Morada Nova Sheep Research Articles

Models to predict both sensible and latent heat transfer in the respiratory tract of Morada Nova sheep under semiarid tropical environment.

The aim of this study was to build a prediction model both sensible and latent heat transfer by respiratory tract for Morada Nova sheep under field conditions in a semiarid tropical environment, using easily measured physiological and environmental parameters. Twelve dry Morada Nova ewes with an average of 3±1.2years old and average body weight of 32.76±3.72kg were used in a Latin square design 12×12 (12days of records and 12 schedules). Tidal volume, respiratory rate, expired air temperature, and partial vapor pressure of the expired air were obtained from the respiratory facial mask and using a physiological measurement system. Ewes were evaluated from 0700 to 1900h in each day under shade. A simple nonlinear model to estimate tidal volume as a function of respiratory rate was developed. Equation to estimate the expired air temperature was built, and the ambient air temperature was the best predictor together with relative humidity and ambient vapor pressure. In naturalized Morada Nova sheep, respiratory convection seems to be a mechanism of heat transfer of minor importance even under mild air temperature. Evaporation from the respiratory system increased together with ambient air temperature. At ambient air temperature, up to 35°C respiratory evaporation accounted 90% of the total heat lost by respiratory system, on average. Models presented here allow to estimate the heat flow from the respiratory tract for Morada Nova sheep bred in tropical region, using easily measured physiological and environmental traits as respiratory rate, ambient air temperature, and relative humidity.

Mother-offspring relationship in Morada Nova sheep bred in a tropical semiarid environment: A perspective on maternal investment and parental conflict

In 2011 and 2012, we investigated the mother-offspring relationship in 60 Morada Nova ewe-lamb pairs from lambing (August) until 40 d after lambing. In years 1 and 2, there were 28 and 32 multiparous ewes, 13 and 20 single male lambs, and 15 and 12 twin male lambs, respectively. The behavior of the mothers and their offspring were recorded at 10, 20, 30, and 40 d after birth. The behavioral categories defined for the ewes were as follows: time (%) spent grazing and lying down; number of high-pitched bleats, allosuckling events, and agonistic behaviors; and the number of times suckling was prevented, the mother looked for its offspring, and the offspring was smelled. Behavioral categories recorded for the lambs were as follows: time (%) spent foraging, lying down, close to the mother, and playing; number of suckling events and high-pitched bleats; and the number times the offspring looked for its mother. A generalized linear model analysis was used to examine the main effects of the days after birth (10, 20, 30, and 40 d) and type of birth (single or twin lambs) on the mother-offspring behaviors. Grazing and foraging behavior were the most common activities for the ewes and lambs, respectively. Suckling prevention by ewes increased (P⿤0.05) until 20 d after birth, and then decreased over the subsequent days. A quadratic function (P⿤0.05) explained the variation in the percentage of successful suckling attempts, which declined from 10 to 20 d, and then increased. We concluded that the moment when the parental conflict occurs is approximately 20 d after birth, when the ewe controls the milk supply by refusing the lamb⿿s suckling attempts, which results in a small percentage of suckling attempts being successful.

Impact of body condition on postpartum features in morada nova sheep

This study evaluated the impact of nutritional status of Morada Nova sheep at lambing on the reproductive and productive performance and on the survival of lambs in early weaning system. Nineteen, Morada Nova sheep were assigned to two groups according to body condition score (BCS) at lambing: low BCS (n = 11) and high BCS (n=8) with body condition respectively of (mean ± SD) 2.0 ± 0.3 e 2.9 ± 0.1. From birth until lamb weaning (45 days), sheep were weighed weekly and checked the BCS, loin subcutaneous fat thickness, loin depth, hematological profile, milk composition and production, and every three days, we measured the uterine diameter. Lamb weightings were performed up to one week after weaning (52 days). The lower availability of muscle and fat reserves in the low BCS group negatively affected milk production and consequently performance of suckling lambs. However, the results indicated that the uterine involution process, the reproductive parameters including prolificacy, rate of multiple births, number of white blood cells, milk quality, body weight of lambs at birth and mortality rates were not affected by the body condition. The results allowed to describe the responsiveness to opposite nutritional status of Morada Nova sheep, showing their characteristics of adaptation.

Application of genomic data to assist a community-based breeding program: A preliminary study of coat color genetics in Morada Nova sheep

The Brazilian Sheep Breeders' Association recognizes two varieties of the Morada Nova hair breed, white and red. However, the black variety and/or animals with a pigmented nose has frequently been disqualified from genealogical records. Previous studies suggest that this genetic group might be similar to the red variety. Thus, the aim of this study was to conduct a Genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genomic regions related to hair color and confirm the position of black relative to other Morada Nova varieties. After quality controls, 48 animals were genotyped for 45.982 SNPs using the OvineSNP50k BeadChip. Estimated Fst values between white and red animals, white and black, and red and black were 10.78% (p<0.00001), 9.23% (p<0.00001), and 2.93% (p<0.00001), respectively. The comparison between white and red (n=30) versus black (n=18) animals revealed 10 highly significant SNPs, most located in a 6.8Mb window in Oar14 which contains the MC1R gene. Differences between black and red coats are the result of the expression of different alleles of the same gene without directly affecting productive/reproductive characteristics. These two varieties showed low genetic variation, insufficient to define them as different groups, and to increase the breeding herd, the animals with black hair and/or pigmentation of the nose should be used breeding purposes. The results of this study contribute to the discussion of the importance in reconciling conservation, traditional breed standards and breeding of farm animals.

Heat tolerance in Brazilian hair sheep.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate heat tolerance using heat tolerance indices, physiological, physical, thermographic, and hematological parameters in Santa Ines and Morada Nova sheep breeds in the Federal District, Brazil.MethodsTwenty-six adult hair sheep, one and a half years old, from two genetic groups (Santa Ines: 12 males and 4 females; Morada Nova: 7 males and 3 females) were used and data (rectal temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, skin temperatures; hematological parameters) were collected during three consecutive days, twice a day (morning and afternoon), with a total of six repetitions. Also physical parameters (biometric measurements, skin and hair traits) and heat tolerance indices (temperature-humidity index, Iberia and Benezra) were evaluated. The analyses included analyses of variance, correlation, and principal components with a significance level of 5%.ResultsThe environmental indices, in general, indicate a situation of thermal discomfort for the animals during the afternoon. Breed significantly influenced (p<0.001) physiological and physical characteristics of skin, hair, biometric measurements and Iberia and Benezra heat tolerance indices. Santa Ines animals were bigger and had longer, greater number and darker hair, thicker skin, greater respiratory rate and Benezra index and lower Iberia index compared with Morada Nova breed.ConclusionAlthough both breeds can be considered adapted to the environmental conditions of the region, Morada Nova breed is most suitable for farming in the Midwest region. The positive correlation found between the thermographic temperatures and physiological parameters indicates that this technique can be used to evaluate thermal comfort. Also, it has the advantage that animals do not have to be handled, which favors animal welfare.

Meat quality of Morada Nova lambs subjected to different feeding regimes

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pre- and post-calving feed restriction on quantitative characteristics and lipid profile of meat from Morada Nova sheep. Twenty-four male lambs from single births only, with an initial weight of 10.0 ± 3.07 kg and at four months of age, were distributed in a randomized complete design, into three groups: pre-calving restriction (R-PRE; n=8) post-calving restriction (R-POS; n=8), and ad libitum feeding (ADLI; n=8). To make up the experimental treatments, the feeding regime applied previously on the sheep in the last third of pregnancy was considered. Treatments ADLI and R-POS were composed of lambs born from ewes fed ad libitum in the last third of pregnancy. Treatment R-PRE consisted of lambs born from ewes subjected to feed restriction in the last third of pregnancy at 60% of the recommended requirements for the group of ewes feeding ad libitum. For the lambs from treatments ADLI and R-PRE, the diet was supplied allowing 20% of the total supplied as refusals. For the animals from R-POS, a 30% restriction was imposed in relation to the animals feeding ad libitum. Animals were slaughtered with an average live weight of 25 kg. Afterwards, carcasses were chilled at 4 ºC for 24 h. Meat quality measurements were taken on the right side of each carcass; pH was determined immediately after slaughter and then again after chilling. Samples of the longissimus dorsi muscle were collected and frozen at -20 ºC. Moisture, ash, protein, total lipids, water-holding capacity, and cooking loss were determined in the meat samples, which were then subjected to the shear-force test. The sensory analysis was determined by the hedonic-scale test, in which sensory parameters of tenderness, juiciness, flavor, aroma, and overall acceptability and fatty acid profile were evaluated. There was a feed-restriction effect on protein, lipids, and water-holding capacity (P0.05). Saturated fatty acid contents were affected by the treatments (P0.05). Feed restriction does not compromise the physicochemical or sensory quality of Morada Nova lambs meat, but rather provides a meat product of good acceptance.

Single marker assisted selection in Brazilian Morada Nova hair sheep community-based breeding program

Morada Nova hair sheep show traits desirable for lamb production especially in extensive production systems in Northeastern Brazil, representing an important genetic resource for producing lamb in semi-arid climates in Brazil and elsewhere. Performance testing has been carried out annually with this breed since 2008. In the present study, Morada Nova sheep from two Brazilian states: Ceará (140 animals) and São Paulo (112 animals) were genotyped for a SNP associated with litter size, which is almost only found in Brazilian locally adapted sheep breeds (FecGE). The total observed frequency of FecGE was 0.65, while an increased number of observed heterozygotes was also observed (χ2=7.274, p<0.01). No significant FecGE allele frequency differences were observed (p=0.3708) in 139 performance-tested rams classified as Elite/Superior or Regular/Inferior in the states of Ceará and São Paulo. Considering that litter size has been shown to positively affect farm profitability in medium to high input systems, we suggest that inclusion of FecGE genotyping information in future selection indexes estimated with basis on performance test data, fine-tuned to regional production systems may contribute to increase profitability gains observed in the Morada Nova community-based breeding program.

Diagnosis of subclinical mastitis in Santa Inês and Morada Nova sheep in southeastern Brazil.

The objective of this study was to evaluate different screening limits for the California mastitis test (CMT) and the somatic cell count (SCC) in previous diagnoses of subclinical mastitis in Santa Inês and Morada Nova ewes, which were reared under the same management conditions. Additionally, cutoff points were defined for SCC in accordance with the sensitivity and specificity of the test. A total of 907 mammary halves were subjected to CMT and SCC. The disease was confirmed by means of microbiological identification. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) were the microorganisms with highest occurrence. The CMT score of 1+ provided adequate sensitivity and specificity at all periods of lactation investigated. This score showed good agreement with SCC, >400,000 cells mL(-1). Higher cell counts favored higher diagnostic specificity. They can be used when producers have financial difficulties relating to treatment or culling of sheep with subclinical mastitis. However, producers should be warned about the risk of false-negative results in the flock.

The impact of racial pattern on the genetic improvement of Morada Nova sheep

SummaryThe objective of the present study was to describe the frequency of the main racial traits of Morada Nova sheep and simulate the impact of this culling on the response to selection for birth weight. The data from sex, coat colour, hoof pigmentation, muzzle pigmentation, polled and cryptorchidism were collected individually at weaning from 385 Morada Nova sheep of the red variety, born between 2010 and 2012, which belonged to four different flocks in the state of Ceará, Brazil. To estimate the impact of culling of animals due to racial pattern on the genetic improvement of the Morada Nova population, the genetic gains in birth weight per generation were calculated considering the following different scenarios of culling due to racial pattern in a simulated population. The present results indicate that the most urgent step is flexibilization of the requirement of dark muzzles and hooves. The selection of Morada Nova sheep based on racial pattern has caused losses in the genetic gain for productive traits such as birth weight. Readaptation of the official racial pattern established for Morada Nova sheep is necessary so that the racial pattern is achieved and an adequate number of animals will be available for selection.

Ovarian follicular growth in Morada Nova sheep supplemented with crude glycerin before mating

This study was aimed to investigate the follicular growth of Morada Nova sheep supplemented with crude glycerin before mating. Eighteen ewes were subjected to follicular wave and estrus synchronization with three injections of D-cloprostenol administered via IM, on days -14, -7 and -1 before mating. Animals were randomized into two groups, the control (n = 9), which received an oral drench of solution of 200 mL of saline solution, and the glycerin group (n = 9), which was supplied with 200 mL glycerol (n = 9), administered as an oral drench of crude glycerin in saline solution (9:1), 1h after morning feeding. Glycerin was supplied for 6 days, beginning 7 days from the mate. Growth follicular pattern was monitored daily by transrectal ultrasonography during the period of glycerin supplementation. Blood samples were taken during glycerin administration for progesterone and glucose analysis. There was a significant increase (P &lt; 0.001) in blood glucose after supplementation with glycerin (mean of 66.2 ± 1.3 vs 56.5 ± 0.8 mg/dL). The greater availability of energy near to ovulation was beneficial to Morada Nova ewes, leading to a significant increase (P &lt; 0.001) of large follicles (&gt; 3 mm). At diagnosis of pregnancy, it was observed that approximately 87% (13/15) (87.5% control group vs. 85.7% glycerin group) of the ewes were pregnant. The group treated with glycerin presented an increase of more than 40% of prolificacy (1.7 ± 0.3 vs. 1.2 ± 0.2; P=0.21). In conclusion, the monitoring of follicular growth reveals that crude glycerin increases the follicular population of Morada Nova ewes, when applied before mating.

Thermoregulatory responses and blood parameters of locally adapted ewes under natural weather conditions of Brazilian semiarid region

&lt;p&gt;The effect of the natural weather conditions on respiratory rate, rectal temperature and hematologic parameters such as glucose, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, total protein, albumin, globulin, red blood cells, microhematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, serum triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) levels was evaluated in red (RMN) and white (WMN) coat colored Morada Nova ewes, of different class of body condition score (CBCS), during the dry (from july to december) and wet (from january to june) seasons, which exhibited different (P&amp;lt;0.05) air temperature, relative humidity and radiant thermal load averages. Tukey’s test was used and the difference considered was to P&amp;lt;0.05. Significant greater averages of respiratory rate were observed in the dry period compared to the rainy period (42.26±8.96 and 36.89±8.20 breaths min-1, respectively), mainly in the RMN (45.54±8.23 breaths min-1) compared with the WMN (39.27±8.57 breaths min-1). No differences were observed in rectal temperature measurements between the dry and the wet periods (38.59±0.58 and 38.60±0.56 oC, respectively), but the WMN had higher values than the RMN (38.77±0.54 and 38.40±0.54 oC, respectively). The glucose and total cholesterol were higher in the wet season, with no variation due to breed variety and CBCS. The triacylglycerol did not change between breed varieties and seasons. The albumin was similar between varieties and in different seasons, being different in CBCS. Total protein and globulin serum were higher during the wet season, but total protein was higher and globulin was lower in better CBCS. T3 and T4 levels were higher in the rainy season (0.25±0.07 and 6.74±11.37 ?g dL-1, for T3 and T4, respectively) than in the dry season (0.18±0.08 and 6.31±1.64 ?g dL-1, for T3 and T4, respectively). The red blood cells showed no difference, but microhematocrit was higher in WMN and in the better CBCS and mean corpuscular volume was higher in the dry season. The concentration of T3 was lower in the RMN than in the WMN (0.19±0.07 and 0.24±0.08 ?g dL-1, respectively), while T4 did not differ between them (6.53±1.51 and 6.52±1.46 ?g dL-1, respectively). The Morada Nova sheep showed positive physiological responses to the heat stress, notably an increase of respiratory rate and a reduction of T3 and T4 levels. All another hematologic parameters analyzed were within the normal range for all sheep, indicating a good ability to cope with the climatic changes of the Brazilian semiarid region. Both varieties were heat tolerant, but the red variety required major adjustments to maintain homeothermy.&lt;/p&gt;

Thermoregulatory responses and blood parameters of locally adapted ewes under natural weather conditions of Brazilian semiarid region

The effect of the natural weather conditions on respiratory rate, rectal temperature and hematologic parameters such as glucose, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, total protein, albumin, globulin, red blood cells, microhematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, serum triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) levels was evaluated in red (RMN) and white (WMN) coat colored Morada Nova ewes, of different class of body condition score (CBCS), during the dry (from july to december) and wet (from january to june) seasons, which exhibited different (P&lt;0.05) air temperature, relative humidity and radiant thermal load averages. Tukey’s test was used and the difference considered was to P&lt;0.05. Significant greater averages of respiratory rate were observed in the dry period compared to the rainy period (42.26±8.96 and 36.89±8.20 breaths min-1, respectively), mainly in the RMN (45.54±8.23 breaths min-1) compared with the WMN (39.27±8.57 breaths min-1). No differences were observed in rectal temperature measurements between the dry and the wet periods (38.59±0.58 and 38.60±0.56 oC, respectively), but the WMN had higher values than the RMN (38.77±0.54 and 38.40±0.54 oC, respectively). The glucose and total cholesterol were higher in the wet season, with no variation due to breed variety and CBCS. The triacylglycerol did not change between breed varieties and seasons. The albumin was similar between varieties and in different seasons, being different in CBCS. Total protein and globulin serum were higher during the wet season, but total protein was higher and globulin was lower in better CBCS. T3 and T4 levels were higher in the rainy season (0.25±0.07 and 6.74±11.37 ?g dL-1, for T3 and T4, respectively) than in the dry season (0.18±0.08 and 6.31±1.64 ?g dL-1, for T3 and T4, respectively). The red blood cells showed no difference, but microhematocrit was higher in WMN and in the better CBCS and mean corpuscular volume was higher in the dry season. The concentration of T3 was lower in the RMN than in the WMN (0.19±0.07 and 0.24±0.08 ?g dL-1, respectively), while T4 did not differ between them (6.53±1.51 and 6.52±1.46 ?g dL-1, respectively). The Morada Nova sheep showed positive physiological responses to the heat stress, notably an increase of respiratory rate and a reduction of T3 and T4 levels. All another hematologic parameters analyzed were within the normal range for all sheep, indicating a good ability to cope with the climatic changes of the Brazilian semiarid region. Both varieties were heat tolerant, but the red variety required major adjustments to maintain homeothermy.

Principal component analysis for evaluating a ranking method used in the performance testing in sheep of Morada Nova breed

A multivariate approach was adopted to evaluate the relationship among traits measured in the performance testing of Morada Nova sheep, verify the efficiency of a ranking method used in these tests and identify the most significant traits for use in future analyses. Data from 150 young rams participating in five versions of the performance tests for the Morada Nova breed were used. Twenty traits were measured in each animal: initial weight (IW), final weight (FW), average daily weight gain (ADG), loin eye area (LEA), scrotal circumference (SC), fat thickness (FT), conformation (C), precocity (Pc), muscularity (M), breed features (BF), legs (L), withers height (WH), chest width (CW), rump height (RH), rump width (RW), rump length (RL), body length (BL), body depth (BD), heart girth (HG) and body condition scoring (BCS). The Pearson’s correlation coefficients ranged from –0.10 to 0.93, with the highest correlations were between body weight variables and morphometric measurements. The three first principal components explained 72.28% of the total variability among all traits. The variables related to animal size defined the first principal component, whereas those related to visual appraisal and suitability for meat production defined the second and third principal components, respectively. The combination of traits from the principal component analysis showed that the ranking method currently used in the performance testing of Morada Nova sheep is efficient for selecting larger rams with better breed features and higher degrees of specialization for meat production.

&lt;b&gt;Adaptive parameters and thermal comfort of postpartum ewes fed on concentrate supplementation in grazing system

Current analysis evaluated adaptive parameters and thermal comfort of postpartum ewes fed on concentrate supplementation in grazing system. Thirty lactating pluriparous sheep, 16 Santa Ines (SI) and 14 Morada Nova (MN) were used. Physiological parameters such as respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR) and rectal temperature (RT) were measured, in that order, with the animals at rest in the morning (6:00-7:00 am) and in the afternoon (1:00-2:00 pm), respectively, every seven days, with 10 samples. A significant effect (p < 0.05) for RR and HR was reported in the strain. Similar behavior was reported for RR between the breeds where MN sheep had high adaptability. Supplementation levels of 0.5 and 1.5% influenced (p < 0.05) RR which was stronger in the sheep that received the highest supplementation level, possibly due to calorie increase in the diet. However, HR and RT parameters did not differ within the breed due to supplementation. HR was higher between the breeds for SI sheep at 0.5%. Results show that concentrated supplementation affected the respiratory rate of ewes in the postpartum period, with higher calorie increment at 1.5% level and superiority for Santa Ines ewes. Greater adaptability of Morada Nova sheep has been indicated when fed on concentrated diet in grazing system.

Influence of the climatic environment and duration of labor on the mother-offspring interaction in Morada Nova sheep

Influence of the climatic environment and duration of labor on the mother-offspring interaction in Morada Nova sheep

Genetic parameters for growth and reproductive traits of Morada Nova sheep kept by smallholder in semi-arid Brazil

The objective of the present study was to estimate genetic parameters for growth and reproductive traits of Morada Nova sheep reared by smallholder farmers in the semi-arid northeastern region of Brazil. Data from 11 participating flocks, between 2007 and 2011, were used for the estimation of (co)variance components and genetic parameters for birth weight (BW), weight at weaning adjusted for 112 days of age (WW), average daily weight gain from birth to weaning (ADG), days to lambing (DL), lambing interval (LI), total litter weight at birth (LWB), total litter weight at weaning (LWW) and the ratio between total litter weight at birth and weaning and metabolic weight of the dam (LWB/MW and LWW/MW, respectively). The direct heritabilities obtained by one-trait analysis were 0.19, 0.14, 0.11, 0.13, 0.0, 0.44, 0.19, 0.41, 0.15, respectively for BW, WW, ADG, DL, LI, LWB, LWW, LWB/MW and LWW/MW. The direct heritabilities for BW and WW obtained by two-trait analysis were similar to those estimated by one-trait analysis. However, the direct heritabilities for LWB, LWW and LWW/MW obtained by two-trait analysis were higher than those estimated by one-trait analysis. The genetic correlation between BW and WW were 0.75 and between LWB, LWW and LWW/MW were 0.8, 0.9 and 1.0, respectively. In conclusion, except for LI, there is genetic variability that can be explored by direct and indirect selection to obtain genetic gains in the flocks participating in the Nucleus of Participatory Breeding of Morada Nova Sheep.

Influência da suplementação concentrada e da categoria animal no hemograma de ovinos da raça Morada Nova

Objetivou-se avaliar a influência do nível de suplementação com concentrado sobre o perfil hematológico de ovelhas Morada Nova no terço final da gestação e puerpério, bem como comparar os valores obtidos em diferentes categorias (fêmeas em gestação, puerpério e cordeiros). Utilizaram-se 11 ovelhas, aos 75 últimos dias de gestação e nos primeiros 75 dias de lactação, e oito cordeiros progênie das ovelhas, distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em arranjo de parcelas subdivididas no tempo. Durante o período experimental, os animais permaneceram em pastagem de Andropogon gayanus, sendo recolhidos ao final da tarde, quando recebiam suplementação concentrada com 19,17% de proteína bruta. As amostras de sangue foram colhidas desde o 75º dia de gestação até o desmame, aos 75 dias de lactação, a cada quatorze dias. O sangue foi colhido sempre pela manhã, antes de os animais serem liberados para o pasto, por punção da veia jugular, para a realização do hemograma. Os diferentes níveis de suplementação não influenciaram (P&gt;0,05) o perfil eritrocitário e leucocitário das ovelhas. A categoria animal influenciou (P&lt;0,05) o teor de hemoglobina e o número de eritrócitos. Os valores médios de hemoglobina não difeririam (P&gt;0,05) entre fêmeas gestantes (7,74g/dL) e puerperais (7,67g/dL), bem como a contagem total de hemácias dos cordeiros (8,14x10(6)/µL) e das fêmeas em puerpério (9,16 x 10(6)/µL). Os valores médios do hematócrito, volume corpuscular médio, concentração de hemoglobina corpuscular média e proteína total não diferiram estatisticamente (P&gt;0,05) entre as ovelhas; no entanto, observaram-se maiores níveis para os cordeiros. O número de leucócitos totais foram superiores (P&lt;0,05) nas ovelhas gestantes e puerperais em relação aos cordeiros. A suplementação concentrada não influenciou o perfil hematológico dos animais, porém a categoria animal exerceu influência sobre os parâmetros hematológicos eritrocitários e leucocitários.

Traditional and alternative nonlinear models for estimating the growth of Morada Nova sheep

In the present study, alternative and traditional nonlinear models to describe growth curves of Morada Nova sheep reared in the state of Bahia, Brazil, were applied. The nonlinear models were: Schnute, Mitscherlich, Gompertz, Logistic, Meloun I Meloun II, III Meloun, Gamito and Meloun IV. The model adjustment was evaluated by using: Adjusted Coefficient of Determination (R²aj), Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC), Mean Squared Error of Prediction (MEP) and Coefficient of Determination of Prediction (R²p). The selection of the best model was based on cluster analysis, using the evaluators as variables. Six out of the nine tested models converged, while Meloun I and Meloun IV were equally effective in explaining animal growth, without significant influence of sex or type of parturition over the curve parameters. The models Meloun I and IV have the best adjustment and reveal a remarkable reduction of weight gain after 150 days of age, which indicates special attention should be given to feeding at this stage.

Bipartição escrotal associada à má formação prepucial em ovino Morada Nova: relato de caso

As alterações anatômicas do aparelho reprodutor masculino de ovinos são pouco relatadas, especialmente a condição de bipartição escrotal. Devido à importância do esclarecimento sobre esta alteração anatômica, objetivou-se relatar o caso de um ovino da raça Morada Nova que apresentava bipartição escrotal associada à má formação prepucial. Observou-se que essa alteração pode ocorrer como condição de adaptabilidade a climas tropicais.

Respiratory heat loss in Morada Nova sheep in Brazilian semi-arid regions

This study aimed to evaluate the respiratory heat loss in sheep from the equations developed for this species and its relations with meteorological variables in semi-arid regions. The respiratory heat loss (sensible and latent) was estimated through the equations in the literature for four 12-month-old male Morada Nova sheep, kept in an installation with shading of ceramic tiles and a 3-meter-high ceiling.