ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to characterize the sexual development of 48 Nelore bulls by associating the findings of sperm analyses with growth traits and ultrasound-measured testicular traits. Bulls were evaluated from 14.3 to 24.6 months old at intervals of 28 days, totaling 12 observations per animal. Data were subjected to repeated-measures analyses of variance over time (PROC MIXED, SAS 9.2) and equations for semen traits were developed using stepwise regression (PROC REG, SAS 9.2). Regarding the growth […]

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between testicular echotexture and seminal quality, in addition to evaluate the testicular parenchyma echogenicity pattern in young Montana bulls classified as sound and unsound for breeding. Fifty-two young Montana Tropical Compound bulls from 22 to 33 months of age were used. The animals were previously evaluated by breeding soundness evaluation and thereafter divided into two groups of breeding soundness classes: 1 = 16 animals sound for breeding; 2 = 36 […]

The present work aimed to estimate the individual intake of dry matter, concentrated and forage for animals feed in group. Evaluate also, dry matter intake, average daily gain and feed conversion ratio by animals from one of three genders (bulls, steers or heifers) fed individually or in groups, with two levels of concentrate offer (1.00 or 1.25% of BW), and carcass traits of confined Nellore cattle. Forty five Nellore cattle – 15 bulls, 15 steers and 15 heifers were used. […]

This study aimed to evaluate the sexual behavior of 88 bulls of the Angus and Zebu (Gyr, Guzerat and Nellore) breeds managed for collection and processing of semen at an artificial insemination center. On average, bulls were at 5 years of age, 906 kg of live weight and 41 cm for scrotal circumference. Reaction time in all breeds was positively influenced by the “moving” stimuli teaser. Reaction time in Angus bulls was smaller than in bulls of the zebu breeds […]

Thirty two Santa Gertrudis bulls with ten months of age and 245 kg average live weight were fed 88% concentrate diets with corn silage or sugarcane bagasse and dry corn or high moisture corn. Four animals were slaughtered in the beginning of the experiment for initial body composition determination. Other 28 animals were distributed on four treatments. The experimental design was randomized blocks in 2 X 2 factorial (two roughage X two corn sources) with seven replicates. Regression equation of […]

The effect of corn grain harvested at 87%DM or harvested at 70%DM ground and ensiled were evaluated. Diets contained different roughage sources, either corn silage (20% of the diet DM) or sugarcane bagasse (12% of the DM). Thirty two Santa Gertrudis bulls with initial average age of ten months and initial average weight of 245 kg were fed an adaptation diet for 33 days. After that period four animals were slaughtered to obtain initial body composition. The other 28 animals […]

The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of ¾ European x ¼ Zebu crossbred bulls of British or Continental paternal breed, fed high concentrate diets containing 9, 15 or 21% of the dry matter (DM) with sugarcane bagasse (BIN) in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement. Thirty-six crossbred bulls, 9 months old and 257 kg of shrink body weight were fed, two per pen, for 139 days. There was no difference in shrink body weight gain between […]

ABSTRACT – The objective of this study was to analyze the testicular volume and shape in young males of Nellore Zebu breed and their importance for the evaluation and selection of sires. Four hundred and forty two males, from 12 to 18 month of age, were examined for scrotal circumference (CE), length (COMP), width (LARG) and testicular volume (VOL). The animals were divided in two groups (G1 and G2) according to their date of birth. The VOL was calculated by […]

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of the concentrate level in the diets on the intakes and total and partial apparent digestibilities of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and total carbohydrates (CHO). The effect of collections carried out during the day and the night, for the DM and OM total and partial apparent digestibilities, was also evaluated. Four Nellore bulls, fistulated in the rumen, abomasum […]