Ruminants Full-length research article Dynamics of biochemical parameters in lambs during the first four months of life ABSTRACT-We aimed to verify whether age influences the biochemical profile of healthy lambs during the first four months of life by characterizing the dynamics of its parameters and verifying whether there are differences between the profiles of growing animals and the reference values established for adults. Blood samples of 34 ½ White Dorper × ½ Suffolk female lambs were collected at 30, 60, 90, and 120 days of age, and the serum concentrations of total proteins, total globulins, albumin, urea, creatinine, bilirubins (total, conjugated, and unconjugated), total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, gamma-glutamyltransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and creatine kinase were determined. Descriptive statistics of these parameters were performed to compare them with the reference intervals used for adult sheep. Age influenced the dynamics of all the biochemical parameters between 30 and 120 days of age. Moreover, except for the total, conjugated and unconjugated bilirubins, total cholesterol, and aspartate aminotransferase means, the values of the lambs differed from the reference intervals established for adults. In conclusion, there is an influence of age on biochemical parameters in healthy female lambs in the first four months of life, and often the biochemical parameters of young animals differ from those of adults. Therefore, the interpretation of tests performed on growing animals should be made based on specific reference intervals for this age group.

ResumoO objetivo foi determinar o efeito do sistema de alimentação e do período do ano sobre as medidas corporais e da carcaça de cordeiros abatidos na Cooperativa Cooperaliança (Guarapuava-PR). Cordeiros Ile de France e cruzados (n=253) foram avaliados quando apresentavam, em média, 39,6 kg de peso corporal ao abate, e em três períodos, entre Abril e Setembro de 2010. Foram identificados 4 sistemas alimentares na terminação dos cordeiros: a) ovelhas em pastagem + cordeiros (creep-feeding; n=67) ; b) ovelhas + cordeiros em pastagem e não suplementados (n=47); c) ovelhas e cordeiros em pastagem e suplementados com ração concentrada (n=30); d) sistema irregular de terminação (n=109). Foram realizadas medidas in vivo e por ultrassonografia antes do abate e medidas na carcaça antes e após refrigeração. Cordeiros entregues para o abate entre o final do mês de agosto e a primeira quinzena do mês de setembro apresentaram resultados superiores (p<0,05) quanto ao desenvolvimento muscular, rendimento de carcaça fria e espessura de gordura subcutânea na carcaça, quando comparados aos abatidos nos meses de abril e junho. Concluiu-se que o sistema de alimentação com suplementação das ovelhas e cordeiros não desmamados resultou em melhores características para as medidas corporais e na carcaça, comparado aos demais sistemas. Palavras-chave: Compacidade, condição corporal, estado de engorduramento, ovinos, pH AbstractThe objective was to determine the effect of feeding system and time of the year on the in vivo and carcass characteristics of lambs slaughtered at the Cooperative Cooperaliança (Guarapuava-PR). Ile 1 Projeto de Pesquisa financiado pelo CNPq.

This study aims to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics, fat composition, and sensory attributes of lamb meat produced in two feeding systems: (1) Unweaned and unsupplemented lambs in the pasture and (2) early weaned lambs in the pasture with concentrate supplementation post-weaning. The experiment was performed in the winter–spring pastures in the subtropical region of Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized with two treatments (feeding systems), four paddocks per treatment and twenty lambs (experimental units) per paddock. Carcass weight, dressing percentage, pH, rib eye area, subcutaneous fat thickness, and visual fatness were determined. Loin samples were used for instrumental color, thawing and cooking loss, shear force, water holding capacity, fat and sensory analyses. Carcass pH did not differ between the systems (p > 0.05). Supplemented weaned lambs showed a higher body condition score, carcass weight, dressing percentage and fatness (p < 0.001). They also showed higher (p < 0.05) total fat and long chain fatty acid (FA) content than unweaned lambs. Lamb meat from both systems showed similar and high sensory acceptance. Early weaning and supplementation proved to be a better choice for producing lambs in the winter–spring pasture, under subtropical conditions, because it promoted better carcass and meat traits and good sensory attributes, which could improve payment to the farmers.

Adição de plasma seminal ao sêmen descongelado e taxa de prenhez de ovelhas inseminadas em tempo fixo RESUMOAvaliou-se o efeito da adição de plasma seminal ovino ao sêmen descongelado sobre a taxa de prenhez de ovelhas em rebanho comercial. Cento e setenta e quatro ovelhas cruza Texel foram distribuídas em quatro tratamentos: T1) inseminação artificial cervical (IAC) com sêmen descongelado (SD) diluído em solução tampão fosfato salino (PBS); T2) IAC com SD e adição de plasma seminal ovino; T3) grupo-controle I: IAC com sêmen fresco diluído em PBS; T4) grupo-controle II: inseminação artificial por laparoscopia com SD diluído em PBS. Para indução de cio, utilizaram-se esponjas impregnadas com acetato de medroxiprogesterona (MAP) por 12 dias, com aplicação intramuscular de 400 UI de eCG (Novormon ® ) e de 37,5µg de cloprostenol sódico (Sincrocio ® ), no dia da retirada das esponjas. O aparecimento de cio foi monitorado com rufiões vasectomizados a partir da retirada das esponjas até a inseminação artificial em tempo fixo -54 a 60 horas. A taxa de prenhez do tratamento com adição de plasma seminal ao sêmen descongelado (7,0%) não diferiu (P>0,05) do tratamento sem adição de plasma (4,3%), entretanto foi menor (P<0,05) se comparada à taxa de prenhez dos grupos-controle I inseminação via cervical superficial com sêmen fresco diluído (50,0%) e II inseminação via laparoscopia com sêmen descongelado (39,4%). A inseminação artificial por via cervical superficial com adição de plasma seminal ao sêmen descongelado não elevou o percentual de prenhez em valores que justifiquem a indicação desta biotecnologia em rebanhos comerciais de ovinos.Palavras-chave: ovelha, inseminação cervical, laparoscopia ABSTRACT

Electronic identification of animals has become increasingly important worldwide to improve and ensure traceability. In warm and hot climates, such as Brazil, boluses can have advantages over ear tags as the internal devices reduce the risks of ear tag losses, tissue damage, and lesions on the ear. Electronic boluses, however, are often perceived as having negative characteristics, including reported difficulties of administration in small ruminants. This paper describes the factors associated with bolus design that affect the swallowing of a bolus in sheep. Other factors that might influence bolus swallowing time have also been considered. In addition, the effect of bolus design on its performance was evaluated. A total of 56 Suffolk ewes were used to assess the ease of administration and retention of 3 types of electronic ruminal boluses (mini, 11.5 × 58.0 mm and 21.7 g; small, 14.8 × 48.5 mm and 29.5 g; standard, 19.3 × 69.8 mm and 74.4 g) during a whole productive year, including pregnancy and lamb suckling. Ewe age (5.6 ± 2.3 yr) and weight (85.07 ± 8.2 kg BW) were recorded, as well as time for bolus swallowing. The deglutition of the bolus and any resulting blockages in the esophagus were monitored by visual observations. Retention and readability of the boluses were regularly monitored for d 1, wk 1, mo 1, and every mo until 1 yr. Time for bolus swallowing differed substantially with bolus type and was greater (P < 0.05) for the standard bolus (32.8 ± 6.9 s) when compared to small and mini boluses, which did not differ (8.5 ± 2.0 vs. 9.2 ± 2.7 s; P > 0.05). The bolus o.d. and length were positively correlated with swallowing time (P < 0.01). The ewe weight was negatively correlated with swallowing time (P < 0.05). At 6 mo all electronic boluses showed 100% retention rate, and at 12 mo, bolus retention was 100%, 94.5%, and 100% for mini, small, and standard boluses, respectively (P > 0.05). At 12 mo, all boluses showed 100% readability, except for small boluses, which had a readability of 94.5%. In conclusion, bolus design affected swallowing time and bolus readability. A reduction in boluses length and o.d. needs to be carried out to provide ease of administration and for boluses to be used as an effective means of electronic identification. Therefore, this study shows that adequately designed boluses are safe and suitable for identifying adult sheep and can therefore be used in hot climates.