Effect of Caesalpinia coriaria Fruits and Soybean Oil on Finishing Lamb Performance and Meat Characteristics.

To evaluate phenolic compounds and whether the combination of a tanniferous fruit and soybean oil could improve the performance, meat characteristics, and fatty acid (FA) profile in lambs, an experiment was conducted over 40 days with twenty creole male lambs (23.71 ± 3.46 kg). The lambs were allotted in a completely randomised design, with factorial arrangement 2 × 2, with the following dietary treatments: (1) control diet, (2) 2% Caesalpinia coriaria ground fruit dry matter (DM), (3) 2% soybean oil DM, and (4) 2% Caesalpinia coriaria fruit plus 2% soybean oil. The concentration of condensed tannins (CT) in Caesalpinia coriacea was 21.71 g/kg DM. No interactions were detected (P > 0.05) among soybean oil and Caesalpinia coriaria, and there were no differences in daily gain, intake, and feed conversion. Soybean oil reduced (P < 0.05) DM digestibility (68.05 versus 59.56%). In fat from the longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) muscle, only linoleic acid presented differences (P < 0.05) between treatments. The combination of Caesalpinia coriacea fruit and soybean oil did not improve lamb performance at the included levels.

Ecology of Puma concolor (Carnivora: Felidae) in a Mexican tropical forest: adaptation to environmental disturbances / Ecología del Puma concolor (Carnivora: Felidae) en un bosque tropical mexicano: adaptación a las alteraciones ambientales

Abstract Worldwide big cats are at risk of extinction, and anthropogenic factors and natural habitat disturbances represent the biggest threats for their survival. It is essential to know the natural resources use by these predators and the way these big felids can adapt to changes. It is unknown how the puma (Puma concolor) selects and uses resources, what environmental factors determine its presence and how this species is affected by natural disturbances in Mexican tropical forests. This study was performed in the Eden ecological reserve and surroundings, in the North of Quintana Roo, Mexico, an area dominated by tropical semideciduous (medium forest) and secondary forest (acahual). Camera samplings were carried out during 2008, and from 2010 to 2012. Habitat variables, activity patterns and species associations were also spatially and temporally analyzed using achi-squared test and overlapping coefficients. General Linear Models (GLM) were used in order to determine which variables influence the presence of cougars in the study area. Cougars used vegetation and paths in different proportions as the availability of these resources. The years with more changes (P < 0.05) were 2008 and 2011. This predator was active throughout the day, but changed its activity patterns over the years. The cougar was spatio-temporally associated with six mammals and two big terrestrial birds: Pecari tajacu (∆ = 0.52), Meleagris ocellata (∆ = 0.55), Crax rubra (∆ = 0.58), Didelphis sp. (∆ = 0.64), Mazama temama (∆ = 0.66), Leopardus pardalis (∆ = 0.68), Dasypus novemcinctus (∆ = 0.73) and Panthera onca (∆ = 0.87). After testing 90 GLM models, the model with a lower AIC value described the activity patterns of prey and co-predators. The vegetation and water in the reserve were important variables for the cougar. However the variables that determined and modified the presence of the species were activity patterns of co-predators and the potential preys. The factors that negatively affected the presence of the species were fire, human presence, and habitat displacement to less favorable habitats to avoid jaguar. Rev. Biol. Trop. 66(1): 78-90. Epub 2018 March 01.

Resumen Los grandes felinos a nivel mundial se encuentran en peligro de extinción. Los factores antropogénicos y las alteraciones naturales representan una gran presión para su sobrevivencia. Es esencial conocer el efecto de estos sobre los depredadores y cómo los felinos se adaptan y usan los recursos naturales. Se desconoce el modo en que el puma (Puma concolor) selecciona y utiliza recursos, cuáles son los factores ambientales que determinan su presencia y cómo esta especie se ve afectada por alteraciones naturales en los bosques tropicales mexicanos. Este estudio se realizó en la reserva ecológica de El Edén y sus alrededores en el norte de Quintana Roo, México, área dominada por selva tropical semidecidua (selva mediana) y bosque secundario (acahual). Se realizaron muestreos con cámaras durante 2008 y 2010-2012. Las variables de hábitat, patrones de actividad y asociaciones de especies también se analizaron espacial y temporalmente mediante una prueba de chi-cuadrado y coeficientes de traslape. Se utilizaron modelos GLM para determinar qué variables influyen en la presencia de pumas en el área de estudio. El puma utiliza la vegetación y caminos en diferente proporción a la de su disponibilidad. Los años con más cambios (P <0.05) fueron 2008 y 2011. Este depredador está activo durante todo el día, pero cambió sus patrones de actividad durante los años. El puma está asociado espacio-temporalmente con siete mamíferos: Pecari tajacu (Δ = 0.52), Meleagris ocelata (Δ = 0.55), Crax rubra (Δ = 0.58), Didelphis sp. (Δ = 0.64), Mazama temama (Δ = 0.66), Leopardus pardalis (Δ = 0.68), Dasypus novemcinctus (Δ = 0.73) y Panthera onca (Δ = 0.87) y dos grandes aves terrestres. Después de probar 90 modelos GLM, el modelo con un valor menor de AIC es el de patrones de actividad de presas y co-depredadores. La vegetación y la disponibilidad de agua en la reserva son variables importantes para el puma. Sin embargo, las variables que determinan y modifican la presencia de la especie son los patrones de actividad de los co-depredadores y las presas potenciales. Los factores que afectan negativamente la presencia de la especie son el fuego, la presencia humana y el desplazamiento a habitas menos favorables para evadir al jaguar.

Partial substitution of soybean meal by Gliricidia sepium or Guazuma ulmifolia leaves in the rations of growing lambs.

The partial substitution of soybean meal by Gliricidia sepium or Guazuma ulmifolia leaves in the rations of growing lambs was evaluated at an experimental station in the dry tropics of Mexico. Sixteen weaned crossbred male Pelibuey × Blackbelly lambs (initial weight 19 ± 1.66 kg), distributed in a completely randomized design, were assigned to the following protein sources: (a) 100% soybean meal, (b) 50% soybean meal + 50% G. sepium, (c) 50 % soybean meal + 25% G. ulmifolia + 25% G. sepium, and (d) 50% soybean meal + 50% G. ulmifolia in isoproteic rations. The lambs were housed in individual pens and fed ad libitum. Substitution of protein from soybean meal with G. ulmifolia did not affect gain, intake, or feed conversion; however, the inclusion of G. sepium reduced (linear effect, P < 0.01) gain and intake and impaired feed conversion (linear effect, P < 0.01). Partial substitution up to 50% of soybean meal with 50% G. ulmifolia leaves resulted in similar growth and lamb performance, but inclusion of G. sepium leaves adversely affected lamb growth, presumably due to other factors not related to the protein content.

Supplementation with rumen-protected L-arginine-HCl increased fertility in sheep with synchronized estrus.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of L-arginine-HCl supplementation on ovulation rate, fertility, prolificacy, and serum VEGF concentrations in ewes with synchronized oestrus. Thirty Suffolk ewes with a mean body weight of 45 ± 3 kg and a mean body condition score (BCS) of 2.4 ± 0.28 were synchronized for estrus presentation with a progestin-containing sponge (20 mg Chronogest® CR) for 9 days plus PGF2-α (Lutalyse; Pfizer, USA) on day 7 after the insertion of the sponge. The ewes were divided into two groups; i.e., a control group (n = 15) that was fed on the native pasture (basal diet) and an L-arginine-HCl group (n = 15) that received 7.8 g of rumen-protected L-arginine-HCl from day 5 of the sponge insertion until day 25 after mating plus the basal diet. The L-arginine-HCl was administered daily via an esophageal probe between days 5 and 9 of the synchronization protocol and every third day subsequently. Blood samples were drawn from the jugular vein every 6 days throughout the entire experimental period. The results revealed that the L-arginine-HCl supplementation increased fertility during the synchronized estrus (P = 0.05). However, no effects were observed on the final BCS (P = 0.78), estrus presentation (P = 0.33), multiple ovulations (P = 0.24), prolificacy (P = 0.63), or serum VEGF concentration. In conclusion, L-arginine-HCl supplementation during the period used in this study increased fertility in sheep with synchronized estrus possibly due to improved embryo-fetal survival during early pregnancy.

Effect of supplementation with urea, blood meal, and rumen-protected methionine on growth performance of Holstein heifers grazing kikuyu pasture.

Supplements with corn grain, molasses cane, and different nitrogen sources were evaluated in 16 growing Hosltein heifers [227 ± 33 kg body weight (BW)] grazing kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) pasture in a 10-ha sward (rotational grazing with electric fences) during 90 days in the summer season. The nitrogen sources were urea (U); urea and blood meal (U+BM); and urea, blood meal, and rumen-protected methionine (U+BM +RPM). Heifers were randomly assigned to four experimental supplements defined as follows: control (no supplementation), U, U+BM, and U+BM +RPM. Two kilograms (as fed) of supplement was offered daily. The final BW of heifers fed U+BM +RPM was higher (P<0.05) than heifers not supplemented. The total and average daily weight gain of heifers supplemented with U+BM +RPM were higher than heifers not supplemented or supplemented with U and U+BM (P<0.05). The average daily gain of heifers supplemented with U and U+BM were higher than heifers not supplemented (P<0.05). Grass intake was not affected by supplementation, but total dry matter intake was increased by supplements with U, U+BM, and U+BM +RPM (P<0.05). Feed conversion was improved by U+BM +RPM (P<0.05). Total tract digestion was not affected by supplements. Blood urea nitrogen concentrations of heifers supplemented with U, U+BM, and U+BM +RPM were higher than heifers not supplemented (P<0.05). It is concluded that supplements with U+BM +RPM improved growth performance and feed conversion in heifers grazing kikuyu pasture.

Effect of protein supplementation on reproductive and productive performance in Bos indicus x Bos taurus heifers raised in the humid tropics of Costa Rica.

In order to evaluate the effect of protein supplementation on the productive and reproductive performance of heifers, 45 Bos indicus x Bos taurus heifers, 673 +/- 146 days of age and weighing about 340 kg, were divided into two groups. The control group (n = 23) continued without supplementation, but the supplemented group (SG; n = 22) received concentrate at a rate of 1% BW kg per day. Animals were adapted to the concentrate over a 15-day period and then supplemented for 30 days, after which estrus was synchronized using a progesterone implant. Back fat thickness (BFT) was assessed by ultrasound. The SG had better average daily weight gain than the nonsupplemented group (0.63 +/- 0.16 vs. 0.51 +/- 0.13 kg/day, P < 0.05) and tended to show a better percentage ovulation (P < 0.10, 77% vs. 57%, respectively). However, this tendency was not reflected in the final pregnancy rates. No differences were observed between groups in dry matter intake and body condition scores. SG with a high BFT (>0.70 cm) showed a better ovulation percentage than those with low BFT (<0.69 cm; P < 0.01). Additionally, the pregnancy rate of supplemented heifers with high BFT tended to be better than heifers with low BFT in this same group (67% vs. 30%, respectively, P < 0.10). It is concluded that protein supplementation improved reproductive performance and that ultrasonography to measure BFT may be used to estimate reproductive performance.