Relationship between body weight and hip width in dairy buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between body weight (BW) and hip width (HW) in dairy buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). HW was measured in 215 Murrah buffaloes with a BW of 341 ± 161.6 kg, aged between three months and five years, and raised in southeastern Mexico. Linear and non-linear regressions were used to construct the prediction models. The goodness of fit of the models was evaluated using the Akaike information criterion (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), coefficient of determination (R2), mean squared error (MSE), and root MSE (RMSE). Additionally, the developed models were evaluated through internal and external cross-validation (k-folds) using independent data. The ability of the fitted models to predict the observed values was assessed based on the root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP), R2, and mean absolute error (MAE). The relationship between BW and HW showed a high correlation coefficient (r = 0.96, P < 0.001). The chosen fitted model to predict BW was: -176.33 (± 40.83***) + 8.74 (± 1.79***) × HW + 0.04 (± 0.01*) × HW2, because it presented the lowest MSE, RMSE, and AIC values, which were 1228.64, 35.05 and 1532.41, respectively. Therefore, with reasonable accuracy, the quadratic model using hip width may be suitable for predicting body weight in buffaloes.

Impact of diversified grazing systems on milk production, nutrient use and enteric methane emissions in dual-purpose cows.

This study evaluated three continuous grazing systems: Brachiaria Brizantha, Clitoria ternatea and naturalized pastures, complemented with commercial concentrate and C. ternatea silage on milk yield, nutrient use and enteric methane (CH4) emissions. Nine multiparous cows of local Zebu breeds, with an average weight of 448 ± 87 kg, were used. The chemical composition of the food was determined. Live weight, milk production, and quality were assessed. Furthermore, serum urea, urea nitrogen, creatinine and glucose in blood were monitored, and nitrogen use efficiency were calculated. Enteric methane (CH4) emissions were estimated using Tier-2 methodology. A 3 × 3 latin square experimental design was applied. The grazing systems of B. brizantha and C. ternatea had the greater live weights of 465.8 and 453.3 kg/cow, although the latter is similar to naturalized pasture. Milk production and quality were not affected by grazing system, with the exception of the non-fat solids, where the C. ternatea system was lower (102.2 g/kg) than the other grazing systems. The crude protein and N intake, and N excretion in feces and urine were lower in naturalized pasture systems (1139.0 g/day). N outputs in milk was high in the C. ternatea system (56.3 g/cow/day). The naturalized pastures systems showed the better feed use efficiency (25.7%) compared to others. Serum urea and blood urea nitrogen were greater in B. brizantha followed by C. ternatea. Enteric CH4 emissions were indifferent among grazing systems when expressed as a percentage of greenhouse gases (7.1%). In conclusion, the grazing C. ternatea supplemented with commercial concentrate and C. ternatea silage maintains milk production and quality, reduced cow/day emissions (by 2.5%) and lowered energy losses as methane.

Genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic animals from Campeche, México, reveals virulent genotypes and a recombinant ROP5 allele.

Toxoplasma gondii has at least 318 genotypes distributed worldwide, and tropical regions usually have greater genetic diversity. Campeche is a state located in the southeastern region of México and has favourable climate conditions for the replication and dissemination of this protozoan, similar to those in South American countries where broad genetic diversity has been described. Thus, in this study, 4 T. gondii isolates were obtained from tissues of stray dogs and free-range chickens in Campeche, México, and were genotyped by Mn-PCR-RFLP with 10 typing markers (SAG1, altSAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1 and Apico) and 5 virulence markers (CS3, ROP16, ROP17, ROP18 and ROP5) to provide new information about the distribution and virulence prediction of T. gondii genotypes. Two isolates of T. gondii genotype #116 and 2 of genotype #38 were obtained from stray dogs and chickens, respectively. The parasite load found in these species was between <50 and more than 35 000 tachyzoites per mg of tissue. Virulence marker genotyping revealed a recombinant 1&3 ROP5 RFLP pattern in 2 ToxoDB #116 isolates with no prediction of virulence in a murine model, while in the 2 ToxoDB #38 isolates, the ROP18/ROP5 combination predicted high virulence. Considering all the typed markers, there is a predominance of type I and III alleles, as constantly reported for the isolates characterized in various regions of México. It is crucial to determine their phenotype to corroborate the genetic virulence profile of the T. gondii isolates obtained in this study.

Prediction of Body Weight by Using PCA-Supported Gradient Boosting and Random Forest Algorithms in Water Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) Reared in South-Eastern Mexico.

This study aims to use advanced machine learning techniques supported by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to estimate body weight (BW) in buffalos raised in southeastern Mexico and compare their performance. The first stage of the current study consists of body measurements and the process of determining the most informative variables using PCA, a dimension reduction method. This process reduces the data size by eliminating the complex structure of the model and provides a faster and more effective learning process. As a second stage, two separate prediction models were developed with Gradient Boosting and Random Forest algorithms, using the principal components obtained from the data set reduced by PCA. The performances of both models were compared using R2, RMSE and MAE metrics, and showed that the Gradient Boosting model achieved a better prediction performance with a higher R2 value and lower error rates than the Random Forest model. In conclusion, PCA-supported modeling applications can provide more reliable results, and the Gradient Boosting algorithm is superior to Random Forest in this context. The current study demonstrates the potential use of machine learning approaches in estimating body weight in water buffalos, and will support sustainable animal husbandry by contributing to decision making processes in the field of animal science.

Protein Supplementation as a Nutritional Strategy to Reduce Gastrointestinal Nematodiasis in Periparturient and Lactating Pelibuey Ewes in a Tropical Environment.

The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of energy and protein supplementation on parasitological and hematological response during peripartum and lactation of productive and non-productive Pelibuey ewes in a tropical environment. Forty-eight Pelibuey ewes aged 3-5 years and with a body weight of 31 ± 5 kg were used. Four groups of 12 ewes, including non-pregnant and productive ewes, were formed. A factorial treatment design was formulated, where two levels of energy (low, 9.6 MJ/kg, n = 24; and high, 10.1 MJ/kg, n = 24) and two levels of protein (high, 15% crude protein in diet, n = 24; and low, 8% crude protein in diet, n = 24) were studied. Fecal and blood samples were collected to determine the fecal egg count (FEC) of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), packed cell volume (PCV) and peripheral eosinophil (EOS) count. These variables were rearranged with respect to the lambing date in a retrospective study. The high dietary protein level had a significant effect on reducing the FEC and increasing the PCV of ewes during lactation, in comparison with animals fed with the low protein level. Differences in the study variables were attributed to physiological stage. Lactating ewes showed the highest FEC values (2709 ± 359 EPG), the lowest PCV values (21.9 ± 0.7%) and the lowest EOS (0.59 ± 0.6 Cells × 103 µL). It is concluded that high levels of dietary protein improve the hematological response and reduce the FEC in Pelibuey ewes under grazing conditions. The non-pregnant ewes maintained some resilience and resistance to GIN infection compared to productive ewes.

Estimation of Carcass Tissue Composition from the Neck and Shoulder Composition in Growing Blackbelly Male Lambs.

This study was designed to develop predictive equations estimating carcass tissue composition in growing Blackbelly male lambs using as predictor variables for tissue composition of wholesale cuts of low economic value (i.e., neck and shoulder). For that, 40 lambs with 29.9 ± 3.18 kg of body weight were slaughtered and then the left half carcasses were weighed and divided in wholesale cuts, which were dissected to record weights of fat, muscle, and bone from leg, loin, neck, rib, and shoulder. Total weights of muscle (CM), bone (CB) and fat (CF) in carcass were recorded by adding the weights of each tissue from cuts. The CM, CF and CB positively correlated (p < 0.05; 0.36 ≤ r ≤ 0.86), from moderate to high, with most of the shoulder tissue components, but it was less evident (p ≤ 0.05; 0.32≤ r ≤0.63) with the neck tissue composition. In fact, CM did not correlate with neck fat and bone weights. Final models explained (p < 0.01) 94, 92 and 88% of the variation observed for CM, CF and CB, respectively. Overall, results showed that prediction of carcass composition from shoulder (shoulder) tissue composition is a viable option over the more accurate method of analyzing the whole carcass.

Fatty Acids Profile and Healthy Lipids Indices of Native Mexican Guajolote Meat Treated to Two Heat Treatments.

Meat is a complex food with a structured nutritional composition that makes it an essential component of the human diet. In particular, the meat of native guajolote that is traditionally raised in natural conditions is an important dietary source of proteins of high biological value for the rural population of Mexico. The study aimed to evaluate fatty acids (FAs) profile and nutritional indices of breast and leg meat of native guajolote subjected to two heat treatments. For the study, a total of sixty muscle samples (30 breast meat and 30 leg meat) from adult male native guajolotes were used. The FA profile and nutritional indices were evaluated in raw meat (control) and meat subjected to two heat treatments (boiled and baked). The heat treatments, independently of the type of muscle, increased (p ≤ 0.05) the concentration of saturated (SFA) and monounsaturated FA (MUFA); in contrast, polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) decreased. Likewise, the dietary FA index, which has a negative hypercholesterolemic effect, and the atherogenic index increased in guajolote meat from the effect of the heat treatments, while the essential and undesirable hypercholesterolemic FA indices decreased. In conclusion, heat treatments increase the content of SFA and MUFAs in breast and leg meat of native guajolote. Boiling or baking the meat deteriorates PUFAs but increases the nutritional indices. The present investigation would provide valuable information for the guajolote meat product processing.

In vitro anthelmintic activity of Pimienta dioica and Origanum vulgare essential oils on gastrointestinal nematodes from sheep and cattle.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the in vitro nematicide activity of the allspice (Pimienta dioica) and oregano (Origanum vulgare) essential oils (EOs) on eggs and larvae of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) from ruminant. The EOs were obtained by hydro-distillation of previously dehydrated plant material. In the in vitro evaluation, the egg hatching and larval mobility of Haemonchus contortus and Cooperia spp. of sheep and cattle, respectively, were determined. EOs at concentrations of 20.2-252.3 µg µL-1 with serial dilutions were used, also a negative control (distilled water + Tween 20) and Thiabendazol (77 µg µL-1) and Levamisole (120 µg µL-1) as a positive control to eggs and larvae, respectively, were placed on microplates. The results were analyzed with the PROBIT procedure. PPEO showed ovicidal effect in vitro test, with lethal doses 99 (LD99) of 0.56-4.19 µg µL-1, while oregano essential oil (OREO) was shown to be a larvicidal activity with doses of LD99 of 0.15-6.60  L-1. The results confirm that P. dioica and O. vulgare EOs have ovicidal and larvicidal capacity against GIN in vitro test.

Haemonchus contortus infection induces a variable immune response in resistant and susceptible Pelibuey sheep.

The immune response and phenotypic characteristics of Pelibuey lambs were analysed after the induction of a Haemonchus contortus trickle infection. Male lambs (n = 29; 20 kg live weight) were infected with 100 H. contortus infective larvae per kg of live weight on day 3, 5 and 7 of the experiment. The number of eggs per gram (epg), seven haematological parameters and the immunoglobulin A (IgA) level were analysed for 56 experimental days. In addition, histopathological samples from the fundic abomasal region and the relative expression of 10 immune-related genes from 15 infected and three non-infected lambs were analysed at day 0 and 49 of the experiment. The epg count and some haematological parameters (leucocytes, red blood cells, haemoglobin and total protein) with statistically significant differences (P < 0.01) were used to identify nine resistant and 20 susceptible lambs (1166 ±â€¯1071 and 3171 ±â€¯1463 epg, respectively). Moreover, acute infiltration of immune cells and parasitic granuloma formation were observed in susceptible lambs; the resistant group had moderate inflammatory cell infiltration. With respect to relative gene expression, resistant lambs showed upregulation (P < 0.001) of 10 genes, from 2.2 to 15.99 fold. Moreover, there was a strong indirect correlation (P < 0.05) between the epg count and interleukin 5 (IL5) gene expression. By contrast, there was an average 0.34 fold downregulation in nine of the immune-related genes (P ≤ 0.05) in susceptible lambs (the only exception was Fc fragment of IgE receptor Ia [FCER1A] upregulation). In addition, there was a direct correlation (P ≤ 0.05) between the epg count and the expression of IL8, which encodes an inflammatory chemokine. In conclusion, this study showed differential IL5 and IL8 gene expression during haemonchosis in resistant and susceptible Pelibuey lambs, respectively, together with a variable immune response based on histopathological and haematological parameters.

Efecto de la aplicación de la hormona de crecimiento recombinante (rbST) sobre la respuesta superovulatoria y la viabilidad embrionaria en ovejas de pelo / Effect of recombinant growth hormone (rsST) application on supervolatory response and embyro viability in hair ewes

Se estudió el efecto del uso de una proteína de alto valor nutricional y su interacción con la hormona de crecimiento recombinante (rbST) sobre la respuesta superovulatoria y la viabilidad embrionaria en ovejas de pelo. Se utilizaron doce ovejas adultas de raza Pelibuey, distribuidas completamente al azar en dos tratamientos. TA : Control. TB : 100 mg de Somatotropina Bovina recombinante (rbST). La sincronización del estro en ambos grupos duró 14 días, utilizando esponjas vaginales impregnadas con 40 mg de FGA, con cambio a los 7 días. La superovulación se realizó con FSH ovina (oFSH) a intervalos de 12 h en dosis decrecientes, iniciando 72 h antes de la retirada de las esponjas. En la primera aplicación se les administró adicionalmente 2 mL de prostaglandina PGF2a las ovejas. La inyección de rbST en el TB se hizo junto con la octava aplicación de oFSH. Todas las ovejas se inseminaron vía intrauterina a las 56 ±1 h de la retirada de las esponjas, con semen refrigerado (10 a la 8 espermatozoides/pajuela). Los embriones se colectaron 5 días después de la inseminación y la viabilidad embrionaria se midió utilizando criterios morfológicos. Se observó un incremento en todas las variables de respuesta evaluadas por efecto de la aplicación de rbST: cuerpos lúteos (89 vs 119), cuerpos lúteos considerados (77 vs 117), embriones recuperados (64 vs 78), embriones viables (35 vs 64) y embriones viables por oveja (5,8 vs 10,6) siendo significativa la tasa de ovulación (86,52 por ciento vs 96,64 por ciento) y la tasa de viabilidad embrionaria (54,69 por ciento vs 82,05 por ciento) (P<0,01), esto probablemente se atribuye a que la rbST altera los componentes del sistema de factores de crecimiento insulínico estimulando la esteroidogénesis folicular. La hormona de crecimiento aplicada antes de la ovulación estimula la maduración de mayor cantidad de folículos e incrementa la cantidad recuperada de embriones y la viabilidadembrionaria.

The objective of this study was measure the effect of using nutritional high quality protein and its interaction with recombinant growth hormone over the ovulatory response and embryo viability in hair ewes. Twelve adult multiparous Pelibuey ewes were used and randomly submitted to two different treatments. In treatment A (TA, Control group), the ewes received a superovulation treatment without the application of recombinant growth hormone (rbST) in treatment B (TB), the ewes received the same superovulation treatment with the addition of 100 mg of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST). The induction and synchronization of the estrous cycle was realized by the insertion of vaginal sponges impregnated with 40 mg of FGA during 14 days, with sponge change at the seventh day. To induce the superovulation follicle stimulating ovine hormone (oFSH) was used in decreasing doses levels (every 12 h) starting 72 h before the sponges withdrawal. In the first application 2 mL of prostaglandin PGF2a were additionally applied. The application of 100 mg of rbST was done during the eighth administration of oFSH. The ewes were inseminated 56 ± 1 h after the sponge withdrawal with refrigerated semen (108 sperm/ straw). The embryos were collected 5 days after the insemination and the embryo viability was measured by morphological evaluation. An increase was observed in all the variables evaluated in the rbST group: corporea lutea (89 vs 119), corporea lutea considered (77 vs 117), embryos recovered (64 vs 78), viable embryos (35 vs 64), and viable embryos by ewe (5.8 vs 10.6), with statistical significance, considered ovulation rate (86.52% vs 96.64%) and embryo viability rate (54.69% vs 82.05%) (P<0.01), this is probably due to the effect of rbST over the growing insuline factors that control the follicular esteroidogenesis. The rbST application before the ovulation influence the maturation of higher amount of follicles and increase the quantity and viability of the embryos obtained.

Fertilidad en ovejas de pelo inseminadas con semen congelado rediluido con plasma seminal / Fertility in hair sheep inseminated with freeze spermatozoa rediluited with seminal plasma

El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la viabilidad espermática del semen congelado rediluido con plasma seminal a través de la fertilidad de 146 ovejas de pelo, inseminadas vía cervical e intrauterina. La fertilidad se midió en dos tiempos; retorno a celo a los 17 días postinseminación y diagnóstico de gestación por ultrasonografia a los 45 días postinseminación. Los datos de fertilidad se analizaron mediante el test de Ji-cuadrado. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que la adición del plasma seminal en el semen fresco no mejora la fertilidad (P>0,05) obtenida vía cervical e intrauterina, por el contrario, el semen congelado rediluido con plasma seminal, tanto en su aplicación cervical como intrauterina, mejora (P<0,01) los índices de fertilidad en un 41 vs 20% y un 50 vs 16%, respectivamente, a los 17 días postinseminación, resultados que persisten a los 45 días de gestación. Estos resultados permiten concluir que la redilución del semen congelado con plasma seminal proporciona una mayor recuperación de los espermatozoides dañados por choque frío, lo cual se ve reflejado en un mayor porcentaje de fertilidad.

The objective of this study was to determine the spermatozoa viability of the frozen semen rediluted with seminal plasma through the fertility of 146 hair sheep inseminated cervical and intrauterine way. The fertility was measured in two times; return to estrus to the 17 days postinsemination and pregnancy diagnostic by ultrasound scanning to the 45 days postinsemination. The data of fertility were analyzed by means of the Chi-Square test. The obtained results showed that the addition of the seminal plasma in the semen fresh does not improve the fertility (P>0.05) obtained cervical and intrauterine way, on the contrary, the semen frozen rediluted with seminal plasma, so much in its cervical application as intrauterine, improvement (P<0.01) the fertility in a 41% and 50%, respectively to the 17 days postinsemination, results that persist to the 45 days of gestation. The results permit to conclude that the rediluted of the frozen semen with seminal plasma provides a greater recovery of the spermatozoa damaged by cold shock, which it is seen reflected in a greater percentage of fertility.

Influencia de la suplementación en la dieta con levaduras y minerales sobre la producción de ovocitos de ovejas púberes estimuladas ováricamente / The influence of diet supplementation with yeasts and organic minerals over oocyte production of ovarian stimulated ewes

Para producir ovocitos cultivados “in vivo” se estudió la respuesta superovulatoria de ovejas púberes suplementadas con un alimento proteico que contiene levaduras o minerales orgánicos. Dieciocho hembras (7 meses de edad) fueron distribuidas en 3 grupos: TA:1 kg alimento 15% PC+Yea Sacc®, (levadura Saccharomyces cerevisiae cepa 1026). Dosis: 5 gr/animal/día+heno ad libitum. TB:1 kg alimento 15% PC+Bioplex Plus®, (cultivo de levaduras vivas y minerales orgánicos). Dosis: 4 gr/animal/día+heno ad libitum. TT:Testigo. 1 kg alimento 15% de PC+heno ad libitum. El estro se sincronizó con esponjas vaginales (40 mg FGA) durante 12d. A los 10d de la inserción de las esponjas se aplicó 225 mg de prostaglandina/oveja. La superovulación se realizó 36h antes de la retirada de las esponjas mediante 100 mg-NIH FSHp y 500 UI eCG en una sola dosis/oveja. 24h de la retirada de las esponjas se aplicaron 100 µg GnRH/oveja. La tasa de ovulación se midió por endoscopia. Los ovocitos se recuperaron del oviducto 48h de la retirada de las esponjas. La TO resultó superior (P<0,05) en los TA y TB (16,6±6,84 y 15,5±4,18), respecto al TT (9,16±3,81). La tasa de recuperación (TR) muestra diferencias (P<0,05) entre el TA (93,9%) respecto a los TB (56,9%) y TT (61,8%). La proporción (P<0,05) de ovocitos de calidad 1 en el TA respecto a los TB y TT fue mayor. En conclusión, la adición de levaduras en la dieta favorece la respuesta a un tratamiento de estímulo superovulatorio en ovejas púberes incrementando la tasa de ovulación y calidad de los ovocitos.

The superovulatory response of pre-pubertal or pubertal ewes fed with protein suplement that contained yeast or organic minerals was evaluated in order to obtain “in vivo” maturated oocytes. Eighteen females (7 months of age) were allocated to one of the following treatment and fed as follow: Treatment A (TA): 1 kg food with 15% PC+Yea sacc® (yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae stump 1026), dose: 5 gr/animal/day and hay ad libitum. Treatment B (TB): 1 kg food with 15% PC+Bioplex Plus® (Cultivation of live yeasts and organic minerals), dose: 4 gr/animal/day and hay ad libitum. Treatment C (TT: Control): 1 kg food with 15% PC and hay ad libitum. The estrous cycle was synchronized through the insertion of vaginal sponges with 40 mg of fluorogestone acetate (FGA) during 12 days. At day 10th of the sponges insertion 225 mg of prostaglandin F2á was administered per ewe. To induce supra-ovulation 100 mg-NIH FSHp and 500 UI eCG in a single dose were applied 36 h before the withdrawal of the sponges, and 24 h from the last application 100 µg of GnRH was also injected. The ovulation rate was measured by endoscopy and ovulated oocytes collected by flushing. The total of ovulation (TO) was greater in the TA and TB (16.6±6.84 and 15.5±4.18) treatment, than on the control TT (9.16±3.81) (P<0.05). The oocyte recovery (TR) after flashing was significantly higher in the TA (93.9%) treatment compared to TB (56.9%) and TT (61.8%). Finally, the proportion (P<0.05) of grade I oocytes in the diet supplementation in TA was in higher than the quality of oocytes in the TB and TT treatment. In conclusion, the addition of with yeasts, to supra-ovulated pre-pubertal ewes promotes ovulation rate and oocytes quality.