The Northeastern donkey is an ecotype adapted to the Brazilian Semi-arid region, which has developed adaptive, reproductive, and behavioral characteristics distinct from other donkey breeds, due to natural selection imposed by the Caatinga biome. In this context, the evaluation of reproductive and neonatal behavioral parameters is fundamental, as it allows us to understand reproductive efficiency, neonatal viability, and the animals' adaptation to the environment, supporting management strategies, genetic conservation, and improvement of animal production systems. This study investigated the influence of parity on gestational, placental, and neonatal parameters of 29 female donkeys and their foals, divided into primiparous and multiparous females, monitored from gestation to the immediate postpartum period. The statistical design used was completely randomized, divided into two treatments: primiparous and multiparous females. The females were subjected to controlled reproductive and nutritional management, associated with daily monitoring of mammary secretion pH, as an auxiliary tool for predicting parturition. During parturition and in the first hours of the foals' lives, the following parameters were recorded using an ethogram: female weight, gestation duration, parturition time, time to placental delivery, placental weight, placenta/mother weight, neonate weight, neonate/mother weight, and placenta/neonate weight; and neonatal variables: time to sternal recumbency, time to standing, suckling reflex, first suckling, first urination, and meconium passage. The data were subjected to ANOVA, and specifically, mammary pH data were subjected to Pearson correlation. The progressive reduction in mammary pH was similar between the groups, reaching a value of 6.4 close to parturition, which occurred approximately 39 hours after this value. The foals of multiparous mares were born heavier (18.92kgs ± 1.99) than those of primiparous mares (16.35kgs ± 2.27), a fact that was reflected in neonatal vigor, as they were quicker to stand (primiparous 46.25min ± 29.80min and multiparous: 22.90 ± 11.63), as well as to perform the first suckling (primiparous 93.50min ± 28.20 and multiparous 57.00min ± 21.62) faster. Although the foals of primiparous jennies were slower in the three aforementioned parameters, there was no difference between treatments for the other neonatal parameters evaluated. It is concluded that although parity does not alter gestational or placental parameters, it does have an impact on the development and initial agility of donkey neonates of the Northeastern ecotype.

The Caatinga is a biome exclusively found in Brazil, predominantly in the northeastern region
of the country. It is characterized by a semi-arid climate and flora and fauna adapted to drought.
Among the various plant species found in the region, *Mimosa tenuiflora* (Willd.) Poir,
popularly known as black jurema, stands out in folk medicine for its antioxidant and
antimicrobial effects, due to its potential for the production of condensed tannins. This study
aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, as well as the chelating capacity
of iron (Fe2+) and copper (Cu2+) metal ions, of different types of black jurema bark extracts.
The material was collected at the experimental farm of the Federal Rural University of
Pernambuco (UFRPE), in the municipality of Garanhuns-PE. The samples were subjected to
drying, grinding, and extraction: purified, ethanolic, and aqueous. Antimicrobial assays were
performed using the broth dilution method with two strains, Staphylococcus aureus 25923 and
Staphylococcus aureus PE 86. Antioxidant assays were performed using the DPPH and ABTS
methods, and copper and iron chelating activities were assessed. The extracts were analyzed at
concentrations of 62.5, 125, 250, 500, and 1000 μg/mL. The results showed that all extracts
exhibited significant antimicrobial activity, varying with the type of extract, concentration, and
bacterial strain, with results above 80% at intermediate concentrations. Inhibition against the
ATCC 25926 strain was highest for all three extracts, with values of 81.51% and 85.14% at
concentrations of 500 and 250 μg/mL, respectively, for the purified extract. And with values
of 82.95% and 84.49% for the ethanolic and aqueous extracts at a concentration of 500 μg/mL,
respectively. For the PE 86 strain, the antimicrobial inhibition was lower compared to the first
strain tested. The antioxidant activity, evaluated by the ABTS and DPPH methods, showed
values close to 84% at the highest concentrations, indicating high antioxidant capacity, with
greater efficiency for the ABTS assay. In the Fe chelating assay, the extracts showed similar
behavior, with values above 60% at the highest concentrations of 100, 500, and 250 μg/mL,
with a maximum of 62.80% at 500 μg/mL for the purified extract. Regarding Cu chelation, the
purified tannin showed 63.54% and 62.52% at concentrations of 1000 and 500 μg/mL,
respectively, decreasing sharply to 10.77% at a concentration of 62.5 μg/mL. The ethanolic and
aqueous extracts of tannin showed maximum values of 65.50% and 64.12% at 1000 μg/mL,
respectively. It is concluded that the condensed tannins from Mimosa tenuiflora bark have
significant antimicrobial, antioxidant, and chelating potential, regardless of the extraction
method, highlighting their applicability as a natural alternative.

The intensification of agricultural production based on the excessive use of chemical fertilizers has generated significant environmental impacts, thereby increasing the demand for more sustainable strategies. In this context, the use of bioinputs based on plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) and biochar has emerged as a promising alternative for forage grass production. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of seed microbiolization in forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) through inoculation and co-inoculation of PGPB associated with biochar pelleting on seed germination, morphophysiology, biomass production, and plant morphogenesis. In addition, the study sought to develop a modified culture medium supplemented with L-tryptophan and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) to induce metabolic pathways in bacterial strains and stimulate greater production of indoleacetic acid, phosphate solubilization, and biological nitrogen fixation, thereby enhancing crop performance. Experiments were conducted under germination chamber, greenhouse, and field conditions using Rhizobium cauense and Burkholderia heleia strains, applied either individually or in co-inoculation, associated or not with biochar pelleting and different nitrogen fertilization levels. Germinative, morphophysiological, productive, and morphogenetic traits of forage sorghum were evaluated. Overall, biological treatments (inoculation, co-inoculation, pelleting, or their association) promoted significant improvements in crop performance. The integration between PGPB and biochar increased plant height by up to 35.57%, leaf area by 21.78%, total green biomass by 120.77%, and total dry biomass by 68.28% compared to the control treatment, in addition to expressive increases in chlorophyll contents. In comparison with conventional nitrogen fertilization, biological treatments showed similar or superior performance for several evaluated parameters. The results highlight the functional complementarity of the bacterial strains and their synergistic interaction with the pelleting material. Furthermore, the modified inoculant formulation promoted improvements in vegetative and productive traits, indicating greater bacterial metabolic efficiency and enhancement of plant growth-promoting mechanisms. Overall, the findings demonstrate that the integration of seed microbiolization, PGPB, biochar, and bioactive formulations represents a promising strategy for the sustainable intensification of forage grass production.

This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with different levels of Mimosa tenuiflora bark extract on growth performance, intestinal health, and physiological parameters of European quails. A total of 420 European quails (Coturnix coturnix), from 1 to 35 d of age, were randomly assigned to six dietary treatments, with seven replicates of ten birds each. The treatments consisted of: a positive control (PC), receiving a basal diet supplemented with an antibiotic growth promoter (AGP); a negative control (NC), receiving the basal diet without AGP or plant extract; and the NC diet supplemented with 1.43, 2.86, 4.29, or 5.71% M. tenuiflora bark extract. Growth performance was evaluated at 14 and 35 d of age. At 35 d, carcass traits, nutrient digestibility, intestinal histomorphometry, cecal microbial populations, oocyst excretion, and serum biochemical parameters were assessed. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, and treatment means were compared using Tukey's test at a 5% significance level. Dietary supplementation with M. tenuiflora extract significantly affected final body weight, body weight gain, and feed intake, whereas feed conversion ratio and viability were not influenced. The extract also affected carcass weight, breast weight, and celomic fat deposition without altering carcass or breast yield. Moderate inclusion levels improved crude protein and neutral detergent fiber digestibility and enhanced intestinal morphology, as evidenced by increased villus height, absorptive area, and villus-to-crypt ratio, along with reduced crypt depth. In addition, the extract favorably modulated the cecal microbiota by reducing Escherichia coli counts and oocyst shedding, while improving serum biochemical indicators associated with energy and lipid metabolism, with no evidence of hepatic or renal impairment at moderate inclusion levels. Overall, the responses were dose-dependent, with moderate supplementation levels providing the greatest improvements in growth performance, intestinal integrity, and metabolic status. It can be concluded that Mimosa tenuiflora bark extract has potential as a natural alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in diets for European quails, with 1.43% being the most effective inclusion level under the conditions of this study.

With constant climate change, the use of adapted plants, such as forage cactus, is essential. Despite the large number of varieties, the most widespread varieties in the field are only Mexican Elephant Ear, Miúda, and IPA-Sertânia, making the crop vulnerable to pest and disease attacks and loss of genetic diversity. The use of participatory methodologies is an alternative to bringing producers closer to genetic improvement programs, considering their preferences and facilitating the acceptance of new cultivars. The objective of this study is to identify and evaluate traits of interest in forage cactus genotypes through participatory evaluations. Ten forage cactus clones (IPA-200016, IPA-200174, IPA-100661, IPA, 100662, IPA-200205, IPA-200149, IPA-100004, IPA-200206, IPA-200008, IPA-100664) that were implanted in the experimental farm of UFRPE in the city of Garanhuns - PE were evaluated. Six producers and 18 researchers and field technicians participated, who were divided into 2 groups (producers and researchers). The selection criterion was based on the availability to participate and having experience with the crop. Scores from 1 to 4 (1 - poor, 2 - fair, 3 - good, and 4 - excellent) were assigned to the following characteristics: stand uniformity, growth rate, growth habit, number of cladodes, cladode size, cladode color, phytosanitary aspects, presence and abundance of spines and glochidia, and regrowth capacity. Biometric evaluations were performed, evaluating plant height and width, and the number, length, and width of cladodes. The characteristic that obtained the lowest averages was phytosanitary aspects, with 1.43 assigned by the producers and 1.37 by the researchers, both for the small cultivar. In the presence and abundance of spines and glochidia, the cultivars classified with the highest averages by the producers were 3.14 F-08 and 3.0 OEA clone 6, while by the researchers they were 3.25 Orelha de Onça, 3.02 OEM, and OEA clone 6. The tallest and shortest plants, respectively, were IPA-Sertânia and Orelha de Onça. The widest plant was F-08 and the shortest was OEA clone 6. The plants with the highest average length of total cladodes were IPA-Sertânia and OEM. In terms of the number of total cladodes, the cultivar with the lowest performance was OEA clone 9. The responses given by the groups of researchers and producers were not very divergent, which can be considered an advantage, since the desirable and undesirable characteristics are viewed from the same perspective. Through participatory assessments, producers can determine what improvements they expect for forage palm crops, such as plants that are less susceptible to pests and diseases and have a higher incidence of cladodes, contributing to the success of genetic improvement programs.

Donkey milk has proven to be a promising alternative for human consumption, with a chemical composition similar to that of human milk. It is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, which are important for the prevention of inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases. It contains low levels of fat and total protein but is rich in lactose, making it a viable option for individuals, including children, with cow’s milk protein allergy. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the progressive inclusion of soybean oil in the diet of jennies of the Northeastern ecotype on the modification of the fatty acid profile and nutritional composition of the milk. Sixteen female donkeys (Equus asinus) of the Northeastern ecotype, aged between 3 and 7 years and with an average body weight of 185 ± 30 kg, were used. The animals were randomly allocated into four experimental groups with four animals per group. The treatments consisted of a control diet without soybean oil and three formulations containing the progressive replacement of 10%, 20%, and 30% of digestible energy (DE) from grains with DE from soybean oil. After 25 days of adaptation to the diets, milk sampling began for physicochemical composition analysis. Samples were collected for five consecutive days in the morning (07:00). Data were subjected to analysis of variance, and means were compared using Tukey’s test (P<0.05). An influence of soybean oil inclusion levels on the composition of milk unsaturated fatty acids was observed. Oleic acid showed a linear increase (P = 0.0157), reaching values of 4.96 g·100 g⁻¹ in the diet containing 30% soybean oil. Linoleic acid differed among treatments (P = 0.0091), with the highest concentrations in the 30% group (7.68 g·100 g⁻¹). This pattern was also corroborated when evaluating the total unsaturated fatty acids in the milk, which increased (P = 0.0255) according to the rising soybean oil level in the diet. The unsaturated:saturated ratio showed a linear increase (P = 0.0055), reaching 2.63 in the treatment with 30% soybean oil. In contrast, no differences were observed among treatments for total protein, total fat, lactose, and ash. However, regarding mineral composition, reductions were found in sodium (P = 0.0076) and chloride (P = 0.0001), with the lowest values recorded in the treatment with 30% soybean oil inclusion. Phosphorus, on the other hand, showed an increase of 1.2% (P = 0.0463). It is concluded that the inclusion of 30% soybean oil in the diet increased the profile of unsaturated fatty acids in donkey milk. Additionally, the milk of jennies from the Northeastern ecotype presented physicochemical characteristics, fatty acid profile, and mineral composition consistent with what has been reported in the literature, confirming its nutraceutical potential for human health.

Sugarcane has stood out in the feeding of ruminants as it is a low-risk crop, with a reduced dry matter production cost per unit area, maintaining its nutritional value throughout the dry period of the year and with greater availability in periods of forage scarcity and has better economic performance compared to other grasses. An alternative to improve the use of sugar cane would be to increase the level of concentrate in the diet. And with an increase in the level of concentrate, an increase in consumption and performance is expected. The objective was to evaluate the effect of increasing concentrate levels in the diet of buffalo calves fed with sugar cane. The experiment took place in the Buffalo Sector of the Animal Husbandry Department of the Federal Rural University of Pernambuco. 20 Murrah buffalo heifers with an average body weight of 115±11 kg and an average age of 8±1 months were used. The animals received food in the form of a complete diet ad libitum, which was provided twice a day at 06:00 and 18:00. The roughage used was sugar cane corrected with urea associated with different levels of concentrate (20, 40, 60 and 80%), composed of corn, soybean bran, wheat bran, urea and mineral mixture. The animals had a period of 40 days to adapt to the stalls, the management and the diet offered. After the adaptation period, the experiment lasted 84 days, which were used to collect data and evaluate the performance of the animals. The formulated diets were evaluated for economic viability, considering the local values of ingredients and labor to evaluate food costs. The data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance and regression with significance considered at P&lt;0.05. Statistical analyzes were performed using the GLM and REG procedure of the Statistical Analysis System program (SAS, 1989). Increasing levels of concentrate in sugarcane diets for buffalo calves provided an increase in dry matter and nutrient intake, greater weight gain and improved feed conversion of the animals. Higher levels of concentrate in the diet promoted a reduction in the number and time spent on meals. Buffalo calves consumed more time during the day. The increase in concentrate levels increased the costs of the diet linearly, but the inclusion of this type of food is necessary given the advantages obtained in the parameters of weight gain, performance and feed conversion.

The intensification of agriculture accelerates soil degradation, with the high concentration of soluble salts being one of the major global challenges affecting agricultural productivity. This study investigates the relationship between the fertility of saline soils for sorghum cultivation, focusing on two fronts: phosphorus (P) forms and salinity correction with magnesium (Mg). In the first experiment, the availability of phosphorus in Cambisols affected by salts collected in Serra Talhada, Pernambuco, was evaluated using a greenhouse experiment with increasing doses of phosphorus (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 kg ha⁻¹ of P₂O₅) applied to soils cultivated with Sudan grass. After 50 days, the sorghum was harvested, and soil samples were collected to determine the available phosphorus using various extractors (Mehlich-1, Olsen, Chang & Jackson, Saunder, Soltanpour, and Pox) and chemical fractionation of inorganic phosphorus. The results of the phosphorus fractionation showed the absence of the labile fraction in all soils, as this is the fraction absorbed by the plant. The P fractions were influenced by soil characteristics such as pH, Ca, Na, and clay content, correlating with the P levels in the plants. In soil 1, the predominant fraction was stable calcium-P (54%), followed by residual P. In soils 2 and 3, residual P dominated, with 82% and 59%, respectively. In soil 4, non-labile iron-P was the most significant fraction, at around 53%. Principal component analysis revealed that the Fe and Al oxide-P fraction correlated with soil 2 (6.5%). Overall, the fractionation showed a predominance of P in the non-labile fractions, followed by less labile and labile fractions, with no significant correlation between the extracted P values and the availability to the plants. Even extractors recommended for alkaline soils, such as the Olsen extractor, proved ineffective. In the second experiment, salinity correction with Mg was evaluated in soils from regions with high Mg saturation. The soil was collected in Altinho (PE) and characterised as a Solodic Eutrophic Haplic Planosol. The treatments applied were: agricultural gypsum, dairy sludge, commercial humate, sludge + gypsum, humate + gypsum, biochar (chicken litter), and a control. Each repetition consisted of a 5 L pot with 7 Kg of soil, containing one sorghum plant, with 3 repetitions, divided into two cycles of 60 days each. Soil and plants were evaluated at 60 days of each cycle. Principal component analyses of plants and soils showed the relationship between the sludge and sludge + gypsum treatments. In the first cycle at 60 days, the Na+Mg saturation was lower in the treatments with dairy sludge (41.69%), gypsum (43.05%), and sludge + gypsum (43.90%) compared to the control (49.11%). In the second cycle, the sludge + gypsum (53.14%) and dairy sludge (53.32%) treatments maintained lower values for Na+Mg saturation. In cycle 1, the treatments with conditioners showed a higher amount of soluble sodium, significant reduction of exchangeable magnesium, and lower exchangeable sodium with the application of conditioners. At 120 days, electrical conductivity was significantly lower with conditioners, and there was a significant reduction in soluble sodium, soluble Mg, and exchangeable Mg. Soil conditioners significantly improved the morphological and physiological characteristics of sorghum plants, such as height, number of leaves, number of tillers, leaf width and length, and fresh and dry weight. There was a significant increase in the height of treated plants in both cycles. The length of the longest root  in cycle 1 and cycle 2, root dry weight , and root fresh weight were significantly greater in treated plants compared to the control in both cycles.

: The aim was to evaluate the effect of including crushed corn at different levels (0, 5%, and 10%) in silage of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) cv. BRS Capiaçu on different opening days (18, 28, and 38 days), assessing physical and bromatological characteristics, fermentative losses, and aerobic stability. The experiment was conducted at the Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL) – Arapiraca Campus, in the municipality of Arapiraca, at the Experimental Development Center for Animal Science (CEDEZOO). The grass was chopped, ensiled, and divided into the respective treatments: treatment 1 - 18 days, treatment 2 - 28 days, and treatment 3 - 38 days, each treatment with three levels of corn flour inclusion: 0%, 5%, and 10%, with 9 repetitions each, totaling 27 experimental silos. At the opening of each bucket, weighing was conducted with sand and a screen to collect the effluent; that is, the final weight of bucket + sand + screen was compared to the initial weight of bucket + sand + screen. Furthermore, weighing was performed at closing and opening of the buckets to quantify losses due to gases and the dry matter recovery index. The experiment was conducted using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) in a factorial scheme 3x3, with three levels of crushed corn inclusion and three different silage opening days. There was an effect (P<0.05) of the levels of crushed corn inclusion in the silage of elephant grass cv. BRS Capiaçu, for the dry matter recovery index (DMRI), total dry matter losses (TDML), gas losses (GL), and effluent losses (EL) (Table 2). For the different opening days (18, 28, and 38 days), no significant differences were observed (P>0.05), nor among the studied contrasts (levels of crushed corn and opening days) in the silage of elephant grass cv. BRS Capiaçu with increasing levels of crushed corn. The inclusion of 5% corn resulted in the lowest effluent loss compared to levels of 0% and 10%.

The Brazilian semiarid region is characterized by a negative water balance, acting, therefore, as a limiting factor for forage production, especially in the dry season. In this way, the use of brackish water presents itself as a relevant strategy, in order to guarantee the production of forage biomass adapted to the climatic conditions of this region, such as cactus cladodes, a plant with acid metabolism of crassulaceans, exalted by the efficient use of Water. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the effect of irrigation with brackish water and doses of organic fertilizer on aspects of fractionation of total carbohydrates, degradability and kinetics of ruminal fermentation, through the in vitro technique of gas production, of forage cactus at different stages. phenological, in the semiarid region of Pernambuco, in a cycle of 18 months. The experiment was carried out in the area of Prospecting and Studies in Biosaline Agriculture of the experimental field of the caatinga, belonging to EMBRAPA Semiárido, in Petrolina-PE. A randomized block design (DBC) was used in a 5 x 4 factorial arrangement, consisting of five irrigation depths with brackish water (L0%, L12.5%, L25%, L37.5%, L50% ETo) and four doses of organic fertilizer (0, 15, 30 and 45 Mg.ha^-1), totaling 80 plots. Each one containing 50 plants, of these, 32 plants referring to borders, remaining 18 plants per plot, among them, six central plants were used for the evaluations. The cladodes were collected, cut into small pieces, pre-dried in a forced ventilation oven at 55°C and ground to 2 mm and 1 mm. The bromatological and gas production analyzes were carried out at the Animal Nutrition (LANA) and Gas Production Laboratories, at the Laboratory Center for Research Support of the Academic Unit of Garanhuns (CENLAG), at the Federal University of Agreste Pernambuco. Interaction was observed between the depths of brackish water (LA) and the doses of organic matter (AO), in relation to the concentrations of total carbohydrates (TC) (P=0.032), with a higher content of CHOT in AO of 45Mg.ha^-1 and LA of L0% ETo. For fraction A+B1, an increasing quadratic effect was observed for both LA and AO (P=0.000). The control treatment (L0% ETo and 0 Mg.ha^-1 dose) provided higher concentrations of A+B1 (745.01 g.kg^-1 DM and 728.19 g.kg^-1 DM). An increasing quadratic effect was observed for the B2 fraction both with regard to LA and AO (P=0.000), with a higher concentration of this fraction in the LA of L37.5% ETo and in the AO of 30 Mg.ha^-1. Fraction C showed a decreasing quadratic effect in relation to LA (P=0.000), with higher concentration at the L25% ETo depth (59.44 g.kg^-1 DM). There was an increasing quadratic effect of AO in relation to effective degradability (ED), with a passage rate of 2% h^-1 and 5% h^-1 (P<0.000), with a lower concentration at the dose of 15 Mg.ha^-1. However, there was a negative linear effect, for DE, in relation to the increase in LA (P = 0.019). The total production of gases, under the isolated effect of the LA, showed an increasing quadratic effect (P=0.025), with a greater response in the LA of 12.5% ETo (~257.77 ml) and, under the effect of the AO, it was observed positive linear behavior (P=0.009). As for the volume of gas produced by fractions A+B1, an isolated effect was observed for LA (P=0.001), with a negative linear behavior (183.30 ml to 161.87 ml). Similarly, an isolated effect was observed for the AO, however with decreasing quadratic behavior (P = 0.001). An isolated, linear and negative effect was observed for LA, both in relation to the rate of degradation of non-fibrous carbohydrates (P= 0.001) and in relation to the rate of degradation of fibrous carbohydrates (P<0.000). Therefore, forage cactus, the Mexican elephant ear variety, is sensitive to salinity, albeit at low electrical conductivity (1.73 ds.m^-1) and sodicity.

Cactus pear is commonly used as a food source rich in water and energy for domestic ruminants throughout the year, mainly in the Semiarid regions of Brazil. In addition, cactus pear presents a high synthesis of secondary metabolites in response to weather and climate conditions in these regions. Thus, in recent years, the number of researches using forage cactus and other plants from semi-arid regions has increased considerably, due to the important action of secondary metabolites in animal and human health and nutrition. The experiment was treated in randomized blocks with a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement, with 3 cactus pear varieties and 3 extract levels. Four whole plants of each cactus pear variety aged 2 years were collected to obtain the extract. Varieties of the Opuntia genus had higher concentrations of total phenolics and tannins. The two genera were identified with the same concentration of flavonoids and only the variety Opuntia ficus-indica Mill showed a higher concentration of saponins. In vitro gas production was higher for Opuntia ficus-india Mill. The genus Opuntia exhibited a higher proportion of digested dry matter. The addition of cactus pear variety extract increased gas production, digested dry matter, true dry matter digestibility and ammonia. Thus, the use of cactus pear in ruminant feeding improved ruminal parameters and in vitro digestibility.

This research aimed to verify whether donkeys of the Nordestino ecotype were more efficient than horses in the apparent digestibility and gas production kinetics of Tifton 85 hay in two stages of maturation. Four donkeys of the Nordestino ecotype and four horses were used, in a completely randomized design in a 2 x 2 factorial scheme, two equid species and hay from Tifton 85 in two stages of maturation, Hay 1 with the highest content of non-fibrous carbohydrates (CNF) and lower content of fibrous carbohydrates (CF). The experiment was divided into two periods of 29 days, reaching 58 days. The first three days were wash-out, 21 days of diet consumption and on the final five days the digestibility test was carried out using the total feces collection method. At the end of each period, feces were collected in the rectal ampoule to perform the in vitro technique. There was a difference between species only in the apparent digestibility coefficients of CP and PIDN of Hay 2, with higher values for horses. For both hays, a shorter latency period was observed for the degradation of carbohydrates by the donkeys. Both species presented a higher total volume of gases (Vt1) in Hay 1. The volume of gases produced by the degradation of the A+B1 fraction (Vf1) was greater in Hay 1, indicating greater CNF fermentation. Regarding the volume of gases produced by the degradation of fraction B2 (Vf2), a greater volume of gases produced in Hay 2 was observed, indicating greater fermentation of CF. Furthermore, horses presented a higher value for Vf1 and greater gas production up to 96 hours of incubation in Hay 1. In Hay 2, gas production by donkeys was greater. It was concluded that donkeys were not more efficient than horses in digesting the nutrients present in Tifton 85 hay, as they increased the rate of passage of food through the digestive tract. On the other hand, the microorganisms present in the digestive tract of donkeys are more efficient in using lower quality fiber.

In the asinine species (Equus asinus), as in other equids, colostrum is the main source of nutrients and immunoglobulins for the newborn, due to the placental anatomy of these species, which makes neonates agammaglobulinemic. It is important to monitor the quality of the mother's colostrum and the transfer of immunity to the foal. Among the methods used for quantification of immunoglobulins G in colostrum and calf sérum the main ones are radial immunodiffusion, refractometry, bromatology, immunochromatography and spectrophotometry. The objective was to evalute the quality of colostrum and the transfer of passive immunity in donkeys of the “Nordestino” ecotype, throug radial immunodiffusion, refractometry, bromatology and spectrophotometry methods, as well as to correlate the most accurate methods with the most acessible. Fourteen pregnant and healthy female donkeys of the “Nordestino” ecotype, aged between 3 and 7 years and average live weight of 185 30 kg, and their neonates were usedbirth. The jennies and their neonates were submitted to colustrum and blood collections, respectively, at four experimental times: immediately after birth and six, 12 and 24hours after delivery. The methods for evaluating colostrum and blond sérum were: radial immunodifusion, refractometry, refractometry, spectrophotometry and bromatology. All results were subjected to statistical analysis. The results of the colostrum evaluation showed that the colostrum of the donkeys is of excellent quality immediately after delivery, with an IgG concentration of 8.71 g/dL, with a reduction of 93.5% at 24 hours. The results of total proteins by bromatology and Brix refractometry showed similar behavior to IgG. A good correlation between the quantification of IgG by radial immunodiffusion and by Brix refractometer was observed (R² = 0.9913) and it was possible to define that the colostrum of female donkeys of the “Nordestino” ecotype with Brix equal to or greater than 20.75% can be classified as excellent, between 20.75% and 16.2% of good quality and below 16.2% of poor quality. The radial immunodiffusion test of blood serum showed that newborn donkeys of the “Northeast” ecotype are born agamaglobilinemic. In the radial immunodiffusion test, the concentration of IgG in the serum of the foals showed a progressive increase from birth to the initial 17.9 hours of life, when a peak of 3.07 g/dL in the concentration of IgG in the neonate's blood was recorded, followed by slow reduction until 24 hours. A behavior similar to that of IgG was observed for the measurements of total proteins by refractometry and spectrometry and for the measurement of globulins. Albumin dosage did not change during the 24 hours. There was a correlation between the results of the radial immunodiffusion tests and total proteins by refractometry for the analysis of newborn blood serum (p<0.0001; Spearman r = 0.5519). It was observed that when the serum concentration of total proteins is 4.5 g/dL, there is an amount of circulating IgG of 0.8 g/dL, a necessary value for a good transfer of immunity in the equine species. It is concluded that the transfer of immunity in donkeys of the “Nordestino” ecotype has some similarities to that described for horses, but particularities are observed and need to be better studied. The evaluation of colostrum with a Brix refractometer can be used for the species and because it is a simple, fast and economical method, it can be used at the field level, thus adding to the improvement in donkey production, preventing the animals from ingesting colostrum . of poor quality and fail to transfer immunity. The measurement of total by refractometry is also an effective method for evaluating failure to transfer immunity on the first day of life in the newborn donkey. It concludes that the colostrum of female donkeys of the “Nordestino” ecotype is of excellent quality, guaranteeing immunoglobulin titers capable of efficiently immunizing the neonate. Furthermore, the strong correlation between refractometry and the radial immunodiffusion test, both for colostrum and serum analysis, attests that the analysis by refractometry has sufficient sensitivity to be used in the field, in the monitoring of donkeys of this ecotype.

The Mangalarga breed originated from the cross between locally adapted mares and Portuguese horses from the Alter Stud Farm. Due to the sportive ability and diagonal and comfortable gait of these animals, the breed soon became popular. The expansion of the Mangalarga herd and the emergence of new breeders intensified the selection, making the process more professional and leading to the creation of the Brazilian Association of Mangalarga Breed Horse Breeders (ABCCRM). Since the foundation of ABCCRM, the breed has gone through several morphological patterns. Currently, the guidelines prioritize the selection of animals that fit the saddle type. The study of the genetic structure of a population allows the identification of events that affected the genetic diversity of the breed, in addition to describing the evolution of the level of inbreeding and defining the kinship between individuals to monitor genetic diversity. The objective of this work was to study the population structure of the Mangalarga breed, through pedigree data. Genealogical information of 206,426 animals of the Mangalarga breed, registered in the period from 1919 to 2018, were used. Using the ENDOG v4.6 software, the parameters were estimated: pedigree completeness, level of ancestor identification, generation interval, number of founders ( Nf), number of ancestors, effective number of founders (fe), effective number of ancestors (fa), inbreeding coefficient (F) and average relative coefficient (AR), number of animals in the reference population, base population, population real base, number of ancestors that gave rise to the reference population, number of ancestors that explain 50%, ancestors that most contributed to the genetic variability of the breed, percentage of inbred individuals (End), average inbreeding for inbred individuals (FEnd) , effective number (Ne) of the breed, average number of maximum and complete generations. Among the results obtained, it was possible to identify ancestors in the Mangalarga breed up to the fifth generation. In addition, for the four gametic passages, the average age of the parents at the birth of their offspring was 9.43 ± 5.46 years, in relation to the generation interval, a general average of 9.07 ± 4.75 was recorded. years old. Of the total of 206,426 animals, 7.20% are part of the base population (founders and ancestors). With a number of ancestors 8,908, with only 44 being the effective number of ancestors. The effective number of founders was equal to 100.31 animals. As for the genetic variability in the breed, 50% of it is explained by contributions from only 48 animals. The inbreeding coefficient (F) and the average kinship coefficient (AR) for the entire population were 2.26% and 2.41%, respectively. Among the ancestors that most contributed to the genetic variability of the breed, nine animals are responsible for 21.58% of the variability, of which only two are females. From 1980 onwards there was an increase in F and AR and between 2010 and 2020 there was a deceleration of these two parameters in the Mangalarga herd.

The objective of study was analyze a possible replacement, partial or total, of corn presented in high concentrate diets for spineless cactus Orelha-de-Elefante Mexicana (Opuntia strista Haw Haw) in the diets of lambs in feedlot in relation to their performance and metabolism. Two studies were corried out, used 32 male lambs, Santa Inês, with average body weigtht of 19,0 ± 2,5 Kg destributed in a randomized block design. The diets were inclusion, with replacement, of corn by spineless cactus at levels of 0, 250, 500 and 750 g/Kg. The first study evaluated intake and apparent digestibility of dry matter and nutrients, performance, economy, behavioral, physiological parameters, water and nitrogen metabolism and serum metabolic status of lambs, whereupon: both ingestion and dry matter digestibility showed values (P=0.001) inversely proportional when the increased inclusion of spineless cactus. To performance, the daily weight gain for the animals intake a high concentrate diet was higher (P=0.001) and with the total replacement of corn by spineless cactus, this indicator was below expectations. The ingestive behavior, there was a difference for the time spent with rumination (P=0.001) and idleness (P=0.001). Thus, the total water intake showed a difference (P=0.001) for the diet containing 750 g/Kg of spineless cactus, decreasing the intake of drinking water and increasing the intake of water via food. The nitrogen balance, there was no difference (P=0.175) with the increase of spineless cactusand substitution by corn in the diets, demonstrating efficiency in the use of nitrogen by the animal metabolism. The replacement of energy sources in the lambs diet increased the concentration of serum urea (P=0.024), uric acid (P=0.002) and serum calcium (P=0.002) and decreased phosphorus (P=0.001). Both the urinary pH (P=0.001) and the fecal pH (P=0.001) showed an alcaline band with the greatest inclusion of spineless cactus. For the second study, 20 animals were used, analyzing organoleptic of ruminal fluid, count of ciliated protozoa and histological measurements, together with the ruminal fermentation and kinetics test of experimentais diets. Regarding the gas production kinetics of the diets, there was a variation in the observed gas volume (P=0.001), volume (P=0.019) and rate (P=0.001) of gas porduction of the A+B1 fraction, together with latency (P=0.012) and gas production rate of fraction B2 (P=0.001).The total count of ciliated protozoa in the rumen does not change in the variable x104 units, showing average of 32x104/mL. Histological measurements showed variations for papila width (P=0,001), muscular thickness (P=0,001), epitelial thickness (P=0,003), keratinized (P=0,002) and non-keratinized layer (P=0,001), among the studiend diets, also presenting tissue edema in all animals. The spineless cactus in energy diets improves the digestibility of nutrientes together with intake via food and it does not affect the nitrogen balance, but it can limit the body performance of confined lambs and their tissue structures around rumen

The objective of this research was to evaluate the fermentative and nutritional profile of silages composed with forage cactus pear (Opuntia ficus indica Mill.) associated with levels of gliricidium hay (Gliricidia sepium), through aerobic stability, fermentative profile, chemical-bromatological composition, as well as for the consumption of dry matter and nutrients, digestibility coefficients of dry matter and nutrients, and water balance of sheep fed with silages. For this, two experimental trials were carried out. In the first trial, treatments were composed of palm silage associated with levels of gliricidium hay in the proportions of 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40%; in a completely randomized design (DIC) with five replications. In the second trial, twenty non-castrated undefined breed sheeps with average initial live weight of 18.0 kg were used, confined in individual pens provided with a feeder, drinker and salt shaker for 15 days, with 11 to adapt the animals to the pens, diets and water offerings and 4 days for sample and data collection. Four diets containing forage cactos pear (associated with different levels of gliricidium hay: 10; 20; 30 and 40%) were used. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four treatments and five replications. In the first trial, it was observed that the levels of gliricidium hay in silage based on forage cactus pear influenced parameters of the fermentative profile and chemical composition of the silages, promoting an effect: a) linear increase for: pH upward trend (P = 0.002), dry matter (DM) (P <0.001), mineral matter (P <0.001), fibrous carbohydrates (CF) (P <0.001), acid detergent fiber (FDA) (P = 0.001), boron (P <0.001); b) linear decreasing for: gas losses (P <0.001), maximum pH (P = 0.018), non-fibrous carbohydrates (CNF) (P <0.001), calcium (P <0.001), potassium (P <0.001), magnesium (P <0.001), iron (P <0.001), manganese (P <0.001); and c) quadratic for: density (P = 0.001), effluent losses (P <0.001), dry matter recovery (P = 0.014), temperature (P <0.001); pH (P <0.01); N-NH3 (P = 0.010); buffering capacity (P <0.001); time to reach the maximum temperature (P <0.001); maximum difference in temperature of the silage in relation to the environment (P = 0.009), sum of the difference in the temperature of the silage in relation to the environment (P = 0.001) and aerobic stability of the silages (P = 0.002), total digestible nutrients (P <0.001 ), hemicellulose (P = 0.001), crude protein (PB) (P <0.001), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (P <0.001), phosphorus (P = 0.012), sodium (P = 0.001), and zinc ( P = 0.001). In the second test, it was observed that the silages influenced parameters inherent to the consumption and digestibility of dry matter and nutrients by sheeps fed with mixed silages, promoting effect: a) increasing linear for NDF digestibility (P = 0.044); b) decreasing linear for: water consumption via food (P <0.001), total water consumption (P <0.001), water excretion via faeces (P = 0.041), urine water excretion (P = 0.003) and total water excretion (P <0.001); and c) quadratic for: consumption of DM in g.kg-1 (P = 0.015), consumption of DM in% PC (P = 0.031), consumption of DM in g/Kg0.75 (P = 0.024), consumption of matter organic (P = 0.012), NDF consumption (P = 0.006), total carbohydrate consumption (P = 0.012), CNF consumption (P = 0.006), PB digestibility (P = 0.044). The inclusion of gliricidium hay between levels 20 to 30% in silage based on forage cactos pear provided an improvement in the chemical composition and fermentation parameters of mixed silages; as well as, these levels of addition of hay also provided better utilization of DM and nutrients, in sheeps fed.

The gastrointestinal helminth infections represent one of the main causes in limiting the production of small ruminants around the world. In the search for new alternatives for effective control of these gastrointestinal nematodes, phytotherapy is presented as a promising sector in an attempt to reduce the use of chemical treatments. Making the study of plants with the potential taninífero an alternative anthelmintic control. Once these tannins identified and isolated, it becomes increasingly more practical in its real potential anthelmintic activity. In this sense, we chose species Black Jurema (Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd) Poiret), red angico (Anadenanthera macrocarpa (Benth.) Brenan) and catingueira (Poincianella pyramidalis Tul.) For chemical-bromatological characterization and quantification of the condensed tannin levels in the different fractions of the plant. These Fabaceae were collected in Caatinga area preserved the Sertânia municipality in semiarid region of Pernambuco. Leaf samples were collected with stem and bark of each species and quantification of condensed tannins in the Fabaceae study used the butanol-HCl method. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. In this sense, combining obtaining the purified extract of condensed tannin, held anthelmintics trials through larval development tests (TDL) in vitro fecal material collected from Saanen goats naturally infected under management of concentrations in treatments (37.5, 75, 150, 300 and 350 mg/ml) in four replicates each of purified extract of tannins, together with control treatment, positive and negative, with levamisole hydrochloride at a concentration of 7.5 mg / ml and distilled water, respectively. Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd) Poiret. He stood between native Fabaceae with the highest total concentration of tannin, in all fractions of the plant. In anthelmintic activity, significant effect, making it an excellent alternative for controlling gastrointestinal nematodes in small ruminants.

The objective was to raise and evaluate the technological, zootechnical and socieconomic profile, to identify and quantify reference-indicators (benchmark) as well as assess the evironmental factors that affect the composition and hygienic sanitary quality of milk, production systems for dairy cattle, of character non experimental, in order to contribute to the sustainability and competitiveness of the dairy farming in the Agreste mesoregion of Pernambuco. To identify and quantify the reference-indicators were evaluated during twelve months, thirty-six systems of milk production of cows on the family farm and entrepreneurial. The systems were characterized with respect to thecnological profile and indicators of size, zootechnical and economic. We determined the correlation coefficients with the rate of return on capital invested and the generate regression equations, for each indicator, according to four scenarions of return rate on invested capital (4, 6, 8 and 10% per year). On a monthly basis, milk samples were colleted between March 2012 and february 2013, thirty-five production systems and nine collective catchment tanks and cooling down. We evaluated the effects of three periods of the year (waters, trasition and dry), five strata of daily milk production; family farming and entrepreneurial, formal and informal commercialitazation and counties of origin (São Bento do Una, Águas Belas and Garanhuns). The reference-indicators correlated and their values in the four scenarios were: milk production/dairy cows (13,37; 13,91; 14,45 and 15 L/day), milk production/area (3617,72; 4018,00; 4418,20 and 4818,45 L/ha/year), average price of milk (0,99; 1,00; 1,02 and 1,03 R$/L); effective operational cost/price of milk (64,81; 60,34; 55,87 and 51,30%), total operating cost/price of milk (85,78; 75,95; 66,12 and 56,29%), total cost/price of milk (112,53; 99,82; 87,11 and 74,40%) and profitability (13,90; 23,78; 33,67 and 43,55%). In the dry period the milk presented the lowest (P<0,05) fat content, protein, casein, total dry stratum (TDS) and degreased (SD). The stratum daily production lower than 50 L had the lowest levels (P<0,05) of milk components except the fat. The milk marketed in the informal market had lower (P<0,05) level of lactose, and the formal market the lowest somatic cell acore (SCS) and total bacteria (SBT). In business agriculture, the levels of fat, protein, casein and ESTwere higher (P<0,05) and SCS lower (P<0,05) in milk produced by family farms. The milk originating from Águas Belas had higher (P<0,05) lactose level, and the on from Garanhuns, fat and STD. The lower (P<0,05) was found in milk from Águas Belas, and higher (P<0,05) EBT in Garanhuns. In the collective tanks, the fat rate, protein, EST and casein were lower (P<0,05) in the dry period, the CCS meests current legislation and CBT was above the recommended. The productivity of the animal and land production factors showed higher correlation with profitability. The idetificatiton and quantification of reference-indicators can contribute to the identification of the weak points of dairy farming in the Agreste making it sustainable and competitive. The compositon of the sanitary and hygienic quality of milk in the Agreste of Pernambuco meets current legislation. However, actions must be developed with producers in order to increase the content of SD and hygienic conditions of obtaining and cooling the milk to reduce the CBT.