This study aimed to compare the pregnancy rate using the conventional artificial insemination (AI) or deep intracornual artificial insemination (DIAI), with low number of spermatozoa (4.0 million sperm) in 270 Nelore cows. The animals were divided in two groups (G: G1 (135 cows) conventional AI was performed (=semen deposition in the uterine body) and in G2 (135 cows) to DIAI, in ipsilateral horn where the dominant follicle in the ovary had previously been detected, by ultrasound examinations. For both the methods, a single artificial insemination was carried out after visual estrus observation, checked three times a day (morning, afternoon and evening). The pregnancy diagnosis after 45 days was conducted by ultrasound. Results showed a better pregnancy rate in the DIAI group (67.4% - p<0.01), when compared to conventional AI (48.8%) with low spermatozoa concentration

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of parity, body condition score (BCS) at calving, and milk yield on the metabolic profile of Gyr (Zebu) cows. Healthy cows in late pregnancy were grouped according to parity (primiparous, biparous, and multiparous); to BCS scale at calving (high—HBCS and normal—NBCS); and to milk yield (high—HP and moderate—MP production). BCS was assessed, and blood samples were collected on −21, −7, 0, 7, 21, and 42 days relative to parturition. The concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), cholesterol, glucose, total protein (TP), albumin, total calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and magnesium (Mg); and activities of aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyltransferase were measured. Data were analyzed by two-way repeated measures ANOVA. The frequencies of high lipomobilization, subclinical ketosis, subclinical hypocalcemia (SCH), and the occurrence of diseases during early lactation were established. Regardless of grouping, NEFA, BHB, and cholesterol increased during early lactation; glucose showed higher values at calving; TP and albumin were higher at 21 and 42 DIM; and Ca, P, and Mg were lower at calving. Parity had little effect on the metabolic profile, HBCS did not differ from NBCS cows, and HP did not differ from MP cows in most metabolites. High lipomobilization in early lactation and SCH at calving were the most common imbalances but were not related to postpartum diseases. High-yielding Gyr cows have a balanced metabolic profile during the transition period, with few biologically relevant effects of parity, BCS at parturition, or milk yielded.

This study attempted to determine the associations between metabolic imbalances and lameness or hoof injuries in high-producing Holstein × Gir cows, and to determine whether the metabolic profile affects the occurrence of lameness. Eighty cows were followed from -60 to 60 days relative to calving and hoof injuries were reported on days -60, 7 and 60. Locomotion score (LS), body condition score (BCS), the concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, glucose, cholesterol, albumin, total protein, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, and the activity of aspartate aminotransferase were determined at days -42, -21, -7, 0, 7, 21 and 42. The McNemar and Chi-square tests were used to compare frequencies of lameness and hoof injuries over time and to verify the associations between lameness, BCS, hoof injuries, and metabolic disorders. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used considering groups (non-lame × lame cows) and variations of BCS and metabolites over time. Lameness and hoof injuries increased between days -60 (20% and 66.3%) and 60 (44.7% and 98.6%). Excessive postpartum loss of BCS (P=0.017) and subclinical hypocalcemia (P=0.012) were associated with lameness on day 60. In general, the metabolic profile did not differ between lame and non-lame cows but cholesterol, albumin, BUN and magnesium concentrations were higher in non-lame cows. The postpartum decrease in BCS can affect the occurrence of lameness, and the metabolic profile of lame cows shows little difference from that of non-lame cows.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estimar a ocorrência de cetose subclínica de uma forma prática e rotineira nas fazendas Campos Gerais no estado do Paraná. Foram utilizados 180 animais da raça Holandesa sem enfermidades clínicas, provenientes de três propriedades distintas considerando categoria (primípara/multípara), escore de condição corporal (ECC), produção de leite e semana de lactação. Foi mensurado a concentração de beta-hidroxibutirato (BHBA) no sangue utilizando-se fitas reagentes e o aparelho portátil KetoVet®, sendo considerado como cetose subclínica valores ≥1,2 e <3 mmol/L. Para análise estatística foram utilizados os testes de normalidade de Shapiro-Wilk, correlação de Spearman e Kruskal-Wallis com posterior teste de Dunnett para comparação de médias e a ocorrência pelo teste do Qui-Quadrado utilizando o programa R com nível de significância de 5%. A ocorrência total foi de 15%, sendo maior em multíparas que em primíparas. Foi encontrada correlação positiva entre BHBA e ECC, e ainda, produção de leite e ECC. Maiores níveis de BHBA foram encontrados no pré-parto (0,88 ± 0,38 mmol/L), primeira (0,81 ± 0,49 mmol/L) e segunda semana de lactação (0,86 ± 0,19 mmol/L).

Resumo O objetivo do estudo foi validar a metodologia da imunoquimioluminescência (CLIA) através da imunoabsorção enzimática (ELISA), determinando a concentração sérica de progesterona em vacas de leite e de corte, durante o ciclo estral. Foram empregadas 30 vacas multíparas não-prenhes (12 da raça Holandesa Preta e Branca e 18 Nelore). Vacas com corpo luteo foram escolhidas com vistas à sincronização do estro e da ovulação, mediante aplicação de 500 mcg de cloprostenol (im). Após a aplicação do luteolitico, os animais foram diariamente submetidos a exames de ultrasssonagrafia (US) ovariana para verificação da ovulação (=dia 01 do ciclo), bem como eram colhidas 02 amostras de sangue para a determinação da P4 pela CLIA e ELISA. As amostras eram centrifugadas para a obtenção do soro, e congeladas a -20 graus para posterior dosagem. Os valores de ELISA e CLIA foram comparados entre si mediante teste t pareado, regressão, ANOVA e coefficiente de determinação (R2), visando a verificação da sensibilidade e correspondência linear. A concentração de P4 originou perfis similares entre as duas metodologias; os perfis de P4 foram mais elevados em bovinos de corte, que nos de leite. A correspondência entre as metodologias resultou em elevado quociente de R2 nos perfis de P4. Concluiu-se que a CLIA pode ser empregada nas determinações hormonais da P4 serica bovina; a CLIA mostrou elevada correspondência linear com os valores da ELISA; a CLIA pode auxiliar as biotecnicas da reprodução nas determinações hormonais.