Suchergebnisse

The aim of this study was to examine the behavioral, productive, reproductive and thermoregulatory performance of 3/4 and 7/8 Holstein/Gir (HG) dairy cows to identify which genetic composition suffers the least heat stress. A completely randomized design was adopted involving 20 multiparous, lactating crossbred cows from a dairy farm located in the municipality of Turvânia - GO, Brazil. During the experimental period, data on behavioral, productive, reproductive and thermoregulatory traits were collected every 15 days. Bioestat (5.0) statistical software was used for statistical analysis. The mean temperature-humidity index, ambient temperature and relative humidity obtained throughout the experimental period were 74.45, 30.51 ºC and 63.64%, respectively. In terms of reproductive performance, there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the genetic compositions for the time from calving to first service, with a longer period shown by the animals with greater Holstein breed genetic composition. Service period and calving interval differed significantly (p < 0.05) during the experimental period between the genetic compositions. A significant difference (p < 0.05) was also detected between the compositions for respiratory rate, with higher values observed in the animals with higher European genetic composition. Benezra thermal comfort index also differed significantly (p < 0.05), with the 7/8 HG animals showing a higher value. Lactating cows with a 7/8 HG genetic composition achieved better results in milk production, whereas those with 3/4 HG genetic composition showed superiority in milk fat composition and reproductive and thermoregulatory performance, indicating greater adaptation to the climatic conditions of the region.

Continuous climate changes associated with the disorderly occupation of urban areas have exposed Latin American populations to the emergence and reemergence of arboviruses transmitted by Aedes aegypti. The magnitude of the financial and political problems these epidemics may bring to the future of developing countries is still ignored. Due to the lack of effective antiviral drugs and vaccines against arboviruses, the primary measure for preventing or reducing the transmission of diseases depends entirely on the control of vectors or the interruption of human-vector contact. In Brazil the first attempt to control A. aegypti took place in 1902 by eliminating artificial sites of eproduction. Other strategies, such as the use of oviposition traps and chemical control with dichlorodiphenyltrichlorethane and pyrethroids, were successful, but only for a limited time. More recently, biotechnical approaches, such as the release of transgenics or sterile mosquitoes and the, development of transmission blocking vaccines, are being applied to try to control the A. aegypti population and/or arbovirus transmission. Endemic countries spend about twice as much to treat patients as they do on the prevention of mosquito-transmitted diseases. The result of this strategy is an explosive outbreak of arboviruses cases. This review summarizes the social impacts caused by A. aegypti-transmitted diseases, mainly from a biotechnological perspective in vector control aimed at protecting Latin American populations against arboviruses.