ABSTRACT In order to study and characterize the lesions in the reproductive tract of Nellore heifers naturally infected with Ureaplasma diversum and presenting granular vulvovaginitis syndrome (GVS), fragments of uterine tube, uterus, cervix, vagina and vulva of 20 animals were evaluated. The macroscopic lesions of the vulvovaginal mucosa were classified in scores of “1” mild, until “4”, severe inflammation and pustular or necrotic lesions. The histopathological evaluation was performed using scores of “1” to “4”, according to the inflammatory alterations. The fragments with severe microscopic lesions (3 and 4) were from the uterine tubes and uterus, which showed leukocytes infiltration and destruction and/or necrosis of epithelium. Alterations in the lower reproductive tract fragments were mild, but characteristics of acute inflammatory processes. The histopathological findings of the reproductive tract of females naturally infected with Ureaplasma diversum are consistent with injuries that compromise the environment from the local where spermatozoa acquires ability to fertilize an oocyte until those where the oocyte is fertilized. Therefore, animals with GVS should be identified early in the herd, because, besides the reduction in the fertility rates caused by tissue damages, they can contribute to disseminate the microorganism. Key words: bovine, tissue evaluation, reproduction, Ureaplasma diversum.

ABSTRACT Potential risk factors for Ureaplasma diversum in the vaginal mucus of 1,238 dairy cows were included in a multivariate logistic regression model, based on the cow level (i.e., granular vulvovaginitis [+GVV], yearly milk production [4500 kg or more], pregnancy, predominance of Bos taurus [+Bos Taurus], score of corporal condition [at least 2.5], concomitant positivity for Escherichia coli [+E.coli]), and farm level i.e., milking room hygiene (-Milking room), dunghill location, and replacement female). Ureaplasma diversum was present in 41.1% of the samples. Independent risk factors for U. diversum were +GVV (odds ratio [OR], 1.31); +Mycoplasma spp (OR, 5.67); yearly milk production (4500 kg or more) (OR, 1.99); +Bos taurus (OR, 1.68); +E. coli (OR, 4.96); -milking room (OR, 2.31); and replacement females (OR, 1.89). Ureaplasma diversum vaginal colonization was strongly associated with Mycoplasma spp., E. coli, and number of pregnant cows.

An experiment with 630 one-day-old chicks experimentally inoculated with Salmonella Typhimurium was performed to evaluate the effects of an organic acid blend (benzoic, fumaric and 2-hydroxi-4-methylltio-butanoic - HMTBa) on intestinal health and performance. The experimental challenge with Salmonella Typhimurium occurred in two different routes of administration: via crop on the first day after hatching, and via feed, offered from seven to 14 days of age. These groups were treated with organic acids in a 3 × 2 (agent versus acid) factorial arrangement. Chicks treated with organic acids had higher weight gain, mean live weight and better feed conversion at 14 days of age, and higher weight gain at 28 days of age. Chicks treated with organic acids inoculated via crop had higher duodenum villi height than animals of the control group. Jejunum villi were higher in chicks of the negative control group compared with birds supplemented with organic acids. Small intestine pH in chicks of the inoculated group was lower compared with control group throughout the trial period. HMTBa acid in the dosage of 0.4% improves intestinal health and performance when nalidixic acid resistant Salmonella Typhimurium is experimentally inoculated.

O presente estudo objetivou descrever as alterações físico-químicas da urina, identificando os agentes etiológicos presentes na urina de matrizes descartadas sem causa definida. De 35 amostras examinadas, 16 (45,7%) foram positivas para presença de sangue e/ou nitrito (positivo para infecção urinária, IU); 8 (50%) tiveram coloração amarela escura e 6 (37,5%) coloração amarela clara; 2 (12,5%) amostras não apresentavam alteração. Dez amostras tinham odor amoniacal, das quais 7 foram positivas para IU. Também houve prevalência de urinas turvas e turvas com grumos, bem como de pH normal (5,5 - 6,5) e densidades maiores que 1,012. Presença de microrganismos foi verificada em 91,5% das 35 amostras examinadas, sendo a Escherichia coli (45,7%), a bactéria com maior prevalência. Em 11 amostras (31,4%), verificou-se a presença de Actinobaculum suis; destas, 4 foram simultaneamente positivas para IU e Actinobaculum suis; 7 foram negativas para IU, observando-se porém, a presença de Actinobaculum suis pelo exame de imunofluorescência indireta.

The present study describes the physical-chemical alterations of the urine and identifies etiological agents of the urine of 35 sows. Out of 35 samples, 16 (45.7%) were positive for nitrite and/or blood, positive for urinary infection (UI); eight (50%) were dark yellow and six (37.5%) had clear yellow coloration; in two (12.5%) samples did not show any alteration. Ten samples had ammonia smell, seven among them were positive for UI. Other findings were turbid urine and turbid with grumes, normal pH values (5.5 - 6.5) and densities higher than 1012. Microorganisms were isolated in 91.5% out of 35 urine samples, with prevalence of Escherichia coli (45.7%). In 11 samples (31.4%) Actinobaculum suis was isolated, four were simultaneously positive for UI and Actinobaculum suis; seven were negative for UI, but it was observed the presence of Actinobaculum suis in the indirect immunofluorescence.