Thesis (PhD (Chemistry and Polymer Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / Video 1: Twin-bearing Döhne Merino ewe butting only one of her lambs in typical rejection behavior. Rejection of one twin is not a common phenomenon. (Video by Dr Marlize Viviers) / Video 2: Twin-bearing ewe # 22 accepting alien lamb # 179. The alien lamb wears a jacket her other lamb has been wearing for the preceding 24 hours. The excessive sniffing at the jacket, bleating and looking around show that the ewe is not totally satisfied with the situation. (Video by Dr Marlize Viviers) / Video 3: Ewe # 22 rejecting alien lamb # 179 after removal of the jacket it has worn in the previous video. (Video by Dr Marlize Viviers) / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Sheep husbandry substantially contributes to South Africa’s economy. Lamb mortality is regarded as a major constraint to sustainable sheep production, and an important factor in lamb survival is the strong ewe–lamb bonding. This is a well-known phenomenon in all sheep races and strong evidence exists that the selective ewe–lamb bond formation has a pheromonal basis, in that the ewe can distinguish her lamb by its unique, familiar smell. Sheep farmers and scientists have examined various methods of making alien lambs acceptable to foster ewes. The survival rate of offspring could be substantially increased if a reliable method could be devised to prevent ewes from rejecting their own lambs or if ewes could be induced to accept alien lambs. A better understanding of the semiochemicals involved in this communication between ewe and offspring could facilitate the development of a method by which ewes can be coaxed into adopting foster lambs. This would positively contribute to efficient sheep production in South Africa. The objective of this study was to characterise the volatile constituents present in the wool and the amniotic fluid collected from the Döhne Merino lambs to achieve a better understanding of the ewe–lamb semiochemical communication. The volatile organic constituents associated with the wool and amniotic fluid were characterised and a total of 133 volatile organic compounds were identified. Several compound classes are represented in these samples and the majority of these compounds have previously been identified in the excretions and secretions of numerous mammalian species. A number of different aspects of ewe–lamb kin recognition were investigated. First, the odour profiles of twin lambs were compared to those of other twins. The results of these analyses revealed that the wool volatiles of twin lambs are qualitatively as well as quantitatively practically identical, but different from those of other lambs in the flock. Second, the change in the odour profiles of lambs was studied over a seven-day period. It was found that the odour profiles of lambs are not fixed, and for as long as a ewe makes use of olfactory recognition as the main mode of identification of her lamb she has to continue learning the odour of her lamb. Third, the amniotic fluid was investigated as a possible source of maternal labels, i.e. as chemical codes consisting of mixtures of compounds in specific quantitative ratios that are imprinted on lambs by their mothers at birth. It was found that the amniotic fluids of first- and second-born lambs are qualitatively and quantitatively different. It is possible that the duration of the lambing birth process could contribute to this change in amniotic fluid composition. Fourth, the role of residual proteins in the dissemination of the semiochemicals involved in ewe– lamb communication was investigated and six proteins were identified as amniotic fluid and wool-associated proteins. Bioassays carried out during the lambing season of 2009 confirmed the role of the odour of the lamb in ewe-lamb recognition, but bioassays carried out with synthetic pheromone formulations gave inconclusive results. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Skaapboerdery lewer aansienlike bydrae tot die ekonomie van Suid Afrika, maar lamsterftes is een van die kwellende probleme waarmee kleinveeboere te kampe het. Die eksklusiewe band wat binne die eerste paar uur na 'n lam se geboorte tussen die ooi en haar lam ontwikkel, is die hooffaktor waarvan lammers se oorlewing afhang. Hierdie sterk binding tussen lam en ooi is 'n bekende verskynsel in alle skaap-rasse en dit is bekend dat 'n feromoon wat deur die lam vrygestel word, dit vir die ooi moontlik maak om haar lam aan sy unieke reuk uit te ken. Lamsterftes sou aansienlik verminder kon word as hierdie feromoon geïdentifiseer en gebruik kan word om ooie te verhoed om hulle eie lammers te verwerp en om die aanvaarding van vreemde lammers deur ooie moontlik te maak. Die doel van hierdie studie was die chemiese karakterisering van die vlugtige organiese verbindings aanwesig in die amniotiese vloeistof en wol van Döhne Merino lammers ten einde 'n beter begrip van die semiochemiese kommunikasie tussen ooie en lammers te verkry. In die amniotiese vloeistof is 70 vlugtige organiese verbindings geïdentifiseer. Dieselfde verbindings asook 'n verdere 63 verbindings is in lammerwol geïdentifiseer. Die meerderheid van hierdie verbindings is reeds voorheen in verskeie soogdierafskeidings gevind. Die studie het verskeie interessante aspekte van hierdie semiochemiese kommunikasie aan die lig gebring. Eerstens is daar gevind dat die samestelling van die vlugtige organiese materiaal in die wol van tweelinglammers, oftewel hul reukprofiele, feitlik identies is. Verder verskil die reukprofiele van 'n tweeling van dié van ander tweelinge en enkelinge in die trop. Tweedens is gevind dat die reukprofiel van 'n lam nie by geboorte vasgelê word en so behoue bly nie, maar dat dit geleidelik verander oor ten minste die periode van sewe dae waaroor hierdie verskynsel bestudeer is. Dit noodsaak die ooi om haar geheue met betrekking tot die lam se reuk voortdurend te verfris gedurende die tydperk wat sy hoofsaaklik van haar reuksin gebruik maak om haar lam te herken. Derdens is die amniotiese vloeistof ondersoek as moontlike bron van ‘n sogenaamde moedermerk, waardeur chemiese mengsel van verbindings wat in ‘n spesifieke kwantitatiewe samestelling by geboorte deur die ooi op haar lam agter gelaat word. Ten opsigte van kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe samestelling, verskil die vlugtige organiese fraksie van die amniotiese vloeistof van die tweelinglam wat eerste gebore word van die amniotiese vloeistof van die lam wat tweede gebore word. Dit is onwaarskynlik dat amniotiese vloeistowwe wat ten opsigte van hul vlugtige organiese fraksies van mekaar verskil, nagenoeg identiese moedermerke op tweeling lammers sou kon laat. Vierdens is vasgestel dat spore van ses proteïene uit die amniotiese vloeistof op die wol van lammers agtergelaat word. Daar kon ongelukkig nie vasgestel word of hierdie proteïene 'n rol in die vrystelling van semiochemiese inligting speel nie. Gedragstoetse wat tydens die lamseisoen van 2009 uitgevoer is, het bevestig dat die lam se reukprofiel deurslaggewende rol in ooi-lam herkenning speel, maar gedragstoetse wat met sintetiese feromoonmengsels uitgevoer is, het onbesliste resultate opgelewer.

This thesis studies the interactions of vowel tone with consonantal voice. Briefly, tone-voice interactions refer to: (i) voiced--not voiceless--onsets block high tone spreading; (ii) voiceless--not voiced--onsets block low tone spreading; (iii) sonorant onsets are transparent to both tonal processes. There are many variations to these archetypical patterns of tone-voice interactions. I argue that these variations as well as the archetypical patterns can receive a revealing account from the phonological theory. Specifically, this thesis explores the Prosodic Hypothesis of Tone-Voice, which claims: (i) tone must be represented prosodically (namely, tone is associated to mora); and (ii) tone-voice relations must be expressed by conditions (namely, path conditions, proposed in Archangeli and Pulleyblank (in prep)). By exploiting tonal representations and conditions on tone-voice, the Prosodic Hypothesis provides a principled account of tone-voice in Ngizim, Ewe, and Nupe. The result is a principled theory that unifies the known phonetic and phonological facts about tone-voice and that makes testable predictions about the nature and type of expected tone-voice interactions. In addition to tone-voice, this thesis investigates a range of theoretical issues from tonal representations, to onset representations, to the privative voicing theory to Grounded Phonology (Archangeli and Pulleyblank in prep.). I demonstrate that detailed formal analyses of tone-voice can not only uncover facts about tone-voice, but can also make important contributions to phonological theory.

Depuis 'Ecclesia in Africa', le concept de l’Eglise-Famille-de-Dieu est identifié comme le concept africain de l’inculturation de l’ecclésiologie de communion du concile Vatican II et la clé de la nouvelle évangélisation en Afrique. Son adoption suscite des polémiques chez des pasteurs et des théologiens africains, notamment au sujet de sa genèse et de sa pertinence. Plusieurs études bibliques et théologiques ont été effectuées au sujet du concept de l’Eglise- Famille-de-Dieu. Celles-ci ont surtout pour vocation à le valider comme le concept ecclésiologique africain. Or la promotion faite au concept de l’Eglise-Famille-de-Dieu au plan continental, national et diocésain n’est qu’institutionnelle voire même conventionnelle. Pour dépasser le cadre d’une appropriation simplement superficielle de ce concept, il nous paraît nécessaire et urgent d’accorder une place prioritaire aux spécificités historiques, culturelles et communautaires de chaque Église locale à l’instar de l’expérience ecclésiale du Burkina Faso qui apparaît comme le modèle fondateur. La présente contribution, qui se veut une étude monographique, met en évidence la genèse du concept de l’Eglise-Famille-de-Dieu au Burkina Faso et mesure sa pertinence dans un champ ecclésial particulier : celui de l’Église catholique au Togo. En définitive, il s’agit de tenter une refondation de l’Eglise-Famille-de- Dieu en vue d’une réception communautaire de Vatican II et d’'Ecclesia in Africa'. / Since 'Ecclesia in Africa', the concept of the Church as Family of God has been identified as the African concept for the development of the Ecclesiology of communion advised by the second Vatican Council and as the key of the new evangelization in Africa. Its adoption has given rise to polemics among African priests and theologians, in particular concerning its genesis and its significance. Several biblical and theological studies have been carried out about the concept of the Church as Family of God. Their aim is mostly to confirm it as the ecclesiological concept in Africa. However it turns out that the promotion given at the continental, national and diocesan levels to the concept of the Church as Family of God is merely institutional or even conventional. To transcend a purely superficial implementation of the concept it seems necessary and urgent that primary importance be given to each local Church’s specific features, in terms of history, culture and community life, following the example of the experience of the Church in Burkina Faso, which turns out to be the founding model. The present work, which aims to be a monograph, delineates the genesis of the concept of the Church as Family of God in Burkina Faso and assesses its significance in a given field : the Roman Catholic Church in Togo. Eventually it attempts to reform the concept of the Church as Family of God with a view to sustaining a community reception of the second Vatican Council and of 'Ecclesia in Africa' in Togo.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo o estudo da dinâmica folicular da ovelha Santa Inês no protocolo de nove dias de sincronização de cios, com e sem a administração do eCG, utilizando um novo dispositivo intravaginal de silicone Primer-PR® (Tecnopec Brasil). No experimento 1, dez ovelhas receberam o dispositivo vaginal no D0, retirada no D9 e aplicação de 0,4mL de d-cloprostenol. Os exames ultrassonográficos foram diários, desde D-3 da colocação do dispositivo vaginal até o D9 e a partir deste, de 12 em 12 horas até a ovulação. Concomitantemente ao experimento 1, as coletas de sangue foram realizadas entre as ovelhas que receberam o dispositivo (grupo GP, n=10) e àquelas em estado fisiológico (grupo GF, n=12). No experimento 2, nove ovelhas receberam igual tratamento do experimento 1 e 250UI de eCG na retirada do dispositivo. Os exames ultrassonográficos para o acompanhamento da dinâmica folicular ocorreram de 12 em 12 horas do D9 até a ovulação. Neste experimento, o sangue foi coletado em dias intervalados desde D-1 até D13. No experimento um, a emergência folicular ocorreu em 8,5 dias ± 16 horas após a colocação do dispositivo vaginal. As ovelhas entraram e saíram do cio, respectivamente, 45,6 ± 12,71h e 72 ± 12,96h após a retirada do mesmo e a ovulação ocorreu em 73 ± 14,38 h. O diâmetro inicial médio do folículo foi de 3,48 ± 0,28 mm e do ovulatório de 5,22 ± 0,72 mm, diferindo significativamente (p=0,006) entre o primeiro e o segundo folículo ovulatório e entre o primeiro folículo de animais com simples (5,77 ± 0,34mm) ou dupla (4,83 ± 0,18mm) ovulação (P=0,003). A taxa de crescimento no período foi 0,73 ± 0,43 (mm/dia). No experimento 2, o estro iniciou-se às 36 ± 6,4h, finalizou às 81 ± 8,46h com a ovulação em 74,3 ± 7,56 h após a retirada do dispositivo vaginal. O diâmetro inicial médio do folículo foi de 4,04 ± 0,78 mm e do ovulatório de 5,40 ± 0,59 mm, diferindo significativamente entre o primeiro folículo de animais com simples (5,91± 0,27mm) ou dupla (5,2 ± 0,22mm) ovulação (P=0,007). A taxa de crescimento folicular no período foi de 0,66 ± 0,43 mm ao dia. No experimento 1, o dispositivo Primer-PR® elevou a concentração plasmática de progesterona do grupo GP a 6,56 ± 2,32 ng/mL, enquanto o grupo fisiológico (GF) ficou em 3,8 ± 2,69 ng/mL no mesmo período. No experimento 2 a concentração plasmática de progesterona durante a permanência do dispositivo vaginal foi de 11,50 ± 3,11ng/mL. Conclui-se que foi possível realizar o acompanhamento da dinâmica folicular dentro do protocolo de nove dias de sincronização de cios na ovelha Santa Inês e que o novo dispositivo utilizado foi eficiente em sincronizar a emergência da onda folicular ovulatória. / The present study aimed the assessment of follicular dynamics in Santa Inês ewes during the nine day estrus synchronization protocol, with or without the administration of eCG, using a new intravaginal silicon device, Primer-PR® (Tecnopec Brasil). In Experiment 1, ten ewes received the vaginal device on D0, which was removed on D9 and received 0,4mL of d-cloprostenol. Ultrasound exams were performed daily, since D-3 of the device placement until D9 and every 12 hours thereafter, until ovulation. During Experiment 1, blood samples were taken from the ewes that received the device (grupo GP, n=10) and the ewes that were in physiological state (grupo GF, n=12). In Experiment 2, nine ewes received the same treatment in Experiment 1 and 250UI of eCG on the day of the device removal. Ultrasound exams for follicular development were performed every 12 hours starting on D9 until ovulation. Blood samples were taken every other day from D-1 until D13. In Experiment 1, follicular emergence occurred in 8,5 days ± 16 hours after the vaginal device placement. The ewes started and ended estrus at, respectively, 45,6 ± 12,71h and 72 ± 12,96h after device removal and ovulation was detected in 73 ± 14,38 h. The mean initial follicle diameter was 3,48 ± 0,28 mm and the mean ovulatory follicle diameter was 5,22 ± 0,72 mm, being statistically different (p=0,006) between the first and second ovulatory follicle and between the first follicle of single ovulation (5,77 ± 0,34mm) or double ovulation individuals (4,83 ± 0,18mm) (P=0,003). The follicular growth rate during this period was 0,73 ± 0,43 (mm/day). In Experiment 2, estrus started at 36 ± 6,4h, ended at 81 ± 8,46h with ovulation occurring in 74,3 ± 7,56 h after the vaginal device removal. The mean initial follicle diameter was 4,04 ± 0,78 mm and the mean diameter ovulatory follicle was 5,40 ± 0,59 mm, differing statistically between the first follicle of single ovulation individuals (5,91± 0,27mm) or double ovulation individuals (5,2 ± 0,22mm) (P=0,007). Follicular growth rate during the period was 0,66 ± 0,43 mm per day. In Experiment 1, Primer-PR® device increased plasmatic progesterone concentration in group GP to 6,56 ± 2,32 ng/mL, whereas physiological group (GF) had 3,8 ± 2,69 ng/mL during the same period. In Experiment 2 plasmatic progesterone concentration throughout the vaginal device use was 11,50 ± 3,11ng/mL. It can be concluded that it was possible to perform ultrasound evaluation of follicular dynamics during the nine day estrus synchronization protocol in Santa Inês ewes and that the new device used was efficient in synchronizing the emergence of ovulatory follicular wave.

Aux Antilles Françaises, les animaux d’élevage sont susceptibles d’être exposés à la chlordécone (CLD), Polluant Organique Persistant (POP) présent dans leur environnement. Afin de sécuriser les Denrées Alimentaires d’Origine Animale (DAOA) destinées à la consommation humaine, nos travaux ont porté sur l’étude du devenir de la CLD chez la brebis. Les objectifs de ces travaux étaient de comprendre comment s’effectue l’élimination de la molécule depuis l’organisme animal c’est-à-dire de déterminer par quelle(s) voie(s), sous quelle(s) forme (s), en combien de temps, en quelle quantité et par quels mécanismes s’élimine la CLD. Pour cette étude, deux volets ont été considérés : un volet analytique et un volet toxicocinétique. En effet, les méthodes de dosage connues des métabolites de la CLD ne permettaient pas d’obtenir la sensibilité et la fiabilité attendues pour nos travaux. Ainsi, un développement analytique de méthodes de dosage de la CLD et de ses métabolites dans les matrices d’intérêt a été mené. Ces travaux analytiques se sont appuyés sur une méthodologie d’extraction de type Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS), une analyse par chromatographie en phase liquide couplée à la spectrométrie de masse en tandem (LC-MS/MS) et l’utilisation d’étalons internes isotopiques. Ce développement permet de disposer de méthodes de dosage sensibles, rapides et fiables de la CLD et de ses métabolites dans différentes matrices animales. A l’issue de l’étape de développement analytique, les méthodes dans le foie, les fèces et les urines ont été validées à l’aide de profils d’exactitude établis selon la norme V03-110 et le guide SANTE de référence pour les pesticides. Pour exemple, dans la matrice foie, des limites de quantification de 1,36 µg kg-1 PF et de 2,50 µg kg-1 PF respectivement de chlordécone et de chlordécol (métabolite de la CLD) ont été retrouvées. Le deuxième volet de cette thèse s’est appuyé sur deux protocoles toxicocinétiques réalisés chez la brebis. A l’aide de ces expérimentations, il a été possible de combler une partie des lacunes sur la toxicocinétique de la CLD chez la brebis. Nos travaux ont démontré que la CLD est partiellement métabolisée en chlordécol (CLDOH) par la chlordécone réductase dans le foie des brebis. Par la suite, la CLD et le CLDOH peuvent être métabolisés à l’aide d’UDP-glucuronosyl-transferases et de sulfo-transferases en métabolites conjugués de la CLD et du CLDOH (CLD-C et CLDOH-C). Le CLDOH est un métabolite intermédiaire qui n’est quasiment jamais quantifié dans l’organisme animal hormis dans le tissu gras. L’élimination de la CLD se fait majoritairement via les fèces : 1/3 de la molécule parent CLD est éliminé sous forme de CLD et 1/6 est éliminé sous forme de CLDOH. La voie urinaire est une voie mineure d’élimination de la CLD. A l’aide de ces travaux, un modèle compartimental a été proposé. Sur la base de ce modèle, des travaux de modélisation seront possibles et permettront la proposition et la mise en place de stratégies de décontamination des ovins aux Antilles Françaises / In the French West Indies (FWI), farming animals can be exposed to CLD, a persistent organic pollutant (POP) bound to soil in contaminated areas. In order to produce safe animal products, this thesis was focused on the CLD’s fate in ewes. The aims were to determine by which way(s), in which form(s), in how much time, in which quantities and by which mechanisms, CLD would be eliminated from the animal body. In this thesis, two complementary approaches were followed. First it was necessary to improve the analytical methods especially for the metabolites in order to obtain more sensitive and reliable methods than the actual ones. In the analytical approach, methods for CLD and its metabolites were developed in various animal matrices suitable for the toxicokinetic studies. The extraction method was based on the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) methodology and the analysis was performed with a liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Isotopic Standards were also used. Thanks to this work, sensitive, quick and reliable methods were obtained in animal matrices. The set-up methods in liver, feces and urine were validated with accuracy profiles according to the French Standard NF V03-110 and European Union guidelines. Limits of quantifications of 1.36 μg kg−1 and 2.50 μg kg−1 of fresh liver were respectively found for chlordecone and chlordecol (the CLD’s metabolite). Secondly, and thanks to the analytical development, in vivo toxicokinetic studies were performed to determine the fate of CLD in ewes. The second approach of this thesis was based on two toxicokinetic protocols realized in ewes. The results revealed that CLD is partially metabolized in chlordecol (CLDOH) by the chlordecone reductase in ewe’s liver. Then, CLD and CLDOH can be conjugated by UDP-glucuronosyl-transferases and sulfo-transferases in conjugated metabolites (CLD-C and CLDOH-C). It appeared that CLDOH is only an intermediate metabolite which is almost never quantified in the organism except in fat tissue. The major route of CLD elimination is in feces: 1/3 of the molecule is eliminated in its CLD’s form and 1/6 in its CLDOH’s form. The urinary way of CLD elimination is minor. Based on the obtained results, a compartmental model was proposed. It will allow to propose and to establish ovine decontamination strategies in the FWI

Orientador: Edson Ramos Siqueira / Banca: Paulo Francisco Domingues / Banca: João Alberto Negrão / Resumo : Resumo: Delineou-se o presente trabalho com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos de três sistemas de manejo, com diferentes idades à desmama dos cordeiros (48horas, 30 e 45 dias) sobre a produção, composição do leite e incidência de mastite. Utilizaram-se 68 ovelhas Bergamácia distribuídas em três grupos por ordem de parição e idade. A dieta utilizada para os sistemas foi composta de silagem de sorgo e concentrado, na proporção volumoso: concentrado de (40:60), segundo exigência do NRC (1985). Os sistemas foram denominados de acordo com a idade à desmama dos cordeiros, sendo D48h = desmama às 48 horas após o parto e aleitamento artificial até 45 dias; D30d = desmama aos 30 dias e as ovelhas submetidas à ordenha somente após este período; D45d= desmama aos 45 dias com ordenha simultânea à amamentação. Neste último sistema os cordeiros permaneceram com suas mães em pasto durante 8 horas/dia e foram separados no final da tarde. As ovelhas dos três sistemas foram ordenhadas mecanicamente uma vez ao dia, às 8h 00, com produção de leite mensurada diariamente durante 90 dias para os sistemas D48h e D45d e 60 dias para o sistema D30d. Amostras de leite foram coletadas semanalmente para determinação da composição centesimal e contagem de células somáticas. A produção média total de leite das ovelhas do sistema D48h foi similar às ovelhas do sistema D45d e D30d (28,26; 28,65; 18,79 kg/ovelha/lactação, respectivamente). Nas três primeiras semanas, quando apenas os sistemas D48h e D45d foram avaliados, o teor médio de gordura, proteína e sólidos totais apresentaram-se superiores no D48h quando comparados ao D45d. A contagem de células somáticas foi similar entre os sistemas e apenas na primeira semana de lactação as ovelhas do sistema D45d apresentaram menor CCS em relação as ovelhas do sistema D48h. / Abstract: This work aimed to evaluate the effects of three management systems, with different ages of lambs at weaning (48 hours, 30 and 45 days), on production, and composition of milk e incidence of mastitis. It was used 68 Bergamasca ewes allocated in three groups by order of parturition and age. The diet used for the systems was made up with sorghum silage and concentrate, in the volumous:concentrate ratio of (40:60), according to NRC (1985). Systems were named according to lambs' age at weaning, being D48h = weaning 48 hours after parturition and artificial nursing up to 45 days; D30d = weaning at 30 days of age and sheep submitted to milking only after this period; D45d = weaning at 45 days of age with simultaneous milking. In this latter system, lambs remained with their mothers in pasture during 8 hours/day and were separated in the evening. Sheep from the three systems were mechanically milked once a day, at 8h 00 with milk production measured daily during 90 days for D48h and D45d and 60 days for D30d. Milk samples were collected weekly for determination of centesimal composition and somatic cells counting. The final average milk production D48h ewes were similar for systems D45d and D30d, (28.26, 28.65 and 18.79 kg/ewe/lactation, respectively. In the first three weeks, when only systems D48h and D45d were evaluated, the percentage of milk fat, protein, lactose and total solids were higher in D48h when compared to D45d. Somatic cells counting was similar among systems and at the 1-wk test day the D45d ewe was lower SCC than D48h ewe. / Mestre

Temos presenciado um crescimento expressivo da ovinocultura de corte nos últimos anos. Algumas doenças de grande importância econômica tem sido motivo de estudos, não apenas pelo impacto econômico que representam, mas também para a saúde do animal e do homem. Com a crescente preocupação com resíduos de medicamentos pesticidas nos produtos de origem animal, perda da qualidade do leite e conseqüente baixo ganho de peso dos borregos de corte, os sistemas orgânicos de produção vem ganhando espaço. Sabe-se que a mastite subclínica é uma das responsáveis pelo baixo rendimento de carcaça na ovinocultura de corte. Neste experimento, optou-se por realizar tratamento com medicamento homeopático (Phytolaca decandra) das ovelhas com tetos diagnosticados com CMT 2+ e 3+, sem sinais de mastite clínica. Dois lotes de ovelhas com mastite subclínica foram usados. Um lote controle que recebeu placebo e o lote tratado que recebeu remédio homeopático duas vezes ao dia junto ao concentrado a partir da quarta semana do parto (de lactação). Foram colhidas duas amostras de cada tetos com mastite subclínica no início do experimento (30 dias do parto) e a cada 15 dias até o desmame quando os borregos tinham aproximadamente 60 - 65 dias de vida. Das amostras colhidas, uma seguiu para identificação do agente microbiológico e outra para a contagem de células somáticas (CCS). Ao final do estudo não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre as CCSs da secreção láctea quando comparadas antes e depois do tratamento homeopático no mesmo grupo, bem como quando comparou-se ambos os grupos (tratados e placebo). Porém observou- se que o grupo tratados apresentou redução significativa (P<0,05) nos isolados das amostras com Staphylococcus spp. e aumento significativo de amostras sem crescimento bacterianos (negativas) e ganho de peso estatisticamente significante (P<0,05) quando comparado ao grupo placebo. / We have seen an expressive growth of lamb production in the last years. Some diseases of economic importance have been studied not just by its economic impact but also for the animal and human health. With worry about pesticides and drugs\' remaining (left over) in animal origin products, the loss of milk quality and consequent lamb\'s low gain weight, the organic production systems are growing up. It\'s known that subclinical mastitis is one of the most dangerous and one of those held responsible for the decrease of weight-gain in lamb breeders. In this experiment, it was chosen to use homeopathic medication for ewes whose half udder was diagnosed 2+ and 3+ on CMT (California Mastite Test) without signs of clínical mastitis. Two groups of subclinical mastitis ewes were used. The first one received placebo BID (no treated group) and the second one received homeopathic medication (Phytolaca decandra) BID (treated group) in concentrated food since the 4Th week of lambing. Two milk samples were taken from each injured gland 30 days after lambing and each 15 days until 60-65 days after lambing, when the lambs were weaning. One of the milk samples went to microbiological identification and the other one to SCC (somatic cell count). By the end of the research, neither was it found statistical difference between samples of milk before and after homeopathic treatment from the three milk sampling in the same group nor did it happens when the groups treated and placebo were compared. However, it was observed that the treated group showed significant decrease (P<0,05) samples with Staphylococcus spp. and significant increase of samples without bacteriological growth as well as gain of weight statistically significant (P<0,05) when compared with the placebo groups.

Temos presenciado um crescimento expressivo da ovinocultura de corte nos últimos anos. Algumas doenças de grande importância econômica tem sido motivo de estudos, não apenas pelo impacto econômico que representam, mas também para a saúde do animal e do homem. Com a crescente preocupação com resíduos de medicamentos pesticidas nos produtos de origem animal, perda da qualidade do leite e conseqüente baixo ganho de peso dos borregos de corte, os sistemas orgânicos de produção vem ganhando espaço. Sabe-se que a mastite subclínica é uma das responsáveis pelo baixo rendimento de carcaça na ovinocultura de corte. Neste experimento, optou-se por realizar tratamento com medicamento homeopático (Phytolaca decandra) das ovelhas com tetos diagnosticados com CMT 2+ e 3+, sem sinais de mastite clínica. Dois lotes de ovelhas com mastite subclínica foram usados. Um lote controle que recebeu placebo e o lote tratado que recebeu remédio homeopático duas vezes ao dia junto ao concentrado a partir da quarta semana do parto (de lactação). Foram colhidas duas amostras de cada tetos com mastite subclínica no início do experimento (30 dias do parto) e a cada 15 dias até o desmame quando os borregos tinham aproximadamente 60 - 65 dias de vida. Das amostras colhidas, uma seguiu para identificação do agente microbiológico e outra para a contagem de células somáticas (CCS). Ao final do estudo não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre as CCSs da secreção láctea quando comparadas antes e depois do tratamento homeopático no mesmo grupo, bem como quando comparou-se ambos os grupos (tratados e placebo). Porém observou- se que o grupo tratados apresentou redução significativa (P<0,05) nos isolados das amostras com Staphylococcus spp. e aumento significativo de amostras sem crescimento bacterianos (negativas) e ganho de peso estatisticamente significante (P<0,05) quando comparado ao grupo placebo. / We have seen an expressive growth of lamb production in the last years. Some diseases of economic importance have been studied not just by its economic impact but also for the animal and human health. With worry about pesticides and drugs\' remaining (left over) in animal origin products, the loss of milk quality and consequent lamb\'s low gain weight, the organic production systems are growing up. It\'s known that subclinical mastitis is one of the most dangerous and one of those held responsible for the decrease of weight-gain in lamb breeders. In this experiment, it was chosen to use homeopathic medication for ewes whose half udder was diagnosed 2+ and 3+ on CMT (California Mastite Test) without signs of clínical mastitis. Two groups of subclinical mastitis ewes were used. The first one received placebo BID (no treated group) and the second one received homeopathic medication (Phytolaca decandra) BID (treated group) in concentrated food since the 4Th week of lambing. Two milk samples were taken from each injured gland 30 days after lambing and each 15 days until 60-65 days after lambing, when the lambs were weaning. One of the milk samples went to microbiological identification and the other one to SCC (somatic cell count). By the end of the research, neither was it found statistical difference between samples of milk before and after homeopathic treatment from the three milk sampling in the same group nor did it happens when the groups treated and placebo were compared. However, it was observed that the treated group showed significant decrease (P<0,05) samples with Staphylococcus spp. and significant increase of samples without bacteriological growth as well as gain of weight statistically significant (P<0,05) when compared with the placebo groups.

Pregnancy toxaemia (ketosis) is a metabolic disease of ewes which occurs during the late gestation as a result of the inability of the pregnant ewe to maintain an adequate energy balance for the fast growing maternal fetal unit. As a result of energy defi-ciency mobilization of lipid reserves results in a doubling of the plasma free fatty acid (FFA) giving rise to fatty liver and increased ketone bodies β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) in blood and urine. It is associated with a higher rate of mortality and causes severe economic losses. The objective of this study was directed at investigating the relationship between metabolic parameters and cytokine TNFα, to check the interaction between the TNFα and fat metabolism in late pregnant ewes of different breeds, and whether TNFα play a role in the pathogenesis of pregnancy toxaemia, which may serve as marker to early diagnosis of the disease. In this study, 29 pregnant and clinically healthy ewes (16 Merino, 13 Blackhead) were selected out of a flock of sheep. Blood samples were collected at 5, 3, and 1 week be-fore parturition (b.p.) and also 4 weeks after parturition (a.p.). The average numbers of lambs were 2.18 and 1.58 /ewe for Merino and Blackhead breeds respectively. The blood samples were analyzed for the following:  Concentration of metabolic parameters: glucose, insulin, free fatty acids (FFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), albumin, total protein (TP), iron (Fe), glutamat-dehydro-genase (GLDH), creatin kinase (CK), gamma-glutamyl-transferase (GGT), choles-terol, haptoglobin.  Haematological parameters: Haematocrite (HK), haemoglobin concentration (HB), erythrocyte count (EC), leukocyte count (LC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC).  Cytokine TNFα by using ovine TNFα ELISA assay. The results of glucose concentration of pregnant ewes showed significant increase (3.8 mmol/l) in five weeks b.p. and declined with advancing gestation (2.6 mmol/l) one week b.p. Insulin concentration remained constant with an average of 0.11 nmol/l b.p., and then significantly increased to 0.22 nmol/l four weeks a.p. Maximal FFA concentrations were found at five weeks b.p. (976 µmol/l). The levels of FFA showed high levels b.p. compared with reference range (R.R. < 600 µmol/l), and the FFA levels significantly decreased postpartum (four weeks b.p.). while there was significant increasing (p<0.05) in the level of FFA in Merino sheep than in Black-head sheep b.p. On the other hand there was no significant difference a.p. The mean values of BHB in all periods of sampling, period 1(5 w.b.p.), period 2 (3 w.b.p.), period 3 (1 w.b.p.), and period 4 (4 w.a.p.) were 0.37 mmol/l, 0.23 mmol/l, 0.17 mmol/l and 0.3 mmol/l respectively. The mean of BHB indicated normal levels of BHB before and after parturition compared to subclinical ketosis (BHB > 1 mmol/l) and clinical ketoses (BHB > 1.6 mmol/l), and there was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the values of BHB between Blackhead and Merino breeds before parturi-tion while there was no significant difference after parturition. The concentration of TNFα showed elevated levels in all period of sampling before parturition. The TNFα values were 30.4 (17.2, 785.0) ng/ml (median, first, and third quartiles), 35.6 (13.6, 54.3), and 26.6 (13.0, 39.9) ng/ml in period 1(5 w.b.p.), period 2 (3 w.b.p.), and period 3 (1 w.b.p.) respectively. These values decreased to 19.1 (9.9, 33.8) ng/ml at 4 weeks after parturition. Statistical analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between free fatty ac-ids and TNFα. This correlation means that adipose tissue produces TNFα causing insu-lin resistance, which stimulates the lipolysis and leads to an increase of circulatory free fatty acids levels. It is concluded that fat mobilization occurs in the prepartum clinically healthy ewes with a significant increase in the levels of FFA, and also there is an increase in the proinflammatory cytokine TNFα at late gestation which predisposes ewes to pregnancy toxaemia and can aid in the diagnosis of the disease.

Temos aktualumas. Gyvulininkystės sektorius Lietuvoje yra svarbi žemės ūkio sritis. Šio sektoriaus plėtrai šalyje yra palankios gamtinės sąlygos, susiformavusios gyvulių auginimo tradicijos, sukaupta patirtis. Gyvulininkystės sektorius ypač reikšmingas, aprūpinant Lietuvos vartotojus įvairiais maisto produktais bei svarbus Lietuvos eksporto šaltinis. Gyvūninės kilmės produktai taip pat yra svarbi subalansuotos mitybos dalis, - juose gausu žmogaus organizmui reikalingų maisto medžiagų, vitaminų ir mineralų. Gyvulininkystės sektorius yra svarbus maisto pramonei. Mėsos, pieno ir kitų perdirbimo įmonių techninis potencialas sudaro visas galimybes maksimaliai išnaudoti gyvulininkystės sektoriaus išteklius ir sudaryti ekonomines prielaidas šio sektoriaus plėtrai. Daugelio veislių avių genetinis mėsinių savybių potencialas yra aukštas, todėl tinkamai jas panaudojant galima gauti mišrūnus ėriukus, kurie pasižymės ypač geromis mėsinėmis savybėmis ir aukštos biologinės vertės mėsa. Darbo objektas – avių mišrūnai. Darbo tikslas – išanalizuoti Sufolkų ir Vilšyrhornų, Lietuvos juodgalvių ir Vilšyrhornų, Sufolkų ir Kamerūno, Lietuvos juodgalvių ir Kamerūno genotipo mišrūnų ėriukų produktyvumą. Darbo uždaviniai:1. Išanalizuoti ėriavedžių, kergiant jas skirtingų veislių avinais, reprodukcinius rodiklius. 2. Ištirti skirtingo genotipo mišrūnų ėriukų augimo spartą ir mėsines savybes. 3. Ištirti skirtingo genotipo mišrūnų ėriukų mėsos kokybę. 4. Įvertinti skirtingo genotipo mišrūnų ėriukų... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The relevance of the topic. Sector of animal husbandry in Lithuania is an important part of agriculture. For the enlargement of this sector there are favourable nature conditions, formed animal growing traditions, accumulated experiences. Sector of animal husbandry is significant in supplying various food products for the Lithuania consumers and an important source for the export. Moreover, products from animal meat are essential part of the healthy balanced diet. Meat contains many various food materials, vitamins and minerals needed for the organism of human being. Furthermore, the sector of animal husbandry is important for the food industry. Technical potential of meat, milk and other product processing companies create all the opportunities for maximizing resources of the animal husbandry sector and to create economical assumptions for the growth of this sector. The potential of meat characteristics of many various sheep’s is high, therefore while using it smartly it is possible to obtain hybrid lambs, which distinguish oneself with exceptionally good meat characteristics and high biological value meat. The object of the thesis is hybrid lambs. The goal of the thesis is to analyze Suffolk (S) and Wiltshire horn (WH), Lithuania black head (LBH) and Wiltshire horn, Suffolk and Cameroon(C), Lithuania black head and Cameroon genotype hybrid lambs productivity. Objectives of the thesis: 1. To analyze ewes reproduction indicators while pairing them with different breed rams... [to full text]