Insights from the yield, protein production, and detailed alkaloid composition of white (Lupinus albus), narrow-leafed (Lupinus angustifolius), and yellow (Lupinus luteus) lupin cultivars in the Mediterranean region

Introduction

Lupins and other legumes have been considered as alternative plant-based protein sources to soybeans for both humans and livestock. Furthermore, they can contribute to more sustainable agricultural systems. The productivity and chemical composition of legumes is highly variable between species, cultivars, and with the edaphoclimatic conditions.

Methods

This work evaluated the adaptability of seven Lupinus cultivars in two different sowing locations, during two consecutive years, through the characterization of their seed, as a means of investigating their suitability to be used as a source of food and/or feed.

Results and discussion

Lupinus angustifolius cv. Tango and Lupinus luteus cv. Acos were the most stable genotypes across the environments when considering the seed and protein production, while L. luteus cv. Alburquerque and L. luteus cv. Mister showed less variation in the total alkaloid content across the environments. The edaphoclimatic conditions affected seed and protein yields, as higher rainfall resulted in high productivity. The lower temperatures observed in the first year at both locations caused a reduction in the production of alkaloids in L. luteus cv. Acos and Cardiga. Due to the high alkaloid content of some of the studied cultivars their use as food or feed can pose some safety concerns. However, these cultivars can have high levels of resistance to herbivore and insect attacks, which can be of the utmost importance for the use of these crops for recovering poor or exhausted soils.

Effects of Urtica urens in the Feed of Broilers on Performances, Digestibility, Carcass Characteristics and Blood Parameters

With the aim of improving animal health and productivity, plants or plant extracts that have antimicrobial, antifungal and antioxidant properties are often used in studies with broilers. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of Urtica urens in broilers. Ninety male Ross chicks were used, randomly placed in 30 pens (three broilers per pen). The broilers were assigned to three treatment groups: group CT (control) received a basal diet; group UU1 received a basal diet with 1% dried Urtica urens; and group UU2 received a basal diet with 2% dried Urtica urens. Each treatment consisted of two feeds, distributed from day 1 to 15 (starter) and from day 15 to 36 (grower). As a result of this study, broilers in the UU1 treatment group had higher weight on day 15 (p = 0.029) and day 36 (p = 0.014) than those in treatments CT and UU2 and a higher daily weight gain between days 1 and 15 (p = 0.028) and days 1 and 36 (p = 0.014). Broilers in the UU1 and UU2 groups had lower serum HDL cholesterol (88.8 and 88.9 mg/dL, respectively) than the CT (96.1 mg/dL). In conclusion, the use of dried Urtica urens at 1% as an additive in broiler diets may affect growth performance and blood HDL cholesterol.

The 2009-2014 economic crisis and deaths by suicide in Portugal: time series analysis

Introduction

Population health, including mental health, is influenced by its socioeconomic context. After the 2008 global economic crisis, studies found contradicting results: some showed an increased risk for self-harm and suicidal behavior, while others found the opposite association. To the best of our knowledge, there is no research in Portugal on the subject. Thus, our aim was to estimate the impact of the Portuguese economic crisis of 2009-2014 on the death rate by suicide and self-inflicted injury in Portugal.

Methods

A retrospective ecological study with an interrupted time series analysis of deaths by suicide and self-inflicted injury (data from the National Statistics Institute) in mainland Portugal, in 2003-2014, was performed. Resident population data was also retrieved from the National Statistics Institute. Binomial negative generalized linear models were used to compare rates and trends before (2003-2008) and during (2009-2014) the economic crisis. All rates were stratified and adjusted for seasonality.

Results

The economic crisis was associated with 13% a step increase in the death rate due to suicide and self-inflicted injury, with unemployment playing a significant mediating role, being negatively associated to the outcome. Differences between groups exist, with males, working-age groups and the North and Centre regions being the most impacted, globally.

Conclusions

Economic downturns pose risks for suicidal behavior. Unemployment may play a role in this association. Employment protection schemes can prevent this impact, so urgent action is needed to prevent economic crisis leading to additional suicides, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis it caused.

Key messages

• The Portuguese economic crisis of 2009-2014 was associated with an increased death rate due to suicide, especially in males, working-age groups and the North and Centre regions.

• Unemployment may play a role in this association, and active labour market programmes can prevent the negative impacts of economic crisis leading to additional suicides.

The economic burden of Diabetes Mellitus in Belgium from 2013 to 2017

Background

Considering the growing prevalence of chronic disease and diabetes mellitus (DM) in Belgium, alongside population aging, insight into the economic burden of DM is essential for decision makers. To the best of our knowledge, there is no research on the subject in Belgium. Thus, our aim was to estimate the direct and indirect costs associated to DM in Belgium between 2013 and 2017.

Methods

On a first phase, we performed a retrospective observational study, calculating the direct (i.e., ambulatory care, hospitalizations and medications) and indirect (work absenteeism, by multiplying mean daily wage and days absent from work) costs in the Belgian population with DM in 2013-2017. Data was retrieved from the Belgian Intermutualistic Agency (which manages compulsory health insurance) database and the Belgian Health Interview Survey database, namely DM prevalence, healthcare costs, days absent from work and sociodemographic and health factors. Subsequently, negative binomial regression models were used to assess the association of mean yearly costs to DM and adjustments for age, education level, physical activity, sugared drink consumption and body-mass index were included. Mean incremental costs were estimated through recycled predictions, considering the observed DM prevalence in Belgium in the study period and a counterfactual scenario with null prevalence.

Results

We found a direct mean yearly incremental cost of €2 477 per DM patient, in Belgium, associated with age, low educational level and low physical activity. In the total Belgian population, the total yearly incremental healthcare cost of DM was €1.5 billion. Indirect yearly incremental cost of DM resulted to be not significantly different from the population without DM.

Conclusions

DM has a major economic burden in Belgium, one that is expected to continue to rise in the future, alongside population aging. These results are essential for health planning and resource allocation.

Key messages

• DM has a major economic burden in Belgium, especially when it comes to direct health expenditures with ambulatory care, hospitalizations and medications.

• Considering the growing prevalence of DM and population aging, these results are essential for health planning and resource allocation.

Can the Introduction of Different Olive Cakes Affect the Carcass, Meat and Fat Quality of Bísaro Pork?

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of different olive cakes in the diet of Bísaro pigs on the carcass, meat and fat. The carcasses of 40 animals fed a diet with five treatments (T1—Basic diet and commercial feed; T2—Basic diet + 10% crude olive cake; T3—Basic diet + 10% olive cake, two phases; T4—Basic diet + 10% exhausted olive cake; T5—Basic diet + 10% exhausted olive cake + 1% olive oil) were used to study the effect on carcass traits, physicochemical meat quality and lipid composition of meat and backfat. There were no significant differences between treatments for the conformation measurements performed, except for the length at the seventh and last rib (p < 0.05). The percentage of prime cuts of the carcass in Bísaro pig is within the values indicated by the Portuguese Standard 2931. No significant differences between treatments for body weight, pH and carcass weight were found. The values of ultimate pH (5.7), L* (51−52), b* (11−12) and SF (3.4−4.2) observed confirm a non-exudative and firm meat without quality deviations, such as DFD or PSE. Thus, as a general conclusion, the inclusion of different olive cakes in the diet of Bísaro pigs did not cause any negative consequences on the carcass characteristics and conformation as well as in the meat and lipidic quality. In addition, the inclusion of this olive industry by-product in the animal diet would be an important contribution to solving the problem of the great environmental impact from olive-mill wastewaters from the extractive industries.

Effects of Dietary Incorporation of Grape Stalks Untreated and Fungi-Treated in Growing Rabbits: A Preliminary Study

Simple Summary

The use of winery by-products as an animal feed ingredient in rabbit production can enhance the sustainability of this livestock sector by reducing feeding costs and simultaneously diminishing environmental problems related to the management of those by-products. White-rot fungi have been studied for the delignification of lignocellulosic materials due to their potential to decrease the content of lignin. In fact, white-rot fungi also improve the nutritional value due to the deposition of bioactive compounds, acting as a possible biological treatment to enhance the nutritive value of grape stalks. The objective of this work was to evaluate the incorporation of untreated grape stalks and fungi-treated grape stalks in rabbits’ diets.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the incorporation of untreated grape stalks (U_GS) and fungi-treated grape stalks (Lentinula edodes, T_GS) in rabbits’ diets. The control group was fed with a control diet without grape stalks (C), two experimental groups were fed on diets with 5% and 10% incorporation of U_GS (5U_GS and 10U_GS), and two with 5% and 10% incorporation of T_GS (5T_GS and 10T_GS). Rabbits fed with T_GS diets showed higher daily weight gain (p = 0.034), feed conversion rate (p = 0.002), carcass weight (p = 0.038), and reference carcass weight (p = 0.03) when compared to the control diet. Moreover, animals fed with T_GS diets showed an increase in the caecum (p = 0.015) and small intestine (p = 0.021) lengths and in the total volatile fatty acid content (p = 0.005) compared to animals fed U_GS diets. Blood triglyceride levels were lower in animals fed with T_GS diets compared to U_GS (p = 0.005) and C (p ≤ 0.001) diets (12% and 19% lower, respectively), and a trend to lower cholesterol levels was observed (p = 0.071). Meat from rabbits fed with T_GS diets had higher levels of linoleic acid, γ-linolenic, ∑ω-6, ∑PUFA, and ∑PUFA/∑SFA ratio compared to rabbits fed with the C diet. Results indicated that grape stalks (U_GS and T_GS) could be effectively used as an alternative raw material in rabbits’ diets without compromising animal performance.

COVID-19 government response measures: analysis in the European Union

Introduction

The global spread of COVID-19 has led to a wide range of responses from governments, including in the European Union (EU). Measures involve travel restrictions, school closings, bans on public gatherings, emergency investments in healthcare, contact tracing and social welfare. However, responses have varied in scope, stringency and timing. The aim of this study was to analyse government response measures in the EU and differences across EU countries, in 2020.

Methods

Using Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker indices (Stringency Index, Containment and Health Index, Economic Support Index, Overall Government Response Index; all scored 1-100), estimates were analysed for the EU and each country, in 2020.

Results

While the Stringency, Overall Government Response and Containment and Health indices were generally in line with COVID-19 incidence progression (peak in April-May, decrease in the summer, new increase in the fall and second peak in November-December), for all EU countries, the Economic Support Index showed heterogeneous patterns between countries. In the EU, the Stringency Index ranged from 1,85 to 96,30 (median:54,63; SD:21,07), the highest median in Ireland and the lowest Croatia. The Containment and Health Index ranged from 1,92 to 84,29 (median:52,88; SD:17,77), again with Ireland showing the highest median, but this time, Estonia the lowest. For the Economic Support Index, ranging from 12,50 to 100 (median:75,00;SD:20,36), Cyprus had the highest median, and Germany the lowest. The Overall Government Response Index ranged from 1,67 to 83,78 (median:55,83; SD:18,36), with the highest median in Cyprus and the lowest in Estonia.

Conclusions

There was wide variation in response measures across the EU countries, in 2020. The Economic Support Index showed quite a different pattern compared to the other ones. Understanding these trends and patterns allows for mutual learning and better preparedness for future pandemics.

Key messages

There was wide variation in response measures across the EU in 2020, especially in economic support. Understanding these patterns allows for better preparedness in future pandemics.

Impact of the 2009-2014 economic crisis on suicide attempts and self-harm in Portugal

Background

Following the worldwide economic crisis of 2008, studies have found an increased risk for self-harm and suicide attempts, many of which need hospital care. There is no research in Portugal on the matter. Therefore, our goal was to estimate the impact of the Portuguese economic crisis of 2009-2014 on the hospital admission rates by attempted suicide and self-harm in Portugal.

Methods

A retrospective ecological study, with an interrupted time series analysis of hospital admissions by suicide attempts (data from the national Hospital Mobility Database) in mainland Portugal, between 2003 and 2014, was performed. Resident population data over 15 years old was retrieved from the National Statistics Institute. Poisson regression models were used to compare rates and trends before (2003-2008) and during (2009-2014) the Portuguese economic crisis. All rates were adjusted for seasonality.

Results

A total of 35,077 hospital admission episodes by suicide attempt were retrieved. The mean admission rate was 2.947 per 100 000 inhabitants per month before the crisis, falling to 2.798 during the crisis period. Before the crisis, the total admission rate was decreasing 1% per year. After the crisis erupted, there was a level change, with a sudden increase of 7.9%. The suicide and self-harm admission rate, after 2008, was constant and approximately 38.8% higher than expected if the earlier trend had continued.

Conclusions

There was an increase in the total hospital admission rate by suicide attempts and self-harm during the economic crisis period in Portugal, when compared to the previous period.

Key messages

Economic crisis can pose considerable suicide risks. Urgent action is needed to prevent economic crisis leading to additional suicides.

Effect of cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata (L.) Walp) Stover dietary inclusion level on total tract apparent digestibility of nutrients in growing rabbits

Although agro-industrial co-products have low economic value as foods for human consumption, they may have potential value as animal feedstuffs. This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of cowpea stover inclusion in rabbits’ diet on growth performance and nutrient digestibility. A total of 180 animals were randomly assigned to 3 treatments (CS0, CS2 or CS4, with no inclusion, 20 or 40 g/kg of cowpea stover, respectively). Animal performance was evaluated between the 53^rd and 67^th d of age in 48 animals per treatment. The coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre and gross energy were measured between 63 to 67 d of age in 12 animals per treatment. Results showed that, in general, CTTAD values were not affected by the inclusion of cowpea stover. Nevertheless, a trend towards a decrease in crude protein digestibility (<em>P</em>=0.0848) was observed when including cowpea stover. This had a negative influence on digestible protein (P=0.0240) and on the ratio between digestible protein and digestible energy (<em>P</em>=0.0231) for diet CS4. Rabbits showed normal figures for growth rate (on av. 46.8 g/d), feed intake (on av. 168.3 g/d) and feed conversion ratio (on av. 3.61). Future studies should assess the possibility of incorporating higher levels of cowpea stover while analysing the economic impact of this inclusion.

Ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions following the application of clinoptilolite on the litter of a breeding hen house

The husbandry of chicken for meat generates high levels of gases, being a serious problem for the health of birds and workers as well as for the environment. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of clinoptilolite as litter additive on the concentrations and emissions of ammonia (NH₃), nitrous oxide (N₂O), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and methane (CH₄) from a breeding hen house under Mediterranean climate conditions. Two similar breeding hen houses were selected, and one house was assigned as control whereas the other house was treated with clinoptilolite as a litter additive. Data were collected during the winter season, in two occasions, first between 26 November and 18 December 2017 and second from 1 to 20 February 2018. Results showed that the application of clinoptilolite on the litter of a breeding hen house reduces the NH₃ and N₂O losses in 28 and 34%, respectively, but appears to have no effect on CO₂ losses. In addition, the in-house CH₄ concentrations were below the detection limits.

Effects of animal type (wild vs. domestic) and diet alfalfa level on intake and digestibility of European adult rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the level of alfalfa in the diet on feed intake and digestibility of two types of rabbits, wild (Oryctolagus cuniculus algirus) vs. domestic (O. cuniculus cuniculus). Ten wild (W; mean LW = 927 g) and 10 domestic (D; mean LW = 4,645 g) adult rabbit does were fed ad libitum two pelleted diets: a control diet (C) with 15% of dehydrated alfalfa hay (as feed basis) and a test diet (A) with 36% of dehydrated alfalfa hay (as feed basis), according to a change-over design. Wild does dry matter (DM) intake per kg live weight (BW) was 55% higher (p < .001) than the intake of the D ones (58 g vs. 37 g DM per kg BW respectively). However, no difference (p > .05) was found when intake was expressed per kg^0.75 BW (ca. 56 g DM) and tended to be higher (p = .07) in D does when expressed per kg^0.67 BW (62 g vs. 55 g DM). Domestic does showed a higher (p < .05) DM, organic matter, crude energy and neutral detergent fibre digestibility (3; 2; 3; 3 percentage points respectively) than W does. The amount of nutrients and energy digested by D does was lower per kg BW (p < .001), similar per kg^0.75 BW (p > .05) and tended to be higher per kg^0.67 BW (p < .1) than in W does. The diet content of alfalfa did not affect (p > .05) the feed intake nor the diet digestibility. This study suggests that W rabbits exhibit a higher intake per kg BW and a lower digestibility than their D counterparts, which results in similar digestible nutrient and energy intake per kg BW powered to 0.75. The nutritive value of dehydrated alfalfa for rabbits, evaluated through intake and digestibility, seems to be equivalent to their base diets (forage plus concentrate).

Potential use of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) stover treated with white-rot fungi as rabbit feed

BACKGROUND

Lignin inhibitory effects within the cell wall structure constitute a serious drawback in maximizing the utilization of fibrous feedstuffs in animal feeding. Therefore treatments that promote efficient delignification of these materials must be applied. This study evaluated the potential of white-rot fungi to upgrade the nutritive value of cowpea stover for rabbit feeding.

RESULTS

There was an increase in the crude protein content of all substrates as a result of fungi treatments, reaching a net gain of 13% for Pleurotus citrinopileatus incubation. Overall, net losses of dry and organic matter occurred during fungi treatments. Although the fiber content remained identical, higher consumption of cell wall contents was measured for P. citrinopileatus incubation (between 40 and 45%). The incubation period did not influence lignin degradation for any of the fungi treatments. Differences within the fungal degradation mechanisms indicate that P. citrinopileatus treatment was most effective, enhancing in vitro organic matter digestibility by around 30% compared with the control.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of cowpea stover with P. citrinopileatus led to an efficient delignification process which resulted in higher in vitro organic matter digestibility, showing its potential in the nutritional valorization of this feedstuff. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

A novel feedstuff: ensiling of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) stover and apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) mixtures. Evaluation of the nutritive value, fermentation quality and aerobic stability

BACKGROUND

Agro-industrial by-products are of low economic value as foods for human consumption but may have potential value as animal feedstuffs. This study evaluated a novel feedstuff, ensiled discarded apple (85%) and cowpea stover (15%) mixtures with two different ensiling periods (45 and 60 days), regarding the nutritive value, fermentation quality and aerobic stability.

RESULTS

Generally, no differences (P > 0.05) were observed between ensiling periods for nutritive value and fermentation characteristics. Silages were stable after ensiling, presenting high lactic acid (77.3 g kg^-1 dry matter (DM)) and acetic acid (54.7 g kg^-1 DM) and low ethanol (15.7 g kg^-1 DM) and NH₃ -N (105.6 g kg^-1 total N) concentrations. No butyric acid was detected in silages, and they were aerobically stable for up to 216 h. Lactic acid bacteria numbers were high at silo opening (7.14 log colony-forming units (CFU) g^-1 ), while Enterobacteriaceae were not detected and yeasts/moulds were low (2.44 log CFU g^-1 ). Yeast/mould and Enterobacteriaceae numbers grew considerably during 12 days of air exposure.

CONCLUSION

A mixture of low calibre discarded apples with cowpea stover can be used as animal feed after the ensiling process owing to its nutritive value and long aerobic stability. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of the dietary incorporation of olive leaves on growth performance, digestibility, blood parameters and meat quality of growing pigs

BACKGROUND

In a preliminary study the oxidative stability and tocopherol content of pork meat were shown to be improved by olive leaf (OL) feed supplementation at 50 and 100 g kg(-1) . However, growth performance was affected negatively. Therefore the objective of the present study was to assess the influence of OL supplementation at a lower level on feed digestibility, growth performance and meat quality.

RESULTS

Pigs were fed a basal diet (control), a basal diet with 25 g OL kg(-1) (OL2.5) or a basal diet with 50 g OL kg(-1) (OL5). The incorporation of OL significantly decreased growth rates (P = 0.010) and backfat thickness (P = 0.035) and increased feed/gain ratio (P = 0.032) in the OL5 group. Feed/gain ratio increased more for females (P = 0.001). The incorporation of OL decreased the crude fat (P = 0.006) and protein (P = 0.037) digestibility of both OL diets. Nevertheless, OL was effective in increasing the tocopherol content of meat (P = 0.009). However, meat from pigs fed the OL diets showed similar conjugated diene content, pH and colour parameters to that from pigs fed the control diet, even after 6 days of storage at 4 °C.

CONCLUSION

The data indicate that olive leaves may be included in pig diets at 25 g kg(-1) in order to improve the tocopherol content of meat without excessively compromising growth performance.

Growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of growing rabbits housed in cages or open-air park

Abstract. The study was carried out to investigate the effects of two housing systems on the growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of growing rabbits during the terminal fattening period. The rabbits were lodged in conventional cages between 35 and 59 days of age (growing period). At this age, they were moved into two different housing systems until they were 87 days of age (fattening period). During the fattening period, 48 rabbits were housed in 12 wire cages (0.5×0.6×0.35 m) and 48 rabbits were housed in one open-air pasture pen (20×9 m). At 87 days, 12 rabbits per treatment were slaughtered and the carcass characteristics and meat quality were evaluated. During the fattening period, the rabbits reared in cages had significantly higher live weights (3 062 vs. 2 705 g), weight gains (45.9 vs. 34.2 g·d−1) and feed intakes (163.4 vs. 110.2 g·d−1) than those reared in pens. The rabbits in the open-air group had a lower percentage of dissectible fat (1.35 vs. 4.19 %), a higher proportion of hind part (34.9 vs. 33.1 %), and less hind leg muscle (79.3 vs. 81.9 %) than caged rabbits. The m. biceps femoris of the rabbits in the open-air group had a higher cooking loss (3.64 vs. 3.02 %), Warner-Bratzler Shear Force (4.26 vs. 3.29 kg·cm−2), and myoglobin concentration (0.41 vs. 0.32 mg·g−1) than caged rabbits. The housing system had no effect on the dressing out percentage, viscera proportion, and ultimate pH. Open-air housing system reduces the growth of rabbits and the fat content of carcasses and increases the redness colour of meat.

23 PREGNANCY RATE IN NELORE COWS AFTER TEMPORARY CALF REMOVAL, AND USE OF HORMONAL PROTOCOLS WITH eCG

Both temporary calf removal (TCR) and administration of eCG are potentially useful to improve pregnancy rates in animals treated with fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) protocols. In the present work, two experiments were performed to compare the efficiency of eCG and/or TCR in FTAI protocols, with or without exogenous progesterone. In experiment 1, lactating Nelore cows (40 to 70 days post-partum, n = 220) were allocated to two Groups. At a random stage of the estrous cycle (Day 0), animals from Group GPE (GnRH/PGF2α/Estradiol)/eCG were treated with GnRH (50 mg lecireline, i.m.; Gestran Plus®; Tecnopec, Sao Paulo, Brazil). Seven days later (Day 7) they received PGF2α (150 mg D-cloprostenol, i.m.; Prolise®, Tecnopec) and eCG (300 UI, i.m.; Novormon®, Syntex). On Day 8 estradiol benzoate (EB, 1 mg, Estrogin®, Tecnopec) was administered, and 30–36 h later the animals were inseminated (FTAI). In Group DIB (bovine intravaginal device)/eCG an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device (1.0 g, DIB®, Syntex, Buenos Aires, Agrentina; Day 0) was inserted into the vagina of cows and EB (2.5 mg, i.m.) was given in parallel. Eight days later (Day 8), eGC (300 UI, i.m.) and D-cloprostenol (150 mg) were administered. Then the DIB was removed. Twenty-four hour after DIB removal, cows were treated with EB (1.0 mg, i.m.), and 30–36 h later the animals were inseminated (FTAI). Ultrasonographic evaluation of ovaries was performed in all experiments 10 days before and at the beginning of the treatments or TCR, in order to detect the presence of CL. Cows from Group DIB/eCG showed higher pregnancy rates than those from Group GPE/eCG (58%, 72/124 vs. 39.5%, 38/96, respectively, P < 0.01). Furthermore, only in Group GPE/eCG were pregnancy rates higher in animals with CL (47.6%, 20/42) when compared to those without CL (33%, 18/54, P < 0.05). In a second experiment, a possibly beneficial effect of TCR on GPE/eCG protocol was tested in lactating Nelore cows (40 to 70 days postpartum, n = 140). Animals of Group GPE/eCG (control) were treated as described above, whereas calves were removed for 48 h from cows in Group RTB/GPE/eCG prior to hormonal treatments. Lactating Nelore cows having their calves removed showed a significant increase in pregnancy rates compared to those without TCR (51.2%, 34/66 v. 28.4%, 21/74, respectively, P < 0.01), in both situations: animals with CL (54.8%, 17/31 v. 33.3%, 11/33, respectively, RTB/GPE/eCG v. GPE/eCG) or without CL (48.5%, 17/35 v. 24.3%, 10/41, respectively, RTB/GPE/eCG v. GPE/eCG). In conclusion, these results indicate that addition of eCG to the GPE protocol was not efficient enough to produce comparable results to those obtained with DIB/eCG protocol. However, calf removal before the GPE/eCG treatment increased pregnancy rates in cycling or anestrous (without CL) lactating Nelore cows.

Newborn screening for sickle cell disease in Brazil: the Campinas experience

Newborn screening for sickle cell disease commenced in 1992 in Sao Paulo State and by the end of 2000, the programme covered 78 institutions in 36 municipalities with the screening of 281,884 babies. Initially based on liquid cord blood samples, these are being replaced by dried filter paper capillary samples to ease handling and avoid diagnostic confusion from maternal contamination. The prevalence of sickle cell trait (2.0%) and HbC trait (0.6%) increased significantly between 1996 and 2000, apparently because of improved detection rather than the later introduction of institutions serving populations with higher trait frequencies. There were 29 babies with homozygous sickle cell SS disease and 26 with sickle cell-haemoglobin C (SC) disease, the latter significantly exceeding expectation and possibly attributable to a nonrandom selection of partners. Sickle cell-beta thalassaemia syndromes were proportionately more common than in Jamaica, and it is possible that this results from interaction with other Brazilian populations carrying higher beta thalassaemia gene frequencies. The frequency of abnormal haemoglobins in this population is lower than in Jamaica, but clinically significant sickle cell disease occurred once in every 5527 births, comparable with the frequencies of other significant inborn errors of metabolism.