O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever aspectos do parto e da involução uterina em ovelhas nativas do Pantanal. Foram estudadas 57 fêmeas pluríparas com cio sincronizado. Ao parto, avaliou-se sua classificação (simples ou gemelar), o tempo de expulsão da placenta, peso da placenta, total de diâmetro dos cotilédones, além do sexo e peso do cordeiro. A involução uterina foi avaliada pelo perfil leucocitário e de células de descamação (esfregaços cérvico-uterinos) e pela ultrassonografia uterina transretal nos dias 1, 7, 14, 21 e 28 dias pós-parto. O peso da placenta foi superior (P<0,05) nas fêmeas nascidas tanto dos partos simples quanto nos gemelares seguido pelo total de cotilédones. O tempo de expulsão da placenta e diâmetro dos cotilédones não diferiu (P<0,05) entre o sexo e parto. Os períodos 1, 7 e 14 dias pós-parto apresentaram valores superiores (P<0,05) para neutrófilos nos partos gemelares (78,5±9,5; 58,5±9,6 e 31,9±9,8, respectivamente). Macrófagos diferiram (P<0,05) nos períodos 1 e 14 para fêmeas com partos gemelares (12,5±1,6 e 6,7±1,6, respectivamente). A análise da regressão revelou ajuste quadrático (P<0,001) para o diâmetro, área e volume uterinos considerando todo o período pós-parto. As características observadas ao parto nas ovelhas nativas são semelhantes a ovelhas de outras raças. O perfil leucocitário e análise ultrassonográfica sugerem que a involução uterina nas ovelhas nativas do Pantanal varia entre 14 e 21 dias após o parto.

The aim of this study was to describe aspects of the parturition and uterine involution in native sheep from Brazilian Pantanal. Fifty-seven pluriparous ewes were used in this study. At parturition, the placenta expulsion (h), weight (g), total diameter of cotyledons, sex and weight of newborn, and single or twin parturition were evaluated. The uterine involution was evaluated by leucocytes profile, desquamation cells (cervix-uterine smears) and transrectal ultrasonography at 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days post-partum. The weight of the placenta and total of cotyledons were higher (P<0.05) in female lambs from single and twin parturition. Placental expulsion time and cotyledons diameter were not different (P>0.05) between sex and parturition classification. The total of neutrophils in twin parturitions were higher in days 1, 7 and 14 postpartum (78.5±9.5; 58.5±9.6 and 31.9±9.8, respectively). Macrophages were different (P<0.05) at 1 and 14 days postpartum in ewes with twin parturition (12.5±1.6 and 6.7±1.6, respectively). The regression analysis model revealed a quadratic curve estimation (P<0.001) to the diameter, area and uterine volume considering all postpartum period. In conclusion, the parturition characteristics are similar to other breeds. Leukocytary profile and the transrectal ultrasonography exam suggest that the uterine involution in native sheep of Brazilian Pantanal varies among 14 and 21 days postpartum.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of crossings between sheep breeds on the intrinsic quality of leather. It was used the skins of 36 lambs (18 females and 18 males), resulting from crosses between ewes of a native breed from the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul and rams of the same native breed as well as the Texel and Santa Inês genetic groups. The animals were raised in confinement until slaughter weight, from 28 to 32 kg. After slaughter, samples were taken from the skins for histological analysis. The skins were tanned with chromium, retanned and greased. It was taken from the leather samples for electromicrographs and for tests for tensile and tear strength (intrinsic quality). Morphological aspects from the skin as well as from the leather help to understand the results found and they evidence that breeds or crossings among breeds interfere in the intrinsic quality of leather and skin of sheep.