as opposed to all the SNPs on the chip. The best way to integrate genomic information into genetic improvement programs is to have it included in traditional genetic evaluations. This approach combines traditional expected progeny differences based on phenotype and pedigree with the genomic breeding values based on the markers. Including the different sources of information into a multiple trait genetic evaluation model, for within breed dairy cattle selection, is working with excellent results. However, given the wide genetic diversity of zebu breeds, the high-density panel used for genomic selection in dairy cattle (Ilumina Bovine SNP50 array) appears insufficient for across-breed genomic predictions and selection in beef cattle. Today there is only one breed-specific targeted SNP panel and genomic predictions developed using animals across the entire population of the Nellore breed (www.pfizersaudeanimal.com), which enables genomically - enhanced selection. Genomic profiles are a way to enhance our current selection tools to achieve more accurate predictions for younger animals. Material and Methods: We analyzed the age at first calving (AFC), accumulated productivity (ACP), stayability (STAY) and heifer pregnancy at 30 months (HP30) in Nellore cattle fitting two different animal models; 1) a traditional single trait model, and 2) a two-trait model where the genomic breeding value or molecular value prediction (MVP) was included as a correlated trait. All mixed model analyses were performed using the statistical software ASREML 3.0. Results: Genetic correlation estimates between AFC, ACP, STAY, HP30 and respective MVPs ranged from 0.29 to 0.46. Results also showed an increase of 56%, 36%, 62% and 19% in estimated accuracy of AFC, ACP, STAY and HP30 when MVP information was included in the animal model. Conclusion: Depending upon the trait, integration of MVP information into genetic evaluation resulted in increased accuracy of 19% to 62% as compared to accuracy from traditional genetic evaluation. GE-EPD will be an effective tool to enable faster genetic improvement through more dependable selection of young animals.

Glicerina residual da produção de biodiesel em dietas com elevado teor de concentrado para ovinos

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a inclusão de glicerina do biodiesel de soja em dietas de alto concentrado e capulho de algodão para ovinos sobre os consumos de nutrientes e água, digestibilidades, balanço de nitrogênio, valores de pH, concentrações de amônia ruminal, concentrações de glicose sanguínea, produção (Pmic) e eficiência microbiana (Efmic). O delineamento foi em quadrado latino 5x5, utilizando cinco ovinos machos adultos, castrados, canulados no rúmen, com pesos de 52,2 ± 5,5 kg. Os animais foram alimentados com dietas isoprotéicas (11,2% PB), contendo 25% de capulho de algodão como fonte volumosa, e 75% de concentrado, de forma que os tratamentos experimentais foram constituídos pela adição crescente de 0, 5, 10, 15 e 20% de glicerina, na base seca. Os alimentos, sobras, fezes e água foram colhidos por três dias consecutivos de forma a permitir a obtenção dos consumos de nutrientes e água, e digestibilidades. Colheu-se liquido ruminal para a obtenção dos valores de pH e concentrações de amônia ruminal desde o momento da alimentação, até oito horas após. As concentrações de glicose sanguinea foram medidas no momento da alimentação até quatro horas após, com o aparelho Acue Check®. Para as estimativas da Pmic e Efmic, as excreções totais de derivados de purina foram obtidas na urina coletada por 24 horas ininterruptas. A glicerina influenciou de forma quadrática os consumos de matéria seca, matéria orgânica, proteína bruta e nutrientes digestíveis totais. O consumo de extrato etéreo aumentou de forma linear (P<0,01), enquanto que para carboidratos não fibrosos e totais houve redução linear, tanto no consumo quanto na digestibilidade. Não houve influencia sobre o consumo de água, que se manteve ao redor de 2,3 L/kg MS. A inclusão de glicerina promoveu aumentos lineares nas digestibilidades da matéria seca, matéria orgânica, proteína bruta, extrato etéreo e fibra em detergente neutro. Para os valores de pH ruminal, a resposta foi quadrática (P<0,03) quando das inclusões de glicerina e tempos de coleta, com valor máximo de 5,57 observado para 8,63% de glicerina, e mínimo de 5,39 atingido 4,78 horas pós alimentação. O aumento na inclusão de glicerina nas dietas não influenciou (P>0,11) as concentrações sanguíneas de glicose. A inclusão de glicerina à dieta promoveu efeito quadrático sobre os nitrogênios (N) consumido, fecal, urinário e absorvido, com valores máximos para 14,22; 11,53; 11,86 e 15,52% de inclusão, respectivamente. Houve redução linear (P<0,01) para as concentrações de amônia ruminal (NH3) com decréscimos de 0,16 mg/dL a cada 1% de glicerina adicionada a dieta. As excreções de derivados de purinas não foram influenciadas, exceto para xantina+hipoxatina que aumentaram linearmente (P<0,01), apresentando média de excreção de purinas totais de 9,85 mmol/dia, o que resultou em Pmic de 55,03 g/dia, e Efmic de 48,35 g PB/kg NDT. Os consumos máximos de matéria seca e proteína bruta foram estimados com 13% de inclusão de glicerina. As digestibilidades dos componentes nutritivos aumentaram mesmo com os valores de pH ruminal abaixo de 6. A inclusão de até 20% de glicerina não prejudica o balanço de nitrogênio, a proteína e eficiência microbiana, mesmo que as concentrações de amônia ruminal decresçam