The use of molecular information in breeding programs contributed to important advances in the improvement of traits of economic interest in livestock production. The advent of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panels applied to genome-wide selection (GWS) and genome-wide association studies (GWAS), along with computational advances (e.g., use of powerful software and robust analyses) allowed a better understanding of the genetic architecture of farm animals and increased the selection efficiency. In this context, the statistic method single-step GBLUP has been frequently used to perform GWS, and more recently GWAS analyses, providing accurate predictions and QTL detection, respectively. Nevertheless, in developing countries, species such as sheep and goats, whose genomic data are more difficult to be obtained, the use of data simulation has been efficient in the study of the major factors involved in the selection process, such as size of training population, density of SNP chips, and genotyping strategies. The effects of these factors are directly associated with the prediction accuracy of genomic breeding values. In this review we showed important aspects of the use of genomics in the genetic improvement of production traits of animals, the main methods currently used for prediction and estimation of molecular marker effects, the importance of data simulation for validation of those methods, as well as the advantages, challenges and limitations of the use of GWS and GWAS in the current scenario of livestock production.

In this study we aimed to evaluate the influence of environmental differences caused by day shifts on the physiological indicators of crossbred ½ Santa Inês × ½ Dorper sheep raised in a semi-intensive system. For this, 12 animals with an average weight of 35.00 ± 5.00 kg were allocated in a completely randomized design, with two treatments (morning shift and afternoon shift) and six replicates per treatment. The environmental variables (temperature (ºC) and relative humidity (%)) were collected using a digital thermo-hygrometer. The black globe temperature and humidity index was calculated using temperature values of the black globe thermometer and dew point. The following physiological indicators were measured in the animals: respiratory rate (mov/min); heart rate (beats/min); rectal temperature (ºC); and surface temperature (ºC). In the morning shift, the average values of air temperature and relative humidity were 31.71ºC and 88.66%, respectively. In the afternoon, the average air temperature was 33.91ºC, while the relative humidity was 62.66%. The highest mean globe temperature and humidity index was observed in the afternoon shift (87.75). The physiological indicators showed the highest mean values in the afternoon shift: respiratory rate 73.72 mov/min; heart rate 81.27 beats/min; rectal temperature 39.98ºC; surface temperature 34.76ºC. The crossbred 1„2 Santa Inês × 1„2 Dorper sheep reared in a semi-intensive system showed signs of thermal discomfort.

In this study we aimed to evaluate the rank of animals using a selection index to assist the replacement of females with animals from the herd in order to arouse the interest of breeders for the genetic improvement of their animals. Traits related to production, sanity, reproduction and body morphometry were analyzed from a database of a herd of the Anglo-Nubian breed. Frame, age at first kiding, birth weight, and weaning weight were chosen to compose the selection index. The Wombat software was used to calculate the animals breeding values for these traits. An excel spreadsheet was used to: rank animals by two indexes and by each trait individually; calculate Spearman correlations among ranks; calculate genetic gains and the correlated response. A sample of 148 goats from the herd was used for the demonstration. These goats were ranked by breeding values and phenotypes, and submitted to mass selection of 20%. The composition of the index for herds with a limited database was discussed and the use of the index with phenotypic values was considered a way to contemplate genetic valorization in these herds. The Excel spreadsheet showed simplicity to rank animals by combining several traits. Furthermore, by providing prediction of direct genetic gain and correlated response, this spreadsheet gains functionality to assist the replacement in the herd and potential to arouse interest for the genetic valorization of animals.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological responses of Dorper sheep reared in climatic conditions in the Mid-North region of Brazil. For this, were used 12 adult females weighing 35.00±5.00 kg, distributed in a completely randomized design, with four treatments consisting by different times of the day, and 12 repetitions per treatment. The physiological parameters, respiratory rate (RF), heart rate (HR), rectal temperature (TR) and mean surface temperature (TSM) of the animals were measured, as well as the climatic variables, temperature (TA) and relative air humidity (AU). The black globe temperature and humidity index (ITGU) was calculated using the Brazilian Journal of Development Braz. J. of Develop., Curitiba, v. 6, n. 9, p. 66805-66813, sep. 2020. ISSN 2525-8761 66807 black globe thermometer temperature and dew point values. The analysis revealed a time of day effect (P<0.05) for the climatic variables, the ITGU and the studied physiological parameters. The animals presented the highest averages for the TSM parameter at 11:00 am to 11:30 am and from 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm. However, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the times of the day for the FR and HR parameters. Animals reared in the climatic conditions of the Mid-North region of Brazil were able to maintain body temperature within the average basal limit to the detriment of increased respiratory and heart rates.

Orientadora: Profa. Dra. Leilane Rocha Barros Dourado Avaliadora interna: Profa. Dra. Elvania Maria da Silva Costa Avaliadora externa: Profa. Dra. Sandra Regina Freitas Pinheiro

Os malófagos são piolhos mastigadores, encontrados em aves e mamíferos. Nas emas (Rhea americana) podem causar grandes prejuízos ao comércio, devido à perda da qualidade das plumas, danificação das penas, lesões na pele e debilidade. Sendo assim, objetiva-se com o estudo relatar a infestação por piolhos em emas criadas em cativeiro. Os piolhos foram preservados em álcool 70%, clarificados com lactofenol e montadas as lâminas para observação em microscópio óptico. Nas emas observou-se alterações como desidratação, pele descamada e áspera, penas deformadas, falhadas e opacas e presença de piolhos malófagos da espécie Struthiolipeurus rheae.

O objetivo desta revisão de literatura é compilar informações e reunir resultados de estimativas de parâmetros genéticos para características de crescimento de bovinos da raça Tabapuã, as características foram: peso ao nascimento (PN), peso a desmame (PD), peso ao ano (PA) e peso ao sobreano (PS). As características de crescimento são de grande importância para a produção animal e tem despertado interesse de pesquisadores da área de melhoramento genético animal. Na literatura, diferentes estimativas de parâmetros genéticos foram encontradas, onde a grande maioria é de média a alta magnitude, mostrando grande variabilidade genética, indicando que é um bom indicador de resposta à seleção. Dessa forma é relevante o conhecimento dos parâmetros genéticos para estas características em bovinos da raça Tabapuã, visto que esta raça nos últimos tempos vem contribuindo para o incremento na pecuária de corte brasileira.

A criação de pequenos ruminantes tem se expandido em todos os estados brasileiros e, independentemente do objetivo da exploração, tem muito a contribuir para o desenvolvimento socioeconômico do país. Entretanto, esse setor enfrenta constantes desafios, como, por exemplo, a falta de informações e acesso às tecnologias, sendo a ausência de informatização uma das principais limitações para o registro de dados no campo. Dessa forma, objetivou-se, com esta revisão da literatura, compilar informações a respeito da utilização de ferramentas informatizadas aplicadas aos controles zootécnico e genético e à seleção de acasalamentos em pequenos ruminantes. Constatou-se que a adoção dessas ferramentas na ovinocultura e caprinocultura ainda é bastante limitada.

O enriquecimento ambiental constitui no aperfeiçoamento das instalações na forma de estímulos ambientais necessários para alcançar o bem-estar dos animais nas condições psíquico, fisiológico e melhor qualidade de vida. Nos últimos anos, o bem-estar animal vem se tornando um dos maiores desafios para os modernos sistemas de produção. A pressão da sociedade e do mercado internacional para que os sistemas de produção respeitem o bem-estar animal, aumenta a necessidade de pesquisas que possam gerar conhecimentos sobre possíveis formas de se produzir suínos garantindo a lucratividade do sistema em combinação com a manutenção da qualidade de vida dos mesmos. Sendo assim, objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar o comportamento de leitões na fase de creche submetidos a enriquecimento ambiental. Foram utilizados 12 suínos na fase de creche, distribuídos em dois tratamentos, com presença e ausência de enriquecimento ambiental. Para avaliação das variáveis comportamentais foram observadas as seguintes características: em pé, deitado, explorando, cheirando, bebendo, comendo, ócio, fuçando, defecando, urinando, sentado, andando, vocalizando, mordendo, brincando e brigando. As observações foram realizadas a cada 10 minutos durante seis dias. Houve diferença significativa (p<0,05) para os comportamentos brincando, comendo e mordendo em relação aos tratamentos avaliados. Não houve diferença significativa (p>0,05) para o comportamento brigando em relação aos tratamentos, dias e animais. O comportamento dos animais foi influenciado pela presença do enriquecimento ambiental, em que o mesmo proporcionou a diminuição de alguns comportamentos indesejáveis nos sistemas de produção.

Abstract: The objective of this work was to phenotypically characterize creole goats of the Moxotó, Azul, Canindé, Repartida, Marota, and Graúna breeds, comparing them with the Boer, Anglo Nubian, and Alpine exotic breeds, to identify the genetic groups of greater potential for carcass quality and resistance to infection caused by worm. Data on morphometric measurements were obtained for the count of worm eggs in grams of feces (WEGF), Famacha score, carcass measurements, and body weight from 308 animals, in a farm in the state of Piauí, Brazil. Repartida goats showed the highest average for wither height (61.55 cm) and rump height (62.16 cm), and Moxotó goats had the greatest ear length (13.45 cm). The Moxotó breed showed the highest means for carcass and body weight. The lowest average for body weight was observed in Azul goats (24.35 kg), and the lowest WEGF was detected in Repartida goats (200 eggs per gram of feces). The average Famacha score was 2.77. Average linkage was the method that best summarized the information on the morphometric and carcass data. The use of morphometric and carcass measurements provides satisfactory results in the phenotypic characterization of the animals. The Brazilian creole goats, which are considered resistant to worm infection and show high-quality carcass traits, may be indicated for conservation and genetic breeding programs.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of day shift on physiological variables of young goats bred in an extensive system. Ten females of undefined racial pattern were used, with a mean age of 5 months, distributed in a completely randomized design, with two treatments (morning and afternoon shift) and 10 replications per treatment. The environmental variables were collected through a digital thermo-hygrometer. Respiratory and heart rate, and rectal temperature were measured. During the experimental period the averages of the air temperature and relative humidity, and the black globe-humidity index (BGHI) were of 38.80 degrees C, 25.76% and 78.11, respectively. It was observed effect (P<0.05) of day shift on all physiological variables, with highest averages observed in the afternoon shift. The animals increased the respiratory and heart rate during the day periods to be able to maintain the rectal temperature within limits considered normal for this species.