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Azevedo BT, de Oliveira HN, Katiki LM, Filho AEV, Domingos AG, Antunes S, Okino CH, de Sena Oliveira MC, Ibelli AMG, Giglioti R. A small proportion of Zebu genetic background in crossbred calves may not be enough to improve resistance against natural bovine Babesia spp. infections. Vet Parasitol 2024; 328:110165. [PMID: 38490159 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2024.110165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
The main objective of cattle breeders in tropical and subtropical regions is to acquire animals with taurine-productive traits adapted to the broad weather range of these regions. However, one of the main challenges on using taurine genetics in these areas is the high susceptibility of these animals to tick-borne diseases. Consequently, the present study evaluated from 10 November 2021-19 April 2022, the over 13 assessments, the Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina DNA loads and the IgG anti-B. bovis and anti-B. bigemina levels in Angus (n = 17, 100% Taurine) and Ultrablack (n = 14, ∼82% taurine and 18% Zebu) calves. Data were analyzed using a multivariate mixed model with repeated measures of the same animal including the fixed effects of evaluation, genetic group, sex, Babesia spp., and their interactions. The repeatability values were estimated from the (co)variances matrix and expressed for each species. The correlations between the DNA loads (CNlog) and IgG titers (S/P) values for the two species were also estimated using the same model. Regarding the specific IgG antibody titers for both Babesia spp., no significant differences were observed between the two genetic groups. However, for B. bovis and B. bigemina DNA loads, Ultrablack calves presented significantly higher values than Angus calves. Under the conditions evaluated in this study, our findings suggest that the low percentage of Zebu genetic in the Ultrablack breed was insufficient to improve resistance against babesiosis. Further studies must demonstrate if the low percentages of Zebu genetics in Taurine breeds can modify the susceptibility to babesiosis infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Tainá Azevedo
- Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Sandra Antunes
- Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal
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Andrade LS, de Souza RS, Carvalho de Araujo A, Silva SDO, Melo MN, Melo FG, Ribeiro GHS, de Sousa FG, Bastos CV, Moreira TF, Meneses RM, Carvalho AU, Facury-Filho EJ, Silveira JAG. Hemopathogens in naturally infected bovine fetuses in Brazil. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2024; 15:102351. [PMID: 38788485 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2024.102351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
The transplacental transmission of parasites and hemoparasites is crucial for understanding the epidemiology of diseases. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of hemopathogens in bovine fetuses at various gestational periods. Samples were obtained from a slaughterhouse in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and a total of 236 fetuses were collected. DNA extracted from blood samples (145) and organ samples (a pool of brain and spleen) (236) underwent a nested PCR (nPCR) assay to detect Babesia spp., Theileria spp., Trypanosoma vivax, Anaplasma marginale, Anaplasma bovis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia minasensis, and hemotropic Mycoplasma spp. Additionally, serological analysis of 145 plasma samples was conducted using the indirect fluorescent antibody test-IFAT to detect IgG against Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, A. marginale, and Trypanosoma vivax. The observed prevalence of transplacental transmission was 19.3 %, 6.2 %, 42.7 % and 2.7 %, for A. marginale, B. bigemina, 'Candidatus M. haemobos', and Mycoplasma wenyonii, respectively. The prevalence of A. marginale by gestational trimester was 16 % (13/81) in the second trimester and 23 % (14/60) in the third trimester, with no positive samples in the first trimester. Regarding the species B. bovis and B. bigemina, all evaluated animals tested negative by nPCR, and no serological evidence for B. bovis was found by the IFAT. Babesia bigemina demonstrated an overall seroprevalence of 6.2 % (9/145), with 4.8 % (7/145) in the last trimester and 1.3 % (2/145) in the second trimester of pregnancy. In total, 42.7 % (62/145) of blood samples were positive for 'Candidatus M. haemobos', with 42 % (34/81) in the middle trimester, and 43 % (26/60) in the final trimester of pregnancy. Mycoplasma wenyonni was detected in 2.7 % (4/145) blood samples, all in coinfection with 'C. M. haemobos'. The prevalence by pregnancy trimester was 25 % (1/4) in the first trimester; 1.2 % (1/81) in the second trimester and 3.3 % (2/60) in the third trimester of pregnancy. Hemopathogen DNA was detected in fetus blood samples but not the brain or spleen samples. All the samples were negative for T. vivax, Theileria spp., Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. Overall, in this study, approximately 70 % of fetuses were positive for one or more of the studied parasites. No significant associations were observed between pairs of pathogens, except 'C. M. haemobos' and A. marginale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro Silva Andrade
- Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Rayanne Soalheiro de Souza
- Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Andreina Carvalho de Araujo
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Soraia de Oliveira Silva
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Maria Norma Melo
- Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Fabricio Gomes Melo
- Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Henrique Siqueira Ribeiro
- Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Felipe Gaia de Sousa
- Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Camila Valgas Bastos
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Tiago Facury Moreira
- Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Melo Meneses
- Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Antônio Ultimo Carvalho
- Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Elias Jorge Facury-Filho
- Departamento de Clínica e Cirurgia Veterinárias, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Júlia Angélica Gonçalves Silveira
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Escola de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais 31270-901, Brazil.
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David G, da Silva Arce CD, de Araujo Neto FR, de Albuquerque LG, Giglioti R, Okino CH, de Almeida Regitano LC, de Sena Oliveira MC, de Oliveira HN. Estimation of genetic parameters for the tick and hemoparasite burden in Angus cattle. Trop Anim Health Prod 2023; 55:302. [PMID: 37726409 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-023-03714-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
The study was conducted with the objective of estimating genetic and phenotypic parameters for tick (CRM) and Babesia bigemina (IBBi), Babesia bovis (IBBo), and Anaplasma marginale (IAM) burden in Angus female breed in Brazil. The sample group was composed of Angus females raised in herds located in a region of endemic instability for cattle tick fever in the state of Rio Grande Sul (RS), Brazil. The variance components were estimated using Bayesian inference and Gibbs sampling algorithm, considering a multi-trait animal model. Heritability estimates showed values of low magnitude, ranging from 0.03 (IBBo) to 0.16 (CRM), while repeatability estimates ranged between 0.07 (IBBo) and 0.21 (CRM). Regarding the genetic correlation estimates, the values showed low (-0.01 for IBBo × IAM) to moderate (0.55 between IBBi × IAM) magnitudes. The results indicate that it is possible to use tick count and hemoparasite infection levels as selection criteria, with small genetic gains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela David
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Estadual Paulista-UNESP, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Rodrigo Giglioti
- Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA), Nova Odessa, São Paulo, Brazil
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Frabetti AF, Katiki LM, Caetano L, Sarti MB, Falasca TM, Polli H, Verissimo CJ, Vercesi Filho AE, de Oliveira HN, de Sena Oliveira MC, Giglioti R. Natural levels of Rhipicephalus microplus infestation and Anaplasma marginale infection in Angus and Ultrablack calves. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2023; 89:131-140. [PMID: 36602624 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-022-00770-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Infections by Anaplasma marginale and infestations by Rhipicephalus microplus occur endemically in Brazil, representing an obstacle to expanding the use of taurine breeds, which are more susceptible. In this study, the levels of infection by A. marginale and infestation by R. microplus were monitored in 31 calves that were either purebred or had a high degree of taurine blood: 17 Angus (100% taurine) and 14 Ultrablack (ca. 82% taurine and 18% Zebu). The animals were evaluated on 13 occasions at 12-day intervals. The levels of A. marginale infection were determined by quantification of DNA copy number (CN) by qPCR, and ticks were monitored by two methods: counting adult females (≥ 4.5 mm) and scoring the level of tick infestation considering all visible instars in the animals' bodies. No significant effects were observed between the means of CN of A. marginale, tick counts and scores among Angus and Ultrablack animals. The repeatability estimates for CN of A. marginale, tick counts and tick scores were 0.53, 0.12 and 0.16, respectively. The correlations between CN and tick counts and scores were close to zero, whereas the correlations between tick assessment methods were 0.57. The absence of differences between the two genetic groups indicates, under the conditions of the present study, that the low degree of Zebu blood did not influence the levels of infection by A. marginale or infestation by R. microplus. The results also suggest that the evaluation of the levels of infestation by ticks using scores can provide information closer to the real infestation rate considering that it uses all the visible instars of the parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luciana Morita Katiki
- Instituto de Zootecnia, Rua Heitor Penteado, 56, Nova Odessa, 13380-011, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Laura Caetano
- Instituto de Zootecnia, Rua Heitor Penteado, 56, Nova Odessa, 13380-011, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mayne Barboza Sarti
- Instituto de Zootecnia, Rua Heitor Penteado, 56, Nova Odessa, 13380-011, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Hiago Polli
- Instituto de Zootecnia, Rua Heitor Penteado, 56, Nova Odessa, 13380-011, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cecília José Verissimo
- Instituto de Zootecnia, Rua Heitor Penteado, 56, Nova Odessa, 13380-011, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Rodrigo Giglioti
- Instituto de Zootecnia, Rua Heitor Penteado, 56, Nova Odessa, 13380-011, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Martins KR, Garcia MV, Bonatte-Junior P, Duarte PO, Csordas BG, Higa LDOS, Zimmermann NP, Barros JC, Andreotti R. Seasonal fluctuations of Babesia bigemina and Rhipicephalus microplus in Brangus and Nellore cattle reared in the Cerrado biome, Brazil. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:395. [PMID: 36307861 PMCID: PMC9617377 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05513-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The tick Rhipicephalus microplus (Ixodida: Ixodidae, Canestrini, 1888) causes substantial economic and health losses in cattle production and is the main vector of Babesia bigemina (Piroplasmidae: Babesidae, Smith & Kilborne, 1893). Babesia bigemina is responsible for a tick-borne disease known as babesiosis that can cause hemolytic anemia, fever and death. In the study reported here, we investigated the relationship between the number of ticks per animal and the number of B. bigemina cytochrome b gene (cbisg) copies in the blood of Brangus and Nellore cattle reared without acaricidal treatment in the Brazilian Cerrado biome over a 1-year period. Methods Ticks on 19 animals (9 Brangus and 10 Nellore cattle) were counted every 18 days, and blood was collected every 36 days for 12 months. Serological samples were analyzed with an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and genomic DNA was analyzed by conventional PCR and quantitative PCR. The PCR products were sequenced by the Sanger method. Results The Brangus and Nellore breeds showed similar weight development and no clinical signs of babesiosis. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) between the breeds were observed for the number of ticks and the number of B. bigemina cbisg gene copies. Conclusions No correlation between the number of ticks and the number of circulating copies of cbisg was observed, although Nellore cattle presented with fewer ticks than Brangus cattle and the number of cbisg copies was higher for Nellore cattle than for Brangus cattle. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05513-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kauê Rodriguez Martins
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Fundação Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, 79070-900, Brazil.,Embrapa Gado de Corte, Vila Popular, Avenida Radio Maia, 830., Campo Grande, MS, 79106-550, Brazil
| | - Marcos Valério Garcia
- Embrapa Gado de Corte, Vila Popular, Avenida Radio Maia, 830., Campo Grande, MS, 79106-550, Brazil
| | - Paulino Bonatte-Junior
- Embrapa Gado de Corte, Vila Popular, Avenida Radio Maia, 830., Campo Grande, MS, 79106-550, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal, Fundação Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Pâmella Oliveira Duarte
- Embrapa Gado de Corte, Vila Popular, Avenida Radio Maia, 830., Campo Grande, MS, 79106-550, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Fundação Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Barbara Guimarães Csordas
- Embrapa Gado de Corte, Vila Popular, Avenida Radio Maia, 830., Campo Grande, MS, 79106-550, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Fundação Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Leandro de Oliveira Souza Higa
- Embrapa Gado de Corte, Vila Popular, Avenida Radio Maia, 830., Campo Grande, MS, 79106-550, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Fundação Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Namor Pinheiro Zimmermann
- Embrapa Gado de Corte, Vila Popular, Avenida Radio Maia, 830., Campo Grande, MS, 79106-550, Brazil.,Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Campus Palotina, Palotina, PR, 85950-000, Brazil
| | - Jacqueline Cavalcante Barros
- Embrapa Gado de Corte, Vila Popular, Avenida Radio Maia, 830., Campo Grande, MS, 79106-550, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal, Fundação Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, 79070-900, Brazil
| | - Renato Andreotti
- Embrapa Gado de Corte, Vila Popular, Avenida Radio Maia, 830., Campo Grande, MS, 79106-550, Brazil.
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Vouraki S, Gelasakis AI, Fotiadou V, Banos G, Arsenos G. Repeatability of Health and Welfare Traits and Correlation with Performance Traits in Dairy Goats Reared under Low-Input Farming Systems. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9060289. [PMID: 35737341 PMCID: PMC9231351 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9060289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The objectives of the study were to estimate the repeatability of health and welfare traits and investigate their association with performance in three breeds of dairy goats reared under low-input farming systems in Greece. A total of 1210 goats of Eghoria (n = 418), Skopelos (n = 429), and Damascus (n = 363) breeds were assessed. Udder health, parasitic resistance, welfare, milk yield and quality, and body condition score were recorded monthly for two milking periods. Udder health records included somatic cell count (SCC) and total viable count (TVC). Based on combinations of SCC and TVC and thresholds set at >106 cells/mL and >2 × 104 cfu/mL, respectively, additional udder health phenotypes were defined. Parasitism included myiasis, tick infestation, gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) and cestode faecal egg count (FEC), and lungworm faecal larval count (FLC). Infection with each of the endoparasites was defined based on FEC/FLC. Welfare assessment parameters included the presence of ear and horn injuries, ocular and nasal discharge, body and udder abscesses, injury and lesions on the skin of different regions, diarrhoea, hernias, overgrown hooves, arthritis, lameness, and udder asymmetry. Trait repeatability and animal correlations were estimated. Significant (p < 0.05) repeatability was reported for all udder health and most welfare traits in all breeds, GIN and cestode FEC, and GIN and lungworm infection in Eghoria, and myiasis in Skopelos. Correlations of health and most of welfare traits with performance were non-significant or favourable. Overall, results demonstrate potential to improve health and welfare of the studied breeds without compromising performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sotiria Vouraki
- Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (V.F.); or (G.B.); (G.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-2310999977
| | - Athanasios I. Gelasakis
- Department of Animal Science, School of Animal Biosciences, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece;
| | - Vasileia Fotiadou
- Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (V.F.); or (G.B.); (G.A.)
| | - Georgios Banos
- Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (V.F.); or (G.B.); (G.A.)
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Georgios Arsenos
- Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (V.F.); or (G.B.); (G.A.)
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Fava NMN, Alves TS, Lopes MG, Labruna MB, Santos AQ, Cury MC. Occurrence and Molecular Identification of Hemoparasites in Wild Mammals Kept in Rehabilitation Centers in Brazil. Acta Parasitol 2022; 67:476-486. [PMID: 34797498 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00492-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Hepatozoonosis and piroplasmosis are diseases caused by apicomplexan protozoa that affect different types of animals, including mammals. The present study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of Hepatozoon spp. and piroplasms in wild mammals kept in captivity in rehabilitation centers in the states of Minas Gerais and Goiás, Brazil. METHODS For this, blood samples from 152 animals were collected and analyzed by conventional optical microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In addition, positive PCR samples were submitted to sequencing for molecular characterization of the specimens found. RESULTS Microscopic analysis revealed 53 of the 152 animals (28.3%) parasitized by piroplasms. No Hepatozoon sp. was observed. On the other hand, using the primers HepF300/HepR900 and Piro1F/Piro5R, both amplifying fragments of the 18S rDNA gene, eight animals (5.2%) were positive for Hepatozoon spp. and 40 (26.3%) for piroplasms. From the sequencing of the positive samples Hepatozoon canis, Hepatozoon felis, Theileria cervi, Theileria equi and Cytauxzoon felis were identified. In addition to the aforementioned hemoparasites, some animals were found parasitized by microfilaria. Such data ratify the presence of hemoparasites in captive wild animals, and are unprecedented in the two geographical regions covered by the present study. 19.7% of mammals harbored ectoparasites of the genera Amblyomma and Rhipicephalus. CONCLUSION Wild mammals are infected by several pathogens that can also infect domestic animals, some of them potentially zoonotic which can directly contribute to mortality and species reduction. Therefore, a deep understanding of the parasites, the hosts and the diseases is extremely necessary so that prevention, control and treatment measures are effectively applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália M N Fava
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Molecular Biology of Parasites, Biomedical Science Institute, Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), Amazonas Avenue w/n, Umuarama Campus, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, 38400-902, Brazil.
| | - Talita Silva Alves
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Molecular Biology of Parasites, Biomedical Science Institute, Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), Amazonas Avenue w/n, Umuarama Campus, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, 38400-902, Brazil
| | - Marcos Gomes Lopes
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva Avenue, 87-Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Bahia Labruna
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva Avenue, 87-Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - André Quagliatto Santos
- Wild Animals Teaching and Research Laboratory (LAPAS), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Uberlândia, Mato Grosso Avenue, 3289-Umuarama Campus, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil
| | - Márcia Cristina Cury
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Molecular Biology of Parasites, Biomedical Science Institute, Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), Amazonas Avenue w/n, Umuarama Campus, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, 38400-902, Brazil
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Giglioti R, Okino CH, Azevedo BT, Wedy BCR, Gutmanis G, Veríssimo CJ, Katiki LM, Filho AEV, de Oliveira HN, Oliveira MCDS. Semi-quantitative evaluation of Babesia bovis and B. bigemina infection levels estimated by HRM analysis. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101753. [PMID: 34134061 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Bovine babesiosis is economically the most important arthropod-borne disease of cattle worldwide. The most significant damage caused by bovine babesiosis is attributed to Babesia bovis due to its higher pathogenicity. This study aimed to develop a real-time PCR method followed by HRM (high-resolution melting) analysis for the simultaneous detection of B. bovis and B. bigemina, enabling a semi-quantitative analysis of Babesia levels using a single-tube reaction. The HRM was compared with real-time PCR using species-specific hydrolysis probes. The HRM analysis allowed to differentiate both Babesia species and was sensitive in the detection and differentiation of 10% for each Babesia species in the sample. Our results suggest the use of this method to estimate the prevalence of infections by B. bovis or B. bigemina as an alternative to the methods of absolute quantification by real-time PCR since it neither requires precise estimates of the number of DNA loads nor the construction of calibration curves. The simultaneous detection of the two Babesia species can be used to characterise the infection levels in cattle populations from different geographical regions, allowing a better control of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Giglioti
- Instituto de Zootecnia, Rua Heitor Penteado, n. 56, Nova Odessa, São Paulo 13380-011, Brazil.
| | | | - Bianca Tainá Azevedo
- Instituto de Zootecnia, Rua Heitor Penteado, n. 56, Nova Odessa, São Paulo 13380-011, Brazil
| | | | - Gunta Gutmanis
- Instituto de Zootecnia, Rua Heitor Penteado, n. 56, Nova Odessa, São Paulo 13380-011, Brazil
| | - Cecília José Veríssimo
- Instituto de Zootecnia, Rua Heitor Penteado, n. 56, Nova Odessa, São Paulo 13380-011, Brazil
| | - Luciana Morita Katiki
- Instituto de Zootecnia, Rua Heitor Penteado, n. 56, Nova Odessa, São Paulo 13380-011, Brazil
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Cavani L, Braz CU, Giglioti R, Okino CH, Gulias-Gomes CC, Caetano AR, Oliveira MCDS, Cardoso FF, de Oliveira HN. Genomic Study of Babesia bovis Infection Level and Its Association With Tick Count in Hereford and Braford Cattle. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1905. [PMID: 33013839 PMCID: PMC7493685 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bovine babesiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by intraerythrocytic protozoa and leads to substantial economic losses for the livestock industry throughout the world. Babesia bovis is considered the most pathogenic species, which causes bovine babesiosis in Brazil. Genomic data could be used to evaluate the viability of improving resistance against B. bovis infection level (IB) through genomic selection, and, for that, knowledge of genetic parameters is needed. Furthermore, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) could be conducted to provide a better understanding of the genetic basis of the host response to B. bovis infection. No previous work in quantitative genetics of B. bovis infection was found. Thus, the objective of this study was to estimate the genetic correlation between IB and tick count (TC), evaluate predictive ability and applicability of genomic selection, and perform GWAS in Hereford and Braford cattle. The single-step genomic best linear unbiased prediction method was used, which allows the estimation of both breeding values and marker effects. Standard phenotyping was conducted for both traits. IB quantifications from the blood of 1,858 animals were carried using quantitative PCR assays. For TC, one to three subsequent tick counts were performed by manually counting adult female ticks on one side of each animal's body that was naturally exposed to ticks. Animals were genotyped using the Illumina BovineSNP50 panel. The posterior mean of IB heritability, estimated by the Bayesian animal model in a bivariate analysis, was low (0.10), and the estimations of genetic correlation between IB and TC were also low (0.15). The cross-validation genomic prediction accuracy for IB ranged from 0.18 to 0.35 and from 0.29 to 0.32 using k-means and random clustering, respectively, suggesting that genomic predictions could be used as a tool to improve genetics for IB, especially if a larger training population is developed. The top 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms from the GWAS explained 5.04% of total genetic variance for IB, which were located on chromosomes 1, 2, 5, 6, 12, 17, 18, 16, 24, and 26. Some candidate genes participate in immunity system pathways indicating that those genes are involved in resistance to B. bovis in cattle. Although the genetic correlation between IB and TC was weak, some candidate genes for IB were also reported in tick infestation studies, and they were also involved in biological resistance processes. This study contributes to improving genetic knowledge regarding infection by B. bovis in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ligia Cavani
- School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Camila Urbano Braz
- School of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Giglioti
- Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Cintia Hiromi Okino
- Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste, São Carlos, Brazil
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10
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Martins KR, Garcia MV, Bonatte-Junior P, Duarte PO, de Higa LOS, Csordas BG, Barros JC, Andreotti R. Correlation between Rhipicephalus microplus ticks and Anaplasma marginale infection in various cattle breeds in Brazil. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2020; 81:585-598. [PMID: 32681278 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00514-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The tick Rhipicephalus microplus is responsible for the transmission of Anaplasma marginale, which causes hemolytic anemia, abortion, decreased production, and mortality in cattle in Brazil. However, A. marginale can also persist in cattle herds without any clinical signs. This study investigated the relationship between the number of ticks present on each cattle and the circulating number of A. marginale msp1β gene copies in the blood of Brangus and Nellore cattle reared in the Brazilian Cerrado through a year period. Twenty-three animals (11 Brangus and 12 Nellore) were raised for 12 months with ticks counted every 18 days, and blood collected every 36 days. Blood sera was used for total antigen iELISA, genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood by the phenol/chloroform method and then analyzed by PCR to confirm A. marginale presence with the msp5 gene. Positive samples were quantified by qPCR using msp1β gene. Brangus cattle presented 4.5 fold more ticks than Nellore group. Although Brangus cattle carried a higher overall A. marginale msp1β gene presence than Nellore cattle, no relationship of tick count and copy number could be achieved due to high variability in copy number. Moreover, both breeds showed similar weight gain and a similar serological pattern throughout the year. None of the animals showed any clinical signs of anaplasmosis during the experimental period, indicating that a low level of tick infestation may be sufficient to maintain a stable enzootic situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kauê Rodriguez Martins
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Marcos Valério Garcia
- Bolsista DCR, Fundapam - Governo do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul/Laboratório de Biologia do Carrapato, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Paulino Bonatte-Junior
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Pãmella Oliveira Duarte
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Leandro Oliveira Souza de Higa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Guimarães Csordas
- Bolsista DCR, Fundapam - Governo do Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul/Laboratório de Biologia do Carrapato, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em doenças Infecciosas e Parasitárias, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Jacqueline Cavalcante Barros
- Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Avenida Radio Maia, 830, Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Renato Andreotti
- Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Avenida Radio Maia, 830, Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil.
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11
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Giglioti R, de Oliveira HN, Gutmanis G, Luciani GF, Azevedo BT, de Carvalho Fiorin CF, de Andrade MF, Silva MAF, Vercesi Filho AE, Katiki LM, Okino CH, de Sena Oliveira MC, Veríssimo CJ. Correlations and repeatability between Babesia spp. infection levels using two dairy cattle breeding systems. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2020; 81:599-607. [PMID: 32676999 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-020-00515-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina are tick-transmitted piroplasms that cause severe damage to the livestock industry in tropical regions of the world. Recent studies demonstrated differences in infection levels of these haemoparasites among bovine breeds and variation between individual cows regarding resistance to these diseases. This study aimed to estimate the repeatability and correlations between B. bovis and B. bigemina using two cattle breeding systems, an individual system (IS) and a collective paddock system (CPS). All animals were Holstein breed, and the levels of B. bovis and B. bigemina in blood samples were estimated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The estimated correlations for the B. bigemina and B. bovis DNA copy number for IS and CPS were moderate and high, respectively, whereas repeatability estimates for both systems and both Babesia species were moderate. Although we cannot infer that the type of rearing system directly influenced the correlation and repeatability coefficients, it appears that the bovine parasitemia burden may be dependent on (or determine) the parasitemia burden on ticks because the bovines remained in the same place for a longer time in both systems. Thus, the babesiosis infection levels of the ticks may have been uniform, a phenomenon that also ensures greater uniformity in cattle infection. This factor may have favored the occurrence of infected ticks leading to higher repeatability estimates and correlations. Our study confirms high variability in resistance/susceptibility between breeds, and the high correlations found may be linked to this characteristic and the most intensive breeding type of dairy cattle. Besides, under the present study conditions, the estimated correlations suggest that measuring an infection level of one Babesia species can predict the level of infection of the other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Giglioti
- Instituto de Zootecnia, Rua Heitor Penteado, n. 56, Nova Odessa, São Paulo, 13380 011, Brazil.
| | | | - Gunta Gutmanis
- Instituto de Zootecnia, Rua Heitor Penteado, n. 56, Nova Odessa, São Paulo, 13380 011, Brazil
| | | | - Bianca Tainá Azevedo
- Instituto de Zootecnia, Rua Heitor Penteado, n. 56, Nova Odessa, São Paulo, 13380 011, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Luciana Morita Katiki
- Instituto de Zootecnia, Rua Heitor Penteado, n. 56, Nova Odessa, São Paulo, 13380 011, Brazil
| | | | | | - Cecília José Veríssimo
- Instituto de Zootecnia, Rua Heitor Penteado, n. 56, Nova Odessa, São Paulo, 13380 011, Brazil
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12
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Payne E, Sinn DL, Spiegel O, Leu ST, Wohlfeil C, Godfrey SS, Gardner M, Sih A. Consistent individual differences in ecto‐parasitism of a long‐lived lizard host. OIKOS 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/oik.06670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eric Payne
- Dept of Environmental Science and Policy, Univ. of California Davis 1 Shields Ave. Davis CA 95616‐5270 USA
| | - David L. Sinn
- Dept of Environmental Science and Policy, Univ. of California Davis 1 Shields Ave. Davis CA 95616‐5270 USA
- Dept of Biological Sciences, Univ. of Tasmania Hobart Tasmania Australia
| | - Orr Spiegel
- School of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv Univ. Tel Aviv Israel
| | - Stephan T. Leu
- Dept of Biological Sciences, Macquarie Univ. Sydney Australia
| | - Caroline Wohlfeil
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders Univ. Adelaide Australia
| | | | - Michael Gardner
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders Univ. Adelaide Australia
- Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum North Terrace Adelaide Australia
| | - Andy Sih
- Dept of Environmental Science and Policy, Univ. of California Davis 1 Shields Ave. Davis CA 95616‐5270 USA
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13
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Giglioti R, Bassetto CC, Okino CH, de Oliveira HN, de Sena Oliveira MC. Development of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the detection of Anaplasma marginale. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2019; 77:65-72. [PMID: 30478537 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-018-0327-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Parasitemia generated by Anaplasma marginale causes significant losses in the cattle industry. A major constraint to the effective control and management of anaplasmosis in livestock is the lack of a rapid and reliable diagnostic test to identify the parasite and allow for immediate therapy. In the present study, we developed a novel DNA-based assay for the detection of A. marginale in bovine blood samples, using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). DNA from six cattle and hemoparasite samples (Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, Anaplasma centrale and A. marginale) were tested for specificity, sensitivity and cross-reactions. The developed LAMP procedures were also confirmed and compared with the qPCR method. The same gene sequence (major surface protein 1b, msp1b) of A. marginale was used to design a set of primers for the LAMP and qPCR assays. The results showed that LAMP is specific, as no positive signal was observed for the other tested hemoparasites. However, the sensitivity of the qPCR assay was ten times higher than LAMP. Our findings indicate that this LAMP method has a good sensitivity and high specificity for the detection of A. marginale and may have a potential application in the detection and differentiation of bovine anaplasmosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Giglioti
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, 14884-900, Brazil.
- Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste, Rodovia Washington Luiz, Km 234, CP 339, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13560‑970, Brazil.
- Centro de Pesquisa de Genética e Reprodução Animal, Instituto de Zootecnia, Rua Heitor Penteado, n. 56, Nova Odessa, São Paulo, 13380-011, Brazil.
| | - César Cristiano Bassetto
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, 14884-900, Brazil
- Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste, Rodovia Washington Luiz, Km 234, CP 339, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13560‑970, Brazil
| | - Cintia Hiromi Okino
- Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste, Rodovia Washington Luiz, Km 234, CP 339, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13560‑970, Brazil
| | - Henrique Nunes de Oliveira
- Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, 14884-900, Brazil
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14
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Okino CH, Giglioti R, Silva PC, de Oliveira HN, de Sena Oliveira MC. Comparative evaluation of DNA extraction kit, matrix sample and qPCR assays for bovine babesiosis monitoring. Mol Biol Rep 2018; 45:2671-2680. [DOI: 10.1007/s11033-018-4436-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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15
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Giglioti R, de Oliveira HN, Okino CH, de Sena Oliveira MC. qPCR estimates of Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina infection levels in beef cattle and Rhipicephalus microplus larvae. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2018; 75:235-240. [PMID: 29728802 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-018-0260-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/28/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Babesia spp. are tick-transmitted intraerythrocytic apicomplexan parasites that infect wild and domestic animals. Babesia bovis and B. bigemina are endemic and responsible for enormous economic losses to the livestock industry in most of the Brazilian territory, wherein the tick Rhipicephalus microplus is the unique vector. Better understanding of epidemiology and parasite-host interactions may improve the tools for disease control and genetic management for selection of resistant animals. This study aimed to detect, quantify and measure the correlation between B. bigemina and B. bovis infection levels in bovine blood and into tick, by absolute quantification of hemoparasite DNA using qPCR. Blood bovine samples and larvae pools from 10 engorged R. microplus females were collected from each Canchim heifers (5/8 Charolais + 3/8 zebu, n = 36). All evaluated samples were positive for both Babesia species tested. Correlations of B. bovis and B. bigemina levels between cattle and tick host were 0.58 and 0.66, respectively. These high positive correlation coefficients indicate that parasitemia load in the bovine may be dependent on or may determine the parasitemia load in the ticks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Giglioti
- Universidade Estadual Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Unesp Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | | | - Cintia Hiromi Okino
- Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste, Rodovia Washington Luiz, Km 234, CP 339, São Carlos, São Paulo, 13560-970, Brazil
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