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This study aimed to simulate data to the weight of boar and pig sows (1 to 154 days old) through the uniform probability distribution on an interval [a, b]. Five regression models (logistic, hyperbolic tangent, power, gamma and cubic polynomial) were adjusted to account for the possible weight ratio to tage of pigs in days. The logistic and gamma cubic polynomial models showed the best estimates to account for the weight of the behavior of boar and sow pigs. The logistic model showed R2 = 0.975 and AIC (Akaike's information criterium)= 13.34 for boars and R2= 0.9787 and AIC= 10.16 for sows. The gamma model presented a degree of explanation of R2= 0.991 and AIC= 99.33 for boars and R2= 0.9941 and AIC= 90.602 for sows, while the cubic polynomial model showed R2= 0.9995 and AIC= 64.2 for boars and R2= 0.9995 and AIC= 31.728 for sows. the cubic polynomial model was chosen to explain the behavior of the simulated weight of the pigs, whose model showed the best fit with fewer parameters than the other models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Archivos de Zootecnia is the property of Archivos de Zootecnia 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 provides information on a study which obtained genetic information on Murciano-Granadina breed based on microsatellite markers. In order to decide breeding strategies to be taken in the future, the study determined population structure and the possible differentiation between original Murciana and Granadina populations. The study obtained blood or hair root samples from herds belonging to different locations. The materials and methods used in the study are highlighted.

The success of the geographical distribution of goat populations around the world is a consequence of the adaptive potential of these breeds. Several relevant traits to the success of the species in colonizing different ecosystems (and use by man) evolved before domestication. These features were relevant for the selection of different breeds. Each breed represents a genetic heritage that may be unique and essential for maintaining the species. The objective of this study was to catalog the mtDNA haplotypes of the Brazilian autochthonous Canindé goat breed and to characterize the genetic diversity observed in subpopulations by sequencing a 481-bp fragment corresponding to the first portion of the control region in 178 individuals from 10 herds, sampled in six Brazilian states. The global population displays a total of 29 haplotypes and 56 polymorphic sites. About one-third (10) of the haplotypes were common to all subpopulations while the remaining (19) were exclusive to a single subpopulation. The population exhibited high average haplotype diversity (0.82), with maximum and minimum values of 0.90 and 0.56 in individual subpopulations, respectively. In contrast, nucleotide diversity was 0.014, with maximum and minimum values of 0.020 and 0.004, respectively. The spatial analysis of molecular variance did not detect structure within the Canindé goat breed, and analysis of molecular variance revealed that 88.4% of the variation observed in the population was due to differences among individuals in the same subpopulation. Only 11.4% of the genetic variation referred to differences among subpopulations. About one-third (33.1%) of the individuals within population shared the same haplotype, which may be due not only to the breed developing from a small number of matrilines. The Brazilian autochthonous Canindé breed was classified as haplogroup A, a haplotype predominant in the Europe region.

Knowledge of genetic diversity and relationships between breeds is very important for conservation programs. Hair samples were collected from 393 individual Nordestino horses and genotyped using 14 microsatellite markers in order to investigate the genetic relationship between this breed and 66 international horse breeds. There was high allelic diversity and inbreeding coefficient within population values were not significant, which was probably due to crossbreeding. Despite the Nordestino horse population being in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, a global deficit of heterozygotes was observed. This may represent evidence of repeated use of the same stallions for breeding, which is consistent with the high number of castrated males found. Campolina, Mangalarga Marchador, and Mangalarga were the Brazilian horse breeds most closely related to the Nordestino horse, which is a reflection of recent introgressions. Among Iberian horse breeds, the Sorraia breed appears to have had an important influence on the genetics of the Nordestino horse. Those results provide important information that can guide future conservation programs.

Tephrosia cinerea L. (Pers.) is a tropical species that exhibits antileishmanial activity in Leishmania amazonensis promastigote cultures and is commonly used to treat infections, inflammations, ulcers, nervous conditions, and diarrhea. However, no studies have investigated its effects on genetic material. Therefore, we evaluated the genotoxic potential, antigenotoxic potential, and cytotoxic effects of hydroalcoholic extracts of T. cinerea leaves. In an in vitro genotoxicity study, human peripheral blood leukocytes were treated for 3, 24 (comet assay), or 48 h (cell death assay) with 22, 44, or 88 μg/mL plant extract. In the in vivo assay, Swiss mice were treated with 500, 1000, or 2000 mg extract/kg body weight by intraperitoneal injection and were evaluated 24 h later. Antigenotoxicity was investigated in pre- and post-treatment assays in which the animals received the plant extract (2000 mg/kg) 24 h before or after receiving cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg), respectively. The extract had no genotoxic effects in the in vitro or in vivo assays. However, the extract reduced apoptotic cell death and induced necrotic cell death at concentrations that presented leishmanicidal activity in vitro. The extract also had an antigenotoxic effect, reducing the levels of genomic damage that were caused by cyclophosphamide in Swiss mice by more than 80%.

Julocroton triqueter extracts have antileishmanial activity; however, the effect on genetic stability has not been studied. We evaluated genotoxic and cell death induction potential (in vitro and in vivo) of J. triqueter var. triqueter hydroalcoholic extracts, as well as their antigenotoxic potential in vivo. The in vitro genotoxic studies were performed using human leukocytes at four different concentrations. For the in vivo tests, Swiss mice were treated with 125, 250 or 500 mg/kg of extract injected intraperitoneally. Antigenotoxic effects of the extract were measured before and after cyclophosphamide treatment. An absence of genotoxic effects was observed both in vitro and in vivo. In the antigenotoxic studies, no significant difference was observed between the treatments and the positive control, indicating that the extracts did not protect against damage caused by cyclophosphamide. Hydroalcoholic extracts of J. triqueter did not provoke DNA damage at concentrations and doses normally used for antileishmanial treatment; however, they reduced apoptotic cell death and induced necrotic cell death.

We evaluated genetic and environmental factors affecting age at first farrowing of sows in the Brazilian southeast. For this purpose, 466 observations regarding the age at first farrowing were made for Dalland-C40© animals belonging to two herds. The effects of the environmental factors on this trait were assessed by means of a model that included, as random effects, the influence of the sow's father and mother and, as fixed effects, the influence the year of birth, the herd and the birth season, along with the covariable litter size at birth. The variance components were estimated using the derivative-free restricted maximum likelihood method. The estimated mean was 354.8 ± 25.87 days, with a coefficient of variation of 7.29%. Significant effects on the trait were observed for the herd, the year and the season of birth; but a linear effect of litter size at birth on the age at first farrowing was not observed. The boar did not significantly contribute to the variation occurring among the sows, whereas the sow's mother caused significant variation. The heritability estimate for the age at first farrowing was 0.44 ± 0.15, which is considered high. We concluded that herd effect and year and season of birth should be taken into consideration for an accurate genetic comparison; consequently, the animals should be joined into contemporary groups.

The propolis of Scaptotrigona aff. postica is popularly used in Maranhão State, Brazil, for treating wounds and respiratory illnesses. Nevertheless, little is known about the chemical composition of this propolis and the adverse effects of its use. Hence, this study is a pharmacognostic characterisation of the propolis hydroalcoholic extract (PHE) from S. aff. postica. The methodology consisted of an evaluation of the sensory and chemical parameters. Chemical analysis of PHE indicated high concentrations of phenolic and triterpens substances, and the absence of steroids. Additionally, we evaluated the acute toxicity of propolis using 48 Swiss male and female mice. The animals received single doses of PHE (1000, 2000 or 4000 mg kg⁻¹) orally and were observed for 14 days. After this period, the mice were sacrificed and the blood was used for biochemical and haematological evaluation. PHE did not induce any death, and the acute treatment significantly reduced serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase. The resultant data indicate that PHE from S. aff. postica has low toxicity when used orally, even in high doses.