Short communication: Genetic parameter estimates for caprine arthritis encephalitis in dairy goats.

Caprine arthritis encephalitis (CAE) is a chronic disease caused by a retrovirus from the Lentivirus genus. No effective vaccines or treatments exist, and therefore genetic selection for CAE resistance might be a feasible alternative. To our best knowledge, no other studies have investigated the genetic architecture of CAE resistance in dairy goats. In this context, this study was designed to estimate genetic parameters for CAE infection in Alpine and Saanen goats using a Bayesian threshold model. A total of 542 adult goats (and >3-generation pedigree), which were group-housed in a population with high CAE prevalence, were tested based on a serological infection assessment test (negative = 1 or positive = 2) and used for this study. Genetic parameters were estimated using the BLUPF90 family programs. There was considerable genetic variability for CAE resistance, and pedigree-based heritability was significantly different from zero (0.026 < heritability < 0.128). Our findings indicate that the prevalence of CAE in goat herds can be reduced or eliminated through direct genetic selection for CAE resistance in addition to proper management strategies.

The ontogenetic allometry of body morphology and chemical composition in dairy goat wethers.

We studied the ontogenetic growth of goat wethers (castrated male goats) of the Saanen and Swiss Alpine breeds based on a large range of intraspecific body mass (BM). The body parts and the chemical constituents of the empty body were described by the allometric function by using BM and the empty body mass (EBM) as the predictors for morphological traits and chemical composition, respectively. We fitted the allometric scaling function by applying the SAS NLMIXED procedure, but to evaluate assumptions regarding variances in morphological and compositional traits, we combined the scaling function with homoscedastic (MOD1), and the heteroscedastic exponential (MOD2) and power-of-the-mean (MOD3) variance functions. We also predicted the ontogenetic growth by using the traditional log-log transformation and back-transformed results into the arithmetic scale (MOD4). We obtained predictions from MOD4 in the arithmetic scale by a two-step process, and evaluated MOD1, MOD2 and MOD3 by a model selection framework, and compared MOD4 with MOD1, MOD2 and MOD3 based on goodness-of-fit measures. Based on information criteria for model selection, heterogeneous variance functions were more likely to describe 10 over 36 traits with a low level of model selection uncertainty. One trait was predicted by averaging the MOD1 and MOD2 variance functions; and nine traits were better described by averaging the MOD2 and MOD3 variance functions. The predictions for other 16 traits were averaged from MOD1, MOD2 and MOD3. However, MOD4 better described 11 traits according to the goodness-of-fit measures. Depending on the variable being analyzed, the body parts and the chemical amounts exhibited the three types of allometric behavior with respect to BM and EBM, that is, positive, negative and isometric ontogenetic growth. Reference BMs, that is, 20, 27, 35 and 45 kg, were used to compute the net protein and energy requirements based on the first derivative of the scaling function, and the results were presented in reference to the EBM and EBM0.75. Both the net protein and energy requirements scaled to EBM0.75 increased from 20 to 45 kg of BM.

Influência da condição corporal ao parto no balanço energético e desempenho reprodutivo de cabras leiteiras no pós-parto / Influence of body condition at calving on energy balance and reproductive performance of dairy goats in the postpartum

O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a influência da condição corporal (CC) ao parto no balanço energético (BE) e o desempenho reprodutivo de cabras Alpinas no pós-parto. Foram utilizadas 68 cabras distribuídas em três grupos (G), sendo: G1- cabras com baixa CC (CC entre 1,5 e 2,5); G2: cabras com moderada CC (entre 2,75 e 3,5) e G3: cabras com alta CC (entre 3,75 e 5,0). Os animais receberam dieta (silagem de milho e concentrado, com 18% de proteína bruta e 1,7Mcal/kg de matéria seca de energia líquida) ad libitum. As avaliações foram feitas nas oito primeiras semanas de lactação, para determinação do BE, do intervalo do parto à primeira ovulação e ao primeiro estro e da concentração plasmática de progesterona. Os dados foram analisados por análise de variância a 5% de probabilidade. Não houve efeito da CC ao parto sobre o BE dos animais. Todas as cabras apresentaram BE negativo ao parto, com mudança para BE positivo aos 51, 58 e 64 dias pós-parto, respectivamente. Não houve diferença na concentração plasmática de progesterona nos três grupos, sendo caracterizada função luteal (concentração ≥1ng/dL) em apenas 5,9% dos animais avaliados. O intervalo do parto à primeira ovulação foi de 46 dias. Apenas 4,4% das cabras exibiram estro. Cabras leiteiras de média produção, entre 2,5 e 3,0kg de leite/dia, entram em BE negativo ao parto, independentemente da CC apresentada, influenciando negativamente o reinício da atividade ovariana no pós-parto.(AU)

The concentration of progesterone in the blood was used to study the effect of body condition score (BCS) on the post-partum ovarian activity of dairy goats. Sixty-eight female goats were distributed between three treatments. Treatment 1: goats with BCS between 1.00 and 2.75; Treatment 2: goats with BCS between 2.75 and 3.50; and Treatment 3: goats with BCS between 3.50 and 5.00. The goats had the blood collected immediately after birth, and from that time up to the eighth week post-partum at three day intervals. The progesterone analysis on the blood was used to determine the interval between the birth and the first ovulation. The females were teasing two times per day for estrus detection and determination of the time interval from birth to first estrus. No significant difference was found on the progesterone concentration between treatments. The luteal functionality was characterized in only 5.9% of goats, with a concentration higher than 1ng/mL. The period from birth to first ovulation was 46 days. The detectable estrus was found in only 4.4% of goats. The BCS at birth did not influence the recovery of ovarian activity of dairy goats.(AU)

Influência da condição corporal ao parto no balanço energético e desempenho reprodutivo de cabras leiteiras no pós-parto / Influence of body condition at calving on energy balance and reproductive performance of dairy goats in the postpartum

O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a influência da condição corporal (CC) ao parto no balanço energético (BE) e o desempenho reprodutivo de cabras Alpinas no pós-parto. Foram utilizadas 68 cabras distribuídas em três grupos (G), sendo: G1- cabras com baixa CC (CC entre 1,5 e 2,5); G2: cabras com moderada CC (entre 2,75 e 3,5) e G3: cabras com alta CC (entre 3,75 e 5,0). Os animais receberam dieta (silagem de milho e concentrado, com 18% de proteína bruta e 1,7Mcal/kg de matéria seca de energia líquida) ad libitum. As avaliações foram feitas nas oito primeiras semanas de lactação, para determinação do BE, do intervalo do parto à primeira ovulação e ao primeiro estro e da concentração plasmática de progesterona. Os dados foram analisados por análise de variância a 5% de probabilidade. Não houve efeito da CC ao parto sobre o BE dos animais. Todas as cabras apresentaram BE negativo ao parto, com mudança para BE positivo aos 51, 58 e 64 dias pós-parto, respectivamente. Não houve diferença na concentração plasmática de progesterona nos três grupos, sendo caracterizada função luteal (concentração ≥1ng/dL) em apenas 5,9% dos animais avaliados. O intervalo do parto à primeira ovulação foi de 46 dias. Apenas 4,4% das cabras exibiram estro. Cabras leiteiras de média produção, entre 2,5 e 3,0kg de leite/dia, entram em BE negativo ao parto, independentemente da CC apresentada, influenciando negativamente o reinício da atividade ovariana no pós-parto.(AU)

The concentration of progesterone in the blood was used to study the effect of body condition score (BCS) on the post-partum ovarian activity of dairy goats. Sixty-eight female goats were distributed between three treatments. Treatment 1: goats with BCS between 1.00 and 2.75; Treatment 2: goats with BCS between 2.75 and 3.50; and Treatment 3: goats with BCS between 3.50 and 5.00. The goats had the blood collected immediately after birth, and from that time up to the eighth week post-partum at three day intervals. The progesterone analysis on the blood was used to determine the interval between the birth and the first ovulation. The females were teasing two times per day for estrus detection and determination of the time interval from birth to first estrus. No significant difference was found on the progesterone concentration between treatments. The luteal functionality was characterized in only 5.9% of goats, with a concentration higher than 1ng/mL. The period from birth to first ovulation was 46 days. The detectable estrus was found in only 4.4% of goats. The BCS at birth did not influence the recovery of ovarian activity of dairy goats.(AU)

Adenoviruses of canine and human origins in stool samples from free-living pampas foxes (Lycalopex gymnocercus) and crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) in São Francisco de Paula, Rio dos Sinos basin.

The spread of enteric viruses of domestic animals and human beings to wild species can be facilitated by the resistance of these viruses on the environment and their ability to be transmitted by water and contaminated food. The health status of the populations of pampas foxes Lycalopex gymnocercus) and crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) is largely unknown and the landscapes occupied by these animals in southern Brazil have been threatened by human occupation and expansion of agriculture. In this work, the search of genomes of human and canine adenoviruses in feces from these wild carnivores was used to track the dissemination of domestic animals and human pathogens to the free-living populations in a wildlife reserve located in southern Brazil. This was performed by virus-specific differential real-time polymerase chain reactions (qPCR) on stool specimens, avoiding capture and additional stress to the animals. Genus-specific conventional reverse-transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) was complementarily performed aiming the detection of enteroviruses (EV) and rotaviruses (RV) on these same samples. HAdV genomes were found on 14 out of the 17 (82.35%) stool samples analysed, whereas CAV was found co-infecting 5 of these samples. RV genomes were detected on 7 of the 17 samples (41.18%) and all samples were negative for EV. The results point to the dispersion of HAdV and RV at a high rate to these species of South American wild carnivores, which can be an effect of growing anthropisation of the habitat of these animals.

Monitoring of metals, organic compounds and coliforms in water catchment points from the Sinos River basin.

Unplanned use and occupation of the land without respecting its capacity of assimilation and environmental purification leads to the degradation of the environment and of water used for human consumption. Agricultural areas, industrial plants and urban centres developed without planning and the control of effluent discharges are the main causes of water pollution in river basins that receive all the liquid effluents produced in those places. Over the last decades, environmental management has become part of governmental agendas in search of solutions for the preservation of water quality and the restoration of already degraded resources. This study evaluated the conditions of the main watercourse of the Sinos River basin by monitoring the main physical, chemical and microbiological parameters described in the CONAMA Resolution no. 357/2005.The set of parameters evaluated at five catchment points of water human consumption revealed a river that has different characteristics in each reach, as the upper reach was class 1, whereas the middle and lower reaches of the basin were class 4. Monitoring pointed to households as the main sources of pollutants in those reaches, although metals used in the industrial production of the region were found in the samples analyzed.

Moving beyond classical markers of water quality: detection of enteric viruses and genotoxicity in water of the Sinos River.

It is well recognized that the classical biological and chemical markers of environmental pollution do not necessarily indicate the presence or absence of emerging threats to public health, such as waterborne viruses and genotoxicants. The purpose of this preliminary study was to evaluate the presence of material of enteroviruses (EV), rotavirus (RV) and adenovirus (AdV) and genotoxicity in water samples from points of routine monitoring of water quality in the main course of the Sinos River. The points are classified into different levels of pollution in accordance to the Brazilian federal regulations. Viral genomes from EV, AdV were detected in two of the 4 collection points regardless of the level of urbanisation of the surrounding areas. In contrast, genotoxicity was not observed in piava (Leporinus obtusidens) fingerlings cultivated on these same water samples. Results were compared with classical physical, chemical and microbiological parameters. There was no clear evidence of association between any of the classical markers and the presence of viral genomes in the water samples tested.

Adenoviruses of canine and human origins in stool samples from free-living pampas foxes (Lycalopex gymnocercus) and crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) in São Francisco de Paula, Rio dos Sinos basin / Adenovírus de origens canina e humana em fezes de graxains (Lycalopex gymnocercus) e cachorros-do-mato (Cerdocyon thous) de vida livre em São Francisco de Paula, bacia do Rio dos Sinos

The spread of enteric viruses of domestic animals and human beings to wild species can be facilitated by the resistance of these viruses on the environment and their ability to be transmitted by water and contaminated food. The health status of the populations of pampas foxes (Lycalopex gymnocercus) and crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) is largely unknown and the landscapes occupied by these animals in southern Brazil have been threatened by human occupation and expansion of agriculture. In this work, the search of genomes of human and canine adenoviruses in feces from these wild carnivores was used to track the dissemination of domestic animals and human pathogens to the free-living populations in a wildlife reserve located in southern Brazil. This was performed by virus-specific differential real-time polymerase chain reactions (qPCR) on stool specimens, avoiding capture and additional stress to the animals. Genus-specific conventional reverse-transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) was complementarily performed aiming the detection of enteroviruses (EV) and rotaviruses (RV) on these same samples. HAdV genomes were found on 14 out of the 17 (82.35%) stool samples analysed, whereas CAV was found co-infecting 5 of these samples. RV genomes were detected on 7 of the 17 samples (41.18%) and all samples were negative for EV. The results point to the dispersion of HAdV and RV at a high rate to these species of South American wild carnivores, which can be an effect of growing anthropisation of the habitat of these animals.(AU)

A disseminação de vírus entéricos de animais domésticos e seres humanos para espécies selvagens pode ser facilitada pela resistência desses vírus no ambiente e sua capacidade de ser transmitida por água e alimentos contaminados. O estado de saúde das populações de Graxains-do-campo (Lycalopex gymnocercus) e Cachorros-do-mato (Cerdocyon thous) é em grande parte desconhecida e as paisagens ocupadas por estes animais no sul do Brasil têm sido ameaçadas pela ocupação humana e a expansão da agricultura. Neste trabalho, utilizou-se a pesquisa de genomas de adenovírus humanos (HAdV ) e caninos (CAV-1 e -2) em amostras fezes desses carnívoros selvagens com vistas a diagnosticar a disseminação de patógenos de animais domésticos e seres humanos às populações de vida livre em uma reserva de vida selvagem, localizado no sul do Brasil. Foram realizadas reações em cadeia da polimerase diferenciais e em tempo real (qPCR) de adenovírus específicos em amostras de fezes, evitando a captura e estresse adicional para os animais. PCRs gênero-específicas convencionais com transcrição reversa prévia (RT-PCR) foram ainda realizadas visando a detecção de enterovírus (EV) e rotavírus (RV) nestas mesmas amostras. Genomas de HAdV foram encontrados em 14 a 17 amostras de fezes (82.35%) analisados, Considerando que o CAV foi encontrado coinfectando 5 destas amostras. Genomas de RV foram detectados em 7 das 17 amostras (41.18%) e todas as amostras foram negativas para EV. Os resultados apontam para a dispersão de HAdV e RV em uma taxa elevada para estas espécies de carnívoros selvagens sul-americanas, que podem ser um efeito da crescente antropização do habitat desses animais.(AU)

Moving beyond classical markers of water quality: detection of enteric viruses and genotoxicity in water of the Sinos River / Indo além dos marcadores clássicos de qualidade da água: detecção de vírus entéricos e genotoxicidade na água do Rio dos Sinos

It is well recognized that the classical biological and chemical markers of environmental pollution do not necessarily indicate the presence or absence of emerging threats to public health, such as waterborne viruses and genotoxicants. The purpose of this preliminary study was to evaluate the presence of material of enteroviruses (EV), rotavirus (RV) and adenovirus (AdV) and genotoxicity in water samples from points of routine monitoring of water quality in the main course of the Sinos River. The points are classified into different levels of pollution in accordance to the Brazilian federal regulations. Viral genomes from EV, AdV were detected in two of the 4 collection points regardless of the level of urbanisation of the surrounding areas. In contrast, genotoxicity was not observed in piava (Leporinus obtusidens) fingerlings cultivated on these same water samples. Results were compared with classical physical, chemical and microbiological parameters. There was no clear evidence of association between any of the classical markers and the presence of viral genomes in the water samples tested.(AU)

É amplamente reconhecido que os marcadores biológicos e químicos clássicos para a poluição ambiental não necessariamente indicam a presença ou ausência de ameaças emergentes à saúde pública, tais como vírus transmitidos pela água e genotoxicantes. Este estudo preliminar teve por objetivo detectar material genético de enterovírus (EV), rotavírus (RV) e adenovírus (AdV) e genotoxicidade em amostras de água de pontos de monitoramento de rotina da qualidade da água no curso principal do rio dos Sinos. Os pontos são classificados em níveis diferentes de poluição, de acordo com as normativas federais brasileiras. Genomas virais de EV, RV e RV foram detectados em dois dos quatro pontos de coleta, independente do nível de urbanização das áreas adjacentes. Por outro lado, não foi observada genotoxicidade em alevinos de piava (Leporinus obtusidens) cultivados nestas mesmas amostras de água. Os resultados são comparados com marcadores físicos, químicos e microbiológicos clássicos, não há nenhuma evidência clara da associação entre qualquer um dos marcadores clássicos e da presença de genomas virais nas amostras de água testadas.(AU)

Monitoring of metals, organic compounds and coliforms in water catchment points from the Sinos River basin / Monitoramento de metais, compostos orgânicos e coliforms em pontos de captação de água da bacia hidrográfica do Rio dos Sinos

Unplanned use and occupation of the land without respecting its capacity of assimilation and environmental purification leads to the degradation of the environment and of water used for human consumption. Agricultural areas, industrial plants and urban centres developed without planning and the control of effluent discharges are the main causes of water pollution in river basins that receive all the liquid effluents produced in those places. Over the last decades, environmental management has become part of governmental agendas in search of solutions for the preservation of water quality and the restoration of already degraded resources. This study evaluated the conditions of the main watercourse of the Sinos River basin by monitoring the main physical, chemical and microbiological parameters described in the CONAMA Resolution no. 357/2005.The set of parameters evaluated at five catchment points of water human consumption revealed a river that has different characteristics in each reach, as the upper reach was class 1, whereas the middle and lower reaches of the basin were class 4. Monitoring pointed to households as the main sources of pollutants in those reaches, although metals used in the industrial production of the region were found in the samples analyzed. (AU)

O uso e ocupação do solo não planejados, sem respeitar sua capacidade de assimilação e de purificação ambiental, levam à degradação do ambiente e da água utilizada para consumo humano. Áreas agrícolas, plantas industriais e centros urbanos desenvolvidos sem planejamento e controle de descargas de efluentes são as principais causas de poluição da água em bacias hidrográficas que recebem todos os efluentes líquidos produzidos naqueles lugares. Nas últimas décadas, gestão ambiental tornou-se parte das agendas governamentais em busca de soluções para a preservação da qualidade da água e a restauração de recursos já degradadas. Este estudo avaliou as condições do curso de água principal da bacia do Rio dos Sinos, monitorando o principal físico, químico e microbiológicos parâmetros descritos na Resolução CONAMA n.º 357/2005. O conjunto de parâmetros avaliados em cinco pontos de captação de água para consumo humano revelou um rio que tem características diferentes em cada alcance, como o superior chegar era classe 1, Considerando que o atinge médio e inferior da bacia foram classe 4. monitoramento apontado famílias como as principais fontes de poluentes naqueles atinge, apesar de metais utilizados na produção industrial da região foram encontrados nas amostras analisadas.(AU)

Genetic evaluation of milk yield in Alpine goats for the first four lactations using random regression models.

Random regression models have been used in evaluating test-day milk yield, providing accurate estimates of genetic values in animals. However, herd evaluation with only information from the first lactation may not be the best option from an economic perspective. Other factors should be taken into account, particularly other lactations. Our objective in this study was to analyze the genetic divergence between the first four lactations of Alpine goats. The RENPED software was used to perform descriptive statistics, check for errors in pedigree, recode the data, and for Pearson's and Spearman's correlations. The WOMBAT software was used to estimate the variance components and predict the breeding values. The CALC software was adopted to calculate the percentage of coincidence between the ranking of the animals and the animals kept in common at each lactation evaluation. The results show that selection using only the first lactation in small herds with a low degree of technology can be employed as a palliative measure, in view of the difficulty in evaluating all lactations. However, the selection of breeding goats and the production of catalogues should not be based only on the first lactation, because the results demonstrate inversions in the classification of the best breeders when other lactations are analyzed.

Dynamics of chromosomal evolution in the genus Hypsiboas (Anura: Hylidae).

Hylidae is one of the most species-rich families of anurans, and 40% of representatives in this group occur in Brazil. In spite of such remarkable diversity, little is known about this family and its taxonomical and systematic features. Most hylids have 2n = 24, even though most of the cytogenetic data are mainly obtained based on the conventional chromosomal staining and are available for only 16% of Hypsiboas species, a genus accounting for about 10% of the hylid diversity. In this study, cytogenetic data of distinct species and populations of Hypsiboas were analyzed, and the evolutionary dynamics of chromosomal macro- and microstructure of these amphibians were discussed. Contrary to the conservativeness of 2n = 24, this genus is characterized by a high variation of chromosomal morphology with as much as 8 karyotype patterns. Differences in the number and location of nucleolus organizer regions and C-bands allowed the identification of geographical variants within nominal species and cytotaxonomical chromosomal markers. Comparative analyses revealed a strong phylogeographic relationship between chromosomal patterns in this group.

Assessment of the heterogeneous ruminal fiber pool and development of a mathematical approach for predicting the mean retention time of feeds in goats.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate ruminal fiber stratification and to develop a mathematical approach for predicting the mean retention time (MRT) of forage and concentrates in goats. A dataset from 3 studies was used that contained information regarding fiber and lignin intake as well as ruminal content and the kinetics of fiber passage for forage and concentrates. The kinetic information was obtained through pulse dose and the fecal concentration measurement of forage and concentrate markers in the same animals that were used to measure ruminal content. The evaluation of heterogeneous fiber pools in the rumen was performed using the Lucas' test assumptions, and the marker excretion profiles were interpreted using a model known in the literature as GNG1. The GNG1 model assumes an age-dependent fractional rate for the transfer of particles from the raft to the escapable pool in the rumen (λ(r); h(-1)) and an age-independent fractional rate for the escape of particles from the escapable pool to the remaining parts of the stomach (k(e); h(-1)). The equations used to predict the MRT for forage and concentrate fiber were developed using stepwise regression. A sensitivity analysis was conducted using a Monte Carlo simulation to investigate the relationships between the dependent and independent variables and between forage and concentrate passage rates. The Lucas' test yields goodness-of-fit estimates for NDF analysis; however, the homogeneous fiber pool approach could not be applied because a positive intercept (P < 0.05) was identified for lignin ruminal content. The stepwise regression model for MRT estimation had an approximate coefficient of determination and a root mean square error (RMSE) for forage of 0.53 and 9.78 h, respectively, and for concentrate of 0.49 and 5.86 h, respectively. The sensitivity analysis yielded a mean rate of passage (k(p)) value for forage of 0.0322 h(-1) (0.0158 to 0.0556 h(-1)) with 99% confidence interval. For the concentrate, the mean k(p) value was of 0.0334 h(-1) (0.0146 to 0.0570 h(-1)). A heterogeneous ruminal fiber pool should be assumed for goats fed diets with considerable fiber contents. The results of the sensitivity analysis indicated that both λ(r) and k(e) are of similar importance to the rate of passage in goats. The rates of passage of forage and concentrates in goats present a high degree of overlap and are closely related.

Genetic evaluation of Alpine goats using different milk control intervals.

The objective of this study was to compare the results of genetic evaluations by using different milk control intervals to reduce the cost of milk yield controls without harming the quality of genetic evaluation of the animals. We analyzed test day milk yield data from the Goat Sector of Universidade Federal de Viçosa. After editing and checking for errors in the database, there were 20,710 records of test day milk yield for the 667 first lactations of Alpine goats, constituting the complete file, with 7-day control intervals. Information on specific weeks was excluded from the complete file to create files with data on control intervals of 15, 21, and 28 days. The RENPED program was used to recode the pedigree and data files and correct pedigree errors; the WOMBAT program was used for genetic evaluations of the 4 files. The following comparison criteria of analysis results were used: logarithm of the function of the restricted maximum likelihood, length of the analyses in seconds, Pearson and Spearman correlations, and common elimination percentage among the areas below the regression curve of the genetic values of the animals. Overall, it is recommended that a 7-day interval among milk controls should be used in breeding programs and farms with a high technical level. Intervals of 14 and 21 days can achieve satisfactory results combined with a lower data collection cost for farms with an average-to-low technical level, less effective size, and genetic variability that depend on external genetic material for genetic improvement.

Factors that influence the test day milk yield and composition.

The objective of this research was to study the factors that influence the test day milk yield (TDMY) and percentages of protein, fat, lactose, and total dry extract obtained on test day. We evaluated 110,732 weekly milk production records from 1496 goats and 19,271 monthly milk constituent records from 1245 Alpine and Saanen goats, which were collected from 1997 to 2010 in the goat sector at Universidade Federal de Viçosa. To ensure greater record reliability, only lactation data with kidding order between 1 to 6, type of kidding data including 0 to 3 kids, milk control years after 1997, and genetic groupings other than types 7 or 9 were considered, due to the relative lack of information recorded for some classes of these factors. Data in which the reported milk days were less than 7 or greater than 315 were also eliminated. Goats aged greater than 300 days at calving and those aged less than 6 years at control were considered in this study. Milk production was higher in the dry season in comparison to the rainy season. Genetic grouping did not influence all traits in both breedings. The TDMY tended to increase along with increasing age of the goats at kidding, while the opposite trend was observed relative to kidding order. Factors that significantly influenced all of the studied traits varied, and the factors that significantly influenced each trait were altered between the relationship of Alpine and Saanen breeds. Thus, the analysis of factors that influence traits to be evaluated in the herd under study is critical for defining the best evaluation model.

Random regression models using Legendre orthogonal polynomials to evaluate the milk production of Alpine goats.

The objective of this study was to identify the best random regression model using Legendre orthogonal polynomials to evaluate Alpine goats genetically and to estimate the parameters for test day milk yield. On the test day, we analyzed 20,710 records of milk yield of 667 goats from the Goat Sector of the Universidade Federal de Viçosa. The evaluated models had combinations of distinct fitting orders for polynomials (2-5), random genetic (1-7), and permanent environmental (1-7) fixed curves and a number of classes for residual variance (2, 4, 5, and 6). WOMBAT software was used for all genetic analyses. A random regression model using the best Legendre orthogonal polynomial for genetic evaluation of milk yield on the test day of Alpine goats considered a fixed curve of order 4, curve of genetic additive effects of order 2, curve of permanent environmental effects of order 7, and a minimum of 5 classes of residual variance because it was the most economical model among those that were equivalent to the complete model by the likelihood ratio test. Phenotypic variance and heritability were higher at the end of the lactation period, indicating that the length of lactation has more genetic components in relation to the production peak and persistence. It is very important that the evaluation utilizes the best combination of fixed, genetic additive and permanent environmental regressions, and number of classes of heterogeneous residual variance for genetic evaluation using random regression models, thereby enhancing the precision and accuracy of the estimates of parameters and prediction of genetic values.

Phylogeographic structure and karyotypic diversity of the Brazilian shrew mouse ( Blarinomys breviceps, Sigmodontinae) in the Atlantic Forest.

Blarinomys breviceps possesses cryptic and burrowing habits with poorly documented genetics and life history traits. Due to its rarity, only a few specimens and DNA sequences have been deposited in collections worldwide. Here, we present the most comprehensive cytogenetic and molecular characterization of this rare genus. Phylogenetic analyses based on partial cytochrome b sequences were performed, attempting to establish the relationships among individuals with distinct karyotypes along the geographic distribution of the genus in the Atlantic Forest. Classical and molecular cytogenetics, using banding patterns and FISH of telomeric and whole chromosome X-specific painting probes (obtained from the Akodontini Akodon cursor) were used to characterize and compare the chromosomal complements. Molecular phylogenetic analyses recovered 2 main geographically structured clades, northeastern and southeastern with pairwise sequence divergences among specimens varying between 4.9 and 8.4%. Eight distinct karyomorphs are described: (A) 2n = 52 (50A, XX), (B) 2n = 52 (48A, XY+2Bs), (C) 2n = 45 (42A, XY+1B), (D) 2n = 43 (37A, XX+4Bs), (E) 2n = 37 (34A, XY+1B), (F) 2n = 34 (32A, XX), (G) 2n = 31 (27A, XX+2Bs), (H) 2n = 28 (26A, XY), all with the same number of autosomal arms (FN(A) = 50). Variation of 0-4 supernumerary chromosomes (Bs) presenting heterogeneity in morphology and distribution of interstitial telomeric sequences (ITSs) is reported. ITSs are also found in some metacentric autosomes. The phylogeographic separation between 2 major lineages with high levels of genetic divergence, and the wide karyotypic diversity indicate that B. breviceps is a diverse group that warrants taxonomic re-evaluation.

Genetic and environmental factors that influence production and quality of milk of Alpine and Saanen goats.

Data from 1279 lactations of 783 Alpine and Saanen goats of the herd of our university in Minas Gerais, Brazil, were used to study environmental effects on and to estimate genetic parameters for milk production until 270 days of lactation (MP270) and for production and percentages of fat (PFAT and %FAT), protein (PPROT and %PROT), lactose (PLACT and %LACT), and total dry extract (PEXTR and %EXTR). Environmental effects were estimated by a statistical model that included contemporary group effect, type of kidding, genetic grouping, and kidding order. A multi-trait animal model with animal and permanent environment random effects was used to estimate genetic parameters and the significant environmental effects (fixed). Contemporary group influenced all traits; genetic grouping did not influence %LACT; type of kidding did not influence PFAT, %PROT or %LACT, and kidding order did not influence %FAT or %EXTR. Heritability and repeatability estimates were, respectively, 0.19 and 0.37 (MP270); 0.10 and 0.20 (PFAT); 0.12 and 0.24 (PPROT); 0.15 and 0.27 (PLACT); 0.13 and 0.24 (PEXTR); 0.21 and 0.34 (%FAT); 0.39 and 0.44 (%PROT); 0.17 and 0.29 (%LACT); 0.31 and 0.47 (%EXTR). Estimates of genetic correlations among MP270 and production of milk constituents were positive and high, but correlations between MP270 and %FAT, MP270 and %PROT, MP270 and %ESTR were moderate and negative. These heritability estimates show that satisfactory genetic gains can be obtained by selection, especially for milk constituents.

Efeito da autocorrelação residual na avaliação genética de cabras para a produção de leite e para o formato da curva de lactação / Effect of residual autocorrelation in the genetic evaluation of goats for milk yield and the shape of the lactation curve

Avaliou-se o efeito da autocorrelação residual sobre a qualidade das estimativas dos parâmetros genéticos para produção total de leite (PL) e para os coeficientes a, b e c do modelo de Wood e, consequentemente, sobre a classificação dos animais para estas características. O modelo de Wood foi ajustado às lactações de cabras considerando-se três situações de estrutura residual: (EI) - erros independentes, (AR1) - erros autorregressivos de primeira ordem e (EI - AR1) - erros AR1 somente para as lactações que apresentaram autocorrelação residual significativa e EI para as demais. As estimativas dos coeficientes a, b e c e PL foram utilizadas como variáveis dependentes em um modelo animal multicaracterístico, o qual incluiu os efeitos aleatórios de animal e de ambiente permanente e os efeitos fixos de grupo contemporâneo, número de crias por parto, grupos genéticos e ordem de parto, além das covariáveis duração da lactação e a idade da cabra ao parto. As diferentes estruturas residuais afetaram as estimativas dos parâmetros genéticos e as classificações dos animais para as características estudadas. Portanto, a seleção dos animais pode ser modificada pela presença da autocorrelação residual, sendo a estrutura EI-AR1 uma alternativa para contornar este problema.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the residual autocorrelation effect on the estimates of genetic parameters for total milk yield (MY) and the coefficients a, b and c of Wood's model and, consequently, the animal's classification for these traits. Wood's model was fitted to the lactation of goats considering three cases of residual structure: (IE) - independent errors, (AR1) - first order autoregressive errors, and (IE - AR1) - AR1 errors only for lactations that had significant residual autocorrelation and IE for others. Estimates of the coefficients a, b and c and PL were used as dependent variables in a multivariate animal model, which included the random effects of animal and permanent environmental and fixed effects of contemporary group, number of foals per birth, genetic groups and order of calving, besides the covariates of lactation length (linear) and age at parturition (linear and quadratic). The different residual structures affected the estimates of genetic parameters and the classification of animals for the traits studied. Therefore, the selection of animals can be modified with the presence of residual autocorrelation and the structure IE-AR1 is presented as an alternative to solve this problem.

Efeito da autocorrelação residual na avaliação genética de cabras para a produção de leite e para o formato da curva de lactação / Effect of residual autocorrelation in the genetic evaluation of goats for milk yield and the shape of the lactation curve

Avaliou-se o efeito da autocorrelação residual sobre a qualidade das estimativas dos parâmetros genéticos para produção total de leite (PL) e para os coeficientes a, b e c do modelo de Wood e, consequentemente, sobre a classificação dos animais para estas características. O modelo de Wood foi ajustado às lactações de cabras considerando-se três situações de estrutura residual: (EI) - erros independentes, (AR1) - erros autorregressivos de primeira ordem e (EI - AR1) - erros AR1 somente para as lactações que apresentaram autocorrelação residual significativa e EI para as demais. As estimativas dos coeficientes a, b e c e PL foram utilizadas como variáveis dependentes em um modelo animal multicaracterístico, o qual incluiu os efeitos aleatórios de animal e de ambiente permanente e os efeitos fixos de grupo contemporâneo, número de crias por parto, grupos genéticos e ordem de parto, além das covariáveis duração da lactação e a idade da cabra ao parto. As diferentes estruturas residuais afetaram as estimativas dos parâmetros genéticos e as classificações dos animais para as características estudadas. Portanto, a seleção dos animais pode ser modificada pela presença da autocorrelação residual, sendo a estrutura EI-AR1 uma alternativa para contornar este problema.(AU)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the residual autocorrelation effect on the estimates of genetic parameters for total milk yield (MY) and the coefficients a, b and c of Wood's model and, consequently, the animal's classification for these traits. Wood's model was fitted to the lactation of goats considering three cases of residual structure: (IE) - independent errors, (AR1) - first order autoregressive errors, and (IE - AR1) - AR1 errors only for lactations that had significant residual autocorrelation and IE for others. Estimates of the coefficients a, b and c and PL were used as dependent variables in a multivariate animal model, which included the random effects of animal and permanent environmental and fixed effects of contemporary group, number of foals per birth, genetic groups and order of calving, besides the covariates of lactation length (linear) and age at parturition (linear and quadratic). The different residual structures affected the estimates of genetic parameters and the classification of animals for the traits studied. Therefore, the selection of animals can be modified with the presence of residual autocorrelation and the structure IE-AR1 is presented as an alternative to solve this problem.(AU)