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Feed intake and efficiency, animal performance, and protein and energy metabolism were studied in lambs that were fed on increasing levels of urea (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% of dry matter [DM]). A completely randomized design was used, with four treatments (urea levels) and six replicates. The lambs were fed ad libitum for 56 days until they reached an average body weight of 35 kg. The rations were composed of 34% Tifton 85 hay (Cynodon spp.) and 66% concentrate. Crude protein (CP) constituted 17% of the diet on a dry matter basis, and total digestible nutrients (TDN) accounted for 65%, on average. The dry matter intake (DMI) and crude protein intake (CPI) were not influenced by the urea levels in the diet, presenting average values of 1.175 and 0.206 kg animal-1 day-1, respectively. The average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and gross feed efficiency (GFE) were also not influenced by urea levels (0.225 kg day-1, 5.33 kg DM kg gain-1 and 0.195 kg gain kg DM-1, respectively). Except for urea and glucose concentrations, blood parameters did not change with increasing urea in the diets. The mean values for total protein, albumin, globulin and creatinine in the serum were 7.11 g dL-1, 3.36 g dL-1, 3.75 g dL-1 and 0.91 mg dL-1, respectively. Serum urea decreased linearly and serum glucose increased linearly with urea levels in the diet. The addition of 1.5% of urea to the diets did not change feed intake and efficiency or animal performance, and did not cause metabolic disorders in feedlot lambs in the finishing phase.

O objetivo desse estudo foi realizar uma investigação epidemiológica da ocorrência de Brucella ovis e Brucella abortus nos rebanhos ovinos de municípios pertencentes à microrregião de Teresina, Piauí, Brasil. Foram analisadas amostras de 521 animais. A colheita de sangue foi realizada por venopunção e os tubos contendo as amostras foram encaminhados ao Laboratório de Fisiopatologia da Reprodução dos Animais Domésticos da Universidade Federal do Piauí para posterior análise. A pesquisa de anticorpos anti-Brucella ovis e anti- Brucella abortus foi realizada por meio das técnicas de Imunodifusão em Gel de Agar (IDGA) e Antígeno Acidificado Tamponado (AAT) respectivamente. Aos proprietários dos rebanhos foi aplicado um questionário contendo questões sobre os aspectos gerais da propriedade, do rebanho, manejo reprodutivo e sanitário dos animais. Não foram encontrados animais soropositivos para Brucella abortus. 53,6% das propriedades investigadas apresentaram pelo menos um caso de ovino soropositivo para Brucella ovis pelo teste de IDGA. 4,6% das amostras foram positivas para anticorpos anti- Brucela ovis. Das amostras positivas, 8,67% eram fêmeas e 1,02% machos. 13,6% das amostras positivas foram de animais com idade superior a 36 meses. O principal tipo de sistema de criação foi o extensivo. Em 28,6% das propriedades foi relatada a ocorrência de abortos. 7,1% das propriedades não realizavam nenhum manejo sanitário e somente 39,2% das propriedades recebiam algum tipo de assistência técnica. Com base nos achados deste estudo pode se concluir que a microrregião de Teresina está exposta a contaminação por Brucella ovis e o manejo sanitário e reprodutivo nas propriedades é deficiente, assim como a assistência técnica é pouco requisitada pelos produtores, prejudicando o controle e prevenção da brucelose ovina.

A ovinocultura no Brasil tem sido considerada uma importante prática econômica. Entretanto, há alguns problemas relacionados com esta prática, dentre os quais se destaca a hemoncose. Haemonchus contortus é tido como o principal helminto parasita de ovelhas, considerando-se o fato de ser o único hematófago direto, podendo causar anemia, perda de peso, edema submandibular, baixa qualidade da carne e da lã e óbito de uma grande porcentagem do rebanho. Atualmente, opta-se pelo tratamento alopático para controle da hemoncose, porém, devido ao uso repetitivo, observa-se desenvolvimento crescente de resistência. Neste sentido, a fitoterapia tem se destacado como uma alternativa promissora. Sendo assim, no presente trabalho objetivou-se avaliar a atividade anti-parasitária de três extratos vegetais: extratos hidroalcoólicos obtidos por percolação de Lepidium didymum e Momordica charantia, e extrato aquoso de Tagetes minuta. Animais da raça santa Inês foram triados para identificação de espécimes parasitados e separados em quatro grupos com seis animais cada, sendo um grupo controle sem tratamento, e os demais tratados com 200 mg/dia (5 mg/kg de peso corpóreo) com os três extratos, durante 5 dias. Após o tratamento foi realizada determinação de OPG (ovos por grama de fezes) pelo método MacMaster com modificação. Observou-se que o os animais dos grupos tratados com os extratos de L. didymum e M. charantia apresentaram redução significativa (p

The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphogenic, structural, and productive characteristics of Cenchrus ciliaris L. in response to different doses of biofertilizers that originate from the anaerobic biodigestion of goat and sheep fecal matter on Yellow Argisoil. The experiment was performed in a greenhouse, in a completely randomized factorial design using two types of biofertilizers and five dosages (0%, 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, and 10% of soil volume), with four repeats, for the duration of two vegetative cycles. In the first cycle, there was an increase in leaf lifespan and leaf/stem ratio with the use of 10% and 7.5% caprine biofertilizer, respectively. From the second cycle, doses of biofertilizers between 7.5% and 10% led to an improvement in the development of the morphogenic variables - leaf sprouting rate, leaf and pseudostem elongation rate, leaf lifespan, and senescence, as well as the structural characteristics - expanded leaf length and width, number of sprouting, expanded and live leaves, and expanded/expanding leaf ratio, resulting in a 73% increase in biomass. It was concluded that the use of biofertilizers improves the main morphogenic and structural characteristics of Cenchrus ciliaris L., resulting in increased fodder mass yield.

Con el objetivo de evaluar el efecto del número de partos en el peso al nacer de las crías y en el intervalo parto-gestación de ovejas Pelibuey (OPB) y mestizo de Pelibuey (MPB), en condiciones de producción, se realizó un estudio retrospectivo del Centro Genético de Ovinos Pelibuey perteneciente a la Empresa Genética Matanzas, Cuba. Los animales pastaron en 3 ha de pastos naturales y se suplementaron con forraje de king grass, caña de azúcar, heno de gramíneas, concentrado comercial, sales minerales, así como residuos de destilería del maíz (Northgold) según la disponibilidad de este alimento. Hubo diferencias significativas (p ≤ 0,05) a favor del peso vivo al nacimiento en las crías (2,77 vs. 2,69 kg para OPB y MPB, respectivamente). A su vez, se hallaron diferencias significativas (p ≤ 0,05) en el peso a favor de las crías machos, con los mayores valores en OPB (2,83 vs. 2,72 kg, para OPB y MPB, respectivamente). El peso al nacer de las crías en OPB y MPB difirió (p ≤ 0.05) en relación con el número de partos y fue mayor en OPB; los mejores valores se obtuvieron a partir del segundo parto en OPB (3,01 kg) y en el cuarto parto en MPB (2,93 kg). El incremento del número de partos en las reproductoras afectó (p ≤ 0,05) el intervalo parto-gestación en OPB y MPB. Se concluye que el número de partos de ovejas Pelibuey y mestizo de Pelibuey en condiciones comerciales de producción tuvo un marcado efecto en el peso al nacer de las crías y en el intervalo parto-gestación, con los mejores resultados a partir del segundo parto; a su vez, el peso al nacer de las crías ovinas se afectó por la raza.

Copyright of Revista Veterinaria is the property of Universidad Nacional del Nordeste and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a inclusão de níveis de lisina e metionina protegidos, sobre os parâmetros nutricionais e metabólitos proteicos de borregas em crescimento. O experimento foi realizado na Fazenda Experimental Capim Branco, da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, durante os meses de setembro e outubro de 2016. Utilizou-se cinco borregas ½ sangue Dorper x ½ Santa Inês, com aproximadamente oito meses de idade e peso médio de 50±5 kg, distribuídas em esquema quadrado latino 5x5 (cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições). Os tratamentos consistiram na inclusão de diferentes níveis de lisina e metionina protegidos da degradação ruminal (MicroPEARLS LM®) na ração, sendo: 0g, 8g, 16g, 24g e 32g. A dieta era composta por silagem de milho e concentrado na relação 30V:70C. O experimento foi divido em cinco fases. Cada fase teve duração de quinze dias (dez dias de adaptação dos animais e cinco de coleta de dados). Os animais foram mantidos em gaiola metabólicas individuais. Realizou-se um ensaio de digestibilidade para determinar o consumo e digestibilidade aparente da matéria seca (CMS/DGMS), balanço de nitrogênio e metabólitos proteicos. O CMS (kg dia -1) e em relação ao peso metabólico apresentaram equação linear positiva, assim como o nitrogênio ingerido e balanço de nitrogênio, sendo positivo em todos tratamentos. Não houve diferença (P > 0,05) para digestibilidade da MS. As concentrações de proteína bruta e ureia mantiveram-se acima do recomendado, enquanto creatinina, manteve-se abaixo. A inclusão de aminoácidos protegidos até 32g aumenta o CMS e excreção de nitrogênio urinário, sem afetar negativamente a digestibilidade. O metabolismo proteico foi alterado, sem causar danos ao desempenho dos animais.

Introducción. El conocimiento de las variables biofísicas, tecnológicas y económicas de los sistemas ovinos, representan elementos de valor para la caracterización y el análisis productivo de la especie. Objetivo. Caracterizar técnica y económicamente, el sistema de producción de ovinos de carne en el departamento de Córdoba, Colombia, con el fin de generar una línea de base que permita comparar las opciones tecnológicas con la tecnología local. Materiales y métodos. La información se obtuvo del trabajo realizado en cuatro unidades productivas con 108 ovinos machos de manejo semi-intensivo. Los datos se obtuvieron entre enero y septiembre de 2018. Como instrumento de información se usó la encuesta estructurada, se aplicaron técnicas estadísticas como medidas de tendencia central y de dispersión, para el análisis económico se usó un patrón de costos para cada unidad productiva y el cálculo de los indicadores de retorno como la tasa interna de retorno y valor presente neto. Los coeficientes técnicos se analizaron económicamente. Resultados. Las ganancias diarias de peso fueron de 80-132 g día-1, con peso promedio por animal de 31,7±3,2 kg. La producción de carne fue de 18 450 kg. Las mejores ganancias de peso diario (p

Objetivou-se avaliar o ganho de peso, consumo de alimentos e a saúde de cordeiros lactentes da raça Lacaune consumindo leite de ovelha ou sucedâneos lácteos com diferentes proporções de lactose (LAC). Foram utilizados 36 cordeiros machos lactentes, com aproximadamente seis dias de idade (4,98 ± 1,20 kg) e avaliados até o desmame (60 dias de idade). Estes foram divididos em 12 lotes, com três animais cada, e alojados em baias, correspondendo a quatro baias por tratamento. Os tratamentos experimentais foram: Leite de ovelha; Sucedâneo 36% LAC, sucedâneo lácteo contendo 36% de lactose e; sucedâneo 29% LAC, sucedâneo lácteo contendo 29% de lactose. Os cordeiros alimentados com sucedâneo 29% LAC apresentaram menores (p≤0,05) peso corporal final, ganho médio diário, consumo total de alimentos e pior conversão alimentar, em relação aos animais do tratamento Leite de ovelha. Os cordeiros que receberam Sucedâneo 36% LAC não diferiram (p>0,05) dos animais dos tratamentos Leite de ovelha e Sucedâneo 29% LAC para as variáveis acima citadas. Não houve efeito de tratamento (p>0,05) na taxa de mortalidade ou na ocorrência de diarreia. Assim, o Sucedâneo 36% LAC pode substituir o Leite de ovelhas sem prejuízos ao desempenho, consumo e saúde dos cordeiros, porém a utilização do sucedâneo 29% LAC, apesar de não ter afetado a saúde, pode reduzir o desempenho e o consumo de alimentos pelos cordeiros

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficácia da substituição do feno de aveia pela casca de café na alimentação de cordeiros confinados. Foram utilizados 24 cordeiros machos da raça Texel, com aproximadamente 60 dias de idade e pesando em média (21,95 kg ± 5,81). As rações foram compostas por 30% de feno de Aveia e 70% de concentrado por kg de matéria seca. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com quatro tratamentos (0; 7,5; 15 e 22,5 % de casca de café na matéria seca total da dieta) e seis repetições. O abate dos animais foi realizado quando atingiram a média de 32 kg de peso vivo. Não foram observadas variações no consumo de nutrientes, assim como no ganho de peso médio diário (197 g dia-1). O ganho de peso médio diário (GPD) não foi alterado (P > 0,05) com a substituição do feno de aveia pela casca de café na dieta, ficando com média de 215,05 g dia-1. Não houve diferença (P > 0,05) para nenhuma das variáveis de carcaça estudadas e o rendimento verdadeiro da carcaça foi em média 53,9%. Os cordeiros apresentaram média de 2,96 para grau de acabamento (escala de 1 a 5) e 4,21 de conformação, caracterizando boas carcaças. Com relação à viabilidade econômica, a dieta com 0,075 kg de casca de café teve destaque em lucratividade, gerando 3,25 U$ de lucro por kg de carcaça produzida. A casca de café pode substituir o feno de aveia na terminação de cordeiros, em teores de 7,5 a 22,5% da matéria seca total da dieta com eficácia biológica e econômica, gerando boas carcaças para a comercialização.

El sector ovino es uno de los principales sectores que impulsan la economía en Castilla-La Mancha. Así, en 2016 la denominación de origen protegida (dop) “queso manchego” generó el 61,21 % del valor económico de los productos con denominación de origen en toda España. Sin embargo, actualmente las explotaciones adolecen de un adecuado desempeño gerencial que, unido a la caída en el precio de la leche destinada a la dop y el aumento en el coste de alimentación del ganado, está generando problemas de viabilidad. Teniendo en cuenta esta problemática, el objetivo de este trabajo consiste en identificar un conjunto de indicadores que permitan medir capacidades dinámicas en el sector ovino. Desde la perspectiva metodológica, se ha realizado una revisión de la literatura en capacidades dinámicas y se han determinado potenciales indicadores propios de la gestión ovina que permitan medir dichas capacidades. Como resultado, se han identificado y justificado 54 indicadores para medir los distintos tipos de capacidades. A modo de conclusión, estos indicadores constituyen un referente para que los gerentes puedan medir, diagnosticar y tomar decisiones de mejora en la gestión de sus granjas.

El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la influencia académica de un grupo de profesores, estudiantes y pasantes de la carrera de Ingeniero Agrónomo del Instituto Tecnológico de Chiná (ITCh), Campeche, en un proyecto de vinculación con productores de ovinos del área de influencia del ITCh, mediante un programa de transferencia de tecnología. El estudio duró tres años (2002- 2005) dividido en tres etapas (fases preliminar, organizativa, y metodológica) mediante visitas a las granjas, talleres de trabajo, y giras técnicas. En el estudio participaron 20 productores de seis granjas del área de influencia al ITCh; de estas granjas, cinco eran tecnificadas, siete semi-tecnificadas, y ocho de traspatio, con promedios de vientres por granja de 160 ± 12, 95 ± 7, y 45 ± 5, respectivamente. Los criterios de evaluación fueron: a) producción animal, b) trabajo académico, y c) organización de productores. Debido a que el estudio fue descriptivo, de los datos recopilados únicamente se obtuvieron porcentajes y promedios, a manera de estadísticos descriptivos. Al final del estudio se obtuvieron mejoras productivas en porcentajes de pariciones, supervivencia de corderos, se introdujeron sementales y pastos mejorados, se redujo el tiempo de engorda y mejoró el precio de venta de los animales. En el aspecto académico hubo adiestramiento, servicio social, elaboración de tesis y exámenes, redacción de informes y trabajos publicados por profesores, además de formación tecnológica-científica en pasantes de licenciatura. Por último, los productores ahora asisten con mayor frecuencia a eventos técnicos de la región y muestran mayor interés y dinámica en cursos, talleres, y reuniones técnicas.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of replacing oat hay with coffee husk in the diet of lambs on the intake and apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF). The experimental design was 4×4 Latin square with four levels of replacement of oat hay with coffee husk (0, 7.5, 15, and 22.5%) with four individually housed Texel sheep. Intake and apparent digestibility coefficients were measured at four periods of 12 days. All orts and feces were collected, weighed, homogenized, and sampled. The use of coffee husk at up to 22.5% of the total DM in the diet of lambs improved the intake of nutrients. Except for NDF, no significant differences were observed for the apparent digestibility of other parameters (DM, OM, CP, EE, NFC, and the ADF). Coffee husk can be included at up to 22.5% of total dry matter in diets with 30% roughage and 70% concentrate, being a good alternative to reduce feed costs in lamb production.

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis that is widely distributed in tropical countries. This infection is also associated with reproductive losses in livestock, which has a significant economic impact. The objective of this study is to investigate the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with leptospiral infection in commercial sheep flocks from the northwestern mesoregion of Rio Grande do Sul. Serum samples were analyzed in 319 sheep using the Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT). At the time of sampling, an individual and herd questionnaire was carried out to investigate the risk factors. On an individual level, positive reactions were observed in 5.6% (18/319) of the studied sera, with Sejroe being the most prevalent serogroup. Animals >3 years old were more likely to be seropositive than animals 1-3 years old (OR 14.4; 95% CI 1.9-110). The predominance of Sejroe serogroup in this manner draws attention to how subclinical infection is associated with economic losses. Therefore, the importance of maintaining measures for the prevention and control of leptospirosis among the sheep flocks of the studied region is reiterated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coffee pulp has a high content of antioxidants capable of modifying the oxidative status in small ruminants. However, high amounts for a prolonged time can reduce fertility. Objective: To determine the effect of two inclusion levels of coffee pulp during estrous synchronization on reproductive variables and oxidative status of primiparous ewes. Methods: Sixty Suffolk x Dorset primiparous ewes were distributed into three treatments in a completely randomized design; T0: (n=20) 1.5 kg balanced diet, T1: (n=20) 1.5 kg balanced diet and 5% coffee pulp, T2: (n=20) 1.5 kg balanced diet and 10% coffee pulp. Supplementation was given for 16 days before estrus synchronization and until the beginning of the breeding season. A progestogen (CIDR®) was inserted for 11 days and a dose of PGF2α was applied two days prior to its withdrawal. Estrus detection started 12 hours after CIDR withdrawal. Blood samples were obtained during the supplementation period to measure oxidative status, antioxidant capacity, glucose and insulin, and up to 9 days after breeding to determine progesterone concentration. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed at 30 and 60 days post-breeding. An analysis of repeated measures of mixed effects and frequency analysis were carried out. Results: Inclusion of coffee pulp for a short period prior to breeding did not affect reproductive parameters, nor progesterone, glucose or insulin concentrations (p>0.05); however, antioxidant capacity increased, while lipid oxidation showed an opposite trend (p<0.05). Conclusion: Inclusion of up to 10% coffee pulp in the diet of ewe lambs for 16 days prior to breeding improves oxidative status without causing adverse effects on pregnancy, estrus or prolificacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to test multivariate tools to evaluate the growth of Berganês and crossbreed in the Northeastern Semiarid region. Biometric measurements were performed at the beginning and at the end of the experiment in uncastrated male lambs belonging to the Berganês (BG), Berganês x Santa Inês (BSI), Dorper x Berganês (DB) genotypes and the Dorper x Santa Inês (DSI), of eight lambs per genotype. The design was completely randomized. Data were subjected to Person correlation analysis. It performed factor analysis based on principal components - (FA), in order to summarize the original set of variables in a few factors and to indicate the variables that most contribute to the evaluation of animal growth. A significant correlation (p < 0.01) was observed for most variables measured at the end of the experiment. The most important characteristics to evaluate the biometric growth of Berganês and crossbreed lambs are associated with the breed pattern and body development of the animals, according to factor analysis. The lambs were classified in their respective genotypes at the end of the experiment according to the discriminant analysis. The multivariate techniques used in this study were handy to understand and differentiate the Berganês genetic group and its crossbreed based on biometric characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extensive livestock system of South Patagonia is carried out on large-scale paddocks, with low animal carrying capacity and high environmental fragility. The historical grazing management, since the end of the 19th century, has caused the desertification of the landscape in a large part of the territory. Different institutional efforts have sought to promote better management of rangelands based on adapting the stocking rate of the paddocks. However, the heterogeneity of the landscape within the paddocks still allows the concentration of animals in the most preferred places. In this context, the development of technical recommendations that allow the control of the heterogeneous grazing, requires an updated knowledge about the perception of the producers facing this problem. For this reason, a survey was carried out to 82 extensive livestock producers in Santa Cruz, seeking to characterize the management they perform in the paddocks, the criteria for their design and how they visualize the problem of heterogeneous grazing. A high percentage of producers (~ 75%) detects the problem, but only 8.3% applies more than 2 technologies to address it. The producers, as a whole, show knowledge of an important variety of technologies. However, different limitations indicated by the interviewees, determine that the technologies are not consolidated as common use practices. The extensive system in South Patagonia continues to be carried out mainly under a scheme of minimal intervention of the landscape, just as in its beginnings. It may be necessary to review the technology transfer system from research and extension institutions. However, the participation of the State is also essential, through the design and implementation of policies that provide suitable instruments to encourage, promote, support and monitor the adoption of technology. [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]

The objective was to evaluate growth performance, feed intake and health by suckling Lacaune lambs consuming ewe's milk or milk replacers with different lactose (LAC) ratios. Thirty-six male lambs with approximately six days of age (4,98 ± 1,20 kg) were used, and evaluated until weaning (60 days of age). These were divided in 12 cohorts, with three animals each, and housed in pens, corresponding to four pens per treatment. The experimental treatments were: Ewe's milk; Milk replacer 36% LAC, milk replacer containing 36% of lactose and; Milk replacer 29% LAC, milk replacer containing 29% of lactose. The lambs fed with Milk replacer 29% LAC showed lower (p≤0.05) final body weight, average daily gain, total feed intake and worse feed conversion, in relation to the animals treated with Ewe's milk. The lambs that received Milk replacer 36% LAC did not differ (p>0.05) from the animals treated with Ewe's milk and Milk replacer 29% LAC for the variables mentioned above. There was no treatment effect (p>0.05) on the mortality or diarrhea rate. Thus, Milk replacer 36% LAC can replace the Ewe's milk without impairing growth performance, intake and health of lambs, but the use of the Milk replacer 29% LAC, despite not having affected the health, can reduce the growth performance and feed intake in lambs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphogenic and structural characteristics of grass Cynodon spp. is evaluated at different regrowth ages in full sunshine and in artificial shade, for sheep pasture. The experiment was undertaken in the rural area of Geminiano PI Brazil, between August 2017 and July 2018. Sprout density was analyzed by randomized design at 2x2 factor, with two treatments (sunshine and artificial shade) and two pasture conditions (pre- and postpasture), with four replications. Other variables were analyzed within the same design, at 2x3, with two treatments and three regrowth ages (7, 14 and 21 days), with four repetitions. Tiller density was investigated in the pre and post-pasture conditions by counting their number by a 0.25 m2 PVC frame, randomly placed three times in each split. Eight tillers were marked and evaluated in each split every seventh day after the departure of the animals so that the morphogenic and structural characteristics could be evaluated. Morphogenic characteristics were not affected by shade and regrowth age. In the case of structural characteristics, differences occurred only in variables NFV and NTF in full sunshine and artificial shade, between regrowth ages. The above showed that there was a greater number of dead leaves and a greater number of leaves on the 21st day. Management of cultivar Cynodon spp. at regrowth age of 21 days is recommended in modes sunshine and shade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Cientifica de la Facultade de Veterinaria is the property of Universidad del Zulia, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Ciencia y Tecnología Agropecuaria is the property of Agrosavia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Agro Productividad is the property of Colegio de Postgraduados and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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]

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Saúde e Produção Animal (RBSPA) is the property of Revista Brasileira de Saude e Producao Animal (RBSPA) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Saúde e Produção Animal (RBSPA) is the property of Revista Brasileira de Saude e Producao Animal (RBSPA) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Brasileira de Saúde e Produção Animal (RBSPA) is the property of Revista Brasileira de Saude e Producao Animal (RBSPA) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Agronomía & Ambiente is the property of Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Acadêmica: Ciência Animal is the property of Revista Academica: Ciencia Animal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Acadêmica: Ciência Animal is the property of Revista Academica: Ciencia Animal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Acadêmica: Ciência Animal is the property of Revista Academica: Ciencia Animal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Acadêmica: Ciência Animal is the property of Revista Academica: Ciencia Animal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article presents serological evidence of the circulation of small ruminant lentiviruses (maedi-visna) in a sheep herd in Cundinamarca, Colombia. A study was conducted on a herd of 43 adult animals, where it was found that 2 out of the 12 animals analyzed tested positive for the Maedi visna virus, representing an occurrence frequency of 16% in the herd. Additionally, viral and parasitic coinfection was observed in some animals. Hematological indicators did not show significant differences between infected and non-infected animals. It is concluded that broader epidemiological studies are needed to understand the circulation of the virus and determine associated genotypes. [Extracted from the article]

Neonatal physiology has peculiarities inherent to the age group. The objective of this study was to monitor the systemic arterial pressure in lambs during neonatal period. We used 20 Ile de France lambs, from birth and at 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days of life. The following parameters were analyzed: heart rate (HR), systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), and average blood pressure (ABP) by oscillometric method petMAP™, and SBP with Doppler. Invasive pressure validated indirect methods with the average 101.52 ± 12.04 mmHg. The averages with petMAP™ were as follows: HR (156.38 ± 37.46 bpm); DBP (63.80 ± 11.14 mmHg); ABP (81.58 ± 11.83 mmHg); SBP (112.48 ± 15.68 mmHg) and SBP by Dobler (90.27 ± 12.11 mmHg). There was significant difference in HR and blood pressure among the moments. Indirect methods differ between each other in 12.30 mmHg (overestimation of 11%). Comparing with the invasive methods, both overestimated values of 4% and 16% in PAS, respectively, for Doppler and petMAP™. The results showed that the Doppler method has established a good relationship with the invasive one being useful for gauging the SBP. The oscillometric method requires larger studies to be used in small ruminants. Keywords: Doppler; lamb; neonatal period; oscillometric; systemic blood pressure.

Objetivou-se avaliar a influência da suplementação com glicerina bruta (GB) para ovelhas durante a gestação e início da lactação e seus efeitos sobre o peso e medidas corporais de suas crias do nascimento à desmama. Foram avaliados 24 cordeiros oriundos de 24 ovelhas do genótipo Lacaune x East Friesian distribuídas em quatro tratamentos que se diferenciaram quanto à suplementação de GB na dieta em (0; 1,5; 3,0 e 4,5% de MS) sendo esta adicionada à água. As medidas biométricas dos cordeiros oriundos das mães avaliadas ocorreram quinzenalmente do dia do nascimento até o período da desmama, já o peso corporal foi avaliado diariamente. O estudo de regressão múltipla realizado constatou que o teor de GB na dieta das mães explicou 5,2% da variação no peso dos cordeiros ao nascer (PN), seguidas pelo escore corporal das mães (12,3%), sexo do cordeiro (19,2%) e peso vivo das mães (26,5%), totalizando r2 de 63%. Segundo predições do modelo ajustado para cenários simulados, cordeiros mais leves foram oriundos de ovelhas com peso entre 40 a 50 kg, escore 4 a 5 e que não receberam GB em níveis intermediários. Cordeiros mais pesados, com PN superior a 5,5, provinham de ovelhas pesadas, entre 80 e 90 kg com escore baixo e que receberam níveis de 1,5 e 3% de GB. A suplementação com GB entre 2% e 4% melhora o peso ao nascer dos cordeiros. As medidas corporais dos cordeiros não são influenciadas pela suplementação com GB na dieta das mães.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo revisar os mecanismos de ação, os sinais clínicos, a patologia e os princípios tóxicos das plantas que causam fotossensibilização em ruminantes. Além disso, buscou-se esclarecer, de maneira sucinta e objetiva, os métodos diagnósticos e a profilaxia da fotossensibilização induzida por plantas. Plantas fotossensibilizantes em ruminantes constituem um grupo importante de plantas tóxicas no Brasil, existindo pelo menos 17 espécies de plantas fotossensibilizantes distribuídas em nove gêneros. Algumas delas têm princípio ativo conhecido; em outras não se conhecem as substâncias responsáveis pela doença. Em geral, a fotossensibilização pode ser classificada como primária e secundária. Das plantas descritas como fotossensibilizantes primárias no Brasil, apenas a Ammi majus teve seu princípio tóxico identificado (furocumarinas), enquanto o da Froelichia humboldtiana continua incerto. Outros princípios ativos fotossensibilizantes também foram descritos em plantas, porém causando fotossensibilização secundária, dentre eles estão os alcalóides pirrolizidínicos, os furanossesquiterpenos, os triterpenos, e as saponinas esteroidais. Existem ainda plantas reconhecidamente fotossensibilizantes secundárias que não apresentam princípio tóxico conhecido, como as do gênero Striphnodendron e Enterolobium. Futuras pesquisas devem ser conduzidas com o objetivo de determinar os diversos mecanismos de ação de cada composto tóxico com vistas a auxiliar o diagnóstico da fotossensibilização, além de possibilitar o desenvolvimento de cultivares não sintetizantes desses compostos, ou ainda, novas formas de prevenção das fotossensibilizações.

RESUMO A atividade do sistema nervoso autônomo sobre o coração pode ser verificada pela variabilidade da frequência cardíaca (VFC), método que quantifica e assim infere sobre a modulação autonômica cardíaca, refletindo o funcionamento do sistema nervoso autônomo. Durante o período neonatal, diferenças significativas no que se refere à maturação autonômica são descritas em diversas espécies. Embora a espécie ovina venha sendo utilizada como modelo experimental em diversos protocolos em neonatologia e cardiologia em humanos, estudos descritivos sobre a VFC utilizando animais saudáveis e não sedados são escassos na literatura. O objetivo do estudo foi descrever a VFC em cordeiros da raça Bergamácia durante os primeiros 35 dias de idade. Foram realizados exames eletrocardiográficos em 20 cordeiros da raça Bergamácia a partir do nascimento e semanalmente até o 35° dia de idade. A VFC foi analisada pelo intervalo RR normal (batimentos sinusais), pela frequência cardíaca, pelo índice de tônus vasovagal (iTVV), pela raiz quadrada da média do quadrado das diferenças entre intervalos RR normais adjacentes (RMSSD) e pela raiz quadrada da somatória do quadrado das diferenças dos valores individuais em relação ao valor médio, dividido pelo número de iR-R em 90 segundos - VFC global (RMSM). Todos os parâmetros se alteraram ao longo das semanas. A frequência cardíaca média elevou-se entre o nascimento e os primeiros sete dias de idade, com decréscimo nas quatro semanas subsequentes, sendo o menor valor encontrado aos 35 dias de idade (145,63±37,80bpm). Entre 21, 28 e 35 dias de idade, o iTVV elevou-se significativamente, o RMSM a partir do 28º dia, e, aos 35 dias, o RMSSD, reflexo da ativação parassimpática, exibiu diferenças em relação aos momentos subsequentes. O início da predominância parassimpática, refletida nos índices da VFC, particularmente o iTVV, ocorre aos 21 dias de idade. A partir dos 35 dias de idade, os índices RMSM e RMSSD podem ser utilizados como marcadores fidedignos das mudanças nos efeitos simpático e parassimpático sobre o coração de cordeiros.

El vínculo oveja-cordero se establece al parto y cambia a lo largo del periodo de lactación hasta el destete natural. El destete artificial es un manejo frecuentemente utilizado en los diferentes tipos de sistemas de producción ovina, que es realizado más tempranamente que el destete natural. Es uno de los eventos más estresantes en la vida del animal, ya que genera cambios fisiológicos y de comportamiento fuertemente indicadores de estrés, pudiendo afectar negativamente la salud y el bienestar animal tanto de ovejas como de corderos, así como los resultados productivos. La presente revisión sintetiza y analiza información sobre cómo se establece el vínculo madre-cría, el desarrollo del mismo durante el período de lactación y el proceso de destete natural, así como los cambios que se producen cuando el destete se adelanta artificialmente. Además, se describe la respuesta generada por el destete artificial y qué factores la afectan, a nivel fisiológico, de comportamiento y productivo. Por último, se presenta la información existente sobre posibles estrategias que permitan minimizar los efectos negativos del estrés de destete artificial. Se agrega información original sobre cómo la variación cualitativa y cuantitativa de la oferta de pastura en los sistemas extensivos de producción ovino pueden afectar la respuesta de destete de los corderos, y manejos con potencialidad práctica que pueden mitigar la respuesta al destete artificial. Se especifican aspectos en los que existe necesidad de investigación para mejorar la comprensión y desarrollar alternativas sobre cómo modular la respuesta de estrés al destete.

El objetivo del estudio que dio origen a este artículo fue determinar el porcentaje de seropositividad a brucelosis, en ovinos y caprinos de explotaciones intensivas y extensivas del Estado Lara. Se evaluó un total de 400 caprinos mayores de 6 meses de edad, pertenecientes a 21 explotaciones y todos los ovinos (169) de la misma edad, que convivían con los caprinos en dichas explotaciones. Del total de la muestra de caprinos analizadas, 297 pertenecían a explotaciones intensivas y 103 a extensivas. En relación a los ovinos analizados, 118 pertenecían a explotaciones intensivas y 51 a extensivas. Se obtuvieron muestras de suero de estos animales, las cuales fueron procesadas en laboratorio mediante la prueba de Rosa de Bengala (Card Test) convencional y ELISA Competitivo para brucelosis (ELISAc). Como resultado de la prueba de ELISAc, 40 caprinos (13,4%) fueron positivos en explotaciones intensivas y 3 caprinos (2,9%) fueron positivos en explotaciones extensivas. En relación a los ovinos, 23 animales (19%) fueron positivos en explotaciones intensivas y 8 animales (15,7%), fueron positivos en explotaciones extensivas. Ninguno de los sueros analizados resultó positivo a la prueba de Rosa de Bengala convencional, esta prueba no fue útil para el diagnóstico de brucelosis en estas especies a diferencia del ELISAc. Los caprinos positivos mostraron signos de infertilidad con menor porcentaje de preñez y menor número de partos al año, y no abortos. Se concluye: la infección por Brucella está presente en los ovinos y caprinos de esta localidad.

Abstract: There is no standardization in the literature of kidney length in sheep at different ages, as there are few studies about the access with the Doppler triplex ultrasound for the renal vascularization in this species. Eighty healthy sheep of three age groups of Ile de France and White Dorper breed were used: 20 lambs, 30 yearlings and 30 adults (8 rams and 22 ewes). Renal healthiness of the animals was confirmed by serum biochemical tests of urea and creatinine, and by observation of renal architecture with conventional ultrasound, besides measurement of vital parameters. A portable ultrasound (My LabTM30 Vet Gold Esaote®, Esaote Healthcare) device was used, with a convex transducer with 3.5MHz frequency. After identification of the kidneys in two-dimensional mode, the measurement of length in the sagittal section was performed in all sheep (n=80). Then color Doppler was activated for visualization of renal and interlobar arteries of the right kidney, and the resistivity index (RI) of the yearlings (n=30) and ewes (n=22) was measured. Biochemical tests remained within normal limits and renal architecture was preserved. The values of the right and left renal length were different between the groups, increasing with age (4.34cm and 4.31cm in lambs; 6.08cm and 6.23cm in yearlings; 7.57cm and 7.37cm in adults, respectively). Median values of RI of the renal artery were statistically different (p

The research aimed to conduct a serological study on leptospirosis in a sheep flock on the savannah of Bogotá, in order to detect the presence of this agent and to broaden knowledge on its tendency in our field. There were two visits to the farm, one during the dry season ( January) and another one in the rainy season (May), to check 250 animals in each season, which were 100 males and 150 females of different races living on the farm. Microscopic agglutination test was used to determine the presence of antibodies to the six serovars that have been identified as the most frequent in Colombia in different domestic species. The results of the study indicated that the most common serovar in sheep was L. interrogans serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae, followed by L. interrogans serovar Bratislava, L. borgpetersenii serovar Hardjo, L. interrogans serovars Canicola, Pomona and Grippotyphosa. The research concluded that, even though there were no clinical cases reported during the study, leptospirosis associated with different serovars in sheep suggests the presence of the agent in the herd; new studies would be necessary to deepen our knowledge on the effect this would have on reproduction.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance, apparent digestibility, and carcass and meat traits of lambs fed high-concentrate diets (92.65%) containing different cereal grains (ground corn, whole grain corn, whole grain sorghum, or replacement of 40% whole grain corn with whole grain millet). Twenty-four feedlot intact lambs of undefined breed, with a body weight of 22.35 ± 3,.71 kg, kept in individual pens for 56 days were allocated in a completely randomized design. Dry matter intake expressed as a percentage of body weight was higher (P=0.0046) for the diets containing sorghum and ground corn (3.73% and 3.39%, respectively) compared to the diets containing millet and whole grain corn (3.23% and 3.13%, respectively). Feed efficiency was higher (P=0.014) for whole grain corn and millet (0.293 and 0.269, respectively) and lower for ground corn and sorghum (0.247 and 0.226, respectively). The apparent digestibility of organic matter, dry matter and crude protein was lower for the sorghum diet (P=0.0003). The carcass traits, meat cuts traits or objective longissimus muscle tenderness were not influenced by the diets offered to the animals. Meat color (P

Abstract: This study evaluated the effects of varying amounts of melon with high sugar content offered to sheep without prior melon experience and that were not adapted to consuming it. We used 12 eight-month-old, rumen-cannulated crossbred sheep weighing 25 kg each. The animals received a base diet of roughage, and then half were randomly selected to have 25% of their diet replaced with melon (G25%) and the other half had 75% of their diet replaced with melon (75%). Ruminal fluid was collected before administration of melon and at 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h after the administration of the fruit. Sheep from the G25% group presented volatile fatty acid ruminal acidosis (sub-acute) between 3 and 6 h after consumption. This acidosis was characterized by a rumen pH slightly lower than 5.6, increased discrete L-lactic acid content, and increased redox potential (RP) and methylene blue redox (MBR) time of the ruminal fluid. The G75% group presented lactic ruminal acidosis at T6h, characterized by a rumen pH lower than 5.0, high lactate-L content, increased RP and MBR time, and increased ruminal fluid osmolarity. Therefore, offering large amounts of melon (75% of dry matter (DM)) is not recommended but 25% of DM of this fruit can be used safely.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pre- and post-calving feed restriction on quantitative characteristics and lipid profile of meat from Morada Nova sheep. Twenty-four male lambs from single births only, with an initial weight of 10.0 ± 3.07 kg and at four months of age, were distributed in a randomized complete design, into three groups: pre-calving restriction (R-PRE; n=8) post-calving restriction (R-POS; n=8), and ad libitum feeding (ADLI; n=8). To make up the experimental treatments, the feeding regime applied previously on the sheep in the last third of pregnancy was considered. Treatments ADLI and R-POS were composed of lambs born from ewes fed ad libitum in the last third of pregnancy. Treatment R-PRE consisted of lambs born from ewes subjected to feed restriction in the last third of pregnancy at 60% of the recommended requirements for the group of ewes feeding ad libitum. For the lambs from treatments ADLI and R-PRE, the diet was supplied allowing 20% of the total supplied as refusals. For the animals from R-POS, a 30% restriction was imposed in relation to the animals feeding ad libitum. Animals were slaughtered with an average live weight of 25 kg. Afterwards, carcasses were chilled at 4 ºC for 24 h. Meat quality measurements were taken on the right side of each carcass; pH was determined immediately after slaughter and then again after chilling. Samples of the longissimus dorsi muscle were collected and frozen at -20 ºC. Moisture, ash, protein, total lipids, water-holding capacity, and cooking loss were determined in the meat samples, which were then subjected to the shear-force test. The sensory analysis was determined by the hedonic-scale test, in which sensory parameters of tenderness, juiciness, flavor, aroma, and overall acceptability and fatty acid profile were evaluated. There was a feed-restriction effect on protein, lipids, and water-holding capacity (P0.05). Saturated fatty acid contents were affected by the treatments (P0.05). Feed restriction does not compromise the physicochemical or sensory quality of Morada Nova lambs meat, but rather provides a meat product of good acceptance.

Resumo Objetivou-se avaliar balanço hídrico e excreção renal de metabólitos em borregos sem raça definida, alimentados com diferentes quantidades de palma forrageira (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm Dyck), na forma in natura e em farelo. Foram utilizados 20 borregos, com peso vivo médio inicial de 20 Kg e foram distribuídos no delineamento inteiramente casualizado, sendo cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições. As dietas experimentais consistiram em uma dieta controle à base de feno de tífton, farelo de soja, suplemento mineral e calcário, os demais tratamentos visaram testar níveis diferentes de palma forrageira corrigida com ureia em duas formas: in natura e farelada e em dois níveis de substituição (50 e 100%) da matéria seca do feno de tífton. Amostras de sangue e urina foram coletadas para determinação de diferentes metabólitos e minerais e utilização de equações para obtenção dos índices de excreção urinária destes metabólitos, taxa de depuração endógena de creatinina e reabsorção de água livre de eletrólitos, além do registro de ingestão de água e volume de urina. A ingestão voluntária de água sofreu influência das dietas, sendo que os animais submetidos às dietas contendo farelo de palma e feno e farelo de palma foram superiores aos demais tratamentos. A ingestão de água via alimentos também sofreu influência da dieta, sendo maior nos animais que receberam palma in natura e farelo mais palma in natura. Com relação à ingestão total de água foi maior para os animais alimentados com dietas contendo palma in natura em relação aos demais tratamentos. As dietas experimentais influenciaram na excreção renal de metabólitos derivados purínicos e minerais, sem alterar a função renal. A presença da palma forrageira tanto na condição de farelo como in natura proporciona aumento do volume urinário sem alterar a função renal, além de que deve ser considerado como uma excelente estratégia alimentar no semiárido.

Abstract With the objective to assess the effect of scrotal bipartition on spermatogenesis in sheep, the testes were used from 12 crossbred rams of sheep farms in the municipality of Patos, Paraíba, Brazil, distributed into two groups: GI with six rams with scrotal bipartition, and GII with six rams without scrotal bipartition. The testicular biometry was measured and the testes were collected, fixed in Bouin and fragments were processed to obtain histological slides. The spermatogenesis yield and the Sertoli cell efficiency was estimated by counting the cells of the spermatogenetic line at stage one of the seminiferous epithelium cycle and the Sertoli cells. The results were submitted to analysis of variance with the ASSISTAT v.7.6 program and the mean values were compared by the Student-Newman-Keuls test (SNK) at 5% significance. The testicular biometric parameters did not show statistical difference (p>0.05) between the groups. The meiotic, spermatogenetic and Sertoli cell efficiency were higher in bipartitioned rams (p0.05) between GI and GII. The results indicated that there is superiority in the spermatogenetic parameters of bi-partitioned rams, suggesting that these sheep present, as reported in goats, indication of better reproductive indices.

The aim of this survey was to determine the frequency of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies in goats and sheep slaughtered in different slaughterhouses in the State of Paraiba, in the semi-arid region of Northeastern Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 500 goats and 500 sheep randomly selected. To verify the presence of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), using 24 serovars as antigens, was used. From the 1,000 animals analyzed, 82 (8.2%; 95% CI = 7.0%-10.5%) were sero-reactive being 26/500 (5.2%; 95% CI = 3.5%-7.5%) in goats and 56/500 (11.2%; 95% CI = 8.7%-14.2%) in sheep. The most frequent serovars were Hardjobovis (14.6%) and Autumnalis (13.4%). In goats, the most frequent serovar was the Hardjobovis, and in sheep the Ballum, with frequencies of 19.2% and 17.9%, respectively. There was a significant difference in the frequency of positive animals among slaughterhouses, both for goats (p = 0.035) and for sheep (p = 0.004), with the county of Alhandra presenting the highest frequency of seropositive animals for both species. It is concluded that sheep and goats from the semiarid region of the Northeastern Brazil may have become adapted to the serovars Hardjobovis e Autumnalis, as well as wild rodents may be involved in the transmission of the disease. It is possible that the climatic conditions influenced in the transmissibility of the leptospirosis, especially in the Mata Paraibana mesoregion, however it was not considered as being sufficient to justify the low frequency of seropositive animals. In this way, it is possible to suggest the hypothesis that the rusticity of the small ruminants in the studied region contributed to the low sero-reactivity verified.

Blood and parasitological parameters of sheep experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus and treated with “mushroom of the sun” (Agaricus blazei) were assessed. Lambs infected with the nematode were divided into three groups: treated with basidiocarp powder from the fungus, wormed with trichlorfon, and a control group that did not receive anthelmintic. Split-plot design analysis was performed where the treatments were defined as plots and four periods of collection were defined as subplots. Interaction between the treatments and the collection periods for the fecal egg counts per gram of feces (FEC) was observed. Treatment with “mushroom of the sun” showed anthelmintic efficacies ranging from 28.6 to 54.2%. Similar performances to weight gain were observed among the groups. A significant interaction between treatments and evaluation periods was observed for erythrocyte counts, hematocrit value, and serum concentrations of albumin and urea. The values of the mean corpuscular volume, erythrocyte distribution width, and leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, and eosinophil counts, as well as the mean platelet volume, varied among the collection days. The administration of “mushroom of the sun” significantly reduced the FEC, did not influence on the erythrocyte count and hematocrit value, which remained within normal limits. However it increased the serum concentrations of albumin.