Evaluation of clinical and subclinical endometritis impacts on the reproductive performance and milk production of dairy cows in Brazilian herds.

Clinical endometritis (CE) and subclinical endometritis (SE) are two of the main uterine diseases in dairy cows during the puerperium period that can directly affect milk production and fertility in dairy herds. The first objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the CE and SE on the subsequent reproductive performance and milk production of dairy cows in Brazilian herds, and the second objective was to evaluate the reproductive performance and milk production of dairy cows according to the positive or negative isolation of bacteria in the uterine environment. A total of 279 lactating Holstein dairy cows (28-33 days in milk) from six commercial farms were studied.

In vitro effects of cinnamon, oregano, and thyme essential oils against Escherichia coli and Trueperella pyogenes isolated from dairy cows with clinical endometritis.

Clinical endometritis causes serious economic losses in dairy farms, mainly due to its negative health impact on fertility and milk production, as well as the additional costs of medicines used to treat the affected animals. The therapy for uterine diseases is principally performed with antibiotic treatment; however, its indiscriminate use in dairy herds can favor the increase in the resistance of pathogenic bacteria, leading to treatment failures. In this regard, the use of unconventional treatment may be a good option to reduce the use of antimicrobials in milk production.

Application of bi-layers active gelatin films for sliced dried-cured Coppa conservation.

Processed meat products have been increasingly consumed, a highlight being dried-cured coppa, commonly purchased sliced, making it more susceptible to bacterial deterioration and lipid oxidation. The aim of this work was to produce and apply bi-layers films based on gelatin (in both layers) with addition of nisin and/or Pitanga leaf hydroethanolic extract (PLHE) only in the food contact thinner layer, in order to evaluate their effect on the refrigerated storage of sliced dried-cured coppa. Dried-cured coppa slices covered with active films were vacuum-packaged and stored under refrigeration for 120 days.

Clinical endometritis with Trueperella pyogenes reduces reproductive performance and milk production in dairy cows.

The aim of this study was to identify the impact of Trueperella pyogenes in cows with clinical endometritis (CE) on reproductive performance and milk production in affected cows. In total, 230 lactating Holstein dairy cows from six commercial dairy herds were sampled once between 28 and 33 days post-partum. Cows included in the present study did not receive antibiotic or anti-inflammatory treatments prior to the experimental period.

Metritis in dairy cows is preceded by alterations in biochemical profile prepartum and at parturition.

Metritis in dairy cows is classified as a puerperal disease that affects all layers of the uterine epithelium and occurs during the first 21 days after parturition. The objectives of this study were to identify potential predictive biomarkers of metritis, to monitor the biochemical profile of pre-metritic dairy cows, and to evaluate the reproductive performance of dairy cows with metritis. Fifty-five cows without metritis and fifteen cows that showed clinical signs of metritis were enrolled in this study.

Alterations in biochemical profiles and reproduction performance in postpartum dairy cows with metritis.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the biochemical profile and reproductive performance in postpartum dairy cows with clinical metritis. The research was carried out using performed on 213 pluriparous lactating cows from two dairy herds in southeast Brazil. Dairy cows were assigned into a group of healthy cows (n = 147) and cows with metritis (n = 66).

Biodegradability in aquatic system of thin materials based on chitosan, PBAT and HDPE polymers: Respirometric and physical-chemical analysis.

Biodegradation tests of chitosan (CH), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) polymers were carried out using the standard OECD 301D guidelines. The results showed that the CH samples biodegraded faster than those of PBAT. Photographs registered exhibited the complete or partial disintegration of the samples, and a more opaque color was observed with the increase of biodegradation.

Evaluation of biochemical profile of dairy cows with metabolic diseases in tropical conditions.

The aims of this study were to characterize the biochemical profile, the reproductive performance and to identify potential predictive biomarkers of disease state of dairy cows with hyperketonemia, lipomobilization and hypocalcemia raised in tropical conditions in southeastern Brazil. Dairy cows (n = 50) were divided into a group of healthy cows (n = 14), cows with lipomobilization (n = 14), cows with hypocalcemia (n = 11), and a group of cows with hyperketonemia (n = 11). Evaluation of body condition score (BCS), body weight (BW) and blood samples was performed on 21, 14, 7, 4 and 2 days before calving, parturition, 1, 7, 14, 21, 30, 45 and 60 days post-partum and milk production was recorded on days 7, 14, 21, 30, 45 and 60 after parturition.

Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of essential oils against pathogens often related to cattle endometritis.

Introduction: Endometritis is a condition marked by inflammation of the endometrium that affects dairy cows from 21 days after parturition, causing damage to herd fertility and economic losses on farms. The use of active compounds obtained from plant sources has gained importance as disease treatment agents in farm animals due to the high resistance rates currently observed against traditional antibiotics commonly used. The study was carried out to examine the chemical composition and to investigate the antibacterial activity of rosemary, cinnamon, cloves, eucalyptus, lemon, oregano and thyme essential oils against the reference strain of Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Fusobacterium necrophorum (ATCC 25286), Trueperella pyogenes (ATCC 19411) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213), considered as typical bacteria causing endometritis.

Disintegrability under composting conditions of films based on gelatin, chitosan and/or sodium caseinate containing boldo-of-Chile leafs extract.

Biodegradable films based on pure gelatin (GEL100), chitosan (CH100) and sodium caseinate (SCas100), and gelatin-chitosan (GEL50:CH50) and gelatin‑sodium caseinate (GEL50:SCas50) blends, without or with boldo-of-Chile leafs extract (BoC) were studied. The solubility in water (%) of all the pure films was analyzed. Moreover, the disintegration process was evaluated throughout the mass loss (%), structural (FTIR) changes and visual analyses of films up to 5 days of composting conditions.

Comparative biochemical profiles, production and reproduction status of the post-partum dairy cows with and without purulent vaginal discharge.

Purulent vaginal discharge (PVD) is a prevalent uterine disease of dairy cows during the puerperium that affects the milk production and affects the profitability of farms. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the biochemical profile, the body condition score, the milk production of cows with PVD and the effects PVD on reproductive performance. A total of 338 Holstein dairy cows aged from 3 to 5 years, from three commercial dairy farms, from Brazil, were used.

Recent patents on the use of antioxidant agents in food.

The application of antioxidant ingredients is one of the most common ways to delay and prevent the detrimental effect of oxygen in foods. Some of the most widely used and studied antioxidants are carboxylic acids, tocopherols and thiol-containing compounds. However, consumer trends towards healthier and safer foods, together with the increasing concern for the potential toxicity of some antioxidants are leading research efforts towards the use of antioxidants obtained from natural sources, such as plant phenols, essential oils and chitosan.