No abstract

Multiparous nonlactating Holstein cows were used to determine the effect of dexamethasone on ovarian follicular development and plasma hormone concentrations. Animals were randomly divided into two groups, control (C; n = 5) and treatment (T; n = 6), but managed as one group. Both groups were synchronized with two injections of PGF2alpha (25 mg i.m.) 11 d apart. One day after ovulation (d 0) the T group received a daily injection of dexamethasone (44 microg/kg of body weight; i.m.) until the first dominant follicle stopped growing or up to d 12 postovulation. The C group received vehicle injections. Blood samples were collected daily from all cows. Concentrations of LH and FSH did not differ between the C and T cows, whereas progesterone concentrations were lower in T than in C cows from d 4 onward. Treatment x day interaction influenced plasma insulin concentrations such that T cows had insulin concentrations 2.9- to 6.0-fold those of C cows between d 2 and 9. Dexamethasone decreased IGF-I and -II concentrations from d 5 onward. Concentrations of plasma leptin and the various IGF binding proteins were not affected by dexamethasone. Total number of follicles (> or = 5 mm) and plasma estradiol concentrations were less in T than in C cows on d 0, 1, and 4. The growth rate of the dominant follicles and maximum diameter of the dominant and subordinate follicles were not affected by dexamethasone. The diameter of the CL was 21 to 39% larger in T than in C cows between d 6 and 10. Treatment x day interaction influenced plasma cholesterol concentrations such that cholesterol levels decreased 46.8% in T cows and 19.5% in C cows between d 0 and 10. Plasma glucose concentrations were greater in T than in C cows between d 1 and 10. In summary, dexamethasone had significant effects on metabolism without a major impact on growth of the first-wave dominant follicle. Dexamethasone-induced suppression of luteal function was associated with decreased plasma IGF-I and -II concentrations.

The increasing prevalence of overweight/obesity may already have reached the farmers in Tanzania and Mozambique. Here, the measurement of the mid-upper-arm-circumference (MUAC) could become a simple and sensitive tool for early detection of at-risk groups of overweight as well as underweight. Body Mass Index (BMI) and MUAC of female and male farmers (n = 2106) from different regions of Tanzania and the Zambézia province, Mozambique, were analyzed by region, sex, age, and correlates. MUAC cut-offs, calculated via BMI cut-offs (<18.5, ≥25, and ≥30 kg/m2), and multiple linear regression (MLR), compared to those selected by highest Youden’s index (YI) value, were assessed. The study showed an overall higher prevalence of overweight (19%) than underweight (10%) due to the high number of overweight female farmers (up to 35%) in southern Tanzania. BMI, which was mainly and positively predicted by MUAC, was higher in Tanzania and among female farmers, and decreased significantly from the age of ≥65 years. MUAC cut-offs of <24 cm and ≥30.5 cm, calculated by MLR, detected 55% of farmers being underweight and 74% being overweight, with a specificity of 96%; the higher cut-off <25 cm and lower cut-off ≥29 cm, each selected according to YI, consequently detected more underweight (80%) and overweight farmers (91%), but on the basis of a lower specificity (87–88%). Overweight was evident among female farmers in East Africa. MUAC cut-offs, whether defined via linear regression or Youden’s Index, could prove to be easy-to-use tools for large-scale screenings of both underweight and overweight.

Inadequate consumption of micronutrient-dense and protein-rich foods such as vegetables, legumes and meat is an important contributing cause for anemia and deficiencies of vitamin A and iron in rural communities of Tanzania and Mozambique. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the nutritional status (anthropometrics and hemoglobin) and diets in particular micronutrient intake of female and male pigeon pea farmers from Lindi, Tanzania, and Gurué, the Zambézia province of Mozambique. A total of 1526 farmers (669 from Tanzania, 857 from Mozambique) were studied, of whom 16% were overweight and 35% were anemic. The highest prevalence of overweight and anemia, at 35% and 48%, was observed in Tanzanian and Mozambican women, respectively. Overall, only a small proportion of women and men reached the recommended daily dietary intake of vitamin A (10%), iron (51%) and zinc (44%). Multiple regression models revealed that dark green leafy vegetables (DGLVs) highly predicted vitamin A intake, whereas legumes in Tanzania and starchy plants in Mozambique were actually the dominant sources of vitamin A. Cereals covered over half of the iron and the zinc intake in both countries. An increased consumption of micronutrient-rich DGLVs and legumes, while reducing the high amounts of refined maize or polished rice, is suggested to counteract the high prevalence of anemia and overweight among smallholder farmers in East and South Eastern Africa.

The objective of this study was to assess the reproductive performance of two Nguni ecotypes (Nguni and Landim) raised in a subtropical environment to enhance strategies for livestock development and restocking programmes within the southern African region. Reproduction data collected between 1996 and 2009 from 365 cows of the Landim and Nguni ecotypes were analysed. From the results, ecotype, place of birth, year and season of birth/calving had significant effects on age at first calving (AFC) and calving interval (CI). Overall means for AFC and CI were 1,071 ± 166 days and 432 ± 85 days, respectively, while average calving rate was 88.0 ± 4.7%. Heifers born in the dry season had lower AFC than heifers born in the wet season. Heifers born at Impaputo Breeding Center were the youngest at first calving, followed by the South African born ones. Heifers of the Landim ecotype also calved younger than heifers of the Nguni ecotype. CI was shorter in wet seasons (main breeding seasons) than in dry seasons. Interaction between ecotype and year-season (p < 0.005) showed that, in wet and dry seasons, Nguni cows had shorter CI than the Landim. This study demonstrates for the first time a possible genotype-by-environment interaction between Nguni ecotypes. This might aid future cattle development and restocking programmes in southern Africa taking into consideration the adaptation of indigenous genotypes and climate change.