The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition of leaves of maniçoba (Manihot sp.) according to their development stage and their relationship with the soil characteristics. For this purpose, plants in their natural growth areas in the semiarid region of Paraíba State, Brazil, were sampled. Leaves of maniçoba collected in five different locations at four different development stages were harvested and characterized: expanding leaf, completely expanded leaf, leaf at the beginning of senescence and a pool (mixture […]

The objective was to evaluate the effects of laboratory-silo type and method of silage extract production, respectively, on sugarcane silage fermentation and recovery of fermentation products. Sugarcane was mechanically harvested and ensiled in three different types of laboratory silos (five replicates): 9.7 × 30 cm PVC tubes with tight lids, equipped or unequipped with Bunsen valves, and 20 L plastic buckets with tight lids and Bunsen valves. Three methods were used to produce silage extracts for pH, ethanol, acetic and […]

Empty body and carcass chemical composition were determined in 67 Nellore bulls from Selection Nellore (NeS) and Control Nellore (NeC) herds of an animal breeding program for growth, slaughtered at 570 days of average age, after 100 days of feedlot. Selection Nellore animals had, respectively, 360 and 430 kg of initial and slaughter body weight, and NeC animals had 318 and 373 kg for the same traits. Animals were slaughtered and empty body composition was determined by chemical analysis of […]

The objective of the present study was to report the molecular cloning and determination of the sequences N-methyl-D-aspartate subunit-1 receptor (NMDAR-1) in the hypothalamus of sheep. The re-amplified DNA template for NMDA -1 from the hypothalamus of male sheep was cloned using pBluescript-Sk-plasmids (pBSK, 2958 bp). Purified plasmids containing the NMDA receptor c-DNA were sequenced using the dye-terminator chemistry at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. Results were entered into the National Center for Biotechnology Web site as accession number […]

This survey, conducted with 461 racehorse owners-breeders in Algeria between 2009 and 2011, investigates their perceptions, objectives and practices regarding selective breeding. Racehorse breeding is a full-time professional activity for a third of interviewees. The holdings are small-sized with 77% owning one or two mares. The regular practice of mating is here used to categorize breeders according to their degree of professionalization (38.4% professional vs. 61.6% occasional breeders). Experience in the sector was also used to classify breeders, considering as […]

Four rumen-cannulated primiparous lactating cows were studied in a 4 × 4 Latin square design experiment to evaluate the effects of propolis-based products (PBP) with different concentrations of propolis and alcohol levels on total digestibility, (TD), ruminal digestibility (RD), intestinal digestibility (ID), pH, ruminal ammonia-nitrogen production (NH3-N), rumen microbial synthesis, and blood parameters. The feed consisted of 591.9 g/kg corn silage and 408.1 g/kg concentrate (dry matter [DM] basis), and treatments differed with regard to the inclusion (via ruminal cannula) […]

In this study, the effects of different concentrations of dietary safflower seeds (SS) were examined for milk production, milk fat and some rumen and blood parameters at the end stage of lactation in dairy cows. Four Holstein cows were assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin Square design with four stages. All stages had 14 d of adaptation and 7 d of data collection periods. The diets were formulated as isoenergetic and isonitrogenous. Cows were fed four concentrate mixtures containing […]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of unsaturated fatty acids in diets for dairy cows during the transition period and early lactation on intake, digestion and nutrient balance. Thirty-six multiparous and pregnant Holstein cows were randomly distributed to receive one of the experimental diets in the period from 35 days before the expected date of parturition to 84 days post-partum. Diets were fed as a total mixed ration and were as follows: control (C); soybean oil […]