RESUMO Este estudo avaliou o efeito da torta de mamona desintoxicada na reprodução, no estresse metabólico, na produção de leite e no desenvolvimento de cabritos no periparto de cabras. Um grupo foi alimentado com torta de mamona (DCM, n=20), e o outro (WDCM, n=21) não recebeu tal suplemento , durante a gestação até o desmame, 60 dias pós-parto. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas no período de gestação, no número de cabritos, na taxa de partos múltiplos e na mortalidade entre os dois grupos. Em todos os animais, a concentração plasmática de progesterona ficou abaixo de 1ng/mL, confirmando a ausência de atividade lútea. A espessura da gordura subcutânea do esterno e da área de olho-de-lombo, a concentração de ureia e colesterol, a produção de leite e o ganho de peso dos cabritos foram menores no grupo DCM (P<0,05). Conclui-se que o uso de torta de mamona desintoxicada no periparto de cabra resultou em cabritos mais leves devido à redução na produção de leite das matrizes e as cabras não retornaram ao cio, pois não recuperaram a massa corporal.

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effect of detoxified castor meal on the reproductive performance, metabolic stress, milk production, and kid development in peripartum goats. The diet of the animals were with (DCM, n= 20) or without (WDCM, n= 21) detoxified castor meal during the entire gestation and until weaning, 60 days post-birth. No differences were observed in the gestation period, litter size, rate of multiple births, and mortality between the two groups. The postpartum plasma concentrations of progesterone remained below 1ng/mL in all animals, thus, confirming the absence of active corpora lutea. The thickness of sternum adipose tissue and loin area, levels of urea and cholesterol, milk production, and daily weight gain in the kids were low in the DCM group when compared to those in the WDCM group (P< 0.05). To conclude, the use of detoxified castor meal in peripartum goats resulted in lower level of performance in the kids because of reductions in the amount of milk received from their mothers during lactation. In addition, the diet containing detoxified castor meals was not efficient in recovering from the loss of stored body reserves able to initiate the recovery of the cyclic activity of the goats.

A expressão de RNAm para leptina, receptor de leptina (obRb), adiponectina, receptor de adiponectina (AdipoR1) e resistina foi avaliada por meio da técnica de PCR em tempo real, em tecidos ovariano, hipofisário, adiposo do omento e da região perirrenal, em ovelhas alimentadas sem farelo de mamona ou com farelo de mamona detoxificada durante 14 meses. O tipo de dieta não afetou os níveis de RNAm para leptina, obRb, adiponectina, AdipoR1 e resistina nos diferentes tecidos avaliados (P>0,05). Nos tecidos ovariano e hipofisário, não foi verificada a expressão da adiponecina e da resistina, respectivamente. Como consequência, pode-se concluir que o farelo de mamona detoxificada pode ser utilizado como fonte proteica na dieta de ovelhas, sem afetar a expressão do gene resistina e dos genes leptina e adiponectina, bem como de seus receptores.

The expression of leptin, leptin receptor (obRb), adiponectin, adiponectin receptor (AdipoR1) and resistin was assessed by real-time PCR technique in ovarian, pituitary, and the omental adipose perirenal tissue in sheep feed without castor meal or with detoxified castor meal. The type of diet did not affect mRNA levels for leptin, obRb, adiponectin, resistin AdipoR1 evaluated in different tissues (P>0.05). However, in pituitary and ovarian tissues there was no expression of resistin and adiponectin, respectively. The detoxified castor meal can be used in sheep diets as alternative food protein without affecting the expression of leptin and adponectin as well as their receptors and resistin.

In order to evaluate the performance and carcass characteristics were used 14 whole lambs, fed with diets containing concentrate and sorghum silage or dehydrated cashew apple bagasse (DCAP) as source of roughage. The animals had an average initial body weight of 12 kg and were slaughtered when they reached 25 kg of live weight. We used a completely randomized design with two diets and seven replicates. The feed conversion of the group fed with DCAP (8.08 ± 0.32) was better (p<0.05) compared to sorghum silage group (15.62 ± 0.75). There was no significant effect on the parameters of in vivo performance and on the quality characteristics of the carcass of lambs fed with the two feeding plans. The lambs fed with DCAP had a cold dressing percentage higher (48.24 ± 0.73 vs. 44.05 ± 1.33) and show a greater deposition of fat in the lumbar region. In conclusion, the dehydrated cashew apple bagasse is a viable source of feed for lambs fattening, in the northeast region of Brazil.

Com o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho e as características da carcaça, foram utilizados 14 cordeiros desmamados inteiros, alimentados com dietas contendo ração comercial e silagem de sorgo ou bagaço de caju desidratado (BCD), como fonte única de volumoso. Os animais apresentaram peso corporal inicial médio de 12 kg e foram abatidos quando atingiram peso médio de 25 kg. Utilizou-se um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com duas dietas e sete repetições. A conversão alimentar do grupo alimentado com BCD (8,08 ± 0,32) foi melhor (p<0,05) em relação ao grupo silagem de sorgo (15,62 ± 0,75). Não houve efeito significativo para as características do corpo in vivo e para as características qualitativas da carcaça dos cordeiros alimentados com os dois planos alimentares. Os cordeiros alimentados com BCD apresentaram um rendimento de carcaça fria superior (48,24 ± 0,73 vs. 44,05 ± 1,33; p<0,05) e uma maior deposição de gordura na região lombar. Conclui-se que o bagaço de caju desidratado é uma alternativa viável para a terminação de cordeiros mestiços, quando utilizado como fonte única de volumoso no nordeste.

In order to study the embryo recovery rate using the transcervical technique in Saanen goats raised in the tropics, 20 donors were submitted to an oestrus synchronisation treatment using intravaginal progestagen sponges for 11 days. On the ninth day of treatment, goats received intramuscular injections of 50 μg cloprostenol and six injections of porcine follicle stimulating hormone (pFSH) at 12-hour intervals. Does in oestrus were mated by Saanen bucks. Donors received an intramuscular injection of 50 μg cloprostenol 24 hours before embryo collection. At this time, the ovaries were observed by laparoscopy to verify the ovulation rate. The embryo recovery was performed six to seven days after oestrus onset by transcervical technique. Goats in which the cervix was not penetrable were submitted to embryo recovery by laparotomy. The recovered embryos were classified according to the International Embryo Transfer Society (IETS) guidelines. Oestrus was observed in 85% of goats. A response to superovulatory treatment was observed in 65% of goats and a mean ovulation rate of 11.5 ± 6.6 was recorded. The cervix was penetrable in 61.5% of goats. In the remaining goats the embryo recovery was performed by laparotomy. The recovery rate was 53.2% and 36.9% using transcervical and surgical methods, respectively. Quanti-qualitative embryo production was similar in both techniques. Embryo recovery by the transcervical technique was shown to be an alternative for collection of embryos in Saanen goats. However, further studies should be done in order to improve both the cervix penetrability and embryo recovery rate.

Utilizou-se a sincronização do estro com esponjas vaginais de 30mg de acetato de fluorogestona durante 12 dias para avaliar o efeito de diferentes doses de eCG sobre o desempenho reprodutivo de ovelhas. Na retirada das esponjas as ovelhas foram divididas em três grupos para receberem 0 (n=26), 200 (n=30) ou 400UI (n=30) de eCG. O estro foi detectado a cada 12h utilizando-se um rufião. As fêmeas foram inseminadas por laparoscopia 60h após a retirada das esponjas. Realizaram-se colheitas de sangue aos 5 e 18 dias pós-inseminação para dosagem de progesterona e determinação do número de ovulações e prenhezes, respectivamente. A fertilidade foi verificada por ecografia aos 60 dias e ao parto. Das 86 ovelhas 70,9% apresentaram estro. Essa porcentagem foi maior (P<0,05) nas fêmeas tratadas com eCG: 96,7% (400UI) e 76,7% (200UI) versus 34,6% (0 UI). O intervalo entre o final do tratamento e o início do estro foi maior (P<0,05) no grupo sem eCG, 54,7±6,3h versus 45,9±7,8h para 200UI e 40,4±10,3h para 400UI. Verificou-se menor (P<0,05) número de ovulações e prenhezes no grupo sem eCG. A não aplicação de eCG influiu negativamente no desempenho reprodutivo de ovelhas deslanadas.

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of different doses of eCG on reproductive performance of ewes. The estrus was synchronized with vaginal sponges with 30mg FGA during 12 days. At the time of sponge removal, ewes were distributed in three groups: 0 (n=26), 200IU eCG (n=30) and 400IU eCG (n=30). The estrus was detected by aid of a vasectomized ram. The ewes were inseminated by laparoscopy, 60h after sponge removal. Blood samples were collected at 5 and 18 days after insemination, in order to determine progesterone concentration. It was observed 70.9% of ewes in estrus after the end of treatment. The females that received eCG showed higher (P<0.05) percentage of estrus: 96.7% (400IU) and 76.7% (200IU) versus 34.6% (0 IU). The interval between the end of treatment and estrus onset was higher (P<0.05) in the group that did not receive eCG (54.7±6.3h) in comparison to the groups that received 200IU (45.9±7.8 h) and 400 IU eCG (40.4±10.3h). A lower (P<0.05) number of ovulating and pregnant ewes in the group that did not receive eCG was observed. The eCG withdraw resulted in negative effect on reproductive performance of ewes.