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Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-12T02:41:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-01-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) The aim of this research was to evaluate carcass traits and meat quality of finishing lambs in pastures with different leaf area index with or without high protein-mineral supplementation. In this study, forty-eight young Santa Inês rams were used, with an average initial body weight of 13.5 kg and an average age of 4 months. For approximately 10 h a day, the animals had access to pastures comprised of Cynodon spp cultivar Tifton 85. In vivo measurements, including body length, anterior and posterior heights, chest perimeter, rump and thoracic widths, were evaluated. Based on the data in this study, providing supplements for sheep improved the carcass composition as increased hot carcass weight, cold carcass weight, empty body weight, carcass yield, external and internal carcass lengths and thoracic depth. Moreover, supplementation increased slaughter weight, which accounts for the largest portion of the producer’s profitability. Although the use of supplements increases production costs, it also improved quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the meat, which could satisfy the consumer market. The meat from supplemented animals had a lower atherogenicity index compared to the control suggesting the meat from supplemented lambs is healthier to be consumed. Department of Technology São Paulo State University-UNESP School of Animal Science and Food Engineering University of São Paulo-USP Institute of Animal Science Department of Animal Production Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ) Federal University of Goiás Department of Technology São Paulo State University-UNESP FAPESP: 2010/1896-9

Milking stall dimensions have not been adapted to the increase in cow body size caused by selection for better milking performance over the past decades. Improper milking stall dimensions might limit cow comfort, could lead to stress responses during milking and thus could negatively affect cow welfare. A crossover study was conducted in an experimental milking parlor that was converted from a herringbone (HB) to a side-by-side (SBS) parlor. The milking stall dimensions were modified in length and width and for HB also in depth (perpendicular distance between rump rail and breast rail). The stall dimensions applied during the experiments ranged from much smaller than common in European dairy farming to much larger. Treatments were applied for 2 wk per milking parlor type. In each milking parlor type, a total of 30 cows, kept in 2 groups were observed during milking for behavioral and physiological stress responses and for milking performance. In addition, milk cortisol levels and somatic cell counts were measured at the end of the 2-wk period. Outcome variables were selected based on a principal component analysis and analyzed using mixed effects models reflecting the experimental design. The results showed that the first cow per milking batch required more time (on average >40 s) to enter very small HB stalls than to enter small, large and very large stalls (, Journal of Dairy Science, 105 (1), ISSN:0022-0302, ISSN:1525-3198

The demand for calves as oocyte donors for in vitro embryo production is growing. However, Bos indicus have a late puberty, and some aspects of the reproductive physiology during the prepubertal period remain unclear. We characterized endocrine and morpho-functional reproductive features in Nelore calves (n=8) at 2-5 (early prepubertal period, EPP) and from 8-11 months old (mo., intermediate prepubertal period, IPP). The calves’ ovaries and uterus were B-mode transrectal ultrasonography examined, and blood samples were collected every second week. The antral follicles number and size, and ovarian and uterine horn diameters, were recorded, and plasma FSH and LH concentrations were measured (RIA). Non-pregnant, non-lactating cyclic Nelore cows (n=8) were used as controls for endocrine endpoints. Somatic development was monitored by monthly weighing, and 3D scanning of the rump area. The somatic and endocrine endpoints were compared within and between EPP and IPP, and between each period and control cows. Associations were determined by the Spearman correlation method, and the developmental rates were determined by non-linear regression. All morphological endpoints, except antral follicle count, increased (P < 0.001) from the EPP to the IPP. However, within each period differences occurred only at EPP. During the EPP LH and FSH plasma concentrations were similar (P > 0.05), whereas during the IPP LH was lower (P < 0.05) and FSH was higher (P < 0.001) than control cows. The EPP calves showed moderate to high positive correlations among ovarian, uterine, and somatic endpoints. Conversely, the IPP such correlations were mostly weak. In summary, distinct ovarian activity and development patterns of primary and secondary sexual characteristics occurred in Nelore calves at 2-5 mo compared to 8-11 mo.

In this study, the use of the three-dimensional modeling method was tested in taking some body measurements in camels with a practical method and was compared with other measurement methods. As the animal material of the study, 12 single-humped dromedary female camels and 14 double-humped Camelus dromedarius × Camelus bactrianus: F1 male camels, a total of 26 camels, were used in three camel farms in Incirliova district of Aydin province. The body measurements are taken from each animal by using different three methods, namely by the manual method (MM), by the photography method (PM), and by the three-dimensional modeling method (3D) were the withers height (WH), the back height (BH), the rump height (RH), the body length (BL), the brisket height (BRH), the abdominal height (AH), the shoulder width (SW), and the rump width (RW), and these values were compared with each other. As a result of this study, the mean values of MM and 3D measurement values were very close to each other and the difference between them was found to be statistically insignificant (P < 0.05). The difference between the means of PM and MM/3D measurement values was found to be significant (P < 0.05). In the measurements taken by MM, 3D, and PM methods in male camels, the values obtained by MM and 3D methods for WH, BH, RH, BRH, AH, BL, and SW were very close to each other and the differences between them were found insignificant statistically (p < 0.05). On the determined regression graph, a linear was found between MM and 3D measurement values. As a result of this study, it has been determined that the 3D modeling method can be used as a remote and more practical method in determining the morphological features of large-scale animals such as camels more reliably, more easily, and more practically.

The Etawa Grade Goat (PE) is a dual-purpose goat that is generally used as a meat and milk-producing goat. The study was purposed to investigate the morphometry performance of dairy goats belonged to the farmers at District of Deli Serdang, North Sumatra. The performance of an individual can be divided into quantitative and qualitative ones to investigate the ability of an individual’s productivity such as body weight, milk production and body size. The parameters measured were age, sex, physiological stage, morphometry characteristics such as height at withers, height at rump, body length, heart girth, body weight, teat characteristics and coat color pattern. The data were analyzed using the General Linear Model (GLM) procedure from SAS.10 (2002). The results showed that age significantly influenced (P

Made available in DSpace on 2022-05-01T08:15:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-10-01 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Our objectives were to estimate genetic parameters for male and female reproductive traits and their genetic correlations with body weight and carcass traits, evaluate the genetic trends over the years, and verify the effect of inbreeding on the phenotypes of Brahman cattle. The traits evaluated were body weights at 120, 210, 365, and 450 days of age (W120, W210, W365, and W450); scrotal circumference at 365 and 450 days of age (SC365 and SC450), age at first calving (AFC), gestation length (GL), stayability (STAY), ribeye area (REA), backfat thickness (BFT), and rump fat thickness (RFT). Direct heritability estimates ranged from 0.10 ± 0.03 (AFC) to 0.43 ± 0.06 (GL). Maternal heritability estimates for body weights, scrotal circumferences, and GL ranged from 0.07 ± 0.02 to 0.15 ± 0.03. The proportion of the maternal permanent environment for W120 and W210 was equal to 0.11 ± 0.02. Genetic correlations varied between −0.60 ± 0.25 (STAY and BFT) to 0.97 ± 0.01 (W365 and W450). Except for AFC, all genetic trends were significant (p < 0.05) and presented favorable annual genetic gains. Unfavorable effects due to the increase of inbreeding coefficients were observed for body weights and AFC, suggesting greater attention be paid to the applied mating systems to control inbreeding. Reproductive traits, such as AFC and STAY, could be assisted indirectly by scrotal circumference selection. The emphasis applied to body weight selection, especially at W210, may assist REA. The BFT and RFT traits presented genetic variability and have responded to selection, although not included in the Brahman selection index. Universidade Federal da Paraíba Departamento de Zootecnia Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina Departamento de Zootecnia e Desenvolvimento Rural Nacional Association of Breeders and Researchers (ANCP) Universidade Estadual Paulista Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Exatas Universidade Estadual Paulista Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Exatas

The floor surface of the cubicle is a detrimental factor on cow comfort. The effects of two floor types, rubber and concrete, on dairy cow comfort and milk production were compared for a period of 13 weeks. Fourteen Friesian crossbred dairy cows with an average body weight of 425.67 ± 61.12 kg (mean ± SD), nose to tail body length of 2.07 ± 0.15 m, rump height of 1.29 ± 0.02 m, hook bone width of 0.48 ± 0.05 m, and body condition score (BCS) of 4.13 ± 0.44 were used, with seven cows per flooring treatment. The cows produced a mean of 15.93 ± 4.03 l/cow/day and a constant feeding plan was practiced. The swelling and wound severity of hocks diminished (P

The traditional production of the Iberian breed pig involves a long production cycle. It might be shortened by using Iberian pigs crossed with Duroc and by reducing the growing phase, but the age-related changes on productive performance and carcass quality should be addressed. Thus, productive performance, live measurements and carcass and primal cut traits were evaluated on Iberian × Duroc 50:50 crossed pigs according to animal age at the beginning of the free-range finishing phase (Montanera): 10, 12 and 14 months old (IBxD10 (n = 15), IBxD12 (n = 17) and IBxD14 (n = 18) animal batches, respectively) and gender (immunologically castrated female -consisted of the Improvac® vaccination- and surgically castrated males). During the growing period, animals were fed with restrictions; 1.49, 1.29 and 1.20 ± 0.023 (mean ± SEM) kg/day of commercial feeds to start Montanera with similar BW; 103.9, 102.9 and 102.1 ± 0.22 kg, for IBxD10, IBxD12 and IBxD14, respectively. IBxD14 animals yielded the highest average daily gain (ADG) and BW after Montanera, as well as larger rump height and croup width. In contrast, these animals had the lowest carcass yield. Although animals from IBxD10 yielded hams of inferior size, this could be of interest to the sector, as there is a certain segment of the market that demands hams of smaller size and, generally, this is difficult to obtain with the traditional Montanera production system. The gender had no major effects on performance and carcass and primal cut traits, so both immunologically castrated female and surgically castrated males are suitable for finishing in Montanera.

Records on association of milk yield and morphological traits, particularly parts distal to the knee/hock joints (fore/hind shank length and circumference) in dual-purpose cows, are hardly available. This makes the selection for milk yield potentials in favour of these traits difficult. The objectives of this study were to estimate the relationship between average milk yield (AvMY) and morphological traits (MT) and determine the best MT predictor of average milk yield in dual-purpose cows of the hot-humid environment in Ashanti Region of Ghana. Three hundred and eighty-four (384) cows were purposively selected to measure the association between AvMY and MT in 20 farms from April 2015 to July 2017. Analysis of data revealed that phenotypic correlations between AvMY and MT (i.e., head length, horn length, horn tip spacing, and muzzle circumference) were low (0.14 to 0.24), whilst that of heart girth, ear length, tail length and pelvic width were medium (0.34 to 0.46). High correlations were observed among AvMY, body length, body height at withers, height at rump, hock circumference, and fore/hind-shank length and circumference (0.50 to 0.84). The best predictor of AvMY was the hind-shank circumference, followed by the fore-shank circumference, hind-shank length, fore-shank length, and hock circumference in descending order. It was concluded that there was an association between AvMY and MT. Breeders and producers should consider fore- and hind-shank circumference and length when selecting for improvement in AvMY potential.

Rodents are among the most successful mammals because they have the ability to adapt to a broad range of environmental conditions. Here, we present the first record of a previously unknown thermal adaptation to cold stress that repeatedly occurred in two species of non-commensal rodents (Apodemus flavicollis and Apodemus agrarius). The classic rodent literature implies that rodents prevent heat loss via a broad range of behavioral adaptations including sheltering, sitting on their tails, curling into a ball, or huddling with conspecifics. Here, we have repeatedly observed an undescribed behavior which we refer to as “tail-belting”. This behavior was performed under cold stress, whereby animals lift and curl the tail medially, before resting it on the dorsal, medial rump while feeding or resting. We documented 115 instances of the tail-belting behavior; 38 in Apodemus agrarius, and 77 in Apodemus flavicollis. Thermal imaging data show the tails remained near ambient temperature even when temperatures were below 0 °C. Since the tail-belting occurred only when the temperature dropped below − 6.9 °C (for A. flavicollis) and − 9.5 °C (for A. agrarius), we surmise that frostbite prevention may be the primary reason for this adaptation. It is likely that tail-belting has not previously been documented because free-ranging mice are rarely-recorded in the wild under extreme cold conditions. Given that these animals are so closely-related to laboratory rodents, this knowledge could potentially be relevant to researchers in various disciplines. We conclude by setting several directions for future research in this area.

This study evaluated the effects of prenatal nutrition on body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), rump fat thickness (RFT), backfat thickness (BFT), ribeye area (REA), muscle cell area (MCA), and the number of cells in REA (NCREA) of young Nellore bulls during the rearing period. After pregnancy confirmation (30 days of pregnancy), 126 Nellore cows were separated into three prenatal nutritional treatments (NP (control; 0.03% of BW), only mineral supplementation; PP (0.3% of BW), protein-energy supplementation in the final third; and FP (0.3% of BW) protein-energy supplementation during the entire pregnancy). After calving, all animals were submitted to the same environmental conditions (sanitary and nutritional) and the different supplementation protocols ceased. The males (63 bulls) were evaluated during the entire rearing phase (210 ± 28 days to 540 ± 28 days of age) to weight gain (BW and ADG), carcass characteristics (RFT, BFT, and REA), and for histological assessments (MCA and NCREA; 7 animals per treatment randomly selected). All phenotypes were subjected to an analysis of variance. The different prenatal stimuli had no effect on BFT, RFT, MCA, and NCREA (P > 0.05); however, prenatal nutrition influenced BW of the animals during the rearing phase (P

The body shape of a pig is the most direct production index, which can fully reflect the pig’s growth status and is closely related to important economic traits. In this study, a genome-wide association study on seven body size traits, the body length (BL), height (BH), chest circumference (CC), abdominal circumference (AC), cannon bone circumference (CBC), rump width (RW), and chest width (CW), were conducted in Yorkshire pigs. Illumina Porcine 80K SNP chips were used to genotype 589 of 5,572 Yorkshire pigs with body size records, and then the chip data was imputed to sequencing data. After quality control of imputed sequencing data, 784,267 SNPs were obtained, and the averaged linkage disequilibrium (r2) was 0.191. We used the single-trait model and the two-trait model to conduct single-step genome wide association study (ssGWAS) on seven body size traits; a total of 198 significant SNPS were finally identified according to the P-value and the contribution to the genetic variance of individual SNP. 11 candidate genes (CDH13, SIL1, CDC14A, TMRPSS15, TRAPPC9, CTNND2, KDM6B, CHD3, MUC13, MAPK4, and HMGA1) were found to be associated with body size traits in pigs; KDM6B and CHD3 jointly affect AC and CC, and MUC13 jointly affect RW and CW. These genes are involved in the regulation of bone growth and development as well as the absorption of nutrients and are associated with obesity. HMGA1 is proposed as a strong candidate gene for body size traits because of its important function and high consistency with other studies regarding the regulation of body size traits. Our results could provide valuable information for pig breeding based on molecular breeding.

Characterization of indigenous sheep breeds using morphological traits is essential for designing rational conservation and improvement strategies. This study was conducted to check the morphological diversity of three fat-tailed and three thin-tailed indigenous sheep breeds of Ethiopia. The phenotypic traits such as live body weight and linear body measurements (body length, wither height, chest girth, chest depth, rump height, rump length, ear length, tail length, and pelvic width) were measured and used for analysis. The statistical analysis was done using different procedures of SAS 9.4. Analysis of variance showed significant variation between breeds. Multivariate analyses clearly assigned the studied sheep breeds into distinct populations. Mahalanobis distance showed significant (p < 0.01) difference between breeds. The present morphometric information obtained could support future decision-making on the management, conservation, and improvement of the studied sheep genetic resources., Breed classification; Fat-tail sheep; Multivariate analysis; Mahalanobis distance; Thin-tail sheep.

En México el burro es una especie con importancia económica en las zonas rurales, ya que se utiliza como medio de transporte y carga, siendo una ayuda indispensable al campesino marginado, que vive en regiones remotas y mal comunicadas. El objetivo de la presente investigación fue el de caracterizar la morfometría del burro criollo de la región de Zozutla, Puebla. México. Se estudiaron 25 asnos hembras y 25 asnos machos, de 2 a 3 años. A cada uno de los animales de estudio, aplomados correctamente y accediendo a los mismos por su flanco izquierdo, se les tomaron sus medidas corporales o variables zoométricas de naturaleza cuantitativa, por medio de la cinta métrica y el pelvímetro: alzada de la cruz (AC), alzada dorso (AD), alzada grupa (AG), alzada pelvis (AP), alzada palomillas (APa), alzada nacimiento cola (ANC), diámetro longitudinal (DL), diámetro dorso esternal (DDE), diámetro entre encuentros (DEE), diámetro bicostal (DB), anchura grupa (AnG), longitud grupa (LG), perímetro torácico (PT), perímetro rodilla (PR), perímetro caña (PC), perímetro menudillo (PM), perímetro cuartilla (PCu), perímetro corona (PCo),perímetro corvejón (PCor), longitud oreja (LO), longitud cabeza (LC), anchura cabeza (ACa), profundidad cabeza (PCa), longitud cara (LCa) y anchura cráneo (ACr). Los resultados obtenidos a partir de las 26 variables de medición biométricas proporcionaron los datos importantes para diferenciar los burros criollos hembras de los machos, y fueron agrupados en conjuntos específicos en base a las variables de estudio, proporcionando en los animales las aptitudes funcionales. Los resultados demostraron que las variables muestran diferencias altamente significativas (P

En este estudio, investigamos el dimorfismo sexual entre machos y hembras de patos Muscovy criados libremente en tres comunidades diferentes en Guatemala. El análisis se basó en 14 rasgos morfológicos importantes: longitud del ala, longitud del miembro posterior, alzada dorsal, longitud de la cabeza y ancho de la cabeza, diámetro longitudinal y bicostal, longitud dorsoesternal, altura de grupa, perímetros torácico y abdominal, perímetro del metatarso y peso corporal. Una muestra constituida por 137 machos y 225 hembras. Los machos presentaron una mayor masa que las hembras, pero eran menos robustos y patas. El análisis discriminante reveló que los machos no podían agruparse, pero las hembras de Camotán son distintas del resto. El análisis detallado demostró que la mayoría de las variables diferenciales (perímetros abdominales y del tórax) no estaban relacionadas con rasgos etnológicos, por lo que el grupo Camotán puede considerarse como un mero prototipo (asociado con la selección y reproducción artificial), no un ecotipo (como si lo que hace que los ecotipos sean adaptativos a las condiciones locales, este no es el caso). Los resultados de este estudio podrían ser efectivos en la caracterización y conservación de los recursos genéticos del pato Muscovy en Guatemala. Ahora es necesario estudiar la calidad de la canal y del huevo y otras variaciones a nivel molecular que aclararán aún más la similitud con los patos de otros orígenes para registrar esta raza internacionalmente.

In the aspect of the search for predictors of longevity of dairy cattle animals, the dependence of longevity of Ukrainian brown dairy cows on indicators of descriptive conformation type traits has been investigated. We studied the linear type traits of the exterior of first-calf cows in the leading farms of the Sumy region, characterizing the state of the body development. According to the results of this research was determined, a reliable dependence of the cows longevity on the level of assessment of the descriptive conformation type traits: chest width, body depth, angularity, rump angle and width, and body condition score. The correlative variability of the relationship between cow’s longevity and these features was depending on the level of assessment of specific type trait of body structure of the animal. Dependence of the cows longevity on the development of chest width was different by curvilinear variability. The longer life of cows was found in animals with an estimate for the development of this type trait at 4–6 scores that averaged 2.726–2.895 days with the best 5 scores. When comparing the group of animals with an average 5 scores with the groups having 6–9 scores, a significant difference was found in favor of the first, ranging from 169 (P

The research was conducted to study the exterior of the first-calf cows of the Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy breed in the herd of enterprise LLC "Mlyniv complex" (v. Pohozha Krynytsia, Romny branch of Sumy region) by major measurements and body structure indices. According to the results of researches, the measurements of the traits cows' first-calf in the controlled herd of Mlyniv complex testify to the realization of hereditary possibilities in the development of the body structure of animals of the Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy breed in Sumy region. The level of height measurements of first-calf cows showed that animals in this farm provided with suitable conditions that allow them to realize their genetic development potential in the process of growing. Average height at withers (132.5 cm) and rump (141.7 cm) exceeds the parameters of the desired type and criteria for selection of first-calf cows of Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy breed, recommended by the prospective breeding program of Sumy region for 2011–2020, respectively on 1.3 and 1.7 cm. The average indices of latitudinal measurements of type traits of first-calf cows of controlled breed: rump width (51.5 cm), hipbone width (49.4 cm) and ischial humps (34.2 cm) well characterize the development of pelvis. The pastern girth characterizes the development of the skeletal frame of animals and the type of constitution. The average measurement of the pastern in the first-calf cows at 19.2 cm indicates about the dairy type of animal and meets the requirements of the desired type. A more detailed understanding of the exterior type of animals in its correlative and harmonious development made it possible to make the body structure indices calculated by the appropriate formulas. About satisfactory overall development of the body structure of cows was evidenced by the index of long legs index, the average level of which 45.8% corresponds to animals of the desired type (45–46%) for this breed, and the stretching index at the level of 121.8% – the conformity of estimated first-calf cows to dairy type (121–123%). The thoracic index complements the pelvic thorax, characterizing chest development. A smaller index was inherent in dairy cattle. The average thorax index indicates on the dairy type of first-calf cows (58–62%) and decreasing in chest width, and an increase in their depth. The chest depth index in the average range of 54.2% approaches to the desired level (55–56%) and indicates about optimal ratio of chest depth to the height at withers for dairy cattle. Given that the parameters of measurements of the exterior traits characterizing the desired dairy type of animals, with corresponding level of their correlative development, expressed by body structure indices, meet to the harmonious development of the first-calf cow model of the Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy breed [8], comparing the obtained actual numerical values of overgrowth (107.1%), narrow quarters (156.6%), boniness (14.4%), massiveness (146.0%), broad chest (31.8%) and pelvic (95.9) %) with target values of 107.0; 151.0; 14.0; 142.0; 33.0 and 96.0%, we can conclude that the estimated first-calf cows of the Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy breed correspond to animals of the desired type except massiveness index, by most indices. In general, the animals of the experimental herd differ in a strong constitution type with deep chests, well-developed dense muscles, sufficiently elastic skin, firm and thin skeleton frame that determine the dairy type, good health and endurance, which very important when using cows in modern technological conditions. According to results of the research was found that by measurements of the first-calf cows of the Ukrainian Red-and-White dairy breed, they have excellent development of the body structure, and the level of indices indicate the positive dynamics of the exterior formation of animals towards the dairy type at the present stage of their selection.

This study aimed to estimate genetic parameters for 19 linear type traits related to frame, udder, and feet and legs, and for final score of 10,305 first-parity Jersey cows evaluated between 2004 and 2016. Since scoring of locomotion in Jersey breed started in 2009, a subset of 6853 animals was extracted from the original data and used to investigate sources of variation and heritability of locomotion score, and its associations with the other traits. Univariate animal models were used to estimate variance components of type traits and bivariate analyses were implemented to obtain genetic correlations between traits. Fixed effects were herd-year-classifier, season of evaluation, stage of lactation at scoring and age at calving, and the random effects were additive genetic animal and the residual. Herd-year-classifier was the major source of variation affecting the traits. Heritabilities were low with the only exception of a moderate heritability (0.32 ± 0.02) for stature. The lowest heritabilities were estimated for feet and legs traits with values between 0.04 ± 0.02 (rear leg set side view, rear leg set rear view and locomotion) and 0.07 ± 0.02 (foot angle). The final score had heritability of 0.20 ± 0.02. Genetic correlations were generally stronger than their phenotypic counterparts. Overall, frame traits were weakly correlated with feet and legs, and udder traits, except for rump width, which showed moderate correlations with almost all traits, and angularity which showed the greatest correlations with rear udder height (0.61 ± 0.10) and rear udder width (0.62 ± 0.11). Genetic correlations between locomotion and frame traits ranged from 0.08 ± 0.22 (angularity) to 0.32 ± 0.16 (stature). The strongest correlations were estimated between locomotion and other feet and legs traits, but also with front teat placement (0.97 ± 0.19) and with rear teat placement (0.88 ± 0.17). Results of the present study will be used to enhance genetic evaluation of linear type traits in Jersey cattle breed.

Bu çalışmada, Bafra koyun ve kuzuların göğüs derinliği, göğüs genişliği, göğüs çevresi, sağrı yüksekliği, cidago yüksekliği, vücut uzunluğu ve canlı ağırlığı gibi biyometrik özelliklerinin canlı ağırlığı tahmin etme etkinlerinin karşılaştırılması amaçlanmıştır. İlişkiler Pearson korelasyon katsayısı ve Path analizi ile belirlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak, Bafra koyun ırkı için anaç ve kuzularda biyometrik özelliklerin canlı ağırlığı tahminde farklı sonuçlar ürettiğini göstermiştir. Ayrıca biyometrik özellikler arasındaki ilişkilerin benzer olmadığı (r=-0,16) ortaya koyulmuştur.

34 Páginas.-- 3 Figuras.-- 4 Tablas, The work studies the effect of season, montanera length, and sampling location on the Iberian pig fat, using compositional data (CoDa) analysis and standard statistics. CoDa variation array and logratios involving C18:3: (C18:3/C17:1), (C18:3/C20:0), and (C18:3/18:0) as well as the ilr balances (coordinates), based on C18:3, C17:1, and C20:0, showed the highest variances. Discriminant Analysis (DA) led to similar (conventional/coordinates) correct assignations regarding seasons (69/70%), montanera length (71/70%) and sampling location (68/67%). Re-analyzing the subcomposition of only the major fatty acids (FAs), led to slightly poorer results; therefore, the removed FAs might play a role in segregation. Results are in line with those from other authors and could indicate a partial capacity of pigs to control their FA profiles. Overall, CoDa analysis provided useful information on data variability, the effects of factors and, after conversion into coordinates, allowed applying standard statistics while being respectful with the compositional sampling space., This work was supported by the Spanish Government (project AGL2010-15494/ALI, partially financed by European regional development funds, ERDF), and Junta de Andalucía (through financial support to group AGR-125 and AGR-283).

Stock-type mares (498 ± 9 kg BW; 12 ± 7 yr) were used in a completely randomized design for 56 d to test the hypothesis that concentrate fortification improves apparent digestion and enhances lean mass over the topline. Horses were stratified by age, BW, and BCS and randomly assigned to either a custom pelleted concentrate (CON; n = 13), or an iso-caloric, iso-nitrogenous pellet that included amino acid fortification, complexed trace minerals, and fermentation metabolites (FORT; n = 10). Concentrate was offered at a total 0.75% BW/d (as-fed) twice daily, and diets were designed to meet or exceed maintenance requirements for mature horses. Horses had ad libitum access to Coastal bermudagrass hay (7.4% CP, 67% NDF, and 40% ADF). Every 14 d BW and BCS were recorded, and ultrasound images were captured every 28 d. longissimus dorsi area (LDA) and subcutaneous fat thickness (FT) were measured between the 12th and 13th ribs (12th/13th) and 17th and 18th ribs (17th/18th). Intramuscular fat at the 17th/18th ribs and rump fat-thickness were also obtained. Horses were dosed with 10 g/d of titanium dioxide (TiO2) for 14 d to estimate forage dry matter intake (DMI). To account for diurnal variation, fecal samples were collected twice daily at 12-h intervals during the last 4 days, advancing by 3 h each day to represent a 24-h period. Fecal samples were composited by horse and analyzed for TiO2 to estimate fecal output and acid detergent insoluble ash was used to calculate forage DMI. To evaluate body composition, horses were infused with a 0.12 g/kg BW deuterium oxide (D2O) on d 0 and 56. Body fat percentage (BF) was determined by quantifying D2O in plasma samples collected at pre- and 4-h postinfusion via mass spectrometry. All data were analyzed using PROC MIXED (SAS v9.4). The model contained a fixed effect of diet; horse (diet) was a random effect. Horses receiving FORT gained 17th/18th FT (P < 0.01) and increased 17th/18th LDA from d 0 to 56 (P < 0.01) while 17th/18th FT and LDA were unchanged in CON. Regardless of diet, BF estimated by D2O infusion increased in all horses from d 0 to 56 (P < 0.01). Average hay DMI was 2.1% BW, but did not differ between diets. In this study, concentrate fortification did not significantly (P ≥ 0.27) affect apparent digestion. In conclusion, concentrate fortification may promote greater muscle development along the posterior topline.

Banana (Musa acuminata) by-products and other agricultural residues such as rice straw and sugarcane top are abundant in the southern part of China, but most of them are wasted and discarded. Under this experiment, several silages containing banana by-products with other crop residues were investigated for their fermentation characteristics and feeding values to beef cattle. There were three treatments (T) as follows: T1 = fresh banana by-products (FBBP) + 4% corn meal (CM), T2 = FBBP + rice straw (RS) at 70:30 (fresh weight), T3 = FBBP + sugarcane top (SCT) at 70:30 (fresh weight). Twenty-one beef cattle bulls (220 ± 15 kg body weight) were randomly assigned to 3 groups and assigned to one of three silage treatments in a total feeding period of 237 days. Results revealed that all of the three silage mixtures had a good fermentative profile with lower pH and higher organic acids. The FBBP + CM group significantly increased DM, CP, EE, and Ca content (P

Latvian Blue (LZ) cows are kept for a variety of herd colors and because of national cow breed value. Resources of LZ cow breed remained low over the last decade. The aim of the study was to evaluate LZ cow breed linear conformation traits and analyze results in relation to their possession to the gene pool (GF) status and productive lifetime in 2017-2018. Information of the Agriculture Data Center Republic of Latvia (LDC) and linear evaluation in vivo were used. The number of LZ cows registered in LDC in 2017-2018 was 1648 and only 339 cows were gene-pool animals (LZ GF), and 140 of LZ GF animals were culled because of different reasons in 2017-2018. There were registered 544 (190 primiparous of them) closed standard LZ cow lactations in 2009 and only 292 (64 primiparous of them) in 2018. The oldest LZ GF cow was 16.3 years old; 20% of LZ GF cows were more than 10 years old, and only 10% were younger than 5 years. The overall exterior rating was established more than 80 points for 64.4% of the evaluated LZ GF cows. Some LZ GF linear conformation traits did not change significantly (p>0.05) with age – exterior, milking properties and cow’s temperament. Udder parameters, rump and foot angle became worse with animals advancing in age and could be improved by breeding. No statistically significant differences (p>0.05) were established regarding all parameters of conformation traits among LZ and LZ GF dairy cows except a tendency of larger body depth in LZ GF (p=0.054). In conclusion, the linear conformation traits of LZ cows, despite the presence of genetic influence of other breeds, do not differ significantly from the gene pool animals. Rump angle, udder and teat qualities became worse with age in LZ and LZ GF cows. Legs and hoofs were stable parameters inherited by the LZ offspring.

The objectives were to conduct a genetic evaluation of residual feed intake (RFI) and residual feed intake adjusted for fat (RFIFat) and to analyse the effect of selection for these traits on growth, carcass and reproductive traits. Data from 945 Nellore bulls in seven feed efficiency tests in a feedlot were analysed. Genetic evaluation was performed using an animal model in which the feed efficiency test and age of the animal at the beginning of the test were considered as a systematic effect. Direct additive genetic and residual effects were considered as random effects. Correlations and genetic gains were estimated by two-trait analysis between feed efficiency measures (RFI and RFIFat) and other traits. Feed conversion showed low heritability (0.06), but dry matter intake (DMI), average daily gain, RFI, RFIFat, metabolic body weight and scrotal circumference measured at 450 days of age (SC450) showed moderate to high heritability (0.49, 0.28, 0.33, 0.36, 0.38 and 0.80, respectively). Similarly, ribeye area, backfat thickness, rump cap fat thickness, marbling score and subcutaneous fat thickness also had high heritability values (0.46, 0.37, 0.57, 0.51 and 0.47, respectively). Genetic correlations between RFI and SC450 were null, and between RFIFat and SC450 were strongly positive. Genetic and phenotypic correlations of RFI and RFIFat with carcass traits were not different from zero, as correlated responses for carcass traits were also not different from zero. The Nellore selection for feed efficiency by RFI or RFIFat allows the recognition of feed efficient animals, with DMI reduction and without significant changes in growth and carcass traits. However, because of the observed results between RFIFat and SC450, selection of animals should be analysed with caution and a preselection for reproductive traits is necessary to avoid reproductive impairments in the herd.

Our objective was to verify if genetic differences (i.e., additive genetic variation) among animals classified in different residual feed intake adjusted for fat (RFIfat) groups occur, and if selecting for RFIfat impacts carcass traits. Ribeye area, backfat thickness, rump cap (‘picanha’ in Brazilian Portuguese) fat thickness, subcutaneous fat thickness, and marbling score were evaluated in relation to the high, medium and low RFIfat groups. Tri-trait analyses were performed using the animal model. The estimated values for heritability were high and no difference was found between the obtained values according to the RFIfat groups, for any of the carcass traits evaluated. These results demonstrate that all traits evaluated in this study have the potential for genetic improvement, regardless of RFIfat classification. The genetic improvement capacity of the herd was confirmed by the genetic trends performed using the breeding value of each RFIfat group, and independently of the group a bull belongs. Therefore, regardless of whether the animals are more or less efficient in terms of RFIfat, it is possible to practice selection for RFIfat in conjunction with carcass traits.

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of heat stress on the status of physiological responses, blood parameter, serum T3 and cortisol, and heat shock proteins (HSP 27, 70, and 90) of Hanwoo cattle. Six Hanwoo steers (242.8 ± 7.2 kg of BW) were housed in the climate-controlled respiration chambers. The experiment consisted of 7 days (control; 0 day) at thermoneutral (air temperature (Ta) of 15°C and relative humidity (RH) of 60%; temperature-humidity index (THI) = 64), and by 3 and 6 days (treatment groups) at heat stress (Ta of 35°C and RH of 60%; THI = 87). Body temperature of each parts (frank, rump, perineum and foot) and rectal temperature elevated in heat stress groups (3 days and 6 days) than the control group (0 day). Respiration rates increased in 3 days and 6 days (88.5 ± 0.96 bpm and 86.3 ± 0.63 bpm, respectively) from 0 days (39.5 ± 0.65 bpm). Feed intake significantly decreased in heat stress groups (3 days and 6 days, 3.7 ± 0.14 kg and 4.0 ± 0.15 kg, respectively) than the control group (0 day, 5.0 ± 0.00 kg). In addition, final BW significantly decreased in heat stress groups (3 days and 6 days, 211.8 ± 4.75 kg and 215.5 ± 3.50 kg, respectively) than the control group (0 day, 240.0 ± 25.00 kg). However, heat stress has no significant effect on blood parameter, serum T3 and cortisol. Nevertheless, heat stress increased HSPs mRNA expression in liver tissue, and serum concentration of HSPs. Despite Hanwoo cattle may have high adaptive ability to heat stress, our results suggested that heat stress directly effect on body temperature and respiration rate as well as serum and tissue HSPs. Therefore, we are recommended that HSPs could be the most appropriate indicators of Hanwoo cattle response to heat stress.

Amaç: Bu çalışma Yalova ilinde yetiştirilen Kıvırcık kuzularda büyüme-gelişme ve morfolojik özelliklerinin tanımlanması amacıyla yapılmıştır. Materyal ve Metot: Araştırma materyalini 100 baş Kıvırcık kuzusu oluşturmuştur. Kıvırcık ırkı kuzuların doğum ağırlığı, 30., 60., 90., 120., 150. ve 180. gün canlı ağırlıkları ve 30., 60., 90., 120., 150. ve 180. günlerdeki bazı vücut ölçüleri tespit edilmiştir. Bulgular: Kıvırcık ırkı kuzularda doğum ağırlığı, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 ve 180. gün canlı ağırlıklarına ilişkin en küçük kareler ortalamaları (kg) sırasıyla; 4.49±0.09, 8.69±0.17, 13.94±0.25, 21.50±0.34, 28.58±0.44, 33.68±0.5 ve 37.60±0.49 kg olarak hesaplanmıştır. Doğum-90, doğum-150, doğum-180, 90-180 ve 150-180 günler arası günlük canlı ağırlık artışına ilişkin en küçük kareler ortalamaları sırasıyla 204.72±0.01, 202.71±0.04, 188.26±0.03, 171.04±0.04 ve 116.01±0.07 g olarak tespit edilmiştir. Kıvırcık ırkı kuzuların 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 ve 180. günlerdeki bazı vücut ölçüleri tespit edilmiştir. Sütten kesim zamanı (150. gün) cidago yüksekliği, vücut uzunluğu, sağrı yüksekliği, göğüs derinliği, göğüs genişliği, göğüs çevresi, sağrı genişliği, baş uzunluğu, alın genişliği ve kulak uzunluğuna ilişkin en küçük kareler ortalamaları (cm) sırasıyla; 62.06±0.33, 62.60±0.32, 62.35±0.32, 25.27±0.20, 18.27±0.17, 78.81±0.54, 18.63±0.17, 21.95±0.12, 11.92±0.09 ve 12.80±0.10 cm olarak tespit edilmiştir. Sonuç: Araştırmanın yapıldığı bölgede yetiştirilen Kıvırcık ırkı koyunların çeşitli dönem canlı ağırlık ortalamalarının yeterli düzeye çıkarılabilmesi için öncelikli olarak yetiştirici koşullarının iyileştirilmesi gerektiği ortaya çıkmıştır. Ayrıca yapağı dağılımındaki farklılık ve az oluşu, kuyruk yapısının da diğer Kıvırcıklardan daha kısa olduğu gözlemlenmiştir.

A lipidomics study using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and multivariate statistics was conducted in this work to discriminate raw pork meat. A total of 1180 lipid species were identified in the studied pork samples. Four, three and eight lipids were determined as potential discriminatory markers for the five cuts (shoulder, rump, loin, shank and belly) of Tibetan, Jilin and Sanmenxia black pigs, respectively. Distinct lipidomic fingerprints of Tibetan, Jilin and Sanmenxia pork were obtained and they were clearly separated into three clusters by partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). The developed PLS-DA model (R2X = 0.603, R2Y = 0.861 and Q2 = 0.752) enables a 91.1% correct classification of pork samples. One-hundred variables, including 61 glycerolipids, 17 glycerophospholipids, 4 sterol lipids, 2 sphingolipids, 3 polyketides, 7 fatty acyls and 6 prenol lipids, were found to have high potential (variable importance in projection value > 1, p-value

The main cause of death in newborn lambs is hypothermia, so is necessary to identify the factors affecting variations in body surface temperatures of sheep neonates because approximately 60% of their body heat losses occur through the skin. This study aimed to establish relationships among body surface thermography from different regions with rectal temperature (RT), birth weight (BW) and climatic variables in hair breed newborn lambs during early spring in an arid region. Data of body surface temperatures measured by infrared thermography (entire head, eye, muzzle, ear, entire body, shoulder, rump, loin, right flank, belly and leg), RT and BW were collected at 0, 12 and 24 h post-lambing in 85 lambs born in early spring. Relative humidity [RH], temperature [Te] and temperature-humidity index [THI] were also recorded. RT was not correlated with surface temperatures at 0 and 24 h, but it was at 12 h with all of them (0.36 ≤ r ≤ 0.44). BW and some surface temperatures were negatively correlated at 0 and 24 h (−0.24 ≤ r ≤ −0.30), but positively at 12 h (0.25 ≤ r ≤ 0.27). All surface temperatures were positively correlated (0.51 ≤ r ≤ 0.85) with Te and THI in the three sampling times. Principal component (PC) analysis showed that PC1 explained the majority of the variance (71–72%), followed by PC2 (8–9%) at 0, 12 and 24 h. Body surface temperatures increased as Te and THI also increased, but decreased with the increase in HR. In conclusion, under early spring environment (predominantly cold), the variations in body surface temperatures of hair sheep neonates were more closely related to climatic variables than to RT and BW. Thermography proved to be an effective tool to determine body heat loss by radiation in skin of neonate lambs.

Data from fifty-four pigs: twenty-five Duroc, twenty-one Large White and eight crosses of Duroc and Large White (Hybrid) were used to quantify and mathematically describe the performance traits of pigs. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of genotype, sex and their interaction on the performance characteristics of three pig genotypes. The pigs were 30 kg of body weight and 70 days of age at the beginning of the study. Records for body weight (BW), body length (BL), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), rump and back fat thickness, trunk length(TRL), height at withers (HW), chest girth (CG),tail length (TL), shoulder to tail length (STL) were used for the analysis. The results of the least squares means analysis on the performance traits showed that genotype and sex were important sources of variation for traits such as feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), rump and back fat thickness. Also, the linear body traits namely; body weight (BW), body length (BL), trunk length (TRL), height at withers (HW), chest girth (CG), tail length(TL) and shoulder to tail length (STL) were significantly (P

To study the traits of exterior type of firstborn cows of Sumy intrabreed type of Ukrainian Black-and-White milk breed, a research was carried out in the breeding flock in Sumy region. The first-calf cows were estimated by the method of linear classification according to the age of 2–4 months after calving in two systems – 9-score, with a linear description of 18 conformation traits, and a 100-point classification system, taking into account four sets of breeding traits that characterize: dairy type, body development, condition of legs and feet, and udder morphological qualities. Results of linear estimation cows firstborn in the experimental herd on a 100-point scale indicated that traits within the group average final score was in the range of "good plus." Cows-firstborn were characterized by good development of group traits defining their dairy type (82.9 score), body trait development (84.1 score), condition of legs and feet (82.3 score), udder (82.6 score) and final type score (82.9 score). The development level of 18 conformation traits of cows showed their significant variability inside a controlled herd. In general, estimated animals in the breeding flock of PE "Burynske" of Pidlisnivskoy branch were characterized by well-defined height, body depth, angularity, rump angle, rump width, fore udder attachment, central ligament and udder depth. The results of linear classification showed that body structure of the first-born cows of Sumy intrabreed type of Ukrainian Black-and-White dairy breed at the present stage of selection had a rather good characteristic of descriptive traits that determined their dairy type. According to results of research, first-born cows with estimation "very good" exceeded peers with score "good plus" by milk yield with highly reliable difference of 583 kg (P

The study was conducted to evaluate the principal component analysis of phenotypic attributes of West African Dwarf (WAD) goat. Data collected on the live body weight and twelve morphometric traits of the goats which were categorised into four age groups based on their dentition. The age groups were: less than 2years old, 2- 3years old, 3-4 years old and 4 years old. The data were subjected to a PCA and Cluster analyses using the multivariate procedure components of SAS (2003). Result revealed that highest values of morphometric traits were obtained in goats that of 4 years old. The rate of increase in body weight and other morphometric traits was high in age group of ˂2 years to age 2-3years compared to differences observed in others across the age group. Heart Girth had the highest correlation with body weight. Foreleg, neck, ear and hind leg lengths; wither height and rump height were weakly correlated with the body weight of the goats. Result revealed that two Principal components were retained in the first age group (age group˂2years) which accounted for 72.99% of the total variation. The first PC alone accounted for 63.13% of the total variation while PC2 accounted for the remaining 9.86%. From this study, it was concluded that there is interdependence among body weight and morphometric traits and that morphometric traits can be used in predicting live weight of WAD goats; PCA and Cluster could be exploited in breeding and selection programmes to acquire highly coordinated animal bodies using fewer measurements.

Measuring cortisol in hair has recently been established as a reliable physiological index to evaluate chronic stress conditions in humans and many animal species. The aim of this study was to determine serum cortisol and the concentrations of hair cortisol from various body sites of lactating Holstein cows and heifers during thermal comfort zone. Forty-seven multiparous lactating Holstein cows (average milk yield 37.5 ± 2.3 kgd−1, days in milk = 110 ± 47 days, body weight = 623 ± 75 kg) and 23 Holstein heifers (10-12 months of age, body weight = 258 ± 20 kg) were used in this study. Blood samples were collected on days (d) 0, 30, and 60 of the study. Hair samples were harvested from the forehead, withers, and rump sites of the animals. Data for temperature-humidity index (average THI = 69.3 ± 1.2) represented the threshold environmental conditions during the experiment. Serum cortisol concentration was higher on day 0 of the study and lower on day 30 and day 60 of sampling in lactating Holstein cows and heifers (P 0.05). Conclusions drawn indicate that the distribution of cortisol into the hair shaft does not depend on hair sampling sites, and so that of the hair cut for cortisol analysis can be collected from any of the three body sites.

The study objective was to quantify the ability of genetic merit for a generated carcass index to differentiate animals on primal carcass cut weights using data from 1,446 herds on 9,414 heifers and 22,413 steers with weights for 14 different primal carcass cuts (plus 3 generated groups of cuts). The carcass genetic merit index was compromised of carcass weight (positive weight), conformation (positive weight), and fat score (negative weight), each equally weighted within the index. The association analyses were undertaken using linear mixed models; models were run with or without carcass weight as a covariate. In a further series of analyses, carcass weight and carcass fat score were both included as covariates in the models. Whether the association between primal cut yield and carcass weight differed by genetic merit stratum was also investigated. Genetic merit was associated (P < 0.001) with the weight of all cuts evaluated even when adjusted to a common carcass weight (P < 0.01); when simultaneously adjusted to a common carcass weight and fat score, genetic merit was not associated with the weight of the cuberoll or the group cuts termed minced-meat. The weight of the different primal cuts increased almost linearly within increasing genetic merit, with the exception of the rump and bavette. The difference in mean primal cut weight between the very low and very high genetic merit strata, as a proportion of the overall mean weight of that cut in the entire data set, varied from 0.05 (bavette) to 0.28 (eye of round); the average was 0.17. Following adjustment for differences in carcass weight, there was no difference in cut weight between the very low and very high strata for the rump, chuck tender, and mince cut group; the remaining cuts were heavier in the higher index animals with the exception of the cuberoll and bavette, which were lighter in the very high index animals. The association between carcass weight and the weight of each of the evaluated primal cuts differed (P < 0.05) by genetic merit stratum for all cuts evaluated with the exception of the rump, striploin, and brisket as well as the group cuts of frying and mincing. With the exception of these 5 primal (group) cuts, the regression coefficients of primal cut weight on carcass weight increased consistently for all traits with increasing genetic merit stratum, other than for the fillet, cuberoll, bavette, chuck and neck, and heel and shank.

This experiment was to evaluate a suite of biological traits likely to be associated with genetic variation in residual feed intake (RFI) in Angus cattle. Twenty nine steers and 30 heifers bred to be divergent in postweaning RFI (RFI(p)) and that differed in midparent RFI(p)-EBV (RFI(p)-EBV(mp)) by more than 2 kg DMI/d were used in this study. A 1-unit (1 kg DM/d) decrease in RFI(p)-EBV(mp) was accompanied by a 0.08 kg (SE = 0.03; P < 0.05) increase in ADG, a 0.58 kg/d (0.17; P < 0.01) decrease in DMI, a 0.89 kg/kg (0.22; P < 0.001) decrease in FCR, and a 0.62 kg/d (0.12; P < 0.001) decrease in feedlot RFI (RFI(f)). Ultrasonically scanned depths of subcutaneous fat at the rib and rump sites, measured at the start and end of the RFI test, all had strong positive correlations with RFI(p)-EBV(mp), DMI, and RFI(f) (all r values ≥0.5 and P < 0.001). Variation in RFI(p)-EBV(mp) was significantly correlated (P < 0.05) with flight speed (r = −0.32), number of visits to feed bins (r = 0.45), and visits to exhaled-emission monitors (r = −0.27), as well as the concentrations of propionate (r = −0.32) and valerate (r = −0.31) in rumen fluid, white blood cell (r = −0.51), lymphocyte (r = −0.43), and neutrophil (r = −0.31) counts in blood. RFI(p)-EBV(mp) was also correlated with the cellular immune response to vaccination (r = 0.25; P < 0.1) and heat production in fasted cattle (r = −0.46; P < 0.001). Traits that explained significant variation (P < 0.05) in DMI over the RFI test were midtest metabolic-BW (44.7%), rib fat depth at the end of test (an additional 18%), number of feeder visits (additional 5.7%), apparent digestibility of the ration by animals (additional 2.4%) and white blood-cell count (2.1%), and the cellular immune response to vaccine injection (additional 1.1%; P < 0.1), leaving ~23% of the variation in DMI unexplained. The same traits (BW excluded) explained 33%, 12%, 3.6%, 3.7%, and 3.1%, and together explained 57% of the variation in RFI(f). This experiment showed that genetic variation in RFI was accompanied by variation in estimated body composition, behavior, rumen, fasted heat production, hematology, and immune competence traits, and that variation in feedlot DMI and RFI(f) was due to differences in BW, scanned fatness, and many other factors in these cattle fed ad libitum and able to display any innate differences in appetite, temperament, feeding behavior, and activity.

The aim of this study was to better understand the inflection point of RT and BSTs and measure different body surface temperatures (BSTs) under different temperature-humidity index (THI) conditions. A total of 488 Holstein dairy cows were chosen to manually measure rectal temperature (RT) and BSTs including left side of eye, ear, cheek, forehead, flank, rump, fore udder, and rear udder by infrared thermography for 14 times. Those measurements included six times under high THI (THI > 78), three times under moderate THI (72 ≤ THI ≤ 78), and five times under low THI (THI

The main selection and genetic parameters of the linear and classification traits of the exterior of 1,438 first calving cows of the Leningrad, Kirov and Vologda regions of the Russian Federation. Most variable indicators were "udder cleft" in all three populations (30.65; 36.67; 30.47 %) and "body depth" in the Vologda and Leningrad populations - 35.57 and 23.40 %, respectively. The “rump width” in the Vologda population at Cv = 41.6% had a rather low absolute score (2.31 ± 0.08 points), therefore more careful selection is needed. The soft pasterns (26.8%), additional teats (26.2%), and slack back (8.3%) were the most common deficiencies. Less common were a peaked rump (6.2%), a high-set tail (4.8%), and a pterygoid scapula (4.1%). The construction of linear profiles of bulls Geyser, Lepa, Landskape using the standard transmission ability (STA) for each linear and classification types was carried out. The largest positive correlation values of the rear udder width (0.30, P≤0.001), front length udder (0.24, P≤0.001), body depth (0.12, P≤0.001) and dairy form (0, 10, P≤0,001). Reliability negative relationship between the corner rump and milk yield -0.09 (P≤0.001).

Crossbreeding represents an important technique to improve growth, beef quality and adaptability in beef production systems in tropical countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate sire and dam breed effects on performance and carcass traits of crossbred cattle produced in a tropical environment. Heifers and steers were evaluated during the pre-weaning, the post-weaning (n = 173) and the finishing phase (n = 123). Animals were produced by mating Nellore (N_N), Angus × Nellore (A_N) and Caracu × Nellore (C_N) dams with Braford, Charbray and Caracu sires. After weaning, animals were raised grazing on Marandu grass for 12 months; thereafter they were housed in individual pens and finished in a feedlot, receiving a total mixed ration. Ultrasound carcass evaluations were performed to determine ribeye area (R_A), backfat thickness (B_T) and rump fat thickness (R_T). A_N progeny were heavier at birth than N_N (P < 0.05), and Braford progeny had greater birth BW than Caracu (P < 0.05). Greater weaning BW was observed in the A_N and C_N offspring compared to N_N (P < 0.01). Greater average daily gain during the post-weaning period was verified in the N_N progeny compared to C_N (P < 0.05). No dam or sire breed effects were observed for BW at the end of the post-weaning period (P > 0.05). Progeny of N_N cows had greater B_T (P < 0.05) and R_T (P < 0.01) at the end of the post-weaning period in relation to C_N. Greater R_A was observed in the Caracu progeny than in the Braford (P < 0.05), which showed greater R_T than the Charbray progeny at the end of the post-weaning period (P < 0.05). No dam or sire breed effects were verified for final BW at the feedlot or for feed efficiency traits (P > 0.05). A_N progeny were superior in final B_T compared to C_N (P < 0.01), and Braford progeny had greater R_T at the end of finishing than Charbray (P = 0.05). The use of crossbred dams allows an increase in productivity until weaning, but this is not maintained in the post-weaning and finishing periods. The use of Braford sires produces similar growth performance in the different stages of the production system to those seen with Charbray and Caracu sires but generates animals with higher fat thickness at the end of finishing, which may improve carcass quality and commercial value. Made available in DSpace on 2020-01-23T18:06:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Crossbreedingappliedtosystemsofbeefcattle.pdf: 160676 bytes, checksum: 8974b11d5875715b99317c0649935e93 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2019

In cow-calf beef production systems, the growth and development of replacement heifers deserve special attention because they affect the age at puberty and the onset of reproductive activity. Therefore, the objective of this study was to test if changes in average daily gain (ADG) have an effect on eye muscle area, rump fat depth and back-fat thickness in developing beef heifers. These traits of 42 beef heifers were measured over time. The results of the current study allow inferring that heifers older than 385 days and with high rates of ADG (above 0.950 kg per day) have the greatest impact on longissimus muscle area growth (above 57 cm2). On the other hand, it is observed that younger heifers (less than 230 days old) do not exceed 48 cm2 of the longissimus muscle area, even with ADGs around 1.25 kg. A positive relationship between the rate of ADG and rump fat depth was also evidenced, observing that rump fat depth deposition is influenced by the rate of ADG. The results of the current study show a linear trajectory of rump fat depth, indicating that for every 0.10 kg of ADG during a period exceeding 56 days, an increase of 1.09 mm of rump fat depth occurs. In conclusion, this study illustrates a simple way on how ADG and age affect the body composition traits in beef heifers and shows that changes in average daily gain affect muscle and fat tissue growth, as determined by longissimus muscle area and rump fat depth in growing beef heifers.

Current techniques for measuring the dry matter intake (DMI) of grazing lactating beef cows are invasive, time consuming and expensive making them impractical for use on commercial farms. This study was undertaken to explore the potential to develop and validate a model to predict DMI of grazing lactating beef cows, which could be applied in a commercial farm setting, using non-invasive animal measurements. The calibration dataset used to develop the model was comprised of 94 measurements recorded on 106 beef or beef-dairy crossbred cows (maternal origin). The potential of body measurements, linear type scoring, grazing behaviour and thermal imaging to predict DMI in combination with known biologically plausible adjustment variables and energy sinks was investigated. Multivariable regression models were constructed for each independent variable using SAS PROC REG and contained milk yield, BW, parity, calving day and maternal origin (dairy or beef). Of the 94 variables tested, 32 showed an association with DMI (P < 0.25) upon multivariable analysis. These variables were incorporated into a backwards linear regression model using SAS PROC REG. Variables were retained in this model if P < 0.05. Five variables; width at pins, full body depth, ruminating mastications, central ligament and rump width score, were retained in the model in addition to milk yield, BW, parity, calving day and maternal origin. The inclusion of these variables in the model increased the predictability of DMI by 0.23 (R2 = 0.68) when compared to a model containing milk yield, BW, parity, calving day and maternal origin only. This model was applied to data recorded on an independent dataset; a herd of 60 lactating beef cows two years after the calibration study. The R2 for the validation was 0.59. Estimates of DMI are required for measuring feed efficiency. While acknowledging challenges in applicability, the findings suggest a model such as that developed in this study may be used as a tool to more easily and less invasively estimate DMI on large populations of commercial beef cows, and therefore measure feed efficiency.

The production characteristics of fatteners in this paper were examined in two farms of pigs in the Republic of Serbia. The research included 1166 pigs of both genders (female animals and male castrated heads) with various genotypes. Research examined influence of sire breed, sire within sire breed, gender of the pigs and the mass at the end of the fattening on the following characteristics of the fatteners: daily gain of the warm carcass side mass (PTP), rump fat thickness (DSK), backfat thickness (DSL) and sum of the fat thickness rump+back (DSKL). The pigs in this research come from the following sires: Large White (LW), Swedish Landrace (SL), Duroc and Crossbreed H × D. Data processing was done using the Harvey computer program. It was determined that all the involved effects in the model show a different level of influence on the researched traits (P < 0.05; P < 0.01; P < 0.001), whereas only one factor, sire within sire breed H × D does not influence the expression of the characteristic gain of the warm carcass side mass (P > 0.05).

Simple Summary Biometric measurements have been used to estimate the composition and yield of sheep carcass cuts. However, for the most part, they are carried out with animals finished in feedlots and/or with released animals, which do not represent the reality of production systems located in tropical regions because tropical forage grasses are the food base of small and large ruminants and are responsible for most of the meat produced in the tropics. Therefore, the objective was to predict the weights of the primary carcass cuts of Santa Inês lambs finished in tropical pastures through biometric measurements. Adjustments of multiple linear equations and selection of variables to predict carcass characteristics were performed using the STEPWISE option and Mallow’s Cp. The biometric measurements obtained at the time of slaughter can be used as predictive variables of carcass of Santa Inês sheep finished in tropical pastures. The prediction equations are precise and accurate. Abstract The aim of this study was to predict carcass traits of Santa Inês lambs finished in tropical pastures by using biometric measurements. Data originated from two experiments involving 56 lambs (32 in experiment I and 24 in experiment II). In both experiments, the sheep were finished in that were finished in pastures of Panicum maximum and Brachiaria brizantha, experiment I being conducted in the rainy season and experiment II in the dry season. The following biometric measurements were recorded before slaughter: body length (BL), withers height (WH), rump height (RH), thorax width (TW), rump width (RW), chest width (CW), heart girth (HG), thigh circumference (TC), rump circumference (RC) and leg length (LL), in addition to live weight at slaughter (SW). After slaughter, hot carcass weight (HCW), cold carcass weight (CCW) and the weights of primal cuts (shoulder, neck, loin, leg and rib) were recorded. In the equations generated to predict SW, HCW and CCW, R2 ranged from 0.58 to 0.91 and the measurements of WH, TC, CW, HG and RW were the most relevant. In the equations developed to predict the weight of primal cuts, in turn, R2 ranged from 0.26 to 0.99. In these models, SW, BL, CW, TC, LL and HG explained most of the variation in the weight of primal cuts. Biometric measurements can be used to accurately and precisely predict HCW, CCW and the weight of primal cuts from the carcass of Santa Inês sheep finished in tropical pastures, since the equations presented R2 and correlation coefficient and agreement above 0.8.

Nulliparous yearling beef heifers (n=360) were used to evaluate the effects of maternal dietary protein during the periconception and first trimester periods of gestation on postnatal growth, feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and the expression of genes associated with appetite in the arcuate nucleus of their male progeny. Heifers were individually fed a diet of 1.18g crude protein (CP)/day High protein (HPeri) or 0.62g CP/day Low protein (LPeri) beginning 60days before conception. From 24 to 98days post-conception (dpc), half of each treatment group changed to the alternative post-conception diet and were fed 1.49g CP/day (HPost) or 0.88g CP/day (LPost) yielding four treatment groups in a 2×2 factorial design. From day 98 of gestation, heifers received a common diet until parturition. Calves were weaned at 183days and developed on pasture before feedlot entry. Bulls underwent a 70-day Residual Feed Intake (RFI) feedlot test commencing at 528days of age. Feedlot entry and final body weight (BW), feedlot average daily gain (ADG) and RFI were not different (p>0.05). Progeny of dams that had a change in diet (LPeri/HPost and HPeri/LPost) had 9% higher daily dry matter intake (DMI) during the RFI test (ppLongissimus dorsi muscle cross sectional area, carcass dressing percentage, and estimated retail beef yield (RBY) were all higher (pp=0.07), for bulls from HPost dams despite no difference in carcass weight (p

Simple Summary Reproduction plays a pivotal role in dairy cow farming. Good reproductive performance in cows can decrease the elimination rate of cows, increase the success rate of breeding, and thereby enhance milk production. Identification of the genetic variants in reproduction-related traits helps to increase the genetic improvement of cows’ reproductive performance. In this study, we estimated the genetic parameters of three indicators of reproductive ability, namely, Loin Strength (LS), Rump Angle (RA), and Pin Width (PW), and conducted a genome-wide association study of them. The heritability of these three traits was medium, and in total, 11 significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected. Through a bioinformatics analysis of the genes adjacent to these variants, 16 candidate genes were identified as being associated with these three traits. We expect that the results could help with the genetic improvement of Chinese Holstein cows’ reproductive performance. Abstract Reproduction is an important production activity for dairy cows, and their reproductive performance can directly affect the level of farmers’ income. To better understand the genomic regions and biological pathways of reproduction-related traits of dairy cows, in the present study, three body shape traits—Loin Strength (LS), Rump Angle (RA), and Pin Width (PW)—were selected as indicators of the reproductive ability of cows, and we conducted genome-wide association analyses on them. The heritability of these three traits was medium, ranging from 0.20 to 0.38. A total of 11 significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected associated with these three traits. Bioinformatics analysis was performed on genes close to the significant SNPs (within 200 Kb) of LS, RA, and PW, and we found that these genes were totally enriched in 20 gene ontology terms and six KEGG signaling pathways. Finally, the five genes CDH12, TARP, PCDH9, DTHD1, and ARAP2 were selected as candidate genes that might affect LS. The six genes LOC781835, FSTL4, ATG4C, SH3BP4, DMP1, and DSPP were selected as candidate genes that might affect RA. The five genes USP6NL, CNTN3, LOC101907665, UPF2, and ECHDC3 were selected as candidate genes that might affect the PW of Chinese Holstein cows. Our results could provide useful biological information for the improvement of body shape traits and contribute to the genomic selection of Chinese Holstein cows.

The use of creep feeding for preweaning piglets is important to improve the performance of the piglets. The objective of this experiment was evaluate the effect of using or altering the position of piglet’s creep feeder during lactation on piglet’s performance and on behavior of piglets and sows kept in a hot climate environment. Forty-five sows and their litters at 10 days of lactation were randomly distributed into three treatments: front feeder (FF) - near the side of the sow’s head; back feeder (BF) - near the side of the rump of the sow; and no feeder (NF). All piglets were weighed individually to evaluate the average weight, weight gain and coefficient of variation of the weight. Behavior assessments of the piglets and sows were recorded in 3 period. At 15 and 21 d, piglets of the FF treatment were heavier (P ≤ 0.0001) than piglets of the other treatments. At 10-21d piglets of FF treatment had 76.2% less belly nosing behavior than the NF piglets (P=0.015). The treatments had no impact on behavior of the sows. The creep feeders positioned in the front of the farrowing crate increased piglet growth rate and decreased frequency of belly nosing behavior.

A phenotypic analysis of the Meatmaster breed was done, using linear body measurements, qualitative assessment, slaughter data and pedigree performance data. The linear body measurements and pedigree performance data were collected from 187 rams and 222 ewes of all age categories. The following means were recorded in rams and ewes respectively: Body weight (kg) (80.47±13.33; 57.51±12.43), head length (cm) (23.93±1.55; 22.68±2.05), neck length (cm) (28.35±5.16; 29.61±3.82), chest girth (cm) (102.45±8.42; 92.95±8.08), tail length (cm) (38.24±4.88; 36.64±4.70), wither height (cm) (63.91±4.04; 58.99±4.86), chest depth (cm) (37.51±2.97; 34.47±2.97), chest width (cm) (23.47±2.56; 21.24±2.85), body length (cm) (78.95±5.59; 72.67±6.06), rump length (cm) (21.82±3.29; 20.77±1.93), rump width (cm) (23.87±2.82; 21.36±3.15), skin thickness (mm) (2.846±0.5; 2.805±0.5), pelvic length (cm) (7.66±.98), pelvic width (cm) (7.66±.90), pelvic area (cm2) (46.69±10.62) and scrotal circumference (cm) (35.12±3.03). The pedigree performance data of 177 ewes showed the following means: age at first lambing (15.242±3.8 months), number of times lambed (3.33±1.8), number of lambs born (4.36±3.4), number of lambs weaned (3.44±2.5) and average inter-lambing period (258.64±151.3 days). Slaughter data was compiled from 2251 animals of different genders and ages; the means are as follows: measured in (kg): A-grade carcass (16.77±4.1), AB-grade carcass (24.039±13.8), B-grade carcass (26.904±13.3) and C-grade carcass (24.88±4.9). A predictive value of R2= 0.140 was observed between wither height and average inter-lambing period as well as a R2= 0.154 between the wither height and number of lambs born. This seems to be a characteristic of the Afro-type breeds which have a higher wither height and also have a higher tendency to birth multiple lambs per lambing opportunity.

International audience; This study aimed to determine how ageing and cooking, each one applied to the beef meat most suitable (panfried or grilled ribeye steak, braised chuck and fried or roasted rump steak), induce changes in lipid content, fatty acid (FA) composition and lipid oxidation of muscles from 16 cattle representative of animals raised for France meat production. The fattiest muscle (ribeye) was the richest in saturated and monounsaturated FA leading to poor nutritional indexes. In contrast, the leanest muscle (rump) had the highest proportion of polyunsaturated FA and the highest levels of peroxidation without exceeding critical limits. The impact of cooking methods seemed mainly linked to the moisture loss increasing meat fat content and the culinary fat addition whose FA composition marked the meat. Cooking methods induced oxidation phenomena that could exceed the limit thresholds. In conclusion, short cooking time of rump steak was the best combination to meet nutritional expectations.

This work aimed to compare pre- and post-slaughter methodologies to estimate body fat reserves in dairy goats. Twenty-six lactating Saanen goats ranging from 43.6 to 69.4 kg of body weight (BW) and from 1.84 to 2.96 of body condition score (BCS, 0–5 range) were used. Fifteen pre-slaughter and four post-slaughter measurement values were used to estimate the weight of fat in the omental (OM), mesenteric (MES), perirenal (PR), organ (ORG), carcass (CARC), and non-carcass components (NC) and total (TOT, calculated as the sum of CARC and NC) depots in goats. The pre-slaughter measurements were withers height, rump height, rump length, pelvis width, chest depth, shoulder width, heart girth, body length, sternum height, BW, BCS assessed in the lumbar (BCSl) and sternal (BCSs) regions, and fat thickness measured by ultrasound in the lumbar (FTUSl), sternal (FTUSs), and perirenal (FTUSpr) regions. The post-slaughter measurements were hot carcass weight (HCW), empty body weight (EBW), and fat thickness measured by digital caliper in the lumbar (FTDCl) and sternal (FTDCs) regions. Linear and multiple regressions were fit to data collected. BW, BCS (from lumbar and sternal regions), all somatic measurements, and fat thickness measured by ultrasound in the lumbar and sternal regions were not adequate to estimate the weight of total fat in lactating Saanen goats (R2 ≤ 0.55). The best pre-slaughter and post-slaughter estimators of OM, MES, PR, ORG, NC, and TOT fat were FTUSpr and EBW, respectively. Among pre- and post-slaughter measurements, BCSl (R2 = 0.63) and HCW (R2 = 0.82) provided the most accurate predictions of CARC fat, respectively. Multiple regression using the pre-slaughter variables FTUSpr, BW, and BCSl yielded estimates of TOT fat with an R2 = 0.92 (RSD = 1.14 kg). On the other hand, TOT fat predicted using the post-slaughter variables HCW and FTDCs had an R2 = 0.83 (RSD = 1.41 kg). These results confirm that fat reserves can be predicted in lactating Saanen goats with high precision using multiple regression equations combining in vivo measurements.