Here we provide evidence of multiple paternities in naturally mated sows under conditions ensuring that (a) sows had the same probability of being mated by any of the available boars and (b) no differences in hybrid vigour existed. Total DNA was obtained from 19 Gochu Asturcelta piglets from three different sows, each with the same chance of natural mating with two different boars. A set of 20 microsatellites were typed on all the individuals. The program CERVUS was used to asses the informative ability of the microsatellite set and to perform paternity assignment. Allelic frequencies at population level were obtained using a total of 141 Gochu Asturcelta individuals. Offspring were always assigned to a candidate boar with high statistical confidence. All litters had different parents. Our results show that multiple paternities are possible in domestic pigs under natural mating. Furthermore, the current study can be useful to further understand the mating system of the wild boar.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of electronic and visual ear tags in animal traceability, and to investigate the effect of placement site on ear-tag retention in Akkaraman lambs under rural conditions. A total of 380 lambs were identified with electronic and visual ear tags. Electronic and visual ear tags displayed 98.9 and 98.7% readability at the end of 7 months, and 98.0 and 98.0% readability at the end of the first year after tagging, respectively. Regarding the placement site, it was observed that there was more loss in ear tags placed on the mid-point part of the ear than the first-quarter part from the head side, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0 : 05). Breakages and electronic failures were not recorded during this study. In conclusion, electronic and visual ear tags demonstrated similar on-farm efficiency for the identification of Akkaraman lambs and fulfilled the minimum efficiency of 98% required by the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR) for an official animal identification device at the end of the first year after tagging. Based on the findings of the study, placement of the ear tag in a cranial position and near the base of the ear would be advised.
The Prestice Black-Pied pig (PC) is a genetic resource of the Czech Republic. Information about boar variability has been provided in preceding papers. The objective of this work was to compare genetic variability of boars and sows. A total of 21 microsatellite markers were used to study genetic diversity and population structure of 149 PC breeding animals. In this paper, current parameters of assessments of diversity in PC are listed. All loci were polymorphic, and a total of 167 alleles were observed across the studied loci. The range of alleles was found to be 4 to 15 with a mean of 7.95. Overall allele frequency ranged from 0.07 to 0.25. The calculated observed and expected heterozygosity values were 0.70 and 0.73, respectively. The polymorphism information content (PIC) was 0.69 and the overall within-population inbreeding estimate (F-IS) was 0.04. Genetic differentiation and population subdivision were tested. The level of admixture of breeds used for improvement of the PC breed was evaluated (Landrace, Large White and Pietrain). Five percent of analysed PC breeding boars had more than 20% admixture of other monitored breeds. The obtained results are important for the future sustainability of this local breed.
The effects of a probiotic (protexin), a medicinal plant (basil essential oil) and an antibiotic growth promoter (avilamycin) as broiler feed additives on performance, carcass characteristics and some blood parameters of broilers were studied. A total of 600 Arian broilers were divided into six treatments, with four replicates of 25 birds. Treatments were a plant essential oil in three levels (200, 400 and 600 ppm), the probiotic (150 ppm), the antibiotic (150 ppm) and a control group with no additives. Birds in different treatments received the same diets during the experimental period. Growth performance, blood biochemical parameters and carcass traits were measured. There were no effects of dietary treatment on body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio of the broilers. Internal organ weights and carcass characteristics were not influenced by treatments; however, 200 ppm basil essential oil supplementation decreased abdominal fat (P < 0.05). Biochemical parameters including serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and total cholesterol were not statistically influenced. However, addition of 400 ppm basil essential oil into diet increased serum triglyceride as compared to the control (P < 0.05). Results of this experiment demonstrated that the herbal natural feed additives such as basil may be used as alternatives to an antibiotic growth promoter without any adverse effects on broiler production.
Abstract. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effect of intraperitoneal (IP) injection of ghrelin on goose performance. Hence, forty-eight 28-day-old geese were assigned into three treatments which lasted 40 days. The first intact group included no injection; that is, treatment 1 was characterized by G0; treatment 2, given to the second intact group, was characterized by G50, 50 ng kg−1 ghrelin body weight (BW); and treatment 3, given to the third intact group, was characterized by G100, 100 ng kg−1 ghrelin BW. Ghrelin was injected at the outset of the experimental rearing period (28-day-old birds). Blood samples were taken at two different times: (1) 12 h after the injection and (2) at the end of the rearing period. The effects of the injections were examined and evaluated during two rearing periods (28–48 days old and 48–68 days old). In the second treatment (G50), ghrelin injection caused an increase in the feed intake during the growing period but not the finishing period. Body weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the growing period and finishing period did not change following any ghrelin treatments (P > 0.05). Injection of ghrelin at G100 increased breast muscle (pectoral) weight. The results of the present study indicate that ghrelin has a significant impact on feeding regulation and muscle growth at a certain period in geese. Nevertheless, it should be noted that ghrelin may have different effects on feeding of avian species.
The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of the temperament of cows on their lifetime production efficiency. Data on milk performance, longevity and culling reasons of 11 629 Polish Holstein-Friesian cows were extracted from the SYMLEK database. Using the methodology of the Polish Federation of Cattle Breeders and Dairy Farmers, cow temperament was assessed as follows: 1 – calm; 2 – normal; and 3 – excitable or aggressive. Most cows showed a normal temperament (89.52 %). Over successive years of the evaluation, there were increases in the proportion of cows with a calm (from 2.98 to 6.85 %) and excitable temperament (from 7.50 to 8.27 %). Temperament was found to have a highly significant effect on first lactation milk yield, first lactation daily milk yield, milk yield per day of age, and milk yield per day of productive life. In cows with a calm temperament, first lactation milk yield was 621 kg higher than in cows with a normal temperament and 329 kg higher compared to excitable (aggressive) cows.
The results of this study constitute a part of a project aiming at developing a cross-breed suitable for an extensive rearing system, utilising local biodiversity. Hybrids from mating a commercial broiler's male component (C) with Green-legged Partridgenous (GP) or Sussex (Sx) hens were compared with Cobb broilers. The study included 720 chickens of 3 genetic groups. Up to the third week of age, all birds were fed with balanced mixtures recommended for broiler chickens. From the fourth week, the mixture was weekly reduced by 10 % for the birds kept extensively (E). The deducted part was replaced with wheat bran, and from the seventh week with wheat. E groups had access to runs and received green fodder. Birds were slaughtered in 12th week of life. Carcass yield, giblets and proportion of carcass elements were estimated along with meat traits. The body weight at the 6th, 9th, 12th week of rearing and dissection results indicated a good suitability of Cobb chickens for an extensive rearing system. Hybrids were characterised by a considerably smaller proportion of breast muscle and slightly bigger of thighs and drumsticks, compared with Cobb, which could result from their greater motor activity. Results obtained by C × Sx and C × GP chickens, such as final body weight, proportions of abdominal fat and carcass elements, and appropriate value of meat traits, point at the usefulness of these hybrids as a meat-type chicken under extensive housing conditions. Darker colour of chicken meat, derived from C cocks and Sx or GP hens crossbred, can constitute an indicator for their carcasses' identification on the market.
An experiment was designed to investigate the effects of soybean, sunflower oil and dietary L-carnitine supplementation on growth performance, some blood biochemical parameters and antibody titer against Newcastle disease of broiler chicks. A 5-week feeding trial, 240 1-day old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly allocated to six dietary treatments as a 3 × 2 factorial experimental design where three sources of dietary oil contained soybean, sunflower and soybean plus sunflower oil with and without 120 mg kg−1 of L-carnitine supplementation in the diet. Results showed that soybean oil with L-carnitine significantly improved body weight gain and feed conversion ratio of broiler chicks in the grower and total period of rearing (p < 0.05). L-carnitine supplementation significantly increased total protein, globulin, cholesterol, HDL and LDL (high- and low-density lipoprotein) of blood serum in broiler chicks (p < 0.05). L-carnitine supplementation increased antibody titer against Newcastle disease of chicks and the highest levels were observed in those with the supplement of L-carnitine in the soybean oil dietary treatment. Results of this experiment showed that the growth performance and blood biochemical responses of broiler chicks to dietary supplementation with L-carnitine in dietary oil source and soybean oil, in comparison to sunflower oil, is the better plant oil for growth and immunological performance of broiler chicks.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of training on hematological and biochemical blood indices and acid–base balance as well as to attempt an assessment of the degree of driving horses' training based on examined parameters during the training cycle. The study was conducted on eight Polish Halfbred driving horses (aged 6–12 years). Each four-horse harness included two geldings and two mares. Blood was collected before and directly after training as well as after a 30 min recovery period. Blood samples were analyzed for hematological and biochemical parameters, as well as acid–base balance and glutathione peroxidase activity. The data were processed using a general linear model (ANOVA) procedure in Statistica v10. A significant (P < 0.01) post-exercise increase in heart rate and respiratory rate was noted. Changes (P < 0.01) in red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), glucose (GLU) and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) were observed after exercise. Correctness of the exercises affects the rate of recovery to rest values. The fastest recovery to the values of the rest period was noted in the case of RBC, HGB, LYM (lymphocytes), TCO2 (total carbon dioxide), HCO3− (bicarbonate concentration), GLU and NEFA. Training load did not cause acid–base balance disturbance, with visible compensation during the recovery period (increase in HCO3− and extracellular base excess (BE)). Changes in GPx activity were not confirmed statistically; however an increasing tendency was observed after training. Long-term exercises of driving horses cause significant lipomobilization. This study enables an evaluation and comparison of physical preparation to effort and intensity of driving horses' training. In the case of driving horses' training, there is a need to accept lower lactic acid (LA) (< 4 mmol L−1) values in aerobic–anaerobic threshold interpretation.
Mastitis is one of the most important dairy cattle diseases which results in economic losses in dairy production. Mastitis cases can be classified as subclinical or clinical. All forms of mastitis lead to changes in milk composition and induce an increase in somatic cell count (SCC). SCC is a very important and basic indicator of udder health. An increase in SCC is usually caused by the immune response to the invasion of pathogens contributing to mastitis. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between the polymorphisms of selected genes (TLR4 and CARD15/NOD2) whose products are involved in the identification of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) during the innate immune response to infection, and immunity to mastitis expressed as SCC. The genes under study were also examined for epistatic effects as well as effects of interactions with parity and stages of lactation. In all the studied classes, allele G of TLR4 had a favourable additive effect with negative values, contributing to a lower lnSCC. Allele A of CARD15/NOD2 had a desirable additive effect which varied with time and the changing internal environment during lactation. With regard to the dominance effect, allele A of CARD15/NOD2 was found to be significantly associated with a higher SCC in milk in the first lactation and in the third stage of each single lactation. Moreover, statistically significant epistatic effects were found, in particular additive–additive and dominance–additive interactions were favourably associated with SCC which was lower than expected in the case of no epistasis.
Abstract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of premating ewe weight and age on ewe reproductive performance, lamb growth and survival in Central Anatolian Merino (CAM) sheep. The trial included 4935 ewes and 5548 lambs from 23 breeder flocks in Eskişehir Province. The live weights (LWs) and ages of the ewes were recorded 1 week before the mating season. The number of lambs born, fertility rate, multiple birth rate (MBR), and lamb survival rate (SR) at days 75 and 120 were determined. The effects of the LW and age of the ewe were found to be important for the reproductive performance of ewes and for the lamb's growth rate (P < 0.05–0.001). Ewe MBRs and the birth weight (BW) and LW of the lambs at days 75 and 120 increased proportionally with the increase in LW in ewes prior to mating. The fertility rate and MBR were lower (P < 0.05–0.001) in 1.5-year-old ewes than in older ewes. However, lambs' SR at days 75 and 120 were not affected by the premating LW and age of the ewe. In summary, a better reproductive performance and lamb growth rate in CAM flocks may be achieved by the selection of breeding ewes from ewes weighing more than 60 kg.
The aim of this study was to determine whether feed intake amount and feed intake behaviour could be related to oestrus in dairy cows. Furthermore, we investigated whether oestrus had an effect on daily milk yield. A total of 138 oestrus cycles, leading to conception of 100 cows, were analysed. The parameters "daily fresh matter intake amount ( kg)", "daily number of visits to the feeding trough" and "time spent feeding per day (min)" were electronically measured and recorded. For a sub-quantity of all animals, daily milk yield ( kg) was recorded continuously and stored in the herd management software. Special attention was given to the day of oestrus, which was defined as the day of successful insemination. All remaining days of the oestrus cycle were considered as the reference period. Among all animals and cycles, fresh matter intake amount per day, number of visits per day, and time spent feeding per day were reduced by 10.3, 9.1 and 20.8 %, respectively, on the day of oestrus. Fresh matter intake was significantly lower in primiparous cows than in multiparous cows. However, number of visits to the trough and time spent feeding per day were significantly higher in primiparous cows compared to multiparous cows. Day of oestrus did not have a significant effect on daily milk yield, as this parameter was characterized by high variation among all days of the oestrus cycle. In conclusion, if an RIC system is used, monitoring of feeding behaviour appears to be a potential auxiliary aid in oestrus detection.
In this study, ewes of "Merinolandschaf", a breed widespread in southern Germany, were crossed with rams of five meat breed types (Ile de France, Charollais, German black-headed mutton sheep (Deutsches Schwarzköpfiges Fleischschaf), Suffolk, Texel) and Merinolandschaf rams. The resulting lambs (179 individuals) were fattened intensively from 55.3 days and body weight of 20.4 kg until 121.7 days and a weight of 40.9 kg. While fattening, feed intake was recorded and lambs were weighed weekly. Ile de France × Merinolandschaf and Texel × Merinolandschaf seem to be of greatest economic interest for intensive fattening because they showed the best feed conversion rate and energetic feed conversion rate. Only these crosses were significantly superior compared to purebred Merinolandschaf in feed conversion rate and also in daily body weight gain during the fattening period. Except Charollais × Merinolandschaf, all crosses showed at least a tendency of improvement in all three traits compared to Merinolandschaf, although this is not always significant. This underlines the advantage of one-way cross-breeding for efficiently producing lamb meat. The growth was modelled with a linear model and the Gompertz model. The results showed that both models fit the data well, although the average R2 was slightly higher and the average mean square error was slightly lower for the Gompertz model. In addition, the use of the Gompertz model provided some interesting biological insights concerning the growth of lambs and differences between the crosses, even though the lambs were slaughtered before reaching their mature body weight.
Cattle temperament, which describes individual behaviour differences with regard to a stressor or environmental challenge, is known for its impact on working safety, adaptability to new housing conditions, animal productivity and for evaluation of animal welfare. However, successful use of temperament in animal breeding and husbandry to improve keeping conditions in general or animal welfare in particular, requires the availability of informative and reproducible phenotypes and knowledge about the genetic modulation of these traits. However, the knowledge about genetic influences on cattle temperament is still limited. In this review, an outline is given for the interdependence between production systems and temperament as well as for the phenotyping of cattle temperament based on both behaviour tests and observations of behaviour under production conditions. In addition, the use of temperament as a selection criterion is discussed.
Spermatogenesis-associated, serine-rich 2-like (SPATS2L) is an important reproduction-related gene. In this study, the full-length cDNA sequence of the porcine SPATS2L gene was cloned through the RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) method. The porcine SPATS2L gene encodes a protein of 559 amino acids which shares high homology with the SPATS2L proteins of seven species: dog (94 %), white-tufted-ear marmoset (91 %), human (92 %), rhesus monkey (92 %), horse (92 %), rat (88 %) and mouse (88 %). This novel porcine gene was assigned to GeneID: 100415809. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the porcine SPATS2L gene has a close genetic relationship with the canine SPATS2L gene. PCR-Pst I-RFLP was established to detect GU474997:c.1687 C > T substitution of porcine SPATS2L gene mRNA, and eight pig breeds displayed obvious genotype and allele frequency differences at this mutation locus. Association of this single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with litter size traits was assessed in Large White (n = 100) and Landrace (n = 100) pig populations, and results demonstrated that this polymorphic locus was significantly associated with the litter size of all parities in Large White sows and Landrace sows (P < 0.01). Therefore, SPATS2L gene could be an useful candidate gene in selection for increasing litter size in pigs.
The Erhualian (EHL) pig possesses significantly lower growth rates and higher adipose deposition compared with the Large White (LW) pig. To further understand the mechanism of breed lipid deposition difference at the early postnatal age, we employed an animal model of EHL and LW pigs at weaning age to compare the lipid metabolism differences in subcutaneous fat. The result showed that serum triglyceride in EHL was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of LW. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ protein level in EHL was significantly higher (P < 0.01) though CCTTA enhancer-binding protein level demonstrated no change compared with LW pigs. Hormone sensitive lipase, adipose tissue triglyceride lipase mRNA expression and the lipase activity were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in EHL. Uncoupling protein-2 protein content was significantly lower (P < 0.01) in EHL than that in LW pigs. We first cloned the nucleotide sequence of Zinc-α2-glycoprotein (ZAG) with 1090 bp and found that both ZAG mRNA expression and protein level in EHL pigs was significantly lower (P < 0.01) than that of LW pigs. β3 adrenergic receptor mRNA expression in EHL pigs was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than that of LW pigs, though tumour necrosis factor α gene expression demonstrated no significant difference. Therefore, the significant breed lipid metabolism difference in subcutaneous fat exists at an early postnatal age between EHL and LW pigs, and this difference may originate from two causes including the increased lipid synthesis and reduced lipid mobilization in EHL pigs compared with LW pigs.
REML (restricted maximum likelihood) has become the standard method of variance component estimation in animal breeding. Inference in Bayesian animal models is typically based upon Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods, which are generally flexible but time-consuming. Recently, a new Bayesian computational method, integrated nested Laplace approximation (INLA), has been introduced for making fast non-sampling-based Bayesian inference for hierarchical latent Gaussian models. This paper is concerned with the comparison of estimates provided by three representative programs (ASReml, WinBUGS and the R package AnimalINLA) of the corresponding methods (REML, MCMC and INLA), with a view to their applicability for the typical animal breeder. Gaussian and binary as well as simulated data were used to assess the relative efficiency of the methods. Analysis of 2319 records of body weight at 35 days of age from a broiler line suggested a purely additive animal model, in which the heritability estimates ranged from 0.31 to 0.34 for the Gaussian trait and from 0.19 to 0.36 for the binary trait, depending on the estimation method. Although in need of further development, AnimalINLA seems a fast program for Bayesian modeling, particularly suitable for the inference of Gaussian traits, while WinBUGS appeared to successfully accommodate a complicated structure between the random effects. However, ASReml remains the best practical choice for the serious animal breeder.
Strong increase in demand for animal products could benefit local producers in developing countries. This development opportunity particularly concerns suburban livestock. In Burkina Faso, the suburban area of Ouagadougou is a place for the setting up of an increasing number of breeders. Due to its importance in religious traditions, spurring its consumption in whole West Africa, mutton is a major part of this suburban production. In order to characterize sheep farming in the suburban zone of Ouagadougou, in terms of motives, practices, and economic performance, and to better understand the dynamic at play in the sheep sector, a survey has been conducted among 80 sheep farmers around Ouagadougou. The results show that suburban sheep keeping is a highly dual sector. Nearly half (42.5 %) of farms may be described as traditional livestock, while 50% are evolving towards intensification. These two groups essentially differ in terms of animal genetic and feeding management, farm infrastructure, and farmer education level. Economically, the whole sample tends to indicate a lack of profitability of the activity in terms of monetary income. Several factors contributing to this situation are pinpointed, namely feed and animal health constraints, flock and production management, and the market conditions.
The study examined variation in energetic-efficiency profiles among production systems and cow parities. Further, the correlation between cows' body condition score (BCS) and energetic efficiency over the lactation period was determined. Biological efficiency was defined using four measures of production efficiency and two measures of energetic efficiency. The following were measures of energetic efficiency: the net energy intake required to produce 1 kg milk solids (NEin / MS) and the proportion of net energy utilized for milk production after accounting for maintenance (NElact / (NEin- NEm)). Seven years of data were gathered from a total of 595 Holstein-Friesian cows in a long-term genetics × feeding–management interaction project. Two feeding regimes – High forage (HF) and Low forage (LF) – were applied to each of two genetic lines (Control (C) and Select (S)), giving four dairy production systems: Low Forage Control (LFC), Low Forage Select (LFS), High Forage Control (HFC) and High Forage Select (HFS). LFS was the most efficient system using all measures. Variation in the rate and scale of change at which the cows' energetic efficiency declined over lactation was significantly different (P < 0.001) amongst different dairy production systems and parities. Loss of efficiency over the lactation period was lower in Select cows than in Control cows and increased with parity. The trajectory of energetic-efficiency profiles was influenced by cow genetic line, and yet the level of the efficiency profile was influenced by the feeding regime. There was a strong relationship between BCS and energetic efficiency. Continued in situ monitoring of cows' biological efficiency may enable optimal management of dairy systems.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of liquid milk supplement on litter performance (weight development of the piglets, weaning weight and mortality) and on sow back-fat thickness change during the suckling period. Data were collected from 150 litters, with the weight of a total of 1709 piglets measured at birth, at 14 days of age and at weaning (28 days), respectively. Sow (n = 150) back-fat depth was measured the day before farrowing, 14 days after farrowing and at weaning. In the control group (n = 363), the piglets were suckled and got pre-starter feed from day 10. In the four experimental groups (MS1; MS2; MS2 and MS4; n = 1346), the piglets received additional milk replacer in various concentrations from the 10th day of life. While there were no significant differences in birth weight between the control and experimental groups, we did find significant differences between the 14-day weights and weaning weights. The milk supplement significantly reduced mortality compared to the control (11.6 vs. 4.9; 5.9, 8.9; 8.3 %). However, there were no statistically significant differences between litter homogeneity data, based on the CV% of piglet weight. Three experimental groups (MS1, MS2 and MS4) were more homogenous compared to the control group at weaning (25.3 vs. 20.9; 20.3; 20.3 CV%). Based on the examination of sow back-fat thickness reduction, there were significant differences between the control (C) and MS3 groups (7.61 vs. 5.57 mm reduction, P < 0.05) during the suckling period. These results demonstrate the advantage of milk replacer on weaning weight. Litter homogeneity, piglet mortality and back-fat thickness of the sows were affected by providing milk replacer to the piglets during the suckling period.
