Feed withdrawal during the warmest part of the day (09:00 to 16:00 h) was compared with the distribution of ground corn and commercial feed consumed ad libitum by control broilers from 28 to 42 d exposed to tropical climatic conditions (averaged Ta = 25 °C; Relative Humidity (RH) = 72%). From 16:00 to 09:00 h, a continuous illumination was in the poultry shed and the chickens received a commercial diet. Each diet was supplied to 7 pens of 14 unsexed broilers. Both feed withdrawal and corn distribution during the day period reduced growth (P < 0.01) and deteriorated feed conversion (P < 0.01) compared to the ad libitum control. At the age of 41 d, the average body temperature (Tb) at 14:00 h in the control group was 42.56 °C. It was higher (P < 0.002) than that recorded in the corn fed group (42.27 °C) and the feed withdrawal chickens (42.11 °C). These effects measured in 4-6 week-old broilers exposed to a moderate tropical climate, illustrate the limitation of feed restriction and sequential feeding under practical conditions. Further research is needed to study the diurnal distribution of corn or feed withdrawal coupled with a balanced diet richer in essential amino acids than the commercial diet during the nocturnal period.
The characteristics of the breast meat were studied on force-fed male ducks resulting from a factorial crossbreeding between the muscovy and Pekin duck. The measurements were aimed at characterising the meat of these various genetic types and at describing their genetic parameters. Overall, 99 animals were measured. We measured the zootechnical performances of force-fed ducks as well as the physico-chemical, mechanical and biochemical characteristics of the pectoral muscle. The analyses showed that the effect of the genetic type was significant for the weight data; muscovy ducks were the heaviest, Pekin ducks the lightest, with the two other genetic types being interme- diate. The weight of the liver was equal for muscovy and hinny ducks and higher in the mule duck. For growth traits, additive effects were significant with a higher growth rate for muscovy genes, and a large heterosis effect was observed for foie gras weight. For physico-chemical traits, significant genetic effects were few but the muscovy additive effect induced a lighter meat and a favourable heterosis effect was found for muscle L* measured at 1 and 9 days post mortem. Muscle pH was influenced by additive effects, with a pH associated with muscovy genes. Finally, we remarked di- rect genetic effects estimated for textural properties that were favourable to the Pekin duck, which showed a more tender meat. In general, maternal effects were marginally significant. duck / force-feeding / meat quality / genetic parameters
The walk and trot at hand and at driving of five Andalusian Purebred stallions were studied by a 2D semiautomatic analysis system. Linear, temporal and angular variables from the right fore and hind limbs were obtained by using a 2D kinematic analysis system. In order to identify significant differences between handled and driving gaits, a paired Student t-test was performed. The swing period and the stride lengths of both fore and hind limbs and the overreach distance were lower at driving. Stride durations and Retraction-Protraction angle values in the hind limbs at trot did not differ under different conditions but scapular values at walk and trot, fore fetlock variables at trot and some of the stifle and tarsus parameters at walk and trot were modified by the use of the vehicle. It may be assumed that at fixed speeds driving horses try to maintain the stride duration of their natural gaits.
La protection des proteines du tourteau de soja par des traitements combinant des solutions d'acide malique (a deux doses croissantes) et la chaleur a ete etudiee selon un dispositif en carre latin 3 × 3 avec trois regimes et trois moutons castres porteurs de canules du rumen et du duodenum. Des solutions de 2,25 et 4,50 N d'acide malique ont ete pulverisees (400 mL.kg -1 ) sur le tourteau de soja sous malaxage continu. Puis, les tourteaux traites ont ete seches dans un four a 117 °C pendant 6 heures. Les rations etaient isoproteiques et ont inclus 55 % de foin de luzerne et 45 % de concentre, avec du tourteau de soja non traite (UT) ou traite (T2.25N et T4.50N). Les rations ont ete distribuees, a 50 g·kg BW -0.75 , en six repas egaux (toutes les quatre heures). L'estimation de la degradabilite theorique (DT) ruminale de la matiere seche et des matieres azotees totales (MAT) des echantillons du tourteau de soja a ete obtenue en utilisant la technique in situ et de passage des particules hors du rumen, tandis que la digestibilite intestinale (DI) a ete determinee par la methode des sachets de nylon sur les residus incubes dans le rumen pendant 8 heures. Les effets de l'addition de l'acide malique dans la ration sur les voies de fermentation dans le rumen et l'activite fibrolytique (mesuree par degradation in situ du foin de luzerne) ont egalement ete evalues. Les traitements n'ont pas altere la cinetique de transit digestif des particules du tourteau de soja, pour lesquelles le taux de sortie du rumen a ete compris entre 5,5 et 6,1 %·h -1 . La courbe de degradation des MAT a eu une forme sigmoide pour tous les echantillons et a bien ete decrite avec un modele exponentiel simple, base sur une vitesse de degradation partielle constante (k d ); ou en utilisant un modele logistique dans lequel la vitesse de degradation partielle augmente avec le temps d'une valeur initiale (k 0 ) a une valeur finale (k ∞ ). Selon le premier modele, la valeur k d correspondant aux traitements protecteurs tend a diminuer (P = 0,054) avec les traitements (de 4,41 a 3,32 et 3,35 %·h -1 pour, respectivement, UT, T2.25N et T4.50N). Dans le second modele, cette reduction de la vitesse de la degradation des MAT a seulement affecte k o (P = 0,039), tandis qu'aucun effet n'a ete observe pour k ∞ . Ces changements ont moderement reduit la degradabilite theorique des MAT des echantillons traites (15-16 %) par rapport aux echantillons non traites, bien que les differences n'aient pas ete significatives (46,2, 39,3 et 38,5, respectivement, comme moyennes des deux modeles). Aucun effet n'a ete observe pour la digestibilite intestinale des MAT, qui a eu des valeurs comprises entre 99,0 et 99,4 %. L'incorporation d'acide malique dans la ration n'a pas eu d'effet considerable sur la degradation de la MS et les fractions ligno-cellulosique ou sur les parametres des fermentations ruminales, excepte une diminution (P = 0,050) du rapport acide acetique/acide propionique (4,44, 3,53, et 3,78, respectivement, pour UT, T2.25N et T4.50N).
Two successive batches of 32 fattening pigs per batch were each divided into 2 homogenous groups of 16 pigs fed either a high crude protein (CP) level diet (HP-groups) or a low crude protein level diet balanced with synthetic amino acids (LP-groups). Pigs were raised on straw-based deep litters in separate rooms according to diets. Once a month, the emissions of ammonia (NH3), nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapour (H2O) were measured continuously for 6 days consecutively. The mean nitrogen (N) intakes of pigs from HP-groups and LP-groups were 6.83 kg and 5.78 kg per pig respectively with mean initial and final pig body weights of 26.6 and 111.4 kg. There was no significant difference between the daily weight gains with regards to the diet CP content. At the end of the fattening periods, the N-contents of the litters were on average 1.84 kg per pig for the HP-groups and 1.56 kg per pig for the LP-groups. Gaseous emissions in the room with LP-groups were, compared with the emissions in the room with HP-groups, 26.1% lower for NH3 (10.60 vs. 14.35 g per pig per day), 12.8% lower for CH4 (13.12 vs. 15.04 g per pig per day) and 2 times higher for N2O (1.02 vs. 0.52 g per pig per day). The emissions of CO2 and H2O were not significantly different according to the diet CP level.
Sixteen lactating Sarda ewes were fed four diets differing in the forage/concentrate ratio ( two diets 75/25, two diets 60/40, on a DM basis) and in soybean oil supplementation ( two diets with 100 g(.)d(-1) oil, two diets with no oil), in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. The inclusion of soybean oil in the diet resulted in a significant increase of both daily milk yield and fat corrected milk ( P <= 0.01), while diets with higher concentrate content resulted in lower levels of milk production ( P <= 0.05). Milk fat content did not di. er among treatments, while milk fat yield was increased when ewes consumed oil added diets ( P < 0.01). Milk protein content was lower when oil was added to the diet ( P < 0.01), which was attributed to a dilution effect, while milk protein secretion did not di. er among treatments. Dietary soybean oil modified the milk fatty acid composition towards a lower level of medium chain and saturated fatty acid and a higher level of PUFA and CLA, confirming how an adequate dietary strategy can broadly modify sheep milk quality towards a more desirable composition for human health. In particular, soybean oil in the diet resulted in a significant increase of both rumenic acid ( cis- 9, trans-11 CLA) and vaccenic acid (trans-11 C-18:1) in milk fat. Interactions among forage and oil resulted in a significant increase in rumenic acid and vaccenic acid with the HF/O diet and trans-10 C-18:1 and trans-10, cis- 12 CLA with the LF/O diet, probably due to a shift in rumen biohydrogenation of linoleic acid.
This study was aimed at investigating the effects of a defined concentration of Fusarium mycotoxins, deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZON) incorporated into feeds on growth performance, blood biochemistry, and immune response of pigs and the alleviating effects of a mycotoxin degrading enzyme (MDE) on the toxicity of Fusarium mycotoxins. A total of 48 weaning pigs was randomly allotted to four treatments (two replicates per treatment) including a control, Toxins (1 ppm DON and 250 ppb ZON), Toxin+MDE (1 ppm DON, 250 ppb ZON and 1.5 kg MDE per ton of feed), and MDE alone (1.5 kg per ton of feed) for a 6 week challenged trial. The results in different criteria including growth performance, serum biochemistry parameters, alveolar macrophage activity, antibody titers of pseudorabies (PR) vaccine and cytokine secretion profile showed that DON and ZON consistently impaired pigs after 6 week exposure. Based on these findings, we suggest that the combination of DON and ZON confers a chemical multi-organ toxicity in pigs and MDE provides a partial or complete toxic sparing effect of mycotoxins.
The spread of pathogens between cattle herds is closely related to the between-herd contact structure. This structure is based on neighbourhood relationships, animal movements and other infectious contacts. The aim of this study was to qualify and quantify cattle movements between herds and their heterogeneity in order to evaluate the theoretical risk of introducing infected animals in herds. Data collected from 1998 to 2002 were studied for every cattle herd located in Brittany. Herd-year types were based on herd size, cow numbers per breed, and fattening units (veal-calf, bull fattening). Herd-years were either isolated (no introduction, no transfer to another herd), closed source (no introduction, at least one transfer), open source (introduction and transfer) or strictly destination (introduction but no transfer) herds. A third of the herds were open source and 16% were isolated. The proportions varied with the herd-year type and the fattening unit. Open herds had almost as many source herds as yearly introduced animals. The contact structure between cattle herds was complex and heterogeneous. Almost all the herd-year types were related to each other with a varying number of transfers and introductions. More than 90% of the pairs between two herds were not renewed the next year. Assuming that movements were not controlled, within-herd prevalence was beta distributed averaging 15%, and herd-level prevalence was 30%, the theoretical risk of introducing an infected animal in herds without any fattening unit varied from 32 to 81%. If herd testing was implemented and able to detect herds with a prevalence above 10% and if movements were not allowed from detected herds, the herd- and animal-level prevalences in the remaining herds became respectively 9% and 2% on average. The risk varied from 2 to 6% for herds without any fattening unit. Animal movements control may reduce the spread of pathogens.
Genetic parameter estimates for Aggressiveness, Ferocity and Mobility in the fighting bull bovine breed were obtained using the restricted maximum likelihood (REML) methodology applied to a multiple trait animal model. The year of birth and the sex of the animal were the environmental fixed effects considered in the model. Genetic trends were determined from the average predicted breeding value over the year of birth. The behavioural traits considered showed an important additive genetic component which can be used to modulate the phenotype expression by selection. Heritability values around 0.3 (0.286-0.362) for all traits could explain the successful empirical selection carried out on the Aggressiveness trait. Similarly, the lack of genetic correlation (P > 0.05) between all traits explains the absence of a correlated response for the Ferocity and Mobility traits.
This paper analyses the consequences of repeated regrouping of dairy heifers according to their behaviour, stress physiology and production. Thirty-two Holstein heifers were housed in pairs. Between 11 and 13 months of age, half were subjected to 16 pen relocations each time with a new peer (regrouped heifers), while the other half remained in the same pen with the same peer (controls). The heifers were observed in standardised behavioural tests comprising sudden (opening of an umbrella), novel (an unfamiliar arena) or predator-related (dog) stimuli. All behavioural tests were conducted on three sessions between the 13th and the 16th regroupings. The functioning of the HPA axis was assessed through blockade by dexamethasone and stimulation by ACTH after the 14th regrouping and stimulation by CRF after the 15th regrouping. Weight gain was assessed during the regrouping period and reproduction (No. of inseminations before successful insemination) thereafter. Regrouped heifers reacted less than the controls to the umbrella (chi(2) = 8.23, P < 0.05). They started eating more quickly in the arena (F = 10.8, P < 0.01). In the presence of the dog, they were less active (F = 6.26, P < 0.05) and tended to look at the dog less often (F = 3.63, P < 0.10). The reduction in behavioural responses from one session to the next one was more pronounced in regrouped heifers (e.g. number of eating bouts: F (session x treatment) = 4.23, P < 0.05). Regrouped heifers had lower cortisol responses to CRF. In conclusion, repeatedly regrouped heifers appear less disturbed by unusual situations and habituate to those more quickly. According to the behaviour of heifers and as suggested by their lower cortisol responses, diversity rather than stability of the social environment appears more beneficial to them.
An experiment was conducted to study the effects of feed supplementation with a mixture of Lactobacillus cultures ( LC) on cholesterol, fat and fatty acid composition in the liver, muscle and carcass of broiler chickens. One hundred and thirty- six, one- day- old male broiler chicks ( Avian- 43) were assigned randomly to two dietary treatments: ( i) a basal diet ( control), and ( ii) a basal diet + 0.1% LC. The cholesterol contents of the carcass and liver but not the muscle, were significantly ( P < 0.05) lower in LC- fed broilers. The fat contents of the liver, muscle and carcass were also significantly ( P < 0.05) lower in the LC- fed broilers when compared to the control broilers. Supplementation of LC in the broiler diets significantly ( P < 0.05) reduced the oleic acid ( C-18: 1) levels of the liver, muscle and carcass but the arachidonic acid ( C-20:4) level was significantly ( P < 0.05) increased in the liver only. Supplementation of LC also increased the total polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFA) in the liver. The results of the present study indicate that LC reduces the fat content of the liver, muscle and carcass of broiler chickens, but it has very little potential to modify the fatty acid composition.
The effects of breed and season on histological skin characteristics were studied at the experimental facilities of INRA in Guadeloupe (16 degrees Lat. N., 61 degrees Long. W.) in two replicates using a total of 20 Creole (CR) and 20 Large White (LW) pigs. The first replicate was carried out during the warm season (i.e., between February and April) and the second during the hot season (i.e., between August and October). In the warm season, ambient temperature and relative humidity averaged 25.3 degrees C and 86.0%, respectively. The corresponding values for the hot season were 27.9 degrees C and 83.6%. At 90 kg BW, all pigs were slaughtered and a 2 to 4 cm(2) sample of cutaneous tissue from the back region (i.e., at the last dorsal rib level) was taken from each animal before scalding and dehairing. Slices were stained with trichrome blue staining and the thickness of the epidermis and dermis were determined. The density and surface of the sweat glands (SG) were also determined. The mast cell density was measured using slices stained with Giemsa. Epidermis thickness was not affected by breed or season and averaged 55 mu m. However, dermis thickness was significantly higher in CR than in LW pigs (3.60 vs. 3.13 mm; P < 0.01) but it was not influenced by season (3.36 mm on average; P = 0.17). The density of SG was significantly higher in CR than in LW pigs (32.0 vs. 25.4 SG per mm(2); P < 0.01) but their surface area was lower in CR than in LW pigs (106 vs. 263 x 10(-3) mu m(2) per mm(2); P < 0.01). The SG density tended to be higher in the hot than in the warm season (30.4 vs. 26.9 SG per mm(2); P = 0.0971). Mast cell density in the dermis was found to be higher in CR than in LW pigs (2.52 vs. 1.38 mast cells per mm(2); P < 0.01). Irrespective of the breed, mast cell density was higher during the hot than the warm season (2.22 vs. 1.68 mast cells per mm(2); P < 0.01). In conclusion, our study suggests that the differences in skin histology and/or sweat gland histometry could partly explain the better heat tolerance in CR pigs.
The aim of this work was to understand the extent of developmental orthopaedic disease (DOD) multifactorial aetiology factors. Growth pattern, nutritional and genetic factors were studied on a population of 89 thoroughbred foals aged between 23 and 45 weeks: growth curve characterisation, feeding plan analysis and genetic study approach to stallion progeny were accomplished in order to evaluate their influence on DOD frequency. A statistically significant difference was found between DOD positive and DOD negative foals' weight; fillies were found to be the sub-population responsible for this difference. A shortage of energy and protein was found during the period considered and there was an excess in calcium and phosphorus by the end of the period. Genetic factor analysis indicated an intensive utilisation of stallions with the higher results of DOD positive foals although the breeding system's objectives regarding this aspect remained unclear.
When a sow copulates with different boars, fecundation can take a slant towards the best quality male, which should have a more competitive ejaculation. In polyandric animals, genitals can be more elaborated and be an indication of spermatic competence or cryptic female choice. In swine, the male and female genital morphologic characteristics are evidence that allow the assumption of spermatic competence and cryptic choice in this species. In order to prove this hypothesis, the pater- nity of a group of 18 York/Landrace (Y/N) sows was determined; these sows copulated with three boars: Yorkshire (Y/Y), York/Landrace (Y/N) and Landrace (N/N). The three boars had the same probability of copulating in the first, second, and third place with each of the sows in an interval of 12 hours between each mating. Four polymorphic molecular markers were used in order to establish the paternity (S0033, S0035, S0036 and S0037). The results indicate that the Y/N male had 85.59% of paternity, Y/ Ym ale 8.8% and N/ N5 .8%. According to the mating order, when the Y/ Nm ale copulated in the first place, it had 89.6% paternity (26 offspring; 12 males; 46.15% and 14 females, 53.85%) when it copulated in the second place, it had 100% paternity (8 offspring; 4 males, 50% and 4 females, 50%), and when it mated in the third place, it had 77.41% paternity (22 offspring; 13 males, 59.1% and 9 females, 40.9%). Sows in estrus participated in the removal of semen from four sows minutes after the copula by female-female mating. The multiple mating allowed certain competence among the ejaculation and the possibility of the female to slant the paternity towards the heterozygote male with higher genetic variability, compared to the homozygote male (Y/ Ya nd N/N). multiple mating / cryptic female choice / microsatellites / sows
Animal performance, composition and quality of meat from Belgian Blue bulls either fattened indoors (FI) or finished indoors after a previous grazing period were studied during six years. During the grazing period, three intensification managements were tested on a permanent pasture conducted as set stocking. The intensification levels were either high (HN:140 kg N(.)ha(-1) with 6 bulls(.)ha(-1)) or moderate with a 33% reduction of nitrogen fertilisation but with the same stocking rate (MN:93 kg N(.)ha(-1), 6 bulls(.)ha(-1)) or low with no nitrogen fertiliser but with a reduced stocking rate (ON, 4 bulls(.)ha(-1)). The levels of intensification did not affect sward characteristics and chemical composition of the grass. The apparent nitrogen efficiency per ha was larger in the ON plot than in the HN and MN plots ( 26 vs. 14%). The average daily gain of bulls during the grazing season was similar in the three groups at 1.0 kg(.)d(-1). The bulls from the FI group were characterised by average daily gains significantly higher than the bulls which were previously grazed and then finished indoors (1.5 vs. 1.2 kg(.)d(-1); P < 0.01). The slaughter weight, the carcass composition, the dressing percentage and most of the meat quality parameters were similar between the treatment groups. The inclusion of a grazing period in the fattening system produced a meat which was darker (lower L*, P < 0.01), more red (higher a*, P < 0.05) and had a higher content of linolenic acid (C18:3 n-3) than that of the animals fattened indoors.
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of genotype (Muscovy, Pekin and their crossbred hinny and mule ducks) and overfeeding (14 days from 12 weeks of age) on the quantity and quality of lipid deposition in adipose and muscle tissue in ducks. Samples of muscles (Pectoralis major and Iliotibialis superficialis) and abdominal fat were collected at 14 weeks of age to determine lipid levels, lipid classes and fatty acid composition. By comparison with the other genotypes, Pekin ducks exhibited higher amounts of abdominal fat and higher lipid levels in muscles (+105 and +120% in P. major and Iliotibialis superficialis, respectively) by comparison with Muscovy ducks. By comparison with other genotypes, Muscovy ducks exhibited the lowest triglyceride and phospholipid levels in muscles and Pekin ducks the highest levels. Muscovy ducks also showed the lowest cholesterol levels in I. Superficialis muscles. Muscovy ducks exhibited the highest levels of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in muscle and adipose tissues and the lowest levels of mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and Pekin ducks exhibited the reverse. For all these parameters, the crossbred ducks always presented intermediate values. Overfeeding induced an accumulation of lipids in adipose and muscle tissues (1.2- to 1.7-fold, depending on muscle type and genotype). This increase was higher in P. major than in I. superficialis muscles. The increase in the amount of abdominal fat was 1.7- to 3.1-fold, depending on genotype. This increase in lipid levels in peripheral tissues was mainly induced by triglyceride deposition. Finally, it induced a considerable increase in proportions of MUFA (particularly oleic acid) (expressed as % of total fatty acids) at the expense of PUFA (particularly arachidonic acid) and SFA. However, the amounts (expressed as g per 100 g of tissue) of SFA and MUFA increased in tissues while the amounts of PUFA remained unchanged in muscles and decreased in abdominal fat. The quantity and quality of fat deposition in peripheral tissues depends on the liver's ability to synthesise and also to export lipids.
The effects of compensatory growth diets with and without antioxidant ( alpha- tocopheryl acetate (alpha- TA) or green tea catechin ( GTC)) inclusion on the quality characteristics of cured hams were examined. Compensatory growth diets combined periods of restricted dietary energy intake ( incorporating grassmeal as a source of low metabolisable energy) followed by periods of high energy intake. Landrace or Duroc pigs (n = 72) were allocated to one of six experimental diets from 21 days post-weaning to 105 kg live weight. Dietary treatment did not influence any of the ham characteristics examined ( ham weight, cook loss, lipid oxidation or CIE colour values). Lipid oxidation, determined as 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS values), and CIE colour ( L*, a* and b*) values remained stable throughout refrigerated storage. Brine solution additives may have contributed to oxidative stability and masked any dietary effects. In contrast, breed significantly affected ham quality. Lipid oxidation was lower in hams from Duroc pigs. Redness ( a* values) was more intense in Landrace hams than equivalent Duroc samples. No differences were observed between breeds for CIE L* and b* values or percentage cook loss. The quality characteristics of cured hams were influenced to a greater extent by breed than by dietary intervention through compensatory growth. Inclusion of alpha-TA or GTC did not affect the quality or storage stability of cured hams.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the progression of temperament in Alberes male calves during the fattening period. The Alberes breed is a semi-feral beef cattle breed of Catalonia (Spain) that lives endemically in the eastern extreme of the Pyrenees, a mountainous area. These animals were adapted to extensive management systems and their contact with humans was minimal until weaning. After weaning, eighty-four entire males from two consecutive years were reared in feedlot pens during the fattening period, weighed and graded for a temperament score once monthly. Behavioral records were analyzed under a repeated measures model, testing the influence of several systematic sources of variation. Three systematic effects reached statistical significance (P < 0.05): weight of the calf at the beginning of the fattening period, initial temperament score, and restraint session within the initial temperament score. Calves with moderate and high temperament scores at the beginning of the fattening period tended to moderate their temperament (P < 0.05), whereas calm calves did not show a significant trend. Our results suggest that behavioral agitation is decreasing over time in excitable calves, obtaining an acceptable level of tameness for these animals. The effect of the initial weight could be related with calf age, suggesting that older calves were less adaptable to intensive fattening systems.
