Reproductive, productive and financial consequences of chronic Trypanosoma vivax infection in a dairy cattle herd in a region without a cyclic vector.

This study evaluated the reproductive, productive and financial consequences of chronic Trypanosoma vivax infection in a dairy cattle herd located in a region without the cyclic vector during two years. Animals were categorized as either positive (chronically infected) or negative for T. vivax antibodies using a commercial rapid test.

Seminal cell-free DNA as a potential marker for in vitro fertility of Nellore bulls.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify a marker for freezability and in vitro fertility of sperm samples before freezing.

Methods: Semen was collected from nine Nelore bulls; half of the ejaculate was used for seminal plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) quantification, and the other half was cryopreserved. Evaluation of sperm movement using computer-assisted semen analysis and plasma membrane integrity and stability, acrosomal integrity, apoptosis, and mitochondrial potential using flow cytometry were performed on fresh and frozen/thawed semen at 0, 3, 6, and 12 h after thawing.

Effects of source of supplementary trace minerals in pre- and postpartum diets on reproductive biology and performance in dairy cows.

Our objectives were to evaluate the effects of complete replacement of inorganic salts of trace minerals (STM) with organic trace minerals (OTM) in both pre- and postpartum diets on ovarian dynamics, estrous behavior measured by sensors, preimplantation conceptus development, and reproductive performance in dairy cows. Pregnant cows and heifers (n = 273) were blocked by parity and body condition score and randomly assigned to either STM or OTM diets at 45 ± 3 d before their expected calving. Pre- and postpartum diets were formulated to meet 100% of recommended levels of each trace mineral in both treatments, taking into consideration both basal and supplemental levels.

Effects of replacing inorganic salts of trace minerals with organic trace minerals in the diet of prepartum cows on quality of colostrum and immunity of newborn calves.

Our objectives were to evaluate the impact of supplementary trace mineral (TM) form-inorganic salts (STM; Co, Cu, Mn, Zn sulfates, and Na selenite) or organic (OTM; Co, Cu, Mn, Zn proteinates, and selenized yeast)-in the prepartum diet on quantity and quality of colostrum, passive immunity, antioxidant biomarkers, cytokine responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), health, and growth of newborn calves. Pregnant heifers (n = 100) and cows (n = 173) were enrolled at 45 d before calving, blocked by parity and body condition score, and allocated randomly to STM (50 heifers; 86 cows) or OTM (50 heifers; 87 cows) supplementation. Cows in both treatments were fed the same diet, except for the source of supplementary TM.

Effects of replacing inorganic salts of trace minerals with organic trace minerals in the pre- and postpartum diets on mineral status, antioxidant biomarkers, and health of dairy cows.

Our objectives were to evaluate the effects of complete replacement of supplementary inorganic salts of trace minerals (ITM; cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) sulfates and sodium (Na) selenite) by organic trace minerals (OTM; Co, Cu, Mn, Zn proteinates, and selenized yeast) in both pre- and postpartum diets on trace minerals (TM) concentrations in body fluids and liver, antioxidant and inflammation biomarkers in blood, and postpartum health of dairy cows. Pregnant cows were blocked by parity and body condition score and randomly assigned to ITM (n = 136) or OTM (n = 137) 45 d before expected calving. Both groups received the same pre- and postpartum diets except for the source of supplementary TM.