ABSTRACT
Abstract The first horses were brought to Brazil by the colonizers after 1534. Over the centuries, these animals evolved and adapted to local environmental conditions usually unsuitable for exotic breeds, thereby originating locally adapted Brazilian breeds. The present work represents the first description of maternal genetic diversity in these horse breeds based on D-loop sequences. A D-Loop HSV-I fragment of 252 bp, from 141 horses belonging to ten Brazilian breeds / genetic groups (locally adapted and specialized breeds) were analysed. Thirty-five different haplotypes belonging to 18 haplogroups were identified with 33 polymorphic sites. Haplotype diversity (varying from 0.20 to 0.96) and nucleotide diversity (varying from 0.0039 to 0.0239) was lower for locally adapted than for specialized breeds, with the same pattern observed for FST values. Haplogroups identified in Brazilian breeds are in agreement with previous findings in South American samples. The low variability observed mainly in locally adapted breeds, indicates that, to ensure conservation of these breeds, careful reproductive management is needed. Additional genetic characterization studies are required to support accurate decision-making.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: This research was performed by a multidisciplinary and interagency team and sought to determine the blood profile, total plasma protein and fibrinogen concentrations of clinically healthy adult Campeiro horses. A total of 138 horses (14 stallions, 74 non-pregnant and 50 pregnant mares) over three years of age from breeders located in the states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul were divided into groups according to age, sex and pregnancy status. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using the ANOVA test, Student's T test, and descriptive analyses (P<0.05). There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the values for MCV, MCH, and total number of eosinophiles when comparing different age groups. There was also a notable difference (P<0.05) in the total plasma protein and total number of eosinophile variables when comparing pregnant females to non-pregnant females. These results show that the Campeiro breed presents certain peculiarities regarding variables in the complete blood count, total plasma protein and fibrinogen compared to the values described by other authors for other breeds. Thus, it is suggested that the values established in this study should be used as benchmarks for interpreting erythrocyte and leukocyte counts when evaluating these variables in Campeiro horses.
RESUMO: O presente trabalho foi executado por uma equipe multidisciplinar e interinstitucional, objetivando determinar o perfil hematológico, a concentração de proteínas totais e o fibrinogênio plasmático de equinos adultos e clinicamente sadios da raça Campeiro. Foram utilizados 138 animais (14 machos inteiros, 74 fêmeas vazias e 50 prenhes), com idades acima de três anos, provenientes de criatórios localizados em Santa Catarina e Rio Grande do Sul, divididos em grupos de acordo com a idade, sexo e estado gestacional. A análise estatística dos dados foi realizada por meio do teste ANOVA, teste t de Student e análise descritiva (P<0,05). Houve diferença significativa (P<0,05) para os valores do HCM, VCM e número total de eosinófilos, quando comparadas as diferentes faixas etárias. Também houve diferença (P<0,05) para as variáveis PTP e número total de eosinófilos, quando comparadas fêmeas prenhas e vazias. A partir desses resultados, pode-se concluir que os equinos Campeiros apresentam particularidades com relação às variáveis do hemograma, proteínas totais e fibrinogênio plasmático, quando comparados aos descritos por outros autores em outras raças. Sendo assim, sugere-se que os valores estabelecidos no presente estudo sejam tomados como valores de referência na interpretação do eritrograma e leucograma para a avaliação dessas variáveis em equinos da raça Campeiro.
ABSTRACT
Records of Gyr cows selected for milk production were obtained from the National Gyr Dairy Cattle Breeding Program (Embrapa/CNPGL) and analyzed, in order to estimate genetic parameters for the first three lactations and to verify the effects of some environmental factors on milk production from 1979 to 1994. Genetic parameters were estimated by REML with an animal model and a group of fixed effects that included classes of herd, year, season and age at calving. Milk production means and standard deviations were 2,183 kg, 707 kg; 2,682 kg, 762 kg and 2,638 kg, 851 kg, for first, second, and third lactations, respectively. Heritability estimates were 0.20, 0.12, and 0.19 for first, second, and third lactations, respectively, and repeatability was 0.44. Genetic correlation estimates were: 0.68 between first and second lactations, 0.84 between first and third lactations and 1.0 between second and third lactations. Results confirm other research for specialized dairy breeds and firmly suggest that even in breeds of Indian origin the best time to make selection decisions is during the first lactation.