RESUMOAmostras de leite foram coletadas de tanques de expansão (n = 69) e das vacas individualmente (n = 3517), em propriedades com sistema de produção especializado (ES, n = 3), semiespecializado (SE, n = 5) e não especializado (NE, n = 7). A composição, contagem de células somáticas (CCS) e teor de nitrogênio ureico (NU) foram avaliados nos diferentes sistemas e estações do ano. Os dados foram comparados aos parâmetros da Instrução Normativa 51/2002 (IN51) para a região Sul do Brasil, de maio/2009 a junho/2010. Analisando os três sistemas de produção, 42% (n = 29/69) das amostras de leite dos tanques de expansão e 11% (n = 375/3517) das individuais atenderam a IN51. Amostras de leite de tanque do sistema ES 70% (n = 14/20), SE 39% (n = 9/23) e NE 23% (n = 6/26) atenderam os critérios da IN51. Amostras de leite individuais apresentaram menor percentual com parâmetros mínimos da IN51 comparada ao tanque. O leite de vacas sadias dilui a CCS de vacas doentes, indicando que a CCS do tanque não é um indicador confiável para qualidade do leite. Os teores médios de gordura, proteína e sólidos totais em amostras de tanque foram semelhantes entre os sistemas de produção. A lactose e NU nas amostras do tanque foram similares entre as estações do ano. Em contraste, a CCS do tanque e individual não alcançaram os parâmetros da IN51. O teor médio de NU foi maior (P < 0,001) nas amostras de leite de tanque e individual do sistema especializado. A análise de amostras de leite de cada vaca permitiu melhoria nutricional do rebanho especializado. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: CCS, tanque de expansão, composição do leite. ABSTRACT MILK QUALITY IN SAMPLES FROM INDIVIDUAL DAIRY COWS AND MILK TANKS.Bovine milk samples were collected from milk tanks (n = 69) and from individual cows (n = 3,517) on specialized (S, n = 3), partially specialized (PS, n = 5) and nonspecialized (NS, n = 7) production systems. Compositions, somatic cell count (SCC) and urea nitrogen content were analyzed for the different production systems and all the four seasons. Data were compared to the ranges allowed by the Federal Normative Instruction 51/2002 (IN51) for South Brazil from May 2009 to June 2010. Forty-two percent (n = 29/69) of all milk samples obtained from tanks and 11% of the individual samples in the three production systems met IN51 standards. Of the collected tank samples, 70% (n = 14/20), 39% (n = 9/23) and 23% (n = 6/26) of the S, PS and NS systems, respectively, met IN51 criteria. These data indicate that evaluation of individual samples yields a lower percent of conformity with IN51 standards than tank samples. This implies that the milk from healthy cows may dilute the higher SCC of diseased cows, suggesting that tank samples are not accurate for a confident milk quality indicator. The fat, protein and total solids content in the tank samples were similar among the three production systems. Average lactose and urea nitrogen content in tank samples were similar between seasons. In contrast, the average SCC was above the IN51 standard in the tank and indiv...

The objective was to determine the effects of exogenous prostaglandin F(2α) (PGF), with or without progesterone treatment, on first ovulation in prepubertal heifers. We tested the hypothesis that PGF has a luteolysis-independent ovulatory effect in cattle. Crossbred Angus heifers (12 to 14 mo old, 250 kg body weight, and an average body condition score of 3 out of 5) were examined by transrectal ultrasonography on two occasions, 11 days apart. Heifers in which a CL was not detected at either examination were considered prepubertal. Heifers were assigned randomly to three experimental groups: (1) PG group (N = 14); heifers were treated with a PGF analog (500 μg cloprostenol im) 5 days after the emergence of a spontaneous (i.e., naturally occurring, noninduced) follicular wave; (2) PPG group (N = 12); heifers were given an intravaginal progesterone-releasing insert (CIDR; Pfizer Animal Health, Montreal, QC, Canada), and a follicular wave was induced with 50 mg of progesterone + 2 mg of estradiol benzoate im, and a PGF analog was given at the time of CIDR removal, on day 5 of the follicular wave (on average, 8.6 ± 0.5 days after CIDR insertion); and (3) control group heifers were given no treatment (N = 14). Heifers were examined daily by transrectal ultrasonography from the start of the experiment to confirmation that ovulation had occurred, or to 5 days after PGF injection (PG and PPG groups) or until dominant follicles of the next follicular wave reached 8 mm (control group). The percentage of heifers that ovulated within 10 days after wave emergence was higher in PPG (10/12; 83.3%) and PG (11/14; 78.5%) groups than in control (1/14; 7.1%; P < 0.0001). Ovulations occurred 69.6 ± 6 h and 93.8 ± 5 h after PGF treatment in PPG and in PG groups, respectively, whereas only one heifer in the control group ovulated 96 h after day 5 of follicular wave (P = 0.13). In summary, PGF treatment was associated with ovulation in prepubertal heifers whether or not exogenous progesterone was used as a pretreatment. The hypothesis that PGF will induce ovulation by a luteolysis-independent mechanism was supported.

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-The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of cleaning and decontamination procedures in liquid nitrogen tanks. We evaluated 151 canisters and 133 bottoms from 133 nitrogen tanks of companies or farms for the presence of bacteria and fungi. Samples were collected from the canisters and the bottom of tanks containing liquid nitrogen. Tanks were divided into Group 1 (G1): tanks decontaminated with 2% glutaraldehyde -Glutaron ® II (n = 16 canisters in 8 tanks); Group 2 (G2): decontamination with 70% ethanol (n = 20 canisters in 10 tanks); and Group 3 (G3): decontamination with 70% ethanol (n = 115 canisters in 115 tanks). Tanks in Groups 1 and 2 belonged to companies; Group 3 tanks belonged to farms. The culture of canisters showed twelve genera of bacteria and five genera of fungi. Bacillus cereus was the most prevalent bacterial contaminant (42/133) in liquid nitrogen tanks (31.57%). Decontamination by 2% glutaraldehyde plus 70% ethanol was effective and no difference was found between the decontamination methods of Groups 1 and 2. In Group 3 the decontamination method was considered effective. Handling procedures with high hygienic standards should be recommended to avoid contamination of liquid nitrogen tanks on farms.