Strategies for the identification of precocity in zebu beef cattle based on mixed nonlinear models and multivariate approach.

The use of mixed nonlinear models reduces the residual variance by including random effects, thereby improving the estimates in growth curves. Therefore, we tested distinct mixed nonlinear models (Richards, Brody, Gompertz, Logistic, and Von Bertalanffy) to model the growth curves of Zebu cattle herds raised on pasture in Brazil. In addition, we evaluated the diversity among breeds using hierarchical cluster multivariate analysis (full linkage) based on asymptotic weight (A), maturity rate (K), absolute growth rate (AGR), and absolute maturity rate (AMR) adjusted to 205, 365, 550, and 730 days of age. Body weight data from 311,834 males and females of Guzerat, Nellore, Tabapuã, and Polled Nellore breeds provided by the Brazilian Association of Zebu Breeders were used. The Brody model considering breed-sex fixed and animal random effects was the most suitable to describe the growth in the four breeds. The Guzerat and Tabapuã males showed increased precocity (higher K values) when compared to polled Nellore and Nellore males, which were characterized by higher A and AMR values. Females were more precocious than males (high K and low A values), particularly within Tabapuã and Guzerat breeds, respectively. Regardless of sex, the highest AGR values were observed from weaning up to 2 years of age in Tabapuã and Guzerat breeds. The cluster analyses revealed two groups: (1) Polled Nellore and Nellore males with high A, AGR_205, AGR_365, AGR_550, and AGR_730 values, represented by large adult animals, and (2) males and females of Guzerat and Tabapuã, characterized as animals of increased precocity. A subgroup encompassing males of Guzerat and Tabapuã was also observed, with intermediate values ​​for all parameters. This information is useful to help breeders and producers in strategies for feeding management and defining the most precocious beef cattle breed to increase the economic gains in pasture-based raising systems.

Phenotypic differences for growth, feed efficiency, and age of first calving of Brazilian zebu females.

This study investigated phenotypic differences of zebu females from four breeds using variables of growth, feed efficiency, and age at first calving. Weights throughout the life were recorded, and a growth curve was fitted using the Gompertz model. The growth was also evaluated at standardized ages (205, 365, and 550 days) using the body weight and the total and daily weight gains. The Kleiber index and age at first calving were used as measures of feed efficiency and sexual precocity, respectively, totaling 25 variables. New variables were created using the factor analysis and used in new multivariate analyzes. Only six factors explained 95.41% of the total variance and were used for the subsequent analyses. The factors were defined as maturity, precocity, feed efficiency postweaning, feed efficiency post 1 year of age, puberty, and birth weight. There were differences between breeds according to the multivariate analysis of variance. Each breed appeared in a quadrant on the Biplot graph, showing relationship with different factors, demonstrating the diversity of zebu females. There is a difference in growth, feed efficiency, and sexual precocity in Brazilian zebu females, allowing the identification of potentials of the animals and help breeders and decision-makers.

Non-hierarchical cluster analysis for determination of resistance to worm infection in meat sheep.

The aim of this study was to determine the resistance to worm infection in Santa Inês sheep by combining different sets of gastrointestinal parasite resistance indicator traits, using the k-means algorithm. Records from 221 animals reared in the Mid-North sub-region of Brazil were used. The following phenotypes were used: hematocrit (HCT); white blood cell count; red blood cell count (RBC); hemoglobin (HGB); platelets; mean corpuscular hemoglobin; mean corpuscular volume; mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration; fecal egg count (FEC); coloration of the ocular mucosa (FAMACHA score); body condition score (BCS); withers height; and rump height. Two files with phenotypic information of animals were edited: complete, including all traits, and reduced, in which only FAMACHA score, HCT, FEC, and BCS were used. For determination of worm resistance, three groups were formed using the k-means non-hierarchical clustering by combining the traits of the complete and reduced analyses. The animals of the group in which individuals had the lowest values for FEC and FAMACHA score, as well as the highest values for HCT, RBC, HGB, and BCS were classified as resistant. In the group with opposite values for the aforementioned traits, the animals were classified as sensitive. The animals of the group with values between the other two groups were classified as moderately resistant. The results obtained in complete and reduced analyses were equivalent. Thus, it is possible to identify animals of the Santa Inês sheep breed according to their status of resistance to worm infection based on a reduced trait set.

A retirada dos urólitos de oxalato de cálcio e desobstrução da uretra através da realização da técnica cirúrgica uretrostomia em cães: relato de caso / Removal of calcium oxalate uroliths and urethral clearing through urethrostomy in dogs: case report / La retirada de urólitos de oxalato de calcio y desobstrucción de la uretra a través de realización de la técnica quirúrgica urestrostomía en perros: relato de caso

A uretra do macho é uma continuação do sistema de ductos, originada de um óstio interno no colo da bexiga urinária e estendida até o orifício peniano uretral externo na extremidade livre do pênis. Relata-se um caso de um canino, macho, SRD, de três anos, pesando 12 kg. Foi atendido no Hospital Veterinário Universitário "Jeremias Pereira da Silva" - HVU/UFPI, na área de Clínica Médica e Cirúrgica de cães e gatos. O mesmo apresentava manifestações clínicas como: dificuldade de locomoção, disúria, inapetência, hematúria, anúria, agressividade, dor abdominal, apatia e emagrecimento progressivo. A conduta clínica adotada diante do caso, após o resultado dos exames complementares que confirmaram o diagnostico inicial, indicativo de obstrução uretral total por urólitos de oxalato de cálcio, devido ao insucesso das tentativas clínicas de desobstrução foi optar pela técnica cirúrgica uretrostomia. Decorrido dez dias da cirurgia, o animal retornou para retirada dos pontos, apresentando-se em bom estado, alimentando-se bem, fluxo urinário constante (sem sangue), e andando normalmente. A urolitíase deve ser diagnosticada e tratada o mais previamente possível, uma vez que a doença se complica no avançar dos sinais clínicos, podendo ocasionar casos mais complexos, como obstruções urinárias severas e até morte do animal.(AU)

The male urethra is a continuation of the duct system originated from an internal ostium inside the bladder and extends to the external urethral penile hole at the free end of the penis. This is a case study of a 3-year old male mongrel dog weighing 12 kg. The dog was attended at the University Veterinary Hospital "Jeremias Pereira da Silva" ­ HVU/UFPI in the Clinical and Surgical Practice of dogs and cats. It presented clinical manifestations such as difficulty in walking, dysuria, loss of appetite, hematuria, anuria, aggressiveness, abdominal pain, lethargy and progressive weight loss. An urethrostomy was the clinical approach adopted for the case, after the laboratory tests confirmed the initial diagnosis of total urethral obstruction by calcium oxalate uroliths due to the failure of clinical unblocking attempts. Ten days after the surgery, the animal returned to the clinic to remove the stitches, and presented a good condition, feeding well, with a constant urine flow (no blood), and walking normally. Urolithiasis must be diagnosed and treated as early as possible, since the disease complicates itself with the worsening of the clinical signs, which may result in more complex cases, such as severe urinary obstruction and even the death of the animal.(AU)

La uretra del macho es una continuación del sistema de ductos, originada de un ostium interno en el cuello de la vejiga urinaria y se extiende hasta el orificio uretral externo en la extremidad libre del pene. Presentamos un caso de un canino, macho, SRD, de tres años, con un peso de 12 kg. Fue atendido en el Hospital Veterinario de la Universidad "Jeremías Pereira da Silva" - HVU/UFPI, en el campo de Clínica Médica y Quirúrgica de perros y gatos. Lo mismo presentaba manifestaciones clínicas como: dificultad para caminar, disuria, pérdida de apetito, hematuria, anuria, agresividad, dolor abdominal, letargo y pérdida progresiva de peso. La conducta clínica adoptada delante el caso, tras el resultado de los exámenes complementarios que confirmaron el diagnóstico inicial, indicativo de obstrucción uretral total de cálculos de oxalato de calcio, debido al fracaso de las tentativas clínicas de desbloqueo cupo optar por uretrostomía, técnica quirúrgica. Después de diez días de la cirugía el animal volvió para retirada de los puntos de sutura, presentándose en buen estado, alimentándose bien, flujo de orina constante (sin sangre), y caminando normalmente. La urolitiasis debe ser diagnosticada y tratada cuanto antes posible, ya que la enfermedad se complica con el avance de los signos clínicos, pudiendo causar casos más complejos, como obstrucciones urinarias severas e incluso la muerte del animal.(AU)