The bull was a potent symbol of power, strength, and, to a lesser degree, fertility to the peoples of the ancient Near East from the twelfth century until 330 BCE. This symbolism was manifested in several iconographic motifs. These motifs reveal the bull as a manifestation of divine characteristics and as an expression of the power of man, and particularly the authority of the king. The use of these iconographic motifs was not consistent across the entire area of the ancient Near East; some differed in appearance and use in the different areas of the region, and many changed over time even in the same area. In all areas and during all periods the basic core symbolism stayed the same, and the bull was always held in a special respect. / Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern Studies / M.A. (Ancient Near Eastern Studies)

På finansmarknaden finns det flera olika typer finansiella instrument och utbudet ökar stadigt. Utvecklingen har lett till att det har blivit svårare för icke-professionella kunder att utvärdera riskerna med instrumenten. Vissa finansiella instrument som finns på marknaden är så kallade finansiella derivatinstrument, vars värde beror på en underliggande tillgångs värdeutveckling. En ny reglering om produktgodkännande av finansiella instrument introducerades genom Europaparlamentets och rådets direktiv 2014/65/EU. Processen för produktgodkännande är reglerad i 8 kap. 13 § lag (2007:528) om värdepappersmarknaden. Regleringen innebär att, värdepappersinstitut måste ha en välordnad process för godkännande av egenproducerade finansiella instrument innan marknadsföring eller distribution till kund får ske. I och med Europaparlamentets och rådets direktiv 2014/65/EU och Europaparlamentets och rådets förordning (EU) nr 600/2014, har nationella behöriga myndigheter och Esma erhållit befogenhet att utföra produktingripanden. Syftet med produktingripanden är att skydda ickeprofessionella kunder från produkter på finansmarknaden som är riskfyllda och har svårbedömda egenskaper. Esma har nyligen publicerat ett åtgärdsförslag avseende begränsningar av marknadsföring, distribution och försäljning av contracts for difference samt ett förbud av marknadsföring, distribution och försäljning av binära optioner till ickeprofessionella kunder. I uppsatsen visas att produktingripanden är ett verktyg som kan komma att gynna både nationella behöriga myndigheter och Esma i tillsynsarbetet, i syfte att stärka investerarskyddet för icke-professionella kunder. Samarbetet mellan Esma och nationella behöriga myndigheter bör även utvecklas för att genomdriva framtida åtgärdsförslag. Åtgärdsförslag bör främst vara antagna av Esma för att därefter antas av nationella behöriga myndigheter inom EU. Genom ett sådant tillvägagångssätt kan harmoniseringsarbetet, avseende regleringen av kapitalmarknaden i EU, fortsätta på ett ändamålsenligt sätt. I uppsatsen visas även att Esma:s nuvarande åtgärdsförslag, angående begränsningar och förbud av marknadsföring, distribution och försäljning av contracts for difference och binära optioner, är ett välgrundat förslag med beaktande av de risker som icke-professionella kunder utsätts för vid handel av dessa riskfyllda finansiella derivatinstrument.

My master’s thesis from marketing area is focused on marketing management of Red Bull Company, which is world leading energy drink producer. My work should improve marketing management of the firm and suggest new ways of marketing communication, the way of addressing consumers and non-consumers of Red Bull energy drink. The results of this master’s thesis will be suggested to the management of Red Bull Company for implementation into praxis.

This thesis in applied statistics and industrial economics examines the correlation between a number of market conditions on the Swedish and Global market and the yield difference between the Swedish stock market and the Global stock market. The report is based on data from the index MSCI Sweden Net Return, MSCI World Net Return and the Volatility index S&P 500. The market conditions that have been examined are Bull markets, Bear markets, periods of high volatility. We also examined how the appreciation of the SEK in comparison to the USD and the yield of the Swedish stock market correlated with the yield difference between the Swedish Stock Market and the Global stock market. The correlation was examined using multiple linear regression. The results indicated a positive correlation between the yield difference between the Swedish stock market and the Global stock market and the yield of the Swedish stock market, the appreciation of the SEK compared to the USD and Bull markets. We found a negative correlation with Bear markets and no correlation at all with the volatility.   The results are in line with what could be expected and give a stronger statistical ground for the idea that the Swedish stock market has larger fluctuations than the Global stock market during large-scale market fluctuations. / Detta kandidatexamensarbete inom tillämpad matematik och industriell ekonomi syftar till att undersöka hur avkastningsdifferensen mellan den Svenska och Globala aktiemarknaden korrelerar med ett antal olika marknadsförhållanden. Rapporten är baserad på data från MSCI Sweden Net Return och MSCI World Net Return samt Volatilitetsindex S&P500. De marknadsförhållanden som har undersökts är Bull markets, Bear markets, perioder då det råder hög volatilitet på marknaden. Vi undersökte även avkastningsdifferensens korrelation till kronans värdeförändring gentemot den Amerikanska dollarn och korrelationen till den Svenska aktiemarknadens värdeökning. Korrelationen undersöktes genom att utföra en multipel linjär regression. Resultaten visade på en rådande positiv korrelation mellan utvecklingen på den Svenska aktiemarknaden, prisutvecklingen av den Svenska kronan mot Amerikanska dollarn samt under Bull markets. Vi fann även en negativ korrelation med Bear markets och ingen korrelation till volatiliteten.   Resultaten är i linje med vad som kunde förväntas och ger en starkare statistisk grund till att den Svenska aktiemarknaden har större svängningar än den Globala aktiemarknaden vid stora marknadsfluktuationer.

La corrida espagnole est une forme de course de taureaux consistant en un combat entre un homme et un taureau et qui se termine par la mise à mort en public de ce dernier. Cette pratique tauromachique est aujourd’hui très controversée en Espagne. Si les aficionados, les défenseurs de la tauromachie espagnole, voient dans la corrida une tradition culturelle centenaire et une attraction touristique, les anticorridas, les défenseurs de l’abolition de la corrida, la considèrent comme une pratique sanguinaire dont la mise à mort se situe au centre des contestations. Dans cette thèse nous présentons tout d’abord une analyse historique, symbolique et sociétale de la corrida ainsi qu’une analyse des controverses qui y sont liées en présentant de façon dépassionnée les arguments des opposants et des défenseurs de cette pratique. Pour tenter d’évaluer la nécessité de cette mise à mort donnée par le matador, nous présentons par la suite deux tauromachies sans mise à mort. La première est la tourada portugaise, la soeur ibérique de la corrida dans laquelle la mise à mort dans les arènes reste symbolique tandis que la mise à mort se fait de façon cachée après le spectacle. La seconde est le savika à Madagascar qui oppose hommes et zébus dans des combats à mains nues sans mise à mort ni blessures portées aux zébus. Une comparaison approfondie de ces deux pratiques avec la corrida, du point de vue des origines, des valeurs, des symboles et de la sophistication du spectacle, montre clairement que l’absence de mise à mort dans ces pratiques alternatives ne réduit en rien le sens du combat qui reste très proche de la corrida. Celle-ci pourrait donc tout à fait évoluer dans le futur en abrogeant sa mise à mort publique du taureau sans compromettre ses valeurs essentielles. / The Spanish bullfight is a form of bullfighting consisting of a fight between men and a bull and ends with the publickilling of the bull. Today, this practice is very contested in Spain. If the aficionados, the defenders of the Spanish bullfight, see this practice as a centenarian cultural tradition and a tourist attraction, anti-bullfighting persons which defend the abolition of Spanish bullfight, consider it as a bloodthirsty practice and the final killing remains the main concern of the debate. In this thesis, we present firstly an historical, symbolic and societal analyses of the Spanish bullfight and then an analysis of its controversies. The arguments of the opponents and the defenders of this practice are presented in an unbiased way. To evaluate the necessity of the final killing, given by the matador, we present two other bullfighting practices without any public killing of the bull. The first is the Portuguese tourada, the Iberian sister of the Spanish bullfight, in which the killing of the bull remains symbolic, while the real killing is done in a hidden way, after the show. The second is the Malagasy savika, which opposes men and zebus in bare-handed combat, without any killing or wounding for the zebus. A thorough comparison of these two practices with Spanish bullfight, from the point of view of the origins, values, symbols and sophistication of the show, reveals clearly that the non-killing of the bulls in these alternative practices does not reduce the meaning of the fight, which remains very close to the Spanish bullfight. So, if this practice evolves in the future, in a way without public killing of thebull, Spanish bullfight would not compromise its essential values but could get a better acceptability. / La corrida de toros es una fiesta que consiste en lidiar toros bravos y que termina con la muerte de este último enpúblico. Ahora esta práctica taurina es muy controvertida en España. así como los aficionados y los defensores de las corridas de toros españoles, ven en ésta una tradición cultural centenaria y una atracción turística, en cambio en las anticorridas, los defensores de la abolición de las corridas de toros, La consideran como una práctica sangrienta cuya muerte es el centro de las disputas. En esta tesis presentamos en primer lugar un análisis histórico, social y simbólico de las corridas de toros junto con las controversias conexas, presentando de forma objetiva los argumentos de los opositores y defensores de esta práctica. Para intentar evaluar la necesidad y el valor de esta matanza a manos del matador, presentando a través de dos corridas de toros sin muerte en el ruedo. La primera es la tourada portuguesa, la hermana ibérica de la corrida de los toros, cuya matanza en el ruedo está prohibida en Portugal. La muerte del toro en el ruedo sigue siendo simbólica, pero lo hacen después de la feria. El segundo es el savika de Madagascar es una lucha entre hombres y un cebú, el combate es sin armas, sin matar o herir el cebú. haciendo una comparación exhaustiva en estas dos prácticas de la corrida de toros, desde la perspectiva de sus orígenes, valores, símbolos y la sofisticación de la serie, muestra claramente que la ausencia de matar A los toros en estas prácticas alternativas, no disminuye el sentido de la lucha y se mantiene próxima a la corrida. Así podría evolucionar en el futuro el abolir la matanza pública del toro, sin comprometer sus valores fundamentales.

The task of research: 1.To analyse and systematic body measures data; 2.to analyse and systematic control slaughter’s data; 3.to count correlation coefficients between different features. Methodology. It was found correlation coefficients between body measures, growth speed, carcass output and succulence. Correlation coefficients were count by using computer program – Excel. And correlation coefficient’s reliability was found by Snedekor. Conclusions: 1.Between separate body measures and growth fastness was determinated some connexion. The biggest correlation coefficients were between body measures and growth fastness in different periods of life r = 0,444 – 0,688 (P< 0,01). 2.The biggest correlation coefficients were determinated between hinder body parts measures and succulence r = 0,493 – 0,694 (P<0,01). 3.Because these high correlation coefficients show the firm belonging between determined features, so to fulfill the selection we need to take it to account. 4.It was noticed, that bulls which were dwars, they had bigger weight in different periods of their growth, instead the lofty ones. 5.The biggest growth fastness for Lithuanian Black and White breed bulls was definited from 12 – 15 months. They distinguished the biggest weight in this period. So, the most effective way to feed up these bulls would be till this period – 12 – 15 months.

Frontal Protection Systems (FPS) have become a popular accessory for passenger vehicles. They are used to protect the front of a vehicle during minor impacts, and to attenuate the impact energy during major impacts. With the increased safety of modern passenger vehicles, the fitment of a FPS to a vehicle requires careful consideration to the design and installation of the FPS as they may modify vehicle crush characteristics. This is particularly important in vehicles fitted with air bags. These community and industry concerns triggered the research discussed in this thesis, which is the first comprehensive project undertaken in this particular area. This project generated comprehensive research knowledge on the impact response and energy absorption of FPS in order to evaluate performance. This involved a range of experimental testing supplemented by finite element analysis. Experimental testing was conducted using quasi-static and dynamic techniques to assess the overall performance of current FPS available. Finite element models were then generated and analysed using both implicit and explicit techniques, and calibrated against the experimental testing results. These models were used throughout the project to assess the FPS response, in particular the energy absorbed, to changes in impact characteristics. FPS assessment guidelines were developed from the knowledge generated from the numerous FPS tests and analyses carried out in this research project. These guidelines have been used in the design and evaluation of a number of FPS for airbag compatibility. The real life performance of vehicles fitted with these FPS, have given confidence to the assessment criteria developed in this research project. This project has demonstrated that FPS can be designed to complement the safety systems of modern passenger vehicles, and thus passenger safety. This would not have been possible without the comprehensive research carried out in this project.

Submitted by Noeme Timbo (noeme.timbo@metodista.br) on 2017-01-26T11:40:55Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Cecilia Toseli.pdf: 1189941 bytes, checksum: 0ab0914b4b6e1ae56436d73ef318ee0f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-01-26T11:40:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Cecilia Toseli.pdf: 1189941 bytes, checksum: 0ab0914b4b6e1ae56436d73ef318ee0f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-09-19 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This paper presents the Exodus-Desert tradition as Northern Israel foundational tradition, consolidated in the 8th century BCE, based on Bible reading 1 Kings 12.26 to 32. The passage 1 Kings 12.26-32 presents Jeroboam's religious measures to consolidate the independence of the newly founded Northern Kingdom, in relation to the "house of David" and the "house of Yahweh in Jerusalem" (v. 26-27). The passage perspective is clearly Judahite. However, we believe that, behind the 1 Kings 12.26-32 narrative, there are Exodus echoes as Northern Israel foundational tradition, consolidated during Jeroboam II reign (788-747). We have placed the historical core of the Exodus cultural memory in Northern Israel into the context of Sheshonq I military campaign (945-925) in Canaan, in the second half of the 10th century BCE. Although the "house of Saul" political-territorial defeat, located on the Gibeon-Bethel Plateau, the forced withdrawal of Egypt (for unknown reasons), in a short time, reignited the victory and freedom feeling in the remaining groups of the mountains, after centuries of Egyptian domination in Canaan. Therefore, the Exodus is born as a memory of fight against Egypt, and not as migration from Egypt. Thus, the Exodus God is conceived as a warrior divinity who leads his people, ensuring them victory. The Egypt withdrawal from Canaan lands shaped the path for Israel kingdom consolidation, under the Omrides govern, in the beginning of the 9th century BCE. Thus, it is possible to understand that the memory of freedom from Egypt has become an emblematic propaganda of the national state victory against his great enemy, after centuries of suffering and humiliation. On the other hand, the Exodus tradition remains as the resistance force against monarchical exploitation and oppression, as evidenced by Hosea and Amos' prophecy, in the 8th century BCE. The Desert tradition was an independent memory. It was attached to the Exodus tradition, probably during Jeroboam II reign (788-747), as evidenced by inscriptions and drawings located at Kuntillet 'Ajrud site. Based on Hosea and Amos' prophecy and according to Kuntillet 'Ajrud records, we consider that the national cult in Northern Israel, in the 8th century BCE, was dedicated to the Yahweh, represented as the "young bull" and associated with the Exodus, in shrines as Bethel, Dan, and Samaria. However, before Yahweh became Israel tutelary divinity, Egypt liberation memory had been assigned initially to the god El, an Ugarit pantheon supreme divinity, traditionally represented as a bull and associated with Asherah goddess. Another Northern Israel foundational narrative competes with the Exodus tradition during Jeroboam II reign, the Jacob tradition, associated with family memories. However, after Samaria fall, Jacob's old memories are once again read in Judah, submitted to Abraham tradition and supplanted by the Exodus tradition, which then becomes, from the end of the 7th century BCE, the foundational narrative of a unified Israel, considered one people from the beginning. / Esta pesquisa apresenta a tradição do Êxodo-Deserto como tradição fundante de Israel Norte, consolidada no séc. VIII a.EC, a partir da leitura de 1Rs 12,26-32. O texto de 1Rs 12,26-32 apresenta as medidas religiosas de Jeroboão para consolidar a independência do recém-fundado Reino do Norte, em relação à “casa de Davi” e à “casa de Javé em Jerusalém” (v. 26-27). A perspectiva da redação é nitidamente judaíta. Consideramos, porém, que, por trás da narrativa de 1Rs 12,26-32, encontram-se ecos do Êxodo como tradição fundante de Israel Norte, consolidada durante o reino de Jeroboão II (788-747). Situamos o núcleo histórico da memória cultural do Êxodo em Israel Norte no contexto da campanha militar de Sheshonq I (945-925) em Canaã, na segunda metade do séc. X a.EC. Apesar da derrota da entidade político-territorial da “casa de Saul”, situada no planalto de Gabaon-Betel, a retirada forçada do Egito (por motivos desconhecidos), em pouco tempo, reacendeu nos remanescentes grupos das montanhas o sentimento de vitória e de libertação, após séculos de dominação egípcia em Canaã. Neste contexto, o Êxodo nasce como memória de luta contra o Egito, e não de migração do Egito. O deus do Êxodo é, então, concebido como uma divindade guerreira, que vai à frente de seu povo, garantindo-lhe a vitória. A saída do Egito das terras de Canaã abriu caminho para a consolidação do reino de Israel, sob o governo dos Omridas, no início do séc. IX a.EC. Assim, é possível compreender que a memória da libertação do Egito tenha-se tornado propaganda emblemática da vitória do estado nacional contra o seu grande inimigo, após séculos de sofrimento e humilhação. Por outro lado, a tradição do Êxodo mantém-se como força de resistência contra a exploração e opressão monárquica, conforme atesta a profecia de Oseias e Amós, no séc. VIII a.EC. A tradição do Deserto constituía uma memória independente. Foi unida à tradição do Êxodo, provavelmente, durante o reinado de Jeroboão II (788-747), conforme atestam inscrições e desenhos do sítio de Kuntillet ‘Ajrud. A partir da profecia de Oseias e Amós e dos registros de Kuntillet ‘Ajrud, consideramos que o culto nacional em Israel Norte, no séc. VIII a.EC, era dedicado a Javé, representado na forma do “touro jovem” e associado ao Êxodo, em santuários como Betel, Dã e Samaria. Antes, porém, de Javé tornar-se a divindade tutelar de Israel, a memória da libertação do Egito teria sido atribuída, inicialmente, ao deus El, divindade-suprema do panteão de Ugarit, tradicionalmente representado na forma do touro e ligado à deusa Asherá. Concorre com a tradição do Êxodo, à época de Jeroboão II, outra narrativa de fundação de Israel Norte, a tradição de Jacó, ligada a memórias de família. Contudo, após a queda de Samaria, as antigas memórias de Jacó são relidas em Judá, submetidas à tradição de Abraão e suplantadas pela tradição do Êxodo, que se torna, então, a partir do final do séc. VII a.EC, a narrativa fundante de um Israel unificado, considerado um só povo desde as origens.

O objetivo foi avaliar os efeitos da adição de diferentes concentrações dos isômeros cis-9, trans-11 e trans-10, cis-12 do ácido linoleico conjugado (CLA) ao meio de congelação sobre a motilidade espermática, a integridade da membrana plasmática, acrossomal e mitocondrial dos espermatozoides de touros. No experimento foram utilizados 4 touros Jersey, sendo os ejaculados processados na forma de “pool” (experimento 1) e individualmente (experimento 2). O meio base (MB) era constituído de tris (Dilutris®-SEMENCOM, Brasil) + 20 % de gema de ovo. Os tratamentos com CLA (Luta-CLA®-BASF, Brasil), tinham apresentação oleosa por isso foram preparados a partir do MB com adição de 1% de lauril sulfato de sódio (MBL). Os tratamentos foram compostos por: controle positivo (CP) = MB, controle negativo (CN) = MBL; tratamento 50 (T50) = MBL+50μM CLA; tratamento 100 (T100) = MBL+100μM CLA e tratamento 150 (T150) = MBL+150μM CLA. Após o descongelamento a qualidade espermática foi analisada pelo CASA, e a integridade das membranas plasmática, acrossomal e função mitocondrial através da associação das sondas PI, FITC-PSA, JC-1 e H-342. Em ambos os experimentos não foram observadas diferenças entre os tratamentos nas concentrações utilizadas, para os parâmetros avaliados, porém no experimento 2 houve diferenças entre indivíduos. / The objective was to evaluate the effects of addition of different concentrations of the isomers cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) to the freezing medium on sperm motility, the plasma membrane integrity, acrosomal and mitochondrial of bovine sperm. In the experiment, four Jersey bulls were used, and the ejaculates processed as "pool" (experiment 1) and individually (experiment 2). The diluent medium was based on tris (Dilutris®-SEMENCOM, Brazil) + 20% egg yolk (MB). The treatments with CLA (CLA-Luta®-BASF, Brazil), which had oily presentation, were prepared from MB with addition of 1% sodium lauryl sulfate (MBL). The treatments were: positive control (CP) = MB, negative control (CN) = MBL; treatment 50 (T50) = MBL+50μM CLA; treatment 100 (T100) = MBL+100μM CLA and treatment 150 (T150) = MBL+150μM CLA. After thawing the semen, the characteristics were analyzed by CASA, and the integrity of plasma and acrosomal membranes and mitochondrial function of sperm by association probes PI, FITC-PSA, JC-1 and H-342. In both experiments there were no differences between treatments and the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), at the concentrations used, had no effect on the integrity and superior functionality of spermatozoa that underwent cryopreservation. However, but in experiment 2, there were differences between individuals.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-08T16:24:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PGCV07MA024.pdf: 1167481 bytes, checksum: 8d46ea0fb9ff81da5a38a6f48e0ef3e1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-06-15 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The aims of this work were to perform a breeding soundness evaluation in Devon bulls in the State of Santa Catarina, in Southern Brazil, and to propose alternatives to maximize beef cattle production capacity. The contents of this dissertation were divided in four chapters. Chapter one is a review on the breeding soundness evaluation of bulls, which includes clinical exam, semen collection and evaluation, and serving capacity. In Chapter two, the evaluation of the breeding soundness of 207 Devon bulls was used to determine approval rate, based on clinical and seminal evaluation and serving capacity, and potential causes for failure. The bulls approval mean rate was 71.6%. The mean scrotal circumference (CE), according to distinct age periods, was 35.2 ± 2.93 cm for bulls between 18 to 22 months of age; 37.3 ± 2.75 cm for 23 to 27 months, and 38.2 ± 3.6 cm for 30 months or above. In Chapter 3, the internal artificial vagina (IAV) methodology, designed by Dr. Albert Barth, was tested in Devon bulls, simultaneously evaluating their serving capacity and fertility. Out of 52 bulls tested, 60.0% were satisfactory. A semen sample was obtained with the aid of the IAV in 45 bulls (86.5%), from which, 69.0% were approved in the breeding soundness evaluation, and 31.0% were reproved. When the total umber of bulls (n=52) was considered, 60.0% were approved after semen collection and serving capacity using the IAV. The IAV was an effective alternative for semen collection, allowing the simultaneous evaluation of semen quality and serving capacity. The IAV procedures were proven very effective and important, as 11.1% of failed bulls would have been inadequately approved if only clinical and seminal exams were performed. Chapter 4 reports a study to evaluate OPU recovery and efficiency of vitrification in immature OPU or slaughterhouse oocytes, from Devon viii and Nelore cows. Devon OPU mean collection rate was of 4.6 oocytes/female, hich was significantly lower (p<0.05) than in Nelore cows (16.3 oocytes/female). After warming, in vitro maturation, fertilization and culture of vitrified oocytes, cleavage rates were 17.6% in the OPU/Devon group, 29.1% in OPU/Nelore, 22.8% in the slaughterhouse/Devon, and 14.5% in the slaughterhouse/Nelore group. No statistical difference was observed between groups (p>0.05). Only one embryo developed to the blastocyst stage in the OPU/Devon group. Nelore cows had a higher OPU recovery per session in comparison to Devon. We concluded that immature oocyte vitrification obtained by OPU, under field conditions, did not allow acceptable in vitro embryo developmental rates. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the feasibility oftechnical alternatives to improve bovine reproductive capacity, but such alternatives should be tested beforehand and properly adapted previously to the use under field conditions / O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a capacidade reprodutiva de touros da raça Devon, criados em Santa Catarina, bem como propor alternativas para maximizar a capacidade produtiva de bovinos de corte. Os conteúdos foram agrupados em quatro capítulos. No Capítulo 1, procedeu-se a revisão bibliográfica do exame andrológico do touro, incluindo o exame clínico, a coleta do ejaculado, a avaliação seminal e a avaliação da capacidade de serviço. No Capítulo 2, foram avaliados dados obtidos de exames andrológicos de 207 touros da raça Devon, sendo determinado o percentual de animais aptos à reprodução, com base no exame clinico, exame seminal e comportamento sexual, bem como as potenciais causas de reprovação. A média de touros aprovados foi de 71,6%. A média de circunferência escrotal (CE) nas diferentes faixas etárias foram 35,2 ± 2,93 cm para animais de 18 a 22 meses, 37,3 ± 2,75 cm para animais de 23 a 27 meses e 38,2 ± 3,6 cm para animais com mais de 30 meses. No Capítulo 3, foi avaliada a metodologia da vagina artificial interna (VAI) proposta pelo Dr. Albert Barth, como forma de coleta do ejaculado e simultânea avaliação do comportamento e a fertilidade de touros da raça Devon. Dos 52 animais examinados, 60,0% foram considerados aptos. A VAI possibilitou a coleta do ejaculado de 45 animais (86,5%). Dos touros coletados com a VAI (n=45) 69% foram considerados aptos à reprodução e 31% inaptos. Quando se considerou o total de touros examinados (n=52), 60,0% dos touros foram aprovados após coleta de sêmen e avaliação da capacidade de cópula com a VAI. Concluiu-se que a VAI foi efetiva na coleta dos ejaculados, permitindo a avaliação simultânea da capacidade de serviço. A técnica mostrou-se importante, já que vi 11,1% dos animais reprovados no teste seriam inadequadamente considerados aptos à reprodução, se apenas os exames clínico e de qualidade seminal fossem empregados. O Capítulo 4 reporta um estudo para avaliar a taxa de recuperação e a eficiência da vitrificação de oócitos imaturos obtidos por OPU, ou de ovários de abatedouro, de fêmeas bovinas das raças Devon e Nelore. O número médio de oócitos por sessão de OPU foi de 4,6 na raça Devon, sendo inferior (p<0,05) aos 16,3 obtidos na raça Nelore. Após o reaquecimento, maturação, fecundação e cultivo dos oócitos vitrificados, foram observadas taxas de clivagem de 17,6% no grupo OPU / Devon, 29,1% no grupo OPU / Nelore, 22,8% no grupo ovários abatedouro / Devon e 14,5% no grupo ovários abatedouro / Nelore, não havendodiferença (p>0,05) entre os grupos. Na avaliação do desenvolvimento embrionário, apenas um embrião atingiu o estágio de blastocisto, no grupo OPU / Devon. As fêmeas da raça Nelore possibilitaram um número significativamente maior de oócitos recuperados por sessão quando comparadas com fêmeas da raça Devon. Concluise que a associação da técnica de OPU com vitrificação dos oócitos, em condições de campo, não produz taxas aceitáveis de desenvolvimento embrionário. O estudo demonstra que existem alternativas para melhorar a capacidade reprodutiva de bovinos que, todavia, devem ser previamente avaliadas e adequadas às condições existentes