Anthelmintic usage on the Reproductive Parameters in Captive reared Agoutis (Dasyprocta leporina) in Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies

The agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) is a rodent that is found in the Neo-tropical region. This animal is hunted for its meat but has recently been reared in captivity as a source of meat protein in rural communities. A 20-month experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of an anthelmintic on the reproductive performance of the agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) reared in captivity. This experiment was conducted in the humid tropics of Trinidad and Tobago. Sixteen animals (15 females, 1 male) placed in each of the two treatment groups in a completely randomized study design. In treatment 1 (T1) animals were given subcutaneous injections of Endovet Ces® (Ivermectin/Praziquantel) at 0.2 mg/kg every three months. Treatment 2 (T2) was the negative control group where animals were not exposed to an anthelmintic. Reproductive data were collected at parturition which included birth weight, litter weight, litter size and gender of offspring. The results showed that there was no statistical difference (p > 0.05) between the treatment groups with respect to birth weight, litter weight, litter size and gender. However, agoutis that were dewormed had a higher birth weight (220.24 g vs 209.1 g) and litter weight (369.8 g vs 343 g). The same values were obtained for the litter size (1.7 vs 1.7) and animals that were dewormed had a higher female offspring to male offspring (2.41:1 vs 1.11:1). This experiment demonstrated that the use of an anthelmintic strategically in the management of captive reared agoutis had no statistical effect (p > 0.05) on the reproductive parameters. Therefore, these animals can be kept in captive conditions without being dewormed and produce efficiently with proper feeding and housing management.

Biology of Glyphepomis dubia Campos & Souza, 2016 (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and the parasitoids Telenomus podisi Ashmead, 1893 and Trissolcus basalis (Wollaston, 1858) (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) on rice

The life cycle of stink bug, Glyphepomis dubia and the development of two egg parasitoids (Telenomus podisi and Trissolcus basalis) were studied at the Federal University of Maranhão, at 26 ± 2oC, relative humidity (RH) of 60 ± 10% and 12h photophase. Individuals used in the study were collected from seven rice fields located around the municipality of Arari, Maranhão, Brazil, and maintained in greenhouse and laboratory for the life cycle studies. From egg to adult, G. dubia took 35.2 days to complete the life cycle. The oviposition period was 37 days, with egg masses of about 12 eggs each and viability of 93.1%. Longevity was 53 and 65 days for females and males, respectively. The egg parasitoids Te. podisi and Tr. basalis parasitized and developed in G. dubia eggs; however, the biological characteristics of Tr. basalis were affected. Emergence of the parasitoids was higher for Te. podisi (83.5%) compared to the records for Tr. basalis (50.4%). Therefore, G. dubia may potentially achieve a pest status and Te. podisi is a promising biological control agent for G. dubia management in Brazil due to its higher longevity and better reproductive parameters.

Assessment of Biostimulation Methods based on Chemical Communication in Female Doe Reproduction

Biostimulation is an animal management practice that helps improve reproductive parameters by modulating animal sensory systems. Chemical signals, mostly known as pheromones, have a great potential in this regard. This study was conducted to determine the influence of short-term female rabbit exposure to different conditions, mainly pheromone-mediated, on reproductive parameters of inseminated does. Groups of 60 females/each were exposed to 1) female urine, 2) male urine, 3) seminal plasma and 4) female-female interaction, just before artificial insemination, and compared to isolated females controls (female-female separated). The following reproductive parameters were analyzed for each group: receptivity (vulvar color), fertility (calving rate), prolificacy and number of born alive and dead kits ⁄ litter. Our results showed that the biostimulation methods employed in this experiment did not significantly improve any of the analyzed parameters. However, female doe exposure to urine, especially to male urine, slightly increased fertility levels when compared to the rest of the experimental conditions. Female-female interaction before artificial insemination, which is a common practice in rabbit farms, did not have any effect, which suggests its removal to avoid unnecessary animal management and time cost. On the other hand, fertility ranges were lower for animals with pale vulvar color whereas no differences were noticed among the other three colours which measure receptivity (pink, red, purple), thus suggesting that these three colours could be grouped together. Additionally, equine chorionic gonadotropin injection could be replaced with various biostimulation methods, therefore reducing or replacing current hormonal treatments, and contributing to animal welfare and to a natural image of animal production.

Role of high quality feed supplement additional to the success of artificial insemination using sexing semen on Limousin Crossbred Cow

The success of artificial insemination must be supported by a balance of nutrients for livestock. AI combined with sexing produces offspring according to wishes of the breeder. This study aims to determine the increase in concentration on the success of Artificial Insemination using frozen semen sexing. This research was conducted at the people's beef cattle farm, Sumber Pucung District, Malang Regency. The limousine crosser used was 30 cows. Cattle aged 1.8 – 5 years with BCS 3-5 (score 1-9) Treatment T0 : The usual feed given by farmers (Control). T1: Control+HQFS. Parameters NRR-1, NRR-2, Conception Rate (CR), Pregnancy Rate (PR). The additional feeding of concentrate did not significantly affect the reproductive parameters. The results showed that at T0 the results of NRR-1 and NRR-2 were 80% and 73.33%, respectively. while in T1 it was 73.3% and 66.67%. The results showed that the CR in both treatments was 26% and the results showed that the PR for T0 was 26% and for T1 was 33%. Insufficient feed consumption for all treatments based on NRC requirement data, T0 and T1 dry matter consumption respectively 6.6 and 7.3 Kg/head/day, Protein consumption 0.36 and 0.3 Kg/head/day and TDN consumption of 3.08 and 3.20. kg/head/day.

Effects of energy and protein status on reproductive parameters and presence of subclinical ketosis in Brown Swiss cows postpartum

This study aimed to determine protein and energy metabolites in postpartum Brown Swiss cows and their effect on the presence of subclinical ketosis and reproductive parameters. One hundred cows from four farms in the Mantaro Valley (Junín, Perú) were grouped according to parity (1, 2, 3 and 4). The variables of the metabolic profile (total proteins, blood urea nitrogen [BUN], glucose, βhydroxybutyrate [B-HB]), milk production and body condition were estimated between 7 to 60 days postpartum in 7-day intervals. Likewise, the calving-first heat interval and the pregnancy rate at first service were recorded. The determination of subclinical ketosis was based on a semi-quantitative analysis by levels of B-HB in milk (µmol/l) using a commercial kit. BUN levels ranged between 11.74 and 15.92 mg/dl, being higher in fourth parity cows (p<0.05). The averages of total protein (6.54-7.90 g/dl) were homogeneous between calvings. The glucose values presented an inverse response, being lower in cows of third and fourth parity compared to cows of first and second parity (p<0.05). Similarly, the highest levels of milk production were observed in third parity cows (14.41 ± 5.42 l/d) and fourth parity (15.43 ± 4.36 l/d) with respect to first and second calvers (p<0.05). Body condition was lower in cows with subclinical ketosis. The calving - first heat interval and the pregnancy rate at first service were lower in cows with subclinical ketosis (p<0.05).

Toxic Effect Induced by Cadmium on Some Reproductive Parameters and the Therapeutic Role of Leaves of Lemon Verbena: الأثر السمّي المستحدث بعنصر الكادميوم على بعض المعايير التكاثرية والدور العلاجي لأوراق نبات المليسة

This study was conducted on 28 male Syrian hamsters, and the aim was to confirm the toxic effects of cadmium on the structure and function of the male reproductive system and to test the effectiveness of the alcoholic extract of the lemon verbena plant in the therapeutic of cadmium toxicity. The results of the study showed the negative effect of cadmium on some reproductive parameters of male Syrian Hamster, where treatment with cadmium (5mg/kg/day) reduced GSI% values ​​for both testis and epididymis, lowered the values ​​of testicular dimensions, testosterone concentration and some physiological parameters of the tail of the epididymis sperm and some histological measurements for testes, numbers of spermatogenesis cells, Sertoli and Leydig, cadmium treatment caused histological disorders in the testicles, compared to the control group. Dosing male hamsters with lemon verbena leaf extract at two concentrations (250,500mg/kg/day) did not lead to a clear improvement compared to the cadmium group.

Effects of Temperament on the Reproduction of Beef Cattle

Temperament is often defined as the behavioral expression of animals in response to human interaction. Cattle temperament can be evaluated using an association of chute score and exit velocity, with cattle then classified as adequate or excitable temperament. To assess the impacts of temperament on various beef systems, these evaluation criteria were associated with productive and reproductive parameters of Bos taurus and B. indicus-influenced cattle. Consistently across studies, excitable cattle had greater plasma cortisol compared to animals with adequate temperament. Studies also reported that excitable beef females have poorer reproductive performance compared to calmer cohorts, including reduced annual pregnancy rates, decreased calving rate, weaning rate, and kg of calf weaned/cow exposed to breeding. Acclimating B. indicus × B. taurus or B. taurus heifers to human handling improved behavioral expression of temperament and hastened puberty attainment. However, similar benefits were not observed when mature cows were acclimated to human handling. Collectively, temperament of beef females measured via behavioral responses upon human handling impacts their reproductive and productive responses independent of breed type, and should be considered for optimal beef cattle production.