Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / Barry J. Bradford / The mechanisms behind the metabolic changes observed when transition cows are administered monensin, as well as the effects of supplementing mid-lactation cows with two commercial amino acid products were investigated. Traditionally, the effects of monensin are attributed to increased gluconeogenic precursor supply, but recent research indicated that the effects of monensin extend beyond gluconeogenic flux. Thus, the primary objectives of Experiment 1 were to determine if monensin modulates transition cow feeding behavior, ruminal pH, and/or expression of key metabolic genes. Overall, monensin decreased time between meals prepartum (126 vs. 143 ± 5.0 min; P < 0.03) with a trend appearing postpartum (81.4 vs. 88.8 ± 2.9 min; P < 0.08), which could be related to the smaller ruminal pH standard deviation during the first day cows received the lactation ration (0.31 vs. 0.26 ± 0.015; P < 0.02). Monensin also increased liver mRNA abundance of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a (0.15 vs. 0.10 ± 0.002 arbitrary units; P < 0.04), which corresponded to a slower rate of liver triglyceride (TG) accumulation from 7 days before calving through 7 days post calving (412 vs. 128 ± 83 mg TG/g protein over this time period; P = 0.03). No significant effects of monensin supplementation were observed on other metabolic parameters or milk production. Overall, these results confirm that the effects of monensin on transition cows extend beyond altered propionate flux. In Experiment 2, mid-lactation cows consuming a control diet containing 26% wet corn gluten feed (dry matter basis) were compared to cows consuming the same diet supplemented with lysine embedded within Ca salts of fatty acids and the isopropyl ester of 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio) butanoic acid, a methionine precursor. This trial was conducted because the NRC (2001) model indicated a lysine deficiency prior to supplementation; however amino acid supplementation had no effects. This trial was then extended to decrease dietary CP from 17.9% to 17.1%, and further increase lysine and methionine supply in the treatment diet. No production or intake effects were observed during this period, but MUN was decreased in the treated group (10.8 vs. 12.5 ± 0.2 mg/dL; P < 0.001).

Orientador: Sandra Aidar de Queiroz / Coorientador: Roberto Carvalheiro / Banca: João Ademir de Oliveira / Banca: Patrícia Tholon / Resumo: No Brasil, são escassos os estudos referentes ao escore de condição corporal (ECC) de vacas de corte que, quando associado ao peso, têm impacto na produção de bezerros e na reprodução, pois reflete o balanço energético do corpo animal. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi associar ECC com a prenhez de vacas Nelore e com o desempenho de seus produtos a desmama, bem como verificar se esta característica pode ser incluída nos critérios de seleção da raça Nelore. O ECC das vacas foi atribuído no diagnóstico de gestação ou no desmame, variando de 1 a 5. Por regressão logística, utilizando o método de seleção Stepwise, foram analisados os seguintes efeitos sobre o ECC: grupo de contemporâneos a desmama, peso e altura de garupa da vaca, ordem de parto, diagnóstico de gestação, histórico reprodutivo anterior à coleta do ECC, presença de bezerro ao pé e escores de C e P dos produtos a desmama. Na análise genética, elaborada usando-se inferência baeysiana, foram incluídos os mesmos efeitos anteriores, com peso e altura de garupa da vaca como co-variáveis, e acrescidos do efeito genético aditivo da vaca. Os resultados mostraram que vacas com ECC elevado emprenharam mais do que as de pior ECC, porém o desempenho dos seus bezerros foi inferior. Vacas multíparas foram mais pesadas e de escores mais magros (ECC 1 e 2). As correlações de Spearman entre ECC e suas fontes de variação foram, em sua maioria, de baixa magnitude. Os efeitos que mais explicaram a variação do ECC foram peso, grupo de contemporâneos e altura da garupa. A estimativa de herdabilidade do ECC foi igual a 0,22, com intervalo de credibilidade entre 0,13 e 0,31, valor de magnitude moderada, demonstrando a presença de ação gênica aditiva na determinação do ECC e que este pode ser utilizado como critério de seleção de vacas / Abstract: In Brazil few studies have been done on the body condition score (BCS) of beef cows. The knowledge of this score associated with body weight can produce an impact on calf production and cow's reproduction, because it reflects the energy balance of the animal body. The objective of this study was to associate BSC with pregnancy of cows and the performance of their calves at weaning, and to verify if this trait could be included as selection criteria. The BCS was recorded on pregnancy diagnosis or at weaning and ranged from 1 to 5. Applying logistic regression, using the Stepwise selection method, we analyzed the following effects on BSC: contemporary group at weaning, classes of weight and hip height of the cow, number of calvings, pregnancy diagnosis, reproductive history prior to collection BSC, the presence of calf and C and P score of calves at weaning. For the genetic analysis, performed using Baesyan inference, the same effects were considered, with weight and hip height as covariate, and also the genetic direct effect of the cow. The results showed that cows with higher BCS had better pregnancy rate than those with lower BSC, but the performance of their calves was worse. Multiparous cows were heavier and had leaner scores (BCS 1 and 2) than the primiparous ones. The Spearman rank correlation between BSC and their sources of variation were generally of low magnitude. Contemporary group, body weight and height of the cow were the effects that accounted for most of the variation of BSC. The heritability estimate of BCS was equal to 0.22 with credible interval ranging from 0.13 to 0.31, a moderate magnitude value that indicates the presence of additive genetic variation and that BSC can be used as selection criterion for cows / Mestre

The goal of my thesis was to evaluate origin of mastisis diseases and specify the best way to cure this disease with antibiotics. Secondary goal was to examin origin of things that cause these diseases, efficiency of the cure and how it is influenced by the stage of the illness. This research was made in cowshed, fron april to december 2018 with 136 specimen. During this period I took samples of milk, that had more than 800 000 somatic cells in 1ml of milk. Based of possitve NK test, samples of mammary gland were taken and cultivated on one used only Petri dish. Depending of the origin of the infection, the proper atibitics were chosen for the cure. After 7 to 14 days after antibiotics treatment, milk sample was taken from the cured part od mammary gland and It was tested to see, if the treatment was successful. 77% of the specimen were sick because of microorganisms and most of the specimen were afflicted the most during 1st lactation (36.8% to 47.1%). Following microorganisms caused mastisis - Staphylococcus spp. (KNS), Streptococcus uberis, Klebsiella oxytoca, Escherichia coli, Candida rugosa a Enterococcus faecalis. 36% of mastisis was caused by Staphylococcus spp. (KNS), followed by coliform bacteria (22%). 17% of mastisis was caused by Streptococcus uberis. 10.5% of specimen was infected by Enterococcus faecalis. Candida rugosa was found in 7.4% of the samples and in 9.5% of samples the diseasehad no specific microorganism responsible. From 105 infected cows, 68% of them fully recovered. At the end, based on the stage of the mastisis, efectivness of the treatmend was statistically evaluated. The evaluation showed, that stage of infection massively influence the result of the treatment.

The work deals with the evaluation of selected effects on reproduction of Holstein cattle breeds. The aim of the study was to evaluate reproductive parameters (insemination index, insemination interval, period service, interim, pregnancy after the first insemination) in a selected group of dairy cows. These reproductive indicators were subsequently evaluated depending on genotype, performance level, lactation order and age at first calving and used synchronization methods. The evaluation took place at the Vřesce farm, belonging to company Rynagro a.s. 260 Holstein breed cows and their hybrids were included. The results showed that some reproductive indicators (insemination interval, service period and interim) of the monitored group of dairy cows were lower than the average of the Czech Republic. When evaluating the genotype effect on reproductive parameters, a highly significant effect (p<0.01) of genotype on insemination interval was found. Holstein breed cows had a 7-day higher insemination interval than other crosses. In evaluating the effect of daily milk yield was not proven statistically significant differences (p>0.05) in period servis and interim. Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) in insemination index, insemination interval and pregnancy after the first insemination were proven in the performance evaluation. The p-value of the global null hypothesis was close to 0.05 and no significant differences between the compared groups were demonstrated in the subsequent multiple comparison. The effect of the order of lactation on reproductive parameters was not proven (p>0.05). However, interesting results were found by the impact of age at first calving. There was a statistically highly significant difference (p<0.01) between the groups in the insemination interval and the interim and a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between the groups in the service period. Cows with a first calving age 23 months had all of these indicators lowest, the highest values were found within cows with a first calving age of 28 months. After evaluating the correlation analysis, a significant effect of age at first calving on insemination interval (p<0.05; r=0.13), on interim (p<0.01; r=0.17) and period service (p<0.01; r=0.17). Synchronization methods were used in 125 cows and the overall success rate after this treatment was 47%. The most commonly used protocol was the Ovsynch method. The calculations based on the extension of the service period quantified the theoretical loss for the extended cycle of dairy cows. This loss is 7 030, - CZK per cow and takes into account the losses for milk and the unborn calf, not the cost of further insemination and treatment of cows.

Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) are important building blocks for the chemical industry. These acids can be produced through environmentally friendly processes from a variety of wastes, such as food waste, sludge and cow manure, through anaerobic digestion (AD). The main objective of this thesis was to investigate which operating parameters (e.g. pH, retention time, mix of substrate etc.) are optimal for producing VFAs as efficiently as possible, through AD batch processes. The highest VFA concentration was reached at pH 10 and at day 11 when food waste and sludge were used as substrate to a value of 15.4 g/L, corresponding to 0.77 g VFAs/ g of VSfed. Highest VFA concentration where cow manure was used as substrate was reached on day 10 and with a value of about 10 g/L corresponding to 0.51 g VFAs/ g VSfed. / Flyktiga fettsyror (VFAs) är en viktig byggsten inom den globala kemiindustrin. Dessa fettsyror kan produceras med hjälp av miljövänliga processer där en mängd olika sorters avfall, som t.ex. matavfall, avloppsslam och koavföring kan fungera som substrat, genom anaerobisk rötning. Det huvudsakliga målet med den här kandidatuppsatsen var att utreda vilka de optimala driftförhållanden var för särskilt utvalda driftparametrar (t.ex. pH, retentionstid, mix av substrat etc.) för att producera flyktiga fettsyror så effektivt som möjligt, genom anaerobisk rötning. Högst koncentration av VFAs nåddes vid pH 10 på dag 11 när matavfall och avloppsslam användes tillsammans som substrat till ett värde på 15 g/L, vilket motsvarar en avkastning på 0.77 g VFAs / g VSin. Högst VFAs-koncentration när koavföring användes som substrat nåddes på dag 10 med ett värde på 10 g/L, motsvarande en avkastning på 0.51 g VFA/ g VSin.

Au cours de leur lactation, les vaches laitières font face à d’importants besoins en calcium du fait de la production laitière. L'augmentation très rapide de ces besoins en début de lactation fait que l’organisme des vaches peut difficilement s’adapter par une hausse de l’ingestion et de l’absorption digestive de calcium. L’organisme doit puiser dans les réserves osseuses, qui seront reconstituées plus tard en fin de lactation. Ces cycles de mobilisation et reconstitution osseuses restent cependant impossibles à quantifier chez la vache laitière sur de larges effectifs et les conséquences d’une mauvaise reconstitution osseuse sur les lactations suivantes restent inconnues. Cette thèse avait pour objectif de développer un indicateur des phénomènes de mobilisation et reconstitution osseuse au cours de la lactation.Plusieurs facteurs de mobilisation osseuse ont pu être identifiés, comme la race, la parité ou l’alimentation. Cependant, les cycles de mobilisation et de reconstitution osseuse n’ont pas pu être reliés à des variations de la composition du lait en Ca et P. Il a cependant pu être montré, que contrairement à ce qui est décrit dans la littérature, un apport insuffisant en Ca en début de lactation n’est pas toujours accompagné d’une augmentation de la mobilisation osseuse, mais peut être compensé par une augmentation des capacités d’absorption digestive. Cette thèse montre aussi la nécessité de quantifier les conséquences d’un apport insuffisant de calcium alimentaire sur les performances de production et la santé des vaches laitières sur l’ensemble de la lactation. / During lactations, dairy cows faces huge calcium requirements due to milk production. Because of the fast increase in those requirements at the beginning of the lactation, the organism of dairy cows can hardly adapt by increasing intake and digestive calcium absorption. The organism must mobilize calcium from its storage pool, bones, which will replenish later in lactation. Those cycles of bone mobilization and reconstitution remain impossible to quantify for important number of dairy cows and the consequences of an incomplete bone reconstitution on following lactation remain unknown. The aim of this PhD was to develop an indicator of the phenomenon of bone mobilization and reconstitution during lactation.Several factors increasing bone mobilization have been identified, such as breed, parity or diet. However, the cycles of bone mobilization and reconstitution could not be related to variation in milk Ca and P content. However, it has been showed that, an insufficient Ca supply in early lactation does not always induce a higher bone mobilization, as it has been described in the literature, but can be compensated by an increase in digestive absorption capacity. The thesis also showed the need to quantify the consequences on insufficient dietary calcium supply on dairy cows’ milk production and health throughout lactation.

O estradiol (E2) exerce papel fundamental no desencadeamento da luteólise nos ruminantes. A redução das concentrações de E2 que se segue a ablação dos folículos retarda a luteólise enquanto que aplicações de E2 no final da fase luteínica estimulam a secreção de prostaglandina-F2&alpha; (PGF2&alpha;), induzindo a luteólise. O E2 pode preparar bioquimicamente o endométrio de forma que a progesterona (P4) possa estimular a secreção de PGF2&alpha;. Para esse trabalho foi utilizado um antagonista de P4 (RU486) no intuito de se estudar efeitos da P4 em associação com o E2 na produção de PGF2&alpha;. Foram conduzidos 2 experimentos com vacas holandesas em final da fase luteínica. No primeiro experimento, 2 grupos (n=4) receberam respectivamente RU486 (3mg/kg)+E2 (3mg) e placebo+E2. O uso do RU486 não inibiu a produção de PGFM (metabólito da PGF2&alpha;) e sim aumentou-a. O E2 estimulou a produção de PGFM. Verificou-se também que o etanol (ETOH) utilizado como solvente para o RU486 provocou forte pico de liberação de PGFM. No experimento 2 fez-se necessário checar a efetividade da ação do ETOH nos resultados obtidos. Animais foram divididos em 3 grupos (n=3) que receberam 0,00; 0,03 e 0,06mL de ETOH/kg de peso vivo. Uma hora após a aplicação do ETOH todos receberam E2 (3mg). O ETOH e o E2 voltaram a estimular a produção de PGFM. A baixa especificidade do RU486, a possível ativação de receptores de P4 pelo próprio RU486 e/ou ação do LH associado ao E2 podem ter estimulado a liberação de PGFM. Porém pouco pôde-se concluir sobre o pico de PGFM ocasionado pelo ETOH. / Estradiol (E2) is essential for triggering luteolysis in ruminants. The low E2 concentrations after follicular ablation prolongs luteolysis instead of E2 injections in late luteal phase stimulate prostaglandin F2&alpha; (PGF2&alpha;) and luteolysis. The E2 could act in endometrium avoiding progesterone (P4 ) to stimulate PGF 2&alpha; secretion. A P4 antagonist (RU486) was used for it. Holstein cows in late luteal phase where used for those 2 experiments. First experiment, 2 groups (n=4) received respectively RU486 (3mg/kg)+E2 (3mg) and placebo+E2 Ru486 increased PGFM (PGF2&alpha; metabolite). E2 stimulated PGFM production. Ethanol (ETOH) used as a RU486 vehicle strongly stimulated PGFM. In experiment 2 the effectivity of ETOH was studied. Animals were share into 3 groups (n=3) receiving 0,00; 0,03 e 0,06mL of ETOH/kg. All animals received E2 (3mg) 1hour after ETOH injection. Once more, both ETOH and E2 stimulated PGFM releasing. The low RU486 specificity, the possible P4 receptor activation by the RU486 itself and/or the LH/E2 association could be able to stimulate PGFM release. The PGFM stimulus by the ETOH injection is not well understood.

A progesterona (P4) apresenta papel fundamental nos processos de estabelecimento e manutenção da gestação em fêmeas bovinas. A manipulação deste esteroide em momentos estratégicos durante programas de sincronização da ovulação pode aumentar o sucesso gestacional, especialmente em vacas leiteiras de alta produção devido a alta metabolização hepática de esteroides. Desta forma, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a administração de P4 injetável de longa ação (P4LA), associado ou não ao tratamento com hCG, sobre a função luteínica e taxa de concepção de vacas leiteiras de alta produção. Para tanto, três experimentos foram realizados. Experimento 1, 12 dias após a ovulação sincronizada (-24 h), 29 vacas da raça Holandesa em lactação (fêmeas com P4 plasmática inferior a 1ng/mL) receberam um implante auricular de norgestomet e 500&micro;g Cloprostenol Sódico (i.m.). Após 24h (0h), as fêmeas foram aleatoriamente distribuídas em um de quatro grupos experimentais: Controle (n=8), fêmeas sem tratamento adicional; e P4LA-300 (n=7), P4LA-600 (n=7) e P4LA-900 (n=7), fêmeas tratadas com 300, 600 e 900 mg de P4LA i.m., respectivamente. A P4 plasmática foi determinada a cada 24h totalizando 216 h. Verificou-se interação entre tratamento e tempo (P=0,002). As fêmeas tratadas com 900 mg de P4LA apresentaram maior P4 circulante durante todo o período experimental, enquanto as fêmeas tratadas com 300 e 600 mg de P4LA apresentaram superioridade somente nas primeiras 24 e 48h após o tratamento, respectivamente. No experimento 2, 3 dias após o momento esperado da IATF (Dia 3), 75 fêmeas da raça Holandesa em lactação foram alocadas em um de quatro grupos experimentais: Controle (n=20), fêmeas sem tratamento adicional; P4LA-900 (n=18), fêmeas receberam 900mg de P4LA i.m.; hCG (n=19), fêmeas receberam 2.000UI de hCG i.m.; P4LA-900+hCG (n=18), fêmeas receberam ambos os tratamentos, concomitantemente. Após o tratamento, amostras de sangue foram coletadas (Dias 3, 5, 9, 13 e 17) e exames ultrassonográficos foram realizados (Dias 5, 9 e 13) para avaliar a concentração (ng/mL) plasmática de P4 e mensurar o volume do corpo lúteo (CL). Verificou-se interação entre o tratamento com P4LA-900 e tempo (P=0,0001) e entre o tratamento com hCG e tempo (P=0,05) para concentração de P4 plasmática. Os animais tratados com P4LA-900 apresentaram maior concentração de P4 nos Dias 5 e 9. Enquanto que animais tratados com com hCG apresentaram maior concentração de P4 no Dia 9. Para o volume do CL observou-se interação entre o tratamento com hCG (P=0,002) e tempo. Animais tratados com hCG (P4LA-900+hCG e hCG) apresentaram maior volume do CL nos Dias 9 e 13 em relação aos grupos não tratados com hCG (controle e P4LA-900). No experimento 3, 982 vacas leiteiras da raça Holandesa previamente submetidas a IATF foram aleatoriamente distribuídas em um de quatro grupos experimentais, semelhantes aos descrito no Experimento 2 [Controle (n=250); P4LA-900 (n=245); hCG (n=237) e P4LA-900+hCG (n=250)]. A taxa de concepção aos 30 dias após IATF foi superior no grupo P4LA-900 (P=0,002). No entanto, nenhum efeito foi observado para o tratamento com hCG (P = 0,20) ou interação P4LA-900 e hCG (P =0,71). As taxas de concepção aos 60 dias, bem como de perda gestacional entre 30 e 60 dias pós IATF não foram influenciadas pelos tratamentos (P4LA-900 ou hCG). Houve interação entre tratamento com P4LA-900 e fazenda sobre a taxas de concepção aos 60 dias (P=0,09). Ainda observou-se interação entre o tratamento P4LA-900 e a época do ano (quente vs. não quente), sobre as taxas de concepção aos 30 (P = 0,04) e aos 60 (P = 0,07) dias após a IATF. Verificou-se efeito positivo do tratamento com P4LA-900 durante a época quente do ano. Desta forma, conclui-se que o tratamento de com P4LA-900 em fêmeas de alta produção da raça Holandesa inseminadas em tempo fixo foi positivo para taxa de concepção aos 30 dias, principalmente durante a época quente do ano. O tratamento com hCG aumentou as concentrações de P4 após o tratamento, entretanto, não foram observados efeitos positivos na taxa de concepção. / Progesterone (P4) has a key role in the establishment and maintenance processes of pregnancy in cows. The modulation of this steroid at strategic times during ovulation synchronization programs can increase pregnancy success, especially in high-producing dairy cows. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the administration long-acting injectable P4 (P4LA) on luteal function and conception rate of high producing dairy cows. Therefore three experiments were performed. In Experiment 1, 12 days after synchronized ovulation (-24h), 29 Holstein cows in lactation (with plasma P4 less than 1 ng / mL) were given a norgestomet implant and 500&micro;g Cloprostenol Sodium (i.m.). After 24 hours (0h), females were randomly assigned to one of four groups: control (n = 8), females without further treatment and P4LA-300 (n = 7), P4LA-600 (n = 7) and P4LA -900 (n = 7) females treated with 300, 600 and 900 mg P4LA i.m., respectively. After treatment, the plasma P4 was determined every 24 hours until 216 hours. There was an interaction between treatment and time (p = 0.002). The females treated with 900 mg of P4LA showed higher P4 concentration during the entire experimental period, while females treated with 300 and 600 mg had greater P4 concentration during the first 24 e 48 h after treatment, respectively. In experiment 2, three days after synchronized ovulation (Day 3), 75 female Holstein lactating were assigned to one of four groups: control (n = 20), females without further treatment; P4LA-900 (n = 18), females received 900mg of P4LA i.m.; hCG (n = 19), females received hCG 2.000UI im; P4LA-900 + hCG (n = 18), females received both treatments simultaneously. After treatment, blood samples were collected (Days 3, 5, 9, 13 and 17) and ultrasound examinations were conducted (Days 5, 9 and 13) to assess the concentration (ng/mL) plasma P4 and measure the body volume luteum (CL). There was interaction between treatment with P4LA-900 and time (P = 0.001) and treatment with hCG and time for plasma concentration of P4. Animals treated with P4LA-900 presented greater P4 concentration during Days 5 and 9. On the other hand, animals treated with hCG had greater P4 concentration on Day 9. For the CL volume, an interaction was observed between treatment with hCG and time (P=0,002). Animals treated with hCG (P4LA-900+hCG and hCG groups) resulted in greater CL volume during Days 9 and 13 compared to the experimental groups not treated with hCG (Control and P4LA-900 groups). In experiment 3, 982 dairy Holstein cows previously submitted to FTAI were randomly assigned to one of four experimental groups, similar to those described in Experiment 2 [Control (n = 250); P4LA-900 (n = 245); hCG (n = 237) and P4LA-900 + hCG (n = 250)]. The conception rate after 30 days was higher in P4LA TAI-900 (P = 0.002), but no effect was seen with treatment with hCG (P = 0.20) or with P4LA + hCG interaction (P = 0.71). Conception rates at 60 days, as well as pregnancy loss between 30 and 60 days after TAI were not affected by treatments (P4LA-900 or hCG). There was an interaction between treatment and farm on conception rates at 30 (P = 0.001) and 60 days (P = 0.006). Still there was interaction between treatment with P4LA-900 and period of the year (warm vs not hot) on conception rates at 30 (P = 0.04) and 60 (P = 0.07) days after TAI. The positive effect of treatment with P4LA-900 on conception rate was observed when females were inseminated during the warm season. Thus, it is concluded that treatment with P4LA-900 in high producing Holstein females inseminated at fixed time was positive for pregnancy rate at 30, especially during the warm period of the year. Additionally, the hCG treatment increased de P4 concentration, however, no positive effect was verified for the conception rate.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar e avaliar os fatores sanitários e reprodutivos capazes de afetar a produtividade de vacas leiteiras. Pesquisou-se por meio de dois estudos correlacionais os efeitos de ocorrências sanitárias no periparto e seus respectivos fatores de risco sobre a produção de leite no pico e aos 305 dias em lactação, e os fatores de riscos para falhas na concepção ao primeiro serviço pós-parto (CPS). Para concretizar o objetivo deste trabalho, foram coletados mensalmente durante os anos de 2001 e 2002 dados de um rebanho comercial de vacas leiteiras de raça holandesa, localizado no Estado de São Paulo. Para a realização do primeiro estudo foram usadas 15.613 observações e para a análise estatística dos dados foram utilizadas a regressão logística e a análise de regressão múltipla. Os resultados obtidos nestas análises demonstraram que as doenças do periparto e seus fatores de risco afetaram a produção de leite com diferentes efeitos em função do número de lactações, exigindo desta maneira maior cuidado com adoção de medidas profiláticas para serem evitadas doenças e para maximizar a produção de leite dos animais. Foram usadas no segundo estudo 13.594 observações e os dados foram analisados estatisticamente por meio de regressão logística, calculando-se a razão das chances no isolamento dos fatores de risco e na associação entre os riscos para sucesso ou falha na CPS. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que os principais fatores de risco foram o número da lactação, a época do ano ao primeiro serviço, a ocorrência de doenças no periparto, a relação entre as porcentagens de gordura e proteína do leite (RGP) e as alterações no escore de condição corporal (ECC). Os animais de primeira lactação apresentaram maior chance de sucesso ao primeiro serviço do que os animais multíparos. As vacas cobertas no período do inverno apresentaram, aproximadamente, cinco vezes mais chances de CPS do que as vacas cobertas no verão. Os animais que apresentaram doenças no periparto tiveram menor sucesso de concepção que os animais sadios. Os animais que apresentaram melhor condição ruminal, determinada pela RGP, principalmente durante o período de verão, tiveram melhor concepção do que os animais com RGP reduzida no verão. O ECC adequado nas diferentes fases produtivas das vacas (secagem, parto e cobertura) demonstrou ser uma importante ferramenta para identificar as vacas com risco de insucesso na concepção ao primeiro serviço. / These studies evaluate health and reproductive factors affecting dairy cows’ productivity. Through correlation studies were evaluated health occurrences and risk factors during peripartum for milk production at peak, after 305 days of lactation and conception failures on first service pos-partum (CFS). Using a commercial herd of "dairy holsteins cows" located in São Paulo state - Brazil, data were collect in 2001 and 2002. On the first study were used 15,613 observations, the statistical analyses data were processed on logistic regression and multiple regression analyses. The analyses showed that peripartum diseases and risk factors directly affected milk production, with different effects based on lactations times, requesting extra care on prophylactics to avoid diseases and improve milk production. On the second study were used 13,594 observations, the statistical analyses data were processed on logistic regression calculating chances ratio on risk factors isolation and risk factors association to success or failure on first service pos-partum. Results indicated as mainly risks factors: lactation times, year period that first service occurred, peripartum diseases, body score condition (BSC), milk protein and fat ratio (PFR). First lactation animals presented more chance of success to the first service than multiparous. Cows inseminated during winter time showed 5 times more chances of CFS than ones inseminated on summer time. Animals with peripartum diseases had less conception success than healthy ones. Cows with better rumminal condition (FPR) had a much better conception than ones with lower FPR. The correct BSC on different productive steps (dry-off, calving and breeding) showed to be an important tool to identify animals with higher risks of failure on first service conception.

Os objetivos gerais do presente estudo foram avaliar o efeito do polimorfismo genético da kappa-caseína, da raça e da estação do ano sobre as características físico-químicas (acidez, pH e crioscopia), composição (gordura, lactose, sólidos totais, contagem de células somáticas, uréia, proteína bruta, proteína verdadeira, nitrogênio não protéico e nitrogênio não caseinoso) e estabilidade do leite. Foram selecionados 11 rebanhos leiteiros comerciais, sendo cinco deles da raça Holandesa e seis da raça Girolanda, dos quais foram amostradas em média 122 vacas em lactação por rebanho, totalizando 1350 vacas amostradas em três períodos: 2 no período seco e 1 no período chuvoso. As vacas selecionadas foram analisadas quanto a composição e propriedades físico-químicas do leite, assim como para a determinação do polimorfismo de kappa-caseína. O presente trabalho foi dividido em dois estudos, no primeiro avaliou-se os efeitos da raça e estação do ano sobre características físico-químicas, composição e estabilidade do leite. Foi observado efeito de raça sobre acidez titulável, pH, lactose, uréia e estabilidade do leite. O efeito de sazonalidade mostrou-se significativo sobre pH, crioscopia, teores de lactose, uréia, proteína bruta, sólidos totais, contagem de células somáticas, proteína verdadeira, caseína, nitrogênio não protéico e estabilidade térmica do leite. Em animais da raça Girolanda, foram observados no período seco maiores teores de sólido totais. O ponto crioscópico do leite sofreu efeito do período de coleta somente em animais da raça Holandesa, onde valores mais altos foram observados durante o período seco. Os teores de lactose apresentaram maiores médias no período seco em animais da raça Holandesa. Os teores de uréia sofreram efeito de raça e período de coleta estudado. A proteína bruta do leite sofreu efeito dos fatores raça e período de coleta, sendo que vacas da raça Holandesa e Girolanda apresentam maiores teores no período seco. A concentração de caseína do leite sofreu efeito significativo do período de coleta. A estabilidade térmica do leite sofreu influência da raça, pois o leite de vacas da raça Holandesa mostraram-se mais estáveis do que os da raça Girolanda. A sazonalidade é um fator determinante para a estabilidade do leite, pois o leite mostrou-se mais estável no período chuvoso que em período seco. No segundo estudo foram avaliados o polimorfismo genético da kappa-caseína em vacas Holandesas e Girolandas e o efeito deste sobre características físico-químicas, de composição e estabilidade térmica do leite. A freqüência do alelo A foi maior do que a do alelo B no que diz respeito ao gene da kappa-caseína. Com relação às características físico-químicas do leite, não houve efeito do polimorfismo do gene da kappa-caseína sobre teores de gordura, sólidos totais, lactose, contagem de células somáticas e uréia do leite. Não foram observados efeitos do polimorfismo genético do gene para kappa-caseína sobre a composição protéica do leite, sendo que teores de proteína bruta, nitrogênio não protéico, nitrogênio não caseinoso e proteína verdadeira não sofrem influência. A estabilidade do leite frente à prova do álcool não sofreu influencia do polimorfismo genético de kappa-caseína / The objective of this study were to determine the effects of kappa-casein gene polymorphisms, breed and season on physical-chemical properties (acidity, pH and cryoscopy), composition (fat, lactose, total solids, somatic cells count, urea, crude protein, true protein, non protein nitrogen and non casein nitrogen) and stability of milk. For this aim 11 dairy herds were selected, six of them composed of Girolando cows and five from Holstein cows, in average milk samples were taken of 112 cows from each herd, collected three times: twice in dry season and once on rainy season. Each cow were analyzed for milk composition, physico-chemical properties, and to determine its kappa-casein polymorphism. This study was divided in two, the first one analyzed possible breed and season effects over milk physico-chemical characteristics, composition and stability. Breed effect was observed over acidity, pH, lactose, urea and milk stability. Season effects was significant for pH, cryoscopy, lactose, urea, CP, total solids, SCC, TP, casein, EqNPN and heat milk stability. In cows Girolando it was observed highest total solids in dry season. Milk cryoscopy had season effects only on Holstein cows, with highest results in dry season. Lactose concentration was greatest in Holstein cow in dry season. Urea concentration showed breed and season effect on this study. Crude protein was affected by breed and season, in dry season the concentration were highest for Holstein and Girolanda. Casein milk concentration demonstrated season effect. Heat milk stability showed breed stability, milk from Holstein cow were more stable that milk from Girolanda cows. Season is a determinant factor for milk stability, milk showed more stable in rainy season than during dry period. The second study analyzed: kappa-casein gene polymorphisms in Holstein and Girolando cows and its effects over milk physico-chemical characteristics, milk composition and milk heat stability. Kappa-casein allele A had a higher frequency, than allele B, in Girolando and Holstein cows in comparison with other polymorphisms. No effect of kappa-casein polymorphism was observed on milk phisico-chemical characteristics and on milk fat, total solids, lactose, SCC, and milk urea. There were no difference for milk protein composition (EqNPN, NCNC, TP, casein and EqNCN) for kappa-casein polymorphism. Milk alcohol stability did not showed effect of gene polymorphism