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Effective planning animal transport is essential to safeguard animal welfare and reduce production losses. Environmental conditions, specifically extreme temperatures in combination with ranges of relative humidity are highlighted as one of the main risk factors for production losses during transport (e.g., fatalities). The majority of research evaluating both welfare and production impacts of pig transport have been primarily undertaken in Europe and North America, which cover a relatively limited range of distinct climates (e.g., temperate, sub-arctic, etc.). As a result, research on pig transport in semi-arid conditions is lacking. In this study, we evaluated the effects of both distance (short, 30 km; and long, 170 km) and transport daily periods (morning, (05:00-11:00); afternoon (12:00-17:00); and night, (23:00-04:00)) on the preslaughter losses and heat stress of pigs in commercial transport in a semiarid region. Across 19 journeys of standard slaughter-weight pig loads (124.0 ± 2.8 kg), 684 focal animals (36 per journey) were evaluated. For each journey, the load's thermal profile (THI

Insulin is present in the seminal plasma and is involved in sperm activities like motility and capacitation. However, the effects of insulin on the viability of cooled ram sperm are not fully understood. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to evaluate the effect of insulin addition on ram sperm maintained at 5ºC. Sperm samples were collected from six healthy, mature Santa Inês rams. The ejaculates were divided into two aliquots with (insulin group) or without (control group) insulin (3 IU mL-1) in the semen extender, and then cooled at 5°C for 48 hours. Subsequently, the sperm cells were evaluated for motility and kinetics using computer-assisted semen analysis. The samples were evaluated for acrosomal integrity by fluorescein using isothiocyanate combined with peanut agglutinin (FITC-PNA) and membrane functionality by the hypoosmotic swelling test. The semen analysis was performed after 24 or 48 hours of cooling. There was an increased percentage of progressive sperm motility (%), straightness (%), linearity (%) and beat caudal frequency (Hz) in the insulin group after 24 and 48 hours of cooling (p < 0.05). However, insulin did not affect total sperm motility, sperm velocities (VSL, VAP and VCL) (µm seg-1), acrosomal integrity and membrane functionality during cooling (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the addition of 3 IU mL-1 insulin to ram semen extender improved the quality of sperm motility after cooling. A insulina está presente no plasma seminal e participa de atividades espermáticas, como a motilidade e capacitação. Entretanto, os efeitos da insulina sobre a viabilidade do espermatozoide ovino resfriado ainda não estão elucidadas. Desta forma, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar os efeitos da adição de insulina sobre o espermatozoide ovino durante o tempo de armazenamento à 5º C. Amostras espermáticas de seis carneiros da raça Santa Inês foram utilizadas. Os ejaculados foram divididos em duas aliquotas, com (grupo insulina) ou sem (grupo controle) adição de insulina (3 UI mL-1) no diluidor seminal e, posteriormente, resfriados até 5oC e mantidos armazenados por 48 horas. Em seguida, os espermatozoides foram avaliados quanto a motilidade e cinética utilizando um Sistema Computadorizado de Análise de Sêmen (CASA). Adicionalmente, as amostras espermáticas foram analizadas quanto a integridade acrosomal por meio de sondas fluorescentes (FITC-PNA) e, funcionalidade de membrana pelo teste hiposmótico. As análises seminais foram realizadas após 24 ou 48 horas de resfriamento. Foram verificados aumentos de espermatozoides com motilidade progressiva (%), retilinearidade (%), linearidade (%) e frequência de batimento caudal (BCF) (Hz) no grupo insulina após 24 ou 48 horas de resfriamento (p < 0.05). Entretanto, não houve efeito da adição de insulina sobre a porcentagem de espermatozoides moveis (%) e das velocidades espermáticas (VSL, VAP e VCL) (µm seg-1), integridade acrossomal e funcionalidade de membrana durante o resfriamento (p > 0.05). Conclui-se que adição de insulina (3 UI mL-1) no diluidor seminal melhora a qualidade da motilidade espermática durante o resfriamento.

We aimed to characterize the energetic profile of hair sheep (Ovis aries) raised on pasture in a tropical climate country and verify it is influence on productive and reproductive parameters. A total of 68 non-pregnant adult ewes were randomly distributed into four genetic groups (GGs) according to coat color (Red-coated Santa Inês GG – 17, Black-coated Santa Inês GG – 13, White-coated Morada Nova GG – 28 and Red-coated Morada Nova GG – 10). We collected blood samples at the beginning and at the end of the breeding season. The reproductive efficiency of the ewes was evaluated by fertility, prolificacy, lamb survival rate, and lamb body weight at birth and weaning. We performed statistical analyses using the package PROC GLM and the chi-square (χ2) test from SAS software. The genetic group influenced serum glucose and β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations, prolificacy, and lamb body weight. Male lambs were heavier than female lambs at birth and weaning. Twin lambs were lighter at birth and at weaning than were single lambs. The genetic group, lamb birth rank, and sex influenced the lamb body weight at birth and weaning. This study presents important information on the reproductive efficiency of these hair sheep that are relevant to tropical climate countries. The blood parameters found in this research show that there are important metabolic differences between hair sheep in the semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil. Morada Nova sheep with independent white coat color, higher reproductive performance in tropical conditions. El objetivo de este trabajo fue caracterizar el perfil energético de las ovejas de pelo (Ovis aries) criadas en pasturas en país de clima tropical y verificar la posible influencia en los parámetros productivos y reproductivos. Un total de 68 ovejas adultas no gestantes se distribuyeron aleatoriamente en cuatro grupos genéticos (GG) según el color del pelaje (Santa Inês GG - 17 con recubrimiento rojo, Santa Inês GG - 13 con recubrimiento negro, Morada Nova GG - 28 con recubrimiento blanco y Morada Nova GG - 10 con revestimiento rojo). Se recogieron muestras de sangre al principio y al final de la temporada reproductiva. La eficiencia reproductiva de las ovejas fue evaluada por fertilidad, prolificidad, tasa de supervivencia y peso corporal del cordero al nacer y al destete. Los análisis estadísticos se realizaron utilizando el paquete PROC GLM y la prueba de chi-cuadrado (χ2) del software SAS. El grupo genético de las ovejas influyó en las concentraciones séricas de glucosa y β-hidroxibutirato, la prolificidad y el peso corporal del cordero. Los corderos machos eran más pesados ​​que las hembras al nacer y al destete. Los corderos gemelos eran más ligeros al nacer y al destete que los corderos solos. El grupo genético, el rango de nacimiento del cordero y el sexo influyeron en el peso corporal del cordero al nacer y al destete. Este estudio presenta información importante sobre la eficiencia reproductiva de estas ovejas de pelo que son relevante para los países de clima tropical. Los parámetros sanguíneos encontrados en esta investigación muestran que existen importantes diferencias metabólicas entre ovejas de pelo en la región semiárida del noreste de Brasil. Oveja Morada Nova con pelaje blanco independiente, mayor rendimiento reproductivo en condiciones tropicales. O objetivo foi caracterizar o perfil energético de ovinos deslanados (Ovis aries), criados em pastagens em país de clima tropical, e verificar a possível influência sobre parâmetros produtivos e reprodutivos. Um total de 68 ovelhas adultas, não prenhes foram distribuídas aleatoriamente em quatro grupos genéticos (GGs), de acordo com a cor da pelagem (Santa Inês - 17 pelagem vermelha, Santa Inês - 13 pelagem preta, Morada Nova - 28 pelagem branca e Morada Nova - 10 pelagem vermelha). As amostras de sangue foram coletadas no início e no final da época de reprodução. A eficiência reprodutiva das ovelhas foi avaliada por fertilidade, prolificidade, taxa de sobrevivência e peso corporal dos cordeiros ao nascer e ao desmame. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas utilizando o pacote PROC GLM e o teste qui-quadrado (χ2) do software SAS. O grupo genético influenciou as concentrações séricas de glicose, β-hidroxibutirato, prolificidade e peso corporal de cordeiros ao nascimento e ao desmame. Os cordeiros machos foram mais pesados ​​que as fêmeas, ao nascimento e ao desmame. Os cordeiros gêmeos foram mais leves ao nascer e ao desmame, em comparação aos cordeiros únicos. O GG, classificação de nascimento e sexo influenciaram o peso corporal do cordeiro ao nascer e ao desmame. Os parâmetros sanguíneos encontrados neste estudo sugerem que existem diferenças metabólicas importantes entre ovelhas deslanadas criadas na região semi-árida do Nordeste do Brasil. Ovelhas Morada Nova de pelagem branca apresentaram maior desempenho reprodutivo em condições tropicais.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the thermophysiological indicators (TI) of the lambs during the different phases of pre-slaughter handling. Twenty animals were evaluated in two sample days. At each phase, the TI (rectal temperature, respiratory rate, and heart rate) and the environmental variables were measured. Additionally, the body surface temperature was measured by infrared thermography. During the landing phase, the air temperature was the highest (33.1 °C) and the relative humidity was the lowest (45.2%). ANOVA results showed a significant effect of the pre-slaughter phases on all the TI, except the heart rate. Beyond the pre-slaughter phases, the body region and its interaction with the pre-slaughter phases also showed significant influence on the surface temperature. We conclude that the pre-slaughter handling adopted in Northeast Brazil negatively influences the TI of small ruminants, specifically the lambs. Landing was the phase that rendered maximum physiological damage to the an...

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of feed restriction on the growth, blood metabolites and endocrine responses of hair lambs in a tropical environment. Thirty lambs were distributed in a completely randomized design in a 2 × 3 × 3 factorial scheme. Experimental treatments consisted of two sexual classes (15 intact males and 15 castrated males, 13.0 ± 1.49 kg initial BW and two months old), different levels of quantitative feed restriction (FR) (ad libitum, 300 and 600 g/kg) and various ages (14, 19 and 23 weeks). Lamb age influenced the blood leptin (P

This study evaluates the effect of cashew nut meal (CNM), whole cottonseed (WCS), and calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids (Ca-LCFA) on the fatty acid profiles of meat from hair lambs. Thirty-five 60-d-old, male, noncastrated Santa Ines lambs with an initial average body weight of 13.00 ± 1.80 kg were used in a randomized complete-block design with 7 blocks and 5 treatments. The experimental treatments consisted of a control diet (CON) without supplemental lipids and 4 test diets with different lipid supplements that were selected according to the degree of protection from ruminal hydrogenation and their polyunsaturated fatty acid richness. The tests diets included the following modifications: supplementation with WCS, supplementation with CNM, supplementation with both cottonseed and CNM (CSCNM), and supplementation with Ca-LCFA. The C18:1n9c content was highest in the meat of the animals fed the CNM diet (42.00%). The meat from lambs fed the WCS and Ca-LCFA diets had higher C18:0 contents (25.23 and 22.80%, respectively). The C16:1 content was higher in the meat from the animals fed the CNM and CON diets (1.54 and 1.49%, respectively). C18:2c9t11 concentration was higher in the meat from the animals fed the Ca-LCFA and CNM diets. The estimated enzyme activity of Δ9-desaturase C18 was highest in the muscles of the lambs fed the CON, CNM, and CSCNM diets. The use of cashew nuts in the diet resulted in an increase in the C18:2c9t11 content of the lamb meat, which improved the nutritional characteristics of the fat.

Despite the increase in the incidence of cancer, the number of women who survive cancer treatment is growing. However, one of the principal results of chemotherapy is premature ovarian failure (POF). The aim of this study was to use the in situ culture preantral follicles as an in vitro model to evaluate the toxicity of two anticancer drugs, doxorubicin (DXR) and paclitaxel (PTX), on the integrity and development of ovarian follicles. Fragments of the ovarian cortex of goats were cultured in vitro for 1 or 7 days in α-MEM(+) supplemented with different concentrations of DXR (0.003, 0.03, or 0.3 µg/mL) and PTX (0.001, 0.01, or 0.1 µg/mL). Analyses were performed before and after culture to evaluate tissue integrity by classical histology, apoptosis by TUNEL assay, DNA laddering kit and the detection of activated caspase 3, and DNA damage by the immune detection of phosphorylated histone H2A.x (H2AXph139). Both DXR and PTX reduced the number of morphologically normal primordial and developing follicles. Positive staining for TUNEL and active caspase 3 was detected in all the samples (P

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of different lipid sources on the nutrient intake, digestibility and purine derivative excretion of lambs. Thirty-five 60-day-old, male, non-castrated Santa Ines lambs with an initial average body weight (BW) of 13.00 ± 1.80 kg were used in a randomized complete block design with seven blocks and five treatments. The experimental treatments consisted of a control diet without supplemental lipids and four test diets with different lipid supplements, selected according to the degree of ruminal protection from hydrogenation: supplementation, being supplementation with whole cottonseed (WC), supplementation with cashew nut meal (CNM), supplementation with both cottonseed and cashew nut meal (WC-CNM) and supplementation with calcium salts of long-chain fatty acids (Ca-LCFA). The lambs were slaughtered after reaching 28 kg average BW for each treatment. The ether extract intake (EEI) was higher (p 0.01) for the lipid supplemented compared to control diet lambs. Supplementation with WC decreased the digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and total carbohydrate (TC) (p 0.01), whereas supplementation with CNM, WC-CNM and Ca-LCFA reduced non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFC) digestibility (p 0.01). The ether extract (EE) digestibility coefficient was higher with CNM, followed by Ca-LCFA and WC, when compared to WC-CNM and control diets. Nitrogen balance (NB) was not influenced (p 0.05) by the different lipid sources. A lower purine derivative (PD) excretion and thus lower microbial protein supply (MPS) was observed for animals supplemented with Ca-LCFA (p 0.01) compared to the WC-CNM and control diets. In conclusion, WC, CNM and WC-CNM supplementation did not have negative effects on MPS, although negative effects have been observed on nutrient digestibility.

a b s t r a c t The aims of this study were to determine the effects of body condition score (BCS), breed and dietary supplementation on the concentrations of leptin, insulin and glucose found in the blood obtained from hair sheep during the breeding season. A further aim was to inves- tigate the possible association of fertility and prolificacy with these blood metabolites, BCS and body weight (BW). All ewes were grazed in paddocks with ad libitum access to min- eral salts and water. A total of 96 ewes were divided into two groups according to breed and treatment: Santa Ines (supplemented or unsupplemented) (24 × 24) and Morada Nova (supplemented or unsupplemented) (24 × 24). Blood samples, and BW and BCS information were collected during the breeding season. The statistical analyses were performed using the program PROC GLM from the SAS software. The leptin concentrations in hair sheep raised in a tropical climate were low. Little effect of breed, treatment or sample collection was found for blood insulin concentrations (p < 0.05), although the values were higher in the supplemented groups from both breeds. Significant differences were observed in glucose concentrations between the breeds in the same sample collections, with the higher con- centrations being found in the Santa Ines sheep (p < 0.05). The BCS for ewes that were not pregnant showed the highest correlation with leptin, insulin and glucose concentrations (r = 0.53, 0.52 and 0.43, respectively). In the Morada Nova supplemented sheep (prolificacy: 1.45), there were verified correlations between BCS and BW, BCS and insulin concentra- tion, and also between insulin and leptin concentrations. The present study shows that the Morada Nova breed has a higher reproductive efficiency than the Santa Ines breed. In con- clusion, leptin was present in low concentrations in hair sheep and did not influence the reproductive processes in these animals. The dietary supplementation positively affected blood leptin, insulin and glucose concentrations in these breeds of hair sheep, but there was no major effect on the reproductive processes.

Despite the increase in the incidence of cancer, the number of women who survive cancer treatment is growing. However, one of the principal results of chemotherapy is premature ovarian failure (POF). The aim of this study was to use the in situ culture preantral follicles as an in vitro model to evaluate the toxicity of two anticancer drugs, doxorubicin (DXR) and paclitaxel (PTX), on the integrity and development of ovarian follicles. Fragments of the ovarian cortex of goats were cultured in vitro for 1 or 7 days in α-MEM(+) supplemented with different concentrations of DXR (0.003, 0.03, or 0.3 µg/mL) and PTX (0.001, 0.01, or 0.1 µg/mL). Analyses were performed before and after culture to evaluate tissue integrity by classical histology, apoptosis by TUNEL assay, DNA laddering kit and the detection of activated caspase 3, and DNA damage by the immune detection of phosphorylated histone H2A.x (H2AXph139). Both DXR and PTX reduced the number of morphologically normal primordial and developing follicles. Positive staining for TUNEL and active caspase 3 was detected in all the samples (P 0.05). Therefore, we propose the in situ culture of caprine preantral follicles as a useful experimental model for assessing the toxic effects of the chemotherapeutic agents on ovarian folliculogenesis. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:773-781, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

This study was carried out to verify the effects of different hay: concentrate ratios on body, testicular and epididymal development and metabolic profile of hair sheep lambs. Twenty-nine Santa Ines lambs were used. Treatments consisted of diets with different hay: concentrate ratios (100:0-Control, 80:20- T1, 60:40-T2, 40:60-T3 and 20:80-T4). The characteristics evaluated were: body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), hearth girth (HG), body length (BL), height at withers (HW), height at rump (HR), rump width (RW), chest width (CW), scrotal perimeter (SP), testis length (TL) testis width (TW), testis thickness (TT), cauda epididymal length (CEL), cauda epididymal width (CAW), cauda epididymal thickness (CET), scrotal skin thickness (SST) and testicular volume (TV). Blood samples were collected to analyze glucose, urea, albumin, total cholesterol, total proteins, inorganic phosphate and magnesium concentrations. The body and testicular-epididymal measurements increased linearly with increases in the energy concentration in the diet. BW, BL, CW, RW, HG and BCS showed positive high correlations (r = 0.71 to 0.94) with all testis-epididymal measurements. The results of the metabolic profile study showed interactions between the addition of the concentrated feed and time of blood collection on total proteins, albumin, urea, cholesterol, phosphorus and magnesium concentrations. At the beginning of the trial, hypoproteinemia and hypoalbuminemia were verified in T3 and T4. However, the indices returned to normal over time with the continuity in the diet supplied. Hypomagnesaemia was verified in all treatments. The plasmatic phosphorus concentration was sufficiently high at the end of all treatments, except control. In conclusion, the BL, HG, CW, RW as well as the BCS may be used to estimate the development of the testes and epididymis. The metabolic profile results verified that adjusts are necessary in the amount of concentrated feed given to the lambs when Tifton 85 hay (Cynodon spp) is provided to the animals.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutrient intake and suitability test of the SRNS nutritional model for dry matter intake (DMI) and average daily gain (ADG), and Hankins and Howe equations to estimate the carcass and empty body chemical composition of 35 Santa Ines lambs, non-castrated, with initial body weight of 14.77 ± 1.26 kg and two months old. After 10 days of adaptation, five animals were slaughtered serving as reference group for estimates of empty body weight (EBW) and initial body composition. The remaining animals were distributed in randomized block design with five treatments with different levels of metabolizable energy (1.13, 1.40, 1.73, 2.22 and 2.60 Mcal/kg DM). Quadratic effect was observed for DMI, expressed in g/d, % BW and g/BW0.75, with maximum DM intake of 867.25 g/d. Non fiber carbohydrates (NFC) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) intakes, expressed in g/d, increased with increases in ME levels and the intakes of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and fibrous carbohydrates (FC), expressed in g/d, presented decreasing linear effect. The DMI and ADG observed and predicted by SRNS model showed a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.68 and 0.98, respectively. Comparing the chemical composition of the carcass and HH section, observed that HH section estimated satisfactorily the protein and ether extract of carcass of animals, with Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.77 and 0.92, respectively, while the water content was underestimated with Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.42. The rib section also satisfactorily estimated to ether extract and protein in the empty body (r = 0.96 and 0.86, respectively).

A determinacao da composicao quimica do corpo e da carcaca e importante em estudos sobre regulacao nutricional e do crescimento. O objetivo do presente estudo foi desenvolver equacoes para predicao da composicao quimica do corpo e da carcaca utilizando a composicao quimica da secao entre a 9-11a costela em cordeiros Morada Nova. Foram utilizados quarenta e oito cordeiros Morada Nova com peso inicial de 12,05 ± 1,81 kg. Oito animais foram abatidos no inicio do experimento para servir como grupo referencia com o objetivo de estimar o peso do corpo vazio inicial e a composicao corporal. Os animais remanescentes foram distribuidos em delineamento em blocos inteiramente casualizados com oito repeticoes por bloco e cinco dietas contendo niveis crescentes de energia metabolizavel (0,96; 1,28; 1,72; 2,18 e 2.62 Mcal/kg de materia seca). Os animais foram abatidos quando a media de peso corporal do grupo alcancou 25kg. A composicao quimica corporal foi determinada pela avaliacao da composicao da meia carcaca direita, bem como, pela utilizacao de uma amostra entre a 9-11a costela (secao HH) obtida na meia carcaca esquerda. De acordo com o coeficiente de correlacao de Pearson, a utilizacao da secao HH foi sensivel para predizer as porcentagens de proteina (r = 0,89), extrato etereo (r = 0,81) e minerais (r = 0,83). Equacoes foram desenvolvidas para estimar a percentagem de proteina, extrato etereo, cinzas na carcaca dos seguintes componentes na secao HH: %PB na carcaca = –21,05 + 3,052*%PB na secao HH (r² = 0,83); %EE na carcaca = –6,443+2,879*%EE na secao HH (r² = 0,76); %Cinzas = 4,52-0,362*%Cinzas na secao HH (r² = 0,15); %Agua = 7,55+0,878*%Agua na secao HH (r² = 0,85). O corte a partir da secao entre as costelas 9-11a serviu satisfatoriamente para predizer os conteudos de proteina e extrato etereo no corpo vazio, com valores de r = 0,84 e 0,78, respectivamente. Os conteudos de proteina bruta e extrato etereo do corpo vazio podem ser satisfatoriamente estimados a partir da composicao quimica da secao HH; contudo, mais informacoes devem ser geradas para obtencao de equacoes mais seguramente aplicaveis.

Sexual behavior of goats under male effect created in agrosilvopasture system. Abstract:It was performed a breeding season lasting 45 days, in it waswhich assessed the sexual behavior of 16 Anglonubians goats through anethogram divided into behavioral and physical signs. Data were analyzed by chi-square test. The behavioral signs like seeking male, shaking tail, mount or let it ride for others females and the physicists like red and swollen vulva showed a significant relationship (p< 0,05) with the sexual receptivity of the female to the male. The estrus concentration occurred until the fourth week (around thirty days), resulting in 93.75% of pregnancy. While in the fifth week it was not observed signs of estrus. Therefore, the visual identification of the receptive female to the male reduces using of the reproductives in excess. Moreover the period of thirty days for the breeding season was satisfactory for the reproductive success. Trabalho apresentado no 6o. Congresso Norte Nordeste de Reprodução animal, Fortaleza.