Abstract The cryopreservation of jaguar semen must be improved to produce high-quality biobanking doses. Until now, the rare studies of semen freezing in the species have only evaluated glycerol, always with a significant reduction in sperm quality in thawed semen. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of three cryoprotectants, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), glycerol (GLY), and methanol (MET), in the cryopreservation of jaguar semen in an LDL-based extender, as well as the effect of thawing temperature on dosage quality. Five mature males with a history of reproduction were used. On the males, an infrared thermal image (IRT) was captured, the spicules and testes were analyzed, and the CASA system was used to evaluate the quality of fresh and thawed sperm. The superficial IRT was 4.6 ± 1.2 °C cooler than the anal sphincter, and the semen measured between 27.3 and 28.7 °C shortly after exiting the urethra. The total motility of fresh sperm was 55.3 ± 22.6%, and progressive motility was 36.3 ± 18%. The total motility of thawed sperm was 5.28 ± 2.51%, 4.49 ± %2.49, and 0.51 ± 0.62% for DMSO, GLY, and MET, respectively. DMSO and GLY performed better than MET, and there was no difference in thawing temperature (37°C 30 s vs. 50°C 12 s). All animals exhibit a considerable level of morphological changes in sperm. Low amounts of total and progressive motility were found in the thawed sperm. Males with a high level of sperm morphological changes were found to be fertile, but the lone male with normospermia was infertile. Thus, we contest the applicability of the commonly used morphological classification for bovines to felid species.

ABSTRACT: Bovine paratuberculosis causes chronic, incurable diarrhea and weight loss, resulting in decreased cattle production. The disease is caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), an obligate intracellular mycobactin-dependent mycobacterium that replicates slowly in the host and has heightened environmental resistance. In countries where the disease is found and the damage has been quantified, direct and indirect economic losses are extremely high. Local epidemiological data is of paramount importance for the implementation of control programs. Our objective was to verify whether paratuberculosis is present in commercial dairy herds in different mesoregions of RS. Therefore, a prospective, cross-sectional and observational study was performed on dairy cattle from five mesoregions of the RS state, Brazil. Milk samples taken from individual cows on commercial farms were tested using indirect ELISA tests and classified as negative, suspicious, or positive. In herds containing at least one positive cow, we conducted convenience sampling of feces directly from the rectal ampulla to identify MAP through PCR. Of the 362 cows tested, 20 were seroreactive for paratuberculosis from two mesoregions. The PCR tests were all positive; cows with a negative ELISA and positive PCR results probably indicate that the MAP was ingested and eliminated without causing infection. We found that paratuberculosis is likely endemic in the northwest and northeast mesoregions.

RESUMO: A paratuberculose bovina causa diarreia crônica e incurável, perda de peso e resulta em diminuição da produção. A doença é causada pelo Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), micobactéria intracelular obrigatória, dependente de micobactina, que se replica lentamente no hospedeiro e possui elevada resistência ambiental. Nos países onde a doença é encontrada e os danos foram quantificados, as perdas econômicas diretas e indiretas são extremamente altas. Os dados epidemiológicos locais são de suma importância para a implementação de programas de controle. Nosso objetivo foi verificar se a paratuberculose está presente em rebanhos leiteiros comerciais em diferentes mesorregiões do RS. Para tanto, foi realizado um estudo prospectivo, transversal e observacional em bovinos leiteiros de cinco mesorregiões do estado do RS, Brasil. Amostras de leite individuais, provenientes de vacas leiteiras de fazendas comerciais foram testadas com ELISA indireto e classificadas como negativas, suspeitas ou positivas. Em rebanhos contendo pelo menos uma vaca positiva, realizamos amostragem por conveniência, em que foram coletadas fezes diretamente da ampola retal, para identificar MAP por meio da PCR. Das 362 vacas testadas, 20 foram sororreativas para paratuberculose, oriundas de duas mesorregiões. Os testes de PCR foram todos positivos. Vacas com resultado negativo no teste ELISA e PCR positivo provavelmente indicam que o MAP foi ingerido e eliminado sem causar infecção. Sugere-se que a paratuberculose é provavelmente endêmica nas mesorregiões noroeste e nordeste.

ABSTRACT: The production of artisanal cheeses made with raw bovine milk has grown in the southern region of Brazil. It is important to obtain information about the risks of this practice, especially concerning food safety. In this study, next-generation sequencing was used to identify and characterize the bacterial communities of artisanal raw milk cheeses. We analyzed one pool of five raw milk samples (control group M1) from different dairy farms and nine pools (M2-M10) of 45 artisanal raw milk cheeses.The characterization of the bacterial communities included 199 species distributed across 59 different genera dispersed among the samples. Among the genera observed, 11 were classified as beneficial to the aroma, flavour, colour, and texture of the cheese. Thirty-one genera were classified as harmful to these characteristics. Another 17 were classified as potential pathogens for animals and humans, including Aeromonas, Bacillus, Cronobacter, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, and bacteria of the coliform group, including E. coli and Klebsiella. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the number of bacterial communities identified between the control group (M1) and the two pools of artisanal raw milk cheeses (M2 and M8). This study demonstrated that next-generation sequencing provides in-depth information on the composition of the microbiota in artisanal raw milk cheeses, characterizing bacterial communities, identifying the wide microbial diversity, and identifying microbial benefits and risks.

RESUMO: Devido ao aumento da produção de queijos artesanais com leite bovino cru na região sul do Brasil, é importante obter informações sobre os riscos desta prática, principalmente no que se refere à segurança do alimento. Neste estudo foi utilizada a técnica de Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) para identificar e caracterizar comunidades bacterianas de queijos artesanais de leite cru. Foram analisados um pool de cinco amostras de leite cru como grupo controle (M1) de diferentes propriedades leiteiras localizadas na região norte do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, e nove pools (M2-M10) de 45 queijos artesanais de leite cru. A caracterização das comunidades bacterianas incluiu 199 espécies distribuídas em 59 gêneros diferentes dispersos entre as amostras. Dentre os gêneros observados, 11 foram classificados como benéficos ao aroma, sabor, cor e textura do queijo, enquanto 31 gêneros foram classificados como prejudiciais a essas características. Outros 17 foram classificados como potenciais patogênicos para animais e humanos, incluindo Aeromonas, Bacillus, Cronobacter, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, bactérias do grupo coliforme como Escherichia coli e Klebsiella. Houve diferença significativa (P < 0,05) entre o número de comunidades bacterianas identificadas no grupo controle (M1) e dois pools de queijos artesanais de leite cru (M2 e M8). Este estudo demonstra que o NGS fornece informações detalhadas sobre a composição da microbiota em queijos artesanais de leite cru, caracterizando comunidades bacterianas, identificando a ampla diversidade microbiana, os benefícios e riscos microbianos.

Abstract Among the different methods used for semen collection from domestic cats, the pharmacological collection by urethral catheterization becomes disruptive. Medetomidine is the elected α2-adrenoceptor agonist for that, but in several countries, it is not commercially available. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of detomidine compared to medetomidine in collecting semen by urethral catheterization in domestic cats. Urethral catheterization was performed on 13 mongrel cats using a disposable semi-rigid tomcat urinary catheter. Of the 19 semen collections performed with medetomidine induction, 94.7% were successful, while with detomidine induction, only 56.3% of 16 were successful. The values semen samples variables were as follows for volume - 10.56 ± 0.4 vs 8.88 ± 0.5 mL, motility - 171.67 ± 0.79 vs 49.77 ± 3.45%, vigor – 4.1 ± 0.03 vs 3.10 ± 0.1 and concentration - 3.24 ± 0.19 vs 2.15 ± 0.13 ×109 sperm/mL respectively for medetomidine and detomidine group. The failure in semen collections with detomidine was mainly due to azoospermic samples, poor urethral relaxation, insufficient volume, or contamination of urine. The sperm concentration was also lower in the detomidine group (P <0.05) when compared to medetomidine. However, when the volume of semen collected was compared, we found no statistical differences. Despite its low performance in collecting semen from cats, detomidine may be an alternative when medetomidine is not accessible.

Abstract Twin birth is a complex condition observed in most livestock animals, when the female gives birth to two or more offspring, generally out of the same mating. In cattle, it is a rare condition (3 to 5%) and depends on the genetic background and environmental factors. Twin birth is a result of multiple ovulations, being more common in dairy rather than in beef cattle. Calves could be monozygous or dizygous, with the same or of different sexes. When twins are born with different sexes, a sexual condition called Freemartinism occurs in between 90 to 97% of pregnancies, causing infertility in the female calf. Knowing that the twin rate is rare in commercial beef cattle, here we present an even rarer case of twin birth from two different sires after natural mating, also called heteropaternal superfecundation.

Resumo A “tristeza parasitária bovina” (TPB) gera importantes perdas econômicas na bovinocultura mundial. A ação patogênica dos hemoparasitas resulta em anemia, perda de peso, abortos e diminuição da produtividade, culminando, muitas vezes, em óbito dos animais. Um programa de prevenção para TPB necessita de medidas integradas, como a imunização, quimioprofilaxia e utilização de ectoparasiticidas, em conjunto com ações que visem ao controle ambiental dos vetores. Este artigo tem em vista o relato de um surto de TPB em uma fazenda de produção de bovinos de corte e com alta infestação do carrapato (Rhipicephalus microplus). A fazenda adquiriu 157 animais puros de origem, da raça Hereford, proveniente de uma fazenda sem presença do vetor. No dia anterior ao transporte, os animais receberam quimioprofilaxia com dipropionato de imidocarb (3mg/Kg/SC), repetindo-se 21 dias após a primeira aplicação. Aos 42 dias, alguns bezerros manifestaram sinais clínicos compatíveis com TPB, sendo confirmado pelo exame clínico, necropsia, análises histopatológicas e hemoparasitológicas. A morbidade foi de 37,6% (59/157), e a letalidade de 24,8% (39/157). A categoria de bezerros recém desmamados foi a mais acometida, com morbidade de 100% (52/52) e letalidade de 73% (38/52). A quimioprofilaxia associada à utilização de ectoparasiticidas foram insuficientes para evitar a ocorrência do surto da enfermidade.

Abstract Cattle tick fever (CTF) causes significant economic losses in the livestock sector. The pathogenic action of the hemoparasites is associated with anemia, weight loss, abortion and reduced productivity, which result with animal death. Programs to prevent CTF involve several procedures, including immunization, chemoprophylaxis and use of ectoparasiticides, together with the vector control in the environment. The objective of this study was to report an acute outbreak of CTF in a group of 157 Hereford cattle from a farm without presence of the vector, that were moved to a farm in the same state with a high tick infestation (Rhipicephalus microplus). On the day before the transportation, the animals received a chemoprophylaxis with imidocarb dipropionate (3 mg/kg, SC), which was repeated 21 days after the first application. After 42 days, some animals showed signs compatible with CTF, which was confirmed through clinical examination, necropsy, histopathological and hemoparasitological analyses. The morbidity rate was 37.6% and the mortality rate was 24.8%. Calves that were recently weaned were the group most affected with the tick fever, morbidity (100% and mortality (73%). Chemoprophylaxis in association with use of ectoparasiticides was not sufficient to control the outbreak of the disease.

Procurou-se comparar duas técnicas de ovariosalpingohisterectomia (OSH): vídeo-assistida com dois portais e convencional em cadelas, ambas com o uso de equipamento Ligasure atlas®. Para tanto, foram utilizados 18 animais separados em dois grupos, sendo no primeiro grupo realizada a OSH por celiotomia e no segundo pelo acesso vídeo-assistido. Os procedimentos videocirúrgicos foram realizados por meio de dois trocartes dispostos nas regiões umbilical e pré-púbica, com os cães posicionados em decúbito dorsal. Em ambos os grupos, o único método de hemostasia empregado foi o Ligasure atlas®. Não houve diferença significativa acerca do tempo operatório, das complicações trans e pós-operatórias e das perdas sanguíneas. Conclui-se que a OSH vídeo-assistida com o uso de dois portais e Ligasure atlas® e a técnica convencional com o emprego do mesmo equipamento são rápidas, seguras e efetivas em cadelas.

In this study the authors compared two different procedures of ovariosalpingohysterectomy (OSH) in dogs. For that, 18 dogs were randomly assigned into 2 different groups: group I (GI) in which the OSH was performed by celiotomy and group II (GII) in which it was a video-assisted procedure using two portals positioned in the umbilical and pre pubic regions, under dorsal recumbence position. In both groups the method of hemostasis was the Ligasure atlas®. The authors did not observe significant differences between both methods for the surgical time or complications during and after the surgical procedure and blood loss. It was concluded that OSH using video-assisted surgery with two portals and the conventional technique, both using Ligasure atlas® are safe, fast and effective to be used in dogs.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a ação imunoesterilizadora de uma vacina anti-hormônio liberador de hormônio luteinizante (LHRH), composta por ovalbumina-LHRH-7 e tiorredoxina-LHRH-7, em touros mestiços Nelore. Vinte e seis touros, com dois anos de idade, foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em dois grupos de 13 animais. No grupo I, os animais receberam uma dose e dois reforços da vacina nos dias 0, 141, e 287 do experimento. No grupo II, os animais não receberam nenhum tratamento (controle). Para avaliar o efeito da vacina nos touros, foi realizada a mensuração da circunferência escrotal no início do experimento e no dia do abate, 741 dias depois. Por ocasião do abate, também foi coletada uma amostra dos testículos para avaliação histológica. O grupo imunizado apresentou circunferência escrotal ao abate de 22±5,98 cm, menor do que a do grupo controle que foi de 35,6±2,4 cm. Na análise histológica dos animais do grupo imunizado, foi observada degeneração testicular com ausência de espermatozoides em 85% dos animais avaliados, os outros 15% apresentaram redução no número de espermatozoides, em comparação aos animais do grupo controle. A vacina anti-LHRH, com fusão de proteínas, é efetiva na castração imunológica de touros e deve ser considerada como alternativa para utilização na produção bovina extensiva no Brasil.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the immunosterilization action of the anti-luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) vaccine, composed with ovalbumin-LHRH-7 and thioredoxin-LHRH-7, in Nelore-cross bulls. Twenty-six 2-year old bulls were randomly assigned in two groups of 13 animals each. The animals of group I received a primary and two booster injections of the vaccine on days 0, 141, and 287 of the experiment. In group II, the control group, the bulls did not receive any type of treatment. Scrotal circumference was measured in the beginning of the experiment and at slaughter, after 741 days. A testicular sample was collected at slaughter and processed for histological evaluation. The scrotal circumference in the immunized group was smaller, 22±5.98 cm, compared to the one of the control group (35.6±2.4 cm), at slaughter. Histological analyses of the testis showed testicular degeneration and absence of sperms in 85% of the animals in the treated group, and a reduced number of sperms in the other 15%, in comparison to the control group. The vaccine anti-LHRH with protein fusion is effective in immune castration of bulls and should be considered as an alternative tool for extensive livestock production in Brazil.