Strategies of the control of an outbreak of leptospiral infection in dairy cattle in Northeastern Brazil.

The aim of the present study was to describe the strategies of the control of an outbreak of leptospiral infection in dairy cattle in Maranhão State, Northeastern Brazil. In the period from January to July 2015, 18 (17%) out of 106 cows presented abortion, six (5.7%) stillbirth, and 12 (11.3%) repeated estrus, totaling 24 animals with reproductive problems. The diagnosis of leptospirosis was based on serology (microscopic agglutination test-MAT), bacteriological culture, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antibiotic therapy, vaccination protocols, and changes in management practices were suggested as control measures. Of all animals on the farm (n = 280), 136 (48.6%) were seropositive for at least one serovar of Leptospira sp. No pure leptospiral culture was obtained. Eight of the animals with reproductive problems yielded positive PCR results (vaginal fluid of seven animals and urine and vaginal fluid of one animal). Genetic sequencing of a vaginal fluid/urine PCR-positive sample revealed Leptospira borgpetersenii. One year after the adoption of control measures, no reproductive problems were observed. Thus, leptospirosis probably caused the reproductive failures in the herd, and the control and prevention measures implemented were efficient in controlling the disease.

Substitution of "Pennisetum purpureum" by "Opuntia ficus-indica" and "Mimosa tenuiflora" in the diet of lambs / Substituição do Pennisetum purpureum por Opuntia ficus-indica e Mimosa tenuiflora na dieta de ovinos

The objectives of this study were to quantify the apparent digestibility of the diet components and the performance of lambs consuming increasing levels of the balanced (weight) mixture of Opuntia ficus indica bran and Mimosa tenuiflora leaves and fine branches hay substituting 0, 33 and 67% of Pennisetum purpureum hay, in a 60% roughage fodder to 40% concentrate diet formulated to a daily live body weight gain of 150 g/animal. Experiment was carried out at UFCG facilities, in Patos-PB, using 18 non-emasculated lambs with (20.4±1.16) kg (mean weight±SE). Dry matter, OM, CP, EE and total carbohydrates CD were affected by the levels of the mixture (P<0.05) according to a second degree model, with minimum CD values between 34 and 52% of P. purpureum hay replacement. Neutral detergent fiber and ADF CD decreased linearly (P<0.05), and those for CE and NFC were not affected (P>0.05). The inclusion of the mixture affected linear and positively the daily mean body weight gain (120, 149 and 170 g/animal, respectively for 0, 33 and 67% P. purpureum hay replacement levels), and DM, OM, CP, TCH and NFC consumptions. The balanced mixture of Opuntia ficus indica bran and Mimosa tenuiflora hay can replace up to 67% of the roughage fodder fraction (P. purpureum) of Santa Inês lamb diet and improve the daily body weight gain by 50 g/animal.(AU)

Os objetivos deste estudo foram quantificar a digestibilidade aparente dos componentes da dieta e o desempenho de cordeiros alimentados com níveis crescentes de uma mistura balanceada (peso) de farelo de Opuntia ficus indicae e feno de Mimosa tenuiflora em substituição a 0, 33 e 67% do feno Pennisetum purpureum, em uma dieta com 60% de volumoso e 40% de concentrado, formulada para um ganho de peso diário de 150 g/animal. O experimento foi conduzido na UFCG, Patos-PB, usando 18 cordeiros inteiros com (20,4±1,16) kg (peso médio±EP). O CD da MS, MO, PB, EE e dos carboidratos totais foram afetados pelos níveis da mistura (P<0,05) de acordo com um modelo quadrático, com mínimo valor de CD entre 34 e 52% de substituição do feno de P. purpureum. A digestibilidade da FDN e da FDA decresceu linearmente (P<0,05), e as da EB e dos carboidratos não fibrosos não foram afetadas (P>0,05). A inclusão da mistura afetou linear e positivamente o ganho de peso médio diário (120, 149 e 170g/animal, respectivamente para 0, 33 e 67% de substituição do feno de P. purpureum), e o consumo de MS, MO, PB, carboidratos totais e não fibrosos. A mistura balanceada do farelo de Opuntia fícus indica e do feno de Mimosa tenuiflora pode substituir até 67% da fração volumosa (P. purpureum) da dieta de cordeiros Santa Inês e melhorar o ganho de peso médio diário em 50g/animal.(AU)

Substitution of "Pennisetum purpureum" by "Opuntia ficus-indica" and "Mimosa tenuiflora" in the diet of lambs / Substituição do Pennisetum purpureum por Opuntia ficus-indica e Mimosa tenuiflora na dieta de ovinos

The objectives of this study were to quantify the apparent digestibility of the diet components and the performance of lambs consuming increasing levels of the balanced (weight) mixture of Opuntia ficus indica bran and Mimosa tenuiflora leaves and fine branches hay substituting 0, 33 and 67% of Pennisetum purpureum hay, in a 60% roughage fodder to 40% concentrate diet formulated to a daily live body weight gain of 150 g/animal. Experiment was carried out at UFCG facilities, in Patos-PB, using 18 non-emasculated lambs with (20.4±1.16) kg (mean weight±SE). Dry matter, OM, CP, EE and total carbohydrates CD were affected by the levels of the mixture (P0.05). The inclusion of the mixture affected linear and positively the daily mean body weight gain (120, 149 and 170 g/animal, respectively for 0, 33 and 67% P. purpureum hay replacement levels), and DM, OM, CP, TCH and NFC consumptions. The balanced mixture of Opuntia ficus indica bran and Mimosa tenuiflora hay can replace up to 67% of the roughage fodder fraction (P. purpureum) of Santa Inês lamb diet and improve the daily body weight gain by 50 g/animal.

Os objetivos deste estudo foram quantificar a digestibilidade aparente dos componentes da dieta e o desempenho de cordeiros alimentados com níveis crescentes de uma mistura balanceada (peso) de farelo de Opuntia ficus indicae e feno de Mimosa tenuiflora em substituição a 0, 33 e 67% do feno Pennisetum purpureum, em uma dieta com 60% de volumoso e 40% de concentrado, formulada para um ganho de peso diário de 150 g/animal. O experimento foi conduzido na UFCG, Patos-PB, usando 18 cordeiros inteiros com (20,4±1,16) kg (peso médio±EP). O CD da MS, MO, PB, EE e dos carboidratos totais foram afetados pelos níveis da mistura (P0,05). A inclusão da mistura afetou linear e positivamente o ganho de peso médio diário (120, 149 e 170g/animal, respectivamente para 0, 33 e 67% de substituição do feno de P. purpureum), e o consumo de MS, MO, PB, carboidratos totais e não fibrosos. A mistura balanceada do farelo de Opuntia fícus indica e do feno de Mimosa tenuiflora pode substituir até 67% da fração volumosa (P. purpureum) da dieta de cordeiros Santa Inês e melhorar o ganho de peso médio diário em 50g/animal.