Genetic parameters for scrotal circumference at 12 (SC12) and at 18 months of age (SC18) of males, and yearling weight (W365), weight at first calving (WFC), age at first calving (AFC), days to first calving (DC) and length of first gestation (GL) of females were estimated using records from 9,932 females and 14,521 males from 28 Nellore herds, located in the South and Southeast regions of Brazil. Covariance components were estimated by REML, fitting bivariate animal models. Heritability estimates were […]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between complementary (hiposmotic, thermo-resistance and acrosome reaction tests) and conventional evaluations (physical and morphologic aspects) of bovine frozen/thawed semen and conception rates. Average values for spermatic motility evaluated by thermo-resistance test were of 53.48% (post-thawed), 43.69% (60 minutes), 35.88% (120 minutes) and 33.04% (180 minutes). The percentage of reactive cells observed for the hiposmotic test was 37.89%. Average intensity was observed for post-thawing spermatic motility, positively correlated to hiposmotic test […]

Two trials were carried out to estimate the nutritional requirement and carcass composition of male broiler breeders according to five levels of metabolizable energy (ME) ingestion. Four hundred and fifty females and 75 males of Cobb-500 strain were selected to evaluate body weight, semen volume, spermatic concentration, motility, vigor and fertility of spermatozoa. Thirty males were used for evaluation of carcass chemical composition (DM, CP and crude fat [CF]) as a function of energy intake. The experiment was analyzed as […]

Two trials were carried to estimate the protein requirements and carcass composition of male broiler breeders from 27 to 61 weeks of age. Four hundred and fifty females and 75 males of Cobb-500 strain were selected to evaluate the body weight, semen volume, spermatic concentration, mobility, vigor and fertility of spermatozoa. Thirty males were used for evaluation of carcass chemical composition (DM, CP and crude fat [CF]) as a function of protein intake. The experiment was analyzed as a complete […]

One hundred and twenty estrus cycles of 105 Mangalarga Marchador breed mares were analyzed to study the effect of number of inseminations per cycle on the fertility of mares inseminated with cooled semen. The mares were randomly allocated in the following group: T1 – one AI/cycle; T2 – two AI/cycle; T3 – tree or more AI/cycle. The cycles were controlled by rectal palpation and teasing. The insemination were made at each 48 hours, from a 30-35 mm follicle diameter until […]

The effect of the number of insemination on the fertility of mares inseminated three times/week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday), with extended, cooled and transported semen, from only one stallion, was studied. The mares were inseminated from the detection, by rectal palpation, of a 3.0 to 3.5 cm follicle diameter, in one of the ovaries, until ovulation. The semen was transported in skim milk-glucose extender in a “Celle” modified container; with inseminate doses of 400 x 106 motile spermatozoa at the […]

This study was carried out to analyze the influence of some environmental effects on the milk yield and calving interval and to estimate the genetic parameters at 305-day milk yield (P305), and calving interval (IP). Data from 3044 lactations of 1568 Holstein cows, calved from 1988 to 1995 belonging to dairy herds monitored by DAISY (The Dairy Information System), were used. The Least Squares Method was used to study the environment effects and the Derivative-Free Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) algorithm […]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of genetic and non genetic factors on cow weight at calving (CWC) of Nellore and 1/2 Canchim + 1/2 Nellore cows, mated to Canchim (5/8 Charolais + 3/8 Zebu) and Charolais breed bulls, respectively, and also on the gestation length (GL) of their calves, and the weights (W) and ages (A) at first insemination (FI), conception (FCo), and calving (FC) of 1/2 Canchim + 1/2 Nellore heifers. The least squares […]

To study the effect of age upon ovulatory and fertility traits, 147 cycles of 99 mares were grouped in different age classes (1 – 3-6 years; 2 – 7-10 years; 3 – 11-14 years, and 4 – 15-19 years), according to the year of birth. The mares were inseminated with diluted, cooled and transported semen of one stallion only, three times a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday). The follicular control, based on rectal palpation, and the teasing were conduced every […]