This study evaluated the efficacy of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in determining total fat and intramuscular fat (IMF) in pork chops, using chemical analysis as the gold-standard reference, in samples with and without subcutaneous fat (SF). Across all samples, DXA fat percentage showed a strong correlation with chemically determined fat content (r = 0.91). However, when samples with and without SF were analyzed separately, the correlations weakened, with a moderate correlation observed for total fat in chops with SF (r = 0.69) and a weak correlation between DXA fat percentage and IMF in samples without SF (r = 0.23). The regression model for predicting total fat content from DXA fat percentage exhibited the highest predictive performance when applied to pooled data (R2 = 0.83, RMSECV = 3.22 %, slope = 0.97, bias = 7.55 %). In contrast, the model for IMF prediction demonstrated poor predictive capability (R2 = 0.05, RMSECV = 0.89 %, slope = 0.14, bias = 7.61 %). These findings suggest that while DXA is effective for estimating total fat content in pork chops, its ability to accurately predict IMF is limited. Further calibration and model refinement are necessary to enhance DXA's reliability for IMF quantification in pork chops.

Biopsy techniques in dairy goats are currently limited. This study aimed to describe a liver biopsy technique in dairy goats and to evaluate liver triglyceride levels and glycogen content. Sixty-nine dairy goats in the final stage of pregnancy and early lactation period were selected. Fifty goats were selected randomly for hepatic biopsy (HB) according to gestational period and were characterized according to fetus number (single: n = 16, multiple: n = 34), supplementation with propylene glycol (diet: n = 23, diet+PG: n = 27), and milk production levels (high: 3.0 ± 0.4 L/day, n = 15; low: 1.4 ± 0.4 L/day, n = 26). Liver tissue samples were obtained through biopsy on days −30, −20, −15, −10, −5, and 15 days after calving. Hepatic triglyceride and glycogen were quantified. The results were analyzed using the F-test at a 5% significance level and a comparison of means using the Tukey test. The liver biopsies did not influence dry matter intake, body weight, or milk yield. Hepatic glycogen concentration was lower 15 days after calving than it was prior to calving, except on day −20. Goats that generated high levels of milk production had lower triglyceride levels than goats that generated low levels of milk production. The biopsy technique is a safe method for obtaining tissue and evaluating liver content in dairy goats. The milk production level and days relative to parturition influence the hepatic triglyceride and glycogen content in dairy goats.

As características estruturais da Brachiaria brizantha e Brachiaria decumbens foram estudadas em função de diferentes adubações. O estudo foi conduzido em casa de vegetação sendo avaliados dois cultivares de braquiária (B. brizantha cv. Marandu e B. decumbens cv. Basilisk) e cinco diferentes adubações (sem adubo, P, N, NP e NK). O ensaio foi conduzido em esquema fatorial 2x5, no delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com quatro repetições. As avaliações estruturais englobaram comprimento final da folha, taxa de alongamento do colmo, número total de folhas, número de perfilhos por planta e peso médio dos perfilhos. Foi bastante expressiva a resposta dos cultivares quanto às variáveis estudadas em relação ao suprimento de nitrogênio, porém não apresentou resposta para fósforo e potássio, provavelmente devido o solo estudado apresentar altos níveis deste nutriente. As variáveis número total de folhas, altura máxima da planta, número de perfilhos por planta e por vaso e peso médio de perfilhos foram influenciadas pela adubação nitrogenada. O capim Basilisk obteve altura máxima da planta de 63,6 cm.planta-1 , quando comparado a 56,6 cm.planta-1 do capim Marandu. O número total de perfilhos por vaso da Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk, nos tratamentos com N, apresentaram valores médios de 137,3; 152,5 e 166,3 perfilhos.vaso-1 para N, NP e NK, respectivamente. Evidenciou-se a importância do nitrogênio como ferramenta para manipular a estrutura da planta.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of replacing corn silage by coffee hulls treated with calcium oxide (CaO) on growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality parameters of lambs. Twenty-eight crossbred, non-castrated male lambs, weaned at three months of age with average initial body weight of 20.24 +/- 2.40 kg were housed in individual pens. Lambs were randomly assigned to one of the four experimental treatments, which consisted of increased feeding levels of treated coffee hulls (TCH) (0, 80, 160 and 240 g/kg on DM basis). The forage concentrate ratio was 50:50 on dry matter (DM) basis and the diets were formulated to supply nutrient requirements of growing lambs with average daily gain (ADG) of 200 g. After 66 days of experimental period, lambs were slaughtered for further carcass traits and meat quality evaluations. As results, increased feeding levels of TCH in the diets led to a quadratic effect on intake of DM and its components (P < 0.05), values were highest at the intermediate addition level. Moreover, as level of TCH increased in the diets, both DM and crude protein (CP) apparent digestibility declined linearly (P = 0.001). However, apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein contents (apNDF), ether extract (EE) and non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC) were not influenced by treatments (P > 0.05). Values of final body weight and ADG were similar up to 160 g/kg of corn silage replacement. A quadratic effect was observed for shear force (WBSF) (P = 0.029), the only meat quality parameter that showed significant effect. Lower values of WBSF were observed at the intermediated levels of corn silage replacement. Coffee hulls treated with CaO can be used as corn silage substitute at levels up to 160 g/kg because lambs performance and meat quality are not affected.

Context There is a lack of studies concerning the nutrient requirements of dairy calves, mainly, evaluating different genetic groups. Aims The objective was to quantify energy and protein requirements of dairy calves up to 60 days, testing the influence of genetic composition (Holstein or crossbred Holstein × Gyr) on these requirements. Methods The study involved 42 bull calves (3 days of age), including animals with less than 15/16 Holstein composition (considered crossbred) and animals with more than 15/16 Holstein pedigree (considered purebred). Six calves were slaughtered at the start of the experiment to estimate the initial body composition of the animals. Of the remaining animals, four formed the maintenance group (fed 3 L/day of raw milk), and the other 32 were distributed into four treatments, which consisted of 6 L/day of raw milk, with increasing DM contents of 13.5%, 16.1%, 18.2% and 20.4% respectively. The DM contents were corrected for adding milk replacer to the raw milk. All animals had free access to starter feed and water. Digestibility trials were conducted at 28 and 56 days of life, with total faeces collection being performed for 5 days and urine collection for a period of 24 h. At 60 days of life, the animals were slaughtered to determine their body composition. Key results Net energy requirements for maintenance and metabolisable energy requirements for maintenance were 57.6 and 86.8 kcal/(empty bodyweight, EBW)0.75.day respectively. The efficiency of utilisation of metabolisable energy for maintenance was 66%. Net energy requirements for gain (NEg, Mcal/day) can be estimated by the following equation: , where EBG is empty body gain (kg/day) and EBW is in kilograms. The efficiency of utilisation of metabolisable energy for gain was 27%. The metabolisable-protein requirement for maintenance was 3.22 g/EBW0.75.day. Net protein requirement for gain (NPg, g/day) can be estimated by the following equation:, where RE is retained energy (Mcal/day). The efficiency of utilisation of metabolisable protein for gain was 59.1%. Conclusions Genetic group does not affect energy or protein requirements of pre-weaned calves. The estimates presented here can be used to calculate nutrient requirements of pre-weaned calves aged up to 60 days. Implications Inclusion of milk replacer in the liquid feed had a negative impact on diet quality.

This study aimed to evaluate the replacement of soybean meal by detoxified castor bean meal on the intake and digestibility of nutrients, body weight gain, carcass yield, physiological and urinary parameters, and creep-feeding method effectiveness. For this trial, 43 male lambs were used, Dorper × Santa Inês, with an average initial body weight of 7.95 kg, 15 days old. Lambs were distributed in a randomized block design. Five experimental diets were provided: Without supplementation, with supplementation but without the use of castor bean meal, and with gradual levels of replacement of soybean meal by detoxified castor bean meal (33%, 67%, and 100%). Higher values of DMI and nutrient digestibility (p < 0.05) were observed for animals that received supplements. The milk intake did not differ among the diets. The DMD showed a linear effect, while NDFD had a quadratic effect, depending on castor bean meal inclusion. The carcass yield did not differ between experimental diets. There was no significant effect on the urinary volume and metabolites investigated. In conclusion, the replacement of soybean meal by detoxified castor bean meal does not compromise animals’ development. Besides, the creep-feeding method positively affects lamb development, with higher body weight gain for supplemented animals.

Algumas espécies animais apresentam sazonalidade reprodutiva regulada, principalmente, pelo fotoperíodo diário, podendo ser modulada pelo clima e alimentação. Essa característica fisiológica é bem destacada e conhecida nas fêmeas, onde acontece um período de estação reprodutiva e outro de anestro. No entanto, nos machos de espécies sazonais, as variações reprodutivas não são consideradas suficientes para impedir a reprodução ao longo do ano, porém deve-se considerar tais alterações em algumas práticas zootécnicas e tomadas de decisões. O objetivo com essa revisão é abordar a influência do fotoperíodo sobre a reprodução dos machos caprinos e ovinos, e também, possíveis ações da melatonina na conservação espermática de forma direta e indireta.

Excessive intake of nutrients can result in decreases in the reproductive efficiency of goat bucks and increase production costs in goat e nterprises. In this study, the aim was to compare the reproductive features of young bucks fed diets for maintenance of growth or were fed ad libitum. Ten bucks were used (n = 5/group), with a completely randomized design. Blood and semen were collected from each animal every 2 weeks for nine collections. Semen was frozen and later analyzed using flow cytometry to compare reactive oxygen species, plasma membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, and membrane lipid peroxidation. Body condition score, sexual behavior, testicular biometry and histomorphometry of the testis, as well as oxidative enzymes and carbonylated proteins, were also evaluated. Animals fed ad libitum had a greater body condition score (3.32 + 0.08 × 2.88 + 0.05), sperm volume (0.68 + 0.04 × 0.52 + 0.03 mL), and testis circumference (25.2 + 0.21 × 24.5 + 0.24 cm) and volume (121 + 5.83 × 107 + 4.38 cm³, left testicle; 116 + 5.26 × 100 + 3.75 cm³, right testicle). Ejaculates of the bucks fed diets to maintain growth rate had a larger number of minor and total sperm morphology defects. There were no differences in testosterone concentrations and sexual behavior. In conclusion, there can be feeding for growth rate maintenance instead of ad libitum feeding, for the reduction in production costs of young bucks without compromising semen quality and reproductive functions.

Alguns fatores relacionados ao ambiente externo influenciam direta ou indiretamente os animais, fazendo com que eles apresentem características específicas em sua fisiologia reprodutiva. Dentre as variáveis ambientais, destaca-se o fotoperíodo diário, que permite classificar as espécies sazonais em animais de dia curto (pequenos ruminantes e bubalinos) e de dia longo (equinos). Assim, nessas espécies o funcionamento do eixo hipotálamo-hipófise-gonadal é modulado pela atuação da melatonina que é liberada em concentrações proporcionais a intensidade luminosa. A melatonina influencia a liberação direta do GnRH e indireta de gonadotrofinas (FSH e LH), assim como, influencia a gametogênese, síntese de hormônios sexuais e os comportamentos sexuais. O objetivo com essa revisão é abordar a influência do fotoperíodo na fisiologia reprodutiva, analisando os efeitos do ritmo circadiano e os aspectos fisiológicos da melatonina na regulação e modulação da reprodução animal.

Background: Coffee hulls obtained from dry processing, have the potential to be used in ruminant diets. Objective: To evaluate the chemical composition and in situ degradability of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of coffee hulls treated with calcium oxide (CaO) in different environmental conditions (EC). Methods: Coffee hulls were subjected to treatments distributed in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, consisting of two levels of CaO (0 and 5%, on a DM basis) and two environmental conditions (aerobiosis and anaerobiosis) in a completely randomized design with four replicates, totaling sixteen experimental units. Five-gram samples were incubated in the rumen of two male cattle for 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 h. Results: Regarding dry matter degradation kinetic parameters, except for fraction b, the potential and effective degradability was affected (p<0.05) by a CaO × EC interaction. As for estimated fiber degradation parameters, the potentially degradable fraction b was affected (p<0.05) by CaO and EC. Treatment with CaO increased fraction b in 4.08 percentage points. Conclusions: The use of CaO in the treatment of coffee hulls increases the effective and potential degradability of DM and reduces the undegradable fiber fraction. Anaerobic condition is the best environment for the treatment of coffee hulls with CaO.

This study evaluated the adaptive capacity and variations in physiological parameters of four male goats originate from a temperate region (Alpine breed) in a tropical climate over twelve months. The ambient temperature, relative humidity, and temperature via a black globe thermometer were evaluated to calculate the black globe temperature and humidity index; they were collected five times during the day, three times during the week, and during the four annual seasons. Every fortnight throughout the experimental period, respiratory and heart rates as well as rectal and surface temperatures of the animals were measured in the morning, and blood samples were acquired for hormonal levels (cortisol, T3, and T4) and complete blood count. There was a difference between the mean values of surface temperature, respiratory rate, hormones, and some hematological parameters (total protein and monocytes) between the seasons (P<0.05). However, no differences were observed in cases of heat stress, based on the fact that physiological parameters were within normal and expected limits for goats. Thus, it is concluded that the male goats of the Alpine breed, when reared intensively, maintain homeothermia and are greatly adaptable to the conditions of the tropical climate.

The increasing demand for safe and effective methods for the separation of biological materials combining the advantageous properties of polyethylene glycol (PEG) (1500 g mol−1 or 4000 g mol−1) and ionic liquid has led to attractive and promising applications of the new aqueous biphasic systems. In this work, the liquid–liquid extraction process with aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) was studied for α-amylase partitioning. The phase diagrams composed of PEG (1500 or 4000) g mol−1 + 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride + water, were determined experimentally by the turbidimetric method at different temperatures T = (293.15, 303.15, 313.15 and 323.15) K. The effect of temperature and polymer molar mass on the phase diagrams, as well as the phase densities, refractive indexes and electrical conductivity were evaluated. Subsequently, the α-amylase partitioning was performed, where the partition coefficient was determined, besides the activity and selectivity. It was found that a temperature decrease and a polymer molar mass increase favored the formation of two phases. It was also found that α-amylase showed a preference for the bottom phase composed of PEG and the systems composed of PEG 1500 presented better results.