Índices de eficiência reprodutiva de búfalos da Amazônia Oriental do Brasil / Indices of reproductive efficiency of buffaloes of the Brazilian Eastern Amazon

Foram avaliados registros de manejo reprodutivo de búfalos das raças Jafarabadi, Murrah, Mediterrâneo, Carabao e Tipo Baio, bem como seus mestiços, no período de 1983 a 2005. Estudaram-se as características reprodutivas: idade à primeira cria (média de 1052,52±120,45 dias), intervalo de partos (média de 399,69±23,78 dias), eficiência reprodutiva (média de 91,09±1,89%), fertilidade real adaptada (média de 29,30±4,40 quilogramas de bezerro parido por ano), produtividade ao primeiro parto adaptada (média de 33,75±6,89 quilogramas) e produtividade acumulada adaptada (média de 22,86±6,55 quilogramas de bezerro parido por ano). Foram verificadas influências do ano de parto e o grau de sangue da fêmea sobre as características estudadas, o que indica que tais efeitos devem ser incluídos na avaliação genética e na seleção dos animais. Os índices produtivos utilizados mostraram-se de grande valia para a seleção, devendo ser mais estudadas suas interações relativas ao desempenho geral do rebanho.

We evaluated records of reproductive management Jaffarabadi buffalo breeds, Murrah, Mediterranean, Carabao and Baio types, and their crosses, in the period from 1983 to 2005. We studied the following reproductive characteristics: Age at first calving (mean 1052.52±120.45 days), calving interval (399.69±23.78 mean days), Reproductive Efficiency (average 91.09±1, 89%), Real Adapted Fertility (average 29.30±4.40kg calf calved each year), the First Labor Productivity Adapted (mean 33.75±6.89kg) and Accumulated Productivity Adapted (mean 22.86±6.55kg calf calved each year). Influences were observed in the year of delivery and degree of blood on the female traits, suggesting that such effects should be included in genetic evaluation and selection of animals. The production indices used were of great value for the selection, and should be well studied for their interactions with the overall performance of the herd.

Growth Curves and Genetic Parameters in ColombianBuffaloes (Bubalus bubalis Artiodactyla, Bovidae) / Curvas de crecimiento y parámetros genéticos en búfalos (Bubalus bubalisArtiodactyla, Bovidae) en Colombia / Curvas de crescimento e parâmetros genéticos em búfalos (Bubalus bubalisArtiodactyla, Bovidae) na Colômbia

Non-linear mathematical functions proposed by Brody, Gompertz, Richards, Bertalanffy and Verhulstwere compared in several buffalo production systems in Colombia. Herds were located in three provinces:Antioquia, Caldas, and Cordoba. Growth was better described by the curves proposed by Brody andGompertz. Using the datasets from herds from Caldas, heritabilities for traits such as weaning weight(WW), weight and maturity at one year of age (WY and MY, respectively), age at 50% and 75% of maturity(A50% and A75%, respectively), adult weight (β0), and other characteristics, were also estimated. Directand maternal heritabilities for WW were 0.19 and 0.12, respectively. Direct heritabilities for WY, MY,A50%, A75% and β0 were 0.39, 0.15, 0.09, 0.20 and 0.09, respectively. The genetic correlation for β0 andWY was -0.47, indicating that selection for heavy weight at one year of age will lead to lower weight at adultage. These data suggest that selection based on maturity traits can generate changes in characteristics ofeconomic importance in beef–type buffalo farms.

Funciones matemáticas no lineales propuestas por Brody, Gompertz, Richards, Bertalanffy y Verhulst fueron utilizadas para describir el crecimiento en búfalos provenientes de tres regiones de Colombia (Antioquia,Caldas y Córdoba). Las funciones que mejor describieron el crecimiento fueron Brody y Gompertz. Con labase de datos de la región de Caldas, fueron estimadas las heredabilidades para las características peso aldestete (PD), peso y madurez al año de edad (PA y MA, respectivamente), edad al 50% y 75% de madurez(I50% y I75%, respectivamente), peso adulto (β0), y otras características. Las heredabilidades directa ymaterna para PD fueron: 0.19 y 0.12, respectivamente. Las heredabilidades directas para PA, MA, I50%,I75% y β0 fueron 0.39, 0.15, 0.09, 0.20 y 0.09, respectivamente. La correlación genética para β0 y PA fue-0.47, indicando que al seleccionar animales por peso al año, tendríamos animales con mayor peso adulto.Las características de madurez pueden ser utilizadas en programas de mejoramiento genético en procura debúfalos mas eficientes en sistemas de producción colombianos.

Funções matemáticas não lineares propostas por Brody, Gompertz, Richards, Bertalanffy e Verhulstforam utilizadas para descrever o crescimento em búfalos provenientes de três regiões da Colômbia (Antioquia, Caldas e Córdoba). As funções que melhor descreveram o crescimento foram Brody e Gompertz.Com a base de dados da região de Caldas, foram estimadas as herdabilidades para as características pesoao desmame (PD), peso e maturidade ao ano de idade (PA e MA, respectivamente), idade ao 50% e 75% dematuridade (I50% e I75%, respectivamente), peso adulto (β0), e outras características. As herdabilidadesdireita e materna para PD foram: 0.19 e 0.12, respectivamente. As herdabilidades direitas para PA, MA,I50%, I75% e β0 foram 0.39, 0.15, 0.09, 0.20 e 0.09, respectivamente. A correlação genética para β0 e PA foi-0.47, indicando que ao selecionar animais por peso ao ano, teríamos animais com maior peso adulto. Ascaracterísticas de maturidade podem ser utilizadas em programas de melhoramento genético em procurade búfalos mais eficientes em sistemas de produção colombianos.

Expression of mRNAs encoding tumor necrosis factor-alpha and its receptor-I in buffalo ovary.

The tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) plays an important role in ovarian follicular development and ovulation process and acts through its receptor (TNFRI). The present investigation describes the expression of mRNAs encoding TNF-alpha and TNFRI in relation to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH) and beta-actin as control genes, using RT-PCR, in granulosa cells, intact follicles and luteal tissues from buffalo ovary. There was significant higher expression of mRNAs encoding TNF-alpha in granulosa cells from medium follicles and TNFRI expression increased with increase in size of follicles. Post-ovulatory structures (corpus luteum and corpus albicans) exhibited significantly higher expression of TNFRI mRNAs as compared to that obtained in intact follicles suggesting its immediate and critical role just after ovulation, for mediating TNF-alpha action on these tissues. Though the expression of TNF-alpha mRNA was stimulated by treatment of granulosa cells with FSH during culture, the expression of TNFRI mRNA did not change. The FSH alongwith IGF-I did not exert any effect. These results suggested an important role of TNF-alpha and its receptor in buffalo ovarian functions.

Studies on alopecia with unthriftness and a pre-probiotic effects on growing buffalo calves

A field study was conducted to correlate between the clinical signs, blood contents, weight gains and supplying of Bospro as a pre- probiotic substance in healthy growing buffalo calves and those suffering from anorexia, rough coat, stiff gait, dullness, general unthriftness and alopecia. The oral supply of 10 g Bospro daily per head for 30 days improved daily weight gains in both healthy and diseased calves [0.89 and 0.63 kg] than the nonsupplemented ones [0.61 and 0.4 kg]. Blood serum content of healthy calves supplied with Bospro showed a significant increase in total protein, glucose, calcium and inorganic phosphorus while copper and zinc were not significantly increased. All the previous six parameters were significantly decreased in diseased calves. The clinical and biochemical alteration of affected calves became toward the normal status after supplement. There was an improvement of general health and growth of hairs in 83.33% of cases as well as correction of blood serum content toward the normal level. It could be concluded that complex symptoms of alopecia and unthriftness syndrome associated with a lower level of blood serum total protein, glucose, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, zinc and copper. Addition of Bospro played an important role for recovery of the previous problem. It also increased daily gains in healthy and diseased calves

comparative study on the effect of two types of growth promoting implants on the performance traits of buffalo calves

The effect of two types of anabolic implants [Ralgro and Synovex-S] on the performance traits and the metabolic profile of male buffalo calves averaging 248.75 +/- 2.5 kg was studied in a 90-day experiment. The calves were fed on a basal ration composed of concentrates and roughages. Ralgro and Synovex-S implantation increased significantly [P <0.5] the total body gain, average daily gain and feed/gain ratio in implanted calves. Gain and relative gain of the Synovex-S implanted group showed significant [P <0.05] increase at each time phase of the experiment compared with the control and showed insignificant increase over the Ralgro-implanted group. No significant difference was found regarding blood calcium, albumin, RBCs and WBCs due to implantation. Total lipids and cholesterol values showed significant [P <0.05] increase by implantation and reached the maximum at 60 days compared with the control. Ralgro and Synovex-S groups demonstrated significant [P <0.05] increase in hemoglobin value at 60 days post-implantation. Total serum protein and globulin values showed significant [P <0.05] increase at 60 and 30 days post-implantation in Ralgro and Synovex-S implanted calves, respectively. The growth promoting implants [Ralgro and Synovex-S] could be successfully used in improving body gain and feed utilization of buffalo calves raised for beef production in Egypt

Determinaçäo da atividade das enzimas aspartato aminotransferase: alanina aminotransferase e fosfatase alcalina no soro de bubalinos durante a fase de crescimento / Determination of the activity of the enzymes aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase e alkaline fosfatase in the serum of confined growing buffaloes

Determinaram-se os níveis séricos de normalidade das enzimas Aspartato Aminotransferase (AST), Alanina Aminotransferase A (LT) e Fosfatase Alcalina (FA), em búfalos da raça Mediterrâneo, reunidos num grupo de 12 animais, sendo seis machos e seis fêmeas. Estes foram mantidos em regime de confinamento e acompanhados do 1§ ao 18§ mês de vida. As amostras séricas foram colhidas mensalmente. Os valores médios estiveram entre 31,085 UI/l a 151,975 UI/l; 8,350UI/l a 102,391 UI/l e 28,825 UI/l a 143,941 UI/l, para AST, ALT e FA, respectivamente. Houve um aumento gradativo dos níveis séricos destas enzimas até o 12§ mês, a partir do qual a elevaçäo foi mais acentuada, mantendo uma estreita relaçäo biológica entre si