BackgroundSaturated fatty acids can be detrimental to human health and have received considerable attention in recent years. Several studies using taurine breeds showed the existence of genetic variability and thus the possibility of genetic improvement of the fatty acid profile in beef. This study identified the regions of the genome associated with saturated, mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and n-6 to n-3 ratios in the Longissimus thoracis of Nellore finished in feedlot, using the single-step method.ResultsThe results showed that 115 windows explain more than 1 % of the additive genetic variance for the 22 studied fatty acids. Thirty-one genomic regions that explain more than 1 % of the additive genetic variance were observed for total saturated fatty acids, C12:0, C14:0, C16:0 and C18:0. Nineteen genomic regions, distributed in sixteen different chromosomes accounted for more than 1 % of the additive genetic variance for the monounsaturated fatty acids, such as the sum of monounsaturated fatty acids, C14:1 cis-9, C18:1 trans-11, C18:1 cis-9, and C18:1 trans-9. Forty genomic regions explained more than 1 % of the additive variance for the polyunsaturated fatty acids group, which are related to the total polyunsaturated fatty acids, C20:4 n-6, C18:2 cis-9 cis12 n-6, C18:3 n-3, C18:3 n-6, C22:6 n-3 and C20:3 n-6 cis-8 cis-11 cis-14. Twenty-one genomic regions accounted for more than 1 % of the genetic variance for the group of omega-3, omega-6 and the n-6:n-3 ratio.ConclusionsThe identification of such regions and the respective candidate genes, such as ELOVL5, ESSRG, PCYT1A and genes of the ABC group (ABC5, ABC6 and ABC10), should contribute to form a genetic basis of the fatty acid profile of Nellore (Bos indicus) beef, contributing to better selection of the traits associated with improving human health.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-2511-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

BackgroundFatty acid type in beef can be detrimental to human health and has received considerable attention in recent years. The aim of this study was to identify differentially expressed genes in longissimus thoracis muscle of 48 Nellore young bulls with extreme phenotypes for fatty acid composition of intramuscular fat by RNA-seq technique.ResultsDifferential expression analyses between animals with extreme phenotype for fatty acid composition showed a total of 13 differentially expressed genes for myristic (C14:0), 35 for palmitic (C16:0), 187 for stearic (C18:0), 371 for oleic (C18:1, cis-9), 24 for conjugated linoleic (C18:2 cis-9, trans11, CLA), 89 for linoleic (C18:2 cis-9,12 n6), and 110 genes for α-linolenic (C18:3 n3) fatty acids. For the respective sums of the individual fatty acids, 51 differentially expressed genes for saturated fatty acids (SFA), 336 for monounsaturated (MUFA), 131 for polyunsaturated (PUFA), 92 for PUFA/SFA ratio, 55 for ω3, 627 for ω6, and 22 for ω6/ω3 ratio were identified. Functional annotation analyses identified several genes associated with fatty acid metabolism, such as those involved in intra and extra-cellular transport of fatty acid synthesis precursors in intramuscular fat of longissimus thoracis muscle. Some of them must be highlighted, such as: ACSM3 and ACSS1 genes, which work as a precursor in fatty acid synthesis; DGAT2 gene that acts in the deposition of saturated fat in the adipose tissue; GPP and LPL genes that support the synthesis of insulin, stimulating both the glucose synthesis and the amino acids entry into the cells; and the BDH1 gene, which is responsible for the synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies used in the synthesis of ATP.ConclusionSeveral genes related to lipid metabolism and fatty acid composition were identified. These findings must contribute to the elucidation of the genetic basis to improve Nellore meat quality traits, with emphasis on human health. Additionally, it can also contribute to improve the knowledge of fatty acid biosynthesis and the selection of animals with better nutritional quality.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-3232-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

RESUMO -Este trabalho foi realizado para se avaliar o desempenho animal, as características da carcaça e a maciez da carne de 36 novilhos mestiços, apresentando, ao início do experimento, média de 14 meses de idade e aproximadamente 320 kg de peso vivo. Os animais foram confinados e receberam dietas com alto teor de concentrado: uma controle (CO), sem adição de lipídios; outra contendo 5% de sais de cálcio de ácidos graxos (AG); e outra com 21% de caroço de algodão (CA). A ingestão de matéria seca no tratamento AG foi menor que no CA, mas não diferiu da ingestão do CO. O ganho médio diário e a eficiência alimentar não apresentaram diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos. Os valores encontrados para a análise de uréia sangüínea foram significativamente maiores no tratamento CA em relação ao AG. O rendimento de carcaça, a área de olho de lombo, a espessura de gordura, as gorduras renal e pélvica, o peso do fígado, o pH e a temperatura não foram significativamente diferentes. Não houve diferença também para o índice de perda de água por cozimento e maciez, verificada pela força de cisalhamento nos diferentes tempos de maturação. Os sais de cálcio de ácidos graxos a 5% e o caroço de algodão a 21% podem ser empregados nas rações para confinamento, sem causarem alterações no desempenho animal ou nas características de carcaça.Palavras-chave: características de carcaça, caroço de algodão, confinamento, espessura de gordura, rendimento de carcaça, sais de cálcio de ácidos graxos Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Steers Fed Different Fat SourcesABSTRACT -The objective of this trial was to evaluate the animal performance, carcass characteristics and meat tenderness of 36 crossbred steers averaging 14 months old and 320 kg body weight. The animals were fed high concentrate-based diets: control -without additional fat (CO); diet with 5% calcium salt of fatty acids (AG); and diet with 21% whole cottonseed (CA). Dry matter intake of AG treatment was lower (P=0,05) than CA, that differ from CO diet. No significant differences of treatments on daily weight gain and feed efficiency were observed. Blood urea nitrogen was greater (P=0,01) for CA treatment than AG treatment. Carcass dressing, rib eye area, fat thickness, kidney and pelvic fat, liver weight, pH and temperature did not show significant difference. No difference on water loss during cooking and tenderness measured by shear force at different aging times was detected. Diets with 5% calcium salt of fatty acids or 21% whole cottonseed can be used for feedlot with no change on animal performance or carcass characteristics.

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RESUMO -O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho e características de carcaça de bovinos submetidos a dietas de alto concentrado contendo 15, 21 ou 27% da matéria seca em bagaço de cana-de-açúcar. Foram utilizados 24 novilhos Nelore, com peso médio em jejum de 279 kg e 24 meses de idade, confinados por um período de 98 dias. Não foram observados efeitos significativos para as características de ganho médio diário (média =1,461 kg) e eficiência alimentar. Foi observado efeito linear entre matéria seca ingerida e níveis de bagaço, com maior consumo nos tratamentos com menor percentagem de bagaço. Consistente com o comportamento do consumo, o peso do fígado também apresentou efeito linear, em função dos níveis de bagaço, sendo maior nos tratamentos com maior proporção de concentrado. As características peso de carcaça quente, gordura renal e pélvica, área de olho de lombo e espessura de gordura subcutânea não diferiram entre os tratamentos. Entretanto, observou-se comportamento linear do rendimento de carcaça, em função dos níveis de bagaço, sendo maior nos tratamentos com maior proporção de concentrado, consistente com o nível energético da ração. Os resultados indicam a viabilidade do uso de 15 ou 21% de bagaço como único volumoso, em dietas com elevada proporção de concentrado contendo milho, polpa de citrus e farelo de soja para novilhos Nelore em confinamento.Palavras-chave: bagaço de cana, bovinos, confinamento, dietas com alto concentrado, Nelore Levels of Sugarcane Bagasse in Diets with High Concentrate for Nellore Steers in FeedlotABSTRACT -The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance and carcass characteristics of cattle fed high concentrate diets containing 15, 21 or 27% of sugarcane bagasse in the dry matter. Twenty-four Nellore steers with 279 kg of shrunk body weight and 24 months of age, two per pen, were fed for 98 days. No significant effects were observed for average daily gain (mean =1.461 kg) and feed efficiency among the treatments. It was observed a linear effect between dry matter intake and levels of bagasse, with greater intake in treatments with lower proportion of bagasse. Consistent with intake, the liver weight presented linear association with bagasse levels, with higher weight in treatments with more concentrate. The hot carcass weight, kidney, pelvic, heart and inguinal fat, ribeye area and fat thickness were no different between treatments. However, it was observed a linear association between dressing percentage and bagasse levels, with higher percentage in treatments with more concentrate, consistent with the energy level of the diet. The results showed the viability of the use of 15 or 21% of sugarcane bagasse as the only roughage in high concentrate diets with corn, citrus pulp and soybean meal for Nellore steers in feedlot.

RESUMOObjetivo: identificar o perfil sexual de mulheres privadas de liberdade. Métodos: estudo quantitativo, descritivo, corte transversal, envolvendo 56 detentas. A coleta de dados, na Cadeia Municipal, contemplou dados de caracterização sexual. Resultados: evidenciaram menarca e coitarca precoce, pouca variedade de parceiros sexuais nos últimos seis meses e baixa adesão ao uso do preservativo. A homo/bissexualidade e a prostituição tiveram uma frequência significativa. A presença de queixas ginecológicas foi pouco expressiva. No entanto, o número de mulheres que afirmou realizar o exame colpocitológico anualmente foi significativo. Conclusão: diante da vulnerabilidade de mulheres privadas de liberdade, percebe-se que estratégias de prevenção e promoção à saúde, que atendam às peculiaridades dessa população, e a garantia no acesso aos serviços de saúde são fundamentais para a garantia de melhor qualidade de vida dessas mulheres. Descritores: Prisões; Saúde Sexual; Saúde da Mulher; Epidemiologia; Características da População; Perfil de Saúde.ABSTRACT Objective: to identify the sexual profile of incarcerated women. Methods: a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study involving 56 inmates. The collection of data, in the Municipal Chain, contemplated data of sexual characterization. Results: evidenced menarche and early sexual activity, little variety of sexual partners in the last six months and low adherence to the use of condoms. Homo / bisexuality and prostitution had a significant frequency. The presence of gynecological complaints was not very expressive. However, the number of women who reported having a colpocytological examination on a yearly basis was significant. Conclusion: in view of the vulnerability of incarcerated women, health prevention and promotion strategies, which meet the peculiarities of this population, and the guarantee of access to health services are fundamental for guaranteeing a better quality of life for the women. Descriptors: Prisions; Sexual Health; Women's Health; Epidemiology; Population Characteristics; Health Profile.RESUMENObjetivo: identificar el perfil sexual de mujeres privadas de libertad. Métodos: estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo, corte transversal, involucrando 56 detenidas. La recolección de datos, en la Cadena Municipal, contempló datos de caracterización sexual. Resultados: evidenciaron menarca y coito precoz, poca variedad de parejas sexuales en los últimos seis meses y baja adhesión al uso del preservativo. La homo / bisexualidad y la prostitución tuvieron una frecuencia significativa. La presencia de quejas ginecológicas fue poco expresiva. Sin embargo, el número de mujeres que afirmó realizar el examen colpocitológico anualmente. Conclusión: delante de las vulnerabilidades de las mujeres privadas de libertad, se percibe que estrategias de prevención y promoción a la salud, que atiendan a las peculiaridades de esta población, y la garantía en el acceso a los servicios de salud son fundamentales para la garantía de una mejor calidad de vida de esas mujeres. Descriptores: Prisiones; Salud Sexual; Salud de la Mujer; Epidemiología; Características de la Población; Perfil de Salud.

The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic-quantitative relationships between the beef fatty acid profile with the carcass and meat traits of Nellore cattle. A total of 1826 bulls finished in feedlot conditions and slaughtered at 24 months of age on average were used. The following carcass and meat traits were analysed: subcutaneous fat thickness (BF), shear force (SF) and total intramuscular fat (IMF). The fatty acid (FA) profile of the Longissimus thoracis samples was determined. Twenty-five FAs (18 individuals and seven groups of FAs) were selected due to their importance for human health. The animals were genotyped with the BovineHD BeadChip and, after quality control for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), only 470,007 SNPs from 1556 samples remained. The model included the random genetic additive direct effect, the fixed effect of the contemporary group and the animal's slaughter age as a covariable. The (co)variances and genetic parameters were estimated using the REML method, considering an animal model (single-step GBLUP). A total of 25 multi-trait analyses, with four traits, were performed considering SF, BF and IMF plus each individual FA. The heritability estimates for individual saturated fatty acids (SFA) varied from 0.06 to 0.65, for monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) it varied from 0.02 to 0.14 and for polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) it ranged from 0.05 to 0.68. The heritability estimates for Omega 3, Omega 6, SFA, MUFA and PUFA sum were low to moderate, varying from 0.09 to 0.20. The carcass and meat traits, SF (0.06) and IMF (0.07), had low heritability estimates, while BF (0.17) was moderate. The genetic correlation estimates between SFA sum, MUFA sum and PUFA sum with BF were 0.04, 0.64 and -0.41, respectively. The genetic correlation estimates between SFA sum, MUFA sum and PUFA sum with SF were 0.29, -0.06 and -0.04, respectively. The genetic correlation estimates between SFA sum, MUFA sum and PUFA sum with IMF were 0.24, 0.90 and -0.67, respectively. The selection to improve meat tenderness in Nellore cattle should not change the fatty acid composition in beef, so it is possible to improve this attribute without affecting the nutritional beef quality in zebu breeds. However, selection for increased deposition of subcutaneous fat thickness and especially the percentage of intramuscular fat should lead to changes in the fat composition, highlighting a genetic antagonism between meat nutritional value and acceptability by the consumer.

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