Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da presença de corpo lúteo (CL) no início do protocolo de inseminação artificial a tempo fixo (IATF), no diâmetro do folículo ovulatório (DFO), na expressão de estro e na taxa de prenhez usando cipionato de estradiol (CE) ou GnRH como indutor de ovulação em novilhas de corte. No dia 0, novilhas [n = 414; 317 ± 23 kg; 3,08 ± 0,21 escore de condição corporal (escala de 1 a 5) entre 22 e 24 meses de idade] receberam um dispositivo intravaginal contendo 1g de progesterona (P4) e foram administrados 2 mg de benzoato de estradiol, IM. No dia 8, o dispositivo foi removido e as novilhas receberam 500 μg de cloprostenol sódico IM e foram divididas em dois grupos: CE [n = 213; 0,5 mg de CE, IM, no dia 8] e GnRH [n = 201; 25 μg de Licerelina, IM, no dia da IATF] e a IATF foi realizada 50 h após a remoção do dispositivo. As novilhas tiveram a região sacral pintada para verificar a expressão do estro entre a remoção do dispositivo de P4 e a IATF. No dia 0, foram realizados exames ultrassonográficos para verificar a presença de CL (com CL = 213, sem CL = 202), no dia 10 para medir o DFO e no dia 11 para confirmar a ovulação. As novilhas foram classificadas em 3 grupos de acordo com o DFO: pequeno (≤ 9,5mm), médio (9,6-11,5mm) e grande (≥ 11,6mm) para avaliar seu efeito na expressão de estro e prenhez. A expressão de estro foi confirmada quando a tinta estava removida no dia 10. A expressão de estro foi maior (P <0,05) no grupo CE em comparação com o grupo GnRH. O DFO diferiu (P <0,05) de acordo com a presença de CL ( P < 0,05), mas foi semelhante entre os tratamentos. A taxa de ovulação não diferiu nos grupos CE e GnRH. As taxas de prenhez foram semelhantes (P> 0,05) entre os grupos CE e GnRH, no entanto, a taxa de prenhez foi maior nas novilhas que expressaram estro (P <0,05), do que naquelas que não expressaram. A presença de CL no início do protocolo de IATF esteve associada a maior taxa de prenhez (P <0,05) no grupo GnRH em relação ao grupo CE, mas não diferiu entre novilhas sem CL. A manifestação de estro para novilhas tratadas com GnRH aumenta de acordo com DFO. O grupo CE apresenta alta manifestação de estro independente do DFO. A taxa de prenhez é maior à medida que o DFO aumenta. Em conclusão, as novilhas com CL no início do protocolo de IATF possuem maior folículo ovulatório, e quando tratadas com GnRH como indutor de ovulação atingem maiores taxas de prenhez. O tamanho do folículo ovulatório foi associado com o comportamento de estro e as taxas de prenhez nos tratamentos de CE e GnRH. / The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of presence of corpus luteum (CL) at the onset of timed AI (TAI) protocol in ovulatory follicle diameter (OFD), estrus expression and pregnancy rate using estradiol cypionate (EC) or GnRH as ovulation inductor in beef heifers. On day 0, heifers [n=414; 317±23 kg; 3.08±0.21 body condition score (1 to 5 scale) and 22-24 months of age] received a 1g progesterone (P4) intravaginal device and 2 mg of estradiol benzoate, IM,. On day 8, device was removed, heifers received 500 μg of sodium cloprostenol, IM, and were divided in two groups: EC [n=213; 0.5mg EC, IM, on day 8] and GnRH [n=201; 25 μg of Licerelin, IM, at TAI] TAI was performed 50 h after device removal. The heifers had the base of the tail painted to verify estrus expression between P4 device removal and IATF. On day 0, ultrasound examinations were performed to verify the presence of CL (with CL = 213, without CL = 202).On day 10 to measure OFD and on day 11 to confirm ovulation. Heifers were classified into three groups according to OFD: small (≤ 9.5 mm), medium (9.6-11.5 mm) and large (≥ 11.6 mm) to evaluate their effect on estrus expression and pregnancy rate. Estrus expression was confirmed when ink marking was removed on day 10. Estrus expression was higher (P <0.05) in the EC group compared to GnRH group. The OFD differed (P <0.05) according to the presence of CL (P <0.05), but was similar between the treatments. The ovulation rate did not differ in CE and GnRH groups. Pregnancy rates were similar (P> 0.05) between the EC and GnRH groups, however, the pregnancy rate was higher in heifers who expressed estrus (P <0.05) than in those who did not express it. The presence of CL at the beginning of the IATF protocol was associated with a higher pregnancy rate (P <0.05) in the GnRH group in relation to the EC group, but did not differ between heifers without CL. The estrus manifestation for heifers treated with GnRH increases as the DFO increases, while the EC heifers has a high estrus manifestation independent of the DFO. The pregnancy rate also increases as DFO increases. In conclusion, heifers with CL at the beginning of the IATF protocol have increased ovulatory follicle size, and when treated with GnRH, as an ovulation inducer, attained higher pregnancy rates. The size of the ovulatory follicle was associated with higher estrus behavior and higher pregnancy rates in the EC and GnRH treatments.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T14:37:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_maikel_alan_goulart.pdf: 244034 bytes, checksum: 458e594d86ecd076dc3f12b7d9e46913 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-04-02 / The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of feed restriction and of recombinant bovine somatotropin (bST) on energetic, proteic, enzymatic and mineral metabolic parameters of prepartum dairy heifers. Forty four pregnant heifers were used for this study. The experimental period ranged from 35 days prepartum to partum and from 60 days to 160 postpartum. These heifers were divided in four groups with 11 animals each: Control+bST: fed to allow 100% of the dry matter intake (DMI) plus bST injections; Restriction+bST: fed to allow 80% of the DMI plus bST injection; Control: fed to allow 100% of the DMI plus placebo injections and Restriction: fed to allow 80% of the DMI plus placebo injections. The heifers receive three injections in the prepartum period 14 days apart. Measurements of body condition score, weight, productive and reproductive performance were conducted during pre and postpartum periods, while blood parameters were measured only in the prepartum period. Glucose concentrations were higher (P<0.05) in the Control+bST groups compared to Control and Restriction groups, while urea concentrations were higher in Restriction group compared to Control and Control+bST. Non-esterified fatty acids concentrations were higher (P<0.05) for Restriction group compared to Control and Control+bST groups. There was not observed difference (P > 0.05) in the concentrations of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), Ca:P ratio, ketone bodies and liver enzymes, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma glutamil transferase (GGT) between groups. Regarding performance evaluations, no difference was observed for calf weight at birth, retention of fetal membranes, body condition score and reproductive performance, but a tendency (P = 0.06) to higher production in the Control+bST group compared to restriction group was observed. These results shown that prepatum management, including feed restriction and bST injection, could be efficient to allow metabolic and physiologic adaptation to the postpartum period. / O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar os efeitos da restrição alimentar e da somatotropina bovina recombinante (bST) sobre parâmetros do metabolismo energético, protéico, enzimáticos e mineral de novilhas leiteiras no pré-parto. Foram utilizadas no experimento 44 novilhas prenhes da raça holandês. O período experimental variou de 35 dias do pré-parto até o parto e dos 60 até 160 dias pós-parto. Estas novilhas foram divididas em 4 tratamentos com 11 animais cada: Controle+bST: alimentadas com 100% da ingestão de matéria seca (IMS) com aplicações de bST; Restrição+bST - alimentadas com 80% da IMS com aplicações de bST; Controle: alimentadas com 100% da IMS com aplicações de placebo; Restrição: alimentadas com 80% da IMS com aplicações de placebo. Foram realizadas no período pré-parto 3 aplicações de bST ou placebo a cada 14 dias. Realizaram-se avaliações de escore de condição corporal, peso ao nascer dos neonatos e desempenho produtivo e reprodutivo durante o pré e pós-parto e determinações dos parâmetros metabólicos energético, protéico, mineral e enzimático, somente no período pré-parto das novilhas. Os níveis de glucose foram maiores (P<0,05) para o grupo Controle+bST, comparado aos Grupos Controle e Restrição. Quanto aos níveis de ácidos graxos não esterificados, estes foram maiores (P<0,05) para o grupo Restrição+bST em comparação aos grupos Controle e Controle+bST. Em relação aos níveis de uréia, estes foram superiores (p<0,05) para o grupo Restrição comparado ao Controle e Controle+bST. Não foram observadas diferenças (P>0,05) entre os grupos experimentais quanto aos metabólitos, cálcio (Ca), fósforo (P), a relação Ca:P e corpos cetônicos, além das enzimas hepáticas, aspartato aminotransferase (AST) e gama-glutamiltransferase (GGT). Em relação às avaliações zootécnicas não foram observadas diferenças (P>0,05) entre os grupos quanto as variáveis, peso ao nascer dos neonatos, retenção de placenta, escore de condição corporal e desempenho reprodutivo, sendo observado tendências (P=0,06) de maior produção leiteira para vacas do grupo Controle+bST em comparação a vacas do grupo Restrição. Estes resultados demonstraram que as estratégias adotadas no pré-parto, utilizando a restrição alimentar e a administração de bST em novilhas leiteiras, podem ser eficientes na adaptação metabólica e fisiológica para o período pós-parto destes animas.

In den vorliegenden Studien wurde der Fragestellung nachgegangen, wie sich unterschiedliche Fütterungsprotokolle während der Aufzuchtperiode auf den peripartalen Energie- und Fettstoffwechsel und die Insulinsensitivität von Färsen auswirken. Besonderes Augenmerk lag dabei auf der Frage, ob der „Revised Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index“ (RQUICKI) bei Färsen sinnvoll angewendet werden kann, um eine Aussage hinsichtlich der Insulinsensitivität zu treffen. Auch mögliche Auswirkungen auf das Konzeptionsalter, den Kalbeverlauf, die Milchleistung und die postpartale Morbidität wurden untersucht. Aus 46 Kälbern der Rasse Deutsche Holstein wurden drei Fütterungsgruppen gebildet. Gruppe 1 (n = 18) wurde gemäß den Richtlinien der GfE energetisch optimal gefüttert (Kontrollgruppe), Gruppe 2 (n = 14) wurde intensiv und Gruppe 3 (n = 14) restriktiv gefüttert. Im Abstand von zwei Wochen wurden die Tiere jeweils gewogen. Aus den vorliegenden Daten wurde die durchschnittliche tägliche Körpermassezunahme berechnet. Außerdem wurde zehn, sechs, drei und eine Woche vor der Kalbung sowie zwei Wochen nach der Kalbung die Rückenfettdicke (RFD) sonografisch bestimmt. Weiterhin wurden das Alter bei erfolgreicher Konzeption, Kalbeverlauf sowie Daten der Kälber, Milchleistungsprüfungsdaten und Rastzeit erfasst. Vor und nach der Kalbung wurde aus der Vena caudalis mediana Blut entnommen. Aus dem Serum wurden die Konzentrationen der folgenden Parameter bestimmt: Insulin, Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), Glukose, freie Fettsäuren (FFS), Bilirubin, Cholesterol, Harnstoff, Betahydroxybutyrat (BHB) sowie Gesamteiweiß. Erkrankungen im postpartalen Zeitraum, wie Endometritis, Mastitis, Stoffwechselstörungen, Erkrankungen des Bewegungsapparates sowie Zyklusstörungen wurden ebenfalls in die Studien miteinbezogen. Zur Bestimmung der Insulinsensitivität wurde das Rechenmodell „Revised Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index“ (RQUICKI) verwendet. Unter Einbeziehung der Serumkonzentrationen von Glukose, Insulin und FFS lautete die Formel RQUICKI = 1/[log (Glukose) + log (Insulin) + log (FFS)]. Ein niedriger Index-Wert bedeutet eine verminderte Insulinsensitivität. Die intensiv aufgezogenen Tiere der Gruppe 2 zeigten mit 13,3 ± 1,0 Monaten ein signifikant (p = 0,003) früheres Konzeptionsalter im Gegensatz zu den Tieren der beiden anderen Gruppen (Gruppe 1: 16,0 ± 1,5 Monate; Gruppe 3: 17,7 ± 1,4 Monate). Eine Woche ante partum wiesen die Tiere der Gruppe 2 eine signifikant (p = 0,022) höhere RFD auf als die Tiere der beiden anderen Gruppen. Der RQUICKI korrelierte eine Woche ante partum signifikant negativ mit der RFD (r = -0,573; p = 0,003). RQUICKI war bei den Tieren der Gruppe 2 eine Woche ante partum signifikant (p < 0,05) niedriger als bei den Tieren der anderen Gruppen. In allen drei Gruppen konnten am dritten Tag post partum die niedrigsten Index-Werte nachgewiesen werden. Aus den errechneten Index-Werten lässt sich für Färsen für die Zeitpunkte eine Woche ante partum sowie vier Wochen post partum ein Referenzbereich von RQUICKI = 0,40 ± 0,04 ableiten. Um den dritten Laktationstag liegt bei Färsen der Referenzbereich von RQUICKI = 0,34 ± 0,02. Die intensiv aufgezogenen Färsen zeigten insgesamt mit 85,7 % die höchste Anzahl an Komplikationen bei der Kalbung, der Unterschied war statistisch allerdings nicht zu sichern. Die unterschiedliche Fütterung wirkte sich weder auf das Geschlecht der Kälber noch auf deren Geburtsgewicht aus. Signifikante Unterschiede (p < 0,05) ergaben sich bei den Serumkonzentrationen von Insulin, IGF-1, FFS und Cholesterol ante partum sowie den Bilirubin- und FFS-Konzentrationen 28 Tage post partum. Es konnten keine statistisch signifikanten Unterschiede bei den Konzentrationen von Glukose, Harnstoff, BHB und Totalprotein ermittelt werden (p > 0,05). Beim Vergleich der 305-Tage-Milchleistung wiesen die Tiere der Gruppe 2 die niedrigste Milchleistung auf. Eine signifikant (p = 0,039) höhere Inzidenz von postpartalen Zyklusstörungen war bei den Tieren der Gruppe 2 erkennbar. Eine Woche ante partum korrelierte RQUICKI signifikant negativ (r = -0,509, p = 0,008) mit dem Auftreten von Zyklusstörungen post partum. Die Untersuchungen haben gezeigt, dass durch die Fütterungsintensität während der Aufzuchtperiode die Zuchtreife, der peripartale Energie- und Fettstoffwechsel einschließlich der Insulinsensitivität, die Milchleistung sowie die postpartale Fertilität beeinflusst werden. Aus der intensiven Aufzucht resultieren eine frühere Zuchtreife, höhere Rückenfettdicken, eine gesteigerte peripartale Lipolyse einschließlich reduzierter Insulinsensitivität, eine verminderte Milchleistung und eine schlechtere Fertilität. / The aim of these studies was to investigate how different diets during the rearing period influence peripartal energy and fat metabolism as well as insulin sensitivity of heifers. Special attention was paid to the question if the „Revised Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index“ (RQUICKI) could be used to estimate insulin sensitivity in heifers. Possible influences on age at first breeding, calving, milk yield and postpartal morbidity were analysed as well. Furthermore, the aim of this investigation was to prove, if different diets at rearing influence the peripartal insulin sensitivity of heifers. 46 German Holstein calves were randomly divided in three groups. Group 1 (n = 18) was fed with an optimal diet (control group) based on recommendations of the German Society of Nutrition Physiology, group 2 (n = 14) was fed with a highly-concentrated diet and group 3 (n = 14) got a low-concentrated diet. In intervals of two weeks the heifers were weighed. With the obtained data the averaged daily weight gain was computed. In addition, ten, six, three and one week ante partum as well as two weeks post partum the backfat thickness (BFT) was measured ultrasonographically. Age at first breeding, calving, data of the calves, milk yield and interval to first service post partum were recorded, too. Before and after calving blood samples were taken from the Vena caudalis mediana. The concentrations of the following parameters were measured in blood serum: Insulin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), glucose, free fatty acids (FFA), bilirubin, cholesterol, urea, betahydroxybutyrat (BHB) as well as total protein. Furthermore, postpartal diseases like endometritis, mastitis, metabolic disorders, limb diseases and fertility disorders were included. To determine insulin sensitivity a mathematic model called “Revised Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index” (RQUICKI) was used. Serum concentrations of glucose, insulin and FFA were included in the formula RQUICKI = 1/[log (glucose) + log (insulin) + log (FFA)]. A low index value represents a decreased insulin sensitivity. Intensive reared heifers of group 2 reached age at first breeding (13.3 ± 1.0 months) significant (p = 0.003) earlier than heifers of the other both groups (group 1: 16.6 ± 1.5 months; group 3: 17.7 ± 1.4 months). One week ante partum heifers of group 2 showed significant (p = 0.022) higher BFT than heifers of the other groups. At the same timepoint, RQUICKI correlated significant negative with the BFT (r = -0.573; p = 0.003). In heifers of group 2, RQUICKI was significant lower (p < 0.05) one week ante partum than in heifers of the other groups. In all groups, the index values were lowest three days post partum. Based on the received index values reference ranges for RQUICKI in heifers can be proposed. One week ante partum as well as four weeks post partum the reference range for RQUICKI can be defined as RQUICKI = 0.40 ± 0.04. Three days after calving the reference range can be defined as RQUICKI = 0.34 ± 0.02. The intensive reared heifers show with an overall of 85.7 % the most difficulties at calving, but this was statistically not different. The different diets didn’t influence neither the sex of the calves nor their birth weight. Ante partum, serum concentrations of Insulin, IGF-1, FFA and cholesterol differed significantly (p < 0.05) as well as serum concentrations of bilirubin and FFA differed on day 28 post partum. No significant differences could be determined in serum concentrations of glucose, urea, BHB and total protein (p > 0.05). Heifers of group 2 showed the lowest 305-day milk yield. The incidence of postpartal ovarian diseases was significantly (p = 0.039) higher in heifers of group 2. A significant negative correlation (r = -0.509, p = 0.008) existed between RQUICKI ante partum and the incidence of postpartal ovarian diseases. In conclusion, different diets during the rearing period influence age at first breeding, peripartal energy and fat metabolism including insulin sensitivity, milk yield as well as postpartal fertility. An intensive rearing results in an earlier age at first breeding, increased BFT, enhanced peripartal lipolysis as well as reduced insulin sensitivity, decreased milk yield and poorer fertility.

No description available.

Au cours des dernières années, une sélection génétique importante a été faite pour améliorer la production de lait des bovins, ceci au détriment des performances reproductives. Cette diminution de performance n’a cependant pas été rapportée chez la génisse présentant un même potentiel génétique. Cette immense production de lait et les changements métaboliques qui l’accompagnent ont donc un impact négatif sur l’efficacité reproductive des vaches laitières qui subissent un stress métabolique supérieur à celui des génisses. Le but de l’étude était d’acquérir une meilleure connaissance des différences moléculaires et métaboliques entre ces deux groupes d’animaux pour amener à une meilleure compréhension de la pathogenèse de l’infertilité chez la vache laitière. Pour ce faire, les vagues folliculaires de vaches en lactation (30-50 jours en lait; N = 12) et de génisses (N = 10) ont été synchronisées par ablation écho guidée des follicules et par traitement hormonal avec injection de prostaglandine et insertion d’un implant de progestérone. L’aspiration du liquide folliculaire et des cellules de la granulosa du follicule dominant a été faite au jour 6. Les paramètres métaboliques mesurés chez les animaux à partir de prises de sang, faites au jour 6, confirment un plus grand stress métabolique chez la vache, les niveaux de BHBA, acides biliaires et cholestérol étant plus élevés et le niveau de glucose plus bas chez celles-ci. Un total de six échantillons a été utilisé pour le séquençage d’ARN et des analyses bio-informatiques ont été effectuées. Plusieurs gènes et voies de signalisation ont présenté des différences entre les deux groupes d’animaux incluant le cycle cellulaire et la production d’hormones. Une confirmation des résultats par PCR en temps réel a été faite, mais la grande variation intragroupe a nui à l’obtention de résultats significatifs. Conjointement, une culture primaire de cellules de la granulosa a été réalisée pour évaluer l’effet des acides biliaires sur la stéroïdogenèse suite à la détection d’une plus grande quantité de ceux-ci chez la vache laitière. La présence d’acide biliaire dans la culture cellulaire cause une diminution de l’accumulation d’estradiol ainsi que de l’expression des gènes CYP19A1 et CYP11A1. Les résultats présentés dans ce mémoire indiquent une différence potentielle au niveau métabolique et moléculaire des follicules dominants entre la vache laitière et la génisse pouvant avoir une responsabilité dans la diminution de l’efficacité reproductive observée chez la vache laitière. / Over the last fifty or more years, genetic selection has been employed to improve milk production in dairy cattle. This selection was made at the expense of reproductive performance. The observed decrease in fertility does not occur in heifers with the same genetic merit. The enormous milk production and the metabolic challenge that accompany it have a negative impact on the reproductive efficiency due to the metabolic stress of lactation. The purpose of the study was to gain a better knowledge of the molecular and metabolic difference between the two groups of animals in order to better understand the pathogenesis of infertility in dairy cows. To do this, the follicular wave of twelve lactating cows (30-50 days in milk; N = 12) and ten heifers (N = 10) were synchronized by ultrasound guided follicle ablation and by hormonal treatment with injection of prostaglandin-F2α and insertion of a progesterone implant. Follicular fluid and granulosa cells of the dominant follicle were aspirated on day 6. The metabolic indicators BHBA, total bile acids, cholesterol and glucose, were measured in the animals from the blood samples also taken on day 6 confirming greater metabolic stress in the cows when compared to the heifers. A total of six samples were used for RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analyses were performed. Several genes and signaling and cellular function pathways were shown to differ between the two groups of animals, including the cell cycle signaling pathway and hormone production pathway. A confirmation of the results by real-time PCR was undertaken, but the great intragroup variation obviated significant results. In the second set of experiments, primary culture of granulosa cells was conducted to evaluate the effect of bile acids on steroidogenesis to further explore the larger amount of the bile acids in the dairy cows when compared to heifers. The results demonstrate a difference in the metabolic status of the animals; BHBA, total bile acids and cholesterol being higher and glucose being lower in the dairy cow relative to the heifer. Presence of bile acids in the granulosa cell culture caused a decrease in expression of CYP19A1, CYP11A1 and estradiol accumulation. The differences at the metabolic and molecular level of the dominant follicles between dairy cows and heifers may be implicated in the reduced reproductive efficiency of the dairy cows.

In einem Fütterungsversuch mit 15 weiblichen, genetisch identischen Zwillingspaaren wurde der anhaltende Effekt energetisch unterschiedlich konzentrierter Futterrationen auf Körper- und Blutmerkmale zwischen dem vierten und 21. Lebensmonat erfasst. Die gleichen Merkmale wurden an den Tieren auch während der Laktation erhoben, als die Tiere einheitlich gefüttert wurden. Zusätzlich wurde die Milchleistung untersucht. Während der Aufzucht wurden Körpergewicht, tägliche Gewichtszunahme, Rückenfettdicke und Widerristhöhe von der Fütterungsintensität signifikant beeinflusst. Körpergewicht und Rückenfettdicke zeigten vom siebenten bis 15. Lebensmonat die größten Unterschiede zwischen den Fütterungsgruppen. Im Gegensatz zum Körpergewicht, wurde der Fettansatz bis zum 21. Lebensmonat kaum gebremst. Für die Serumkonzentrationen von Insulin, Glukose und beta-Hydroybuttersäure und die Erythrozytenindizes MCV und MCH konnte ein signifikanter Fütterungseinfluss während der gesamten Aufzuchtphase nachgewiesen werden. Kortisol, Kreatinin, ASAT, GGT, GLDH, MCHC, Leukozytenzahl, Thrombozytenzahl reagierten auf den Fütterungsstimulus nur innerhalb bestimmter Altersabschnitte. Bis zum neunten Monat differierte der Insulinspiegel zwischen den Fütterungsgruppen kaum, ab dem 10. Lebensmonat aber sehr deutlich. Es kann daher ausgeschlossen werden, dass der Insulinspiegel im präpubertären Abschnitt die Entwicklung der späteren Milchleistung beeinflusste. Nach dem Abkalben war die intensiv gefütterte Gruppe stärkeren metabolischen Belastungen ausgesetzt und hatte eine geringere Milchleistung als die moderat gefütterte Gruppe. Offensichtlich wurde der Stoffwechsel durch die vorangegangene Fütterung geprägt, da der Fettansatz in der Intensivgruppe bei gleicher Fütterung früher einsetzte und auch intensiver erfolgte. Einige Kennwerte beim Jungtier korrelierten signifikant mit der späteren Milchleistung. Altersabhängige Veränderungen der Korrelationskoeffizienten weisen auf unterschiedlich sensible Phasen für die Prägung der späteren Milchleistung hin. / In a feeding trial with 15 pairs of genetically identical female twins, the effect of feeding intensity on body condition and blood parameters were investigated between the fourth and 21st month. The same traits were analysed on the cows during the first lactation when the animals were uniformly fed. In addition to these traits, the milk yield was investigated. During the rearing period; body weight, daily weight gain, back fat thickness, and withers height were significantly influenced by feeding. The largest differences between the feeding groups in body weight and back fat thickness were seen between the ages of seventh to 15th months. In contrast to body weight, back fat thickness hardly exceeded the 21st month between the groups. The serum concentrations of insulin, glucose, beta-Hydroxybutyric acid, and the erythrocyte indices MCV and MCH showed a significant feeding effect throughout the growing period. Cortisol, creatinine, Aspartate transaminase (AST), y-glutamyltransferase (GGT), Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), white blood cells (WBC) and platelet responded to the feeding stimulus only within certain ages. At age nine months, insulin levels were barely differed between the feeding groups but were distinct as from the 10th month. It can therefore be concluded that insulin levels at the pre-pubertal development affects the subsequent milk yield. After calving, the intensively fed group had more metabolic stress and had a lower milk yield than the moderately fed group. Obviously, the metabolism was programmed in the previous feeding period. There was an early onset and a more intensive fat deposition in the intensive group though; they had the same feeding level. Some traits in young animals were significantly correlated with subsequent milk yield. Age-dependent changes in the correlation coefficients suggest the fact that differences in sensible juvenile phases in traits could contribute to milk yield later.

The study was conducted with the objective to evaluate the intensity and frequency of defoliation and the tillering dynamics of ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) of stages vegetative and reproductive, under rotational grazing. The interval between grazings was set by the thermal sum required for the appearing of 1.5 ryegrass leave (187.5 ºGD). The experimental design was completely randomized, with two phenological stages and six replicated areas for each stage. In the vegetative stage, the intensity defoliation (54%) it was similar in the different types of leaf blades. In the reproductive stage, the intensity of grazing was higher in leaves growing (78%) in relation to the expanded and senescent leaves (67%). Heifers explored 16.7% more grazing area in the reproductive stage compared to vegetative. The most removal intensity the leaves of expansion and the higher frequency defoliation are compensatory mechanisms used by animals when the ryegrass is located the reproductive stage. The first generation of tillers have greater longevity compared to other generations, contributing 58% of total tillers in the late vegetative stage of ryegrass and 36% of tillers in the last month of pasture utilization. The population of tillers in vegetative and reproductive stages of pasture is maintained stable when the ryegrass pasture is managed in a rotational system, considering the thermal sum of 187.5 ºGD and canopy height in the exit of the animals of the plots around 10 cm. / O trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar a intensidade e frequência de desfolhação e a dinâmica de perfilhamento do azevém (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) nos estádios vegetativo e reprodutivo, sob pastejo rotacionado. O intervalo entre pastejos foi estabelecido considerando a soma térmica necessária para a emissão de 1,5 folha de azevém (187,5º GD). O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com dois estádios fenológicos e seis repetições de área para cada estádio. No estádio vegetativo, a intensidade de desfolhação (54%) foi semelhante nos diferentes tipos de lâminas foliares. No estádio reprodutivo, a intensidade de desfolhação foi superior nas folhas em expansão (78%) em relação às folhas expandidas e senescendo (67%). As bezerras exploraram 16,7% a mais a área de pastejo no estádio reprodutivo em relação ao vegetativo. A maior intensidade de remoção de folhas em expansão e a maior frequência de desfolhação são os mecanismos compensatórios utilizados pelos animais quando o azevém encontra-se no estádio reprodutivo. A primeira geração de perfilhos tem maior longevidade em relação às demais gerações, contribuindo com 58% do total de perfilhos no final do estádio vegetativo do azevém e 36% do total de perfilhos no último mês de utilização da pastagem. A população de perfilhos nos estádios vegetativo e reprodutivo do pasto é mantida estável quando a pastagem de azevém é manejada em sistema rotacionado, considerando a soma térmica de 187,5 ºGD e com a altura do dossel na saída dos animais das parcelas ao redor de 10 cm.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:55:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 562262 bytes, checksum: 3877ee62b4d2fbbf059feb8b198e8118 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-07-24 / This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different forages on intake, digestibility and performance of dairy heifers. Sixteen dairy heifers were used, and they had initial body weight of 150 ± 19 kg and 8 mo. The animals were divided into a randomized block design with four replications, where each animal was used as experimental unit and blocks formed in accordance with the initial body weight of the animals. They were fed for 70 days. Four sources of roughage were used: corn silage (CS), sorghum silage (SS), sugar cane in nature (SC) sugar cane silage (SCS). The amounts of concentrate were fixed at 0.5% of body weight (BW) for CS and SS, 0.7% BW for SC, and 1.0% BW for SSC. The animals fed diets based on CS and SS had higher average daily gain than those fed with diets containing SC and SCS. Intake and digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and metabolizable energy (ME) were higher for heifers fed CS and SS. There were differences in intake and digestibility of crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) for heifers fed SS. For non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC), there were greater intake and digestibility in heifers fed on CS. There were no diet effect for withers height and body length. There was an effect of CS and SS for chest girth. It is concluded that diets based on corn silage and sorghum silage offer higher performance than diets based on sugar cane in nature or sugar cane silage for dairy heifers. / Objetivou-se avaliar os efeitos de diferentes volumosos sobre o consumo, digestibilidade e desempenho de novilhas leiteiras. Foram utilizadas dezesseis novilhas leiteiras da raça Holandesa, com peso médio inicial 150 ± 19 kg e idade media 8 meses, distribuídas em delineamento em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições, sendo cada animal considerado uma unidade experimental e os blocos formados com base ao peso inicial dos animais, durante 70 dias. Os tratamentos constituíram de quatro volumosos: silagem de milho (SM), silagem de sorgo (SS), cana-de-açúcar in natura (CN) e silagem de cana-de-açúcar (SC). As dietas foram formuladas fixando a quantidade de concentrado em 0,5% do peso corporal para silagens de milho e sorgo, 0,7% para cana-de-açúcar in natura e 1,0% para silagem de cana-de-açúcar. Os animais alimentados com dietas à base de silagens de milho e sorgo apresentaram maior ganho médio diário em relação aos alimentados com dietas contendo cana-de-açúcar in natura e silagem de cana-de-açúcar. O consumo e a digestibilidade de matéria seca (MS), matéria orgânica (MO) e energia digestível (ED) foram maiores para as novilhas alimentadas com dietas à base de silagens de milho e de sorgo. Houve maior consumo e digestibilidade de proteína bruta (PB) e fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) para as novilhas alimentadas à base de silagem de sorgo. Para carboidratos não-fibrosos (CNF), verificou-se maior consumo e digestibilidade nas novilhas alimentadas à base de silagem de milho. Não foi observado efeito sobre os parâmetros de altura de cernelha e comprimento corporal. Houve maior ganho de perímetro torácico para as novilhas alimentadas com dietas a base de silagens de milho e de sorgo. Conclui-se que dietas à base de silagens de milho ou sorgo proporcionam maiores desempenhos do que dietas à base de cana-de-açúcar in natura ou ensilada para as novilhas leiteiras.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / It was evaluated the performance of beef heifers on grazing receiving different levels of supplement: 0,0; 0,3; 0,6 and 0,9% of live weight (LW), in black oats (Avena strigosa Schreb.) plus Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) pasture and exclusively in natural pasture engaged by Annoni grass (Eragrostis planna Nees) after the end of the cycle of these forages. On cultivated pasture it was evaluated the botanic composition and the diurnal ingestive behavior of beef heifers. The supplement utilized was a commercial ration (14% CP; 18,8% NDF; 78,2% TDN) daily supplied at 2 pm. The studied variables were the average daily gain (ADG), body condition (BC), stocking rate (SR), weight gain per area (WGA), total forage on offer (TFO), height, live weight:height relation at 12 and 18 month of age and efficiency of transformation of forage in animal product. On the diurnal ingestive behavior were determined: grazing time, rumination, idle, trough permanence, biting rate and bite weight, in four dates. In cultivated pasture the ADG did not differ between animals that received different levels of supplement and it was bigger to supplemented animals. At 12 month of age the BC, SR, WGA, TFO and height of the animals did not differ between the supplement levels. On supplemented animals it was necessary 8.8 kg of DM of grass to produce 1 kg of live weight. The supply of supplement for heifers in grazing of oats and ryegrass interfere in a positive way on life weight, body condition and life weight: height relation of these animals at 18 months of age. The supplement levels affected partially the diurnal ingestive behavior of animals, reducing grazing time, increasing idle time, interfering on trough permanence time, biting rate and bite weight (P<0.05). The rumination time was not affected by supplement levels (P>0.05). The botanic and structural composition of pasture is influenced by supplement levels utilized and it is related with the cycle of forages production (P>0.05). / Foi avaliado o desempenho de bezerras de corte em pastejo recebendo diferentes níveis de suplemento: 0,0; 0,3; 0,6 e 0,9% do peso vivo (PV), em pastagem de aveia (Avena strigosa Schreb.) mais azevém (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) e exclusivamente em campo nativo ocupado por capim Annoni (Eragrostis plana Nees), após o final do ciclo destas forrageiras. Na pastagem cultivada foi avaliada a composição botânica e o comportamento ingestivo diurno de bezerras de corte. O suplemento utilizado foi uma ração comercial (14% PB; 18,8% FDN; 78,2% NDT), fornecida diariamente às 14:00 h. As variáveis estudadas foram ganho médio diário (GMD), condição corporal (CC), carga animal (CA), produção animal por hectare (GPA), oferta de forragem total (OFT), altura, relação peso vivo:altura aos 12 e 18 meses de idade, e eficiência de transformação de Kg de forragem em produto animal. No comportamento ingestivo diurno foram determinados: tempo de pastejo, ruminação, ócio, permanência no cocho, taxa de bocada e peso de bocado, em quatro datas. Em pastagem cultivada o GMD não diferiu entre animais que receberam diferentes níveis de suplemento e foi maior para animais suplementados. Aos 12 meses de idade a CC, CA, GPA, OFT e altura dos animais não diferiram entre níveis de suplemento. Nos animais suplementados foram necessários 8,8 kg de MS do pasto para produzir 1 kg de peso vivo. O fornecimento de suplemento para novilhas em pastejo em aveia e azevém interfere de forma positiva no peso vivo, CC e relação peso vivo:altura destes animais aos 18 meses de idade. Níveis de suplemento afetaram parcialmente o comportamento ingestivo diurno dos animais, reduzindo o tempo de pastejo, aumentando o tempo de ócio, interferindo no tempo de permanência no cocho, na taxa de bocada e peso do bocado (P<0,05). Tempo de ruminação não foi afetado pelos níveis de suplemento (P>0,05). A composição botânica e estrutural da pastagem é influenciada pelos níveis de suplemento utilizados e está relacionada com o ciclo de produção das forrageiras.

Thesis (M.A. Agricultural Management (Animal Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / The Nguni is indigenous multi-purpose cattle breed that plays an important role in both commercial and communal farming systems in South Africa (SA). Unfortunately, the breed is currently under threat of diminishing due to farmers’ preference for exotic breeds and cross breeding. In recognition of the above, the Industrial Development Corporation, the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs and the University of Limpopo established the Nguni cattle breed preservation project. In this project, a herd of 30 Nguni heifers and 1 bull were allocated to 34 Communal Property Associations (CPA) and 40 private farming enterprises each. With its three distinct ecological zones (High, Mid and Low-veld), the Mpumalanga province poses a challenge to the Nguni preservation project since cattle have to adapt to different ecological zones in order to grow and reproduce efficiently. Knowledge of cattle herd productivity improves the understanding of the functional attributes and is useful in determining the constraints and the potential of communal beef cattle production systems. Significant differences between ecological zones were observed for age at first calving, weaning rate, calves’ birth weight and calves’ weaning weight (p < 0.05). Calving of heifers in the Mid-veld zone occurred earlier (24 months) on both ownership types compared to Highveld (28.09 months for private and 26.00 for CPA) and the Lowveld (28.35 months for both ownerships). Nguni cattle on the Highveld performed better in terms of weaning rate under both private and CPA ownerships, where the weaning rate were 93% and 80%, respectively. Calves birth weight was lower in both ownership types in the Midveld zone (22.17 kg), whereas in the CPA, the Lowveld zone had higher calves birth weights (26.80 kg). In the private ownership, the highest calves’ birth weight (25.35 kg) was on the Highveld. The calves weaning weight were significantly higher (p < 0.05) on Highveld in private ownership (190.16 kg) and lowest (160.39 kg) in the Midveld zone. For the CPA, the highest calves weaning weight was also on the Highveld (187.55) and lowest on Midveld (167.50 kg). A full range of backup services that are offered to the communities by stakeholders in the form of a beef package that includes veld and pasture management, nutrition management, beef performance, animal recording keeping, genetic evaluation and animal health management program needs thorough attention.