bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Copper sulphate and molasses distillers dried solubles as dietary supplements for growing pigs
Authors: Barber R. S. , Braude R. , Mitchell K. G.
Published: September 2010

1. Seventy-two individually fed, virus pneumonia-free Large White weaners were used to determine the effect of supplementing diets containing either some animal protein or only vegetable protein with either 0·1% CuSO4.5H2O or 2½% E.C. Feed (molasses distillers dried solubles).

2. The marked growth-promoting effect of supplementing a diet containing animal protein with Cu was again confirmed. The response when Cu was added to the all-vegetable diet was significantly less than that on the diet containing some animal protein, the significant improvement in growth rate on the two types of diet being respectively 5·1% and 14·5%.

3. The addition of 2½% E.C. Feed to the diet containing some animal protein significantly increased growth rate by 5·1%. This response was significantly less than that obtained from Cu supplementation. The 3·6% increase in mean growth rate when E.C. Feed was added to the all-vegetable diet was not statistically significant.

4. Whereas Cu improved the efficiency of food utilisation of the pigs, particularly when added to the diet containing animal protein (a significant improvement of 5·2%), E.C. Feed did not on either type of diet. Both Cu and E.C. Feed similarly increased the rate of food consumption of the pigs on both types of diet.

5. There were no differences in the performance of the control pigs given either the unsupplemented diets with animal protein or the corresponding all-vegetable diets.
A comparison of tissue development in Pietrain and Large White pigs from birth to 64 kg live weight. 3. Growth changes in bone distribution
Authors: Davies A. S.
Published: September 2010

Half carcasses of 18 Pietrain and 18 Large White female pigs were dissected into 10 bone units. An allometric analysis of the weights of these units relative to total bone revealed increasing craniocaudal and distoproximal growth gradients. No differences in bone distribution were observed between the two breeds. Because of a difference in muscle distribution, the muscle: bone ratio in the femoral region of the Pietrain was greater than that of the Large White breed.
Energy exchanges of veal calves fed a high-fat milk replacer diet containing different amounts of iron
Authors: Webster A. J. F. , Donnelly H. , Brockway J. M. , Smith J. S.
Published: September 2010

1. A total of 33 energy balance trials was conducted with veal calves offered a high-fat milk replacer diet containing 10, 20, 40 or 100 mg iron/kg DM.

2. There were no significant differences in weight gain, food conversion or energy retention between calves receiving 20, 40 or 100 mg iron/kg DM in their diet. Calves receiving only 10 mg iron/kg gained weight and retained energy at significantly lower rates than those in the other groups.

3. The metabolic heat production of calves receiving the liquid diet was greater than that of calves given the same amount of gross energy from a barley diet. The recommended air temperature of about 20°C for veal calf houses is therefore unnecessarily high.
A note on an attempt to select for muscle fibre diameter in mice
Authors: McCarthy J. C. , Shiel E.
Published: September 2010

Two-way selection for muscle fibre diameter in mice was practised for four generations. The response was small and did not differ significantly from zero.
The effect of early weaning on the lactation performance of Damascus goats and the growth rate of the kids
Authors: Louca A. , Mavrogenis A. , Lawlor M. J.
Published: September 2010

One hundred and four Damascus goats with their kids were used study the effects of early weaning on the lactation of the goats and the growth rate of the kids. The treatments studied were: 2-day suckling (S2) where the kids were suckled by their dams for 2 days a d then reared artificially on milk replacer; 35-day suckling (S35) where the dams suckled their kids for 35 days; 70-day suckling (S70) where the dams suckled their kids for 70 days.

The differences among treatments in 150-day and total milk yield and lactation length were not significant. Conversely, the differences in the yield of milk available for marketing were highly significant. The goats on S2 produced more marketable milk than those on S35 and S70, and the goats on S35 produced more than those on S70. The growth rate of the kids weaned at 35 days of age was significantly lower than that of those weaned at 70 days. The differences between kids reared artificially and those suckled by their dams to 70 days of age were not significant. It was concluded that early weaning does not materially affect lactation performance and that it can increase the milk available for marketing.
Evaluation of crossbred sows for the production of pigs for slaughter
Authors: Fahmy M. H. , Holtmann W. B. , MacIntyre T. M.
Published: September 2010

Data from 726 male and 765 female pigs (364 litters) from 28 threebreed crosses obtained from mating Poland China boars to gilts and sows from different two-breed-crosses were analysed. The 28 two-breed-crosses were obtained from mating Yorkshire (Y), Landrace (Ld), Lacombe (Lc), Hampshire (H), Duroc (D), Berkshire (B) and Large Black (LB) sows to Ld, Lc, H, D, B, LB and Tamworth (T) boars in an incomplete diallel mating design. The traits studied were age at slaughter (72 kg carcass weight), carcass backfat measurement and an index combining both traits.

The youngest pigs to reach slaughter weight were those from LB x D sows (191·3 days) while the oldest were from T x D sows (211·6 days). The pigs with the least depth of backfat were those involving the Hampshire breed (mean 7·28 cm) while those involving the Large Black had the thickest backfat (mean 7·81 cm). In descending order, the five highest ranking crosses based on the index were those from H x Ld, H x Lc, LB x D, Lc x Ld and H x Y sows.
Algebraic models of the lactation curves for milk, fat and protein production, with estimates of seasonal variation
Authors: Wood P. D. P.
Published: September 2010

The lactation curves of whole milk production and of compositional quality measures may be represented by one of a family of curves

where the coefficients a, b and c define the curve of production of a character y at week n.

An analysis of protein results from over 600 000 cows, and of fat results from nearly 3000 cows gave shape coefficients (b, c) for fat percentage (-0·1316, 0·0154) and for protein percentage (-0·1223, 0·0109) showing that the lowest percentage of each occurred during weeks 8 and 11 of lactation respectively.

Seasonal variations were calculated to show an expected deficiency of 0·93% fat in the spring and 0·75% protein in winter, which could be attributed to environmental influences associated with varying feeding standards.
Soaking of complete fattening rations high in poor roughage 2. The effect of moisture content and of particle size of the roughage component on the performance of male cattle
Authors: Holzer Z. , Tagari H. , Levy J. D. , Volcani R.
Published: September 2010

Two levels of roughage in a complete fattening diet (25 and 45%), two particle sizes of the roughage component (6 and 12 mm diameter of sieve holes), and three levels of moisture (10, 50 and 75%) were examined in a feeding trial designed in a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial arrangement.

Intact male Israeli-Friesian cattle were grown from an initial weight of about 300 kg to a slaughter weight of about 520 kg. Live-weight gains were 956, 1080 and 1025 g/day, and carcass gains were 516, 584 and 563 g/day for diet moisture contents of 10, 50 and 75%, respectively. The roughage content of the diet and particle size had no significant effects. Efficiency of conversion of metabolizable energy into live weight or carcass weight was directly related to the moisture content of the diet.

Weight of gut fill was directly related to the roughage content of the diet, to diet particle size and to moisture content. Animals on the moist diets had less carcass fat but more depot fat than those on the dry ration. Total volatile fatty acid concentration in the rumen liquor of animals fed on moist diets was significantly higher, and the acetate: propionate ratio was significantly lower than that of animals on the dry control diet.

The improvement in performance of animals fed on moist diets may be attributed to the accumulated effect of three factors, even though the effect of each separately may not be great: (a) Increased dry-matter intake; (b) Improvement in digestibility; and (c) Increased concentration of propionic acid and consequent reduction of the acetate: propionate ratio.
A note on fibre number and diameter in muscles of large and small lines of mice compared at a fixed body weight
Authors: Hooper A. C. B. , McCarthy J. C.
Published: September 2010

M. biceps brachii and m. tibialis anterior were studied at a fixed body weight in mice selected for high and low body weight at a fixed age. Muscle weights were approximately equal in the two lines. In general, muscles from high-line mice appeared to contain a larger number of smaller fibres than low-line mice in which there were fewer but wider fibres than in the unselected control population from which the lines were derived.
The flock-mating of progestagen-synchronized ewes 2. The influence of time of ram introduction upon mating behaviour and lambing performance
Authors: Bryant M. J. , Tomkins T.
Published: September 2010

Four 2½-year-old Suffolk rams were each mated to groups of 24 Polled Dorset Horn ewes in which the oestrous cycles had been synchronized by the use of progestagen-impregnated vaginal sponges. Ram introduction occurred at either 24 or 48 hr after vaginal sponge withdrawal. Few ewes were in oestrus 24 hr after sponge withdrawal, but the majority were showing oestrus at the time of the 48-hr introduction. Mating behaviour and subsequent lambing performance of the ewes were recorded. All rams mated with the majority of their ewes. Rams introduced 48 hr after sponge withdrawal were found o t serve their ewes less frequently and over a more limited period, but they did succeed in mating with a greater proportion of their ewes during their first 30 services. There were no statistically significant differences in overall lambing rate between treatments, but the ratio of ewes lambing to ewes served on the 48-hr treatment was 92·5% compared with 72·2% for the 24-hr treatment (P < 0·05).
Selection for plasma copper concentrations within haemoglobin type in sheep
Authors: Wiener G. , Hayter Susan , Field A. C.
Published: September 2010

From among 27 rams of haemoglobin type A the two rams with the highest plasma copper concentration and the two rams with the lowest were selected on the basis of a single determination. In the same way four rams were selected from among the 29 rams of haemoglobin type B. The average difference between the ‘high’ and the ‘low’ rams was 103 μg copper per 100 ml plasma. The rams were mated to 105 unselected females. Lambs born as a result of these matings were blood-sampled on eight occasions from 3 weeks to 29 weeks of age.

The plasma copper levels of the lambs sired by the ‘high’ copper rams were higher on average than those sired by ‘low’ copper rams. The two groups diverged from 12 weeks of age onward to a maximum difference, at 29 weeks, of 18 μg copper per 100 ml plasma. There was also an initial difference of 13 μg at 3 weeks but a much smaller one at 6 and 9 weeks.

There was no corresponding difference in plasma copper concentration between the offspring of haemoglobin A and haemoglobin B rams. The results are therefore consistent with the hypothesis that the association previously observed in the same flock between haemo-globin type and plasma copper level is unlikely to be due to an effect of the gene controlling haemoglobin type, but could be due effectively to a linked ‘copper gene’.

Correlations between maternal plasma copper concentration 3 weeks after parturition and lamb's plasma copper level showed a marked decline as the lambs grew older, starting from around 0·6 at 3 or 6 weeks old. This suggests a maternal ‘environmental’ influence on lamb's plasma copper in addition to any genetic effects.
A note on the effect of time of uptake of colostrum on blood gamma-globulin levels, mortality and subsequent performance of housed lambs
Authors: Ducker M. J. , Fraser J.
Published: September 2010

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of time of uptake of colostrum on blood gamma-globulin concentrations, lamb survival and subsequent growth rate. Seventy-six Greyface ewes and their lambs were housed throughout the experiment. After lambing, the lambs were either allowed to suck their dams immediately or restricted from sucking for 6 or 18 hr after birth. The gamma-globulin concentration in the lamb sera reached a peak 24 to 72 hr after the time of first suck and then gradually declined to 6 weeks. Restriction from sucking for the first 18 hr after birth did not reduce the amount of gamma-globulin absorbed compared with lambs allowed immediate access to colostrum. There was no difference between groups in lamb mortality which was low in all cases. With both single and twin lambs the best live-weight gain was achieved by lambs allowed to suck their dams from birth.
Comparison of crossbred and purebred boars for progeny growth and carcass merit
Authors: Kennedy B. W. , Conlon P. D.
Published: September 2010

Progeny tests of three Hampshire × Duroc, three Hampshire, three Duroc and five Landrace boars were performed to compare the use of crossbred and purebred boars producing pigs, intended for slaughter. Boars were double-mated to Landrace sows, and 830 sire-identified pigs from 92 double-mated litters were farrowed. Significant (P < 0·05) breed of boar effects were observed for birth weight, 21-day weight, daily gain from 56 days to slaughter and age at slaughter, but breed of boar differences for 56-day weight, backfat depth, killing-out percentage and carcass index were not significant. Progeny of the Hampshire × Duroc crossbred performed similarly to pigs sired by purebred Hampshire and Duroc boars. Progeny performance of the Hampshire × Duroc and Duroc boars was almost identical for daily gain, age at slaughter, backfat depth and carcass index. Hampshire-sired pigs grew slightly faster, but progeny of Hampshire × Duroc boars had higher killing-out percentages than either Hampshire- or Duroc-sired pigs. Purebred Landrace pigs were slower growing, had more backfat and lower carcass indexes than crossbred pigs sired by either the Hampshire × Duroc, Hampshire or Duroc boars.
Growth of bovine tissues 4. Genetic influences on patterns of bone growth and distribution in young bulls
Authors: Berg R. T. , Andersen B. B. , Liboriussen T.
Published: September 2010

Bone growth patterns and distribution were compared in joints of carcasses from 277 young bulls, progeny of eight sire breeds and two dam breeds, serially slaughtered at 300 kg live weight, 12 and 15 months of age. The growth pattern for bone in a joint was estimated from the allometric equation (Y = aXb). Growth coefficients (b) were homogeneous among breed groups for bone in each joint relative to total side bone indicating that the different breeds followed similar patterns of differential bone growth. Growth impetus of limb bones was lowest in the distal parts, increasing to the proximal regions, with the fore limb showing higher growth impetus than the hind limb. Bones of the whole thoracic region showed a high growth impetus and those of the lumbar region the highest. The cervical vertebrae showed only average growth impetus, maintaining a constant proportion of total bone. Significant sire breed differences were found in the proportion of bone in each joint when adjusted to equal side bone weight but the differences were rather small and probably commercially unimportant. Differences among sire breed groups reflected differences in maturity type, with progeny of Here-ford sires representing early maturity and progeny of Chianina sires the other extreme. Functional association between muscle and bone was not reflected in a similarity of growth patterns, except for the muscles and bones of the limbs.
Plasma progesterone concentrations from before puberty to after parturition in British Friesian heifers reared on high planes of nutrition and inseminated at their first oestrus
Authors: Shotton Susan M. , Roy J. H. B. , Pope G. S.
Published: September 2010

Five autumn-born British Friesian heifers were given a high-fat milk substitute ad libitum to 12 weeks of age followed by skim milk ad libitum to 20 weeks of age and were weaned at 26 weeks of age (Treatment 1). Nine heifers were offered the high-fat milk substitute to 8 weeks of age and were weaned at 12 weeks of age (Treatment 2). First oestrus was detected by a study of cervical secretions and plasma progesterone concentrations.

Heifers on Treatment 1 were significantly heavier at 12 weeks of age, but there was no difference between treatments in the mean age or weight of the heifers at first oestrus. Ten heifers conceived at their first or second oestrus (Group A) and four heifers required four to nine inseminations to establish pregnancy (Group B).

Age at first oestrus was inversely related to pre-pubertal progesterone concentrations, which tended to be higher in Group B heifers. All heifers showed a small peak in progesterone concentration before first oestrus, the height being significantly greater in Group B than in group A heifers.

Progesterone concentrations in cycles preceding a successful insemination tended to be lower in the 2 days before oestrus. Progesterone concentrations during pregnancy were significantly lower for the Group B heifers, and were significantly lower for all heifers during the middle 4 months of gestation than during the preceding or succeeding 2 months, with a marked dip at 140 to 160 days of gestation. Post-partum basal progesterone concentrations did not differ from prepubertal concentrations; small peaks of progesterone tended to occur before the first oestrus post partum.
A note on the effect of the level of milk consumption prior to weaning upon the silage intake and performance of weaned ‘suckled’ calves
Authors: Du Y. L. P. Le , Baker R. D.
Published: September 2010

The silage intake and growth rate of naturally suckled calves after weaning was less than that of similar groups of artificially reared animals that had received lower quantities of milk over the period to 8 months of age. Although the silage intake of all groups was linearly related to the level of herbage intake prior to weaning, those calves consuming least herbage had the higher rate of increase in silage intake. It was concluded that silage intake can be influenced for a considerable time after weaning by the level of herbage consumption achieved during the suckling period.
The effect of protein nutrition between 5–5 and 20 kg live weight on the subsequent performance and carcass quality of pigs
Authors: Campbell R. G. , Biden R. S.
Published: September 2010

Thirty male pigs weaned at 5·5 kg were used to determine the effect of diets with 164, 192 and 219 g/kg crude protein offered ad libitum to 20 kg live weight on performance and carcass characteristics during this initial phase of growth and during the period subsequent to 20 kg live weight when all pigs were fed on a diet with 181 g/kg crude protein in restrictive amounts. Between 5·5 and 20 kg live weight, pigs offered the diet with 164 g/kg crude protein grew significantly more slowly and had a significantly poorer food conversion ratio than pigs offered the two higher protein diets. Both linear fat measurement and the proportion of ether extractable material in the carcass at 20 kg live weight decreased significantly with each increase in dietary protein. Pigs offered the 164 g/kg protein diet during the initial treatment period tended to grow faster subsequent to 20 kg and during the live-weight period 20 to 45 kg had a significantly lower food conversion ratio than pigs previously offered the two higher protein diets. Over the entire production period, 5·5 to 70 kg, there were no significant differences between treatments. Likewise there were no significant differences in carcass quality parameters between treatments at 70 kg live weight.
Coefficients of inbreeding and degree of relationship for the British Friesian herd
Authors: Bowman J. C. , Butler E. A. , Tuncel E.
Published: September 2010

The coefficients of inbreeding and the degree of relationship for British Friesian bulls used for artificial insemination by the Milk Marketing Board in sample years between 1955 and 1972 and for random samples of registered females from the same years have been calculated. The average coefficient of inbreeding was lower in bulls (0·5%) than in registered females (2·7%). The average degree of relationship was 0·7% for bulls and 2·6% for heifers.
The use of condition-scoring in dairy cows and its relationship with milk yield and live weight
Authors: Frood Moira J. , Croxton D.
Published: September 2010

From July 1975 to January 1977, 225 cows in three autumn-calving dairy herds were condition-scored, weighed and milk-recorded at monthly intervals. The condition score at calving was related to the ability of the animal to achieve potential milk yield. This potential milk yield was denned by the lactation curve prediction. Animals below condition score 2 at calving did not achieve their predicted milk yield, and those above condition score 2½ yielded more than their predicted milk yield. Cows in poor condition at calving gave low, late peak milk yields with a high persistency, and those in good condition at calving gave high, early peak milk yields with a lower persistency. A positive relationship of 25 ± 1·6 kg live weight per unit of condition score was established within cows in months 1 to 7 of lactation. After month 7 of lactation foetal development caused changes in live weight without changes in score.
Protein supplementation of silage-based diets for calves
Authors: Steen R. W. J.
Published: September 2010

Two experiments were carried out to examine the effects on the intake and performance of calves of supplementing a diet, based on high-digestibility, well-preserved grass silage, with fish meal. The effects of fish-meal supplementation were examined at each of two amounts of concentrate intake (1·05 and 2·2 kg/day) in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Fish meal was offered at a rate of 75 g/kg silage dry-matter (DM) intake. Experiments 1 and 2 involved 36 and 40 castrated male calves, respectively, which were initially 7 weeks old and had a live weight of 70 kg. The treatments were imposed for 20 weeks. The silages used in the two experiments had mean concentrations of 22-8 g nitrogen (N) per kg DM; 524 g protein N per kg total N; 59 g ammonia N per kg total N; 0·4 g butyric acid per kg DM; and 712 g digestible organic matter per kg DM. The concentrate consisted of (g/kg) 800 ground barley, 125 soya bean meal, 50 molasses and 25 mineral and vitamin supplement, respectively, and contained 29 g N per kg DM. Silage DM intakes and live-weight gains for the low and high amounts of concentrate supplementation were 1·93 and 1·46 (s.e. 0·055) kg/day and 0·84 and 1·01 (s.e. 0·013) kg/day respectively. The supplement of fish meal did not affect silage DM intake or animal performance for either concentrate intake. Proportionately, only 0·21 of the difference in live weight at the end of the treatment periods between the two amounts of concentrate intake remained at slaughter at 18 months of age. It is concluded that the optimum growth rate for autumn-born calves during their first winter can be sustained by a diet of high-digestibility grass silage supplemented with a maximum of 1·0 kg cereal-soya bean meal concentrate and that no response in performance was obtained to supplementation of this diet with fish meal.
The estimation of pig carcass composition from different measurements with special reference to classification and grading
Authors: Diestre A. , Kempster A. J.
Published: September 2010

Data for 1002 pigs slaughtered between 1979 and 1982 from the Meat and Livestock Commission's Commercial Pig Evaluation scheme were used to examine the relative precision of different measurements for predicting carcass lean concentration. The sample covered the main market weights in Britain and comprised gilts and barrows. The overall means of carcass weight and lean concentration were 66·1 (s.d. 20·00) kg and 499 (s.d. 44·2) g/kg. Predictors were examined when used in addition to carcass weight.

Of the measurements taken on the intact or centre-split carcass, fat thickness measured by optical probe 65 mm from the dorsal mid line over the m. longissimus at the last rib was the most precise predictor of lean concentration (residual s.d. = 24·6 g/kg). The precision was improved significantly when a mid-line loin fat thickness measurement was added (residual s.d. = 23·7). The stability of the selected regression equations was examined by applying them to data for three other sets of carcasses (totalling 489 carcasses) sampled from commercial abattoirs between 1975 and 1983. Biases (predicted minus actual lean concentrations) ranged from +13 to −25 g/kg.

Among the measurements taken on the cut surface at the last rib, fat thickness 8 cm from the dorsal mid line was the most precise predictor (residual s.d. = 22·4 g/kg). The precision was improved significantly when m. longissimus depth was added (residual s.d. = 20·3 g/kg). Prediction bias with these measurements was similar to that recorded with the intact or split-carcass measurements. In both cases, bias tended to increase with the number of independent variables in the prediction equations.
A note on the influence of breed and sire differences on iron and zinc concentration of lamb muscle
Authors: Bennett G. L. , Field R. A.
Published: September 2010

Lambs from Perendale, Merino × Perendale, Romney, Merino × Romney and Coopworth ewes, and Southdown and Suffolk sires were assigned to three groups. Groups received no treatment, nine weekly doses of 175 mg iron (Fe) per kg body weight or nine weekly doses of 175 mg zinc (Zn) per kg body weight. They were slaughtered 1 week after the last dose. Samples of m. longissimus were analysed for Fe and Zn concentration.

Muscle Zn concentration was greater for Southdown-sired lambs (85·5 mg/kg dried muscle) than for Suffolk-sired lambs (77·6 mg/kg; P < 0·01). Dam genotypes and the interaction of sire breed and dam genotype were not significant for Zn concentration. Heritability of muscle Zn concentration was estimated to be 0·92 (s.e. 0·48). Muscle Fe concentration showed a significant interaction between sire breed and dam genotype (P < 0·05). Heritability of muscle Fe was estimated to be 0·21 (s.e. 0·38). No significant interactions of either sire breed or dam breed × treatment were found.
Concentrations of LH and oestradiol-17β in plasma of the dairy cow during the post-partum acyclic period
Authors: Watson Elaine D.
Published: September 2010

The concentrations of LH and oestradiol-17β were measured in samples of jugular venous plasma collected frequently during an 8-h period from six acyclic cows between 21 and 27 days post partum. Fluctuations in oestradiol-17β concentrations were detected. Although the mean concentrations of oestradiol were similar whether ovulation occurred within 1 week of sampling or not, the amplitude of the fluctuations in oestradiol concentrations was greater in the three cows which ovulated within 1 week of the period of sampling. Increases in the concentration of LH were frequently followed by increases in the concentrations of oestradiol.
Metabolic rate responses to cold and to exogenous noradrenaline in newborn Scottish Blackface lambs genetically selected for high or low resistance to cold
Authors: Slee J. , Simpson S. P. , Woolliams J. A.
Published: September 2010

Newborn Scottish Blackface lambs from lines previously selected for high (H) or low (L) resistance to body cooling were tested for their metabolic response (O2 consumption) to cold exposure in a water bath or to subcutaneous injections of exogenous noradrenaline as a measure of non-shivering thermogenesis (NST). Six rams from the H line and six rams from the L line were used to produce lambs such that each sire had both cold-tested (no. = 48) and noradrenaline-tested (no. = 86) progeny.

The mean elevations in metabolic rate produced by cold exposure and by noradrenaline were, respectively, 3·4 times and 2·4 times resting (thermoneutral) metabolic rate. H lambs showed significantly greater cold resistance and metabolic response to cold than L lambs. H lambs showed greater NST than L lambs but the difference was not significant. There were significant sire effects on NST, indicating genetic variation. There was a significant correlation between the metabolic responses to cold and those o t noradrenaline among the sire progeny groups. NST capability appears to be a phenotypic component of neonatal cold resistance which would respond to genetic selection, but this genetic variation is not a major component of that determining cold resistance.
Adipose tissue metabolism and cell size: variation between subcutaneous sites and the effect of copper supplementation
Authors: Sinnett-Smith P. A. , Woolliams J. A.
Published: September 2010

Adipose tissue cell volume, lipolytic rates, Iipoprotein lipase (LPL) and acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC) activities were determined in biopsy samples taken from the back, shoulder, rump and groin subcutaneous fat depots of 17-month-old female sheep (no. = 24). Half of the sheep had received a copper (Cu) supplement at 6 weeks of age. Biopsy samples were taken after fasting overnight.

Differences in cell volume and ACC activity were apparent between sites. Supplementation with Cu at 6 weeks of age led to a proportional increase of between 0·24 and 0·45 in adipose cell volume and a proportional increase in lipolysis which varied from 0·70 to 2·27 depending on site and hormone addition. Correlations between sites for cell volume and lipolytic activity were not high in general but those for ACC and LPL activities were higher (for ACC r = 0·40 to 0·79). Overall the best correlations were between the back and rump sites. Correlations between the various metabolic measurements and cell volume were not apparent within treatment groups.
Evaluation of electronic meat-measuring equipment in predicting carcass composition in the live pig
Authors: Joyal S. M. , Jones S. D. M. , Kennedy B. W.
Published: September 2010

An electronic meat-measuring equipment (EMME) determination (average of three consecutive readings) and backfat thickness (averaged over two sites) were taken on each of 107 live Yorkshire pigs weighing approximately 110 kg. After slaughter, 10 carcass traits: killing out, grade fat (fat thickness at maximum loin of split carcass), in. longissimus area, total and individual weights of the four untrimmed primal cuts (butt, picnic, loin and ham) and total weight of lean and subcutaneous fat in the four primal cuts, were measured and used to evaluate the EMME and ultrasound backfat probe, alone and in combination, in predicting carcass merit. Value of prediction was measured as significant improvement in correlation over a base model (A/?2). After adjustment for live weight and treatment (diet, sex and housing) differences, the EMME alone was significant in predicting grade fat (A/?2 = 007), weight of the four untrimmed primal cuts (A/?2 = 0·03) and weights of ham (A/?2 = 0·04), lean (A/?2 = 0·17) and subcutaneous fat (A/?2 = 0·08). Backfat thickness alone was significant in predicting grade fat (AR2 = 0·21) and the weights of loin (AR2 = 0·03), ham (AR2 = 0·02), lean (AR2 = 0·09) and subcutaneous fat (AR2 = 0·42). Their combined information was superior in predicting fat thickness (AR2 = 0·24), weight of lean (AR2 = 0·21) and weight of subcutaneous fat (AR2 = 0·44). Similar results were obtained when treatment effects were ignored. Correlations of the EMME number with fat thickness, weight of total lean and total subcutaneous fat were 0·31, 0·49 and -0·30, respectively. Correlations of backfat thickness with grade fat, weight of total lean and total subcutaneous fat were 0·53, -0·35 and 0·72, respectively.
Food restriction as a cause of stereotypic behaviour in tethered gilts
Authors: Appleby M. C. , Lawrence A. B.
Published: September 2010

The behaviour of Large White × Landrace gilts tethered in stalls was studied by scan sampling from 07.00 to 17.00 h on 3 days consecutively every 5 weeks. Results are presented on 30 gilts sampled during their first 5 weeks in the house, period 1, and on 36 gilts during the following 5-week period, period 2. Twenty individuals were common to both samples. Gilts were fed at 08.00 h with a pelleted complete diet, either on low food levels (1·25 to 2·00 kg) or on high food levels (2·2 to 4·0 kg).

In both periods behaviour was strongly related to food allowance in individual gilts. Gilts on low food levels spent a greater proportion of their time in the standing position than those on high food levels (period 1, medians 0·31 and 0·12 respectively; period 2, medians 0·27 and 0·11 respectively), spent more time in repetitive behaviour (period 1, medians 0·22 and 0·04 respectively; period 2, medians 0·16 and 0·07 respectively) and spent a greater proportion of their standing time in repetitive behaviour (period 1, medians 0·46 and 0 respectively; period 2, medians 0·30 and 0 respectively). Similarly, all three measures of behaviour correlated negatively with food allowance overall, but there was some indication that food level had a threshold effect, with more activity and repetitive behaviour occurring on food levels below about 2 kg.

These results suggest that if food allowances are low tether stalls are not a suitable system of housing for pregnant sows.
The effect of dietary protein on metabolite concentrations during fasting in calves differing genetically in dairy merit
Authors: Woolliams J. A. , Nisbet R. S. , Løvendahl P.
Published: September 2010

Eighty calves of both sexes, 4 months of age, of two lines, differing in genetic merit for fat plus protein production by 70 kg per 305-day lactation, were given one of four diets differing in protein content to give an estimated range of protein intakes from 299 to 530 g/day. After 21 days the calves were fasted for 72 h. Samples of blood were taken before and after feeding in the morning and afternoon prior to fasting, seven further samples were taken throughout the fast and five samples were taken ranging from 0·5 to 7·5 h after food was re-introduced. The samples were analysed for concentrations of urea, free fatty acids (FFA), glucose, triglyceride and f5-hydroxybutyrate.

No association between metabolite concentrations and predicted breeding value (PBV) were found at any stage of the trial except for the effect of feeding on FFA concentration, the rate of increase of FFA during the fast and its ultimate concentration. These associations with FFA depended on the sex of the calf and were either absent or less marked in males. The results strengthen the possibility that FFA concentrations during fasting are related to PBV in females, and that sexual dimorphism may explain differing conclusions amongst previous trials.

The magnitude of the estimate of coheritability of urea concentration during fasting with PBV, pooled across experiments, is reduced from -0·193 to -0·066 (s.e. 0·037) by inclusion of these results. However, heterogeneity between experiments is evident and remains to be explained. This suggests that urea concentrations are not consistent predictors of genetic merit and cannot be considered to be reliable for use in practice.
The response of spring-born suckled calves to the provision of supplementary feeding when grazing two sward heights in autumn
Authors: Wright I. A.
Published: September 2010

An experiment was conducted to measure the response of spring-born suckled calves to supplementary feeding when they grazed, with their dams, on swards of different heights in the autumn. Two swards were maintained at mean heights of either 5·8 cm or 9·0 cm, and calves were offered 0, 0·76 or 1 -51 kg organic matter (OM) per day of a commercially available supplement for a period of 60 days until weaning. Supplement intakes by the calves grazing the taller sward increased throughout the 60-day period, but did not exceed 0·75 kg OM per day. There was no response in terms of calf live-weight gain to the provision of supplement on the sward maintained at 9·0 cm. On the shorter sward, intake of supplement increased at a greater rate and reached 0·75 kg OM within 3 weeks. Maximum intake by those calves offered 1·51 kg supplement OM per day was 1·25 kg OM per day. The provision of supplementary feeding when mean sward height was 5·8 cm resulted in a significant increase in calf live-weight gain (P < 0·05), although supplementary feeding did not fully compensate for the reduction in milk and herbage intakes because of partial substitution of supplement for herbage. During the winter after weaning the calves that had previously grazed the shorter sward showed increased live-weight gain compared with those that had previously grazed the taller sward but prior supplementary feeding was without significant effect in this group.
The effect of feeding supplements in the autumn on the reproductive performance of grazing ewes 2. Feeding supplements in relation to sward height
Authors: Gunn R. G. , Jones J. R. , Sim D. A.
Published: September 2010

The effects of feeding supplements in relation to sward height in the autumn on the reproductive performance of ewes grazing predominantly perennial ryegrass swards were studied in four experiments with three genotypes. Treatments in which either no supplements were given or supplements were offered according to the height of the sward were compared when ewes were grazed on swards which were managed to decline in height from > 5 cm to 2·5 cm either before or after mating. At a sward height of < 3·5 cm, 400 g ground and pelleted barley was offered per head per day; at < 3·0 cm, 700 g was offered; and, at < 2·5 cm, hay was offered in addition to the barley. Responses to these treatments were compared with that of a treatment in which a sward was maintained at > 5 cm. Sward heights were controlled by varying stocking rate. In experiment 1, with 305 Scottish Blackface ewes, supplementation was not necessary until after the start of the mating period. In experiment 2, with 200 Brecknock Cheviot ewes, the supplementation protocol was examined on swards declining in height either before or after a synchronized mating. Experiment 3 repeated experiment 2 with 200 Beulah Speckled-face ewes and experiment 4 repeated only the pre-mating phase of experiment 3 with 195 Beulah Speckled-face ewes.

In experiment 1, ovulation, ova loss and potential lambing rates were determined from the number of corpora lutea and viable embryos at slaughter at 8 to 10 weeks after the start of mating in 103 ewes and lambing rate was determined from the number of lambs at lambing in the remaining 202 ewes. In experiments 2, 3 and 4, ovulation, ova loss and potential lambing rates were determined from the number of corpora lutea and viable embryos at slaughter at return to service or at 4 weeks after a synchronized first mating.

Grazing a sward declining in height below 3·5 cm in the pre-mating period significantly reduced ewe live weight, body condition and reproductive performance, particularly in the relatively prolific Beulah Speckled-face breed, compared with grazing a sward maintained at > 5 cm. Supplementation at the levels offered overcame some of the effects of the lower sward height treatment in the pre-mating period but did not compensate fully. Grazing a sward declining in height below 3·5 cm in the post-mating period, although reducing ewe live weight and body condition, had little effect on reproductive performance, compared with that achieved on a sward maintained above 4 cm. Supplementation at the levels offered at the lower sward height during the post-mating period produced no increase in overall reproductive performance and had a negative effect on some reproductive parameters.
The effect of implantation with hormonal growth promoters on the response in the performance of beef cattle to protein supplementation of a silage-based diet
Authors: Steen R. W. J.
Published: September 2010

An experiment has been carried out to examine the effects of implantation with hormonal growth promoters on the response in the performance of castrated male cattle (steers) to protein supplementation of a silage-based diet. The treatments consisted of grass silage offered ad libitum and supplemented with 2·7 kg per head daily of either a low protein (LP, 114 g crude protein per kg dry matter (DM)) or a high protein (HP, 206 g crude protein per kg DM) concentrate. Half of the animals, given each of the two concentrates were implanted with 20 mg oestradiol plus 200 mg progesterone and 300 mg trenbolone acetate at the beginning of the experiment and after 77 days, while the remainder of the animals received no implant, giving four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Sixty-four British Friesian and Simmental cross steers which were initially 426 (s.e. 3·5) kg live weight were used. The treatments were imposed for 157 days. The silage used was well preserved and of high digestibility. For LP and HP concentrates given to non-implanted animals and LP and HP given to implanted animals respectively silage DM intakes were 5·7, 5·8, 6·3 and 6·6 (s.e. 0·18) kg/day; live-weight gains 0·96, 0·92, 1·22 and 1·33 (s.e. 0·045) kg/day; carcass gains 0·58, 0·53, 0·78 and 0·81 (s.e. 0·024) kg/day; carcass subcutaneous fat depth 6·0, 6·5, 5·8 and 5·5 (s.e. 0·35) mm; areas of m. longissimus dorsi 69·1, 58·5, 69·6 and 74·7 (s.e. 1·91) cm2 and marbling scores 3·0, 3·6, 3·3 and 3·1 (s.e. 0·25). It is concluded that protein supplementation of well preserved grass silage produced a marginal increase in the performance of implanted finishing steers but did not affect carcass fatness. With non-implanted steers protein supplementation produced a marginal depression in performance and increased carcass fatness.
Electron spin resonance of wool from Merino sheep heterozygous or homozygous for white fleece
Authors: Fleet M. R. , Lincoln S. F. , Hounslow A. M.
Published: September 2010

Wool samples were collected from two groups of Merino sheep, both of which contained animals that were either heterozygous (Ww) or homozygous (WW) for white fleece. Group 1 were sampled in summer and group 2 in winter. These samples were scoured and measured for electron spin resonance initially (ESR1), following irradiation by ultraviolet light (ESR2) and then after wetting and drying the sample (ESR3).

There was no significant difference between WW and Ww sheep in each group for any of the ESR measurements (P > 0·05). However, for ESR1 there was a difference between management groups (group 1> group 2; P < 0·05). The ESR3 on ESR1 values were plotted separately for WW and Ww genotypes. The plotted ESR3 on ESR1 values in both groups showed no differentation into distinct genotype clusters. Nevertheless, for group 2 there was a slight similarity to the cross-like pattern of genotypes reported in an earlier description of this technique and the regression coefficients of ESR3 on ESR1 for WW sheep (b = −0·09 (s.e. 0·28)) differed significantly from those of Ww sheep (b = 1·31 (s.e. 0·52)) (P < 0·05).

It appears that the previously published method for differentiating between sheep that are either heterozygous or homozygous for white fleece was ineffective in this case.
In situ degradability of organic matter, crude protein and cell wall of various tree forages
Authors: Kamatali P. , Teller E. , Vanbelle M. , Collignon G. , Foulon M.
Published: September 2010

Leaves of Leucaena leucocephala, Sesbania sesban and Calliandra callothyrsus were harvested in Rwanda from young shoots at 8 weeks after the first cutting. They were dried, ground and incubated at the same time in polyester bags in three non-lactating Holstein-Friesian cows each fitted with a ruminal cannula. The bags were removed at 0, 2, 4, 8, 24, 48, 72 and 144 h after the start of incubations. The different parameters characterizing extent and rate of ruminal degradation of organic matter (OM), neutral-detergent fibre (NDF), and crude protein (CP) were calculated. In vitro digestibility of residual protein after 24 h and 48 h incubation was also determined. Sesbania sesban had lowest cell wall contents and gave highest ruminal degradability for OM, NDF and CP. Leucaena leucocephala was degraded to a lesser extent, but its undegraded protein had a somewhat higher in vitro digestibility. In contrast, protein of Calliandra callothyrsus was poorly degraded and digested. The proportion and composition of cell wall could not explain these differences in digestion characteristics and other measurements, such as tannins, were incriminated. Increased ruminal incubation time augmented the extent of ruminal degradation and reduced in vitro digestibility of undegraded protein but did not affect the undigestible protein fraction.
Relationships between blood groups and some wool characteristics in Egyptian coarse-wool fat-tailed sheep
Authors: Marai I. F. M. , Gebriel G. M. , Abou-Fandoud E. I.
Published: September 2010

The relationships between some wool characteristics and blood group genotypes (AaAa, AbAb, AaAC, AAb, ACand AbAc) were studied in Ossimi and Rahmani Egyptian fat-tailed breeds of sheep.

Interrupted medullation and coarse wool percentages and grade of wool were significantly related to blood group genotypes (P < 0·01). Fibre length and diameter and continuous medullation percentage were significantly related to genotype (P < 0·05). Staple length, number of crimps per cm, percentages of kemp, clean wool, impurities, moisture regain and fine wool were not significantly related to blood group genotype (P > 0·05).
Relationships between ovulation rate, embryo survival and litter size in rabbits
Authors: Santacreu M. A. , Gou P. , Blasco A.
Published: September 2010

A total of 233 does were subjected to laparoscopy in order to study the relationships between litter size (LS) and its components, using linear and quadratic models. The relationships were essentially linear, but there was a quadratic relationship between ovulation rate (OR) and the number of live embryos at 12 days of gestation. OR explained a small proportion only, but prenatal survival a greater proportion of the variation in LS. Both embryo survival and foetal survival were of similar importance and appeared to operate independently.
A note on the influence of oestradiol-17β implants on serum hormone and metabolite concentrations in response to an epinephrine challenge in lambs
Authors: Bachman S. E. , Galyean M. L. , Hallford D. M. , Heird C. E. , Duff G. C.
Published: September 2010

Eight wether lambs were used to determine effects of an oestradiol-17β (E2β) implant on metabolic responses to an epinephrine challenge. Blood was sampled before and after an epinephrine challenge, on days 0 and 22 of E2p implantation.Oestradiol-17 ft implants increased pre-injection (basal) serum insulin (INS), growth hormone and free fatty acids (FFA), and decreased basal serum urea nitrogen. After 21 days of E2Pimplantation, total concentrations of FFA decreased and INS increased in response to the epinephrine challenge compared with pre-implantation values. It is concluded that E2/3 implants alter metabolic responses to an epinephrine challenge in wether lambs.