This study evaluated the lactation curve shape, the yield and composition of milk from cows of Holstein and Jersey breeds grazing annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) in northwestern Rio Grande do Sul, and aimed to analyze its response when subjected to grazing pasture herd consisting of two genotypes. The experiment was conducted from 08.18.2010 to 10.29.2010 and are used in total, eleven tester cows of each racial group and a variable number of regulator cows. The animals were managed in rotational grazing with variable stocking rate and were supplemented at a rate of 1 kg per 3 liters of milk produced above 15 liters / cow / day. Pasture management allowed similar grazing conditions between the two tested breeds and proved to be not limiting to pasture and animals production. Individual milking performance was measured once a week throughout experimental period. The visual body condition score (BCS, 1-5), was also registered weekly, and body weigh was measured monthly. The experimental design for pasture variables and for individual animal production was a randomized block design with replications in time, having been used stepwise proc (SAS, 2009) to test regression models. Only the supplement in the months August, September and October in analysis, besides individual productions corrected to 4% fat, day consuption in the months of August, September and October was considered in analysis, besides individual animal productions corrected to 4% fat, days in lactation period , body weights, BCS, number of lactations and age. Individual samples were taken by milking in September and October, and analyzed for the following milk components: fat, protein, lactose, water, acidity, freezing point, density, and computed total dry extract (TDE) and defatted dry extract (DDE). The statistical analysis for milk components was randomized complete blocks with triple factorial arrangement for breeds (2), periods (2), and stages of lactation (4). ANOVA was performed by GLM (SAS, 2009) and multivariate analysis, through Software Multiv (Pillar, 1997), using the correlation between variables as a measure of similarity, and clustering criteria was the least variance of sum of squares Jersey exceeded Holstein (P <0.005) for fat (%) lactose (%) and protein (%); Holstein was exceeding Jersey (P <0.0001) for fat (kg), protein (kg) and TDE ( kg). Correlation studies showed a clear difference in the degree of association between genotypes for dry matter intake of feed, with lower association for Jersey genotype, Holtstein presented a higher and consistent dependence of intake throughout the experimental period, coinciding with pasture cycle. This trend may indicate greater efficiency of Jersey genotype in the use of pastures of high quality, obtained in the initial pasture phases. The regression studies indicated that supplement dry matter intake (partial R ²) in September explained 65.69% of milk production for Holstein breed, and supplement dry matter intake (partial R ²) in October explained 55.73% of milk production of Jersey breed. / Foram avaliados o comportamento da curva de lactação, e a produção e composição do leite de vacas das raças Holandês e Jersey em pastagens de azevém anual (Lolium multiflorum) no noroeste do Rio Grande do Sul, com o objetivo de analisar a resposta de dois genótipos de raças leiteiras, em pastoreio rotativo. O experimento foi conduzido de 18/08/2010 a 29/10/2010, sendo utilizadas, onze vacas testadoras de cada grupo racial e um número variável de vacas reguladoras. Os animais foram manejados em pastoreio rotativo com lotação variável e receberam concentrado comercial à razão de 1 kg para cada 3 litros de leite produzidos acima de 15 litros/vaca/dia. O manejo das pastagens permitiu condições de pastejo semelhantes entre as duas raças testadas e se mostrou não limitante à produção da pastagem e dos animais. Foi medido o desempenho individual por turno de produção de leite, uma vez por semana em todo período experimental. Também foram tomados semanalmente, o escore de condição corporal (ECC, escala de 1 a 5), e mensalmente o peso vivo (PV), em balança mecânica. O delineamento para variáveis da pastagem e produção animal foi blocos ao acaso, com medidas repetidas no tempo, tendo sido utilizado o proc stepwise (SAS, 2009) para testar modelos de regressões. Foi considerado apenas o consumo do suplemento nos meses de agosto, setembro e outubro na análise, além de produções individuais corrigidas a 4% de gordura, dias em leite no inicio e final, pesos, ECC, número de lactações e idade. Foram tomadas amostras individuais de leite por ordenha, em setembro e outubro, e analisados para os componentes: gordura, proteína, lactose, além de água, acidez, crioscopia, densidade, e calculados extrato seco total (EST) e extrato seco desengordurado (ESD). A análise estatística para componentes do leite considerou o delineamento em blocos ao acaso em arranjo fatorial triplo para raças (2), períodos (2), e fases de lactação (4). Foi realizada ANOVA por GLM (SAS, 2009) e análise multivariada, através do Software Multiv (Pillar, 1997), sendo utilizada a correlação entre variáveis como medida de semelhança, e o critério de agrupamento foi a variância mínima da soma de quadrados. Jersey foi superior a Holandês (P<0,005) para os teores de gordura (%) lactose (%) e proteína (%); Holandês foi superior a Jersey (P<0,0001) para as produções de gordura (kg), proteína (kg) e EST (kg). O estudo de correlações indicou clara diferença no grau de associação entre genótipos para consumo de matéria seca do concentrado (CMSR), tendo Jersey menor associação, e Holandês uma mais alta e consistente dependência desse consumo ao longo do período experimental, coincidente com o avanço no ciclo da pastagem. Esta tendência pode indicar maior eficiência do genótipo Jersey no uso de pastos de alta qualidade, obtida nas fases iniciais da pastagem. O estudo de regressões indicou CMSR (R² parcial) no mês de setembro explicando 65,69% da produção de leite do genótipo Holandês, e CMSR (R² parcial) no mês de outubro explicando 55,73% da produção de leite do genótipo Jersey.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:55:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 371875 bytes, checksum: ebd0743d805bcdc1ccc6a45d01681ac4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-12 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / This paper aimed to propose new models to forecast the chemical composition of the non- carcass component; evaluate the equations proposed by BR-Corte (2010) to predict chemical composition of carcass and empty body from bovines using variables of the body and the section between 9th and 11th ribs from data of crossbred animals 3&#8260;4 Zebu x 1&#8260;4 Dutch; and use 3-methilhistidine (3MH) excretion to study the muscle protein synthesis and degradation in both crossbred males and females, at different stages of growth. In chapter 1, the objectives were to develop equations to estimate the non-carcass components chemical composition and to evaluate the prediction equations of chemical composition of carcass and empty body from bovines, proposed by BR-Corte (2010). Data from 130 animals in three experiments (24 castrated males CM; 24 females; and 82 non-castrated males NCM). Over the three experiments, the slaughter procedure was the same, where the gastrointestinal tract was washed to determine the empty body weight and all components of the animal body were weighed individually. The right half carcass was completely dissected and the weight of flash, fat and bones was measured. A sample from both carcass and non-carcass components were collected to determine the chemical composition. The section between the 9th and 11th ribs (HH section) was removed from all castrated males, all females and from 50 non-castrated males and completely dissected to evaluate the chemical composition prediction equations of carcass and empty body from BR-Corte (2010). Equations to estimate composition of the ethereal extract (EE), crude protein (CP), mineral material, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and potassium of non-carcass components were proposed. Also, the BR-Corte (2010) equations to crude protein and ethereal extract contents of carcass and empty body were tested and the ones that did not estimate accordingly the known values were readjusted. The equations from BR-Corte (2010) estimated rightly the EE content in carcass from CM, NCM and females; and the EE content in empty body from CM and females. Thus, the forecast equations of CP in carcass from CM, NCM and female; EE in empty body from NCM; and CP in empty body from CM, NCM and females were readjusted. In Chapter 2, the objective was to evaluate the protein synthesis and degradation from castrated males and females, using 3MH. 20 castrated males and 20 females were used. They were with an average age of 12 months and average initial weight of 299 kg for males and 266,7 kg for females. The animals were separated in four groups with eight animals each group (four females and four males) to be slaughtered at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days of confining. The animals were separated in a completely randomized design, in 4 x2 factorial scheme, being two gender condition (castrated males and females) and four confining periods (30, 60, 90 and 120 days). Eight animals (four of each gender) were slaughtered at the beginning of the experiment to determine the initial muscle protein and mass; and four animals of each gender were slaughtered at the end of each period of confining to determine muscle protein and mass. The diet consisted of 45% forage and contained 116.35 g of crude protein / kgDM. To assess protein degradation was performed total collection of urine for three days in all animals slaughtered at the end of each period of confinement for analysis of excretion of 3-methyl-histidine. The urine collection was performed five days before each slaughter. The concentration of 3-methylhistidine in mmol / mmol of creatinine in urine did not differ between males and females (P <0.44) and between periods of confining (P> 0.45). The fractional degradation rate was lower in males than in females (P <0.01) and higher for animals slaughtered at 60, 90 and 120 compared to the slaughter with 30 days of confinement (P <0.01), with no interaction between sex and period of confining (P> 0.38). For the fractional synthesis rate there was no interaction between sex and period of confining (P> 0.31) and sex effect (P> 0.10), but the effect of confinement period (P <0,0,1) was observed, which was lower for animals slaughtered at 30 days compared to the others. The fractional rate of increase showed no interaction between sex and period of confining (P> 0.34), being higher in males (P <0.03) and between different periods of confining (P <0.01), being higher for animals slaughtered at 120 days, followed by 90, 30 and 60 days of confining. It is concluded that the degradation rate is higher in females and the rate of increase is higher in castrated males with no difference between genders for the rate of protein synthesis, which was increased with days on feed. / Objetivou-se com esse trabalho propor novos modelos para predizer a composição química do componente não-carcaça, avaliar com dados de animais cruzados 3&#8260;4 Zebu × 1&#8260;4 Holandês as equações propostas no BR-Corte (2010) para predizer a composição química da carcaça e do corpo vazio de bovinos utilizando variáveis do corpo e seção entre a 9a e 11a costelas e utilizar a excreção de 3-metil-histidina (3MH) para estudar a síntese e degradação proteica muscular em machos e fêmeas cruzados, em diferentes fases de desenvolvimento. No capítulo 1, objetivou-se desenvolver equações para estimar a composição química dos componentes não carcaça e avaliar com dados de animais cruzados 3&#8260;4 Zebu × 1&#8260;4 Holandês, as equações para predição da composição química da carcaça e do corpo vazio propostas pelo BR-Corte (2010) para bovinos. Foram utilizados dados de 130 animais de três experimentos (24 machos castrados (MC), 24 fêmeas e 82 machos não-castrados (MNC)). Nos três experimentos, o procedimento de abate foi o mesmo, onde o trato gastrintestinal foi lavado para determinação do peso de corpo vazio, e todos os componentes do corpo do animal pesados individualmente. A meia carcaça direita foi dissecada completamente, sendo pesadas as quantidades de carne, gordura e ossos. Foram separadas de cada animal uma amostra do componente carcaça e uma amostra do componente não-carcaça para determinação da composição química. Nos machos castrados, fêmeas e 50 dos machos não castrados, foi retirada a seção compreendida entre a 9a e a 11a costelas (seção HH) e realizada sua dissecação completa para avaliação das equações para predição da composição química da carcaça e corpo vazio propostos pelo BR-Corte (2010). Foram propostas equações para estimação da composição de extrato etéreo, proteína bruta, materia mineral, cálcio, fósforo, magnésio, sódio e potássio dos componentes não carcaça; testadas as equações propostas no BR- Corte (2010) para os teores de proteína bruta e extrato etéreo na carcaça e no corpo vazio de bovinos e reajustadas as equações que não estimaram adequadamente os valores observados. As equações propostas pelo BR-Corte (2010) estimaram de forma adequada os teores de EE na carcaça de MC, MNC e fêmeas, e EE no corpo vazio de MC e fêmeas. Assim, foram reajustadas e sugeridas equações para predição da composição da PB da carcaça de MC, MNC e fêmeas, do EE do corpo vazio de MNC e da PB do corpo vazio de MC, MNC e fêmeas. No capítulo 2 objetivou-se avaliar a degradação e a síntese proteica de bovinos machos castrados e fêmeas, utilizando a excreção de 3-metil- histidina. Foram utilizados 40 bovinos cruzados 3&#8260;4 Zebu × 1&#8260;4 Holandês, sendo 20 machos castrados e 20 fêmeas, com idade média de 12 meses e peso inicial médio de 299 kg para os machos e 266,7 kg para as fêmeas. Os animais foram divididos em quatro grupos de oito animais cada um (sendo quatro machos e quatro fêmeas) para serem abatidos aos 30, 60, 90 e 120 dias de confinamento. Oito animais (quatro de cada sexo) foram abatidos ao início do experimento para determinação também da massa e proteína muscular inicial e quatro animais de cada sexo ao final de cada período de confinamento para determinação da massa e proteína muscular. A dieta foi constituída de 45% de volumoso e continha 116,35 g de proteína bruta / kgMS. Para avaliar a degradação proteica foi efetuada coleta total de urina durante três dias em todos os animais abatidos no final de cada período de confinamento para análise da excreção de 3-metil-histidina. A coleta de urina foi realizada cinco dias antes de cada abate. A concentração de 3-metil-histidina em &#956;mol/mmol de creatinina na urina não diferiu entre machos e fêmeas (P>0,44) e entre períodos de confinamento (P>0,45). A taxa fracional de degradação foi menor nos machos que nas fêmeas (P<0,01) e maior para os animais abatidos aos 60, 90 e 120 em comparação aos abatidos com 30 dias de confinamento (P<0,01), não havendo interação entre sexo e período de confinamento (P>0,38). Para a taxa fracional de síntese não houve interação entre sexo e período de confinamento (P>0,31) e efeito de sexo (P>0,10), mas foi observado efeito de período de confinamento (P<0,0,1) que foi menor para os animais abatidos aos 30 dias em comparação aos demais. A taxa fracional de acréscimo não apresentou interação entre sexo e período de confinamento (P>0,34), sendo maior nos machos (P<0,03) e diferente entre os períodos de confinamento (P<0,01), sendo maior para os animais abatidos aos 120 dias, seguidos dos 90 dias e posteriormente dos 30 e 60 dias de confinamento. Conclui-se que a taxa de degradação é maior nas fêmeas e a taxa de acréscimo é maior nos machos castrados não havendo diferença entre os sexos para a taxa de síntese proteica, que foi aumentada com os dias de confinamento.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T15:07:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Marcelo Sales Guimaraes.pdf: 3899079 bytes, checksum: 38f856923d6a5606a0da0a5054c4e8f9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-24 / Bovine neosporosis is a parasitic disease of cosmopolitan distribution, caused by the obligatory intracellular cyst forming protozoan Neospora caninum (Phylum Apicomplexa, family Sarcocystidae). It has a strong association with bovine abortion, being N. caninum protozoan considered the most important for this species. The main route of transmission is vertical, determining the endemic-type neosporosis in cattle. Brazilian local breeds as Curraleiro and Pantaneiro present hardiness and resistance to adverse conditions, e.g. poor nutrition and microbiological challenges, as predominant characteristics. The conservation program of such breeds has encouraged studies aiming at a greater knowledge of these animals peculiarities. The purpose of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of these breeds for N. caninum and the occurrence of vertical transmission in herds, evaluating the importance of bovine neosporosis for these herds. Five farms in the state of Goiás and one in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, with Curraleiro and Pantaneiro herds, respectively, were observed. Blood was collected from females at reproductive age and their offspring before colostrum intake, if possible. If it was not possible, blood was periodically collected from the offspring (five collections) until about ten months of age. A total of 358 animals was examined, 249 (198 females and 51 calves) Curraleiros and 109 (62 females and 47 calves) Pantaneiros. Seropositivity to N. caninum was evaluated by using the indirect immunofluorescence (cutoff &#8805; 1:200) and ELISA (HerdChek® IDEXX Laboratories) (cutoff S/P &#8805; 0.50). The total incidence of seropositives was 47,49% (170/358), 51% (127/249) Curraleiro and 39,45% (43/109) Pantaneiro. One hundred percent of the farms observed presented seropositive animals. The highest titer was 1:25600. The overall vertical transmission rate observed in herds was 51% (95%, CI 37%-64%), being 48% (95%, CI 30%-66%) in Curraleiro and 54% (95%, CI 35%-73%) in Pantaneiro. There was no statistically significant association between breed or titer of the cows and the occurrence of vertical transmission (OR 0,79; CI 0,27-2,34 95%). A low-moderate agreement was found between the two diagnostic techniques used (&#954; = 0.34). Thus, N. caninum is present in Curraleiro and Pantaneiro cattle breeds, with significant rates of seropositivity and vertical transmission. Although widely distributed, N. caninum does not seem to cause problems in Curraleiro and Pantaneiro herds, as abortion problems are rare and females have good fertility, within the constraints of the breed. / A neosporose bovina é uma enfermidade parasitária causada pelo protozoário intracelular obrigatório Neospora caninum (filo Apicomplexa, família Sarcocystidae), formador de cistos. Enfermidade de distribuição cosmopolita, a neosporose apresenta forte associação com o abortamento bovino, sendo N. caninum considerado o protozoário mais importante para essa espécie. A principal rota de transmissão é a vertical determinando a neosporose do tipo endêmica nos rebanhos. Raças locais brasileiras como o gado Curraleiro e Pantaneiro apresentam como características preponderantes a rusticidade e resistência às condições adversas tais como carência nutricional e desafios microbiológicos. O programa de conservação destas raças incentivou estudos que visam o maior conhecimento das particularidades destes animais. A proposta deste trabalho foi avaliar a soropositividade destas raças para N. caninum e a ocorrência de transmissão vertical nos rebanhos, permitindo determinar a importância da neosporose bovina nestes rebanhos. Cinco propriedades criadoras de Curraleiro (estado de Goiás) e uma criadora de Pantaneiro (estado de Mato Grosso do Sul) foram acompanhadas. Foi colhido sangue das fêmeas em idade reprodutiva e de suas crias antes da ingestão do colostro, quando possível. Quando não, foi colhido sangue das crias periodicamente (cinco colheitas) até em torno dos dez meses de idade. Um total de 358 animais foi analisado, sendo 249 (198 fêmeas e 51 bezerros) Curraleiros e 109 (62 fêmeas e 47 bezerros) Pantaneiros. Avaliou-se a soropositividade para N. caninum por meio das técnicas de imunofluorescência indireta (ponto de corte &#8805; 1:200) e ELISA indireto (HerdChek® IDEXX Laboratories) (ponto de corte S/P &#8805; 0,50). A ocorrência total de soropositivos foi 47,49% (170/358), com 51% (127/249) do gado Curraleiro e 39,45% (43/109) do gado Pantaneiro soropositivo. Cem por cento das propriedades acompanhadas apresentaram animais positivos. O maior título encontrado foi de 1:25600. A taxa de transmissão vertical geral observada nos rebanhos foi de 51% (95%, IC 37%-64%), sendo de 48% (95%, IC 30%-66%) no gado Curraleiro e de 54% (95%, IC 35%-73%) no Pantaneiro. Não houve associação estatisticamente significativa entre título ou raça das mães e ocorrência de transmissão vertical (OR 0,79; IC 0,27-2,34 95%). Uma concordância moderada-baixa foi verificada entre as duas técnicas de diagnóstico utilizadas (&#954; = 0,34). Assim, N. caninum está presente nos rebanhos bovinos das raças Curraleiro e Pantaneiro, com consideráveis taxas de soropositividade e transmissão vertical. Embora amplamente distribuído, N. caninum parece não representar problema nos rebanhos Curraleiro e Pantaneiro, visto que problemas de abortamento são raros e as fêmeas apresentam boa fertilidade, dentro das limitações das raças.

A trial was conducted to evaluate the ingestive behavior, pastures dynamics and productivity of cows of the Jersey and Holstein s breeds grazing annual-ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) in northwestern Rio Grande do Sul. From April 29th to October 29th of 2010, eleven tester-cows of each breed group, and a variable number of regulator-cows, were managed in rotational grazing with variable stocking rate and received a commercial concentrate at a rate of 1 kg of concentrate for every 3 liters of milk produced up to 15 liters/cow/day. Eight tester-cows of each breed group, two of each stage of lactation, were used in evaluations of ingestive behavior, held on September 27th and October 27th and during the two-day occupation of the paddocks. Pastures management allowed similar conditions between the two tested herds and showed to not limit production of pasture and animals. Adopted supplementation criteria reflected in the provision of large quantities of concentrate for Holstein cows, which had individual milk productions, milk corrected to 4% of fat and total solids higher than the Jersey breed. The Holstein herd was managed with higher stocking rates than the Jersey herd, which reflected directly in superiority on animal production and supply of concentrate per area for the Holstein s herd. For each kilogram of concentrate supplied individually, the Jersey cows had higher individual productions than Holstein, suggesting advantages for the Jersey breed on the conversion of the supplement in animal products and on the economic aspect. The advance of the grazing season and structural changes in the sward conditioned reductions in grazing time and increased rumination, for both breeds, but did not affect the time required for completing other activities. Jersey cows spent more time on grazing activities and less on rumination than Holstein breed, probably to compensate the lower level of supplementation. Only in the second evaluation time (October) difference was found in bite rate between the breeds, with superiority for the Holstein cows, and for both breeds, late lactation cows presented larger number of steps between feeding stations than the cows in early lactation. Additionally, in Holstein, the increase in the number of steps between feeding stations was accompanied by a reduction in sward height of the grazing site visited. Differences between stages of lactation were seen only on variables that represent choices at the level of grazing patches (sward height of the grazing site visited and the number of steps between feeding stations), indicating that adaptations of animals in different physiological stages occur at the level of displacement through the pasture and realization of the bit. / Foram estudados o comportamento ingestivo, a dinâmica das pastagens e a produtividade de vacas das raças Jersey e Holandesa em pastagens de azevém anual (Lolium multiflorum) no noroeste do Rio Grande do Sul. O experimento foi conduzido de 29/04/2010 a 29/10/2010, sendo utilizadas, no total, onze vacas-testes de cada grupo racial e um número variável de vacas-reguladoras. Oito vacas de cada grupo racial, duas de cada estágio de lactação, foram utilizadas nas avaliações do comportamento ingestivo, realizadas em 27/9 e 27/10 e durante os dois dias de ocupação dos potreiros. Os animais foram manejados em pastoreio rotativo com lotação variável e receberam concentrado comercial à razão de 1 kg de concentrado para cada 3 litros de leite produzidos acima de 15 litros/vaca/dia. O manejo das pastagens permitiu condições de pastejo semelhantes entre as duas raças testadas e se mostrou não limitante à produção de pasto e dos animais. O critério de suplementação adotado refletiu no fornecimento de maiores quantidades de concentrado para as vacas da raça Holandesa, que apresentaram produções individuais de leite, leite corrigido a 4% de gordura e de sólidos totais superiores às da raça Jersey. As vacas da raça Holandesa foram manejadas com carga animal superior às da raça Jersey, o que refletiu diretamente em superioridade na produção animal e no fornecimento de concentrado por unidade de área para a raça Holandesa. Para cada quilograma de concentrado fornecido individualmente, as vacas da raça Jersey apresentaram produções individuais superiores às da raça Holandesa, sugerindo vantagens para a raça Jersey quanto à conversão do suplemento em produto animal e sob o aspecto econômico. O avanço do período de utilização das pastagens e as alterações estruturais do dossel forrageiro condicionaram a redução dos tempos de pastejo e o aumento dos de ruminação, para ambas as raças, mas não alterou o tempo destinado à realização de outras atividades. Vacas da raça Jersey desprenderam mais tempo em atividades de pastejo e menos em ruminação que as da raça Holandesa, provavelmente para compensar o menor nível de suplementação. Apenas na segunda época de avaliação (outubro) foi verificada diferença na taxa de bocados entre as raças, com superioridade para as vacas da raça Holandesa, e, para ambas as raças, as vacas de final de lactação desenvolveram maior número de passos entre estações alimentares que as de início de lactação. Adicionalmente, na raça Holandesa, o incremento no número de passos entre estações alimentares foi acompanhado pela redução da altura do sítio de pastejo visitado. Diferenças entre os estágios de lactação foram percebidas apenas em variáveis que representam escolhas em nível de patch de pastejo (altura do sítio de pastejo visitado e número de passos entre estações alimentares), indicando que as adaptações dos animais nos distintos estágios fisiológicos se dão ao nível de deslocamento na pastagem e realização do bocado.

The objective of this study was to compare the nutrient status of full scavenging and semi-scavenging village chicken production systems. The semi-scavenging chickens were given broiler finisher mash between 14-24 weeks of age, whilst the full scavenging relied on natural foraging. The study also sought to compare the quality of meat from chickens from the two systems. After slaughtering the chickens, the crop contents were physically separated and analysed for chemical composition. Meat pH and colour were measured on the breast muscle of individual carcasses and a consumer sensory evaluation was also done on the breast muscle. The mean crop content weights per day were significantly higher in full scavenging chickens (±16.7g/day biomass) than in semi-scavenging chickens (±9.14g/day). Dry matter, calcium, and phosphorus levels were higher in the crop contents of the full than in the semi-scavenging chickens but crude protein, crude fibre and metabolisable energy were higher in the latter system. Semi-scavenging (1.3 ± 0.05kg) carcasses were heavier (P<0.05) than full scavenging ones (1.0 ± 0.06kg). The ultimate pH (24h) (pHu) of meat from full scavenging chickens (6.0 ± 0.03) was higher (P<0.05) than that of meat from the semi-scavenging chickens (5.7 ± 0.04). Meat from the full scavenging chickens had higher L* values (60 ± 1.2) than meat from the semi-scavenging chickens (47 ± 0.8). The a* value of meat of full scavenging chickens was significantly (P<0.05) less (4 ± 0.4) than that of meat from semi-scavenging chickens (15 ± 1.3). There was a significant positive (0.60) correlation between pHu and L* of meat from village chickens across rearing systems. The semi-scavenging system meat had better sensory attributes than the meat from the full scavenging system. Female consumers scored the typical flavour of village chicken meat across rearing systems higher (P< 0.05) than male consumers. The Shona consumers scored the meat higher (P< 0.05) than the Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele and other tribes for initial juiciness, first bite impression and muscle fibre and tenderness of the chicken across rearing systems. Consumers scored of the meat from the semi-scavenging system higher (P<0.05) on initial juiciness (4.3 ± 0.20), first bite impression (4.2 ± 0.197), muscle fibre tenderness (4.5 ± 0.217) than meat from the full scavenging chickens. There were positive correlations (0.46) between aroma intensity and overall flavour intensity across both rearing systems. The semi-scavenging system produced better carcass characteristics, lighter (L*) meat and more consumer acceptable meat than full scavenging chickens. Therefore the full scavenging rearing system had better nutrient composition in its scavenging feed resource base, although the semi-scavenging systems produced chickens with better carcass, meat pH, colour and sensory characteristics than the full scavenging chickens.

Ruminant animals consuming low N-diet have been reported to have increased urea reabsorption with the Nguni being categorized as N-recycling ruminant. The enzymes associated with N-cycling are hypothesized to contribute to survival of the Nguni in harsh conditions. Enzymes responsible for such a function needed to be characterized in order to determine their effect in the functioning of the Nguni as opposed to Hereford breed. Crude enzymes from both breeds were separated from most or some contaminants by sephadex G-25, DEAE sephacel, and different affinity column chromatography. CPS and GDH were successfully purified and characterized by LC-MS/MS and further analysed by ProteinPilot™, blasted and matched >95% with those of Bos Taurus. Comparison of characterized enzymes and those which failed to ionise such as ARG, GS and GA was done using kinetics and graphs annotating specific activities. Partial purification and characterization was in part achieved. / Life and Consumer Sciences / M. Sc. (Life Sciences)

Department of Animal Science / PhD (Agric)

MSCAGR (Animal Science) / Department of Animal Science / Milkability, or ease of milking, is the rate at which milk can be completely drawn from a cow’s udder. It is an important functional trait with regard to milking costs as well as udder health. Milkability traits have not been included in the breeding objectives of South African dairy cattle and their genetic parameters in the population have not been estimated. The primary objective of the study was to estimate genetic parameters for milkability traits in South African Holstein cattle. Data consisted of production and milkability records of 1 532 Holstein cows, from 6 herds, participating in the South African National Dairy Animal Recording and Improvement Scheme during the period 2015 to 2016 . Measures of milkability were average milk flow (AMF), maximum milk flow (MMF) and milking time (MT). Genetic parameters were estimated by a multi-trait sire model using the Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) procedure. Means for AMF, MMF and MT were 1.99 kg/min, 3.02 kg/min and 5.50 min, respectively. Non-genetic factors affecting variation in milkability traits were herd-year-season of calving, parity and milk yield. Heritability estimates for AMF, MMF, and MT were 0.23±0.09, h2 = 0.41±0.12 and h2 = 0.36±0.11, respectively. Genetic correlations between the three milkability traits were medium to high, ranging from -0.35±0.23 between AMF and MT to 0.79±0.09 between AMF and MMF. Correlations were positive between AMF and MMF and negative between MT and the other two traits. There was an increase in the mean EBV for AMF of 0.002 kg/min (0.0001 kg/min per year) during the period 2002 to 2014. Maximum milk flow also showed an increasing genetic trend of 0.04 kg/min (0.0003 kg/min per year) over the same period. The genetic trend for MT was undesirable, as it increased by 0.0003 kg/min. There is scope for improving milkability through selection, in South African Holstein cattle, as indicated by the moderate to high heritability estimates. The favourable genetic correlations among milkability traits imply that selection on one trait will result in a correlated improvement in the others. Results of the current study provide a basis for including milkability traits in the breeding objective for South African Holstein cattle.

MSCAGR (Animal Science) / Department of Animal Science / The Boer goat (Capra hircus) is one of the most desirable goat breeds for meat production. The impact of cryopreservation on the viability of its semen depends on the extenders, freezing and thawing methods. This study evaluated the effects on sperm viability in Boer goat semen extended using Bioxcell, Biladyl and Ham’s F10, and frozen in semen straws placed on a rack at 4, 5, 6 or 7 cm above the surface of liquid nitrogen. After storage in liquid nitrogen for 7 days, the frozen semen was thawed at 37 oC for 30 seconds or 90 oC for 5 seconds. Samples of sperm were also frozen to -196 oC in a programmable freezer, as the control regime for the freezing treatments. Sperm morphology, motility and viability were evaluated using the computer aided sperm analysis (CASA) system in a randomised design in which the treatments were in a 3 (extender) X 5 (freezing regime) and X 2 (thawing regime) factorial arrangement. The extenders Bioxcell and Biladyl were affected in the total motility, progressive motility and static (P<0.01), the motility was overall maintained only in straws placed at 5 cm above the liquid nitrogen level, with significant difference for the interaction extender X freezing regime in the total motility (p<0.01), non-progressive motility (p<0.05) and progressive motility (p<0.01), the 37 oC for 30 sec thawing regime had significantly more (P<0.05) in cut-head spermatozoa. Ham’s F10 extender had significantly lower normal spermatozoa (P<0.05) compare to Biladyl and Bioxcell extenders. In conclusion, the extender type, freezing and thawing regime were important factors for consideration in goat semen / NRF

Text in English / The study was conducted in two different types of natural ventilated housing systems; one featured with conventional laying cages while other had free-range system features. The aim was to analyse productivity and economic benefit or loss of the Lohmann Brown Lite on different housing (Free-range system and Conventional cage system) with an evaluation of production cost. The total of 49 700 point of lay Lohmann Brown Lite layers pullets were placed in four natural ventilation free-range houses each consist of three rows of two tier conventional laying cages. The other 40 000 point of lay Lohmann Brown Lite layers pullets were place in four free-range houses each with placement of 10 000 chickens. The Cobb Douglas production model was used to determine the productivity of two different housing system by factoring the fixed cost and variable cost of the entire production process. The breakeven point tool was used to analyse the point where the total revenue equals the total variable and fixed expenses and the cost volume profit by measuring the profitability of each housing system (Nabil et al. 2014). The results of the study revealed different productivity between conventional cage system (82.94%) and the free-range system (77.46%). These results led to the acceptance of hypothesis 1 that “the production of Lohmann Brown Lite is the same when they are kept on the free-range system or conventional cage system. The capital investment and operation on conventional cage system showed breakeven at 43 months while free-range system showed breakeven at 60 months. The economic benefit analysis shows that the free-range system has cost benefit of R0.29 and conventional cage system has a cost benefit of R0.26. It means for every rand spent, farmer may get R0.29 Rand as profit for free-range system and every rand spent for conventional cage system can get R0.26 Rand. The economic benefit to farmer is greater on free-range system that lead to acceptance of hypothesis 2 that the economic benefit of egg production is greater on the free-range system compared to conventional cage system. Free-range housing system remain the best alternative to replace the conventional cage housing system. / Agriculture and  Animal Health / M.Sc. (Agriculture)