Molecular diagnostics are performed by using DNA from different body tissues. However, it is necessary to obtain genomic DNA of good quality. Due to the impossibility of collecting blood from slaughtered animals, DNA extraction from solid tissues is necessary. The objective of this study was to describe a protocol of DNA extraction from swine skin, adipose, brain, liver, kidney and muscle tissues. We obtained high molecular weight DNA of good quality, shown by agarose gel and amplification of two DNA fragments, 605bp and 891pb, by PCR. Spectrophotometric analysis of DNA concentration showed variation among the DNA from different tissues, with the liver and adipose tissues presenting the greatest and the smallest concentration, respectively. The described protocol has proven to be advantageous due to its simplicity, quickness, affordable reagents and absence of phenol, resulting in a high molecular weight DNA of good quality from several tissues.

ABSTRACT. We compared carcass and meat quality of pigs from the same sire line and two different dam lines, one that included Chinese breeds and one that did not. Line A consisted of 1/4 Landrace, 1/2 Large White, 1/8 Chinese breeds (Meishan, Fengjing, Jiaxing), and 1/8 Large White, Duroc and Pietrain, and line B consisted of 1/2 Large White and 1/2 Pietrain. The animals (N = 144) were slaughtered at a live weight of 108 kg. Backfat thickness, percentage of lean meat, pH 24 h after slaughter, meat color, percentage of drip loss, and percentage of intramuscular fat were measured and compared using analysis of variance in a completely randomized design; the BioEstat 5.0 test was applied for the comparison of means at a significance level of 5% for all analyses. Backfat was significantly lower for line A (12.78 mm) than for line B (15.90 mm). The pH measured 24 h after slaughter was significantly lower in line A (5.68) compared to line B (5.84). Percent lean meat was significantly higher for line A (61.21%) compared to line B (59.72%). Percentage drip loss was significantly higher in line A (2.73%) than in line B (2.23%). Percentage intramuscular fat and meat color were not significantly different between the lines. The inclusion of Chinese breeds produced a higher percentage of lean meat and reduced fat thickness, along with increased heterosis, which are important characteristics for breeding programs.

ABSTRACT.We evaluated the effect of the halothane (HAL) gene on the quality of pork in domestic pigs. Half-carcasses from two different commercial pig (Sus domestica) crossbreeds were analyzed, 46 of which were homozygous dominant (HAL NN ) and 69 of which were heterozygous (HAL Nn ) for the halothane gene. The measures included backfat thickness, lean meat percentage, carcass weight, pH 24 h after slaughtering, color, and drip loss; DNA was extracted from the haunch muscle. Swine with the HAL Nn genotype had less backfat thickness and higher lean meat percentages than swine with the HAL NN genotype. Yet, swine with the HAL Nn genotype had lower quality meat than those with the HAL NN swine. The pH at 24 h was lower in HAL Nn swine. The meat color was paler in HAL Nn animals, the drip loss was greater in those animals bearing the n allele, and the amount of intramuscular fat was not related to the halothane genotype. We conclude that bearers of the recessive allele of the halothane gene produce more meat, but with quality parameters that are inferior to those sought by consumers and industry.

Agu, a relatively small-bodied pig with a black coat, is indigenous to Okinawa, the south-ernmost island in Japan. The objective of this study was to evaluate growth, carcass and meat quality traits of Agu pigs and to elucidate breed characteristics. A total of 16 Agu pigs and 18 LWD three-way cross pigs (Duroc sires×F1 dams ; Landrace×Large White) were fed a commercial diet ad libitum at 70 kg and slaughtered at 110 kg. Daily gain, dressing percentage and the area of the Longissimus dorsi muscle (LM) were significantly lower in Agu than in LWD pigs at the same body weight. Agu pigs had much thicker backfat than the LWD pigs at the same finishing body weight. The content of intra-muscular fat (IMF) was significantly higher in Agu than in LWD pigs. Though raw Agu meat had lower water holding capacity, cooked meat had lower cooking loss and higher pressed juice percentage than LWD meat. Moreover, the inner layer of Agu backfat contained a higher proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), a lower proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and had a lower melting point. The results revealed that Agu pigs had meat characteristics different from those of LWD pigs that are a common crossbred in commercial production. Jpn. J. Swine Science, 54, 3 : 121-129

Resumo Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito do tipo de ordenha e de ambiente na qualidade do leite cru por meio da identificação da Contagem de Células Somáticas - CCS nas amostras obtidas das propriedades rurais da mesorregião do sul goiano e correlacioná-la com diferentes tipos de ordenha, bem como com os componentes do leite e o período do ano. A pesquisa desenvolveu-se em 229 fazendas associadas à Cooperativa de Catalão, divididas por tipo de ordenha: manual e mecânica. Em cada propriedade foi coletada amostra mensal no tanque de expansão, no total de 8244 amostras. A ordenha mecânica obteve maior número de amostras com CCS > 500.000 células/mL. Existiu correlação positiva entre CCS e teor de gordura e sólidos totais - ST, porém houve uma correlação negativa entre CCS e teores de proteína e lactose. No período da chuva tem-se uma elevação de CCS se comparado ao período da seca, e com a elevação do Índice de Temperatura e Umidade - ITU ocorreu uma redução nos teores de gordura e ST. Pode-se concluir que a ordenha manual mostrou-se mais viável para obtenção do leite com parâmetros de CCS exigidos pela legislação e que CCS e componentes do leite sofrem interferência da época do ano.

ResumoObjetivou-se estabelecer a prevalência e identificação de ovos de parasitos gastrintestinais em fezes de 54 leitões na fase de terminação, além de relacionar taxas de infecção parasitária com a densidade de alojamento dos animais, e o sexo dos mesmos. Os animais foram distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, constando de 3 tratamentos e 3 repetições, sendo cada baia considerada uma unidade experimental, e compostas por animais de ambos os sexos em quantidades iguais. Os tratamentos foram denominados, tratamentos 1, 2 e 3 e representavam respectivamente baias com densidades de 0,16; 0,32; e 0,96 suínos/m 2 . Os exames de ovos por grama de fezes, revelaram a presença de ovos em 62,9% ANTUNES, R.C. et al. Prevalência de parasitos gastrintestinais em leitões de terminação relacionada com densidade de alojamento e sexo. PUBVET,

Em solo classificado como latossolo vermelho-amarelo, de pH igual a 5,2, foram estudados o efeito da adição crescente do gesso agrícola (CaSO4.2H2O) nos níveis de 0 t/ha (T); 0,5 t/ha (TA); 1,0 t/ha (TB) e 1,5 t/ha (TC), combinados com a aplicação de 20kg/ha de nitrogênio sob a forma de uréia mais 80kg de K2O/ha sob a forma de cloreto de potássio, sobre a produção de matéria seca (MS) da Brachiaria decumbens Stapf, no período de janeiro a dezembro. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições. Foram realizados três cortes (após 77, 133 e 341 dias do início do experimento) para determinar a produção de matéria seca/ha e as concentrações de enxofre (S), nitrogênio (N), cobre (Cu) e nitrato na forrageira. Observou-se que a produção de MS foi influenciada pelos tratamentos e época de corte da forrageira. Porém, não houve aumento significativo na produção de MS para níveis de adubação acima de 0,5 t/ha. As concentrações de S, N, Cu e nitrato não foram influenciadas pelos tratamentos.

ABSTRACT:The aim of this study was to assess physiological parameters, hair coat morphological characteristics and temperature gradients in crossbred Holstein-Gyr cows in the municipality of Tapira, Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil. Forty-nine lactating cows from six Holstein (H) and Gyr (G) genetic groups (1/4H 3/4G, 3/8H 5/8G, 1/2H 1/2G, 5/8H 3/8G, 3/4H 1/4G and 7/8H 1/8G) were distributed in a completely randomized design. The dry-bulb temperature and relative humidity were recorded, and the temperature and humidity index (THI) was calculated. The rectal temperature, respiratory rate and body surface temperature were measured, as were hair thickness, numbers, length and angle. Cows with a greater than 50% Holstein breed ratio (5/8H 3/8G, 3/4H 1/4G and 7/8H 1/8G) showed a higher respiratory rate and greater hair length than animals with genetic composition equal to or greater than 50% Zebu (1/2H 1/2G, 3/8H 5/8G and 1/4H 3/4G). Animals from the 1/2 and 1/4 HG genetic groups showed the greatest hair angle (P<0.05). With respect to climatic characteristics, the examined locality was within the thermoneutral zone and therefore did not impose conditions of thermal stress. The animals exhibited thermoregulation and hair coat characteristics that were within physiological parameters.