Objective. identify the presence of chicken anemia virus (CAV) in poultry farms and backyard chickens from Antioquia, Colombia. Materials and Methods. Blood and feather samples were taken from laying chickens; in each farm, three birds of six different ages (1, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days old) were chosen randomly. Backyard chicken samples were also obtained near the research farms. We used serology and molecular techniques to analyze the samples. Results. By PCR, the 84% of the birds were positive in whole blood and 66% were positive in feather samples. The 60% of backyard chickens tested were positive in blood and 40% in feather follicle. By serology, the 22% of the poultry farm birds presented high antibody titers and 19% moderate antibody titers. In the backyard chickens, 43% of them presented high antibody titers and 29% moderate antibody titers. In addition, results from the RFLP test and sequencing showed that the circulating virus found in this study was different from the Cux-1 vaccine strain used in Colombia. Conclusions. CAV is present in Colombia in both commercial and backyard chickens. According to the findings, a high percentage of the birds tested positive for viral detection, whereas the number of birds that tested positive for antibodies was low. Thus, the characteristics of the circulating virus need to be determined to explain the antibody response observed in this study.

Objective. Characterizing the chemical composition of pre-dried chicken intestines with vegetable meal (VM), as an alternative source of protein for aquaculture. Materials and methods. Chicken intestines, powdered, cooked and defatted (CIGCD), were mixed individually with VM: rice powder (RP), wheat bran (WB), palm kernel cake (PKC), cornmeal (CM) and soybean meal (SBM), in proportions (w:w): 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, 50:50 and 40:60 (CIGCD:VM), for a total of 20 experimental treatments, according to a completely randomized design. Dry matter, crude protein, lipid, fiber, ashes, gross energy (MJ kg-1) and costs were evaluated. The principal component analysis (PCA) were applied to verify the interaction between proportions. Results. The proportions with higher levels of CIGCD, protein and lipid content increased (p<0.05), with reduced cost (p<0.05). Those with higher values of VM, fiber and ash showed high values (p<0.05). The mixtures with SBM, high figures of protein, energy and costs (p<0.05) and with PKC the lowest costs (p<0.05). Conclusions. The proportions of CIGCD:VM reached high levels of dry matter, which facilitated the dehydration process. The content of protein, lipid, energy and costs, obtained in the different mixtures, accredits them as possible aquaculture feed, to replace conventional protein in diets, according to the species, productive purpose and market requirements. The PCA with covariance matrix suggests that the mixtures CIGCD:VM, the treatments CIGCD:SBM (80:20), CIGCD:SBM (70:30) and CIGCD:SBM (60:40) have better nutritional characteristics, although, the CIGCD:PKC (80:20) ratio showed high protein levels and was the most economical.

Objective. To analyze the climate in the last thirty years in the Northwest of Minas and its impacts on dairy production. Materials and Methods. The database of the National Institute of Meteorology was used during the period from 1985 to 2017 in the cities of Unaí, Paracatu, Arinos and Formoso/MG. For each month and year, the average minimum temperature (Tmin), maximum temperature (Tmax), relative humidity (RH), Temperature and Humidity Index (THI), Wet-bulbe Globe Temperature Index (WBGT), estimate of the decrease in milk production (DMP) and DMP on critical days (DMPc) were calculated. Results. The results were evaluated using the lm function of R, and the t test to test the null hypothesis that the regression coefficient was equal to zero with a significance level of 5%. An increase in Tmax and Tmim values by 0.6-0.9°C respectively was observed. The THI and WBGT values in the municipalities show states of danger and emergency. The DMP obtained were 2.8 kg cow-1 day-1 (Paracatu and Formoso), 3.2 kg cow-1 day-1 in Unaí and between 3.7 and 4.6 kg cow-1 day-1 in Arinos. Conclusions. It is verified that the thermal condition in the studied cities is outside the considered thermoneutral zone, being necessary primary and secondary environmental modifications to guarantee the welfare of the animals and satisfactory livestock indexes.

Objective. The objective of this observational cross-sectional study was to investigate associations between farmers’ mental health scores for stress, anxiety, depression, and resilience, and sheep welfare outcomes. Materials and methods. Twenty-two sheep farms in the departments of Boyacá, Cundinamarca, Tolima, and Meta, Colombia, were visited once. Clinical health, cleanliness, and calmness of randomly selected sheep per farm were scored to identify the number of animals with different welfare problems such as lameness, hoof overgrowth, and mastitis. A face-to-face interview with the farmer was done to gather demographic information (farm size and year of establishment, gender, age, role at the farm, and education) and to complete validated psychometric scales to assess resilience, stress, anxiety, and depression. Linear regression models were used to evaluate associations between farmers’ mental health scores, demographic aspects, and within-flock prevalence of sheep welfare indicators. Results. A total of 427 sheep were evaluated across farms. The most prevalent welfare problems identified were hoof overgrowth (40.9%) and dirty fleece (32.9%), while the least prevalent were clinical mastitis (1.3%) and respiratory issues (1.2%). Farmers’ stress level was positively associated with the prevalence of clinically lame sheep and farm size. Anxiety was positively associated with the prevalence of sheep with dirty fleece, clinical lameness, and with being a female farmer. Depression was positively associated with the prevalence of hoof overgrowth. Conclusions. Findings showed that higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression among farmers were associated with the presence of animal welfare problems, larger farms, and gender.

En el sector de los pequeños rumiantes existe un gran interés en medir y mejorar sus sistemas de producción y desempeño ambiental, pues poseen una gran adaptabilidad y habitan distintos ecosistemas, con una gran biodiversidad de recursos alimenticios, el pastoreo genera beneficios económico-productivos y medio ambientales. Pero, el manejo no planificado y la sobreexplotación de recursos naturales de estas zonas han ocasionado erosión, agotamiento del agua y desertificación, lo mismo ocurre con los sistemas intensivos de producción y la agricultura que alimenta estas explotaciones. Para comparar innovaciones científicas en la sustentabilidad de los diferentes sistemas de producción de pequeños rumiantes, se realizó un análisis bibliométrico para describir las ventajas y desventajas del manejo de los sistemas de producción extensivos, semi-intensivos e intensivos en la sustentabilidad de pequeños rumiantes. Existe una preocupación de la sociedad por el impacto ambiental de los sistemas de producción y que se realicen de manera sustentable. Esta tendencia influye en la producción de ovinos, cabras y venado cola blanca, que se desarrollan en sistemas intensivos, semi-extensivos y extensivos. Dada la presión para aumentar el volumen y la eficiencia de la producción, los sistemas intensivos son más adecuados, pero enfrentan mayores problemas ambientales como, la emisión gases de efecto invernadero (GEI) y de bienestar animal. Por otro lado, los sistemas semi-extensivos y extensivos también producen GEI, pero se asocian con mayor bienestar animal y producción más limpia, pero se ven afectados por las variaciones estacionales para la producción de forraje para mantener los niveles de producción.

Objetivo. Determinar el efecto del grupo racial (GR), número de parto (NP) y época de parto sobre la duración de la lactancia (DL), la producción de leche por lactancia (PLL) y por día (PLD) de vacas de doble propósito (DP). Material y métodos. Se analizaron los datos de 160 vacas Holstein x Gir (0 a 75% Holstein) manejadas en un sistema de producción DP en el trópico húmedo de Chiapas, México. La información de DL se analizó mediante análisis de supervivencia, y la de PLL y PLD usando modelos lineales generales. El modelo utilizado incluyó los efectos de GR (0-25%, 50% y 62,5-75% Holstein), NP y época de parto. Resultados. Las medias para LL, MPL, MPD fueron 219,3 ± 39,6 días; 2125,1 ± 568,7 kg; 9,66 ± 1,96 kg, respectivamente. El GR y NP afectaron todas las variables. La razón de riesgo (HR) de 1.815 indica que las vacas 0-25% Holstein tuvieron mayor riesgo de terminar la lactancia antes que las vacas F1, con una DL similar al GR 62.5 a 75% Holstein. La HR fue mayor para las vacas que parieron en la época de nortes (HR = 1) que aquellas que parieron en las épocas seca y lluviosa (HR = 0.448 y 0.446, respectivamente). El riesgo de que una vaca primípara se seque fue mayor (HR = 2.198). El LL de vacas con 2 y ≥3 partos fue similar. Conclusiones. GR, NP y la época de parto afectaron la DL y la PLL de vacas doble propósito.

Objective. This study was aimed to investigate the presence of pestivirus, schmallenberg virus (SBV), akabane virus (AKAV), and determined the seasonal distribution in small ruminant abortion cases Materials and Methods. A total of 164 small ruminant aborted fetuses (39 goats and 125 sheep) were investigated in West Turkey between the years of 2015 and 2019. While the SBV and pestivirus were examined with real-time RT-PCR, the AKAV was examined with nested-PCR. Results. In this study, while four sheep (2.3%) were found to be pestivirus positive, nine sheep and one goat (5.9%) were found to be AKAV positive. SBV was detected in none of the animals. According to the results of the studies carried out, AKAV, a vector-borne virus, was detected more than other viruses in sheep and goat abortions in West Turkey. A positive akabane virus sample detected in sheep fetuses was sequenced based on the partial S segment. This sample showed 99-100% similarity to the Adana-15, Aksu-1, and Aksu-2 isolates previously detected in Southern Turkey. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the sequenced isolate in this study was clustered within genogroup Ib. Another important piece of data revealed in this study was the determination of the seasonal distribution of sheep and goat abortions. Abortion cases which started to increase in November reached a peak in February and declined till August. Conclusions. This is the first study in the Aegean Region (including seven provinces) in which three important viral agents were simultaneously investigated in small ruminant aborted fetuses.

Objective. The present paper aims to investigate the role of computed tomography as an imaging technique of diagnosis in the identification of the os cordis in ovine, and also how this anatomical structure is morphotopographically characterized in macro and microscopic contexts, seeking to contribute for its functional understanding. Materials and method. The heart of a young male ovine had been donated to the Laboratory of Animal Anatomy of the Surgery Department of the FMVZ/USP, first being subject to a post-mortem examination by means of the cardiac “shedding” (transverse cross sectioning of the heart). A tomographic examination of the anatomic specimen was carried out, as well as the dissection and histological analysis of the collected sample. Results. The results indicate the presence of an osseous structure of 6.39 mm in length, located in the aortic valve of the heart, next to a ring comprised by three valve flaps, tendinous cords, and papillary muscles. The histological findings consist of fibrous connective tissue, cancellous bone tissue, and calcified hyaline cartilage wherein the cardiomyocytes are attached. Conclusions. It is concluded that computed tomography, even though seldom applied to animals of zootechnical interest, poses as an effective tool for the visualization of the os cordis in lambs.

Objetivo. Evaluar las propiedades fisicoquímicas, digestibilidad In vitro y digestibilidad aparente de nitrógeno en materia fecal y orina de cerdos de un alimento extrudido usando frijol (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) como sustituto de harina de soya. Materiales y métodos. Se estandarizó el proceso de extrusión para dos formulaciones de harina de frijol (Pinto Saltillo), harina de maíz (Cafime) y harina de soya a diferentes proporciones: 20/67/13% y 30/60/10%, respectivamente. Las muestras se procesaron en un extrusor monotornillo a 120-150°C y 18-22% de contenido de humedad. Las propiedades fisicoquímicas evaluadas fueron: índice de expansión, densidad aparente, índice de absorción de agua, índice de solubilidad en agua, dureza, actividad de agua y parámetros de color: L*, a* y b*. La digestibilidad In vitro y digestibilidad aparente de nitrógeno en materia fecal y orina de cerdos se evaluaron usando el tratamiento óptimo previamente obtenido buscando disminuir costos de procesamiento. Resultados. Las condiciones óptimas para la formulación de 20% de harina de frijol fueron 124.4°C y 18.59% de contenido de humedad. La temperatura de extrusión redujo la densidad aparente, dureza y actividad de agua, pero incrementó L* y el índice de expansión. El contenido de humedad redujo la densidad aparente, actividad de agua, dureza y a*. La digestibilidad In vitro de materia seca fue mayor para la dieta de frijol extrudido en comparación a la dieta control (92.33% vs. 85.33%). Conclusiones. Los resultados indican que la harina de frijol es una opción viable para el consumo animal en términos de valor nutricional y digestibilidad.

Objetive. Establish variations of nutritional composition and the contents of nitrates and nitrites in the Kikuyo grass (Cenchrus clandestinus (Hochst. Ex Chiov.) Morrone) from four veredas in the municipality of San Miguel de Sema: Peña Blanca, Sirigay, Sabaneca, and Quintoque, during dry and rainy seasons. were dairy production is the most significant economic activity. Material and methods. Nutritional characterization parameters, were associated a two-way ANOVA, using Tukey's as a multiple comparison test. Results. The results revealed in dry matter a high average content of total protein (TP) (23.48% +/- 3.71), neutral detergent fiber (60.86% +/- 3.03), with important DM degradability values at different time points (62.97% +/- 3.74 after 48 Hours). The report indicated decreased values of lignin (4.25% +/- 0.5), non-structural carbohydrates (11.44% +/- 2.43) and of the ratio of non-structural carbohydrates: rumen degradable protein (NSC:RDP) of 0.84 +/- 0.16. The levels of nitrates reached an average of 2977 ppm +/- 2061, which differed significantly according to the seasons and veredas, for the dry season in the different veredas the level of nitrated remained at 4728 ppm, a value 3.9 higher in comparison to the rainy season. The levels of nitrites showed average contents of 2.97 pm of DM, contents highly decreased to be potentially toxic. Conclusions. These results allowed us to establish a difference in the protein:energy relation as the limiting factor for milk production. Nitrate levels indicated as potentially toxic.