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The aim of this study was to determine the differences in digit sizes from both pelvic limbs of 169 dairy cows of different genetic groups (Holstein, Jersey, Brown Swiss, and Jersolando), in lactating and non-lactating conditions, and their relation with diseases. Images were taken from the plantar view of the lateral and medial digits, and the length and width of the sole and bulb were then measured. Variables were discarded and factors for analysis were defined. Data were defined according to the highest coefficients and used to discriminate genetic groups and their association with indexes of foot diseases and productive performance. The Chi-square test showed that higher involvement occurred in lactating cows and in the right pelvic limb. Differences among all genetic groups were observed regarding the variables body weight, productive longevity, incidence of foot diseases, and generated factors. The Jersey breed was isolated from the other genetic groups because it presented lower coefficients for all variables; Holstein and Brown Swiss presented the highest morphometric measures of the digits, a higher body weight, and productive longevity, and higher rates of foot diseases. The Jersolando presented intermediate values ​​between those of the two breeds from which it originated. The susceptibility to foot diseases is associated with breed, lactational stage, body weight, and with the morphometric parameters of the digits.

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Sample storage and fasting times leads to some changes of blood metabolites in broilers. Therefore, a study was conducted with the aim to assess the influence of storage and fasting times in serum and plasma fractions on glucose, total cholesterol, triacylglycerols, Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) concentrations in broilers. A total of 70 male broiler chickens fasted at 7 times (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 hours) to collect blood fractions (serum and plasma) stored at -20°C for 0, 30, and 60 days. Glucose and GGT were affected by fasting times×blood fraction. Serum glucose concentration decreased linearly (≅ 2.48 mg dL^-1), whereas total cholesterol and plasma GGT increased linearly (≅ 0.92 mg dL^-1 and ≅ 0.19 IU L^-1, respectively) with fasting time. There was a quadratic effect on plasma glucose and serum GGT (maximum at 3.95 hours and minimum at 5.22 hours of fasting, respectively), and triacylglycerol (minimum at 8.75 hours of fasting) and ALT concentrations (maximum at 8.45 hours of fasting). Glucose, total cholesterol, AST, ALT, GGT concentrations were higher in serum, while triacylglycerol was higher in plasma. Glucose concentration had the lowest values at 30 days, while ALT was higher on day 0. However, GGT concentrations were lower on days 0 and 30. Samples of plasma for glucose, ALT, and GGT stored at -20°C for long periods should be avoided. In addition, serum samples and 6 hours fasting are recommended for the assessment of blood biochemical metabolites in broilers.