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Abstract Worm infections pose a significant challenge to goat farming in the tropics. While individual variations in the animals' response to this disease are observed, understanding its genetic component is crucial for establishing effective herd production management, prioritizing the selection of goats with higher resistance to parasitism. This study aimed to assess goat response to worm infection under natural field conditions using data on eggs per gram of feces (EPG), body condition score (BCS), and conjunctival mucosa coloration (FAMACHA©). Cluster analysis and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques were applied to 3,839 data points from 200 individuals in an experimental goat herd in Piauí, Brazil. The study considered the phenotypic expression of resistance, sensitivity, and resilience to worm infection as responses to parasitism. Three clustering methods, namely Ward, Average, and k-means, were employed and compared with fuzzy logic obtained through the CAPRIOVI web software. The analysis revealed statistically significant differences (P<0.05) between the groups of animals classified as resistant, resilient, and sensitive to parasitism. Pregnancy and peripartum were identified as stages of heightened sensitivity to parasitism (P<0.05). Among the clustering techniques, traditional statistical methods exhibited excellent performance, with an overall accuracy percentage exceeding 90.00%. In contrast, CAPRIOVI's fuzzy logic demonstrated lower overall accuracy (77.00%). The clustering methods showed similar efficiency, but differed in terms of the distribution of animals per group, with a tendency towards greater numbers in the resistant category. Fuzzy logic circumvented this limitation by enabling the formation of groups tailored to meet the producer's interests, adding consistency in terms of the animals' response to worm infection. This finding highlights the potential of the software for goat health management.

Resumo A incidência de verminose é um dos principais obstáculos para a caprinocultura nos trópicos. A variação individual da resposta do animal à enfermidade existe, mas precisa ser determinado o seu componente genético e estabelecer o manejo zootécnico dos rebanhos, priorizando a seleção de animais mais resistente ao parasitismo. Objetivou-se nesse estudo avaliar a resposta de cabras à incidência de verminose sob condições de infecção natural a campo, com informações de ovos por grama de fezes (OPG), escore da condição corporal (ECC) e grau de coloração da mucosa conjuntiva (FAMACHA©), recorrendo a utilização de análise de agrupamento e a aplicação de inteligência artificial (IA). Foram utilizadas 3.839 informações de 200 indivíduos em um rebanho experimental de caprinos no Piauí. Considerou-se como resposta ao parasitismo a expressão fenotípica de resistência, sensibilidade e resiliência a verminose, submetidos a três métodos de agrupamento: Ward, Average e K-means, comparado com a lógica Fuzzy, obtidos com o software web CAPRIOVI. Os resultados demonstraram que os grupos de animais resistente, resiliente e sensível ao parasitismo foram estatisticamente distintos (P<0,05). As cabras durante a gestação e o periparto foram identificadas como fases de maior sensibilidade ao parasitismo (P<0,05). O CAPRIOVI aplica a lógica Fuzzy e apresentou o menor percentual de acerto global (77,00%), enquanto os métodos estatísticos tradicionais se destacaram com percentual de acerto global superior a 90,00%, demonstrando excelência estatística com esse fim. Os métodos de agrupamentos apresentaram semelhança na eficiência, mas diferiram quanto à distribuição de animais por agrupamento, com tendência de maior quantidade na categoria resistente. A aplicação da lógica Fuzzy contornou essa limitação ao direcionar a formação dos grupos visando atender o interesse do produtor, inserindo consistência em termos de resposta dos animais a verminose, qualificando o software com potencial para adequação ao manejo sanitário de caprinos.

RESUMO

OBJECTIVE: The identification of nonlinear mixed models that describe the growth trajectory of New Zealand rabbits was performed based on weight records and carcass measures obtained using ultrasonography. METHODS: Phenotypic records of body weight (BW) and loin eye area (LEA) were collected from 66 animals raised in a didactic-productive module of cuniculture located in the southern Piauí state, Brazil. The following nonlinear models were tested considering fixed parameters: Brody, Gompertz, Logistic, Richards, Meloun 1, modified Michaelis-Menten, Santana, and von Bertalanffy. The coefficient of determination (R2), mean squared error, percentage of convergence of each model (%C), mean absolute deviation of residuals, Akaike information criterion (AIC), and Bayesian information criterion (BIC) were used to determine the best model. The model that best described the growth trajectory for each trait was also used under the context of mixed models, considering two parameters that admit biological interpretation (A and k) with random effects. RESULTS: The von Bertalanffy model was the best fitting model for BW according to the highest value of R2 (0.98) and lowest values of AIC (6,675.30) and BIC (6,691.90). For LEA, the Logistic model was the most appropriate due to the results of R2 (0.52), AIC (783.90), and BIC (798.40) obtained using this model. The absolute growth rates estimated using the von Bertalanffy and Logistic models for BW and LEA were 21.51g/d and 3.16 cm2, respectively. The relative growth rates at the inflection point were 0.028 for BW (von Bertalanffy) and 0.014 for LEA (Logistic). CONCLUSION: The von Bertalanffy and Logistic models with random effect at the asymptotic weight are recommended for analysis of ponderal and carcass growth trajectories in New Zealand rabbits. The inclusion of random effects in the asymptotic weight and maturity rate improves the quality of fit in comparison to fixed models.

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Gastrointestinal nematode infections have caused expressive losses in sheep production worldwide. The improvement of host genetic resistance to worms has been used as a strategy to mitigate this problem. In this sense, the inclusion of genomic information has shown potential to increase the accuracy of prediction of breeding values and speed up selection. In this study, we aimed to compare estimates of genetic parameters and breeding values for traits that indicate the resistance to gastrointestinal nematode infection in Santa Inês sheep using the pedigree-based BLUP or including genomic information. There were 1478 animals in the pedigree, of which 271 were genotyped using the OvineSNP50 BeadChip (Illumina, Inc.). The host resistance was assessed using the following traits: fecal nematode egg counts (FEC); FAMACHA score (FAMACHA); and resistance to gastrointestinal nematode infection (RGNI) as a combination of FEC, FAMACHA, body condition score, and hematocrit. The genetic parameters and breeding values were estimated using single- and multi-trait analyses. For RGNI, the heritability estimates ranged from 0.25 using the single-trait genomic model (S-H) to 0.54 using the traditional multi-trait model (M-A). The heritability estimates for FEC ranged from 0.06 to 0.36, using the single-trait pedigree-based model (S-A) and the multi-trait genomic model (M-H), respectively. For FAMACHA, the heritability estimates ranged from 0.46 (M-H) to 0.54 (M-A). Estimates of genetic correlation ranged from 0.22 to 0.69. The inclusion of genomic information provided gain in accuracy for all traits. All estimates of predictive ability obtained using genomic data in a multi-trait setting were higher than those obtained using single-trait models. The estimates of predictive ability ranged from 0.03 (S-A) to 0.46 (M-H). The heritability estimates obtained using genomic information showed that all traits evaluated are suitable for genomic selection. Despite the low accuracies obtained, the use of the genomic model provided more accurate estimates of breeding values in comparison to the pedigree-based model.

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Objetivou-se com este estudo demonstrar a influência do tipo de treinamento sobre as medidas dos tendões flexores palmares em equinos de vaquejada que correm à direita do boi na microrregião do Alto Médio Gurgueia, Sul do Piauí, Brasil. Foram utilizados oito animais, da raça quarto de milha e seus mestiços, de diferentes idades, peso e sexo, selecionados e questionados sobre o tempo que exerciam a atividade de vaquejada e o tipo de treinamento a qual eram submetidos, que refere-se a maneira como praticavam a prova correndo de que lado do boi, em uma prova de vaquejada no município de Cristino Castro, Sul do Piauí, Brasil, onde os participantes eram provenientes de diferentes haras da Microrregião do Alto Médio Gurgueia, Sul do Piauí, Brasil. Em cada animal foi realizada ultrassonografia das zonas IB, IIB e IIIB dos tendões flexores digital superficial (TFDS) e digital profundo (TFDP), obtendo-se as medidas dos diâmetros médio lateral (DML) e dorso palmar (DDP) através do plano transverso em cada uma das diferentes zonas. Os dados foram submetidos a análise estatística (ANOVA), utilizando-se o teste t a nível de significância de (p<0,05), observando-se que não houve diferença significativa entre as medidas avaliadas. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, cavalos atletas que correm a direita do boi não apresentam diferença significativa nos diâmetros médio lateral e dorso palmar dos tendões flexores entre os antímeros direito e esquerdo do membro torácico.

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the influence of the type of training on the measurements of the palmar flexor tendons in vaquejada horses that run to the right of the ox in the microregion of the Alto Médio Gurgueia, South of Piauí, Brazil. Eight animals of the quarter-mile breed and their crossbreed, of different ages, weight and sex, were selected and asked about the time they were engaged in the activity of the vaquejada and the type of training they were submitted to as they practiced running on which side of the ox, in a vaquejada test in the municipality of Cristino Castro, South of Piauí, Brazil, where the participants came from different farms of the microregion of the Alto Médio Gurgueia, South of Piauí, Brazil. The ultrasonography of the IB, IIB and IIIB zones of the superficial digital (TFDS) and deep digital flexor tendons (TFDP) were performed in each animal, obtaining the measurements of the lateral diameters (DML) and palmar dorsum (DDP) through the transverse plane in each of the different zones. Data were submitted to statistical analysis (ANOVA), using the t test at the significance level of (p <0.05), observing that there was no significant difference between the measures evaluated. According to the results, horses for vaquejada athletes do not present significant difference in the lateral diameters and palmar dorsum of the flexor tendons between the right and left thoracic limb antimeres.

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Objetivou-se com este estudo demonstrar a influência do tipo de treinamento sobre as medidas dos tendões flexores palmares em equinos de vaquejada que correm à direita do boi na microrregião do Alto Médio Gurgueia, Sul do Piauí, Brasil. Foram utilizados oito animais, da raça quarto de milha e seus mestiços, de diferentes idades, peso e sexo, selecionados e questionados sobre o tempo que exerciam a atividade de vaquejada e o tipo de treinamento a qual eram submetidos, que refere-se a maneira como praticavam a prova correndo de que lado do boi, em uma prova de vaquejada no município de Cristino Castro, Sul do Piauí, Brasil, onde os participantes eram provenientes de diferentes haras da Microrregião do Alto Médio Gurgueia, Sul do Piauí, Brasil. Em cada animal foi realizada ultrassonografia das zonas IB, IIB e IIIB dos tendões flexores digital superficial (TFDS) e digital profundo (TFDP), obtendo-se as medidas dos diâmetros médio lateral (DML) e dorso palmar (DDP) através do plano transverso em cada uma das diferentes zonas. Os dados foram submetidos a análise estatística (ANOVA), utilizando-se o teste t a nível de significância de (p<0,05), observando-se que não houve diferença significativa entre as medidas avaliadas. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, cavalos atletas que correm a direita do boi não apresentam diferença significativa nos diâmetros médio lateral e dorso palmar dos tendões flexores entre os antímeros direito e esquerdo do membro torácico.

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the influence of the type of training on the measurements of the palmar flexor tendons in vaquejada horses that run to the right of the ox in the microregion of the Alto Médio Gurgueia, South of Piauí, Brazil. Eight animals of the quarter-mile breed and their crossbreed, of different ages, weight and sex, were selected and asked about the time they were engaged in the activity of the vaquejada and the type of training they were submitted to as they practiced running on which side of the ox, in a vaquejada test in the municipality of Cristino Castro, South of Piauí, Brazil, where the participants came from different farms of the microregion of the Alto Médio Gurgueia, South of Piauí, Brazil. The ultrasonography of the IB, IIB and IIIB zones of the superficial digital (TFDS) and deep digital flexor tendons (TFDP) were performed in each animal, obtaining the measurements of the lateral diameters (DML) and palmar dorsum (DDP) through the transverse plane in each of the different zones. Data were submitted to statistical analysis (ANOVA), using the t test at the significance level of (p <0.05), observing that there was no significant difference between the measures evaluated. According to the results, horses for vaquejada athletes do not present significant difference in the lateral diameters and palmar dorsum of the flexor tendons between the right and left thoracic limb antimeres.

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The objective of this research was to simulate the genetic gains expected comparing random mating strategies and mate selection by optimum contribution with different penalty levels in the inbreeding rate of Santa Inês sheep. The optimum contribution theory was thus applied to optimize genetic gain in the long term in twelve selection groups by selectively mating 500 females with the respective males, increasingly penalizing the increase in inbreeding in the objective function. Genetic algorithms were used to find the optimum contribution. Optimization was achieved via EVA software. Selection candidates had their contribution defined into four treatments, using different values to weigh the genetic merit and penalize increases in inbreeding. This made it possible to measure the degree of control over those parameters that can be obtained with this methodology. This selection offers different levels of genetic gain, which are achievable from restrictions on the coancestry. The number of males selected and their distribution into selection groups varied according to the penalty attributed to inbreeding in the objective function. Mate selection using optimum contribution should be adopted when aiming to limit the increase in inbreeding. Increasing the exchange of genetic material between groups is recommended to elevate genetic gain and maintain control over inbreeding.

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Objetivou-se com este estudo demonstrar a influência do tipo de treinamento sobre as medidas dos tendões flexores palmares em equinos de vaquejada que correm à direita do boi na microrregião do Alto Médio Gurgueia, Sul do Piauí, Brasil. Foram utilizados oito animais, da raça quarto de milha e seus mestiços, de diferentes idades, peso e sexo, selecionados e questionados sobre o tempo que exerciam a atividade de vaquejada e o tipo de treinamento a qual eram submetidos, que refere-se a maneira como praticavam a prova correndo de que lado do boi, em uma prova de vaquejada no município de Cristino Castro, Sul do Piauí, Brasil, onde os participantes eram provenientes de diferentes haras da Microrregião do Alto Médio Gurgueia, Sul do Piauí, Brasil. Em cada animal foi realizada ultrassonografia das zonas IB, IIB e IIIB dos tendões flexores digital superficial (TFDS) e digital profundo (TFDP), obtendo-se as medidas dos diâmetros médio lateral (DML) e dorso palmar (DDP) através do plano transverso em cada uma das diferentes zonas. Os dados foram submetidos a análise estatística (ANOVA), utilizando-se o teste t a nível de significância de (p<0,05), observando-se que não houve diferença significativa entre as medidas avaliadas. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, cavalos atletas que correm a direita do boi não apresentam diferença significativa nos diâmetros médio lateral e dorso palmar dos tendões flexores entre os antímeros direito e esquerdo do membro torácico.(AU)

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the influence of the type of training on the measurements of the palmar flexor tendons in vaquejada horses that run to the right of the ox in the microregion of the Alto Médio Gurgueia, South of Piauí, Brazil. Eight animals of the quarter-mile breed and their crossbreed, of different ages, weight and sex, were selected and asked about the time they were engaged in the activity of the vaquejada and the type of training they were submitted to as they practiced running on which side of the ox, in a vaquejada test in the municipality of Cristino Castro, South of Piauí, Brazil, where the participants came from different farms of the microregion of the Alto Médio Gurgueia, South of Piauí, Brazil. The ultrasonography of the IB, IIB and IIIB zones of the superficial digital (TFDS) and deep digital flexor tendons (TFDP) were performed in each animal, obtaining the measurements of the lateral diameters (DML) and palmar dorsum (DDP) through the transverse plane in each of the different zones. Data were submitted to statistical analysis (ANOVA), using the t test at the significance level of (p <0.05), observing that there was no significant difference between the measures evaluated. According to the results, horses for vaquejada athletes do not present significant difference in the lateral diameters and palmar dorsum of the flexor tendons between the right and left thoracic limb antimeres.(AU)

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of racial crossing on seminal parameters of eight Santa Inês and crossbred (Santa Inês x Dorper) rams submitted to heat stress, and to monitor the return of these parameters to previously reported. Before to place the insulation bags, two collects of semen through electroejaculation were performed. The insulation pouches were made with double-layer plastic, internally lined with cotton, and fixed around the spermatic funiculus and scrotum with adhesive tape and bandage remaining on the testes of the animals for seven days. The first collect was performed on the day that the pouches were taken (day 0) and thereafter, every seven days, totalizing 15 measurements. Data were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA). The analyzed variables were subjected to Dunnett test at 5% probability to compare the values obtained before treatment with those obtained in the following days. In this study it was found that the animals restored normal seminal parameter after the insulation effects, however, the return rate differed slightly among the studied breeds. The crossbred animals restored the seminal patterns, on average, a week before Santa Inês. It is concluded that the racial crossing influences the semen parameters of rams submitted to heat stress.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito do cruzamento racial sobre parâmetros seminais de oito carneiros Santa Inês e mestiços, submetidos ao estresse térmico e monitorar o retorno desses parâmetros aos relatos anteriormente. Antes de colocar as bolsas de insulação, foram realizadas duas coletas de sêmen por meio de eletroejaculação. As bolsas de insulação foram confeccionadas com plástico de camada dupla, revestidas internamente com algodão, fixadas ao redor do funículo espermático e escroto com fita adesiva e bandagem, permanecendo nos testículos dos animais por sete dias. A primeira coleta foi realizada no dia em que as bolsas foram retiradas (dia 0) e a partir daí, a cada sete dias, totalizando 15 coletas. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância (ANOVA). As variáveis analisadas foram submetidas ao teste de Dunnett a 5% de probabilidade para comparar os valores obtidos antes do tratamento com aqueles obtidos nos dias seguintes. Neste estudo verificou-se que os animais restauraram os parâmetros seminais normais após os efeitos da insulação, porém, a taxa de retorno diferiu ligeiramente entre as raças estudadas. Os animais mestiços restauraram os padrões seminais, em média, uma semana antes da Santa Inês. Conclui-se que o cruzamento racial influencia os parâmetros seminais de carneiros submetidos ao estresse térmico.

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The present study was carried out to evaluate the phenotypic diversity between fighting cocks; roosters of the naturalized ecotypes Graúna Dourada, Brejeira, Teresina, and Nordestina; roosters of the Sertaneja genetic (synthetic) group; and family-farmed roosters via descriptive and multivariate analyses. The qualitative traits evaluated by descriptive analysis indicated a prevalence of single comb in the Graúna Dourada, Teresina, Nordestina, and Sertaneja ecotypes, whereas the Brejeira ecotype, fighting cocks, and family-farmed roosters have a pea-type comb, which can be viewed as a sign of introgression of the fighting cock in flocks of the region. Dark plumage prevailed across the groups. The quantitative traits subjected to multivariate analysis by clustering criteria placed the four ecotypes and the synthetic type in a single group, the family-farmed animals were allocated to another group, and, lastly, the fighting cocks were placed in a third group. These results were similar to those generated by principal component analysis, which indicated body length, wingspan, and body weight as the traits of greatest variability to discriminate the different groups. It is important to stress the risk of genetic erosion to which naturalized chicken populations are exposed as a consequence of the introgression of fighting cocks in naturalized-chicken rearing facilities.(AU)

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OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate (co) variance components and genetic parameters for categorical carcass traits using Bayesian inference via mixed linear and threshold animal models in Anglonubian goats. METHODS: Data were obtained from Anglonubian goats reared in the Brazilian Mid-North region. The traits in study were body condition score, marbling in the rib eye, ribeye area, fat thickness of the sternum, hip height, leg perimeter, and body weight. The numerator relationship matrix contained information from 793 animals. The single- and two-trait analyses were performed to estimate (co) variance components and genetic parameters via linear and threshold animal models. For estimation of genetic parameters, chains with 2 and 4 million cycles were tested. An 1,000,000-cycle initial burn-in was considered with values taken every 250 cycles, in a total of 4,000 samples. Convergence was monitored by Geweke criteria and Monte Carlo error chain. RESULTS: Threshold model best fits categorical data since it is more efficient to detect genetic variability. In two-trait analysis the contribution of the increase in information and the correlations between traits contributed to increase the estimated values for (co) variance components and heritability, in comparison to single-trait analysis. Heritability estimates for the study traits were from low to moderate magnitude. CONCLUSION: Direct selection of the continuous distribution of traits such as thickness sternal fat and hip height allows obtaining the indirect selection for marbling of ribeye.