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Background: Decreasing antiparasitic efficacy of triclabendazole for controlling Fasciola hepatica in dairy cows in the Cajamarca Valley (Peru) has been reported. Objective: To determine the efficacy of four anthelmintic agents across a broader area of Cajamarca province. Methods: Four livestock farms were selected from three provinces in the Cajamarca region. Within each farm, 60 female cattle naturally infected with F. hepatica were chosen. Each farm was divided into four homogeneous groups based on individual animals and parasite burden. The groups were: triclabendazole (12 mg/kg of BW, VO), clorsulon/ivermectin (2 mg/kg and 0.2 mg/kg of BW, SC, respectively), closantel (10 mg/kg of BW, VO), and nitroxynil (10 mg/kg of BW, SC). Efficacy was determined following WAAVP guidelines by measuring the reduction in trematode egg shedding on day 30 post-dosing. Results: Triclabendazole demonstrated insufficient activity through FERCT and CPCR assessments across all four farms. The clorsulon/ivermectin and closantel groups exhibited high efficacy in all farms, while nitroxynil showed varying efficacy results in both types of analysis. Conclusions: Triclabendazole exhibited insufficient activity against F. hepatica. Clorsulon/ivermectin, closantel, and nitroxynil are viable alternatives with promising outcomes for controlling this trematode in the evaluated provinces.

Background: The use of artificial insemination (AI) in dairy cattle has a direct impact on productivity through genetic improvement and, indirectly, by other technologies that allow for better expression of the genetic potential. Objective: To determine the association between the use of AI and other factors on productive performance of dairy cows. Methods: The study assessed AI impact on 195 dairy farms through the application of structured questionnaires to farmers. Analysis of variance (GLM) was used to evaluate herd milk production and farm size. Multivariate analysis was performed to observe the degree of association between AI and production. Four clusters were formed according to production traits and farm size. Results: Clusters showed high discrimination (90%). Principal factors explained 70% of the variance between clusters. The variables that best explained the variation between clusters were Lactating cows per year, Monthly milk production, Farm area and Total cows. The correspondence analyzes showed that AI use is associated with higher production levels and investment in nutrition, management, genetics, and technology. Conclusion: The use of AI enhances production by increasing productivity and enables greater gains per liter of milk marketed.

The aim of this study was to determine among nine temperature-humidity index (THI) equations, the one that best represents the effects of heat stress on crossbred dairy calves reared in a tropical environment. Twelve male and female calves, aged 20 to 60 days, and raised in a tropical pen were evaluated. Respiratory (RR) and heart rates (HR), rectal (RT), body surface (BST), dry bulb (Tdb) and wet bulb (Tbw) temperatures, partial vapor pressure (Pv), relative humidity (RH) and dew point temperature (Tpo) were quantified in the morning and afternoon. Nine THI equations were calculated. The highest correlation between physiological variables and this was used to select the best THI equation. Averages for nine THI equations, Tdb, Twb, Pv, Tdp, RR, HR, RT, and BST were higher in the afternoon than in the morning, whereas that for RH was the opposite. The highest values for RT occurred at temperatures above 26.4°C and when humidity was below 55.5%. The Tdb and Pv correlations with RR (0.697 and 0.707), RT (0.703 and 0.706) and BST (0.818 and 0.817) were significant and positive, whereas the RH correlations with the same physiological variables were significant and negative (-0.622, -0.590 and -0.638, respectively). The best index was the THI sensible heat-based ( T H I = 3.43 + 1.058 x T d b - 0.293 x R H + 0.0164 x T d b x R H + 35.7), which was significantly correlated with RR (r=0.668 and r²=0.446), HR (r=0.259 and r²=0.067), RT (r=0.693 and r²=0.479) and BST (r=0.807 and r²=0.650). In conclusion, the THI sensible heat-based equation best represents the effects of heat stress on crossbred dairy calves reared in a tropical environment. RESUMO: Objetivou-se determinar dentre nove equações do ITU a que melhor representa os efeitos do estresse por calor para bezerros leiteiros mestiços criados em ambiente tropical. Foram avaliados 12 bezerros, machos e fêmeas, com idade de 20 a 60 dias, criados no bezerreiro tropical. As frequências respiratória (FR) e cardíaca (FC), as temperaturas retal (TR), corporal superficial (TCS), de bulbo seco (Tbs) e de bulbo úmido (Tbu) foram quantificadas pela manhã e tarde. Calcularam-se nove equações do ITU. Utilizou-se como critério de determinação da melhor equação do ITU, a maior correlação entre as variáveis fisiológicas com os ITUs. As médias das nove equações de ITU, Tbs, Tbu, Pv, Tpo, FR, FC, TR e TCS foram superiores pela tarde em comparação ao turno da manhã, enquanto que a UR teve comportamento inverso. Os maiores valores de temperatura retal foram observados em temperaturas acima de 26,4 °C e umidade inferior a 55,5%. As correlações entre Tbs e Pv com a FR (0,697 e 0,707), TR (0,703 e 0,706) e TCS (0,818 e 0,817) foram significativas e positivas, enquanto que as correlações da UR, com essas mesmas variáveis fisiológicas, foram significativas e negativas (-0,622, -0,590 e -0,638, respectivamente). O melhor índice foi o ITU calor sensível ( I T U = 3,43 + 1,058 x T d b - 0,293 x R H + 0,0164 x T d b x R H + 35,7), que se correlacionou significativamente com a frequência respiratória (r=0,668 e r²=0,446), frequência cardíaca (r=0,259 e r²=0,067), temperatura retal (r=0,693 e r²=0,479) e temperatura corporal superficial (r=0,807 e r²=0,650). Conclui-se que a equação do ITU calor sensível é a que melhor representa os efeitos do estresse por calor dos bezerros leiteiros mestiços em ambiente tropical.

Background: The Gyr breed is widely used in Colombian low tropic dairy production systems. During the last 10 years, the Asociación Colombiana de Criadores de Ganado Cebú† - ASOCEBU, has been leading a dairy milk control program which led to the creation of a dataset that permits to carry out the first analysis of milk yield in Gyr cattle in the country using records from several herds. Objectives: To study milk production dynamics of Gyr cattle in the Colombian low tropic through the estimation of lactation curves and four derived production parameters: total milk yield between 5 and 305 days (TMY305), peak milk yield (PMY), days at peak (DP) and persistency (P). Methods: 13,798 daily milk yield records from 1,510 cows performing in 103 herds were used; the total number of lactations was 2,480. Four models were considered: Wood, Wiltmink, Papajcsik & Bordero, and a second-degree polynomial. Mean square error, mean absolute error, mean square error of prediction, Akaike and Bayesian information criteria were used to select the model better describing each lactation using the majority rule, that is, the model selected by most criteria was the chosen one. The shape of each fitted lactation curve was checked using basic results from calculus which permitted the classification of the estimated curves into two groups: typical and atypical; only typical functions were used to compute the four aforementioned production parameters. Results: The second-order polynomial was the model most frequently selected, while the Papajcsik & Bordero model had the lowest frequency. Average TMY305, PMY, DP and P were 3,489.86 kg, 17.28 kg, 57.17 days, and 0.83, respectively, with coefficients of variation: 0.27, 0.21, 0.41, and 0.16. Conclusions: This study permitted to identify individuals with outstanding phenotypic performance. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of this kind involving thousands of lactations from Gyr cows performing in several regions of Colombian low tropic.

Background: Leptospirosis in cattle is recognized as a major cause of reproductive loses due to abortions, early embryonic death, and infertility. The type of Leptospira serovars that are currently circulating in Colombian herds is largely unknown due to the lack of national reports. Objective: The prevalence of antibodies specific to 13 Leptospira spp serovars was investigated in unvaccinated cows from 26 herds in San Pedro de los Milagros (Province of Antioquia) dairy region. Methods: Microscopic agglutination test was used on serum samples, following WHO recommendations. Results: A total of 112/900 (12.4%) of the animals had antibody titers of 1:100 or greater to at least one Leptospira serovar. Of those positive, 34/900 (3,8%) animals seroconverted to two or more serovars. In order of decreasing prevalence, the serovars detected were: hardjo prajitno, pomona, grippotyphosa, tarassovi, copenhageni, canicola, cellodeni and bratislava. There were 28 animals seropositive to serovar hardjo. Conclusion: Our results indicate that leptospirosis should be included as a differential diagnosis for various reproductive problems in this region. Antecedentes: Aleptospirose em bovinos é reconhecida como uma das principais causas de perdas reprodutivas devido a abortos, morte embrionária precoce e infertidade. Os sorotipos de Leptospira que estão atualmente em circulação no rebanho colombiano não se conhecem devido à falta de reportes nacionais. Objetivo: Neste estúdio foi investigada a prevalência de anticorpos específicos para 13 sorovares de Leptospira spp em vacas não vacinadas de 26 rebanhos leiteiros da região de San Pedro, Antioquia. Métodos: Foi empregado o teste de aglutinação microscópica (MAT) em amostras de soro de acordo com as recomendações da OMS. Resultados: Um total de 112/900 (12,4%) animais apresentaram títulos de anticorpos de 1:100 ou superiores para pelo menos um sorotipo de Leptospira. Dos animais positivos, 34/900 (3,8%) soroconverteram para dois ou mais sorotipos. A fim de diminuir a prevalência, foram detectados os sorotipos: hardjo, prajitno, pomona, grippotyphosa, tarassovi, copenhageni, canicola, cellodeni e Bratislava. Um total de28 animais foram soropositivos para o sorotipo hardjo. Conclusão: Os resultados indicam que a leptospirose deveria ser incluída nos diagnósticos diferenciais para o diagnóstico diferencial de problemas em doenças reprodutivas nos bovinos de Antioquia. Antecedentes: La leptospirosis es la mayor causal de pérdidas reproductivas debidas a abortos, muerte embrionaria temprana e infertilidad. Se desconocen los serovares de Leptospira que actualmente se encuentran circulando en el rebaño colombiano debido a la falta de reportes nacionales. Objetivo: Se investigó la prevalencia de anticuerpos específicos para 13 serovares de Leptospira spp en vacas no vacunadas de 26 rebaños en la región lechera de San Pedro de los Milagros (Provincia de Antioquia). Métodos: La prueba de aglutinación microscópica fue empleada en muestras de suero de acuerdo a las recomendaciones de la OMS. Resultados: Un total de 112/900 (12,4%) de los animales presentaron títulos de anticuerpos de 1:100 o superiores para al menos un serovar de Leptospira. Entre los positivos, el 34/900 (3,8%) de los animales presentaron seroconversión para dos o más serovares. En orden decreciente de prevalencia, los serovares detectados fueron: hardjo prajitno, pomona, grippotyphosa, tarassovi, copenhageni, canicola, cellodeni y Bratislava. En total, 28 animales fueron seropositivos al serovar hardjo. Conclusión: La leptospirosis debería ser incluida como diagnóstico diferencial en problemas reproductivos en esta región.

Background: The most common ocular disease affecting cattle worldwide is infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK), which has been associated with Moraxella bovis bacterium. Objective: To report the molecular characterization of the ocular bacterial microbiota and its relation to IBK in cattle in two dairy regions in Michoacán, Mexico. Methods: A total population of 761 bovines were evaluated, of which 17 (2.23%) showed symptoms of IBK. Thirtyeight bacterial isolates from ocular samples of bovines with IBK were characterized by Gramstaining and antimicrobial sensitivity. In addition, isolates were identified by sequence comparisons of the 16S ribosomal gene. Results: The genus Moraxella was one of the most abundant bacteria and M. bovoculi was the most predominant species. Conclusion: The bacterial isolates identified in eye lesions of cattle and associated to IBK are diverse. To the author´s knowledge, this is the first study on the subject in Mexico; therefore, more research is needed to estimate the incidence of IBK and determine its associated microbiota.

Mastitis is the most common disease in dairy herds and the main cause of economic losses in milk production worldwide. This inflammatory reaction of the mammary gland affects the quantity, composition and quality of milk produced and its suitability for the dairy industry. Despite of its importance, Colombia has no regulations on somatic cell count (SCC); that is, no official upper limits have been established for the dairy industry. The current quality-based payment system for raw milk does not encourage local producers to reduce the level of somatic cells. Consequently, Colombia is at a disadvantage compared to countries that include this parameter in their payment schemes and subscribe to international free trade agreements, affecting the competitiveness of the Colombian dairy sector. This article reviews the types of somatic cells, the microbiology of mastitis, its etiology and diagnosis, the changes that generate the composition of milk, and the impact of high SCCs on the quality of dairy products, such as yogurt, cheese, and milk powder. The final section offers a reflection on the problem of high SCCs in Colombia and the lack of regulations in this regard. A mastite é a doença mais frequente nos rebanhos leiteiros e é a principal causa de perdas econômicas na produção de leite em todo o mundo. Essa reação inflamatória da glândula mamária causa efeitos na quantidade, composição, qualidade e aptidão de leite processado pela indústria. No entanto, na Colômbia, não há regulamentação sobre a contagem de células somáticas até o momento, o principal indicador de mastite, ou seja, não há limites oficiais que sejam referência para a indústria leiteira. O sistema de pagamento baseado na qualidade não incentiva o produtor a diminuir o nível de células somáticas. Isso coloca o país em desvantagem em comparação com outros países que exigem esse parâmetro em seu esquema de pagamento e com quem a Colômbia possui acordos de livre comércio, afetando negativamente a competitividade do setor. Este documento analisa os tipos de células somáticas, a microbiologia da mastite, sua etiologia, diagnóstico, alterações na composição do leite e o impacto da alta contagem de células somáticas na qualidade do leite. Alguns derivados de leite, como iogurtes, queijos e leite em pó. Na parte final, é feita uma reflexão sobre o problema da alta contagem de células somáticas na Colômbia e a falta de regulamentação nesse sentido. La mastitis es la enfermedad más frecuente en los hatos lecheros y es la principal causa de pérdidas económicas en la producción de leche alrededor del mundo. Esta reacción inflamatoria de la glándula mamaria afecta la cantidad, composición, calidad y aptitud de la leche para procesamiento por la industria. Sin embargo, en Colombia no existe normatividad sobre el recuento de células somáticas, principal indicador de mastitis; es decir, no existen límites oficiales que sirvan de referencia para la industria lechera. El sistema de pago basado en calidad no incentiva al productor a disminuir el nivel de células somáticas. Esto coloca al país en desventaja frente a otros países que exigen este parámetro en su esquema de pago y con los cuales Colombia tiene tratados de libre comercio, afectando negativamente la competitividad del sector lechero colombiano. En este artículo se hace una revisión sobre los tipos de células somáticas, la microbiología de la mastitis, su etiología, el diagnóstico, los cambios que generan la composición de la leche y el impacto que tienen los altos recuentos de células somáticas sobre la calidad de algunos derivados lácteos como yogures, quesos y leche en polvo. En la parte final se presenta una reflexión sobre la problemática de los altos recuentos de células somáticas en Colombia y la falta de normatividad al respecto.

Background: The nutritional limitations of Cenchrus clandestinus –i.e., high protein and low energy concentrations- make it necessary to supplement cows with non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFC) sources to improve productive performance. Nevertheless, such supplementation can lead to ruminal acidosis. Objective: To evaluate partial replacement of corn grain (Zea mays, ZM) with sorghum grain (Sorghum vulgare, SV), cassava root (Manihot esculenta, MES) or citrus pulp (Citrus sp., C) on milk yield and quality, ruminal pH and health of grazing cows. Methods: Eight Holstein cows were evaluated in a 4 x 4 Latin square design during the first 60 days of lactation. Treatments (isoenergetic rations, 1.45 ± 0.003 Mcal NEL/kg DM) consisted of a mixture of grass and four concentrates with different NFC sources. Results: No differences in dry matter intake, feed efficiency, ruminal pH, hematological and metabolic profile were observed between treatments. Rumen pH was higher than 6.0, confirming the absence of ruminal acidosis. Milk yield (energy-corrected), protein, and total solids were higher for MES vs. C. Conclusions: None of the NFC sources tested compromised the ruminal or systemic health of the cows, while MES improved milk yield and quality.

Background: Somatic cell score is an important parameter to predict milk quality and health of cows. However, in countries like Brazil, this trait is still not selected on a large scale, and no genetic parameters are reported in the literature. Objective: To estimate the variance components and genetic parameters for somatic cell score, milk yield, fat yield, protein yield, fat percentage, and protein percentage in Holstein cows. Methods: Records from 56,718 animals were used to estimate variance components, heritability, and genetic correlations using a multi-trait animal model by the REML method. Results: The heritability estimates were 0.19 for somatic cell score, 0.22 for milk yield, 0.26 for fat yield, 0.18 for protein yield, 0.61 for fat percentage, and 0.65 for protein percentage. The estimates of genetic correlations among analyzed traits ranged from -0.50 to 0.82. Conclusion: The low heritability observed for somatic cell score indicates that selection for this trait should result in benefits related to animal health and milk quality, but only in the long term. The low correlation between productive traits and somatic cell score indicates that inclusion of somatic cell score in animal breeding programs does not interfere negatively with the genetic selection for milk yield or solids.Keywords: Holstein; genetic correlation; genetic parameters; heritability; mastitis; milk quality; milk yield; multi-trait model; somatic cell score; variance components.  Resumen Antecedentes: El conteo de células somáticas es un parámetro importante para predecir la calidad de la leche y la salud de las vacas. Sin embargo, en países como Brasil, esta característica aún no se selecciona a gran escala y no se reportan parámetros genéticos en la literatura. Objetivo: Estimar los componentes de varianza y parámetros genéticos para el conteo de células somáticas, producción de leche, producción de grasa, producción de proteína, porcentaje de grasa y porcentaje de proteína en vacas de la raza Holstein. Métodos: Se usaron registros de 56.718 animales para estimar los componentes de la varianza, heredabilidad y correlaciones genéticas usando un modelo animal multicaracterístico por medio del método REML. Resultados: Las estimaciones de heredabilidad fueron 0,19 para el conteo de células somáticas, 0,22 para la producción de leche, 0,26 para la producción de grasa, 0,18 para producción de proteína, 0,61 para el porcentaje de grasa y 0,65 para el porcentaje de proteína. Las estimaciones de correlación genética entre las características analizadas variaron entre -0,50 a 0,82. Conclusión: La baja heredabilidad encontrada para conteo de células somáticas demostró que la selección para esta característica podría resultar en beneficios para la salud animal y calidad de la leche, pero sólo a largo plazo. La baja correlación genética existente entre las características productivas y el conteo de células somáticas indica que la inclusión del conteo de células somáticas en programas de selección no interfiere negativamente en la selección genética para la producción de leche o sólidos.Palabras clave: calidad de leche; correlación genética; conteo de células somáticas; componentes de varianza; heredabilidad; Holstein; mastitis; modelo multicaracteristico; parametros geneticos; producción de leche; selección genetica. Resumo Antecedentes: O escore de células somáticas é um parâmetro importante para a predição da qualidade do leite, bem como para a saúde das vacas. No entanto, em alguns países como o Brasil, essa característica não é selecionada em larga escala e não há parâmetros genéticos disponíveis na literatura. Objetivo: Estimar os componentes de variância e parâmetros genéticos para o escore de células somáticas, produção de leite, produção de gordura, produção de proteína, porcentagem de gordura e porcentagem de proteína em vacas da raça Holandesa. Métodos: Foi utilizado um total de 56.718 animais para estimar os componentes de variância, herdabilidade e correlações genéticas, considerando-se o modelo animal multicaracterística por meio do método REML. Resultados: As estimativas de herdabilidade foram de 0,19 para o escore de células somáticas, 0,22 para a produção de leite, 0,26 para a produção de gordura, 0,18 para produção de proteína, 0,61 para a porcentagem de gordura e 0,65 para a porcentagem de proteína. As estimativas de correlação genética entre as características analisadas variaram entre -0,50 a 0,82. Conclusão: A baixa herdabilidade encontrada para o escore de células somáticas demonstrou que a seleção para esta característica poderá resultar em benefícios para a saúde animal e qualidade do leite, porém, somente a longo prazo. A baixa correlação genética existente entre as características produtivas e o escore de células somáticas demonstrou que a inclusão do escore de células somáticas em programas de seleção não causa interferência negativa na seleção genética para a produção de leite ou sólidos.Palavras-chave: componentes de variância; correlação genéticas; escore de células somáticas; herdabilidade; mastite; modelo multicaracterística; parâmetros genéticos; produção de leite; qualidade do leite; raça Holandesa; seleção genética.

Background: Ammonia nitrogen (N) in alfalfa silage is used to evaluate silage quality, but its effect on dairy cows production is unknown. Objective: A meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effects of ammonia-N concentration in alfalfa silage on dairy cow performance. Methods: Thirty-four comparisons from 10 studies were analyzed with linear and quadratic models by the mixed-effect models of the R program using study as a random effect. The variance explained by the models was evaluated calculating marginal R2 (m) and conditional R2 (c). Results: Dry matter intake declined (DMI; p = 0.007), and milk production and milk fat yield tended to decrease linearly in response to increasing ammonia-N concentration (p = 0.08). Milk fat and milk protein percentages were unaffected. Milk protein yield, however, showed a positive linear trend effect (p = 0.07) along with a significant quadratic effect (p = 0.01) in response to increasing ammonia-N concentration. Values of R2 (m) and R2 (c) indicated less variation for significant models. Conclusion: Increased ammonia-N in alfalfa silage reduced DMI, negatively impacting milk production and milk fat yield. The quadratic response in milk protein yield might be explained by the initial reduction in milk production, and the subsequent utilization of ammonia-N to produce more rumen microbial protein, which results in more milk protein.