This study analyzes the implementation of the Indigenous Health Policy, focusing on the care practices of health teams of the Indigenous Health Care Subsystem in the Upper Solimões River in the Amazon region. Using ethnography as a methodological resource, the dynamics among participants, discourses, and power in the implementation of the policy are investigated, revealing a complex interconnection between practices and other contextual realities. Three phenomena emerge as critical influences on care practices: the medical-care model, the sanitation model, and the culture of performance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCattle farming faces challenges linked to intensive exploitation and climate change, requiring the reinforcement of animal resilience in response to these dynamic environments. Currently, genetic selection is used to enhance resilience by identifying animals resistant to specific diseases; however, certain diseases, such as mastitis, pose difficulties in genetic prediction. This study introduced the utilization of enzymatic methyl sequencing (EM-seq) of the blood genomic DNA from twelve dairy cows to identify DNA methylation biomarkers, with the aim of predicting resilience and susceptibility to mastitis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this study, the main objective was to assess if long luteal phases could have causes other than pregnancy loss. We enrolled Holstein dairy cows ≥50 DIM from a commercial herd in Brazil from October 2016 to August 2017. All cows received an estradiol-based synchronization protocol, and, on the day of insemination (d 0), were randomly assigned either an AI or a placebo insemination (PBO) in a 3:1 ratio.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe objective of this observational study was to evaluate the efficacy of a neck-mounted automated activity monitor (AAM) at detecting early postpartum resumed ovarian cyclicity. A total of 192 lactating cows (primiparous = 73 and multiparous = 119) were enrolled in this study. Cows were continuously monitored by a neck-mounted AAM early postpartum (7 to 30 d in milk; DIM).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of this study was to validate the pedometer AfiAct II (AfiMilk) for the measurement of steps in lactating Holstein cows housed in a freestall design by assessing its agreement with visual observation of step counts. A total of 41 primiparous (n = 12) and multiparous (n = 29) cows were enrolled in the study between August and September 2018. Steps were monitored continuously by the pedometer and visually assessed for a 24-h period using video recordings.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe objective of this observational study was to evaluate estrous expression at the first estrus occurring between 7 to 30 d in milk (DIM), as detected by an automated activity monitor (AAM), and its association with genomic daughter pregnancy rate (GDPR) and genomic expected milk production (GEM) in lactating dairy cows. A total of 4,119 lactations from 2,602 Holstein cows were included. Cows were enrolled as first lactation (n = 1,168), second lactation (n = 1,525) and third and greater lactation (n = 1,426).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTwo experiments were designed to evaluate the effects of altering body condition score (BCS) and the profile of a fatty acid (FA) supplement on the metabolism of Nellore females. In experiment 1, 16 and 24 heifers and nonlactating cows, respectively, were assigned to (1) maintenance diet (MNT-MNT; n = 10), (2) maintenance diet and BCS loss (MNT-LSS; n = 10), (3) maintenance diet supplemented with calcium salts of soybean oil for 30 d and BCS loss for 40 d (MNT+CFA-LSS; n = 10), and (4) maintenance diet for 30 d and BCS loss for 40 d with a diet containing calcium salts of soybean oil (MNT-LSS+CFA; n = 10). Following the BCS loss period, MNT-LSS, MNT+CFA-LSS, and MNT-LSS+CFA were fed a diet to promote the gain of BCS.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Resilient Dairy Genome Project (RDGP) is an international large-scale applied research project that aims to generate genomic tools to breed more resilient dairy cows. In this context, improving feed efficiency and reducing greenhouse gases from dairy is a high priority. The inclusion of traits related to feed efficiency (e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different progesterone (P4) concentrations during the follicular growth on the intensity of estrous expression, ovarian response to the superovulatory treatment, and embryo production and quality in superovulated heifers. A total of 63 Holstein heifers were randomly assigned into 2 experimental groups: Low P4 (n = 31) and High P4 (n = 32). Animals received a pre-synchronization protocol followed by a protocol of superovulation that included the allocated P4 treatment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the use of intravaginal probiotics prepartum on the incidence risk of metritis postpartum and conception risk after first artificial insemination (AI). A total of 606 Holstein cows were enrolled 3 wk before their expected calving date from 2 farms. Cows were randomly assigned to either receive a 2-mL dose of a combination of 3 lactic acid bacteria (probiotic treatment) washed with approximately 2 mL of a sterile saline solution, into the vaginal canal twice weekly until parturition, or no intervention (control).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study was designed to evaluate whether the utilization of a second PGF treatment at the end of an estradiol/progesterone (E2/P4)-based protocol with or without GnRH at the beginning of the protocol would improve pregnancy rates of lactating Holstein cows assigned to timed embryo transfer. A total of 501 lactating Holstein cows in 5 farms were enrolled in the experiment. Within farm, cows were blocked by parity and, within block, were assigned randomly to (1) insertion of an intravaginal P4 device (controlled internal drug-releasing device; CIDR) and estradiol benzoate on d -11, PGF on d -4, CIDR withdrawal and an injection of estradiol cypionate on d -2, and timed embryo transfer on d 7 (1-PGF; n = 164); (2) the same treatments as 1-PGF, but with PGF administered on d -4 and -2 (2-PGF; n = 171); and (3) 2-PGF with the addition of a GnRH treatment on d -11 (GnRH2-PGF; n = 166).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) for oil spills was developed to assist coordinators to evaluate oil spill impact along shorelines and also to coordinate the allocation of resources during and after the incident, aiming to reduce environmental damage and consequences. Recently, Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS) are being used in a wide range of areas, since they complement traditional remote sensing data (e.g.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAmong bioluminescent beetles of the Elateroidea superfamily, Phengodidae is the third largest family, with 244 bioluminescent species distributed only in the Americas, but is still the least studied from the phylogenetic and evolutionary points of view. The railroad worm Phrixothrix hirtus is an essential biological model and symbolic species due to its bicolor bioluminescence, being the only organism that produces true red light among bioluminescent terrestrial species. Here, we performed partial genome assembly of P.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe objectives of this retrospective observational study were to determine the associations of anogenital distance (AGD) with (a) postpartum estrous activity, (b) diameter of the preovulatory follicle, (c) intensity of estrous expression, (d) postestrus ovulation, (e) corpus luteum (CL) size, and (f) concentrations of progesterone at estrus and on d 7 after estrus. Lactating Holstein cows (n = 178; 55 primiparous, 123 multiparous) were enrolled into the study during the first postpartum week. All cows were continuously monitored by a pedometer-based automated activity monitoring (AAM) system for estrus.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe dairy industry is moving toward selecting animals with better fertility to decrease the economic losses linked to reproductive issues. The reproductive tract size and position score (SPS) was recently developed in physiological studies as an indicator of pregnancy rate and the number of services to conception. Cows are scored as SPS 1, 2, or 3 based on the size of their reproductive tract and its position in the pelvis, as determined by transrectal palpation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCarpione (, Linnaeus 1758) is an endangered precious endemism of Lake Garda (Northern Italy), the largest Italian lake. To date, several bottlenecks about its culture remain unsolved, including the identification of a proper growth-out diet. The aim of the present study was to test four different grossly isolipidic, isoproteic, and isoenergetic diets in which the main ingredients had a different origin.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study compared the nutrient-energy retention, digestive function, growth performance, and welfare of rainbow trout (ibw 54 g) fed isoproteic (42%), isolipidic (24%), fishmeal-free diets (CV) over 13 weeks. The diets consisted of plant-protein replacement with graded levels (10, 30, 60%) of protein from poultry by-product (PBM) and black soldier fly H. illucens pupae (BSFM) meals, either singly or in combination.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study aimed to evaluate animal and ovarian parameters that affected fertilization and embryo development up to the morula stage. The data were combined from four studies in which cows were inseminated between 46 and 60 days in milk, following a synchronization protocol, and flushed for embryo collection five or six days later. Parity and body condition score on the day of insemination were recorded.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe objective of this observational study was to evaluate the relationship between genomic daughter pregnancy rate (GDPR) with reproduction parameters such as pregnancy at first artificial insemination (AI), pregnancy per AI, and pregnancy losses (PL). A total of 12,949 events from 3,499 Holstein cows were included. Cows were enrolled as nulliparous (n = 1,220), primiparous (n = 1,314), or multiparous (n = 965).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of increasing doses of estradiol cypionate (ECP) on reproductive function of lactating dairy cows during the summer. In Exp. 1, 643 lactating Holstein cows were blocked by parity and assigned to receive 1) an intravaginal P4 device (1.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCows with reduced estrous expression have compromised fertility. The aim of this study was to determine whether the administration of GnRH at the time of artificial insemination (AI) would affect ovulation rates and the fertility of animals expressing estrous behavior of lesser intensity. Cows were enrolled at the time of estrus from 3 farms (n = 2,607 estrus events; farm A: 1,507, farm B: 429, farm C: 671) and randomly assigned to receive GnRH at AI or not (control).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFComputational biology has gained traction as an independent scientific discipline over the last years in South America. However, there is still a growing need for bioscientists, from different backgrounds, with different levels, to acquire programming skills, which could reduce the time from data to insights and bridge communication between life scientists and computer scientists. Python is a programming language extensively used in bioinformatics and data science, which is particularly suitable for beginners.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of this study was to determine the association between occurrence and intensity of estrous expression with pregnancy success in recipient lactating dairy cows subjected to embryo transfer (ET). Two observational studies were conducted. Holstein cows were synchronized using the same timed ET protocol, based on estradiol and progesterone in both experiments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF