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Latar Belakang: Inseminasi buatan (IB) pada sapi merupakan salah satu penerapan bioteknologi dalam bidang reproduksi ternak yang dapat mendistribusikan genetik sapi dengan cepat dan murah oleh bantuan inseminator bersertifikat. Kualitas semen menjadi salah satu faktor utama dalam menghasilkan ternak dengan kualitas baik. Faktor yang mempengaruhi produksi semen sapi antara lain: umur, genetik, suhu, musim, frekuensi ejakulasi, pakan, dan berat badan. Tujuan: Studi literatur ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji pengaruh umur sapi terhadap kualitas semen segar pada sapi Limousin dan Simmental. Metode: Penelitian ini merupakan sebuah studi literatur dengan menggunakan sumber yang berasal dari jurnal, prosiding, dan buku berdasarkan Google Scholar, Google Books, dan Library Universitas Gadjah Mada (LIB UGM). Sumber yang digunakan berasal dari jurnal dan prosiding dengan tahun publikasi sepuluh tahun terakhir dan buku dengan tahun terbit maksimal tahun 2000. Hasil: Hasil review menunjukkan perbedaan umur pejantan sapi Simmental dan Limousin mempengaruhi kualitas semen yang dihasilkan. Sapi Simmental dengan umur empat sampai enam tahun menghasilkan rata-rata volume 6,69±0,82 ml, pH 6,53±0,18, gerak massa 2,84±0,00, motilitas 67,512±5,11%, dan konsentrasi 1.506,03±254,27 juta/ml. Sedangkan sapi Limousin dengan umur empat sampai enam tahun menghasilkan rata-rata volume 8,39±3,11 ml, pH 6,51±0,13, gerak massa 2,33±0,58, motilitas 72,45±10,89%, dan konsentrasi 1.301,66±283,30 juta/ml. Kesimpulan: Berdasarkan studi literatur, dapat disimpulkan bahwa sapi Simmental dan Limousin memiliki kualitas semen segar yang optimal yaitu pada kisaran umur empat sampai enam tahun jika dibandingkan dengan kisaran umur dua sampai empat tahun.

Marbling is one of the most important beef quality traits. An association between a non‐synonymous variant located in EGFLAM (EGF‐like fibronectin and laminin G) and marbling in Hanwoo cattle has recently been published. We therefore investigated the association between this SNP (rs109436056 SNP) and marbling in Limousin cattle. A total of 355 animals were phenotyped for marbling and genotyped for this SNP. Significant association (p < 0.05) was observed, in which genotype CC exhibited higher marbling. This SNP could be used for the genetic improvement of marbling in Limousin cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the kinship and genetic diversity between Limousin and Madrasin cattle based on the sex determining region-Y (SRY) gene. SRY gene is used in the analysis of genetic diversity for sex determination based on the paternal pathway (Y chromosome). The DNA samples used for this study were 10 frozen straw of Limousin cattle and 10 samples of Madrasin cattle. The method used in this research was a descriptive analysis by duplex polymerase chain reaction and analyzing the results of the SRY gene sequencing of limousine cattle and Madrasin cattle. In the present study, we showed that the SRY gene of Madrasin cattle and Limousine cattle could be amplified with SRY F and SRY R primers with a PCR product length of 318 bp. Based on these results, Madura, Limousin, and Madrasin cattle had similarities based on the SRY gene (paternal pathway). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The temperament of 322 cows of the Limousin cattle breed reared in 10 farms on the territory of Bulgaria was studied. The data used comprise the period from 2017 to 2022. The animals in the study were between the age of 3 and 7 years. The temperament of cows reared under two different technologies was compared, and the influence of the age was also taken into account. The cows reared under one of the technologies were mostly pasture-bred and had no frequent interaction with people. The cows reared under the second technology were mostly kept in the farm and had frequent interaction with their handlers. An analysis of the temperament was performed, through a scoring system from 1 to 5, based on a visual assessment of the behavior during a manipulation in a cattle crush. The temperament of the Limousin cows received an average score of 3,22 ± 0,06. The age group, within the method of rearing, did not have a significant influence on the parameter display. There was a tendency towards a calmer temperament upon walking along a cattle alley and a crush observed with the age increase of the Limousin cows. The temperament of the cows reared in herds which had no interaction with people was evaluated with the average score of 3,43 ± 0,11, and that of the cows reared in an environment in which they had frequent interaction with people was assessed with an average score of 2,91 ± 0,08. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strategies to increase the population and productivity of beef cattle can be implemented through reproductive management, such as artificial insemination (AI) using frozen semen. This study aims to evaluate the characteristics of frozen semen of Limousin bulls of different ages, which can still be used for insemination programs up to 12 years of age. This study used frozen semen of Limousin bulls ages 3, 8, and 12 years produced in 2021 at the Artificial Insemination Center in Singosari, East Java Province, Indonesia. Five bulls from each different age group were used for replication. Computer-assisted sperm analysis was used to determine sperm motility, viability, and abnormalities using eosin–nigrosine staining. Plasma membrane integrity was analyzed using the hypoosmotic swelling test. The acrosomes’ integrity was evaluated using FITCPNA-PI, protamine deficiency using chromomycin A3, and DNA fragmentation testing using the acridine orange fluorescent technique. The results showed that the parameters of sperm motility, viability, abnormality, plasma membrane integrity, and protamine deficiency showed no significant differences in all age groups. The kinematic parameters (straightness and beat cross frequency) of the 3-year-old group were significantly higher (p<0.05) compared with those of the other groups. Parameters of acrosome integrity showed a higher prevalence in the 3-year-old group compared with those of the other groups. Furthermore, the DNA fragmentation of the 12-year-old group was significantly higher (p<0.05) compared with that of the other groups. The research concludes that increasing the age of Limousin bulls can reduce acrosome integrity and DNA fragmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conformation is widely related to many primary and secondary traits important in the breeding aims for beef cattle. In Hungary the breeding organisation of French beef breeds uses a scoring system for conformation next to taking body measures in farm performance tests for candidate bulls. We’ve analysed the relationship of self-performance test data of Limousin (n=260) and Blonde d’ Aquitaine (n=54) bulls - live weight, measured withers height, tail height and scored withers height, rump muscularity 1-2-3 – by dendrograms and correlations in order to determine how these records can be utilised in selection. Grouping the recorded traits showed that body measures and conformation scores are clearly separated. The significant correlation coefficients of withers height measured and scored were calculated (r=0.51, r=0.62) while correlations between measured withers height and rump muscularity scores were loose. Our results suggest, that both evaluations must remain within the selection criteria, and together could serve as a base for successful correcting mating and target mating.

By creating the first veterinary schools in the 1760s, the state seemed to have taken charge of the issue of epizootics. However, the inability to produce data on the issue of animal health during the following century raises questions: the construction process of a public health problem remained uncompleted for a long time. Agricultural statistics did not take this into account, and veterinarians did not produce data that could be used in standardized and narrative reports. It was not until the Second Empire that the Ministry organized a collection of data which, however, remained partial and imperfect.

The body weight dynamics with reference to two consecutive lactations of cows of the Limousin cattle breed was studied in a certified organic farm. The 34 cows subject to the study were of French origin and at the same age. The animals were weighed monthly within seven months during their first and second lactation. The calvings were group calvings during the spring of 2019 and 2020. The feeding and the ration provided were different with reference to each year but there was no added concentrated feed. It was ascertained that there was a correlation between the change of the body weight of the cows and that of the calves during the suckling period. After calving, the cows reduced their body weight around the second lactation month and from then on they started to restore their bodily reserves until the end of the suckling period. The cows which were at their first lactation had a longer period of body weight reduction after calving and also longer physical recovery period in comparison with the lactating period at second lactation. The highest increase in the body weight since the beginning of the lactation coincided with the period with sufficient quantity of pasture grass during the summer months from June to August. The relation between the body weight of the cows after calving and the body weight of the calves upon weaning was moderate and with a positive correlation of 0.304. The correlations between the body weight recorded for the first month after calving and the last one were reliable and positive for both lactations: 0.556 and 0.576 respectively. The month of the suckling period and the year of calving had a significant influence (p<0.001) on the body weight of the Limousin cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strategies to increase the population and productivity of beef cattle can be implemented through reproductive management, such as artificial insemination (AI) using frozen semen. This study aims to evaluate the characteristics of frozen semen of Limousin bulls of different ages, which can still be used for insemination programs up to 12 years of age. This study used frozen semen of Limousin bulls ages 3, 8, and 12 years produced in 2021 at the Artificial Insemination Center in Singosari, East Java Province, Indonesia. Five bulls from each different age group were used for replication. Computer-assisted sperm analysis was used to determine sperm motility, viability, and abnormalities using eosin–nigrosine staining. Plasma membrane integrity was analyzed using the hypoosmotic swelling test. The acrosomes’ integrity was evaluated using FITC-PNA-PI, protamine deficiency using chromomycin A3, and DNA fragmentation testing using the acridine orange fluorescent technique. The results showed that the parameters of sperm motility, viability, abnormality, plasma membrane integrity, and protamine deficiency showed no significant differences in all age groups. The kinematic parameters (straightness and beat cross frequency) of the 3-year-old group were significantly higher (p

The study of meat productivity of introduced cattle breeds in Western Siberia using adaptive technologies is of scientific and practical interest. We carried out the experiment on five cattle groups of Hereford, Limousin, Charolais, Aubrac and Salers bull calves. Furthermore, we determined the indicators of weight growth from birth to 18 months and meat productivity at the age of 18 months. At birth, live weight control was carried out at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 months when weighing animals in the morning before feeding and watering. We studied meat productivity during the control slaughter of animals at the Yalutorovsky meat processing plant. Three heads from each group were slaughtered. The slaughter was carried out according to the Lenin All-Union Academy of Agricultural Sciences [VASKhNIL] method. The experimental material was processed by the method of variation statistics using the Microsoft Excel software application. Steers of French meat breeds surpass Hereford cattle breeds in terms of live weight and average daily growth. The carcass weight of Charolais animals is 329.5 kg, which is 75.3 kg more than in Hereford bulls, P≥0.999. The results of the chemical analysis indicate that the highest fat content is contained in the minced meat of Hereford bulls – 10.6%. Introduced cattle breeds, when bred under new conditions, showed a fairly high level of meat productivity, carcasses were obtained during slaughter, with an optimal ratio of tissues and chemical composition of carcasses, in terms of the yield of edible parts in the carcass and the meat content coefficient, they surpass the Hereford cattle breed. Thus, French meat breeds are promising for beef production in Western Siberia.

The cattle breeding, in Romania is a traditional activity in the rural area and especially in the mountain one. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in cattle specialised in meat production (mainly, Aberdeen Angus, Charolaise, Limousine). This is due to the fact that it requires a low investment, have a high growth rate and a higher slaughter yield. In our country, in the last two years may be noticed a decilining in the total number of cattle from 1,914,602 heads in 2020, to 1,864,577 in 2021. At the same time, the herd from oficial control also decreased from 1,241. 059 heads in 2020, to 1,231,868 heads in 2021. This decrease is due, among other things, to the farmers lack of information regarding the productive performance improvement and to the climate changes observed in recent years. The downward trend in herds is also noticed in the European Union, cattle herds being with 1% lower in 2019 compared to 2010. This decrease is attributed to the fact that with the after the end of the milk quota system, many small farms abandoned dairy production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research was to determine the best dosage of Moringa oleifera Aqueous extract in egg yolk skim milk extender for post thawed Limousin Bull sperm quality on aspect viability, and the level of. The treatment was divided into five groups: egg yolk and skim milk diluter (P0), 2,5% M. oleifera aqueous ekstract in 4 ml egg yolk skim milk (P1), 5% M. oleifera aqueous ekstract in 4 ml egg yolk skim milk (P2), 10% M. oleifera aqueous ekstract in 4 ml egg yolk skim milk (P3), 20% M. oleifera aqueous ekstract in 4 ml egg yolk skim milk (P4). The sperm quality was observed post thawing. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and Duncant Test. The best sperm motility showed on P2 with 43b ± 5,70, the best sperm viability showed on P3 with 58,20b ± 8,72 and than the lowest level of malondialdehyde showed on P4 with 5,434a ± 1,034. In conclusion addition of M. oleifera on dose 10% can increase quality of Limousin Sperm Post Thawed.

Abstract Background The carcass value of cattle is a function of carcass weight and quality. Given the economic importance of carcass merit to producers, it is routinely included in beef breeding objectives. A detailed understanding of the genetic variants that contribute to carcass merit is useful to maximize the efficiency of breeding for improved carcass merit. The objectives of the present study were two-fold: firstly, to perform genome-wide association analyses of carcass weight, carcass conformation, and carcass fat using copy number variant (CNV) data in a population of 923 Holstein-Friesian, 945 Charolais, and 974 Limousin bulls; and secondly to perform separate association analyses of carcass traits on the same population of cattle using the Log R ratio (LRR) values of 712,555 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The LRR value of a SNP is a measure of the signal intensity of the SNP generated during the genotyping process. Results A total of 13,969, 3,954, and 2,805 detected CNVs were tested for association with the three carcass traits for the Holstein-Friesian, Charolais, and Limousin, respectively. The copy number of 16 CNVs and the LRR of 34 SNPs were associated with at least one of the three carcass traits in at least one of the three cattle breeds. With the exception of three SNPs, none of the quantitative trait loci detected in the CNV association analyses or the SNP LRR association analyses were also detected using traditional association analyses based on SNP allele counts. Many of the CNVs and SNPs associated with the carcass traits were located near genes related to the structure and function of the spliceosome and the ribosome; in particular, U6 which encodes a spliceosomal subunit and 5S rRNA which encodes a ribosomal subunit. Conclusions The present study demonstrates that CNV data and SNP LRR data can be used to detect genomic regions associated with carcass traits in cattle providing information on quantitative trait loci over and above those detected using just SNP allele counts, as is the approach typically employed in genome-wide association analyses.

Variance, covariance components, heritability, breeding values (BV) and genetic trends in calving interval (CI) of the Limousin population in Hungary were evaluated. A total of 3,008 CI data of 779 cows from three herds in 1996–2016 were processed. For influencing effects GLM method, for population genetic parameters and BV estimation BLUP animal model, for trend analyses linear regression was applied. The average CI obtained was 378.8 ± 3.1 days. The variance distribution components of the phenotype were as follow: age of cow at calving 34.30%, season of calving 26.09%, year of calving 23.00%, sire 7.45%, herd 3.23%, sex of calf 0.33% and type of calving 0.30%. The heritability of CI proved to be low (h2d = 0.04 ± 0.02 and 0.03 ± 0.02; h2m = 0.01 ± 0.02). The repeatability was low (R = 0.03 ± 0.02). Based on the phenotypic trend calculation, the CI of cows decreased by an average of 0.60 days per year (R2 = 0.19; P < 0.05). In case of genetic trend calculation, the average BV of sires in CI increased 0.07 and 0.17 days per year (R2 = 0.23 and 0.27; P < 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some environmental effects, population genetic parameters, breeding value of Limousin breeding bulls, also phenotypic and genetic trends in the age at first calving (AFC) of cows between 1992 and 2013 were estimated. Data were served by the Limousin and Blonde d’Aquitaine Breeders Association, in Hungary. The study was extended to three herds and 1157 cows. GLM method was used for the study of different effects, the BLUP animal model for estimation of population genetic parameters and breeding values (BV), and one-way linear regression analysis for trend calculations. The overall mean value of the AFC was estimated to be 34.7±0.4 months. The contribution of the evaluated factors to the phenotype was as follows: herd 73.51%, birth year of cow 13.02%, sire 6.74%, birth season of cow 1.62%. The heritability of AFC proved to be low (h2 = 0.08±0.07 and h2 = 0.01±0.04). There were relatively small differences in the estimated BV of the studied sires for the AFC. Based on the phenotypic trend calculation, the AFC of cows decreased by an average of 0.33 months per year, however no significant change was found in the genetic trend during the study period.

The objective of this study was to rank Limousin sires by their different breeding values based on the weaning weight of their progeny. 205-day weaning weight record of altogether 18746 purebred and crossbred calves sired by breeding bulls of the mentioned breed were used for the estimation. Calves were belonging to three different groups by their genotype. Three different BLUP animal models were used for the estimation. According the results the direct heritability (h2d) estimates of 205-day weight ranged between 0.49 and 0.59, while that of the maternal heritability (h2m) between 0.24 and 0.45. The estimated breeding value of the given sires differed by the genotype (purebred or crossbred) of their progeny calves and the method of estimation. Also, there were differences in the rank of the sires depending on the genotype of their progeny, as well as the estimation methods.

Copyright of Folia Pomeranae Universitatis Technologiae Stetinensis Agricultura Alimentaria Piscaria et Zootechnica is the property of West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin 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.)

Repeat Breeding is an adult cattle which have normal estrous cycle and clear signs of estrous but did not get pregnant when it got breed by natural mating or artificial insemination. The main purposes of this study is to know the number of repeat breeding cases in beef cattle in regency Jombang period of 2015-2018. The metode of the study is survey which collected by recording and survey. Were analyzed though Normality Test (Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test) and Homogenity Test and followed by T Test. Questionnaire test result processed using Kendall’s Tau-b Correlation Test. Study result showed that repeat breeding cases fluctuate significantly per year and the factors affecting fertilization failure and early embrionic death, hormonal, infection, and management factors.

Genetic evaluations are an efficient tool to select sires, and for them it is necessary to have identification of environmental effects, genetic parameters, and acceptable degree of connectedness between herds. Evaluation of Limousin breed genetics has been developing since 2012. The objectives were to determine the most relevant fixed environmental effects of the characteristics in the genetic evaluation and to estimate the degree of connectedness between herds. The productive and genealogical records were extracted from the Limousin genetic evaluation database of the National Institute of Agricultural Research. Objective measurements were available for the characteristics birth weight (916 records), weaning (818), 18 months (438), ribeye area (435), and 12th-13th rib fat thickness (435) for 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 corresponding to four herds. The results showed that the fixed environmental effects considered presented a significant value (p

The relative contributions of both copy number variants (CNVs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to the additive genetic variance of carcass traits in cattle is not well understood. A detailed understanding of the relative importance of CNVs in cattle may have implications for study design of both genomic predictions and genome-wide association studies. The first objective of the present study was to quantify the relative contributions of CNV data and SNP genotype data to the additive genetic variance of carcass weight, fat, and conformation for 945 Charolais, 923 Holstein-Friesian, and 974 Limousin sires. The second objective was to jointly consider SNP and CNV data in a least absolute selection and shrinkage operator (LASSO) regression model to identify genomic regions associated with carcass weight, fat, and conformation within each of the three breeds separately. A genomic relationship matrix (GRM) based on just CNV data did not capture any variance in the three carcass traits when jointly evaluated with a SNP-derived GRM. In the LASSO regression analysis, a total of 987 SNPs and 18 CNVs were associated with at least one of the three carcass traits in at least one of the three breeds. The quantitative trait loci (QTLs) corresponding to the associated SNPs and CNVs overlapped with several candidate genes including previously reported candidate genes such as MSTN and RSAD2, and several potential novel candidate genes such as ACTN2 and THOC1. The results of the LASSO regression analysis demonstrated that CNVs can be used to detect associations with carcass traits which were not detected using the set of SNPs available in the present study. Therefore, the CNVs and SNPs available in the present study were not redundant forms of genomic data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological and dermatoglyphic features were examined and analyzed of the nasolabial plate in cows and heifers of Limousin beef breed, raised in farms of the North Central Region in Bulgaria. Morphometric parameters were studied, such as folds, ridges, furrows, ovals, ellipses and polygons. As an additional phene, the colour of the nasolabial plate was studied, specifically characteristic primary colours, shades, depigmentation. Dense and loose structure, asymmetry and symmetry of the images were observed. Six breed dermatotypes were identified. The studied elements of the structure of the nasolabial plate of Limousin breed can be used in identification, certification and selection work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The carcass value of cattle is a function of carcass weight and quality. Given the economic importance of carcass merit to producers, it is routinely included in beef breeding objectives. A detailed understanding of the genetic variants that contribute to carcass merit is useful to maximize the efficiency of breeding for improved carcass merit. The objectives of the present study were two-fold: firstly, to perform genome-wide association analyses of carcass weight, carcass conformation, and carcass fat using copy number variant (CNV) data in a population of 923 Holstein-Friesian, 945 Charolais, and 974 Limousin bulls; and secondly to perform separate association analyses of carcass traits on the same population of cattle using the Log R ratio (LRR) values of 712,555 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The LRR value of a SNP is a measure of the signal intensity of the SNP generated during the genotyping process. Results: A total of 13,969, 3,954, and 2,805 detected CNVs were tested for association with the three carcass traits for the Holstein-Friesian, Charolais, and Limousin, respectively. The copy number of 16 CNVs and the LRR of 34 SNPs were associated with at least one of the three carcass traits in at least one of the three cattle breeds. With the exception of three SNPs, none of the quantitative trait loci detected in the CNV association analyses or the SNP LRR association analyses were also detected using traditional association analyses based on SNP allele counts. Many of the CNVs and SNPs associated with the carcass traits were located near genes related to the structure and function of the spliceosome and the ribosome; in particular, U6 which encodes a spliceosomal subunit and 5S rRNA which encodes a ribosomal subunit. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that CNV data and SNP LRR data can be used to detect genomic regions associated with carcass traits in cattle providing information on quantitative trait loci over and above those detected using just SNP allele counts, as is the approach typically employed in genome-wide association analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: In the belief that feed costs and use of cereal grains are reduced, production systems based on grazed and conserved forage in which cattle are slaughtered at 30 to 36 months of age are increasingly advocated. Aims: As there is a scarcity of information concerning meat quality traits of beef from such extended rearing systems, three finishing systems of different lengths (Short, 14–16 months; Medium, 20–24 months; Long, 31–34 months) were compared in which cattle were slaughtered at similar conformation and fat classification scores. Methods: The experiment comprised a three (system) × two (gender) design with 24 Limousin cross-bred cattle (12 steers and 12 heifers) assigned to each system. Characteristics of the rib section (between and inclusive of the 5th and 10th ribs) and sensory properties of M. longissimus thoracis samples were then assessed. Key results: Older (Long system) cattle had greater rib section and L. thoracis weights. L. thoracis was tougher in older (Long system) cattle when assessed by a trained sensory panel. Heifers had lower rib section weights than steers but neither rib section composition or meat toughness differed between genders. Gristle (visible connective tissue) in the rib section increased with system length and was associated with an increased perception of gristle on eating. Conclusions: Overall meat quality was considered commercially acceptable regardless of system. Implications: The likely increased greenhouse gas emissions but reduced utilisation of food resources from the Long system need to be considered in conjunction with the meat quality characteristics of the system. There is on-going debate over how the eating quality of beef is influenced by the age at which cattle are slaughtered. When the eating quality of beef derived from cattle ranging from 14 to 34 months in age was compared, overall, there were few differences due to age and beef was of satisfactory eating quality. However, the likely increased greenhouse gas emissions from the older cattle need to be considered when assessing beef quality characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relative contributions of both copy number variants (CNVs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to the additive genetic variance of carcass traits in cattle is not well understood. A detailed understanding of the relative importance of CNVs in cattle may have implications for study design of both genomic predictions and genome-wide association studies. The first objective of the present study was to quantify the relative contributions of CNV data and SNP genotype data to the additive genetic variance of carcass weight, fat, and conformation for 945 Charolais, 923 Holstein-Friesian, and 974 Limousin sires. The second objective was to jointly consider SNP and CNV data in a least absolute selection and shrinkage operator (LASSO) regression model to identify genomic regions associated with carcass weight, fat, and conformation within each of the three breeds separately. A genomic relationship matrix (GRM) based on just CNV data did not capture any variance in the three carcass traits when jointly evaluated with a SNP-derived GRM. In the LASSO regression analysis, a total of 987 SNPs and 18 CNVs were associated with at least one of the three carcass traits in at least one of the three breeds. The quantitative trait loci (QTLs) corresponding to the associated SNPs and CNVs overlapped with several candidate genes including previously reported candidate genes such as MSTN and RSAD2, and several potential novel candidate genes such as ACTN2 and THOC1. The results of the LASSO regression analysis demonstrated that CNVs can be used to detect associations with carcass traits which were not detected using the set of SNPs available in the present study. Therefore, the CNVs and SNPs available in the present study were not redundant forms of genomic data.

Copyright of Journal of Central European Agriculture is the property of Journal of Central European Agriculture 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.)

Various floor systems are used in cattle housing with different characteristics in terms of roughness, abrasion, wetness, bedding material, ease of cleaning, etc. Thus, the activity and welfare of the animals are greatly influenced by the type of floor. The floor of the barn can influence the development of health diseases, technopathies and the production and quality of animal products. Therefore, in the present case study, we studied the effects of two different flooring systems on the performance and on some behavioral and cleanliness parameters in heifers. Two floor systems (concrete slatted flooring (CSF) and high welfare flooring (HWF)) and two breeds (Charolais and Limousin) were used in the experiment. Heifers on HWF tended to show a higher frequency of grooming, rubbing and aggression than those on CSF, but not of standing, lying, eating, drinking, rumination, resting, stereotypies and covering of the animals. In addition, animals housed on HWF also appeared to show higher cleanliness than those housed on CSF. Results indicated that animals housed on HWF exhibited more social and self-care behaviors, suggesting that animals housed on such floors show more species-specific behaviors and have higher welfare.

In Limousin and the north-east of the Dordogne Department, gold deposits were originally mined in over 250 open-cast workings, which were extended underground over the centuries. This mining activity, which commenced in the Bronze Age, was carried on throughout the second Iron Age (early 5th to late 1st centuries BCE). The entire process has been documented, from extraction to metallurgy. Experiments have been run to produce gold following the processes reconstructed from archaeological remains and analyses of the materials produced. An inventory of mine workings and experimental data have been used to build a volumetric model of the remains. From the average gold content of the worked deposits it is possible to estimate the tonnage of metal produced in the Iron Age. All the technical data provided by the study of mines, the data from experiments and particular remains, such as a touchstone, crucibles or a weight, provide a basis for discussion of the quality and production control of gold, and also open up new areas of enquiry into routes of gold and silver trading with the Mediterranean.

Copyright of Journal of Central European Agriculture is the property of Journal of Central European Agriculture 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.)

Copyright of Parasite (1252607X) is the property of EDP Sciences 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.)

At the University of Limoges in the center of France, we started developing an Historical Atlas of the region of Limousin (AHL) in 2014. The Atlas is one part of a project to gather spatial-temporal information and historical sources about the history of the region. It offers an editorial space and cartographic interface where the regional and scientific community can interact, share, and disseminate their historical knowledge and data. As such, this project represents a close interdisciplinary exchange between historians, archeologists, geographers, GIS and data scientists, as well as varied data producers such as public actors (universities, local authorities, archives), private societies (archeology and tourist operators) and associations. This article tells the story of this dialogue and explains the interdisciplinary, multimedia and spatial-temporal data model and public interface that resulted from it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Explicitly fitting effects for major genes or QTL that account for a large percentage of variation in a whole genomic prediction model may increase prediction accuracy. This study compared approaches to account for a major effect of an F94L variant in the MSTN gene within the genomic prediction using bovine whole‐genomic SNP markers. Among the beef cattle breeds, Limousin have been known to have an F94L variant that is not present in Angus. The reference population in this study consisted of 3060 beef cattle including pure‐bred Limousin (PL), cross‐bred Limousin with Angus (LF) and pure‐bred Angus, genotyped using a BovineSNP50 BeadChip and directly for the MSTN‐F94L variant. We compared prediction accuracies in PL animals using the three datasets from only the PL population, admixed PL and LF (AL) or multibreed analysis using all of the PL, LF and Angus (MB) population according to four‐fold cross‐validation after K‐means clustering. The MSTN‐F94L variant was the most strongly associated with five traits (birth weight, calving ease direct, milk, weaning weight and yield grade) among the 13 measured traits in PL and AL populations. Fitting the MSTN‐F94L variant as a random effect, the genomic prediction accuracies for birth weight increased by 2.7% in PL, by 2.2% in AL and by 3.2% in MB. Prediction accuracies for five traits increased in the MB analysis. Fitting MSTN‐F94L as a fixed effect in PL, AL and MB analyses resulted in increased prediction accuracy in PL for eight traits. Prediction accuracies can be improved by including a causal variant in genomic evaluation compared with simply using whole‐genome SNP markers. Fitting the causal variant as a fixed effect along with markers fitted as random effects resulted in greater prediction accuracies for most traits. Causal variants should be genotyped along with SNP markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exterior measurements were taken from 116 female animals of the Limousin breed, aged one (n-15), two (n-17), and 3-7 (n-84) years, imported from Austria, France, and such born in Bulgaria. It is established that these beef cattle are relatively large: the height at the withers is 135.7 ± 1.52 cm on average, the oblique body length is 166.0 ± 1.78 cm, the chest girth is 199.1 ± 2.03 cm, and the cannon bone girth is 19.96 ± 0.18 cm. These animals are deep, wide, with well-muscled chest and rump, and relatively thin bones. The origin has significant effect on the exterior parameters of the cattle, as the cattle imported from Austria are the largest. The cattle imported from France and those born in Bulgaria are not significantly different in their external dimensions. The Limousin calves develop well in Bulgaria, as at the age of one year they reach 93-95% of the height of the body at a fully mature age, 90% of the oblique body length and the chest girth, 95% of the girth of the cannon bone. At the age of two years, the stated parameters are respectively 97-99% of the height, 93% of the oblique body length, 95% of the chest girth and 96% of the girth of the cannon bone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Eurasian Journal of Veterinary Sciences is the property of Eurasian Journal of Veterinary Sciences 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.)

Background: An unusual presentation of skin disease was identified in two related neonatal Pedigree Limousin calves presented to University Veterinary Hospital, University College Dublin, following detailed post mortem examination a diagnosis of dermatosparaxis was made. Dermatosparaxis in animals or Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, which is the analogous condition seen in humans, is a connective tissue disorder characterised by extreme skin fragility. To the authors' knowledge this is the first report of such a diagnosis in the Limousin breed and the features of this lethal phenotype were severe in comparison to previous reports of the condition. Case presentation: Two calves, which were full siblings, a pedigree Limousin bull (Calf A) and pedigree Limousin heifer (Calf B) were examined clinically after presenting collapsed since birth, both had grossly abnormal skin with multiple skin fissures visible and both calves were subsequently euthanised. Both calves underwent gross post mortem examination, after which histological samples were reviewed and electron microscopical examination of selected skin samples was carried out. Histological features of dysplastic dermal collagen were identified. The diagnosis of dermatosparaxis in the Limousin breed was confirmed. Genetic testing was conducted to determine if the current cases had the same mutation as has previously been described in Belgian Blue cattle. Some common parentage was traced but genetic testing did not show a similar mutation to that previously described in cattle. The specific genetic cause in this case is unknown. Conclusions: This is the first report of dermatosparaxis in the Limousin and the presentation of the dermatosparaxis phenotype has some noteworthy features thus further genetic testing is required to pinpoint the causative mutation or other genetic defect. Given the popularity of the breed and the lethal nature of the phenotype in this case it is important to raise awareness of the condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]