ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine the efficiency of Ringer’s lactate solution (RL) and RL + 1% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and compare them with the efficiency of Dulbecco’s phosphate-buffered saline (D-PBS). Twenty-two Wagyu female cattle were subjected to superovulation and were randomly distributed to form three groups: group 1 – uterine flushing with RL (n = 8), group 2 – uterine flushing with RL + 1% FBS (n = 7), and group 3 – uterine flushing with D-PBS (n = 7, control group). Cows received a CIDR® device containing 1.9 g of progesterone at random stages of the estrous cycle (day 0). Progesterone withdrawal occurred on day 8 in the morning. For heifers, 160 mg of porcine follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH-P) was used and for cows, 200 mg. Prostaglandin F2α was also injected on the eighth day of FSH-P administration. On day 9, in the morning, hCG was administered. Females were superovulated and inseminated twice in a fixed time for embryo transfer. On the 16th day, females were subjected to uterine flushing for embryo collection. We collected 76 embryos from 22 females subjected to superovulation, of which 52 were transferable and 24 had degenerated. The total of embryos collected was 23, 16, and 23 for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The embryo recovery rates per group were 13.86±4.23, 15.39±4.61 and 27.16±13.33%, in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The means for the total structures collected per female were 2.88±0.85, 3.00±1.23, and 4.57±1.72 in groups flushed with RL, RL + 1% FBS, and D-PBS, respectively. We conclude that Ringer’s lactate solution and Ringer’s lactate solution + 1% of FBS and Dulbecco’s phosphate-buffered saline showed no significant differences in terms of embryo quality or quantity, suggesting that Ringer’s lactate solution is an alternative for collecting embryos in cattle.

ABSTRACT. Characteristics correlated with beekeeping production, less influenced by the environment and that can be controlled by management techniques, can help in the selection of colonies with higher production capacity, aiming to improve breeding programs. This research was carried out to evaluate the production of Africanized Apis mellifera drones and the longevity of spermatozoa from different genetic groups when supplemented with protein or not. Two genetic groups were used: one selected for royal jelly production from the Africanized honeybee breeding program and another without genetic selection. In both groups, the number of drone brood and the quality of semen were evaluated every 30 days, for five months. Statistical analysis was performed using Bayesian Inference. Statistical difference was found for the drone production among the treatments, and colonies without genetic selection produced more males (187.80 ± 11.15) than the selected colonies (93.07 ± 8.88). The selected colonies for royal jelly production presented greater efficiency in the reproductive cycle of males, because they produced fewer drones than colonies without genetic selection, however, with 31% greater semen viability.

The incidence of estrus in nulliparous Santa Inês (n = 16), Texel (n = 16) and Ile de France (n = 15) ewes fed two levels of crude protein (CP, 12 or 16%) was monitored from July 2005 to December 2006, and seasonality in the Santa Inês breed in the south of Brazil was characterized. The solar radiation data were recorded daily, and samples of blood were collected biweekly for determination of the plasma concentration of progesterone in Santa Inês lambs at, on average, 11±1 months of age. The female Santa Inês lambs, in the experimental period, stayed among teaser rams with a powdered-dye-ink mixture placed on their chest to mark the females that accepted to be mounted. Santa Inês ewes did not manifest estrus in the first fortnight of November and in December 2005, nor in the last fortnight of December 2006. Estrus activity was not observed on any of the three breeds in October 2006. Breeds differed at the level of 12% CP. Santa Inês and Ile de France females did not differ as for the probability estrus manifestation and both presented higher probabilities then Texel. When the effect of 12 or 16% CP on each breed was evaluated separately, it was verified that levels of 12 or 16% of crude protein did not change the probability of estrus manifestation in any of the studied breeds. The concentration of plasma progesterone in Santa Inês ewes during the spring of 2005 and 2006 indicated that there is difference between 12% CP (0.68±1.32 ng/mL) and 16% CP (1.28±1.99 ng/mL) and between the years 2005 (0.39±0.78 ng/mL) and 2006 (1.47±2.08 ng/mL), demonstrating the anestrous seasonality of Santa Inês in South Brazil.

This study was carried out to evaluate the influence of diets supplemented with glycerin as an alternative ingredient to corn on the performance and carcass characteristics of Santa Inês confined lambs. The study involved 27 lambs aged 90 days, having an average initial weight of 26.33 ± 0.15 kg. Lambs were randomly distributed into a control group and groups with diets containing 15 and 30% glycerin in the total feed. Diet was formulated with 40% roughage and 60% concentrate. The experimental design was completely randomized, and the production performance and carcass characteristics were analyzed by analysis of variance, and the subjective carcass characteristics, by general linear models. The daily average gain was 0.21, 0.24 and 0.23 kg/day; feeding conversion was 6.39, 5.73 and 5.92 kg of diet/kg BW for control animals, and those fed with 15 or 30% glycerin, respectively, without treatment differences. Lambs were slaughtered, weighing 34 to 36 kg, and average weight of the cold carcass and commercial carcass yield were evaluated. The results were, respectively, 15.97 kg and 49.18%, for control, 15.96 kg and 48.31% for animals fed with 15% glycerin, and 15.79 kg and 47.87% for those treated with 30% glycerin, with no treatment effects. Meat tenderness and cooking loss averages were not affected by diets, with 5.07 kg and 40.45%, 5.10 kg and 40.81%, and 5.27 kg and 39.04%, respectively, for control, and those fed with 15 or 30% glycerin. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that up to 30% of medium purity glycerin in the dry matter of the diet can be used to replace corn, without any negative effect on lamb performance or carcass characteristics.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a taxa de eclosão de larvas de pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus), após o resfriamento dos embriões a -8ºC durante seis horas, utilizando soluções crioprotetoras, para obter um protocolo de resfriamento para a espécie. Utilizaram-se 2.400 embriões em estádio de pós-gástrula, em sete tratamentos de soluções crioprotetoras, mais um controle, com três repetições, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Os crioprotetores etilenoglicol e geléia real foram inapropriados. A substituição de 50% da sacarose não produziu resultados positivos. A combinação metanol (9%) e sacarose (17,5%) possibilitou eclosão de 69,2%, sendo recomendada para o resfriamento a -8ºC de embriões de pacu por seis horas.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the percentage of hatching after cooling of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus) embryos at -8ºC for six hours, treated with cryoprotectant solutions, to obtain a cooling protocol for the specie. There were 2.400 embryos in post-gastrula stage development, in seven cryoprotectants solutions and control with three replicates, in completely randomized design. Ethylene glycol and honey-jelly were inappropriate. The substitution of 50% sucrose did not produce positive results. The combination of methanol (9%) and sucrose (17.5%) performed 69.2% of hatching and is recommended for cooling of pacu embryos at -8 ºC for six hours.

O objetivo neste trabalho foi avaliar a ingestão e a digestibilidade dos nutrientes das rações e os parâmetros sangüíneos de 20 cabras Saanen (70,65±7,39 kg) no período de 21 dias pré-parto, em condições de confinamento. Foram utilizados cinco níveis de energia 2,95; 2,83; 2,70; 2,58 e 2,46 Mcal de EM/kg de MS, com as respectivas relações volumoso:concentrado 40:60, 50:50, 60:40, 70:30 e 80:20. O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições por tratamento. Os níveis de energia não influenciaram o peso vivo e as ingestões de MS, MO, PB, CT, FDN e NDT. No entanto, verificou-se efeito linear positivo da energia da ração sobre a ingestão de EE. Os níveis energéticos da ração influenciaram a digestibilidade dos nutrientes, observando-se efeito linear positivo para MS, MO, EE, FDN, CT e EB, todavia, não houve efeito para PB. Não houve efeito dos tratamentos sobre os valores de colesterol e uréia, mas verificou-se efeito linear positivo do nível energético da ração sobre os níveis de triglicerídeos (mg/dL). O nível de energia de 2,95 Mcal/kg de MS da ração resultou em maior disponibilidade de nutrientes em cabras Saanen no período pré-parto.

The objective of this study was to evaluate nutrient intake, blood parameters and digestibility of nutrients on 20 feedlot Saanen goats (70.65±7.39 kg) at 21 days prepartum. Diets with the following energy levels and forage:concentrate ratios were fed: 2.95, 2.83, 2.70, 2.58, and 2.44 Mcal of ME/kg of DM and 40:60, 50:50, 60:40, 70:30, and 80:20, respectively. A completely randomized design with four replications per treatment was used. Animal body weight and blood samples were taken weekly. The different dietary energy levels did not affect body weight (kg) and intakes of DM, OM, CP, TC, NDF, and TDN. However, a significant linear effect was observed for intake of EE by increasing the dietary energy level. With the exception of CP, apparent digestibilities of DM, OM, EE, NDF, TC, and GE all increased linearly when the energy content of the diet increased from 2.44 to 2.95 Mcal of ME/kg of DM. No significant effects were observed for the blood concentrations of cholesterol and urea among treatments. Conversely, concentration of blood triglycerides accompanied the increment of energy in the diet and increased linearly. It can be concluded that the diet with 2.95 Mcal of ME/kg of DM resulted in greater nutrient availability than diets with lower energy content when fed to prepartum Saanen goats.

Foram selecionados 48 Curimbás (Prochilodus lineatus) e hipofisados com extrato de hipófise de frango (EHF), extrato de hipófise de coelho (EHCo) e o controle com extrato de hipófise de carpa (EHC). Os animais foram induzidos, aleatoriamente, com os tratamentos arranjados em um fatorial de três hormônios e três semanas. Animais tratados com EHF, EHC ou EHCo produziram, em média, 0,65, 0,45 e 0,20 mL de sêmen, respectivamente, havendo diferença (P<0,05) entre os tratamentos com EHF e EHCo, mesmo comportamento verificado para o número médio de espermatozóides totais produzidos. Para os animais tratados com EHCo, houve maior concentração de espermatozóides/mm³ de sêmen quando comparado com os machos induzidos com EHC (P<0,05). Todavia, não houve diferença (P>0,05) quando comparados com os machos induzidos com EHF. Prochilodus lineatus induzidos com EHF mostraram motilidade espermática progressiva superior (P<0,05) aos animais induzidos com EHC, porém, Prochilodus lineatus induzidos com EHCo apresentaram um comportamento semelhante (P>0,05) aos tratados com EHC ou EHF. Quanto ao vigor espermático, os machos responderam de forma semelhante (P>0,05) para os três indutores utilizados, sendo em média, 2,75 pontos. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, conclui-se que o EHF apresentou eficiência semelhante ou melhor do que o tradicional EHC. Entretanto, o EHCo necessita de mais pesquisas, visando testar hipófise de animais mais idosos.

Forty eight curimba (Prochilodus lineatus) were selected and hipophysed with broiler chicken hypophysis extract (BCHE), rabbit hypophysis extract (RHE) or carp hypophysis extract (CHE) as a control. The animals were randomly induced with treatments arranged in one factorial of three hormones and three weeks. Animals treated with BCHE, CHE and RHE produced an average of 0.65, 0.45 and 0.20 mL of semen, respectively. Therefore, difference (P<0.05) between BCHE and RHE treatments was observed. The same behavior was verified for total spermatozoon average number produced. Animals treated with RHE presented higher semen concentration (spermatozoon/mm³) than males induced with CHE (P<0.05). However, there was no differences (P>0.05) when compared with males induced with BCHE. Prochilodus lineatus induced with BCHE showed higher progressive spermatic motility (P<0.05) than animals induced with CHE. However, Prochilodus lineatus induced with RHE exhibited similar behavior (P>0.05) of animals treated with CHE or BCHE. Animals treated with BCHE, RHE or CHE had same spermatic vigor (P>0.05), with an average of 2.75 points. According to these results it is possible to concluded that BCHE showed the same efficiency or it was even better than traditional CHE when used to induced males. However, more research effort with RHE is necessary, particulary with older animals hypophysis.

Trinta e dois ovos de Caiman crocodilus yacare foram incubados, inicialmente, à temperatura de 30° C. Durante a incubação foram retirados seis ovos para se conhecer o estágio embriológico e peso, além de breve descrição dos embriões. Após 20 dias de incubação a 30° C, os ovos foram assim distribuídos: sete em 34° C, sete em 32° C, seis em 30° C e seis em 28° C. Em 32 e 34° C obteve-se 100% de eclodibilidade, em 30° C - 83,3%, e a 28 ° C - 66,6 %. Após a eclosão os animais permaneceram durante 120 dias na mesma temperatura de incubação final. Foi realizado controle de peso (g) e análise morfométrica (cm). O delineamento estatístico foi inteiramente casualizado, e os dados foram analisados por regressão, que mostraram um comportamento quadrático (p<0,05). Constatou-se que o peso, comprimento total, comprimento da cauda, comprimento focinho-cloaca, comprimento da cabeça, comprimento do olho, comprimento do focinho, largura do focinho, largura da cabeça, largura das narinas, distância entre membros tiveram maior desenvolvimento na faixa de 31,2 a 31,8° C e, a circunferência da barriga a 30,6° C. A redução de 30 para 28° C, na incubação artificial, desencadeou eclosão de animais prematuros. Portanto, a redução da temperatura de 30 para 28° C, durante a incubação artificial não é recomendada, e maior crescimento pode ser obtido entre 31 a 32° C.

Thirty-two eggs of Pantanal caiman (Caiman crocodilus yacare) (Daudin, 1802) were incubated at 30° C. After 20 days of incubation at 30° C, the remaining eggs were distributed in the following way: seven at 34° C, seven at 32° C, six at 30° C and six at 28° C. At 32° C and 34° C a 100% hatchability was obtained while at 30° C 83.3% and at 28° C 66.6%. After hatching, the animals were kept for 120 days at the same temperature of their final incubation. Weight (g) control and morphometric (cm) analysis were carried out. The statistic design was totally randomized and the data were treated by regression analysis showing a quadratic behavior ( p<0.05). It was found that weight, total length (TTL), tail length (TL), snout- vent length (SVL), head length (HL), eye length (EL), snout length (SL), mid-point snout width (MSW), head width (HW), width of snout at nostrils (NW), distance between limbs (DBL) showed a higher development at the temperature range from 31.2° C to 31.8° C and circumference of belly at 30.0° C.

Utilizaram-se 36 ejaculados de três cachaços, diluídos em partes iguais, com os diluentes Beltsville Thawing Solution (BTS), Zorlesco-modificado (ZOR) e BTZOR (desenvolvido na Universidade Estadual de Maringá), para avaliar as características do sêmen e o período de conservação até 25% de motilidade progressiva (MP) para cada diluente. O modelo estatístico foi de blocos inteiramente casualizados, bloqueando cachaço/mês. O período de conservação foi maior no BTZOR (4,94±0,30 dias), seguido pelos ZOR (4,62±0,29 dias) e BTS (3,27±0,30 dias). Análises de regressão mostraram comportamento quadrático na MP para os meios BTS e ZOR e cúbico para o BTZOR, com o decorrer dos dias de conservação. O vigor (V) apresentou comportamento linear para BTS e ZOR e quadrático para BTZOR. O grau de aglutinação apresentou comportamento linear para todos os diluentes. O BTZOR conservou sêmen por maior período de tempo, mantendo melhores médias de motilidade progressiva e vigor, seguido pelos ZOR e BTS.

Thirty-six ejaculates from three boars, equally diluted in the diluents Beltsville Thawing Solution (BTS), Modified Zorlesco (ZOR) and BTZOR (developed at Universidade Estadual de Maringá), were used to evaluate the characteristics of each ejaculate and the semen conservation period until 25% of progressive motility (PM) for each diluents. The experimental design was completely randomized blocks, blocking boar/month. The better conservation period was BTZOR (4.94±0.30 days), followed by ZOR (4.62±0.29 days) and BTS (3.27±0.30 days). Regression analyses showed a quadratic behavior for BTS and ZOR and cubic behavior for BTZOR to PM, as the days for conservation go through. Vigor (V) showed linear behavior to BTS and ZOR and quadratic behavior for BTZOR. Degree agglutination showed linear behavior for all diluents. The BTZOR maintained the quality for more days, maintaining the best averages of PM and V, followed by ZOR and BTS.

Utilizaram-se 83 fêmeas, inseminadas com ejaculados de três cachaços, diluídos em Beltsville Thawing Solution (BTS), Zorlesco-modificado (ZOR) e BTZOR (meio desenvolvido na Universidade Estadual de Maringá), sendo 28 fêmeas inseminadas com o diluente BTS, 28 com ZOR e 27 com BTZOR, com o objetivo de estudar os índices de retorno ao cio e de parição e os números médios de leitões nascidos e nascidos vivos das fêmeas inseminadas. As fêmeas inseminadas com ZOR apresentaram melhor índice de parição (92,9%), quando comparadas às inseminadas com BTZOR (70,4%) e BTS (67,9%). O índice de retorno ao cio foi menor nas fêmeas inseminadas com ZOR (7,14%) em comparação às inseminadas com BTZOR (29,6%) e BTS (32,14%), não tendo diferença entre o BTS e o BTZOR. Concluiu-se que os melhores resultados quanto ao desempenho reprodutivo das fêmeas ocorreram nas inseminações realizadas com sêmen diluído em Zorlesco-modificado.

Eighty-three swine females were inseminated with semen from three boars, diluted in Beltsville Thawing Solution (BTS), Modified-Zorlesco (ZOR) and BTZOR (a medium developed at Universidade Estadual de Maringá). Twenty eight females were inseminated with BTS, 28 with ZOR and 27 with BTZOR, with the objective to evaluate the indexes of heat return and farrowing rate, and the averages numbers of born piglets and born alive piglets from the inseminated females. The females inseminated with ZOR showed the best farrowing rate index (92.9%) when compared to those inseminated with BTZOR (70,4%) and with BTS (67.9%). The lowest heat return rate was from inseminated females with ZOR (7.14%) when compared to BTZOR (29.6%) and BTS (32.14%), and there was no difference between BTS and BTZOR. The best reproductive performance results were observed for artificial inseminations with semen diluted in Modified-Zorlesco diluents.