Effect of artificial shading on performance and reproductive parameters of semi-confined young Brangus bulls

Authors

  • Marcos Chiquitelli Neto Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Faculdade de Engenharia de Ilha Solteira, Departamento de Biologia Aplicada à Agropecuária
  • Cristiane Gonçalves Titto Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Laboratório de Biometeorologia e Etologia
  • Evaldo Antonio Lencioni Titto Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Laboratório de Biometeorologia e Etologia
  • Eliane Vianna da Costa e Silva Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia
  • José Nicolau Prospero Puoli Filho Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia
  • Thays Mayra da Cunha Leme Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Laboratório de Biometeorologia e Etologia
  • Fábio Luís Henrique Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Laboratório de Biometeorologia e Etologia
  • Alfredo Manuel Fraco Pereira Universidade de Évora, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais Mediterrânicas

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1678-4456.v52i1p68-77

Keywords:

Behavior, Heat Stress, Performance, Reproduction, Shade

Abstract

Thirty Brangus bulls were used in a 90-d study to assess the effect of artificial shading on the performance and reproductive characteristics of semi-confined cattle. Animals were kept in four one-ha paddocks in two groups of eight for shade treatment (5 m2/animal of 80% solar block shade cloth) and two groups of seven animals in no-shade treatment. Each treatment had two homogeneous groups, each divided into heavy-bulls (351-450 kg) and light-bulls (300-350 kg). Time spent under shade, time standing, average daily gain, testicular development and sperm quality were investigated. Animals spent 24% of the daylight under the shade and no-shaded bulls spent more time standing (P < 0.05). No difference was found in average daily gain (P > 0.05) and testicular development between shaded and no-shaded animals. However, scrotal perimeter was higher for shaded light animals compared to no-shaded light bulls (P < 0.10). Sperm motility increase during the experimental period for shaded animals (P < 0.05) and sperm abnormalities were higher for the shaded ones (P < 0.05). Although the results did not indicate pronounced benefits on cattle performance, this resource was an important alternative because it appears to provide an improvement in some reproductive parameters and ensure a better thermal comfort to the animals.

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Published

2015-04-13

Issue

Section

ARTICLES

How to Cite

Effect of artificial shading on performance and reproductive parameters of semi-confined young Brangus bulls. (2015). Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research and Animal Science, 52(1), 68-77. https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1678-4456.v52i1p68-77