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  1. Article ; Online: Changes in Richness and Species Composition after Five Years of Grazing Exclusion in An Endemic Pasture of Northern Mexico

    José Ramón Arévalo / Cristina González-Montelongo / Juan A. Encina-Domínguez / Eduardo García / Miguel Mellado

    Land, Vol 11, Iss 1962, p

    2022  Volume 1962

    Abstract: A well-managed grazing system improves the productivity and health, and it is important to promote sustainability. We analyzed the impact of grazing on the Sierra de Zapalinamé protected area in north Mexico. Our hypothesis was that grazing modifies ... ...

    Abstract A well-managed grazing system improves the productivity and health, and it is important to promote sustainability. We analyzed the impact of grazing on the Sierra de Zapalinamé protected area in north Mexico. Our hypothesis was that grazing modifies species composition, richness, and nutrients after grazing exclusion for five years. In this area, eight plots were excluded from grazing, and species richness, evenness, and plant functional types for five years were monitored. This monitoring was also carried out on eight control plots adjacent to the excluded plots. Soil samples were collected from each plot in the fifth year of exclusion for nutrient content analysis. Grazing discriminated plant species composition after five years between excluded and control plots, but not species richness and evenness. In addition, exclusion increased grass cover and decreased forb cover. Indicator species for excluded and control sites were identified. It was concluded that part of the pastures can be excluded from grazing as a way to analyze changes in this protected area and promote greater plant diversity.
    Keywords DCA ; evenness ; grazing ; pastures ; richness ; Agriculture ; S
    Subject code 580
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-11-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  2. Article ; Online: Effect of heat stress and body condition score on the occurrence of puerperal disorders in Holstein cows

    Miguel MELLADO / Claudia D. HERRERA / Ángeles DE SANTIAGO / Francisco G. VELIZ / Jesús MELLADO / José E. GARCÍA

    Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, Vol 21, Iss

    2023  Volume 2

    Abstract: Aim of the study: To evaluate the association between temperature-humidity index (THI) and body condition score (BCS) at calving and retained placenta (RP), puerperal metritis, clinical ketosis, and mastitis in Holstein cows in a hot environment Area of ... ...

    Abstract Aim of the study: To evaluate the association between temperature-humidity index (THI) and body condition score (BCS) at calving and retained placenta (RP), puerperal metritis, clinical ketosis, and mastitis in Holstein cows in a hot environment Area of study: Northeastern Mexico. Material and methods: This is a retrospective cohort study (n= 12,102 lactations from January 2017 to December 2021) using univariate logistic regressions. The outcome variables were periparturient diseases, and the predictor variables were BCS and thermal stress at calving. Main results: Cows calving with a THI > 82 were 30% more likely (prevalence 16.8% vs 13.7%; p < 0.01) to have RP than cows whose parturition occurred with moderate or low thermal stress (THI < 82 units). Cows calving with THI > 82 had significantly increased chances of having metritis than cows calving with THI < 82 (prevalence 15.6 vs 13.4; p < 0.01). Cows calving with a THI > 82 were 1.8 times more likely to have clinical ketosis (7.6% vs 4.4%; p < 0.01) than cows calving with THI < 82 units. Cows with BCS at calving ≥ 3.5 had half the risk of having RP (prevalence 10.4 vs 19.1%, p < 0.01) than cows with BCS < 3.5. Likewise, the risk of metritis decreased (p < 0.01) with BCS ≥3.5 at calving (prevalence 10.9 vs 17.4%). Research highlights: Heat stress at calving was associated with an increased risk for RP, puerperal metritis, and clinical ketosis compared to cows undergoing mild or no heat stress at parturition. Also, cows with BCS ≥ 3.5 were less likely to present RP and metritis, but high body fatness was associated with an increased risk for clinical ketosis.
    Keywords retained placenta ; metritis ; ketosis ; mastitis ; temperature-humidity index ; body energy reserves ; Agriculture ; S
    Subject code 630
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-04-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  3. Article ; Online: Vegetation Response to Removal of Plant Groups and Grass Seeding in a Microphyllous Desert Shrubland

    Miguel Mellado / Juan A. Encina-Domínguez / José E. García / Eduardo Estrada-Castillón / José R. Arévalo

    Agriculture, Vol 11, Iss 322, p

    A 4-Year Field Experiment

    2021  Volume 322

    Abstract: Grazing is one of the most important land management activities worldwide, and cases of overgrazing increase erosion, land degradation, and plant invasion. The objective of this study was to assess the effect on individual species and species composition ...

    Abstract Grazing is one of the most important land management activities worldwide, and cases of overgrazing increase erosion, land degradation, and plant invasion. The objective of this study was to assess the effect on individual species and species composition in response to groups of plants removals or grass seeding after four years of vegetation transformation in a microphyllous desert shrubland excluded from cattle grazing. Nine treatments involved (1) clearing of vegetation and seeding of Bouteloua curtipendula (BOCU), a native grass, (2) clearing and seeding of Chloris gayana (CHGA), an introduce grass from Africa, (3) clearing except for grasses (GRA), (4) clearing except for grasses and fodder shrubs (GRA-SHR), (5) free grazing by cattle (GRAZ), (6) clearing except fodder shrubs (SHR), (7) no modification (CON), (8) clearing of all plants (BARE), and (9) clearing except plants not eaten by cattle (UND). Treatments were replicated five times each in 10 m × 10 m experimental plots. Plots were surveyed for density, cover of all plants, and standing forage. Total plant cover was higher in CON and UND than the other treatments. Except for BOCU, where forage production was the highest, forage production ha − 1 was low among all other treatments. Plant density was highest in SHR and lowest in CON. Results after four years of transformation indicate that seeded Chloris gayana failed to become established, but seeding of Bouteloua curtipendula was able to persist, and had the greatest influence on the vegetation restoration, which is what we consider the most appropriate restoration treatment.
    Keywords rehabilitation ; semi-arid ; shrub ; grasses ; grazing ; Agriculture (General) ; S1-972
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-04-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  4. Article ; Online: Growth rate, scrotal circumference, sperm characteristics, and sexual behavior of mixed-breed goat bucks fed three leguminous trees

    Cecilia Zapata / Jaime Salinas / Javier Moran-Martínez / Angeles de Santiago / Francisco G. Veliz / José E. García / Miguel Mellado

    Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, Vol 19, Iss

    2021  Volume 4

    Abstract: Aim of study: To investigate the effect of feeding foliage of leguminous trees on growth rate, semen characteristics, and sexual behavior of bucks. Area of study: Northeastern Mexico (23°44' N, 99°8' W). Material and methods: Twenty-two young goat bucks ... ...

    Abstract Aim of study: To investigate the effect of feeding foliage of leguminous trees on growth rate, semen characteristics, and sexual behavior of bucks. Area of study: Northeastern Mexico (23°44' N, 99°8' W). Material and methods: Twenty-two young goat bucks were randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups: 33% alfalfa hay (dry matter basis), 33%; Acacia farnesiana; Leucaena leucocephala; or Prosopis laevigata foliage (n=4 for alfalfa; n=6 for the rest of groups). Main results: Average daily gain (ADG) did not differ between bucks fed alfalfa, A. farnesiana, or L. leucocephala (120 ± 26, 134 ± 37, and 103 ± 29 g/d, respectively), but ADG of bucks offered P. laevigata was the lowest (72 ± 8 g; p<0.05). Bucks fed alfalfa had the highest feed efficiency (6.59 ± 1.25 kg of feed consumed/kg of gain; p<0.05) and bucks offered leguminous trees had the lowest (average 9.85 ± 2.3). Bucks offered alfalfa, and A. farnesiana had increased (p<0.05) scrotal circumference (26.6 ± 0.4 and 25.8 ± 1.5 cm) than bucks fed L. leucocephala, or P. laevigata (24.3 ± 1.2 and 24.1 ± 2.0 cm). Mean ejaculate volume was two-fold higher in alfalfa-fed bucks than all other dietary treatments. Sexual behavior did not differ among bucks fed the different legumes. Research highlights: Foliage of both A. farnesiana and L. leucocephala could totally replace alfalfa hay for rearing growing goat bucks in confinement without affecting daily weight gain, most semen characteristics, and copulation ability. P. laevigata reduced body weight and reproductive function.
    Keywords Acacia farnesiana ; Leucaena leucocephaala ; Prosopis laevigata ; weight gain ; semen characteristics ; Agriculture ; S
    Subject code 630
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-10-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  5. Article ; Online: Restoration of Rangelands Invaded by Amelichloa clandestina (Hack.) Arriaga & Barkworth after 12 Years of Agriculture Abandonment (Coahuila, Mexico)

    José R. Arévalo / Juan A. Encina-Domínguez / Sait Juanes-Márquez / Perpetuo Álvarez-Vázquez / Juan A. Nuñez-Colima / Miguel Mellado

    Agriculture, Vol 11, Iss 886, p

    2021  Volume 886

    Abstract: Abandonment of agricultural land is currently one of the main land use changes in developed countries. This change has an impact at the economic level and from the point of view of conservation. Therefore, recovering these areas after abandonment is, in ... ...

    Abstract Abandonment of agricultural land is currently one of the main land use changes in developed countries. This change has an impact at the economic level and from the point of view of conservation. Therefore, recovering these areas after abandonment is, in many cases, necessary for ecological restoration, especially as they can be invaded by exotic or dominant species, preventing recovery of the original plant species community. The objective of this study is to examine changes in plant species richness and composition after the application of different treatments to eliminate Amelichloa clandestina, a species that dominates pastures abandoned 12 years ago in an area located in northern Mexico. The area is a semi-desert grassland dominated by buffalo grass Bouteloua dactyloides . We used different eradication techniques such as burning, herbicides, and clipping. Although the treatments had significant effects on species richness and composition and resulted in a relative reduction of the target species, the abundance of Amelichloa clandestina was still substantial. Burning is effective, favoring the increase of species richness and provoking a lower presence of A. clandestine but with a dominance of annuals. The most important impact on the total cover of A. clandestina is shown by the herbicide treatment. However, monitoring of these areas will still be required to consider the long-term impact and success of treatments.
    Keywords biodiversity ; DCA ; species richness ; restoration ; Agriculture (General) ; S1-972
    Subject code 580
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-09-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  6. Article ; Online: Effect of age at first calving and heat stress at parturition on reproductive efficiency and postpartum disorders in Holstein heifers

    Miguel Mellado / Vanessa Alba / Leticia Gaytán / José E. García / Jesús Mellado

    Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, Vol 17, Iss 2, Pp e0405-e

    2019  Volume 0405

    Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of age at first calving (AFC) and climatic conditions at calving on peripartum disorders and reproductive performance in Holstein heifers in a hot environment. A total of 3000 reproductive records ... ...

    Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of age at first calving (AFC) and climatic conditions at calving on peripartum disorders and reproductive performance in Holstein heifers in a hot environment. A total of 3000 reproductive records from a large highly technified dairy farm were used; the variables evaluated were temperature humidity index (THI; <77, 77-83, >83) at calving and AFC (<2.0, 2.0-2.2 and >2.2 years). Across age groups, the cases of dystocic parturition increased (p<0.05) when the deliveries occurred with severe heat stress (4.3% vs. 3.3% for THI >83 and <83 units, respectively). Across THI, conception rate at the first postpartum artificial insemination (AI) was lower (p=0.02) for heifers calving for the first time >2.2 years compared to heifers calving between 2.0 and 2.2 and <2.0 years (9.8, 15.3 and 13.7%, respectively). Conception rate at first AI postcalving was higher (p<0.01) in heifers calving with THI less than 83 units than in heifers calving with a THI >83 units (16.8 vs. 5.4%). The conception rate considering all services was affected (p<0.05) by AFC (42.7, 50.4 and 40.9% for AFC <2.0, 2.0-2.2 and >2.2 years, respectively). The interaction AFC × THI at calving was significant (p<0.05). The occurrence of metritis was higher (p<0.05) in heifers <2.0 years of age at calving than those calving after 2 years of age. The presence of ovarian cysts was less common (p<0.05) in heifers with greater AFC. In conclusion, increasing the AFC in Holstein heifers had no benefits in reproduction and health, compared with heifers calving at <2.0 years. These data in a hot climate suggest that heifers should be selected to begin their first lactation before 2 years of age.
    Keywords temperature humidity index (THI) ; dystocia ; conception rate ; services per conception ; preterm birth ; Agriculture ; S
    Subject code 630
    Language English
    Publishing date 2019-07-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  7. Article ; Online: Effect of Dorper Rams’ Social-Sexual Hierarchy on Their Sexual Behavior and Capacity to Induce Estrus in Ewes

    Andrea González-Tavizón / César A. Meza-Herrera / Gerardo Arellano-Rodríguez / Miguel Mellado / Viridiana Contreras-Villarreal / Oscar Ángel-García / José R. Arévalo / Francisco G. Véliz-Deras

    Agriculture, Vol 12, Iss 391, p

    2022  Volume 391

    Abstract: This study aimed to assess the influence of the social rank of rams and quality of stimuli to ewes between dominant and subordinate Dorper rams joined to anestrus ewes. Social rank was evaluated for two days (ESR; n = 36); rams were exposed to ... ...

    Abstract This study aimed to assess the influence of the social rank of rams and quality of stimuli to ewes between dominant and subordinate Dorper rams joined to anestrus ewes. Social rank was evaluated for two days (ESR; n = 36); rams were exposed to estrogenized ewes in a competitive test. According to the reproductive response, anovulatory ewes ( n = 76) were divided into two groups: LHRe ( n = 38; ewes exposed to four low hierarchy rams (LHR)) and HHRe ( n = 38; ewes exposed to four high hierarchy rams (HHR)). Regarding aggressive behaviors, HHR showed a higher (p < 0.05) proportion of rams showing threatening, knocking, and blocking behaviors than LHR. Appetitive behavior was higher (p < 0.05) in HHR than LHR rams (3576 ± 0.7 vs. 3054 ± 0.7 number of events). Consummatory sexual behavior was higher (p < 0.05) in HHR than LHR (499 ± 0.3 vs. 205 ± 0.1 number of events). Indicators of sexual inactivity (SRI) were similar between HHR and LHR (499 ± 0.3 vs. 433 ± 0.1; p > 0.05). The estrus response (>80%; p > 0.05) and ovarian response (70%, p > 0.05) were similar for both groups of ewes. It was concluded that LHR are equally effective as HHR in inducing sexual activity in ewes showing postpartum anestrus.
    Keywords social rank ; anestrus ewe ; sexual behavior ; Agriculture (General) ; S1-972
    Subject code 150
    Language English
    Publishing date 2022-03-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  8. Article ; Online: Serum metabolites and body condition score associated with metritis, endometritis, ketosis, and mastitis in Holstein cows

    Edir Torres / Miguel Mellado / Carlos Leyva / José Eduardo García / Francisco Gerardo Véliz / Juan Hernández-Bustamante

    Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira, Vol

    2020  Volume 55

    Abstract: Abstract: The objective of this work was to identify the serum metabolites and the body condition score (BCS) of Holstein cows associated with the occurrence of periparturient diseases, when under heat stress. Blood samples were collected from 181 cows ... ...

    Abstract Abstract: The objective of this work was to identify the serum metabolites and the body condition score (BCS) of Holstein cows associated with the occurrence of periparturient diseases, when under heat stress. Blood samples were collected from 181 cows one week after calving, and the BCS was recorded at calving. Cows with β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentration ≥ 0.8 mmol L-1 were 2.2 times more likely to develop metritis and 4.4 times more likely to develop clinical endometritis (CE). Cows with serum creatinine levels ≥ 2.0 mg dL-1 showed 2.2 and 4.5 greater risk (p ≤ 0.05) of suffering from metritis and CE, respectively, during the current lactation. The odds of metritis and CE occurrence were 2.7 and 4.6 times greater (p < 0.01) in cows with serum total protein (TP) ≥ 5.0 mg dL-1. Cows with serum glucose levels ≤ 70 mg dL-1 and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) ≥ 0.5 had 9.4 and 8.8 times greater odds of developing clinical ketosis, respectively, than cows with lower glucose and NEFA blood levels. The strategic use of metabolic tests to monitor transition Holstein cows, aiming to prevent some postpartum diseases due to heat stress, should focus on blood BHBA, NEFAs, glucose, creatinine, and TP. Additionally, the BCS ≤ 3.2 should be avoided to prevent endometritis.
    Keywords β-hydroxybutyrate ; clinical ketosis ; creatinine ; endometritis ; non-esterified fatty acids ; Agriculture (General) ; S1-972
    Subject code 630
    Language English
    Publishing date 2020-06-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Embrapa Informação Tecnológica
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  9. Article ; Online: Effects of in utero heat stress on subsequent reproduction performance of first-calf Holstein heifers

    María I. Chavez / José E. García / Francisco G. Véliz / Leticia R. Gaytán / Ángeles de Santiago / Miguel Mellado

    Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, Vol 18, Iss 2, Pp e0404-e

    2020  Volume 0404

    Abstract: Aim of study: To determine the reproductive performance of heifers gestated under maternal conditions of heat stress in late gestation. Area of study: Northern Mexico (25° 32’ N, 103° 23’ W). Material and methods: The study included reproductive records ... ...

    Abstract Aim of study: To determine the reproductive performance of heifers gestated under maternal conditions of heat stress in late gestation. Area of study: Northern Mexico (25° 32’ N, 103° 23’ W). Material and methods: The study included reproductive records of 4976 first-calf Holstein heifers in a hot environment. Main results: Heifers born to cows experiencing no heat stress three months before parturition but with a THI >83 at calving were older (p<0.05) at first calving (743 ± 67 vs. 729 ± 55 days) than heifers gestated under maternal conditions of heat stress. A two-fold increase (p<0.01) in pregnancy rate occurred in heifers gestated under maternal conditions of no heat stress during two or three months before pregnancy and no heat stress at parturition, compared with heifers gestated under maternal conditions of no heat stress. Overall, across in utero heat stress one, two or three months before calving, pregnancy rate to all services was higher (p<0.05) for first-calf heifers gestated under maternal conditions of no heat stress during delivery, compared with heifers gestated under maternal conditions of heat stress (66.7 vs. 51.1%). Median days for getting pregnant was higher (140 d) for heifers whose dams were exposed to THI >83 at calving than heifers whose mothers were exposed to <76 or 76-83 (117 and 114 d) at calving. Research highlights: These data suggest that in utero heat stress during the last three months of gestation negatively affects the reproductive performance of first-calf Holstein heifers.
    Keywords conception rate ; twining rate ; services per pregnancy ; age at first calving ; fetal losses ; Agriculture ; S
    Language English
    Publishing date 2020-09-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  10. Article ; Online: Impact of 25 years of grazing exclusion and shrub removal on plant community structure and soil characteristics in a xerophytic rangeland

    Jose R. Arévalo / José E. García / Miguel Mellado / Juan A. Encina-Domínguez / José Dueñez / Eliseo Suárez-Hernández

    Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, Vol 18, Iss 1, Pp e0302-e

    2020  Volume 0302

    Abstract: Aim of study: We tested the hypothesis that long periods of grazing exclusion in areas with a history of high grazing intensity will have a positive impact on soil nutrient conditions and favor soil infiltration, increase biomass and lead to a recovery ... ...

    Abstract Aim of study: We tested the hypothesis that long periods of grazing exclusion in areas with a history of high grazing intensity will have a positive impact on soil nutrient conditions and favor soil infiltration, increase biomass and lead to a recovery in vegetation. Area of study: Noria de Guadalupe, Zacatecas, Mexico. Material and methods: We analyzed the impact of grazing exclusion on biomass, species richness, evenness, soil nutrient content and soil water infiltration after 25 years of exclusion during each of the four seasons by excluding two 15 × 15 m plots of grazing and compared with two control plots. Main results: Exclusion management did not lead to biomass increases; however, it did lead to an important recovery in the plant community. Moreover, soil nutrient content was more affected by the seasonality of rainfall in the study site than by 25 years of exclusion. The elimination of dominant shrubs in the excluded area led to a faster recovery in palatable shrubs and shortgrass vegetation, which was improved by better infiltration values during the end of spring and summer explaining some of the differences in nutrient avaibility. Research highlights: In our study, exclusion management can lead to an important recovery in vegetation without affecting the growth of Atriplex canescens, a valuable source of fodder. Although biomass presented a higher dependence on seasonality and was not related to the treatment, the impact on the forage quality is evident by the different plant communities established after 25 years of exclusion.
    Keywords atriplex canescens ; community ; diversity ; grazing ; infiltration ; Agriculture ; S
    Language English
    Publishing date 2020-04-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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