Is estradiol valerate an alternative to estradiol benzoate in promoting the synchronization of ovulation and timed artificial insemination in suckled Bos indicus beef cows?

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of estradiol valerate administered at the beginning of the ovulation synchronization protocol on the pregnancy rate of Bos indicus cows. In the experiments, the following products from MSD, Sao Paulo, Brazil were used: estradiol valerate (EV), estradiol benzoate (EB), intravaginal progesterone device (P4), estradiol cypionate (EC), equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and cloprostenol (PGF). In Experiment 1, Bos indicus cows (n=899) with a body condition score (BCS) of 2.76 ± 0.01 were included in a 3 (device) × 2 (protocol: 5 mg of EV or 2 mg of EB) factorial design. There were three types of P4 devices: a new device (New), a device previously used for 9 days (1×), and a device previously used for 18 days (2×). Nine days later (D9), the P4 device was removed, and cows received 300 IU of eCG. In addition, cows in the EB group received 1 mg of EC and 265 µg of PGF. Timed artificial insemination (TAI) was performed 48 h after P4 device removal in the EB group (TAI48) and 54 h after P4 device removal in the EV group (TAI54). In Experiment 2, Bos indicus cows (n=434) with a BCS of 2.62 ± 0.01 received a new P4 device or one previously used for 9 days and 5 mg of EV. On D9, all cows received 300 IU of eCG, and the P4 devices were removed and distributed in TAI48 and TAI54 cows. In Experiment 3, Bos indicus cows (n=429) with a BCS of 2.80 ± 0.01 were divided into the control and EV/EC groups. All cows received a P4 device. In addition, cows in the control group received 2 mg of EB, and cows in the EV/EC group received 5 mg of EV on D0. On D9, all cows received 1 mg of EC and 300 IU of eCG, and the P4 devices were removed. Cows in the control group also received 265 µg of PGF. All cows were inseminated 48 h after the removal of the P4 device. In Experiment 1, there was no effect of the interaction between protocol and P4 device on the occurrence of estrus (P=0.45) or on the pregnancy per artificial insemination ratio (P/AI; P=0.30). In addition, the occurrence of estrus and P/AI were not different between in the two estradiol groups (P=0.12 and P=0.82) and across the types of intravaginal P4 device (P=0.91 and P=0.47). In Experiment 2, the pregnancy rate was lower (tendency) in TAI48 cows (P=0.07). In Experiment 3, the estrus rate (P=0.12) and P/AI (P=0.56) were similar between the experimental groups. In summary, protocols using estradiol valerate without exogenous ovulation induction require adjustments in the timing of AI from 48 to 54 h after P4 device removal. However, a combination of estradiol valerate at the beginning of the protocol and estradiol cypionate nine days later successfully induced ovulation in Bos indicus cows inseminated 48 h after P4 device removal.

Infrared thermography and feeding behavior of lambs fed increasing levels of safflower grains / Termografia infravermelha e comportamento alimentar de ovinos alimentados com níveis crescentes de grãos de cártamo

The objective was to evaluate the feeding behavior, physiological responses, and rumen heat emission of lambs fed with safflower grains. Eighteen lambs were randomly distributed in a completely randomized design. Safflower grain was added to the diets in the proportions of 0.0; 7.5 and 15%. The safflower grain did not change the patterns of eating, leisure, or rumination; however, it improved the efficiency of NDF ingestion, by 26%. The head temperature decreased by 1.5 ° C to include 7.5% safflower; and the rectal temperature decreased quadratically with the addition of safflower (39.5 and. 39.08 ° C). There was a linear trend of decreasing head temperature as the inclusion of safflower increased. The temperature of the eyeball decreased by 1.1 ° C when 7.5% of safflower DM was added to the diet and increased by 0.6 ° C when a 15% safflower was added. The ruminal temperature increased linearly for the addition of safflower (1.8 ° C). Safflower improves the efficiency of the use of NDF and the inclusion of 15% safflower can be used without effects on ingestive behavior. The head, eye, and left flank areas can be used; however, the left flank appears to be the best region for this type of study. Infrared thermography can be useful as a non-invasive assessment of lambs' diets.

Objetivou-se avaliar o comportamento alimentar, respostas fisiológicas e emissão de calor ruminal, de cordeiros alimentados com grãos de cártamo. Dezoito cordeiros foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em delineamento inteiramente casualisado. O grão de cártamo foi adicionado as dietas nas proporções de 0,0; 7,5 e 15%. O grão de cártamo não alterou os padrões de alimentação, ócio ou ruminação; porém melhorou a eficiência de ingestão da FDN, em 26%. A temperatura da cabeça reduziu 1,5°C para a inclusão de 7,5% de cártamo; e a temperatura retal diminuiu quadraticamente com a adição de cártamo (39,5 vs. 39,08°C). Houve uma tendência linear de diminuição da temperatura da cabeça à medida que a inclusão de cártamo aumentou. A temperatura do globo ocular diminuiu 1,1°C quando 7,5% de MS de cártamo foi adicionado na dieta e voltou a aumentar 0,6°C quando 15% de cártamo foi adicionado. A temperatura ruminal aumentou linearmente para a adição de cártamo (1,8°C). O cártamo melhora a eficiência de utilização da FDN e a inclusão de 15% de cártamo pode ser utilizado sem efeitos sobre o comportamento ingestivo. As áreas da cabeça, do olho e flanco esquerdo podem ser usadas, no entanto, o flanco esquerdo parece ser a melhor região para esse tipo de estudo. A termografia infravermelha pode ser útil como avaliação não invasiva de dietas em cordeiros.

Infrared thermography and feeding behavior of lambs fed increasing levels of safflower grains / Termografia infravermelha e comportamento alimentar de ovinos alimentados com níveis crescentes de grãos de cártamo

The objective was to evaluate the feeding behavior, physiological responses, and rumen heat emission of lambs fed with safflower grains. Eighteen lambs were randomly distributed in a completely randomized design. Safflower grain was added to the diets in the proportions of 0.0; 7.5 and 15%. The safflower grain did not change the patterns of eating, leisure, or rumination; however, it improved the efficiency of NDF ingestion, by 26%. The head temperature decreased by 1.5 ° C to include 7.5% safflower; and the rectal temperature decreased quadratically with the addition of safflower (39.5 and. 39.08 ° C). There was a linear trend of decreasing head temperature as the inclusion of safflower increased. The temperature of the eyeball decreased by 1.1 ° C when 7.5% of safflower DM was added to the diet and increased by 0.6 ° C when a 15% safflower was added. The ruminal temperature increased linearly for the addition of safflower (1.8 ° C). Safflower improves the efficiency of the use of NDF and the inclusion of 15% safflower can be used without effects on ingestive behavior. The head, eye, and left flank areas can be used; however, the left flank appears to be the best region for this type of study. Infrared thermography can be useful as a non-invasive assessment of lambs' diets.(AU)

Objetivou-se avaliar o comportamento alimentar, respostas fisiológicas e emissão de calor ruminal, de cordeiros alimentados com grãos de cártamo. Dezoito cordeiros foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em delineamento inteiramente casualisado. O grão de cártamo foi adicionado as dietas nas proporções de 0,0; 7,5 e 15%. O grão de cártamo não alterou os padrões de alimentação, ócio ou ruminação; porém melhorou a eficiência de ingestão da FDN, em 26%. A temperatura da cabeça reduziu 1,5°C para a inclusão de 7,5% de cártamo; e a temperatura retal diminuiu quadraticamente com a adição de cártamo (39,5 vs. 39,08°C). Houve uma tendência linear de diminuição da temperatura da cabeça à medida que a inclusão de cártamo aumentou. A temperatura do globo ocular diminuiu 1,1°C quando 7,5% de MS de cártamo foi adicionado na dieta e voltou a aumentar 0,6°C quando 15% de cártamo foi adicionado. A temperatura ruminal aumentou linearmente para a adição de cártamo (1,8°C). O cártamo melhora a eficiência de utilização da FDN e a inclusão de 15% de cártamo pode ser utilizado sem efeitos sobre o comportamento ingestivo. As áreas da cabeça, do olho e flanco esquerdo podem ser usadas, no entanto, o flanco esquerdo parece ser a melhor região para esse tipo de estudo. A termografia infravermelha pode ser útil como avaliação não invasiva de dietas em cordeiros.(AU)