bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The influence of different doses of oestradiol benzoate on the attainment of puberty in the gilt
Authors: Yang H. , Rodway R. G. , Varley M. A.
Published: September 2010

Forty Large White ♂ × (Large White (f × Landrace ♀) pre-pubertal gilts were used to study the influence of five different doses of parenteral oestradiol benzoate (OB) on the attainment of puberty. Five gilts from eight litters were treated at 140 days of age with either 5, 10, 15, 20 or 25 μg OB per kg body weight (BW). The doses were split equally into three bolus injections given on consecutive days. Daily boar contact commenced on the day that the first oestrogen injection was given and continued until the gilts were mated. All gilts were slaughtered at either 20 days post coitum or at 235 days of age for those gilts not exhibiting a second oestrus.

The numbers of gilts which ovulated within 10 days after OB injection were: 5/8, 7/8, 8/8, 6/8 and 5/8 for treatments 5 ng/kg BW through to 25 fig/kg BW, respectively. These differences were not significant (P > 0·05). The duration of behavioural oestrus after OB injection was positively correlated to the dose of oestrogen administered (r = 0·98, P < 0·01). There were no significant differences in age at puberty between treatments, and no significant differences were found in the subsequent reproductive performance.
The influence of boar-component stimuli on puberty attainment in the gilt
Authors: Pearce G. P. , Hughes P. E.
Published: September 2010

Two experiments employing 72 and 48 pre-pubertal Large White ♂ × (Large White ♂ × Landrace ♀) gilts respectively were carried out to investigate the involvement of various boar stimuli in the induction of precocious puberty in the gilt. Experiment 1 consisted of the following treatments commencing at 165 days of age: (1) contact with an androgenized, castrated male; (2) contact with an androgenized castrated male plus a recording of boar chants; (3) as treatment (2) plus exposure to a solution of 16-androstene steroids, 3α-androstenol (5α-androst-16-en-3α-ol) and 5α-androstenone (5α-androst-16-en-3-one); and (4) contact with an entire boar. In experiment 2, additional exposure to boar urine occurred in treatments (2) and (3).

Exposure of gilts to tactile, visual and auditory cues from the boar had little effect on puberty attainment. The additional exposure to 16-androstene steroids did stimulate puberty but was not as efficacious as boar exposure. Additional exposure to boar urine improved the puberty-stimulating effect of the castrated males, and further additional exposure to 16-androstenes produced a response approaching that obtained by boar exposure.

These results confirm the involvement of olfactory cues from the boar in stimulating puberty in the gilt. The olfactory cues appear to be 16-androstene steroids present in boar saliva and some undefined compound(s) present in boar urine. These experiments suggest that olfactory stimuli from the boar require the simultaneous exposure to tactile and possibly also visual and auditory cues from the boar in order to stimulate the onset of puberty in the gilt.

cues from the mature boar are also involved in mediating the stimulation of puberty. Exposure of gilts to isolated sources of androstene pheromones was ineffective in stimulating puberty (Kirkwood et al., 1983), whereas exposure to contact with a sialectomized boar order to stimulate the onset of puberty in the gilt.
Muscle cellularity and birth weight
Authors: Handel S. E. , Stickland N. C.
Published: September 2010

A study of the effects of low birth weight on muscle cellularity was performed on 48 pedigree Large White pigs selected, from a total of 17 litters, on the basis of their weight at birth. Where possible, the largest male (mean birth weight of 1544 g), smallest male (1135 g), and runt (776 g) littermates were chosen. Fresh frozen, whole mid belly, sections of m. semitendinosus and samples of m. trapezius from each animal were stained for the demonstration of acid pre-incubated myosin adenosine triphosphatase. The use of this stain demonstrated groups of positively stained, slow-contracting, myofibres which were each surrounded by a compliment of negatively stained, fast-contracting, fibres which together constituted ‘metabolic bundles’. The positions of metabolic bundles are indicative of the presence of single primary myofibres in the foetal muscle, all the other myofibres in the metabolic bundles being derived from subsequently formed secondary fibres. Determination of total myofibre number and primary fibre number were made for m. semitendinosus together with an estimation of the secondary to primary fibre-number ratios for both this muscle and for m. trapezius. Low birth weight was associated with a permanently reduced total muscle fibre number, proportionately in the order of 0·19 (P < 0·001) between large and runt littermates. A reduced muscle fibre number was not always associated with low birth weight, but when this was the case it was generated through a reduced secondary to primary fibre-number ratio (P < 0·01). Primary fibre number was not significantly affected in low birth-weight pigs except in extreme cases of runting.
A preliminary report on the energy intake and growth rate of early-weaned camel (Camelus dromedarius) calves
Authors: Degen A. A. , Elias E. , Kam M.
Published: September 2010

Dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) inhabit and are well suited to semi-arid and arid areas of north Africa, south-east Asia and India. Little attention has been given to their husbandry although they are an important livestock species in some areas. One of the limiting factors in camel production is the 2- to 3-year interval between calvings. In this study, three female calves (birth weight 32·5 kg) were weaned onto artificial milk 30 days after birth and the she-camels (400 to 500 kg) were mated 10 to 14 days later. Between 30 and 120 days of age the calves received mainly artificial milk and between days 120 and 180 they received concentrates and lucerne hay. While the calves sucked milk, intake averaged 6·9 l/day, metabolizable energy intake (MEI) averaged 19·5 MJ/day and average daily gain (ADG) was 0·87 kg. Ratios of conversion of milk intake (l/day) and MEI (MJ/day) to body-mass gain (kg/day) were 8·0: 1 and 22·4: 1, respectively, and to total body solids gain (kg/day) were 22·3: 1 and 62·7: 1, respectively. From days 30 to 120, ADG was 0·67 kg, and from days 120 to 180 ADG was 0·61 kg. The calves averaged 155 kg at 180 days and ADG to that age was 0·68 kg. All three she-camels conceived 10 to 14 days post weaning.

This study demonstrated that camel calves can be weaned early and that high growth rates can be achieved. In addition, she-camels can be mated shortly after parturition so that calving intervals can be reduced to 15 months.
Evaluation of British Friesian, Canadian Holstein and beef breed × British Friesian steers slaughtered over a commercial range of fatness from 16-month and 24-month beef production systems 1. Live-weight gain and efficiency of food utilization
Authors: Southgate J. R. , Cook G. L. , Kempster A. J.
Published: September 2010

The live-weight gain (LWG) and efficiency of food utilization of purebred British Friesian and Canadian Holstein steers and of crossbred steers out of British Friesian dams by Charolais, Hereford, Limousin, Lincoln Red, Simmental, South Devon and Sussex sires were examined in two beef production systems. One was similar to the commercial 18-month grass/cereal system (16-month) and the other to a commercial 2-year system (24-month). The cattle were serially slaughtered at three levels of fatness covering the commercial range and determined by the use of the Scanogram ultrasonic machine. The trial extended over 4 years and involved a total of 650 cattle. Data for the two production systems were analysed separately. Changes in growth performance were examined relative to estimated carcass subcutaneous fat content (g/kg; SFC) and sire breed crosses compared at the mean fatness level within system: 65 g/kg SFe for 16-month and 74 g/kg SFe for 24-month.

Sire breed differences were not detected (P > 0·05) in the regressions on SFe of age and live weight at slaughter, overall daily LWG and overall efficiency of weight gain. Pooled within sire breed, live at slaughter and age at slaughter increased by 2·5 kg and 2·8 days (16-month) and 2·2 kg and 2·1 days (24-month) for each g/kg increase in SFe.

Charolais crosses and Canadian Holsteins were heaviest at equal SFC in both systems, but the latter were 63 days older (16-month) and 42 days older (24-month): Hereford, Lincoln Red and Sussex crosses were lightest and among the youngest in both systems.

Sire breed crosses differed significantly in daily LWG: Charolais crosses grew fastest in both systems; the relative growth rate of other sire breed crosses was less consistent between the two although the Hereford crosses and British Friesians grew slowly in both systems. Overall efficiency of LWG (g gain per kg digestible organic matter intake) ranged from 164 to 205 (16-month) and 146 to 171 (24-month). Canadian Holsteins and British Friesians had the lowest efficiency of LWG in both systems of production; differences between the other breeds were not statistically significant (P > 0·05).
A comparison under temperate conditions of the nutritive value of straw for cattle following treatment using either ammonia from urea or via direct injection
Authors: Macdearmid A. , Williams P. E. V. , Innes G. M.
Published: September 2010

A series of experiments was conducted to examine the potential of using ammonia released from the hydrolysis of urea for alkali treatment of straw.

In an initial experiment (1) the effect on urea hydrolysis of adding either hydrochloric acid (HC1) or the surfactant alkyl phenyl ethylene oxide to straw of differing dry matter (DM) concentration was examined. The inclusion of HC1 or surfactant failed to improve the proportion of urea hydrolysed at straw DM concentrations of 450, 600 or 750 g/kg.

In experiment 2, straw was prepared and treated with urea, at a level of 20 (U2), 50 (U5), 70 (U7) g/kg straw DM and ammonia 40 (A4) g/kg straw DM to compare with untreated straw (S). Samples of the straws were milled and degradability at 60 h was estimated using the nylon bag technique. DM loss was significantly higher for all treated straws compared with untreated straw (P < 0·001). However, the proportion of added nitrogen retained from all urea treatments was less than 0·33 but U7 and U5 were approximately double that obtained from A4.

In experiment 3, 3-t batches of straw equivalent to treatments U2, U7, A4 and S were treated during September and later offered to steers in digestibility and food intake trials. Straws were ground through a 40-mm screen and offered to steers in digestibility stalls, in a balanced incomplete-block design. There were increases in the digestibility of DM (+0·08 g/kg), organic matter (+0·08 g/kg), and acid-detergent fibre (+0·09) of U7 and A4 straw compared with values for untreated straw (P < 0·01).

In a subsequent food intake trial treatment of long straw, with 20 g urea per kg straw DM (U2) failed to prevent moulding, however digestible organic matter intake (DOMI) of U7 and A4 straws increased by 0·42 and 0·27 kg/day respectively compared with intakes of untreated straw (P < 0·01). The application of 70 g urea per kg straw DM gave results comparable with treatment with 40 g ammonia per kg straw DM in improving digestibility of ground straw and the DOMI and preservation of long straw.
Responses of lactating ewes, offered fresh herbage indoors and when grazing, to supplements containing differing protein concentrations
Authors: Penning P. D. , Orr R. J. , Treacher T. T.
Published: September 2010

The responses to supplements differing in protein concentration and degradability were measured in lactating ewes and their twin lambs when offered fresh ryegrass either cut or grazed. Housed Scottish Halfbred ewes, offered fresh-cut grass ad libitum received no supplement (N) or supplements with barley and maize starch (B); barley and soya-bean meal (S); barley, soya-bean meal and fish meal (SF) or barley and fish meal (F) in weeks 2 to 7 of lactation. By feeding supplements, herbage organic-matter (OM) intake was depressed (2·00 v. 1·74 kg/day). Mean daily milk yield was increased when protein supplements were given and, because milk protein concentration was higher for supplement F and similar for all other diets, mean daily milk protein output increased with increasing fish meal in the diet. Milk yields were N 2·55, B 2·59, S 3·17, SF 3·15 and F 3·17 kg/day. Total milk solids and fat concentrations were also higher for S, SF and F than N or B. Lambs from ewes supplemented with protein grew faster and the ewes generally lost less weight and body condition compared with unsupplemented ewes.

At pasture, Masham ewes grazed at herbage allowances of either 4 (L) or 10 (H) kg OM per day and received no supplement (N) or supplements B or F, for the first 6 weeks of lactation and then, in weeks 7 to 12, grazed without supplements. For NL, BL, FL, NH, BH and FH respectively lamb growth rates from birth to 6 weeks were 235, 242, 274, 267, 286 and 302 g/day; from birth to 12 weeks were 210, 209, 249, 255, 275 and 287 g/day and losses in ewe body-condition score from birth to 12 weeks were 1·28, 1·22, 1·06, 0·97, 0·62 and 0·76.

It is concluded that protein supplements increased milk yield and lamb growth rates and that the response tended to be greater with fish meal.
A note on the effect of ageing on whole-body protein turn-over in goats
Authors: Muramatsu T. , Ueda Y. , Hirata T. , Okumura J. , Tasaki I.
Published: September 2010

In ruminants a dynamic state of protein turn-over has been poorly understood although the methodology of measuring the rate of protein turn-over has recently been advanced to a great extent (Waterlow, Garlick and Millward, 1978). Available evidence suggests that ruminants such as sheep and cows are no exception among various mammalian species when whole-body protein synthesis of adult animals is compared on a metabolic body-weight basis (Waterlow et al., 1978; Reeds and Lobley, 1980).
The effect of summer decline in conception rate on the monthly milk production pattern in Israel
Authors: Kahn H. E.
Published: September 2010

A dynamic simulation model was used to predict the long-term effects of published heat stress-associated fluctuations in conception rate (CR) and milk production (MP) on the monthly MP pattern in Israel. The model results showed that the pattern of seasonal decline and rise in CR, and hence conception occurrences, produces a similar pattern of MP. This pattern closely resembles that of actual MP in Israel in 1987 and in 1988. On the other hand, seasonal correction factors for MP have no marked effect on the shape of the MP curve. These results show that in order to stabilize MP throughout the year, the prevention of seasonal (summer) decline in CR would be more effective than direct efforts to prevent seasonal MP decline.
Genetic and non-genetic factors affecting post-weaning survivability in goats
Authors: Singh D. K. , Singh C. S. P. , Mishra H. R.
Published: September 2010

Genetic and non-genetic factors affecting survival during the post-weaning period from 3 to 12 months of age were assessed in 823 kids (217 Black Bengal, 410 Jamunapari × Black Bengal and 196 Beetal × Black Bengal) born during 1981-86. The overall survival rates during 3 to 6 and 6 to 12 months of age were 79·22 (s.e. 4·06) and 82·02 (s.e. 5·49)% respectively. Variation in survival rate during 3 to 6 months of age was significant due to season of their birth (P < 0·01) and birth weight (P < 0·05). Survival rate during 6 to 12 months of age varied due to genetic group (P < 0·01), sex (P < 0·05) and birth weight (P < 0·05). Type of birth (litter size), dam's weight at kidding and filial generation had no significant effect on survival rate during the post-weaning period. Birth weight of kids had a positive linear relationship with their survivability during post-weaning period. Summer-born kids had significantly lower survival rates from 3 to 6 months of age compared with those born in the winter and monsoon periods. Heritability estimates for survival rates during the post-weaning period were not significantly different from zero.
Effects of treatment with melatonin on the response of seasonally anovular ewes to the introduction of rams
Authors: Rekik M. , Bryant M. J. , Cunningham F. J.
Published: September 2010

Sixty-four mature ewes (equal numbers of Bluefaced Leicester ♂ × Swaledale ♀ and Suffolk ♂ × (Bluefaced Leicester ♂ × Swaledale ♀) which had lambed in March were separated from their lambs on 1 fune. They were randomly allocated from breed and live-weight blocks to one of four treatments arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design. All received vaginal implants, with or without melatonin, on 1 June. The implants were removed, all ewes given 20 mg progesterone in oil intramuscularly and equal numbers isolated or introduced to rams on 12 July. Ovarian activity was monitored by progesterone concentrations in blood taken three times weekly from the jugular vein. Four ewes receiving melatonin and four control ewes were bled for 24 h on 6 July to determine plasma melatonin concentrations.

Melatonin treatment increased plasma melatonin concentrations during the day. All ewes were anovular prior to 12 July. There were no differences between the two ewe types in their response to treatment. The number of ewes ovulating before 27 August was: control 1; melatonin 6; ram 16; melatonin + ram 16. The mean date of emulation for both the ram and melatonin + ram groups was 21 July. The number of ewes showing oestrous behaviour was 16 and 15 for the ram and melatonin + ram treatments respectively. The proportion of ewes responding to ram introduction was judged as unusually high, possibly as a result of the favourable male:female ratio. Pregnancy rate was in excess of 80% for both treatments, with resulting litter sizes of 14 for the ram and 1·8 for the melatonin + ram treatments respectively (P > 0·05).
Uniform monthly milk production in Israel by planned breeding of replacement heifers: results of a simulation study
Authors: Kahn H. E. , Lehrer A. R.
Published: September 2010

Both milk production (MP) and conception rate (CR) of primi- and multiparous cows (P+M) in Israel are characterized by the same summer-autumn trough and winter-spring peak. Although there is no causal link between CR and MP (a simulation-model study explained the connection), monthly CR determines the number of dry cows 7 months later, at 2 months pre-calving. Inevitably, when the number of dry cows is low, MP is high, and vice versa.

Replacement heifers (RH) in Israel have a consistently high (64%) CR throughout the year. The same simulation model was used to investigate the effect of manipulated RH breeding on the herd MP pattern. When RH breeding was confined to the 3-month July to September (J-S) period during which CR is lowest for post-partum P+Ms, the monthly MP pattern in an otherwise year-round breeding dairy herd was the diametric opposite of the one produced by all-year RH breeding. When a uniform monthly quota was set for RH and P+M conceptions, and monthly RH conceptions were restricted to complement monthly P+M conceptions, the herd MP pattern became almost level. There did not appear to be any economic penalty attached to the planned RH conception system.

In practice it will not be possible to adhere to a strict monthly quota of conceptions, since there is a 1 to 2 month lag between insemination and confirmed conception. Estimates of individual farm monthly CR could be used, where available. Alternatively, if 40% of all RH inseminations were performed in J-S, the MP curve would be much flatter than under the present non-planned system of RH insemination.
Responses of ewes to melatonin implants: importance of the interval between treatment and ram introduction on the synchrony of mating, and effects on ovulation rate
Authors: Haresign W.
Published: September 2010

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of the length of the interval between implantation with melatonin and ram introduction on mating patterns, and to investigate the effects of melatonin on ovulation rate and litter size in Mule ewes.

Increasing the interval from treatment to ram introduction from 4 to 6 weeks was associated with a progressive and significant reduction in the time from ram introduction to mating as well as a reduction in the spread of mating across the group.

Melatonin resulted in a significant and consistent increase in ovulation rate at first oestrus (+0·44 to +0·48 ovulations per ewe) across the three treated groups, although the increase in litter size (+0·19 to +0·36) was more variable.

It is concluded that melatonin influences the pattern of mating and increases litter size in ewes and that the increase in litter size is accounted for by an induced increase in ovulation rate.
A note on the IVOG®-station: a feeding station to record the individual food intake of group-housed growing pigs
Authors: de Haer L. C. M. , Merks J. W. M. , Kooper H. G. , Buiting G. A. J. , van Hattum J. A.
Published: September 2010

A feeding station is described that is used for individual food intake recordings of group-housed growing pigs. The IVOG®-station can be used for performance testing in group housing or for investigating effects of, for example housing system, food composition, breed or sex on food intake pattern and production traits.
A note on relations between oral stereotypies in dairy cows and milk production, health and age
Authors: Redbo I. , Jacobsson K. G. , van Doorn C. , Pettersson G.
Published: September 2010

The relationships of oral stereotypies to milk production and health were investigated in 95 dairy cows that had completed between one and five lactations. Forty cows in the herd performed stereotypies, mainly tongue-rolling and to a lesser extent bar-biting. A significant positive relation was found between the dependent variable milk production and stereotypies (P < 0·05) according to a GLM-model also containing lactation group (age; P < 0·01), sire (breeding value for milk yield; P < 0·01), and health I ailments (P > 0·05). There was no correlation between different phases in lactation and the frequency of stereotypies (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0·124; no. = 0·40; P > 0·05).
The effect of changes in dietary protein and energy on growth, body composition and mohair fibre characteristics of British Angora goats
Authors: Shahjalal Md. , Galbraith H. , Topps J. H.
Published: September 2010

Twenty-four castrated male British Angora goats of Australasian origin aged 11 months and weighing 23·5 kg live weight were studied in a 112-day experiment. They were allocated in a 2 × 2 factorial design to receive diets containing, per kg dry matter, concentrations of estimated metabolizable energy (ME) of 10·2 M] (LE) or 11·9 MJ (HE) and crude protein concentrations of 108 g (LP) or 180 g (HP). The HE diets were offered to provide a dry-matter intake of 30 g/kg live weight and the LE diets to provide 0·85 of the ME intake of HE diets.

In comparison with LE diets, the HE diets, on average, increased live-weight gain, food conversion efficiency, carcass weight, killing-out proportion, empty body weight, cross-sectional area of m. longissimus dorsi and fat thickness over m. serratus dorsalis and weights in the carcass for dissected lean tissue, crude protein (N × 6·25) and dissected and chemically extracted fat. Weights of shoulder, hind barrel, and best-end joints and their weights of dissected lean and fat were increased on HE diets. No consistent effects due to dietary energy were observed for yield or diameter of mohair fibres.

The greater intake of dietary protein resulted, on average, in increased values for live-weight gain, efficiency of food conversion, carcass weight, weight of dissected carcass lean tissue and crude protein, killing-out proportion and cross-sectional area of m. longissimus dorsi. The greater intake of dietary protein increased significantly both yield and diameter of mohair fibre.

Significant interactions between protein and energy for empty body weight, carcass weight and carcass fat indicated that increasing dietary protein intake had a greater positive effect on the low than on the high energy diets. Similarly, increasing the dietary energy consumption on the LP diets produced a greater positive effect than that recorded on the HP diets.

The results indicated that growth and lean tissue deposition were affected by both protein and energy intakes but that mohair fibre characteristics were affected consistently only by protein nutrition.
Meat quality in pigs reared in groups kept as a unit during the fattening period and slaughter
Authors: Karlsson A. , Lundström K.
Published: September 2010

Meat quality was studied in pigs reared in groups kept as units during the fattening period and slaughter (unmixed). The results were compared with conventionally reared pigs, which were mixed during the fattening period, at transport to the abattoir and at lairage (mixed). It is concluded that the unmixed pigs in this study had a better meat quality measured as pH,, pHu, weight loss and also fewer skin lacerations compared with the mixed groups (i.e. less development of pale, soft exudative (PSE) and dark, firm dry (DFD) in the unmixed animals). There were no significant differences in meat colour or in lean content between the unmixed and mixed pigs.
A note on the effect of plane of nutrition on fractional outflow rates from the rumen and urinary allantoin excretion by wether sheep
Authors: Dewhurst R. J. , Webster A. J. F.
Published: September 2010

During a series of routine experiments to evaluate 16 foods offered to wether sheep, conventional measurements of digestibility were augmented by measurement of fractional outflow rates (FOR) of solids (ks) and liquid (k1) from the rumen and urinary allantoin nitrogen excretion (UAN) as an index of microbial yield. Fixed (1 kg) amounts of ‘dry’ foods were offered to sheep ranging in weight from 42 to 89 kg which permitted a retrospective analysis of plane of nutrition effects on diet digestibility, ks, k1 and UAN. Each diet was simultaneously offered to three sheep (one each of large, medium and small size). Smaller sheep had significantly higher FOR, significantly lower apparent digestibilities of dry matter and significantly higher UAN (g/kg digestible organic matter (DOM)). Higher UAN (g/kg DOM) indicated higher microbial energetic efficiencies with the smaller sheep.
Amino acid ileal digestibility of some grain legume seeds in growing chickens
Authors: Pérez L. , Fernández-Figares I. , Nieto R. , Aguilera J. F. , Prieto C.
Published: September 2010

The apparent and true amino acid (AA) digestibility from soya-bean meal (SBM), vetch meal (VM), field pea meal (FPM) and bitter vetch meal (BVM) were determined in the lower ileum of growing chickens force-fed on semisynthetic diets (120 g crude protein and 13·1 MJ metabolizable energy per kg dry matter) based on each meal as the sole source of protein. The average apparent and true digestibility values were 0·82, 0·73, 0·76 and 0·60 and 0·90, 0·91, 0·87 and 0·74 for diets SBM, VM, FPM and BVM, respectively. Marked differences in AA digestibility among diets were found. The apparent digestibility of methionine, the most limiting essential AA in poultry diets, was significantly higher in diet SBM than in diets FPM and BVM (P< 0·05). It is concluded that the seeds of vetch and field pea may be suitable for inclusion in poultry diets as partial substitutes for soya bean. The use of bitter vetch is not recommended.
A note on the behaviour and performance of growing pigs provided with straw in a novel housing system
Authors: Arey D. S. , Bruce J. M.
Published: September 2010

Straw-Flow is a novel housing system for growing pigs which simplifies the handling of bedding and manure by allowing pigs to take unchopped straw from dispensers. Three groups of 50, 50 and 60 Large-White × Landrace pigs were housed in Straw-Flow pens from 5 to 90 kg. They were supplied daily with 50 to 100 g unchopped straw per pig and given food ad libitum. From 30 to 90 kg, mean growth rate was 863 g/day and food conversion ratio was 2·56 kg food per kg growth. The pigs' behaviour was divided approximately into: 0·820 lying, 0·100 active, 0·075 feeding and 0·005 drinking (on a proportional basis). There were no differences (P > 0·05) between groups or different weights for any of the behaviour categories. The pigs were less active before noon than after noon (P < 0·05). The daily number of visits to the drinker between weights 5 and 25 kg fell from 23·7 to 11·0 (P < 0·05). A single drinker, of new design, appeared to be adequate for a group of 50 to 60 pigs.
A note on the concentrations of steroidal residues in tissues of mature female sheep implanted with trenbolone acetate
Authors: MacVinish L. J. , Galbraith H.
Published: September 2010

Thirty-two Blackface female mature sheep weighing 45 kg on average were blocked by weight and randomly allocated 60 days before slaughter to be untreated controls (C) or subcutaneously implanted with 20 (TA1), 40 (TA2) or 60 (TA3) mg trenbolone acetate (TBA). Samples of blood were collected throughout the study and post-mortem samples of selected body tissues were analysed residues.

Concentrations in blood of 17β-hydroxy-trenbolone (TBOH) peaked within 1 to 2 weeks of implantation and declined thereafter. Concentrations in blood of oestradiol-17β (OE) were elevated and generally increased with increasing dose levels of TBA. The highest concentrations of solvent extractable residues (TBOH for group TA3) ranged from 613 ng/kg in kidney to 130 ng/kg for rib muscle. Trenbolone-17β- glucuronide was detected in liver and kidney at maximum concentrations of 157 ng/kg and 94 ng/kg respectively. Implantation with TBA had no effect on concentrations of OE in any of the post-mortem tissues examined.
Estimates of the energy required for maintenance by adult sheep 2. Grazing sheep
Authors: Langlands J. P. , Corbett J. L. , McDonald I. , Reid G. W.
Published: September 2010

The mean daily digestible organic matter intake (D) of each of 47 adult sheep during a grazing period of mean length 48 days was estimated by the chromium sesquioxide/faecal nitrogen technique. Mean live-weights (W) and mean daily weight gains (G) were also measured.

The regression of D on W and G, and the underlying or functional relationship between D, W and G were both estimated. From the underlying relationship, the preferred equation, the maintenance requirement of a 100 lb. sheep at pasture is estimated to be 1·02 lb. digestible organic matter daily. This value is 24% higher than the corresponding value for housed sheep obtained previously by us.

This result is compared with other estimates of the energy cost of grazing and it is concluded that further work is needed in order to define those circumstances which elevate the maintenance requirements of grazing animals.
Survival in Vitro of sheep eggs
Authors: Hancock J. L.
Published: September 2010

Transfers were made to recipient ewes of sheep eggs stored in serum at 37° C. for up to 5 hr. (fresh eggs), in serum at room temperature for 24 to 48 hr. (stored eggs), or in Whitten's modified Krebs-Ringer-bicarbonate medium for 24 to 48 hr. (cultured eggs). The success of transfer was judged from the presence of embryos at autopsy 25–30 days after transfer.

Fifteen of 42 fresh eggs, 11 of 23 stored eggs and 3 of 15 cultured eggs were found to have developed after transfer.

The findings are discussed.
Some effects of dietary penicillin and zinc bacitracin on the performance of bacon pigs
Authors: Holme D. W. , Robinson K. L.
Published: September 2010

Three experiments were carried out to evaluate zinc bacitracin as compared with penicillin, as a feed supplement for bacon pigs. The first experiment compared pig performance on a control diet with performance on the control diet supplemented with penicillin, 5 g./ton, or with zinc bacitracin, 10 g./ton. Experiment 2 compared the control diet with penicillin at 10 g./ton and zinc bacitracin at 10 g./ton with pigs housed in a different piggery. Experiment 3 compared the control diet with penicillin at 10 g./ton and zinc bacitracin at two levels, 10 g./ton and 5 g./ton. In none of the experiments was there any significant response to penicillin in terms of rate of gain, feed conversion efficiency or carcass composition. In the first experiment there was a small but significant improvement in rate of gain up to 100 lb. live-weight and for the whole experimental period by the pigs receiving 10 g./ton of zinc bacitracin. There was no significant response in feed conversion efficiency or carcass measurements. In the other two experiments there was no response to zinc bacitracin. The implications of the results are discussed.
Voluntary intake of low protein diets by sheep
Authors: Elliott R. C. , Topps J. H.
Published: September 2010

1. Sixteen foods, ranging in crude protein content from approximately 2·6 to 10·0%, were each offered ad lib. to four wether sheep. Dry-matter intake, N content and apparent digestibility of dry matter for each food were determined.

2. Voluntary intake of food dry matter was closely related to N content.

3. Slow fermentation in the reticulo-rumen and the associated slow rate of passage through the digestive tract may control the intake of low protein foods by sheep.

4. There was evidence of adaptation of sheep to low protein diets as the trials progressed and significant differences occurred in voluntary food consumption between sheep.
The development of the lamb with particular reference to the alimentary tract
Authors: Large R. V.
Published: September 2010

1. Thirty Suffolk × Half bred lambs were slaughtered at the following ages: two twin lambs at birth and two singles and two twins at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 16 weeks of age.

2. The following weights were recorded: live-weight immediately before slaughter; and carcass, head, skin, feet, alimentary tract, heart, liver, kidneys, lungs and trachea, and blood immediately afterwards.

3. The alimentary tract was emptied and weighed in four separate parts; reticulo-rumen, omasum-abomasum, small intestine, large intestine.

4. The volumes of the reticulo-rumen and the omasum-abomasum were measured by immersing in water and filling the organs with water to 2 cm. pressure.

5. The in vitro digestive efficiency of rumen liquor from lambs of 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks of age was assessed.

6. Empty body weight was considered to be valuable in comparing animals of different ages or from different feeding regimes or at different times of the year because variations in gut ‘fill’ were eliminated.

7. There were no differences between singles and twins in the relationship of the fresh weights of the parts of the body to empty body weight, except that development of the liver and the blood was rather slower for singles.

8. Little evidence was found of a difference in rate of development of the alimentary tract between singles an d twins, although the log an d square root transformation suggested a possible difference in reticulo-rumen size in favour of twins, significant at the 5% level.
Body composition of Romney-Southdown cross and Merino sheep foetuses at a constant age and a constant body weight
Authors: Stephenson S. K.
Published: September 2010

1. Body shape and carcass composition have been measured in a dated series of Romney-Southdown cross and Australian Merino sheep foetuses.

2. Large differences in shape exist between the two breed groups and these result from growth rate differences in certain components of the bone and muscle tissue.

3. Carcass composition at any particular foetal weight, however, is more uniform. In relation to body weight, the Merino has a higher proportion of bone in the body but the proportion of muscle is the same in both breed groups. Nevertheless, the distribution of muscle tissue is changed as there s i a higher proportion of muscle in the hind limb of the Romney-Southdown cross.
A comparison of the feeding value of maize and sorghum for fattening pigs
Authors: Vanschoubroek F. X. , Van Spaendonk R. L. , Nauwynck W.
Published: September 2010

Six comparable groups, each of 4 castrate pigs, were used to compare the feed value of maize and sorghum as estimated by live-weight gain, food conversion efficiency, slaughter quality and ham composition.

The maize ration contained 40% yellow maize and the sorghum ration 40% Sorghum vulgare subglabrescens, all other ingredients being the same for both diets.

No statistically significant differences were found between the maize and sorghum pigs with regard to the criteria mentioned.

It is concluded that no difference exists between the feed value of the maize and the sorghum used. This result is in better agreement with the net energy values of maize and sorghum as calculated by the formula of Hoff-mann and digestion coefficients for pigs, than with “classical” starch equivalents.
Effects of oxytetracycline and oleandomycin. Separately and together in pig diets
Authors: Smith W. C. , Adam J. L. , Tonks H. M.
Published: September 2010

1. Normal rations containing oleandomycin (2·5 g./ton), oxytetracycline (10 g./ton) and oleandomycin (2·5 g./ton)plus oxytetracycline (10 g./ton) were given to females and castrates which had previously received creep feed with or without oxytetracycline.

2. Forty-eight pigs were individually fed on the rations from 50 to 200 lb. live-weight, a restricted scale of intake based on live-weight being adopted.

3. Pigs receiving the mixed supplement and those given oxytetracycline alone grew significantly faster and utilised their feed more efficiently than those given oleandomycin alone. Differences between the mixed supplement group and those receiving oxytetracycline were not significant.

4. Treatment with antibiotic, either in the creep feed or after weaning, had no effect on carcass measurements. Females had less depth of fat at the shoulder, mid-back and loin compared with castrates and the carcasses were significantly longer.

5. Visceral weights were not influenced by antibiotic treatment but pigs supplemented with oleandomycin had a shorter gut than those receiving a combination of antibiotics. There was a significant reduction in gut weight n i pigs which had received unsupplemented creep feed but no consistent effect on the thickness of the intestine wall or gut diameter. Females had significantly heavier kidneys and spleens than castrates.
The feed intake of milk cows II. The effect of roughage quality during late pregnancy and lactation
Authors: Holmes W. , Jones J. G. W.
Published: September 2010

1. An experiment is described in which the individual feed intakes of 16 cows under winter housing conditions in yards, during the transition to spring grazing and on. summer grazing, were determined by faecal indexdigestibility methods. The influence of quality of feed before calving on intake and subsequent performance and the influence of pasture quality and availability on feed intake were included in the study.

2. The provision of a diet of 67% organic matter digestibility, either as high quality hay or as low quality hay with concentrates, increased feed intake before calving when compared with a diet of low quality hay (digestibility 62%) alone. Compared with previous lactation yields the better diets were associated with the maintenance of milk yield, while the low quality hay diet before calving was associated with a 10%, but non-significant, reduction in milk yield.

3. There was a marked rise in faecal output and digestible organic matter (DOM) intake after calving. During lactation, and especially on pasture, faecal output and DOM intake were both correlated with milk yield and metabolic live-weight. Total DOM intake was lower when the availability of feed was restricted and increased when feed was readily available; this increase was associated with a high maintenance requirement.

4. When herbage with OM digestibility of 74–82% was consumed, faecal output rose with decreasing digestibility, but DOM intakes were relatively constant. Provided that efficient utilisation can be achieved, total utilisation per acre might be increased if herbage were grazed at the lower end of this range of digestibility.
Social behaviour of domestic animals VII. Variation in weaning weight in pigs
Authors: McBride G. , James J. W. , Wyeth G. S. F.
Published: September 2010

Regression analyses were made of the inter-relations among weights at day-old, 3 and 8 weeks, teat order, social order and litter size in 41 litters of young pigs.

Birth weight and teat order accounted for 40 % of the variation of 3-week weight within litters. Social rank was strongly influenced by 3-week weight, but not by birth weight or teat order except through their effects on 3-week weight. About 70% of the within-litter variation in 8-week weight was attributable to 3-week weight and social rank. Of the total variation in 8-week weight about 55 % could be explained in terms of the other variables. The effect of litter size on 8-week weight appeared to differ considerably in the Berkshire and Large White pigs used in this study.

On the assumption of a causal sequence in time, the within-litter variation in 8-week weight was partitioned into fractions of 19% due to birth weight, 5 % due to teat order, 29 % due to 3-week weight and 17 % due to social rank.
Rearing of dairy cattle 5. The effect of stocking rate on animal and herbage production in a grazing system for calves and heifers
Authors: Leaver J. D.
Published: September 2010

A rotational system of grazing, in which Friesian calves grazed the paddock immediately in front of a group consisting of pregnant and non-pregnant young female cattle (heifers), was examined at stocking rates initially of 3·0, 3·5 and 4·0 replacement units per ha (a replacement unit = one calf + one heifer). The stocking rates were reduced towards the end of the season by removing pregnant heifers. Measurements were made of live-weight gains and herbage production and utilization. Increasing the stocking rate from 3·0 to 4·0 units/ha depressed live-weight gain in calves by 18% on average and in heifers by 32%. The stocking rate of 3·5 replacement units/ha produced the greatest amount of live-weight gain per ha. There was a progressive decline in herbage production and consequently live-weight gain from early to late season. Herbage production was also depressed by the increased stocking rate. Although the average utilization of herbage at each grazing was low, ranging from 27 to 37% in calves and 35 to 48% in heifers, the total utilization of herbage over the whole season was high, ranging from 88 to 96%.
Sweat gland measurements in some tropical and temperate breeds of cattle in Nigeria
Authors: Amakiri S. F.
Published: September 2010

Muturu (Bos taunts) cattle had a higher density of sweat glands in the skin (2208/cm2) than N'Dama (Bos taurus) (1776/cm2) and White Fulani (Bos indicus) (1584/cm2) cattle. Mean gland volume was 10·46,4·95 and 3·06 × 106 μ3 and length/diameter ratio (shape) of the glands was 3·97, 3·85 and 3·15 in N'Dama, Muturu and White Fulani cattle respectively.

Results of similar studies with German Friesian cattle in the same environment gave a gland count of 1968/cm2, a mean gland volume of 14·1 × 106 μm3 and a length/diameter ratio of 5·73.

Sweat gland measurements were generally higher for Friesian cattle than for zebu cattle and cattle of indigenous Bos taurus breeds.

Regional differences in the parameters were generally significant. The relevance of the results to the adaptability of the various breeds of cattle to the tropical environment are discussed.
A note on the performance of young pigs given maize-based diets in different physical forms
Authors: Wu J. F. , Fuller M. F.
Published: September 2010

The experiment compared the performance of pigs from 11 to 56 days of age when given diets based on maize which had been rolled, or ground through coarse, medium or fine screens, or which were made with maize which had been ground through a medium screen and which were then pelleted or pelleted and crumbled. All diets were given ad libitum.

From 11 days to weaning at 28 days, little feed was eaten and there were no significant effects of the treatments. From 29 to 35 days, daily gain and feed conversion were best on the fine, medium and pelleted diets. From 36 to 56 days, pellets and crumble gave the best performance. There were no significant differences between treatments in the incidence of scouring.
Genetic variation in litter size and 12-day weight in mice and their relationships with post-weaning growth
Authors: Hanrahan J. P. , Eisen E. J.
Published: September 2010

Data from a random-bred population of mice were used to examine the sources of variation in litter size and 12-day body weight, and, the genetic relationships between these traits and post-weaning body weights and body-weight gain from 3 to 6 weeks of age (post-weaning gain). The genetic model included maternal genetic effects in addition to the usual direct (individual) genetic effects. Such maternal genetic effects may be important to an understanding of traits like 12-day body weight of mice, where the young depend to a large extent on the mother for early postnatal nutrition.

Analysis of litter size yielded a paternal half-sib heritability estimate of 0·34±0·19, while twice the daughter-dam regression was 0·23 ± 0·08. The repeatability of litter size was 0·51±0·07. The correlation between direct genetic effects on litter size and those on 3-, 6-, and 8- week body weights and post-weaning gain were –0·18,0·36,0-34 and 0·58 respectively. The correlation between direct genetic effects on litter size and 12-day weight was positive (0·41), while the genetic correlation between maternal effects on 12-day weight and direct effects on litter size was negative (–0·37).

Analysis of 12-day weight showed that direct and maternal genetic effects were important sources of variation, but there was a large negative correlation (-0·88) between these effects. The usual genetic correlations between 12-day weight and post-weaning body weights were positive while post-weaning gain yielded a negative estimate. However, there appears to be a general negative correlation between direct genetic and maternal genetic effects in this population, for all such correlations were negative except that between direct effects on 12-day weight and maternal effects on post-weaning gain.
Analysis of production records from a lowland sheep flock 2. Flock statistics and reproductive performance
Authors: Forrest P. A. , Bichard Maurice
Published: September 2010

The reproductive performance of a lowland flock of Clun Forest ewes is reported. During the period from 1955 to 1966, over 1300 ewes entered the flock and more than 4800 lambing records were obtained. The effects of culling and death on the records available were investigated and it was found that the reduction of the material caused by death was random, while that caused by culling was related to previous performance.

Barrenness decreased with age, and for ewes aged 1, 2 and more than 2 years was 44, 7 and 5%. Average litter sizes (ALS) over the same ages were 1·15, 1·55 and 1·75. Accordingly the number of lambs born per ewe mated and present at lambing also increased with age of ewe, and values for the same ages were 0·64, 1·44 and 1·68.

An analysis of over 170 ram mating groups, consisting of ewes older than 1 year, revealed no differences between rams on the ALS of their mates. The results of a similar smaller analysis of barrenness among 1-year-old ewes also showed no evidence of a ram effect.