This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of microbial feed additives Megasphaera elsdenii NCIMB 41125 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae 1026, individually and combined on rumen pH,ammonia-N and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) fermentation. An in vitro batch fermentation was conducted using rumen fluid from two early lactating Holstein cow donor fed the TMR for lactating cows which was evaluated under two diets, differing in concentrate to forage ratio. The diets were high concentrate, a 60:40 concentrate to forage ratio diet (HC) and low concentrate, a 40:60 (LC) concentrate to forage ratio diet. The treatments were; Control (diet with no additives), Me (diet with M. elsdenii NCIMB 41125 10mm (108 CFU/ml)), LY (diet with live yeast, S. cerevisiae 1026), and Me+LY (diet with mixture of M. elsdenii and S. cerevisiae). The average rumen pH was 5.8 and ammonia nitrogen was not affected by Me and LY supplemented separately or in combination (Me+LY) in both low and high concentrate diets. Total VFAs were increased with the addition of LY alone and in combination Me+LY+Me) in high concentrate diet only but the addition of Me had no effect in both diets. Acetate, lactate and A: Pr were decreased (P<0.05) by all the treatments (Me and LY alone and in combination) on both diets, except in high concentrate diet where the addition of Me tended to decrease (P<0.07) acetate and had no effect on lactate. Propionate was increased by all the treatments in low concentrate diet and tended toincrease (P<0.08) by addition of Me and Me+LY in high concentrate diet. In a low concentrate diet, butyrate was increased by LY but tended to be decreased by Me, however, all the treatments lacked effects on high concentrate diet. Live yeast appears to act differently compared to Me by showing two times more effects on high than low concentrate diets.This in vitro study showed that both Me and LY had a tendency to modify rumen fermentation and that might indicate their potential to mitigate the metabolic challenges and improve energy status of Holstein dairy cows during the transition and early lactation period. However, there is a need for further research that will include in vivo study. / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology / M.Sc. (Agriculture)

O desenvolvimento de tecnologias alternativas para facilitar a mensuração da produção de calor e de metano em animais é necessário e deve trazer efeitos positivos para a indústria de produção animal. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi correlacionar a temperatura em pontos anatômicos mensurados através de termografia infravermelha com a produção de calor e a emissão de metano em vacas Holandês e mestiças Holandês x Gir. Seis vacas mestiças Holandês e Gir e quatro vacas Holandês no período médio da lactação, primíparas, foram avaliadas quanto à produção de calor e à emissão de metano diárias, por calorimetria indireta, em câmaras respirométricas. A termografia foi feita nas regiões do ânus, da vulva, da costela (no lado direito), do flanco direito, do flanco esquerdo, da pata dianteira direita, do lábio superior, do masseter e do olho. As imagens termográficas foram tomadas nesses nove pontos anatômicos anteriormente citados, a cada hora, por oito horas após a alimentação da manhã, durante cinco dias. Durante todo o experimento, as vacas receberam a mesma dieta ad libitum e a produção de leite e o consumo foram registrados diariamente O estudo compreendeu 40 dias, incluindo os dias de adaptação dos animais às câmaras respirométricas. A produção diária de metano foi associada com a termografia infravermelha do olho na hora 6 após a alimentação em vacas mestiças Holandês x Gir (r=0,85, p<0,05) e com a termografia infravermelha do olho feita na hora 5 em vacas Holandês (r=0,88, p<0,05). Além disso, a produção de calor foi correlacionada com a termografia infravermelha da pata dianteira direita uma hora após a alimentação em vacas Girolando F1 (r=0.85, p<0.05) e com a termografia infravermelha do olho cinco horas após a alimentação em vacas Holandês (r=0,90, p<0,05). Esses resultados foram posteriormente confirmados usando análise de regressão. As correlações das imagens termográficas com a produção de calor e emissão de metano foram similares entre as vacas Holandês e as vacas Girolando F1. A termografia infravermelha é efetiva na avaliação da produção de calor e da emissão de metano de vacas em lactação Holandês e Girolando F1, embora realizadas em pontos anatômicos diferentes. / The development of alternative technologies that more easily assess heat and methane production of livestock animals are needed and would have positive effects on the livestock industry. The aim of this study was to correlate skin temperature assessed through infrared thermography with heat and methane production in lactating Holstein and Holstein x Gir crossbreed cows. Six Holstein and Gir crossbred and four Holstein cows, all primiparous, at midlactation were used to evaluate daily heat production and methane emissions through indirect calorimetry in respiratory chambers. Thermographic images were taken at nine different body locations every hour during eight hours after feeding for five days. Thermographic images were taken at the following regions: anus, vulva, ribs (on the right side), left flank, right flank, right front foot, upper lip, masseter and eye. During the whole trial cows received the same diet ad libitum, milk yield and feed intake were daily recorded. Data collection lasted 40 days, including adaptation of the animals to the respiratory chambers Daily methane emission was correlated with infrared thermography taken at the eye six hours after feeding in Holstein x Gir crossbred cows (r=0.85, p<0.05) and with infrared thermography taken at the eye five hours after feeding in Holstein cows (r=0.88, p<0.05). Also, heat production was correlated with infrared thermography taken at the right front foot one hour after feeding in Holstein x Gir crossbred cows (r=0.85, p<0.05) and with infrared thermography taken at the eye five hours after feeding in Holstein cows (r=0.90, p<0.05). These results were further confirmed using regression analysis. Correlations between infrared thermography and heat production or methane emissions are similar for Holstein and Holstein x Gir crossbred. Infrared thermography is effective in assess heat production and methane emission in Holstein and Holstein x Gir crossbred lactation cows albeit taken in different anatomical points.

The work was based on my own watching and the aim of this work was to determine basic vital signs of dairy cows breed in grazing system in the submontane area of South Bohemia. Herd of breeding cows, consisting of the Holstein breed, the Jersey breed and the Czech Pied Cattle crossbred with the Jersey, in quantity of 53 heads. During the year 2010 there were six behavioral watchings namely from June to October. Each watching lasted 24 hours and there was used the method of watching in the group with the time interval of 10 minutes. Cattle vital signs were watched: feed intake-grazing, lying down-resting, standing and movement.

Feed rations and their influence on milk yield were assessed for the years 2010 and 2011 in working conditions on the school farm Měšice. This was mainly comparison of the basic nutrients feed rations with a recommendation. Furthermore, feeding technology, quality of silage, composition of feed rations and content of milk components were evaluated. Selected economic indicators of dairy cows were evaluated in the monitored enterprise. The results indicate that the feed rations give a good presumption for high milk yield of dairy cows. However, quality of roughages, primarily corn silage should be improved.

The aim of the trial was to analyze selected indicators of milk yield and economics of milk production in dairy herd of Holstein cattle. Economics of dairy cows is critical to keeping cattle on the farm. Among the main priorities that can improve the economic results of cattle, are mainly production conditions corresponding milk yields, good fertility, high quality market products, quality dairy nutrition, good health, appropriate management of breeding and compliance of welfare in the cattle breeding, because good health belongs among main conditions of economically successful milk production. In dairy cattle breeding herd of Holstein cattle in the farm Meclovská zemědělská, a. s. there were monitored 1081 dairy cows on the first to eleventh lactation for the two years (2010-2011). From the results, there was clear that 2010 was achieved higher milk yields (9 080,87 kg/lactation) than in 2011 (7 857,83 kg/lactation), a higher content of milk fat and protein, it was achieved lower costs (181,44 CZK/FD and 6,98 CZK/kg of milk) than in 2011 (199,40 CZK/FD and 7,92 CZK/kg of milk) and higher profit.

This thesis deals with the importance of milk as a natural source of iodine in human nutrition. The thesis provides a data of the consumption of milk and milk products and their contribution to the protection needs iodine for students and employees of the University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice. The experiment includes a total of 60 people (20 men and 40 women). Empirical data wasobtained within the grant project named GAJU 011/2013/Z and NAZV QH 81105. Data of consumption of milk and milk products were obtained through questionnaires. For men, average weekly consumption of milk was 826.5? 835.1 ml (118.1 ml per day) and for women 912.4? 783.9 ml (130.3 ml per day). Average consumption of yogurt for men was 361.0? 401.4 g per week (51.6 g per day), for woman 428.4? 338.8 g per week (61.2 g per day) and average consuption of cheese was for men 263.0? 240.5 g per week (37.6 g per day) and for woman was 260.2? 226.5 per week (37.2 g per day). Through the milk and milk products tested, men average 81.6 g of iodine per day, woman adopted 93.4 g. According to the results, the amout of consumed milk and milk products was lower than the nationwide average, but still covered more than half of daily iodine needs. The thesis presents the data of the iodine concentration in urine for students and employees of the University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice (n=62) as an indicator of iodine supply to the organism. The average iodine content in urine of all subjects (men and women) was 230.4? 171.3 gl-1, for men (n=21) reached 244.6? 195.2 gl-1, for women was 223.2? 159.8 gl-1. Results of the average iodine content in urine reflected the physiological range, i.e. for the students and employees of the University of South Bohemia was supply of iodine in organism sufficient. The thesis also provides information about the amount of iodine in asamples of cow´s milk on a selected farm (n=50) of the Jihocesky region, the Plzensky region and Vysocina during the years 2011 - 2013. Samples of cow´s milk were obtained in collaboration with the Central Laboratory of dairy Madeta a.s in Ceske Budejovice and Veterinary Centre s.r.o Susice. In 2011, the average concentration of iodine was 321,0? 337.8 gl-1, in 2012 was concentration of iodine 298.8? 290.8 gl-1 and in 2013 was 234.7? 116.1 gl-1 also otherwise: in all years was it was determined that there was an abundance of iodine. The highest values (315.6? 305.1 gl-1) of iodine was in the Jihocesky region. In Vysocina a lower average level of the iodine was detected (9.5 %), as well as in the Plzensky region where the amount of iodine in milk was lower by 53.7 %, compared to the South Bohemia region and 48.8 % compared to the Vysocina region.

The diploma thesis deals with the study of factors that influence the production of milk in terms of nutrition. On the given farm the standart of nutrition is evaluated on the basis of the composition of the feeding diet and optimal security needs nutrients and energy in relation to the desired production and the recommended values. The feeding technique, the quality of feed composition and feed rations are evaluated on the given farm, too. The work also focused on evaluating the basic economic indicators of milk production.

My diploma thesis is based on the observation of dairy cows nutrition at the farm, nutrition is the most important factor in the production of milk. The introduction of my thesis is focused on a literary overview, which briefly describes the process of digestion, evaluation of nutrients in feed doses and assessment of mixed feed doses. Attention is focused on feed technology in the farm, there was evaluated the intake of dry matter by dairy cows. Dairy cows were fed by total mixed ration (TMR), samples were sent for evaluation to an accredited laboratory and compared to NRC (2001). Another criterion was the evaluation of the particle structure by the Penn state separator (2002), the results were compared with the recommended standard, there was evaluated the homogeneity of the mixed feed structure too. The thesis evaluate composition of the feed ration, where maize silage is predominanting, there is described the variability of starch in maize silage in the monitored period. The thesis describes the evaluation of ungraded starch from bovine feces, samples were again analyzed in an accredited laboratory and evaluated according to the recommended standard, and the probable causes of increased content of unstressed starch in beef excrement are described. Some of the milk production indicators are also mentioned. There was used the informations of Czech and foreign authors.

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No. of bitstreams: 1 carneiro_lc_dr_jabo.pdf: 2347194 bytes, checksum: 385e788cab291232de3fc02da72024b3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-03 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / De modo geral, o objetivo deste estudo foi determinar se as células endometriais bovinas responderam a análogos virais de padrões moleculares associados a patógenos (PAMPs) mediante a produção de citocinas pró-inflamatórias após ativadas pelos receptores “Toll-Like” (TLRs) no endossoma celular e no citoplasma celular pelo genes indutores de ácido retinóico tipo I (RIG-I). No primeiro experimento, amostras uterinas de vacas de corte mestiças pós-púberes foram dissectadas para obtenção de células endometriais epiteliais e estromais. Um controle negativo e quatro PAMPs: LPS, ssRNA, Poly I:C (LMW), Poly (I:C) HMW foram utilizados. Dois grupos de tratamentos (transfectados e não transfectados) foram analisados durante 24 horas. Em outro experimento, células endometriais foram tratadas apenas com o PAMP Poly (I:C) LMW e um grupo Controle Negativo. Neste, os grupos foram incubados às 0, 2, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 e 72 horas. Sobrenadantes foram colhidos para desenvolver o teste de ELISA para IL-6 e IL-8. Células epiteliais produziram IL-6 em resposta ao Poly I:C (HMW) quando comparadas com o Controle (Grupo DOTAP positivo; P< 0.05), enquanto que o LPS induziu produção de IL-6 e IL-8 em células estromais (P< 0.05). O uso de um reagente de transfecção entre as células e tratamentos demonstrou efeito (P> 0.05). Ainda, células estromais tratadas por Poly I:C (LMW) demonstraram uma maior produção de IL-6 às 48 e 72 horas (P< 0.05), e para o IL-8 às 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 e72 horas quando comparadas com o grupo Controle (P< 0.05). No segundo experimento, outras amostras uterinas de vacas de corte pós-púberes foram utilizadas. A obtenção de células endometriais estromais e epiteliais foram isoladas pelo mesmo protocolo do primeiro experimento. O PAMP Poly (I:C) LMW e um controle negativo foram utilizados. Proteínas para o RIG-I e p65 foram colhidas após 12, 24, 48 e 72 horas de tratamento. Em resposta a Poly (I:C) LMW, células estromais ativaram o RIG-I às 48 hours (P< 0.05) quando comparadas com o grupo controle. Enquanto que, as células epiteliais não foram suficientemente estimuladas pelo Poly (I:C) LMW na ativação do RIG-I em nenhum momento testado (P> 0.05). A proteína p65 depois de estimulada pela Poly (I:C) LMW foi ativada às 12 horas pelas células estromais (P< 0.05) e às 24 horas pelas células epiteliais (P< 0.05). Conclui-se que, células endometriais bovinas foram essenciais na ativação das vias exercidas tanto pelos TLR como RIG-I com função de iniciar uma defesa imunológica contra infecções virais. / In general, the objective of this study was to determine if bovine endometrial cells replied to virus analogs of pathogen associated molecular pattern (PAMPs) by production of proinflammatory cytokines after Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) activation in the cell endosome and after retinoic acid inducible gene – I (RIG-I) stimulation in the cell cytoplasm. In the first experiment, uterine samples from post pubertal cross-breed beef cows were dissected using a protocol to obtain epithelial and stromal cells. A negative control and four different PAMPs: LPS, ssRNA, Poly I:C (LMW), Poly (I:C) HMW were used. Two treatments (transfected and non-transfected) groups were investigated during 24 hours. In the other experiment, endometrial cells were treated with only Poly (I:C) LMW and a negative Control group. All incubated at 0, 2, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours. Supernatants were collected to develop Elisa for IL-6 and IL-8. Epithelial cells produced IL-6 in response do Poly I:C (HMW) compared to Control (P< 0.05), otherwise, LPS induced IL-6 and IL-8 in stromal (P< 0.05). The transfection Reagent differ between cells and treatments (P> 0.05). Still, in stromal cells treated by Poly I:C (LMW) the production of IL-6 was higher at 48 and 72 hours (P< 0.05), and for IL-8 at 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours when compared to the Control (P< 0.05). In the second experiment, uterine samples from others post pubertal mixed-breed beef cows were used. To obtain stromal and epithelial cells, uterine samples were dissected with the same protocol as the first experiment. The PAMP Poly (I:C) LMW and a negative control were used. Proteins for RIG-I and p65 were collected after 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours. In response to Poly (I:C) LMW induction, stromal cells activated RIG-I at 48 hours (P< 0.05) were compared to the Control group. On the other hand, epithelial cells were not sufficient stimulated Poly (I:C) LMW to activate RIG-I at any time point evaluated (P> 0.05). The protein p65 after stimulated by Poly (I:C) LMW was activated at 12 hours by stromal (P< 0.05) and at 24 hours by epithelial cells (P< 0.05). In conclusion, bovine endometrial cells were elemental factors in the activation of both TLR and RIG-I pathway in order to start an immune defense against viral infection. / CNPq: 140625/2013-5

Quarenta e duas vacas Holandesas, em gestação e multíparas, e os respectivos bezerros recém-nascidos foram utilizados para determinar se as concentrações de IGF-I no colostro e secreções lácteas podem ser alteradas em resposta à mudanças na concentração sérica de IGF-I pré-parto, avaliar comparativamente a flutuação sérica pré-parto de IGF-I em relação a IgG, bem como as flutuações séricas de IGF-I e IgG nos bezerros na primeira semana de vida e, adicionalmente, alterações na mucosa intestinal dos mesmos. As vacas foram distribuídas ao acaso em dois grupos de 21 animais, o grupo tratado recebeu 500 mg de somatotropina bovina recombinante (rbST) e o grupo controle recebeu injeções de vitamina E. Ambos tratamentos iniciaram 35 dias pré-parto e foram administrados em intervalos de 14 dias. Semanalmente, foi observado o escore corporal e foram coletadas amostras de sangue até a data de parição. Foram coletadas amostras do colostro e das secreções lácteas, diariamente, por sete dias pós-parto. Os bezerros recém-nascidos foram distribuídos ao acaso, em um arranjo fatorial 2X3, correspondendo ao tratamento das mães (controle ou rbST) e às datas de abate (ao nascimento, aos dois dias de idade e aos sete dias de idade). Diariamente, foram coletadas amostras de sangue até a data de abate. Para as análises estereológicas amostras foram coletadas de cinco regiões do intestino delgado. O escore corporal e a concentração sérica de ácidos graxos não-esterificados não diferiram entre os grupos durante todo o período experimental (P>0,05). Os grupos rbST e controle apresentaram diferenças significativas quanto às concentrações séricas de IGF-I na segunda e quarta semanas após o início do período experimental (P<0,05), em resposta às aplicações do rbST, no entanto não foram encontradas diferenças entre os tratamentos no parto (P>0,05). A concentração de IGF-I foi superior no colostro das vacas tratadas com rbST (P<0,05), não diferindo nas secreções subseqüentes. As concentrações séricas de IgG não diferiram entre os tratamentos durante todo o período experimental, bem como as concentrações de IgG do colostro e demais secreções lácteas (P>0,05). Não foram encontradas diferenças entre os tratamentos nas concentrações séricas de IGF-I dos bezerros até o sétimo dia de vida, como também não foram encontradas diferenças entre as concentrações séricas de IgG nos bezerros após 24 horas de vida (P>0,05). O peso dos órgãos e o volume parcial (Vv) da mucosa absortiva não diferiram entre os tratamentos nas três datas de abate, observando-se somente diferenças significativas entre as datas de abate. A porção do jejuno médio apresentou maior Vv em relação aos outros segmentos do intestino delgado ao nascimento e aos sete dias de vida. A aplicação de rbST no período seco influenciou somente a concentração de IGF-I no colostro, não alterando as concentrações séricas nos bezerros até o sétimo dia de vida, como também o Vv da mucosa absortiva do intestino delgado. / Forty-two Holstein cows, in gestation and multiparous, and their newborn calves were used to evaluate if insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in colostrum and subsequent mammary secretions could be influenced by changes in blood serum IGF-I and compare its temporal changes with the serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) in pre-partum period, as well as the temporal changes in serum IGF-I and IgG in newborn calves during the first week of life, and also, alterations in its intestinal mucosa. Cows were randomly assigned in two groups of twenty-one animals, treated group was injected 500 mg of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST), and the control group received vitamin E injection. Both treatments started 35 days pre-partum and were administered every 14 days until partum. Weekly body condition scores were measured and blood was collected until partum. Colostrum and mammary secretions were collected daily for seven days pos-partum. Newborn calves were randomly assigned to a 2X3 factorial arrangement, which the factors depended on mother’s treatment (control and rbST) and slaughter date (just after birth, two days of life and seven days of life). Blood was collected daily until slaughter. For stereological analysis samples were taken from five sites from small intestine. Body condition scores and nonesterified fatty acid concentration didn't differ between the groups during the experimental period (P>0,05). Groups differed about serum IGF-I during pre-partum (P<0,05), which showed differences on second and fourth weeks of experimental period in response to rbST administration. However, no treatment differences were found at partum (P>0,05). IGF-I concentration was higher in colostrum of cows treated with rbST (P<0,05), but it didn't differ in subsequent mammary secretions. IgG serum concentration didn't differ between treatments during the experimental period, neither IgG concentration in colostrum and subsequent mammary secretions (P>0,05). No differences were found either in calves’ IGF-I levels from birth to seven days old or in IgG serum concentration after 24 hours of life (P>0,05). Organ weight and mucosa partial volume (Vv) didn't differ between treatments in the three slaughter dates, only differences among the salughter dates were observed. Segment from the medium jejunum showed higher Vv in relation to others segments at birth and seven days old. The administration of rbST during the dry period influenced only IGF-I concentration in colostrum, however colostrum IGF-I didn’t affect calves’ serum concentration up to seven days old, neither the mucosa Vv of small intestine.