ABSTRACT. Ractopamine is a drug used as an additive in animal production to improve growth, body composition, and production efficiency, although its use in fish is still poorly known. This study aimed to evaluate ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC) effects at increasing levels (0, 10, 20, and 40 mg kg−1) in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) diets during 40 days by considering growth performance, body composition, and muscle fiber morphometry. One hundred and twelve fish (mean initial weight 518.63 ± 5.49 g) were housed in 16 circular tanks (450 L), following a completed randomized design with four treatments and four replicates. Body composition was significantly affected (P < 0.05), and the content of lipids in fish fillets dropped 26.7% (20 mg kg−1 RAC) and 26.1% (40 mg kg−1 RAC), as well as the amount of unsaturated fatty acids C14:0 and C18:0 in fish fillets (P < 0.05) by treatment with 10 mg kg−1 of RAC. Results demonstrate that fish fed 20 mg kg−1 RAC for 40 days changed Nile tilapia fillet chemical composition, decreasing lipid levels, altering the fatty acid profile, and increasing protein levels. RAC did not affect any productive performance parameters evaluated for muscle fiber morphometry.

Resumo O crescimento alométrico de raças de suínos naturalizados (Nilo, Piau, Moura e Monteiro), machos e fêmeas, foi avaliado em relação à altura do quadril, comprimento do focinho e comprimento da cabeça, usando-se a equação alométrica. As medidas do corpo geralmente apresentam um crescimento mais tardio em relação ao comprimento do focinho e precocemente em relação ao comprimento da cabeça e altura do quadril. Ao comparar as raças de suínos, as fêmeas da raça Moura apresentaram características relacionadas com o crescimento muscular (circunferência torácica, comprimento do corpo e diâmetro longitudinal) mais tardiamente ao comprimento da cabeça. Fêmeas Nilo apresentaram características do comprimento do ombro, comprimento da garupa e a distância interesquiática mais precoce em relação ao comprimento do focinho. Foram encontradas diferenças entre a raça e o sexo no tempo de desenvolvimento para as diferentes partes do corpo, mostrando que os sistemas de criação e utilização desses animais devem ser específicos para cada raça.

Abstract The allometric growth of male and female naturalized pig breeds (Nilo, Piau, Moura, and Monteiro) was evaluated regarding hip height, snout length, and head length using the allometric equation. Body measurements generally show later growth in relation to the snout length and earlier growth in relation to the head length and hip height. When comparing breeds of pigs, female Moura animals showed later growth of the characteristics linked to muscle (thoracic circumference, body length, and longitudinal diameter) than of head length. Nilo females showed characteristics such as shoulder length, rump length and interschiadic distance earlier than snout length. There were differences between the breed and gender in terms of development times for the different parts of the body, showing that breeding systems and use of these animals have to be specific for each breed.

Objetivou-se com este experimento avaliar os efeitos de métodos alternativos de suplementação de cordeiros em aleitamento sobre seu desempenho e sobrevivência. Foram utilizados 84 cordeiros Santa Inês, 50 % machos e 50 % fêmeas, de partos simples e gemelares. Os animais foram divididos em três tratamentos: A (controle), B (200 mL de leite de vaca/animal/dia) e C (200 mL de leite de vaca, mais 20g de mistura múltipla/animal/dia). O experimento se inciou às três semanas de idade dos cordeiros e terminou ao desmame (2 meses). O peso dos ovinos ao desmame (PD) foi 10,90, 13,20 e 13,59 kg, para os tratamentos A, B e C respectivamente, e o ganho médio diário (GMD) foi de 126, 163 e 168 g/animal/dia, respectivamente. A taxa de mortalidade foi maior (P< 0,05) no grupo A em relação aos grupos B e C. O sexo dos animais influenciou significativaente (P<0,05) o GMD e PD. GMD e PD foram menores para os ovinos que morreram em comparação aos que sobreviveram: 7,94 kg contra 13,51 kg e 77 g contra 165g, respectivamente. Os gêmeos apresentaram GMD e PD menores (P<0,05) que os de parto simples. A suplementação com ou sem a mistura múltipla se mostrou eficiente, podendo aumentar a produtividade do sistema de produção.

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of alternative methods of feeding on the performance and mortality rate of suckling lambs. Eighty-four Santa Inês lambs, twins and singles, half male and half female, were used. The animals were divided into three groups: A (control), B (bovine milk) and C (bovine milk plus Multi-mixture). The experiment began when lambs were three weeks old and finished at weaning at 2 months of age. Each animal from group B received 200 mL of bovine milk daily; group C received 200 mL of bovine milk plus 20g of Multi-mixture daily. Weaning Weight (WW) was 10.90, 13.20 and 13.59 kg, respectively for groups A, B and C. Daily Weight Gain (DWG) was 126, 163 and 168 g.day-1 respectively. The mortality rate was higher (p<0.05) in group A than in group B and C. Gender influenced significantly (p<0.05) the DWG and WW. DWG and WW were lower for the animals that died compared to the animals that survived: 7.94 kg against 13.51 kg (WW) and 77 g against 165 g (DWG) respectively. The twins had lower (P<0.05) WW and DWG when compared to the singles. The use of milk-replacers with or without Multi-mixture is effective and it can increase the productivity of the system.

There is an abundance of thermal indices with different input parameters and applicabilities. Infrared thermography is a promising technique for evaluating the response of animals to the environment and differentiating between genetic groups. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate superficial body temperatures of lambs from three genetic groups under different environmental conditions, correlating these with thermal comfort indices. Forty lambs (18 males and 22 females) from three genetic groups (Santa Inês, Ile de France × Santa Inês and Dorper × Santa Inês) were exposed to three climatic conditions: open air, housed and artificial heating. Infrared thermal images were taken weekly at 6h, 12h and 21h at the neck, front flank, rear flank, rump, nose, skull, trunk and eye. Four thermal comfort indices were calculated using environmental measurements including black globe temperature, air humidity and wind speed. Artificial warming, provided by infrared lamps and wind protection, conserved and increased the superficial body temperature of the lambs, thus providing lower daily thermal ranges. Artificial warming did not influence daily weight gain or mortality. Skin temperatures increased along with increases in climatic indices. Again, infrared thermography is a promising technique for evaluating thermal stress conditions and differentiating environments. However, the use of thermal imaging for understanding animal responses to environmental conditions requires further study.

O experimento foi realizado em 8ha de pasto de Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania, com pastejo rotacionado de 7 dias de ocupação e 21 dias de descanso. Quatro tratamentos foram avaliados: bovinos pastejando isoladamente (BOV), ovinos pastejando isoladamente (OVI), bovinos e ovinos pastejando simultaneamente (SIM), e bovinos pastejando previamente aos ovinos (alternado - ALT). Vinte novilhas e 30 cordeiros Santa Inês foram utilizados. Contagem de ovos nas fezes (FEC) e coproculturas foram realizados. Sangue também foi colhido para examinar a série vermelha e branca, proteínas plasmáticas totais (TPP), albumina e hemoglobina. FEC e índice de patogenicidade estimada de nematoides nos ovinos foram menores no tratamento SIM. A proporção de Haemonchus spp. foi maior nos sistemas isolados de pastejo. Para os ovinos, os sistemas consorciados apresentaram redução na infecção endoparasitária, sendo SIM melhor que ALT. Para os bovinos, nenhuma diferença entre os sistemas de pastejo foi verificado. Entretanto, o pastejo simultâneo (ovinos e bovinos) pode ser uma ferramenta para reduzir a necessidade de tratamentos anti-helmínticos em ovinos.

This experiment was carried out on 8 ha of Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania pastures, with rotational grazing consisting of 7 days of occupation and 21 days of rest. Four treatments were evaluated: cattle grazing alone (BOV), sheep grazing alone (OVI), cattle and sheep grazing simultaneously (SIM) and cattle grazing followed by sheep (alternate - ALT). Twenty heifers and 30 male Santa Inês lambs were used. Fecal egg count (FEC) and fecal cultures were carried out. Blood was also collected to examine red and white cell series, total plasma protein (TPP), albumin and hemoglobin. FEC and estimated nematode pathogenicity index in sheep were lower in the SIM treatment. The Haemonchus spp. proportion was higher in isolated grazing systems. For sheep, mixed grazing was shown to reduce endoparasite infection, and SIM was better than ALT. For cattle, no difference between grazing systems was seen. Therefore, simultaneous grazing (sheep and cattle) may be a tool for reducing the need for anthelmintic treatments in sheep.

A genealogical analysis of registered Pantaneiro horses was carried out with 3647 males and 6794 females. Of these animals, 50.66% had identified sires and 48.86% identified dams. The number of pedigrees increased over the generations, with higher registration of parents of sires than dams. Two municipalities are responsible for almost 70% of all registers: i) Poconé (Mato Grosso State), where the headquarters of the breeders association is located and ii) Corumbá (Mato Grosso do Sul State), where EMBRAPA Pantanal conducts its research. The mean inbreeding was 0.04% and average relatedness was 0.13%. Mean generation interval was 8.20 years. There is moderate to high genetic differentiation between farms (15% of total genetic variation) while between municipalities there is little differentiation. Wright's fixation statistics were calculated and F IS (inbreeding coefficient of individuals relative to the subpopulation) values indicate some heterozygosity between farms but not municipalities, with overall F IT (inbreeding coefficient of individuals relative to the total population) close to zero. The municipalities with the highest number of animals (Poconé and Corumbá) import relatively fewer sires (45 and 67% respectively). Genetic indices from genealogical data on the Pantaneiro horse population show that inbreeding is under control.Future breeding plans should include germplasm exchange between municipalities. The conservation program for the Pantaneiro horse has been shown to be successful but careful planning is needed in the future to avoid inbreeding and changes in important breed traits given the increasing interest in the use of the breed in sporting competitions.

A ultrassonografia pode ser uma importante ferramenta para a avaliação da composição da carcaça por ser uma técnica não invasiva que permite quantificar diferentes tecidos em animais vivos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar as correlações entre medidas tomadas in vivo, por meio do ultrassom e do adipômetro, e na carcaça de ovinos da raça Santa Inês. Utilizaram-se 81 machos, entre 8 e 18 meses de idade, com peso médio de 31 kg. As medidas in vivo obtidas por ultrassonografia foram medida diagonal longitudinal, área de olho de lombo longitudinal, medida diagonal transversal e área de olho de lombo transversal. Determinou-se o peso de carcaça quente, rendimento da carcaça, gordura de cobertura da carcaça, comprimento de carcaça, área de olho de lombo da carcaça e peso dos cortes comerciais: pernil, lombo, paleta, costela e pescoço. As análises de variância, componentes principais, regressão polinomial e correlação foram realizadas utilizando-se programa estatístico SAS®. Não houve diferença entre animais castrados e inteiros para qualidade e componentes de carcaça, indicando, portanto, que a castração não proporciona uma carcaça de melhor qualidade. Os animais com os pesos de pernil, paleta e costela maiores apresentam menores peso de pele, altura de cernelha e peso dos órgãos abdominais, caracterizando um biotipo de animal que seria mais desejável a ser selecionado. Peso vivo, comprimento corporal e área de olho de lombo por ultrassom (in vivo) podem ser usados para predizer a área do olho de lombo da carcaça, peso do pernil, comprimento da carcaça, peso da carcaça quente e da meia carcaça. No entanto, o peso do lombo, pescoço, costela, rendimento de carcaça e peso dos órgãos abdominais não podem ser preditos por estas medidas in vivo. As medidas realizadas com adipômetro não apresentaram correlações significativas com medidas da carcaça, o que indica que não são eficientes para esta predição e, portanto, não devem ser utilizadas.

Ultrassonography is an important option to evaluate carcass composition and quality, as it is a non-invasive technique which quantifies different tissues in live animals. The objective of this study was to estimate the correlation between measurements taken in vivo, using ultrasound and skinfold thickness, in sheep carcasses from Santa Inês breed. Eighty-one males, aging 8 to 18 months, and weighting on average 31 kg live weight were used. The measures taken in vivo by ultrassonography were longitudinal diagonal length, longitudinal rib eye area, transversal diagonal length, transversal rib eye area. Hot carcass weight, carcass yield, carcass fat thickness, carcass length, carcass rib eye area and commercial retail cut weight (leg, loin, shoulder, ribs and neck) were determined. The analyses of variance, main components, polynomial regression and correlation were carried out using SAS® statistical program. There was no difference between castrated and intact animals for carcass quality and components, indicating that castration does not provide better carcass quality. Animals with higher leg, shoulder and rib weights had lower skin weight, wither height and weight of abdominal organs, indicating a more desirable body type for selection. Body weight, body length and rib eye area by ultrasound (in vivo) can predict the rib eye area, leg weight, carcass length, hot and half carcass weight. However, loin, neck and rib weights, carcass yield and weight of abdominal organs cannot be predicted by these in vivo measurements. The measurements taken with skinfold showed no significant correlations with carcass measures, which indicates that they are not efficient for prediction of carcass components and therefore should not be used.

Neste estudo, investigou-se o efeito da estação de nascimento sobre a puberdade de cordeiros Santa Inês criados no Distrito Federal. Utilizaram-se 33 cordeiros machos, inteiros, distribuídos em quatro lotes de grupos contemporâneos. A diferença de idade de cada grupo foi de 90 dias, abrangendo as quatro estações do ano. Foram realizadas coletas de dados mensalmente e a cada 15 dias, dependendo da presença ou ausência de espermatozóides no ejaculado de cada animal. A puberdade foi definida quando o sêmen do animal apresentou motilidade total de 10% e concentração espermática de 50 x 10(6) espermatozóides por mililitro (mL) de ejaculado. Após a definição da puberdade, procedeu-se a mais uma coleta e, após 15 dias, realizou-se a castração dos animais. A idade à puberdade dos animais foi de 194,57 ± 41,97 dias. A estação do ano afetou a idade à puberdade entre os grupos, principalmente em razão do fator nutricional, visto que os pesos à puberdade foram semelhantes. O grupo mais precoce (nascido em agosto) apresentou idade à puberdade de 162,56 ± 35,55 dias. Correlações significativas foram encontradas entre peso e circunferência escrotal (CE), comprimento e largura testicular, sugerindo que a CE pode ser utilizada como critério complementar para a seleção feita com base nos parâmetros produtivos.

The present study investigated the effect of calving season on puberty of Santa Inês ram lambs raised in the Distrito Federal, Brazil. Thirty-three ram lambs were assigned to four contemporary groups according to birth date, distributed in three months intervals. Data were collected monthly and every 15 days depending on the presence of sperm in each animal ejaculate. Puberty was defined when the animal presented total motility of 10% and sperm concentration of 50 x 10(6) per mL of ejaculated semen. This procedure was repeated after puberty and after 15 days the animals were castrated. Mean age at puberty was 194.57 ± 41.97 days. The season affected the puberty age, mainly due to the nutritional factor, since the puberty weights were not significantly different between groups. Average age at puberty for the youngest group (born in August) was 162.56 ± 35.55 days. Significant correlations were found between weight and the scrotal circumference (EC), length and width of testis, suggesting the use of EC as a complementary criterion for selection based on productive parameters.

Este trabalho foi realizado com a finalidade de avaliar o desempenho de ovinos suplementados com fósforo (P), utilizando-se as análises das características de carcaça e da 12ª costela. Foram utilizados 20 ovinos com 13,88 ± 2,51 kg de PV, mantidos em pastagem de Andropogon gayanus, distribuídos em dois tratamentos com dez animais: um com suplementação de 3g/fósforo/animal/dia e o outro sem suplementação. Após 82 dias, os animais foram abatidos, tomando-se as medidas da carcaça e da 12ª costela, para posterior análise. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os valores de peso vivo, rendimento de carcaça, cobertura de gordura e cortes comerciais entre os dois tratamentos, exceto os pesos do fígado e dos rins, que foram superiores (p=0,0954) no grupo suplementado. Na análise da 12ª costela, o grupo com suplementação demonstrou maior peso da costela, do osso e do músculo em comparação aos animais que não receberam P suplementar. As demais medidas, como gordura e área de olho-de-lombo, não foram afetadas, assim como os níveis de PB, EE, CIN e P. A suplementação de fósforo melhorou o desempenho, a formação dos tecidos ósseo e múscular e os pesos de fígado e rins.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of sheep supplemented with phosphorus (P) using carcass traits and analysis of 12th rib. Twenty male lambs weighing 13.88 ± 2.51 kg and grazing Andropogon gayanus pasture were divided in two treatments of 10 animals each. In group P, animals were supplemented with 3 g phosphorus/animal/day, while in group NP no P supplementation was given. After 82 days the animals were slaughtered and carcass measurements were taken. The 12th rib was also removed for analysis. No significant differences in body weight, carcass yield, or commercial cut weights were found between both treatments, except for liver and kidneys that were heavier in the supplemented group (p=0.0954). The 12th rib analysis showed that the group P had higher rib, bone, and muscle weights when compared to animals not supplemented with P. Other measurements such as carcass fatness and rib eye area were not significantly affected by treatments as well as contents of crude protein, ether extract, ash and P. It was shown that P supplementation improved performance in young sheep, including bone and muscle tissue and liver and kidney weights.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a técnica de incorporação de 32P pelos eritrócitos de ovinos jovens, mantidos em pastejo de Andropogon gayanus, como método de diagnóstico da deficiência de fósforo. Vinte ovinos, com peso vivo inicial de 13,88±2,51 kg, foram divididos em dois tratamentos de dez animais cada; num dos tratamentos, os animais foram suplementados com 3 g de P por animal por dia e, no outro, os animais não receberam suplementação de P. Foram realizadas cinco pesagens dos animais, coletas de sangue e fezes nos 8º, 29º, 43º, 57º e 71º dias do experimento, para avaliar a incorporação de 32P pelos eritrócitos, determinar as concentrações de Ca, glicose e P no soro e a porcentagem de P nas fezes. Foi encontrada diferença significativa na concentração de Ca no 57º dia. Na concentração de glicose, porcentagem de P nas fezes e peso vivo não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos. A partir da segunda coleta, a concentração de P no soro foi mais elevada e a incorporação de 32P foi menor no grupo de animais suplementados com P. A incorporação de 32P pelos eritrócitos é uma técnica adicional para avaliar o status de P e identificar sua deficiência subclínica em ovinos jovens.

This work had the objective of evaluating the method of 32P uptake by the erythrocytes of young sheep, supplemented with phosphorus and kept at pasture of Andropogon gayanus, as a tool for phosphorus deficiency diagnosis. Twenty lambs, initially weighing 13.88±2.51 kg, were divided in two treatments of ten animals each. In one of them, animals were supplemented with 3 g of phosphorus per animal per day and, in the other, animals did not receive supplementation of phosphorus. Weighing, and blood and faeces collection were carried out in the 8th, 29th, 43rd, 57th e 71st days of the experiment, to evaluate the incorporation of 32P by the erythrocytes, to determine calcium, glucose and phosphorus concentrations in the serum and percentage of P in the faeces. Significant difference for the concentration of Ca was found in the 57th day. For the glucose concentration, the percentage of phosphorus in faeces, and the weight, significant differences between the treatments were not observed. From the 29th to the 71st day, the concentration of phosphorus in the serum was higher, and the incorporation of 32P was lower in the group of animals supplemented with phosphorus. The analysis of 32P incorporation by the erythrocytes is an additional tool to evaluate the status of P, with identification of the subclinic deficiency in lambs.