2. Material andmethods
This study was conducted at the Federal University of Jequitinhonha
and Mucuri Valleys (‘Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e
Mucuri’; UFVJM), Beef Cattle Research and Experiment Sector (Curvelo,
Minas Gerais State, Brazil; 44°24′W and 18°49′S), and analyses were
performed at the Animal Products Science and Technology Sector
(Diamantina, Minas Gerais State, Brazil; 43°34′W and 18°12′S). Bulls
utilized in this experiment were cared for by acceptable practices in
accordance with the guidelines as outlined in the Guide for the Care
and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching (Federation
of Animal Science Societies, 2010), and the research protocol was