Search

In modern breeding work, considerable attention is paid to genetic resources of cattle, genetic assessment of which, with proper crossbreeding and selection, can increase efficiency of the entire industry. One way to realize the genetic resources of animals is to use information about polymorphism of milk productivity genes. The aim of the study was to determine polymorphism of -lactoglobulin gene in in Kholmogorsky cows and to identify its effect on economically valuable milk indicators. The experiments were carried out on the breeding stock of Kholmogorsky breed in Kholmogorsky Plemzavod. The genotype of the studied animals for LGB gene was determined by PCR RFLP using Hae III restriction endonuclease. It was established that the allele B of the -lactoglobulin gene was dominant in the genome of the studied sample of cows and its frequency of occurrence was 68%, while the most common genotype was AB (47.4%). To assess the effect of different LGB genotypes on milk productivity and milk quality of Kholmogorsky cows, productivity indicators for the last completed lactation were combined into subgroups depending on the genotypes and compared with each other. Most likely, the uniqueness of the Kholmogorsky breed, expressed not only in terms of milk productivity, exterior and constitution, but also in the gene pool, influenced the discrepancy between the obtained results and general patterns. Firstly, in our case, B allele has a positive effect both on qualitative and technological characteristics of milk, and on quantitative indicators of milk productivity. Secondly, the largest value of milk yield and the mass fraction of dry matter belongs to animals with the AB genotype. We recommended to include the procedure for assessing polymorphism of LGB gene in a set of breeding and production work activities to increase the economic efficiency of the enterprise. Such a step will also contribute to the further comprehensive study of this gene as a breeding marker.

The article discusses the dairy industry in the Chuvash Republic, Russia. The Russian Federation is experiencing a shortage of milk. Currently, the per capita milk consumption in the country is by more than a quarter behind the rational intake recommended by the Ministry of Health, which is 325 kg. However, the Chuvash Republic boasts 373 kg of per capita milk production, which is by 71% higher than the average data for the rest of the country, and the high quality of Chuvash milk is unanimously confirmed by leading domestic experts. The authors analyzed the success factors of milk production in the Chuvash Republic to be extrapolated on the entire domestic industry. The research relied on such demographic data as the ratio of urban vs. rural population; dairy herd data, e.g., livestock population, farm types, dairy productivity, etc.; dairy production and processing business data. The methods included systematization, generalization, grouping, statistical data processing, and analysis of temporal dynamics indicators. The Chuvash Republic has a large percentage of rural population and a lot of subsidiary dairy farms: 22 000 farms own more than 60% of dairy cows in the region and provide 55% of milk processing volumes. Subsidies allocated by the local government allow farm owners to ensure the high dairy productivity of cows. Most of the milk in the Chuvash Republic can be classified as near-organic. Leading regional milk producers have their own agricultural lands to provide environmentally friendly feed, as well as specialized premises for herd keeping and milking, retail outlets to sell their products, etc. A third of enterprises maintain the milk productivity at 7800–9200 kg, which is as high as in Denmark, the Netherlands, Great Britain, and Germany. Most Chuvash dairy farmers owe their high results to the state support funds allocated for the purchase of breeding cattle. The twelve largest milk producers in the region provide 100% of the output of drinking milk, so private farms mainly focus on meeting the needs of dairy processing enterprises. The latter also receive seasonal subsidies. The Chuvash milk miracle can be explained by the following factors: big rural population; private subsidiary farms; high-quality breeding dairy livestock; high-quality feed; good milk production and processing equipment. However, the comprehensive system of state support measures remains the most important success factor.

Simple Summary: This study provides an example of the creation of a biobank of drone sperm of specific subspecies of Apis mellifera L. For subspecies identification, morphometric ("classical morphometry") and genetic (tRNAleu-COII mtDNA and nine SSR markers) methods were used. A honey solution was used as a cryopreservative. It was shown that the main values of frozen–thawed sperm decreased compared to those of fresh sperm. However, the use of honey in sperm cryopreservation has great potential. The cryopreservation of gametes and embryos is an important element of biodiversity conservation. One species in need of conservation is the honey bee Apis mellifera L. Changing environmental factors, especially the anthropogenic factor, have led to a reduction in the numbers of this insect species. In this study, we provide an example of the creation of a biobank of honey bee drone sperm. For sperm cryopreservation, drones of the most common subspecies of honey bees common in Russia were selected. These were the dark forest bee, Apis mellifera mellifera, from the Republic of Bashkortostan, with three subspecies (A. m. carnica, A. m. carpatica, and A. m. caucasica) from the southern regions of Russia, as well as two breeding stocks, the Far Eastern bee and Prioksky bee. For subspecies identification, morphometric and genetic methods were used. The subspecies of the studied samples were confirmed via the analysis of the tRNAleu-COII locus of mitochondrial DNA and nine microsatellite markers of nuclear DNA. It was shown that bees of the Prioksky breeding stock belong to the subspecies A. m. caucasica based on phylogenetic analysis, and the Far Eastern breeding stock is a stable hybrid, descending on the maternal line from the evolutionary lineage C or O. The results of the morphometric analysis are consistent with the results of the genetic analysis. For the cryopreservation of sperm, we used a cryoprotectant solution with honey. As a result, the viability of frozen–thawed sperm decreased by 20.3% compared to fresh sperm, and overall motility decreased 25-fold. The measurement of the sperm concentration in the spermatheca of artificially inseminated queens showed that it varied from 0.22 to 4.4 million/μL. Therefore, the use of honey in sperm cryopreservation has great potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cryopreservation of gametes and embryos is an important element of biodiversity conservation. One species in need of conservation is the honey bee Apis mellifera L. Changing environmental factors, especially the anthropogenic factor, have led to a reduction in the numbers of this insect species. In this study, we provide an example of the creation of a biobank of honey bee drone sperm. For sperm cryopreservation, drones of the most common subspecies of honey bees common in Russia were selected. These were the dark forest bee, Apis mellifera mellifera, from the Republic of Bashkortostan, with three subspecies (A. m. carnica, A. m. carpatica, and A. m. caucasica) from the southern regions of Russia, as well as two breeding stocks, the Far Eastern bee and Prioksky bee. For subspecies identification, morphometric and genetic methods were used. The subspecies of the studied samples were confirmed via the analysis of the tRNAleu-COII locus of mitochondrial DNA and nine microsatellite markers of nuclear DNA. It was shown that bees of the Prioksky breeding stock belong to the subspecies A. m. caucasica based on phylogenetic analysis, and the Far Eastern breeding stock is a stable hybrid, descending on the maternal line from the evolutionary lineage C or O. The results of the morphometric analysis are consistent with the results of the genetic analysis. For the cryopreservation of sperm, we used a cryoprotectant solution with honey. As a result, the viability of frozen–thawed sperm decreased by 20.3% compared to fresh sperm, and overall motility decreased 25-fold. The measurement of the sperm concentration in the spermatheca of artificially inseminated queens showed that it varied from 0.22 to 4.4 million/μL. Therefore, the use of honey in sperm cryopreservation has great potential.

To promote persimmon breeding project, we analyzed the sugar composition (a ratio of sucrose to hexose sugars, SH ratio) and flesh juiciness of 43 persimmon cultivars (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) consisting of 24 pollination-constant non-astringent (PCNA)-types and 19 non-PCNA-types, together with other fruit quality traits. The cultivar collection includes newly-released cultivars after 1990 and commercially-produced local cultivars in Japan. These cultivars were broadly classified into three types: sucrose accumulators, intermediate accumulators, hexose accumulators. Analysis of variance showed that the genotypic effect on the SH ratio and flesh juiciness is high with negligibly small environmental variance, indicating that SH ratio and flesh juiciness can be determined by a one-year trial without tree replication. Highly varietal diversity in the SH ratio and flesh juiciness was observed within and between persimmon cultivar types. Sweetness value (SSC × SH ratio) of the cultivars/selections seems to be a useful predictor of fruit sweetness. In terms of palatability, however, persimmon cultivar’s improvement should be performed on the sweetness value in association with flesh juiciness.

Research has been carried out and a forecast of the efficiency of selection for different methods in dairy cattle breeding has been given. The results of evaluating the selection of breeding bulls in herds of different breeds are presented. The author describes the bulls that are assigned to the breeding stock, and suggests the basic principles of their selection. It is noted that out of 9 bulls assigned to cows and heifers in the herd, five bulls are evaluated for the quality of offspring and are improvers of milk yield, fat and protein content in milk, four of the 9 are evaluated by genome and have an NTM index from +22 to +28. When getting the next generation of shvedish red cows, you need an improving selection of bulls-producers: Hammer 99492, Helix 99566, Wilde 99584, Tuomi 46003, Sampo 99426, Justice 99790, Feton 47171, Fabu 99958, Frieze 47558. For use in a herd of young, unverified bulls by the quality of their offspring, a forecast of their breeding value in terms of milk productivity according to the pedigree index (PI) is made. The range of evaluated characteristics has been expanded-from milk productivity and reproductive qualities, to health indicators (longevity, somatic cell content in milk) and evaluation of animal body type (exterior). The results obtained will allow selection and selection of bulls and cows taking into account the genetic trend in generations, and regulate the level of intensity of the selection process in the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To promote persimmon breeding project, we analyzed the sugar composition (a ratio of sucrose to hexose sugars, SH ratio) and flesh juiciness of 43 persimmon cultivars (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) consisting of 24 pollinationconstant nonastringent (PCNA)types and 19 nonPCNAtypes, together with other fruit quality traits. The cultivar collection includes newlyreleased cultivars after 1990 and commerciallyproduced local cultivars in Japan. These cultivars were broadly classified into three types: sucrose accumulators, intermediate accumulators, hexose accumulators. Analysis of variance showed that the genotypic effect on the SH ratio and flesh juiciness is high with negligibly small environmental variance, indicating that SH ratio and flesh juiciness can be determined by a oneyear trial without tree replication. Highly varietal diversity in the SH ratio and flesh juiciness was observed within and between persimmon cultivar types. Sweetness value (SSC × SH ratio) of the cultivars/selections seems to be a useful predictor of fruit sweetness. In terms of palatability, however, persimmon cultivar's improvement should be performed on the sweetness value in association with flesh juiciness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiments took place in the Middle Amur region, which is characterized by uneven soil and climatic conditions. The climate of this area of Russia is characterized by drought during tillering time and an excess of moisture during anthesis, grain ripening, and harvest. The impact of climatic factors on yield formation in oats of various origin were studied. The donors of economically important traits to be used in fodder cereals’ breeding were selected. We found correlations between yield of oats and environmental factors, such as sum of air temperatures at the soil level and precipitation. The oat samples with the best agronomic traits were recognized as promising and were involved in the breeding process as paternal parent forms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using nationwide survey data, we investigate U.S. meat goat producer preferences and willingness to pay for meat goat breeding stock attributes. Discrete choice experiments were employed, and mixed logit and latent class models were used for analysis. Results showed that producers preferred animals that were highly masculine/feminine, had good structure and soundness, and were of the Boer breed, whereas they preferred fewer animals that were older, of Kiko and Spanish breeds, and priced higher. Significant preference heterogeneity was found among the respondents. Larger-scale producers had greater preference for high masculinity/femininity, good structure and soundness, and Boer bucks. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Equine viral arteritis (EVA) may have serious economic impact on the equine industry. For this reason, it is monitored in many countries, especially in breeding stock, to avoid its spread during breeding activities. In France, surveillance is mainly based on serological tests, since mares are not vaccinated, but difficulties in interpreting certain series of results may impair the estimation of the number of outbreaks. In this study, we propose specific rules for identifying seroconversion in order to estimate the number of outbreaks that were detected by the breeding stock surveillance component (BSSC) in France between 2006 and 2013. A consensus among multidisciplinary experts was reached to consider seroconversion as a change in antibody titer from negative to at least 32, or as an eight-fold or greater increase in antibody level. Using these rules, 239 cases and 177 outbreaks were identified. Subsequently, we calculated the BSSC’s sensitivity as the ratio of the number of detected outbreaks to the total number of outbreaks that occurred in breeding stock (including unreported outbreaks) estimated using a capture-recapture model. The total number of outbreaks was estimated at 215 (95% credible interval 195–249) and the surveillance sensitivity at 82% (CrI 95% 71–91). Our results confirm EVA circulation in French breeding stock, show that neutralizing antibodies can persist up to eight years in naturally infected mares and suggest that certain mares have been reinfected. This study shows that the sensitivity of the BSSC is relatively high and supports its relevance to prevent the disease spreading through mating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Commercial blue swimmer crab (Portunus pelagicus) catches in Cockburn Sound, Western Australia, have declined significantly since 2000, due to low stock abundance resulting in closure of the fishery in December 2006. The fishery has remained closed for 3 years with predicted catches, based on juvenile recruitment indices, indicating that recovery has been slow. Like many other blue swimmer crab fisheries, management relied on a minimum legal size set well above the size at sexual maturity to allow crabs to spawn at least once before entering the fishery to presumably provide adequate protection to the breeding stock. However, a combination of biological, environmental and fishery-dependent factors contributed to a collapse and include: (1) vulnerability to environmental fluctuations as this species is at the southern extreme of its temperature tolerance, (2) a life cycle contained within an embayment and is self-recruiting, (3) a change in fishing method from gill nets to traps which increased fishing pressure on pre-spawning females in winter and reduced egg production to one age class, (4) four consecutive years of cooler water temperatures resulting in poor recruitment and (5) continued high fishing pressure during years of low recruitment resulting in low breeding stock. The strength of recruitment (juvenile 0+) from the previous season''s spawn (September to January), and the residual stock (1+) near the completion of the current fishing season, have been incorporated in an abundance index that indicates the size of the next season''s breeding stock and predicts the commercial catch. This catch prediction has been used in the development of a draft decision-rule framework for the future management of this fishery to determine the appropriate amount of fishing effort. The application of this approach to research and management may assist the sustainability of other blue swimmer crab fisheries at the extreme of their natural distributions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Western white pine (Pinus monticola) is an economically and ecologically important species from western North America that has declined over the past several decades mainly due to the introduction of blister rust (Cronartium ribicola) and reduced opportunities for regeneration. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) was used to assess the genetic variation in northern Idaho populations of western white pine (including rust-resistant breeding stock) in relation to blister rust. A total of 176 individuals from four populations was analyzed using 163 AFLP loci. Within populations, an average 31.3% of the loci were polymorphic (P), and expected heterozygosity (He) was 0.123. Genetic differentiation values (Gst) showed that 9.4% of detected genetic variation was explained by differences among populations. The comparison between the rust-resistant breeding stock and a corresponding sample derived from multiple natural populations produced similar values of P (35% vs. 34.4%) and He (0.134 vs. 0.131). No apparent signs of a genetic bottleneck caused by rust-resistance breeding were found. However, a comparison of two natural populations from local geographic areas showed that the population with low pressure from blister rust had higher polymorphism and heterozygosity than the population that had experienced high mortality due to blister rust: P (30.7% vs. 25.1%) and He (0.125 vs. 0.100), respectively. In addition, the population from low blister-rust pressure had twice as many unique alleles as the blister rust-selected population. The genetic distance and Dice's similarity coefficients among the four populations indicated that the local population that survived high blister-rust pressure was genetically similar to the rust-resistant breeding stock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the result of phosphorus being identified as the most harmful pollutant, government regulations introduced in the Netherlands in the 1990s to reduce environmental damage from livestock wastes used phosphorus content as the marker criterion. This subsequently led to reductions in the amounts of phosphorus included in animal feed compounds. Particularly in the case of broiler breeder and broiler grower diets, it was concluded that increased mortality, increased morbidity and other adverse effects on performance were largely the result of insufficient dietary phosphorus. Measures taken have included on-farm addition of supplementary phosphorus and calcium and adjustments by the feed industry. In general, levels of performance have now been restored. However, it is concluded that more research on optimum phosphorus levels is desirable, particularly as producers have to bear the cost of the residual phosphorus in the poultry manure produced. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Copyright of Journal of the Chinese Society of Animal Science is the property of Chinese Society of Animal Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)