Introduction: A feedlot is an intensive farming system for finishing livestock. Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a cause of morbidity and mortality in beef cattle, especially in feedlots. Methodology: This study investigated the morbidity and mortality of BRD in a beef cattle feedlot in southeastern Brazil using: clinical diagnoses, therapy, morbidity, and mortality. Pulmonary fragments were collected from five steers, on feed from 3-32 days, with lesions of pneumonia for identification of BRD infectious agents PCR. Results: 188,862 steers were on feed and morbidity was 7.05% (13,315/188,862), mortality 0.64% (1,214/188,862). The causes of morbidity were: BRD (6.13%), lameness (0.29%), trauma (0.21%), clostridiosis (0.13%) and polioencephalomalacia, PEM (0.12%). The causes of mortality were: BRD (0.21%), trauma (0.17%), and clostridiosis (0.13%). When all sick cattle were considered (n=13,315), BRD (86.9%) was the principal cause of morbidity, followed by lameness (4.13%), trauma (3.05%), and clostridiosis (1.82%). The cost of BRD-associated cattle mortality and morbidity was estimated at $14,334.00/10,000 and $16,315.40/10,000 respectively. It was projected that the economic effects due to BRD-associated morbidity in Brazil were $6.31 million/annum, while losses due to mortality were $5.54 million, resulting in an annual loss of $11.85 million. Coinfections in cattle with pneumonia due to Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida were identified in 4/5 steers tested. Conclusions: This is the first longitudinal study that investigated the incidence of BRD in feedlot cattle from Brazil, and the results herein described indicate that BRD contributed significantly to the development of mortality and morbidity of cattle on feed.

RESUMO.-O conhecimento do metabolismo dos animais é de suma importância para se obter sucesso em qualquer atividade que envolva rebanhos. Objetivou-se determinar o perfil bioquímico sérico de vacas Jersey clinicamente saudáveis no pré e pós-parto, mantidas em sistema de criação semi-intensivo na região de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Realizou-se o exame clínico e coleta de sangue de 40 vacas da raça Jersey multíparas e lactantes em 15 momentos, entre -150 dias pré-parto até 60 dias pós-parto (DPP). No laboratório, foram analisadas as concentrações séricas de proteínas totais, albumina, globulinas, ureia, creatinina, ácidos graxos não esterificados (NEFA), β-hidroxibutirato (BHBA), triglicerídeos, colesterol, lipoproteínas de alta densidade (HDL), lipoproteínas de muita baixa densidade (VLDL), lipoproteínas de baixa densi dade (LDL), aspartato aminotransferase (AST), gama-glutamil transferase (GGT), creatina quinase (CK), cálcio, fósforo e magnésio. Dos 40 animais, apenas 21 vacas atenderam aos critérios de inclusão e seus dados foram utilizados. Procedeu-se o teste de Tukey para os dados paramétricos e para os dados não paramétricos realizou-se o teste de Kruskal Wallis na comparação entre os momentos avaliados. Não houve interferência do balanço energético negativo e da hipocalcemia subclínica na ocorrência de doenças uterinas e no desempenho reprodutivo. Concluiu-se que vacas da raça Jersey apresentam perfil bioquímico caracterizado por hiperglobulinemia durante o periparto, além de níveis elevados de triglicérides, entretanto, sem comprometimento da função hepática e desempenho reprodutivo. The understanding of animal metabolism is important for the success of livestock activity. The aim of this study was to determine the serum biochemical profile of clinically healthy Jersey cows in pre and postpartum, housed in semi-intensive production system in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Clinical examination and blood collection from 40 multiparous lactating dairy cows, between -150 days prepartum up to 60 days postpartum (DPP) were performed. At the laboratory, serum parameters of total proteins, albumin, globulins, urea, creatinine, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), triglycerides, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), creatine kinase (CK), calcium, phosphorus and magnesium were analyzed. To the total of cows (n=40) enrolled, only 21 cows were complied with the inclusion criterias. It was proceeded the Tukey test for parametric data, and to the nonparametric data it was held the Kruskal Wallis test for the comparison between days evaluated. There was no interference of negative energy balance and subclinical hypocalcemia in the occurrence of uterine diseases and reproductive performance. In conclusion, Jersey cows have biochemical profile characterized by hyperglobulinemia during peripartum, and high levels of triglycerides, but without imp...

Uterine inflammation negatively affects reproductive performance and is an important cause of infertility and subfertility in dairy cows. Several studies have investigated the use of gene expression in endometrial samples collected by biopsy or cytology to evaluate the inflammatory response of the cow uterus. This study aimed to compare the expression of the CCL5, CXCL8, IL6, and IL1B genes in the bovine endometrium according to the site of sample collection [caruncular (C) or intercaruncular (IC)], the collection method (biopsy or cytology), and the category of inflammation based on endometrial cytology (zero, medium, or high) in subclinical endometritis. The reproductive tracts of dairy cows were collected from a slaughterhouse, and punch-biopsy samples of endometrial tissues were obtained from both regions (C and IC). Endometrial cells from these regions were collected with the cytobrush technique and then used for the analysis of mRNA expression by quantitative PCR. After counting polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) by endometrial cytology, 20 uteri with an ovary at stage I (d 1-4 of estrous cycle) were categorized into 3 groups. Uteri with 0% PMN (n = 10) were assigned to group zero, uteri with 5 to 15% PMN (n = 5) to group medium (12.2 ± 1.6% PMN), and uteri with >15% PMN (n = 5) to group high (53.8 ± 32.9% PMN). All data were analyzed with 2-way ANOVA with Bonferroni multiple comparison post test. The results from gene transcripts demonstrated that the region (C or IC) of the endometrial biopsy had no influence on any of the degrees of inflammatory reaction observed. However, gene expression was more elevated in the endometrium of cows with greater inflammation compared with those without inflammation (CCL5, CXCL8, IL6, IL1B) and those with medium inflammation (CCL5, IL6). Expression of the genes evaluated did not differ between the endometrium without inflammation and with medium inflammation. However, in the high inflammation group, all genes were comparatively more expressed in samples collected by cytology relative to those derived from biopsies for both anatomical regions. In conclusion, gene expression did not differ between the C and IC tissue. Samples collected from animals with greater inflammation had greater gene expression than those with zero or medium inflammation. In addition, cytology samples had greater gene expression than biopsy samples in the high inflammation group.

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This study aimed to identify possible metabolites able to predict puerperal uterine diseases in crossbred dairy cows (Holstein x Gir) in the transition period. We hypothesized that, as what has been observed for Holstein cows, a negative energy balance (NEB) may increase the incidence of uterine diseases. Thirtyfour lactating crossbred cows (½HG, ¼HG, ¾HG, and 5/8HG) were evaluated during prepartum (-60d and -30d), calving, and postpartum (+14d, +21d, and +35d) periods, being divided into two groups (with and without uterine diseases). NEB evaluations were based on the concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) at calving and 14 days postpartum. Nearly 1/3 of the crossbred cows presented an NEB, characterized by a significant increase in NEFA with no BHBA increase; however, it was less intense than that observed in Holstein cows during the transition period. There was a significant difference between cows with and without uterine diseases in NEFA and calcium concentrations at partum, as well as body condition score (BCS) during prepartum. In conclusion, the occurrence of uterine diseases during the transitional period is related to the BCS in the prepartum period, besides serum NEFA and calcium concentrations at partum. Key words: Body condition score. NEFA. Endometritis. Metritis. ResumoO objetivo do estudo foi identificar possíveis metabólitos no período de transição capazes de predizer a ocorrência de enfermidades uterinas puerperais em vacas leiteiras (Holandês X Gir parto (-60d e -30d), parto e pós-parto (+14d, +21d e +35d) e as fêmeas divididas em dois grupos, com e sem enfermidades uterinas. O BEN foi estabelecido com base nas concentrações de ácidos graxos não-esterificados (NEFA) e beta-hidroxibutirato (BHBA) no parto e 14 dias pós-parto. Observou-se que cerca de 1/3 das vacas mestiças passaram por BEN caracterizado por aumento significativo de NEFA e sem aumento de BHBA, porém em intensidade menor do que o observado em vacas Holandesas. Verificouse diferença significativa do escore de condição corporal (ECC) no pré-parto e das concentrações de NEFA e de cálcio no parto, entre vacas com e sem enfermidades uterinas. Conclui-se que o ECC no pré-parto e as concentrações de NEFA e cálcio no parto se relacionam com a ocorrência de enfermidades uterinas. Palavras-chave: Escore de condição corporal. NEFA. Endometrite. Metrite.