RESUMO

This study evaluated the capacity of thermoregulation and its consequences on the scrotal surface temperature patterns and semen quality of buffalo bulls raised in a wet tropical climate. Eleven water buffaloes were evaluated in the rainiest, in the transitional and in the less rainy season. Air temperature and humidity were consistently high, but the animals did not show thermal stress in any season. The scrotal temperature gradient of buffalo bulls using infrared thermography was described, and three parallel and decreasing thermal bands were characterised. Sperm quality (n = 176 ejaculates) was maintained in normal parameters over the periods. Pearson's coefficients showed that sperm volume and progressive motility were negatively correlated with ocular globe, epididymal tail and minimum scrotal temperatures (p < .01). Sperm membrane integrity was negatively influenced by increases in epididymal tail and minimum scrotal temperatures (p < .01). Ocular globe temperature also showed positive correlation with rectal, spermatic cord, and epididymal tail temperatures (p < .01). Therefore, even under high temperature and humidity, the thermoregulatory system was effective in preventing heat stress and the normality of scrotal surface temperatures, spermatogenesis and sperm maturation were maintained.

Assuntos

RESUMO

This paper aimed to evaluate the surface temperatures of buffalo bulls using infrared thermography, considering four distinct anatomical parts over time, and to correlate surface temperatures and thermal comfort indexes. The humid tropical climate (Kõppen's Afi) was predominant in the research station where the experiment was performed and the trial lasted from April to August. Ten bulls (n=10) were evaluated every 25 days (morning: 6:00-9:00; afternoon: 12:00-15:00) and the parameters assessed were respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), and the thermograms of surface temperature for orbital area (ORB), right flank (RF), left flank (LF) and scrotum (SCR). Climatological data was continuously monitored and the Temperature and Humidity Index (THI) and the Index of Comfort of Benezra (ICB) were calculated. The average values of THI were ≥78, and significant differences between shifts were observed (P<0.05). The ICB ranged from 1.96 to 2.25 and significant differences were observed for shifts and throughout the months (P<0.05). The averages of surface temperatures were RT=38.2±0.5°C, ORB=36.1±0.8°C, LF=33.5±2.5°C, RF=35.4±1.7ºC and SCR=33.3±1.1°C, which exhibited significant differences for shifts and throughout the months (P<0.05). Positive correlations were obtained between THI and ORB (0.72), RF (0.77), LF (0.75) and SCR (0.41) (P<0.0001). The maximum temperature of ORB showed the highest correlation with RT (0.58, P<0.0001). Therefore, the surface temperatures are subject to climatic variations and increase throughout the day, due to the variation in thermal comfort indexes, and the maximum ORB temperature was the parameter most related to rectal temperature. Lastly, the results indicate that IRT may be a useful non-invasive and accurate tool to detect the variations in ORB, LF, RF and SCR temperature in buffalo bulls.(AU)

O presente trabalho visou avaliar as temperaturas superficiais de diferentes regiões anatômicas de búfalos ao longo do tempo, por meio da termografia infravermelha, e correlacioná-las a índices bioclimatológicos de conforto térmico. O ensaio foi realizado em região de clima tropical úmido (Afi de Kõppen), de abril a agosto. Dez touros (n=10) foram avaliados a cada 25 dias (manhã: seis-nove horas; tarde: 12-15h), quanto à frequência respiratória (FR), temperatura retal (TR) e imagens termográficas da órbita ocular (ORB), flanco direito (FLd), flanco esquerdo (FLe) e escroto (ESC). Os dados climatológicos foram ininterruptamente monitorados, e calculados o índice de temperatura e umidade (ITU) e o índice de conforto de Benezra (ICB). O ITU foi ≥78, com diferença entre turnos (P<0,05). Já o ICB variou de 1,96 a 2,25 e apresentou diferenças ao longo dos meses e entre turnos (P<0,05). As temperaturas observadas foram de TR=38,2±0,5ºC, ORB=36,1±0,8ºC, FLd=33,5±2,5ºC, FLe=35,4±1,7ºC e ESC=33,3±1,1ºC, as quais variaram significativamente ao longo dos meses e entre turnos (P<0,05). O ITU apresentou correlações positivas com ORB (0,72), FLd (0,77), FLe (0,75) e ESC (0,41) (P<0,0001). A temperatura máxima de ORB apresentou a maior correlação com a TR (0,58; P<0,0001). Portanto, as temperaturas superficiais dos animais sofrem interferências das variações climáticas e se elevam ao longo do dia, devido à variação nos índices de conforto térmico; a temperatura máxima de ORB foi o parâmetro mais condicionado à temperatura retal. Também, as oscilações de temperatura de superfície de ORB, FLd, FLe e ESC podem ser aferidas em bubalinos com o uso da termografia infravermelha, de modo preciso e não invasivo.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

This paper aimed to evaluate the surface temperatures of buffalo bulls using infrared thermography, considering four distinct anatomical parts over time, and to correlate surface temperatures and thermal comfort indexes. The humid tropical climate (Kõppen's Afi) was predominant in the research station where the experiment was performed and the trial lasted from April to August. Ten bulls (n=10) were evaluated every 25 days (morning: 6:00-9:00; afternoon: 12:00-15:00) and the parameters assessed were respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), and the thermograms of surface temperature for orbital area (ORB), right flank (RF), left flank (LF) and scrotum (SCR). Climatological data was continuously monitored and the Temperature and Humidity Index (THI) and the Index of Comfort of Benezra (ICB) were calculated. The average values of THI were ≥78, and significant differences between shifts were observed (P<0.05). The ICB ranged from 1.96 to 2.25 and significant differences were observed for shifts and throughout the months (P<0.05). The averages of surface temperatures were RT=38.2±0.5°C, ORB=36.1±0.8°C, LF=33.5±2.5°C, RF=35.4±1.7ºC and SCR=33.3±1.1°C, which exhibited significant differences for shifts and throughout the months (P<0.05). Positive correlations were obtained between THI and ORB (0.72), RF (0.77), LF (0.75) and SCR (0.41) (P<0.0001). The maximum temperature of ORB showed the highest correlation with RT (0.58, P<0.0001). Therefore, the surface temperatures are subject to climatic variations and increase throughout the day, due to the variation in thermal comfort indexes, and the maximum ORB temperature was the parameter most related to rectal temperature. Lastly, the results indicate that IRT may be a useful non-invasive and accurate tool to detect the variations in ORB, LF, RF and SCR temperature in buffalo bulls.

O presente trabalho visou avaliar as temperaturas superficiais de diferentes regiões anatômicas de búfalos ao longo do tempo, por meio da termografia infravermelha, e correlacioná-las a índices bioclimatológicos de conforto térmico. O ensaio foi realizado em região de clima tropical úmido (Afi de Kõppen), de abril a agosto. Dez touros (n=10) foram avaliados a cada 25 dias (manhã: seis-nove horas; tarde: 12-15h), quanto à frequência respiratória (FR), temperatura retal (TR) e imagens termográficas da órbita ocular (ORB), flanco direito (FLd), flanco esquerdo (FLe) e escroto (ESC). Os dados climatológicos foram ininterruptamente monitorados, e calculados o índice de temperatura e umidade (ITU) e o índice de conforto de Benezra (ICB). O ITU foi ≥78, com diferença entre turnos (P<0,05). Já o ICB variou de 1,96 a 2,25 e apresentou diferenças ao longo dos meses e entre turnos (P<0,05). As temperaturas observadas foram de TR=38,2±0,5ºC, ORB=36,1±0,8ºC, FLd=33,5±2,5ºC, FLe=35,4±1,7ºC e ESC=33,3±1,1ºC, as quais variaram significativamente ao longo dos meses e entre turnos (P<0,05). O ITU apresentou correlações positivas com ORB (0,72), FLd (0,77), FLe (0,75) e ESC (0,41) (P<0,0001). A temperatura máxima de ORB apresentou a maior correlação com a TR (0,58; P<0,0001). Portanto, as temperaturas superficiais dos animais sofrem interferências das variações climáticas e se elevam ao longo do dia, devido à variação nos índices de conforto térmico; a temperatura máxima de ORB foi o parâmetro mais condicionado à temperatura retal. Também, as oscilações de temperatura de superfície de ORB, FLd, FLe e ESC podem ser aferidas em bubalinos com o uso da termografia infravermelha, de modo preciso e não invasivo.

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RESUMO

[...] Fifteen water buffalos kept on pasture were used as semen donors. The animals received daily dietary supplementation (1% of body weight ) for 252 days, and were divided into three groups: Control ( n = 5; conventional concentrate), CM - Base ( n = 5; coconut meal concentrate) , and PKC - Base ( n = 5; palm kernel cake concentrate). Aspect, color, volume, pH, gross motility, vigor, progressive sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, and sperm morphology of ejaculates were evaluated (173 samples). The daily average for voluntary concentrate intake was 4.778 ± 1.233 kg in the Control group , 3.112 ± 0.693 kg in CM - Base, and 4.558 ± 1.077 kg in PKC - Base group ( P > 0. 05). Diet based on palm kernel cake supplementation had a positive effect on semen quality. The plasma membrane integrity levels were increased in PKC - Base animals (Control: 68.0 ± 19.5; CM - Base: 72.0 ± 22.6; PKC - Base: 8 2.1 ± 12.2; P 0.05) .Hence, palm kernel cake - based dietary supplementation for water buffalos provided more lipids and minerals, which intake is related to the improvement of sperm quality, with higher sperm motility an d higher levels of spermatozoa with plasma membrane integrity

Assuntos

RESUMO

[...] Fifteen water buffalos kept on pasture were used as semen donors. The animals received daily dietary supplementation (1% of body weight ) for 252 days, and were divided into three groups: Control ( n = 5; conventional concentrate), CM - Base ( n = 5; coconut meal concentrate) , and PKC - Base ( n = 5; palm kernel cake concentrate). Aspect, color, volume, pH, gross motility, vigor, progressive sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, and sperm morphology of ejaculates were evaluated (173 samples). The daily average for voluntary concentrate intake was 4.778 ± 1.233 kg in the Control group , 3.112 ± 0.693 kg in CM - Base, and 4.558 ± 1.077 kg in PKC - Base group ( P > 0. 05). Diet based on palm kernel cake supplementation had a positive effect on semen quality. The plasma membrane integrity levels were increased in PKC - Base animals (Control: 68.0 ± 19.5; CM - Base: 72.0 ± 22.6; PKC - Base: 8 2.1 ± 12.2; P < 0.05). In addition, progressive sperm motility was higher in the PKC - Base group (71.7 ± 15.1% PKC - Base; 59.3 ± 20.5% Control; 56.7 ± 24.8% CM - Base; P < 0.05). Lower sperm concentration values were observed in the PKC - Base group, but they did not deviate from the physiological standards from 524.10 ± 20.70 to 1,031.4 ± 28.70 x 10 6 sptz/m l, or of 1,493 x 10 6 sptz/m l . The other sperm parameters did not have significant differences (P > 0.05) .Hence, palm kernel cake - based dietary supplementation for water buffalos provided more lipids and minerals, which intake is related to the improvement of sperm quality, with higher sperm motility an d higher levels of spermatozoa with plasma membrane integrity (AU)

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RESUMO

O estudo visou investigar o efeito da suplementação dietética com óleo de palma sobre o perfil sérico lipídico e as características seminais de touros bubalinos (Bubalus bubalis), bem como suas correlações. Doze touros foram alocados no Grupo CONT (n=5) ou Grupo ÓLEO (n=7) e receberam alimentação isoproteica composta por silagem de milho e concentrado (milho triturado, farelo de trigo e ureia), com proporção volumoso/concentrado de 50%, durante 130 dias (Períodos 1 e 2). Diferencialmente, óleo de palma foi adicionado ao concentrado (2% MS) do Grupo ÓLEO. Sêmen e sangue foram colhidos quinzenalmente. Houve aumento nas concentrações séricas de colesterol, HDL e lipídios totais nos animais do Grupo ÓLEO, enquanto o período influenciou nas taxas de colesterol, LDL, lipídios totais e VLDL (P<0,05). Houve decréscimo no turbilhonamento e discreta redução na integridade de membranas nos animais do Grupo ÓLEO (P<0,05). Correlações significativas foram encontradas entre triglicerídeos e defeitos menores (r=-0,412; P=0,006), LDL e defeitos totais (r=-0,333; P=0,030), lipídios totais e defeitos menores (r=-0.366; P= 0,017), lipídios totais e defeitos totais (r=-0.309; P= 0,046), e VLDL e viabilidade espermática (r=0,381; P=0,012), apontando efeitos positivos da maior lipidemia na morfologia e na viabilidade espermática. O uso de óleo de palma alterou o perfil lipídico sérico, mas não favoreceu per se os parâmetros seminais relacionados com o potencial de fertilidade dos touros.(AU)

The study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with palm oil on serum lipid profile, the seminal characteristics of buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) and the correlations between them. Twelve bulls were divided into Group CONT (n = 5) or Group OIL (n = 7). Animals in both groups were fed with isoproteic diets composed of corn silage and concentrated (ground corn, wheat bran and urea), with 50% forage/concentrate ratio, during 130 days (Periods 1 and 2). Palm oil (2%DM) was added to diet offered to Group OIL. Semen and blood samples were collected every two weeks. Increased serum levels of cholesterol, HDL and total lipids were observed for Group OIL, while the period influenced on cholesterol, LDL, total lipids and VLDL (P<0,05). Treatment decreased gross motility (P<0.05) and slightly reduced sperm membrane integrity (P<0.05) in animals of Group OIL. There were significant correlations between triglycerides and minor defects (r=-0.412, P=0.006), LDL and total defects (r=-0.333, P=0.030), total lipids and minor defects (r=-0.366, P=0.017), VLDL and spermatic viability (r=0.381, P=0.012), and total lipids and totals defects (r=-0.309, P=0.046), highlighting positive effects of higher lipid serum levels on sperm morphology and viability. The incorporation of palm oil in the diet altered the serum lipid profile, but it showed no positive effect on seminal parameters related to the potential of bull fertility.(AU)

Assuntos

RESUMO

O estudo visou investigar o efeito da suplementação dietética com óleo de palma sobre o perfil sérico lipídico e as características seminais de touros bubalinos (Bubalus bubalis), bem como suas correlações. Doze touros foram alocados no Grupo CONT (n=5) ou Grupo ÓLEO (n=7) e receberam alimentação isoproteica composta por silagem de milho e concentrado (milho triturado, farelo de trigo e ureia), com proporção volumoso/concentrado de 50%, durante 130 dias (Períodos 1 e 2). Diferencialmente, óleo de palma foi adicionado ao concentrado (2% MS) do Grupo ÓLEO. Sêmen e sangue foram colhidos quinzenalmente. Houve aumento nas concentrações séricas de colesterol, HDL e lipídios totais nos animais do Grupo ÓLEO, enquanto o período influenciou nas taxas de colesterol, LDL, lipídios totais e VLDL (P<0,05). Houve decréscimo no turbilhonamento e discreta redução na integridade de membranas nos animais do Grupo ÓLEO (P<0,05). Correlações significativas foram encontradas entre triglicerídeos e defeitos menores (r=-0,412; P=0,006), LDL e defeitos totais (r=-0,333; P=0,030), lipídios totais e defeitos menores (r=-0.366; P= 0,017), lipídios totais e defeitos totais (r=-0.309; P= 0,046), e VLDL e viabilidade espermática (r=0,381; P=0,012), apontando efeitos positivos da maior lipidemia na morfologia e na viabilidade espermática. O uso de óleo de palma alterou o perfil lipídico sérico, mas não favoreceu per se os parâmetros seminais relacionados com o potencial de fertilidade dos touros.

The study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with palm oil on serum lipid profile, the seminal characteristics of buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) and the correlations between them. Twelve bulls were divided into Group CONT (n = 5) or Group OIL (n = 7). Animals in both groups were fed with isoproteic diets composed of corn silage and concentrated (ground corn, wheat bran and urea), with 50% forage/concentrate ratio, during 130 days (Periods 1 and 2). Palm oil (2%DM) was added to diet offered to Group OIL. Semen and blood samples were collected every two weeks. Increased serum levels of cholesterol, HDL and total lipids were observed for Group OIL, while the period influenced on cholesterol, LDL, total lipids and VLDL (P<0,05). Treatment decreased gross motility (P<0.05) and slightly reduced sperm membrane integrity (P<0.05) in animals of Group OIL. There were significant correlations between triglycerides and minor defects (r=-0.412, P=0.006), LDL and total defects (r=-0.333, P=0.030), total lipids and minor defects (r=-0.366, P=0.017), VLDL and spermatic viability (r=0.381, P=0.012), and total lipids and totals defects (r=-0.309, P=0.046), highlighting positive effects of higher lipid serum levels on sperm morphology and viability. The incorporation of palm oil in the diet altered the serum lipid profile, but it showed no positive effect on seminal parameters related to the potential of bull fertility.

Assuntos

Assuntos

RESUMO

O aumento da demanda por alimentos, a restrição dos recursos naturais e o aquecimento global sãoatuais desafios para a produção animal. Uma vez que a população de bubalinos domésticos (Bubalus bubalis) é majoritariamente criada em países da zona intertropical, o estresse térmico constitui um problema real para sua produção. Por isso, alternativas estratégicas devem ser adotadas, a fim de garantir aos animais conforto térmico e bem-estar. Entre elas, as ações mais ecológicas e efetivas estão relacionadas ao manejo do ambiente. Uma vez que os búfalos são animais de epiderme escura e pouco refletivos à radiação solar, o oferecimento de sombra natural nas pastagens ajuda a prevenir a radiação direta sobre os animais e facilita sua termorregulação. Entre as consequências positivas da adoção dos sistemas silvipastoris estão a redução dos índices bioclimatológicos no microclima das pastagens e o aumento no conforto animal, o qual leva a um desenvolvimento folicular mais satisfatório, ao aumento nas taxas de concepção após inseminação artificial em tempo fixo, ao desenvolvimento fetal adequado e a partos normais.

Increasing demands for food, restriction of natural resources and global warming are contemporaneous challenges for livestock production. The domestic buffalo population (Bubalus bubalis) is mostly concentrated in countries of intertropical zone and crescent thermal stress is a real problem to the buffalo production. Therefore, strategic alternatives must be adopted in order to ensure thermal comfort and animal welfare. The most ecological and effective actions are related to environmental management. Since buffaloes have dark epidermis and are almost unreflective to the solar radiation, providing natural shadow in the paddocks helps to prevent direct radiation on the animals and benefits thermoregulation process. Positive consequences of silvopastoral systems adoption are reduced bioclimatic indexes on pastures and higher animal comfort, which isinvolved in satisfactory folliculogenesis, increases in conception rates after fixed time artificial insemination, normal fetal development and parturition.

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