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do Nascimento Barreto A, Jacintho MAC, Barioni Junior W, Pereira AMF, Nanni Costa L, Zandonadi Brandão F, Romanello N, Novais Azevedo G, Rossetto Garcia A. Adaptive integumentary features of beef cattle raised on afforested or non-shaded tropical pastures. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16951. [PMID: 39043710 PMCID: PMC11266545 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66675-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
We aimed to analyze the seasonal acclimatization process of Nelore and Canchim cattle raised on two production systems (non-shaded, NS, and integrated crop-livestock-forest, ICLF), based on the dynamics of the morphological and functional attributes of the hair coat and skin during winter and summer. The study was conducted in Brazil, in a low-altitude tropical climate region. A completely randomized 2 × 2 factorial design was adopted as follows: two production systems (NS and ICLF), two breeds (Nelore and Canchim) in a longitudinal structure, with measurements repeated over time through two stations (winter and summer). The experimental animals consisted of 32 Nelore (Bos indicus) and 32 Canchim (5/8 Bos taurus × 3/8 Bos indicus) bulls. The animals were equally distributed between two intensive rotational grazing systems. In both breeds, the hair coat was significantly thicker in winter but longer in summer, which increased epidermal protection. The Nelore bulls had shorter, wider, and thicker hairs, which are attributes that promote heat loss via conduction. The Canchim bulls showed significantly lower hair density and higher epithelium distance to sweat glands, which resulted in higher core temperature and respiratory rate. In turn, Nelore bulls had higher serum concentrations of triiodothyronine and lower serum concentrations of cortisol. However, Canchim bulls more frequently and intensely activated their thermoregulatory system and markedly adjusted their hair coat and hair features to reduce heat gain, especially in summer. Therefore, the anatomical plasticity and functional integumentary characteristics of Nelore and Canchim bulls reflect their acclimatization to tropical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andréa do Nascimento Barreto
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pará, Av. dos Universitários, s/n, Castanhal, PA, 68746-360, Brazil
| | - Manuel Antonio Chagas Jacintho
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Animal Reproduction, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), Embrapa Southeast Livestock, Rod. Washington Luiz, km 234, São Carlos, SP, 13560-970, Brazil
| | - Waldomiro Barioni Junior
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Animal Reproduction, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), Embrapa Southeast Livestock, Rod. Washington Luiz, km 234, São Carlos, SP, 13560-970, Brazil
| | - Alfredo Manuel Franco Pereira
- Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, Institute for Advanced Studies and Research, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Apartado 94, 7006-554, Évora, Portugal
| | - Leonardo Nanni Costa
- Department of Agri-Food Science and Technology, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin, 46, 40127, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Narian Romanello
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Duque de Caxias Norte, 255, Pirassununga, SP, 13635-900, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Novais Azevedo
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Animal Reproduction, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), Embrapa Southeast Livestock, Rod. Washington Luiz, km 234, São Carlos, SP, 13560-970, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Rossetto Garcia
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Pará, Av. dos Universitários, s/n, Castanhal, PA, 68746-360, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Animal Reproduction, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), Embrapa Southeast Livestock, Rod. Washington Luiz, km 234, São Carlos, SP, 13560-970, Brazil.
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Duque de Caxias Norte, 255, Pirassununga, SP, 13635-900, Brazil.
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Cloete KJ, Šmit Ž, Gianoncelli A. Multidimensional Profiling of Human Body Hairs Using Qualitative and Semi-Quantitative Approaches with SR-XRF, ATR-FTIR, DSC, and SEM-EDX. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044166. [PMID: 36835578 PMCID: PMC9964782 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the potential of a multidimensional approach to differentiate body hairs based on their physico-chemical properties and whether body hairs can replace the use of scalp hair in studies linked to forensic and systemic intoxication. This is the first case report controlling for confounding variables to explore the utility of multidimensional profiling of body hair using synchrotron synchrotron microbeam X-ray fluorescence (SR-XRF) for longitudinal and hair morphological region mapping) and benchtop methods, including attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) (complemented with chemometrics analysis), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) (complemented with heatmap analysis), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis (complemented by descriptive statistics) to profile different body hairs in terms of their elemental, biochemical, thermal, and cuticle properties. This multidimensional approach provided supportive information to emphasize the intricate and rather complex interplay between the organization and levels of elements and biomolecules within the crystalline and amorphous matrix of different body hairs responsible for the differences in physico-chemical properties between body hairs that are predominantly affected by the growth rate, follicle or apocrine gland activity, and external factors such as cosmetic use and exposure to environmental xenobiotics. The data from this study may have important implications for forensic science, toxicology and systemic intoxication, or other studies involving hair as a research matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen J. Cloete
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology Laboratories, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, P.O. Box 392, Pretoria 0003, South Africa
- Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, P.O. Box 722, Somerset West 7129, South Africa
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +27-21-82-587-6720
| | - Žiga Šmit
- Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, Jadranska 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova 39, SI-1001 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Alessandra Gianoncelli
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, Strada Statale 14, km 163.5 in Area Science Park, 34149 Basovizza, TS, Italy
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Felix G, Fioravanti M, Garbelini J, Juliano R, B. Sobrinho A, Piovezan U. Use of the cryostat to prepare slides for trichological analysis. ARQ BRAS MED VET ZOO 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/1678-4162-12001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- G.A. Felix
- Centro Universitário Grande Dourados, Brazil
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Souza FC, Azevedo FC. Hair as a tool for identification of predators and prey: a study based on scats of jaguars (Panthera onca) and pumas (Puma concolor). BIOTA NEOTROPICA 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/1676-0611-bn-2020-1044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Abstract: Microscopic hair identification is a non-invasive, simple, and economical method applied in scientific studies to identify mammal species. In ecology, this method is used mainly in mastofaunistic inventories and dietary studies. In the last decade, the number of dietary studies using the microscopic identification of hairs has grown substantially, but the application of this technique as a tool for the identification of both predators and prey species is still scant. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify predator and prey hairs in scat samples from the two largest species of carnivores in the Neotropical region, the jaguar (Panthera onca Linnaeus, 1758) and the puma (Puma concolor Linnaeus, 1771). We examined a total of 100 scat samples being 50 from the Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul and 50 from the Atlantic Forest of Paraná. We used different identification categories that included the hair microscopic and macroscopic identification, as well as the use of hooves and nails present in the scats associated with tracks and kills found in the field. We identified 57 prey items in the Pantanal samples and 61 in the Atlantic Forest samples. Predator´s hairs were identified in 34% of Pantanal samples and in 46% of Atlantic Forest samples. The combination of hair microscopic and macroscopic characteristics was efficient in the identification of different taxonomic levels, with most identifications reaching the level of the species. However, the methodological protocol for microscopic hair identification was not fully effective in obtaining all the microstructural patterns of the studied mammals. Adjustments in the technique are necessary to differentiate microstructural characteristics of species belonging to the same family. We recommend macroscopic identification of scat content items (hairs, hooves or nails) of both prey and predators to be used to complete the microscopic hair identification technique in dietary ecological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda C. Souza
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brasil; Universidade Federal de Lavras, Brasil
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