Loading...
97 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 10 of 97
- Avaliação biométrica do terço posterior de bovinos de raça alentejana: resultados preliminaresPublication . Palma, R.; Vicente, António; Espadinha, P.; Carolino, NunoThe biometric evaluation is an evaluation method that aims to know the size of the animals from the measurement of several biometric elements. This type of evaluation should be associated with linear evaluation to understand which animals have desirable characteristics related to growth and muscular development. The aim of this study was to perform a biometric evaluation of the backpart of Alentejana cattle portuguese breed; the specific objectives were to perform measurements of various elements of the animal, like thoracic perimeter, body length, width and length of the rump. This work has been carried out so far in several farms affiliated with the breeders association (Associação dos Criadores de Bovinos da Raça Alentejana), based in Herdade da Coutada Real in Assumar, Monforte, between April and June 2017. 134 animals were measured during this period but a wider database was used, with information from 1342 animals from the breeder´s association, with measurements and presenting global reference values: the height at the withers (1,34±0,60m in females and 1,50±0,02m in males), the body length (1,617±0,900m in females and 1,77±0,02m in males), the thoracic perimeter (2,057±0,900m in females and 2,373±0,046m in males), the rump length (0,558±0,430m in females and 0,626±0,009m in males), the outside rump width (0,557±0,004m in females and 0,734±0,059m in males) and the hip-femural width (0,492±0,060m in females and 0,548±0,014m in males). From the results obtained we concluded that there was a positive evolution over the years, related to the animal’s size and conformation and we noticed a great homogeneity between animals, which is justified by values of standard deviation (between 0.030 and 0.207) and coefficient of variation low (between 5.8% and 14%). This type of evaluation is still rarely used by breeder’s associations, but there is expected that their use will help them in the selection and breeding of animals, when associated with other selection methods, like linear evaluation.
- Consanguinidade no cavalo Puro-sangue LusitanoPublication . Carolino, Nuno; Vicente, António
- Genetic structure, relationships and admixture with wild relatives in native pig breeds from Iberia and its islandsPublication . Gama, Luis; Martinez, Amparo; Carolino, Inês; Landi, Vincenzo; Delgado, Juan; Vicente, António; Sousa, ConceiçãoBackground: Native pig breeds in the Iberian Peninsula are broadly classified as belonging to either the Celtic or the Mediterranean breed groups, but there are other local populations that do not fit into any of these groups. Most of the native pig breeds in Iberia are in danger of extinction, and the assessment of their genetic diversity and population structure, relationships and possible admixture between breeds, and the appraisal of conservation alternatives are crucial to adopt appropriate management strategies. Methods: A panel of 24 microsatellite markers was used to genotype 844 animals representing the 17 most important native swine breeds and wild populations existing in Portugal and Spain and various statistical tools were applied to analyze the results. Results: Genetic diversity was high in the breeds studied, with an overall mean of 13.6 alleles per locus and an average expected heterozygosity of 0.80. Signs of genetic bottlenecks were observed in breeds with a small census size, and population substructure was present in some of the breeds with larger census sizes. Variability among breeds accounted for about 20% of the total genetic diversity, and was explained mostly by differences among the Celtic, Mediterranean and Basque breed groups, rather than by differences between domestic and wild pigs. Breeds clustered closely according to group, and proximity was detected between wild pigs and the Mediterranean cluster of breeds. Most breeds had their own structure and identity, with very little evidence of admixture, except for the Retinto and Entrepelado varieties of the Mediterranean group, which are very similar. Genetic influence of the identified breed clusters extends beyond the specific geographical areas across borders throughout the Iberian Peninsula, with a very sharp transition from one breed group to another. Analysis of conservation priorities confirms that the ranking of a breed for conservation depends on the emphasis placed on its contribution to the betweenand within-breed components of genetic diversity. Conclusions: Native pig breeds in Iberia reveal high levels of genetic diversity, a solid breed structure and a clear organization in well-defined clusters.
- O porco Malhado de Alcobaça : importância da sua conservação e divulgaçãoPublication . Vicente, António
- Portuguese Equidae native breeds: main characteristics, census and demographic parametersPublication . Vicente, António; Carolino, Nuno; Fradinho, M.J.The aim of this study was to summarise the main characteristics of the Portuguese Equidae native breeds. Portugal is a small country from the southwest of Europe with 50 recognised domestic native breeds. Among them there are 6 Equidae breeds, 4 equine (Lusitano, Sorraia, Garrano and Terceira pony) and 2 donkey populations (Miranda and Graciosa). In this review we present an overall census of each population, average body weight, height at withers, skills and uses, dynamics in the studbook and some demographic parameters such as known generations, generation interval and inbreeding. Lusitano horse is the main equine breed, with a close studbook and small census of 3,623 breeding females (half outside Portugal), spread around the globe with more than 30 countries breeding it. The Garrano pony is a small horse from the northwest, with a close studbook, with 1,994 breeding females, 162 stallions, and 435 breeders. Sorraia horse is a primitive southern European breed regarded as an universal genetic resource, very resistant and versatile, managed as a close population since 1937 with only 18 breeders, ~150 breeding females and a total of ~350 animals worldwide. Terceira Pony, from Azores, with an open studbook, was the last to be recognised (2014), with a total of ~100 animals descending from 14 founders. The Miranda donkey from the northeast is a long bay coat animal, with a calm temperament suited for agriculture, milk production and leisure, with a total of 756 females, 60 stallions and 460 breeders. The Graciosa donkey, from Azores, is the most recently recognised donkey breed (2015). With a very small size, a scarce census of 92 dams, of which only 22 are in production, 13 stallions and 63 breeders, are bred for conservation, tourism and milk production. Beside the opportunities for research and conservation programs, all these breeds represent important socio-economic and ecological values, that will enhance the sustainability of Mediterranean production systems.
- Genetic diversity in the Lusitano horse breed assessed by pedigree analysisPublication . Vicente, António; Carolino, Nuno; Gama, LuisGenetic diversity and population structure were analyzed in the Lusitano horse breed based on pedigree information of animals registered in the Studbook, to identify factors which may have affected the genetic variability of the breed, and provide the bases for the establishment of sustainable utilization programs. Pedigree records collected from 1824 to 2009, including information on 53,411 animals, were used in the analyses. The mean generation interval was 11.33±5.23 and 9.71±4.48 years for sires and dams, respectively, while the mean number of offspring registered was 13.13±22.53 for stallions and 4.00±3.38 for mares. All great-grandparents were known for the animals in the reference population (registered foals born from 2005 to 2009, n=9712), which had a mean number of equivalent generations known of 11.20±0.71 and an average inbreeding of 11.34±7.48%. For this population, the rate of inbreeding per year was 0.173±0.070, and the effective population size computed from this rate was about 28. The mean relationship among animals from the same and from different studs was 0.31±0.16 and 0.15±0.10, respectively. In spite of the high within-stud relationship, inbreeding has been kept lower than expected due to restrictions imposed by breeders on selection and allocation of mates. The effective number of founders, ancestors and studs contributing to the current genetic pool was 27.5, 11.7 and 5.4, respectively. Over the last 30 years, contributions to the genetic pool of Lusitano have been decreasing, with a reduction to about one-half in the effective number of founders and ancestors. Of the 267 founder sires, only 9 Y-chromosome sources are currently represented, with an effective number of 2.23. The diversity of mt-DNA sources is broader, with 129 lineages represented and an effective number of 42.8. The results of our study reflect the intensive emphasis that has been placed on a few sire-families over the years, and raise concerns regarding the conservation of genetic diversity for the future. Methods designed to minimize inbreeding and maximize the maintenance of genetic contributions from different founders and ancestors should be envisaged, to prevent further losses of genetic variability in the Lusitano horse breed.
- Padrões de crescimento no cavalo de desporto: aplicação de funções não-linearesPublication . Fradinho, M.J.; Assunção, D.; Costa, A.L.; Maerten, C.; Gonçalves, V.; Teixeira, A.; Fangueiro, L.; Bliebernicht, M.; Vicente, AntónioO conhecimento das taxas de crescimento mais adequadas a cada raça e tipo de utilização é fundamental para criadores e utilizadores. O presente estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar os padrões de crescimento de cavalos de desporto, nascidos e criados numa coudelaria de referência, em França, utilizando funções não lineares. Para o efeito, 72 poldros (39 machos e 33 fêmeas) das raças Hanoveriana e Oldenburgo foram periodicamente pesados e medidos, tendo sido obtidos 1.382 registos para o peso vivo (PV) e altura ao garrote (AG). Os dados foram recolhidos entre o nascimento e os 5 anos de idade, quando os cavalos já estavam em trabalho regular. Inicialmente, foram ajustadas várias funções não-lineares (Brody, Logistic, Gompertz, von Bertalanffy e Richards) utilizando o procedimento NLIN do SAS. Contudo, a equação de Richards y = A(1 – b.exp(-kt))M foi escolhida para a análise posterior por se tratar do modelo que melhor se ajustou às duas variáveis. As taxas de crescimento (GMD, kg/d ou cm/d) foram obtidas a partir da primeira derivada das equações e o efeito do sexo foi também avaliado. O PV médio à idade adulta foi de 623,2±14,1 kg e a altura ao garrote 172,9±1,3 cm. Segundo os modelos obtidos, as proporções (%) do PV adulto aos 6, 12, 24, 36 e 48 meses de idade foram, respetivamente, 39, 55, 74, 84 e 90%. As proporções da AG para as mesmas idades foram 80, 87, 93, 96 e 98%. Não foi observado dimorfismo sexual para a AG. No entanto, os modelos relativos ao PV são diferentes entre poldros e poldras (P<0,0001). As taxas de crescimento obtidas são semelhantes às descritas noutras raças de desporto para um crescimento moderado. O estudo apresentado demonstra que a equação de Richards pode ser utilizada para descrever com precisão o crescimento e o desenvolvimento de cavalos de desporto.
- Controlo do parasitismo num núcleo de cavalos de raça SorraiaPublication . Crespo, Maria Virgínia; Tagarroso, Isabel; Rosa, Fernanda; Vicente, António; Borges, PaulaNo sentido de se reavaliar a eficácia do esquema profilático antiparasitário implementado em 2004, procedeu-se à determinação do tipo de parasitismo, grau de infeção e evolução através do período de reaparecimento de ovos, em fezes de equinos da raça Sorraia da ESAS. As amostras de fezes foram sujeitas a exames qualitativos, quantitativos e coproculturas. O parasitismo foi idêntico ao registado anteriormente (estrongílideos gastrintestinais, Strongyloides westeri e Cyathostomum spp.) com o mesmo grupo de animais, acrescido de oocistos de Eimeria sp. e de L3 de Strongylus e Triodontophorus. Após a desparasitação com Eqvalan®, o PRO foi de 9 semanas nas fêmeas e de 23 semanas nos machos. Os machos exibiram sempre infeções ligeiras e as fêmeas, cerca de 300 dias após a primeira desparasitação, apresentaram infeções mais severas, com médias de eliminação > 500 estrongilídeos gastrintestinais/ovos por grama de fezes, tendo-se realizado uma segunda desparasitação. Comparativamente aos estudos anteriores, embora se tenha verificado um aumento da diversidade parasitária, houve o alargamento do período de reaparecimento de ovos. Assim, os dados obtidos sugerem a substituição do esquema de tratamento bianual, para um outro, com intervalo de oito meses, no sentido de minimizar os custos e a pressão do antihelmíntico sobre a fauna parasitária. In order to access the effectiveness of the antiparasitic prophylactic program implemented in 2004, a study on gastrointestinal parasite shed in faeces was monthly performed between March and December 2011, considering the parasitic type, degree of infection, parasitism evolution and egg reappearance period. Coprological exams by qualitative and quantitative and coprocultures were performed. The type of parasitism was identical to that recorded in previous studies with the same group of animals (strongylids gastrointestinals, Strongyloides westeri and Cyathostomum spp.), plus oocysts of Eimeria sp. and L3 larva of Strongylus and Triodontophorus. After deworming with Eqvalan®, the egg reappearance period was 9 weeks (70 days) in females and 23 (177 days) in stallions. The stallions always exhibited light infections and females, about 300 days after the first deworming had more severe infections with the egg output average above 500 gastrintestinal strongylids, which determined a second deworming. Comparatively to previous studies, although there was an increase in parasite diversity, the Egg Reappearance Period was higher. Thus, the data suggest the replacement of the current biannual treatment to another with an interval of eight months, in order to minimize costs and antihelminthic pressure on parasite fauna.
- Malhado de Alcobaça: uma raça suína autóctone em risco de extinçãoPublication . Carolino, I.; Pereira, R. L. N.; Carolino, Nuno; Vicente, António
- Caractérisation démographique du cheval lusitanienPublication . Vicente, António; Carolino, Nuno; Gama, Luis