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Introduction: Price fluctuations in the global market significantly impact the price of balanced feed; this vulnerability to the influence of foreign currency and inputs prevents adequate food sovereignty and security. Objective: The present study aims to evaluate the effect of mountain microorganisms on the productive behavior and carcass yield of growing lambs. Methods: Ten crossbred meat-type lambs were used; a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with two treatments was employed, where T0 is the control group and T1 is the experimental group. Animals in T0 were fed ad libitum forage and 250 g of commercial feed, while animals in T1 were fed 175 g of commercial feed with 75 g of mountain microorganisms (MM). Results and Discussion: Group T0 recorded an average daily gain of 120 g, whereas T1 gained 100 g (P>0,05), resulting in total weight gains of 7.17 kg and 5.79 kg for T0 and T1 respectively. Additionally, the daily feed cost per animal in T0 was $593.3 compared to $449 in T1, representing a saving of $144.3. Conclusion: Lambs in group T0 reached a weight of 27.22 kg, while lambs in group T1 achieved 25.82 kg; therefore, group T0 had a significantly higher daily and total weight gain compared to T1. However, the feed cost for T1 was lower, saving 24.3% compared to T0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of the ingestion behavior is important to know the animal production performance and is a must when evaluating different feeding regimes. This work aims to evaluate the daytime ingestion behavior and the productive answer in criollo lambs receiving supplement with cotton seeds (CS) and ground corn (GC). Sixteen complete male criollo lambs were used having a starting weight of 16 ± 2 Kg. They were distributed randomly into four experimental treatments consisting in: T0 = shepherding, T1 = shepherding + 25% CS + 75% GC, T2 = shepherding + 50% CS + 50% GC, and T3 = shepherding + 75% CS + 25% GC. Using both external and internal markers, the nutritional composition of the forages and the dry mass consumption in the animals were determined, i.e., the ingestion behavior and the productive performance. The total dry mass consumption showed statistical differences (p < 0.05), with lower consumption among the control animals. Likewise, statistical differences were detected (p < 0.05) between the treatments for shepherding activities, cud, water consumption and walking regarding variables like mouthfuls per minute and total ingestion. The final weight and the weight gain in the animals receiving supplements were higher in 28.4 % and 50.3 %, respectively. The CS and GC supplements led to a greater consumption of nutrients and, therefore, improved the ovine production performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little information is available on carcass quality in nulliparous and primiparous ewes of different breeds and genetic groups. Objective: To evaluate the effect of genetic group, pregnancy, age and their interactions on carcass traits, meat quality and fatty acid profile in sheep. Methods: Eighty-five Santa Ines ewes and their crosses with Texel, Dorper and Ile de France, aged 12 month were bred with White Dorper rams to assess the influence of pregnancy on carcass composition and meat quality. After weaning, all ewes (nulliparous and primiparous) were fattened for slaughter at 21 months of age. A further 24 six to twenty one-month-old female lambs from the same genetic groups were included in the analysis to determine the fatty acid profile. Results: Genetic group affected muscle and fat weight as well as the eye muscle length. Fat weight, muscle and fat ratios, subcutaneous fat thickness and cooking loss were affected by pregnancy with nulliparous females being fatter. Meat purpose breeds such as Dorper, Texel and Ile de France showed better meat quality compared to the Santa Ines hair breed. Of the 19 identified fatty acids, saturated were present in greater quantities, especially stearic and palmitic. Omega-6 content was influenced by age and pregnancy. Conclusions: Younger and nulliparous females have better carcass quality in terms of fatty acid composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to present the evolution of the pH values during ovine meat refrigeration/maturation. In order to achieve the proposed objectives, investigations were carried on a total number of 104 ovines (52 lambs and 52 adults) taken from the farm of Horleşti, located in the north-east of Romania, in proximity of the Iaşi municiple. The analyzed muscles are characterized by oscillatory amplitude of recorded values, following a descending trend during the first 48 h, then an ascending trend within the time span of 48-120 h, when meat maturation is stimulated. At the end of the rigidity period it is found that in muscle samples taken from the Karakul breed, the highest glycogen values are found in the Longissimus dorsi, as for Ţurcană they are found in Trapezius pars thoracica. pH values during meat maturation fit within qualitative standards for meat, avoiding undesired effects such as PSE or DFD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethno-pharmacological relevance The cultural heritage of Sardinian shepherds is rapidly vanishing and survives in the memory of elderly people. The objective of our study was not only to report the usage of plants and their preparation for administration but also the use of other remedies of different origin arising from traditional ethno-veterinary knowledge, as Sardinian shepherds were used to employ plants, animals, minerals and combinations of several substances to prepare remedies for prophylaxis or therapy on their animals. Materials and methods The work was carried out in rural areas of the island of Sardinia (Italy) by interviewing shepherds and filling questionnaires in order to record ethno-veterinary practices traditionally used for animal health care. Results Ethno-veterinary remedies traditionally utilised for treatments of small ruminants against ecto-and endo-parasites, gastrointestinal diseases, viral and bacterial diseases, wounds, sprains and bruises were identified. Non herbal remedies outnumbered the herbal ones, as usually plant species were mainly used for the care of cattle and equines. A total of 150 ethno-veterinary uses were documented for the treatment of 33 animal conditions, a detailed account of the formulations and their administration to sheep and goats was provided. Herbal remedies involved the use of twenty two spontaneous species and seven cultivated species. Conclusions This study identifies remedies used in ethno-veterinary practices for small ruminants care in Sardinia, the second major Mediterranean island which has agro-pastoral activities dating back to Neolithic. Moreover, the danger of losing oral traditions, and the increasing attention towards traditional remedies as potential sources of natural products for improving animal health and welfare, support the interest of our survey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 359 sheep serum samples from 15 farms were analyzed for the presence of antibodies against Maedi Visna Virus (MVV) by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Additionally, a survey was applied to the sheep owners in order to determine management measures and presence of clinical symptoms of Maedi-Visna in the flocks. Logistic regression with random effects was performed to assess risk factors to seropositivity. Seven serum samples were positive to MVV belonging to six flocks, determining low flock seropositivity (0 to 7.1%). Only one of the five regions studied was negative, determining low overall prevalence (1.95%) and low positivity by region (0.0% to 0.84%). One seropositive animal with symptoms related to MVV was sacrificed for necropsy. An enlargement of mesenteric and celiac lymph nodes was determined, histopathology of lungs revealed acute interstitial pneumonia. Analysis of organs, fluids and blood of this sheep by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to detect MVV yielded negative results. In order to confirm the serological results, serum and blood samples from two remaining seropositive animals were analyzed six months later, one resulted seronegative and the other seropositive in ELISA, but both negative in PCR. No risk factors were associated to seropositivity. Since MVV produces latency, we conclude, that the positive serological results were due to false positive reactions. Even though, 52.0% of the participating farms had introduced animals, embryos, or semen from other farms or from abroad without any sanitary certification, MVV seems to be present in Costa Rica probably in a very low prevalence. Further studies are required to implement control measures and prevent the spread of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlamydia and Chlamydia-related bacteria are known to infect various organisms and may cause a wide range of diseases, especially in ruminants. To gain insight into the prevalence of these bacteria in the ruminant environment, we applied a pan-Chlamydiales PCR followed by sequencing to 72 ruminant environmental samples from water, feed bunks and floors. Chlamydiales from four family-level lineages were detected indicating a high biodiversity of Chlamydiales in ruminant farms. Parachlamydiaceae were detected in all three types of environmental samples and was the most abundant family-level taxon (60%). In contrast, only one bacterium from each of the following family-level lineages was identified: Chlamydiaceae, Criblamydiaceae and Simkaniaceae. The observed high prevalence of Parachlamydiaceae in water samples may suggest water as the main source of contamination for ruminants as well as their environment due to spoilage. The absence of reported infections in the investigated ruminant farms might indicate that either detected Chlamydiales are of reduced pathogenicity or infective doses have not been reached. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The objective of this study was to test five cryoprotective agents during ram epidydimal spermatozoa incubation (at 4°C), of up to 3h, typical equilibration time before the freezing step begins, in order to establish a starting point for future freezing and thawing protocols. The parameters analyzed were: progressive motility (PM), vitality, and the plasma membrane functional integrity by the hypoosmotic swelling (HOS) test. Testes and epididymides were collected immediately after death. The tail of both epididymides were isolated and spermatozoa were recovered constituting one sample (n=20). A Tes–Tris–Yolk extender was employed. The extender contained five alternative CPAs: Dimethylacetamide (DMA), Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), Ethylene glycol (EG), Glycerol (GLY) and Propylene glycol (PG) at three final concentrations: 2.5%, 5.0% and 10.0%. Control groups consisted of samples mixed only with the extender, without any CPA. All sample groups were exposed to the CPAs for 1h or 3h at 4°C. EG exposure yielded better responses in both PM and HOS test parameters compared to extender only and also the other CPAs. There was no difference among all the treatments regarding vitality. EG (with best results at 2.5%) is thus proposed as a good CPA (followed by DMA as an explorable alternative) for the implementation of forthcoming ram epididymal spermatozoa freezing protocols. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The PediaFlow pediatric ventricular assist device (VAD) is a magnetically levitated turbodynamic pump under development for circulatory support of small children with a targeted flow rate range of 0.3-1.5 L/min. As the design of this device is refined, ensuring high levels of blood biocompatibility is essential. In this study, we characterized platelet activation during the implantation and operation of a second generation prototype of the PediaFlow VAD (PF2) and also performed a series of surgical sham studies to examine purely surgical effects on platelet activation. In addition, a newly available monoclonal antibody was characterized and shown to be capable of quantifying ovine platelet activation. The PF2 was implanted in three chronic ovine experiments of 17, 30, and 70 days, while surgical sham procedures were performed in five ovines with 30-day monitoring. Blood biocompatibility in terms of circulating activated platelets was measured by flow cytometric assays with and without exogenous agonist stimulation. Platelet activation following sham surgery returned to baseline in approximately 2 weeks. Platelets in PF2-implanted ovines returned to baseline activation levels in all three animals and showed an ability to respond to agonist stimulation. Late-term platelet activation was observed in one animal corresponding with unexpected pump stoppages related to a manufacturing defect in the percutaneous cable. The results demonstrated encouraging platelet biocompatibility for the PF2 in that basal platelet activation was achieved early in the pump implant period. Furthermore, this first characterization of the effect of a major cardiothoracic procedure on temporal ovine platelet activation provides comparative data for future cardiovascular device evaluation in the ovine model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of the male effect and its importance in the reproductive management of Columbia ewes was evaluated during a comparative study between a herd of ewes subjected to an annual breeding system with services in November (AS) and another herd subjected to an intensive system with breeding periods in November, July and March (IS). The two herds were kept on intensive irrigated prairies with moderate climate: the ewes in the IS were supplemented during the lactation and rebreeding periods. Estrus expression was detected by the presence of marks on the rump left by aniline-impregnated teaser males. In addition, the concentrations of progesterone were determined in blood samples from 20 adult ewes and 5 ewe-lambs from each breeding system. These samples were taken twice per week from the time the teaser males were introduced. The conception date for each ewe was retrospectively calculated from the date of lambing. The results indicate a clear male effect in the IS group during the breeding periods of July and March, when such a male effect proved to be very important for the reproductive success of the herd. In contrast, the male effect was not apparent during November breeding periods because the animals of both herds were already cycling when the teaser males were introduced at that time of the year. It is concluded that the use of the male effect can improve the reproductive efficiency of Columbia ewes exposed to intensive breeding systems in Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]