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The objective of this study was to estimate the breeding value and heritability for calving score using an animal model for population from Aberdeen Angus breed. Data consisted of records of 1297 calves of Aberdeen Angus breed from Aberdeen Angus Association Romania. The mean for calving score was 1.007±0.002. The breeding values for calving score for calves were between -0.013 and 0.075. The heritability for calving score was low 0.08 in Aberdeen Angus breed. The animal model was adequate due it is simpler than threshold model for calculate the genetic parameters for calving score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review come to underline the great potential of the ultrasound technique that developed year by year with the evolution of meat market industry and become more sensitive to the human consumers. In Romania the ultrasound technique was the first time used in vivo at sheep to improve meat evaluation. Classical method implies time consuming and complicated approach by cutting the carcasses to obtain commercial yield, slaughtering yield, dressing percentage and meat - bone ratio. Ultrasound parameters obtained at Longissimus Dorsi muscle in Romanian local breed Teleorman Black Had showed a great potential for meat production. High correlations were found between muscle depth with eye muscle area (0.71, 0.76) and eye muscle perimeter (0.90, 0.85), also with body weight at birth (0.40, 0.54) and at weaning age (0.55, 0.67). Eye muscle area at Romanian lambs was situated in the limits known for ultrasound meat carcass quality. The research investigations continued with a comparative study between non - invasive ultrasound with classical methods using linear regression models to estimate meat production without sacrifice the lambs and keeping them for reproduction. Ultrasound application were used with very good results at Romanian Carpatina goats with ultrasound measurements situated within the limits known by the scientific literature. For both species the ultrasounds measurements showed that one - measurement is enough to estimate meat quantity for a better carcass evaluation. That why ultrasound method is recommended to be an efficient and easy to use method to classify the individuals designed for carcass meat quality. Also, ultrasound show as the opportunities that must be embraced by the animal breeders and farmers to maximize the genetic progress in order to select the best individuals design for meat production. The ultimate goal of the livestock and meat industry is to have an accurate and objective measurement method for assessing the economically important traits of meat quality, and to determine the value and merit of the carcass while the animal is still alive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper was to study the breeding values and genetic parameters estimation methodology applied on Teleorman Black Head Sheep breed genetic improvement programs. Throughout study were estimated heritability using test-day milk yield and the genetic correlation between test-days milk yield for Teleorman Black Head Sheep from Dobroteşti Teleorman area. The genetic parameters of daily milk yield during one lactation of Teleorman Black Head ewes were estimated with random regression test-day animal model. Data consisted of 1032 test-day records from 344 ewes. The breeding values for test day milk yield for the best ewes were ranged between 14.57 g milk and 28.48 g milk. The heritability estimates for three test-day milk yield of ewes were: 0.105 for first test day record, 0.270 for second test day record and 0.250 for third test day record. Genetic correlations between individual test days milk yield records were positive and of medium magnitude. Once again during the present research we observed that the test-day is the most appropriate methodology for milk production genetic evaluation in sheep, who offer the best improvement of the performances by genetic progress. That why random regression model was used the most in different countries, giving a better accuracy for breeding value, and ranking better the best ewes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine the genetic parameters represented by heritability for test-day milk yield and the genetic correlation between test-days milk yield and the breeding value for Teleorman Black Head sheep. The genetic parameters of daily milk yield during the first three lactations of Teleorman Black Head ewes were estimated with the random regression test-day animal model. Data consisted of 631 test-day records of 81 ewes at first lactation, 351 test-day records of 58 ewes at second lactation and 229 test-day records of 33 ewes at third lactation from experimental farm of INCDBNA Balotesti. Lactations were analysed separately. The heritability estimates for test-day milk yield of ewes at first lactation ranged from 0.015 at 200 day in milk to 0.19 at 10 day in milk. For the ewes at second lactation the heritability estimates ranged from 0.016 at 180th in milk to 0.246 at 10 day in milk. For the ewes at third lactation the heritability estimates for test day milk yield ranged from 0.018 at 180th in milk to 0.249 at 10th day in milk. Genetic correlations between individual test days milk yield were high and positive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to identify insulin growth factor (IGF-1) gene polymorphism using PCR RFLP technique in order to improve goat meat evaluation. Insulin like growth factor -1 play an important stimulator role in skeletal growth, cell differentiation and metabolism. Also it has an important role in control of hair cycles and it is involved in development of wool fiber. Therefore, it is considered as an appropriate candidate gene for meat quality evaluation. Blood samples were collected from 12 Carpatina kids and DNA was extracted using, Wizard Genomic DNA Purification Kit. Polymorphism of IGF-1 was determined by PCR amplification followed by RFLP method using restriction enzyme Hae III. In the present study heterozygous individuals were identified with genotype BC (25%) and homozygous individuals for the genotype BB (75%). B allele frequency was 0.87 and for allele C was 0.13. Observed and expected values of IGF-1 genotypes were found in Hardy Weinberg equilibrium, after χ2 test was calculated. Further investigation is necessary to be carried out on a high number of animals in order to discover other mutations correlated with meat quality in Carpatina goat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND The effect of a diet containing 15% grape pomace ( GP) on the general health status and milk quality of dairy cows was assessed by plasma biochemistry and total polyphenol ( TP) content, milk polyphenols, milk composition and milk protein fractions. RESULTS Among the polyphenols measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy in GP, in feed containing GP ( GP+) or not containing GP ( GP-), gallic acid and epicatechin were present in the highest concentrations (67.58 and 19.23 µg mL−1, respectively). Higher amounts of TP were also detected in the blood plasma of GP+ cows (114.06 and 83.93 mg GAE L−1, respectively) but not in their milk (233.17 and 245.75 mg GAE L−1, respectively). Also a significant increase was found for lactose and β-lactoglobulin, although there was no effect on α-lactalbumin, albumin, secretory components and caseins. CONCLUSION Inclusion of 15% GP in the diets of dairy cows is beneficial for overall normal blood constituent metabolism and helps to maintain cow health. The milk of cows fed with a GP diet preserves the normal levels of fat, protein and caseins, and has increased levels of components that make this milk a versatile ingredient material for the food industry (e.g. model whey powders, stability of lactose-rich powders). © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide were developed animal selection programs assisted by molecular markers at many local breeds, targeting biodiversity and intrinsic value preservation. Until now, were considered molecular markers associated with milk (beta-lactoglobulin, caseins) and meat production (calpastatin, miostatin etc.). Another important marker for milk production is prolactin. Previous studies prove that prolactin depletion is associated with milk secretion decrease, making codifying gene for prolactin a candidate gene for milk production variation. Correlation of this marker effect with meat quality parameters was not studied yet. Objective of this study is estimation of prolactin gene polymorphism effect over two traits types (for milk and meat quality) with a view to simultaneous use of both types in selection programs. Using genomic DNA isolated from blood, we evaluate prolactin genetic polymorphism of 50 Transylvanian Merino sheep through PCR-RFLP method. The effect of prl polymorphism over production traits was estimated using animal model. The research results reveal an important effect of prl gene over productive quality traits. The alleles effect is similar between those types; this fact sustain common selection program development in the same population. In conclusion, our study proved that prl gene can be an important marker for selection programs in local sheep breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grape pomace (GP), resulting from wine making, is rich in antioxidant polyphenols originating from the input material, the grapes. Because of the high production volumes of grape pomace, environmental impact and nutritional content, new ways for its valorization are experimented. In order to incorporate it in animal feed (cow and pig), we determined its content in total polyphenols by the Folin Ciocalteu method, the antioxidant activity by the DPPH assay and its stability using the UV-Vis spectroscopy for different extraction media. In terms of total polyphenols the acetone extraction was the best (4667.1 mg GAE/100g sample) comparing with ethanol and water (2140.4 mg GAE/100g sample respectively 2083.9 mg GAE/100g sample), and the ruminal fluid (732.9 mg GAE/100g sample) and pepsin (712.2 mg GAE/100g sample). The highest antioxidant activity expressed as an antiradical activity against the DPPH radical, was registered for the acetone extract (32.8 μM Trolox Equivalents(TE)), followed by the ethanol (6.5 μM TE) and water extraction equal with pepsin extraction (4 μM TE), and the mixture of ruminal fluid (0.5 μM TE). The results show that even though the extraction of polyphenols in organic solvents is the best, when applied to the digestive media the situation changes. In both ruminal fluid and pepsin were measured almost the same amount of total polyphenols but the antioxidant activity was much lower in the ruminal fluid-8 times lower. The UV- Vis spectroscopy shows that the acetone extract is stable over time when kept at--20 C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic parameters of Montbeliarde cows were estimated for test-day milk yield with a random regression spline model. The spline model has been considered as a good alternative to Legendre polynomials to direct interpretation of parameters. With this model the lactation curve is divided into sections by knots. The milk yield between any two knots is assumed to be changing linearly. The random regression was fitted with linear splines with five knots: 7, 54, 111, 246, 302. The herd-test-day is the fixed effect of the model. The heritability estimates for test-day milk yield ranged from 0.346 at 65th day in milk, to 0.422 at 35th day in milk. Genetic correlations between individual test days were positive and tended to decrease with an increase in days between when the yields were measured. Random regression models using linear splines were proved to be useful for genetic evaluations of cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to identify Myostatin (MSTN) gene polymorphism using PCR RFLP technique in order to improve sheep meat evaluation. There are data which show that MSTN is an inhibitor of skeletal muscle growth and a mutation in gene leads to increased muscle mass. Therefore, it is considered as an appropriate candidate gene for carcass meat quality. Blood samples were collected from 105 Teleorman Black Head (TBH) lambs and DNA was extracted using, Wizard Genomic DNA Purification Kit. Polymorphism of MSTN was determined by PCR amplification followed by RFLP method using restriction enzyme Hae III. Based on results, two genotypes mm and Mm were identified. It was identified homozygous genotype mm which not carry this mutation with 16.67% and heterozygous genotype Mm with 83.33%. M allele frequency was 42% and for allele m was 58%. Observed and expected values of MSTN genotypes were found in Hardy Weinberg disequilibrium, after χ2 test was calculated. MM individuals who carry this mutation were not identified in the analysed herd. This may be due to an empirical selection of this breed leading to absence of this genotype. That is why further investigation on a high number of animals are necessary to discover this mutation correlated with meat quality in TBH sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate meat quality using ultrasound method measuring two points in Longissimus Dorsi muscle and the identification of CAST gene correlated with carcass quality at 105 lambs of Teleorman Black Head breed. There was determinate the fat depth in males (2.33, 2.51 mm) and females (2.12, 2.11mm), muscle depth (22.45, 22.68 mm) and (20.69, 20.95 mm), eye muscle area (9.28, 9.30 cm²) and (8.91, 8.87 cm²). Medium correlations where found in these two points between birth weight with muscle depth (0.45, 0.49) and eye muscle area (0.40, 0.54). Medium to high correlations resulted between 3.5 month weight with muscle depth (0.58, 0.65) and with eye muscle area (0.55, 0.67) and also average daily gain with fat depth and with muscle depth given medium to high correlations (0.51, 0.44, 0.46, and 0.59). Between muscle depth and eye muscle area in this two measurement points resulting high correlations (0.71, 0.76) also between muscle depth and eye muscle perimeter (0.90, 0.85) revealing lambs meat potential. For calpastatin, was extracted blood DNA and polymorphism was determined by PCR RFLP. The PCR products were digested with Hae III enzyme. Calpastatin gene frequency in these tree genotypes AA, AB and BB was 73.68 %, 6.32% and 23%. The allele A frequency was 77 % and for allele B was 23%. CAST gene can be a useful tool in marker assisted selection for meat quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The absorption and antioxidant activity of polyphenols from grape pomace (GP) are important aspects of its valorization as a feed additive in the diet of weaned piglets. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of polyphenols from GP both in vitro in IPEC cells and in vivo in the duodenum and colon of piglets fed with diets containing or not 5% GP and also to compare and correlate the aspects of their in vitro and in vivo absorption. Total polyphenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant status (TAS, CAT, SOD and GPx enzyme activity, and lipid peroxidation-TBARS level) were assessed in duodenum and colon of piglets fed or not a diet with 5% GP. The results of UV-Vis spectroscopy demonstrated that in cellular and extracellular medium the GP polyphenols were oxidized (between λmax = 276 nm and λmax = 627.0 nm) with the formation of o-quinones and dimers. LC-MS analysis indicated a procyanidin trimer possibly C2, and a procyanidin dimer as the major polyphenols identified in GP, 12.8% of the procyanidin trimer and 23% of the procyanidin dimer respectively being also found in the compound feed. Procyanidin trimer C2 is the compound accumulated in duodenum, 73% of it being found in the colon of control piglets, and 62.5% in the colon of GP piglets. Correlations exist between the in vitro and in vivo investigations regarding the qualitative evaluation of GP polyphenols in the cells (λmax at 287.1 nm) and in the gut (λmax at 287.5 nm), as oxidated metabolic products. Beside the presence of polyphenols metabolites this study shows also the presence of the unmetabolized procyanidin trimers in duodenum and colon tissue, an important point in evaluating the benefic actions of these molecules at intestinal level. Moreover the in vivo study shows that a 5% GP in piglet’s diet increased the total antioxidant status (TAS) and decreased lipid peroxidantion (TBARS) in both duodenum and colon, and increased SOD activity in duodenum and CAT and GPx activity in colon. These parameters are modulated by the different polyphenols absorbed, mainly by the procyanidin trimers and catechin on one side and the polyphenols metabolites on the other side. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]