bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A method of enrichment for intensive housing of growing pigs
Authors: Beattie V.E. , Walker N. , Sneddon I.A. 
Published: November 2021

Enriching the environment of growing pigs increase substrate directed behaviour and reduces harmful social behaviour directed at penmates (Horrell, 1992). The object of this study was to find out if a simple enrichment method using substrate which allowed rooting behaviour in an intensive housing system would be sufficient to maintain patterns of behaviour observed when pens were enriched more fully (Beattie, Walker and Sneddon, 1995).In a comparative study which examined the effect of having access to mushroom compost in an otherwise barren environment there were three treatments and six replicates. The three treatments were (1) control barren pen, (2) empty horizontal rack 1800 mm x 600 mm with 30 mm2grid size suspended above pigs' heads and (3) mushroom compost on rack as in treatment 2. Pigs released particles of compost by nosing the metal grid from below while standing or sitting. All pens had a 2500 mm x 1250 mm fibre cement board on slats under rack or in equivalent position in treatment 1.
A comparison of the in vitro fermentation of four feeds by inocula from bovine rumen digesta and equine caecal digesta, using the pressure transducer technique
Authors: Lowman R.S. , Theodorou M.K. , Longland A.C. , Cuddeford D. 
Published: November 2021

It is generally believed that ruminants are better able to degrade highly fibrous feeds than equines. To determine if this is due to differences between the microflora of the rumen and the equine hind-gut, oatfeed (OF), naked oats (NO), soya hulls (SH) and unmolassed sugar beet pulp (SB) were incubated with inocula prepared from bovine rumen digesta or equine caecal digesta.OF, NO, SH, and SB were ground to pass through a 1 mm mesh screen and incubated for 72 hours, at 39Â°C with inocula prepared from either rumen (R) or caecal (C) digesta. Rumen digesta was obtained from three hay-fed, ruminally - fistulated Hereford x Friesian steers, and caecal digesta from three hay-fed, caecally -fistulated, Welsh-cross ponies. Gas production throughout the incubation was measured using the pressure transducer technique (Theodorou et al, 1994). After the incubation, VFA production was measured and residue weights were calculated for each feedstuff.
A comparison of the availability of copper in copper: lysine and cupric sulphate for sheep
Authors: Suttle N F , Brebner J 
Published: November 2021

Chelated trace elements are increasingly used to supplement livestock feeds despite little evidence that they have a higher nutritive value than simpler and cheaper inorganic salts. Advantages for chelated sources should be most evident for elements such as copper (Cu) in the diet of ruminants which rarely absorb more than 10% of the Cu they ingest because of antagonisms with sulphur and molybdenum initiated in the rumen.A copper:lysine complex (CuPLEX, 100; ZinPro Animal Health Ltd) was, therefore, compared with cupric sulphate (CuSO4.5H2O) for ability to increase liver Cu stores in sheep. Five groups of five Suffolk cross sheep, 10 months old and weighing 44kg on average, received 4.0kg DM daily of a basal diet of (kg/l00kg) whole oats (90.8), urea (1.8), calcium sulphate (1.4), sodium bicarbonate (1.8), and potassium chloride (0.5), with trace elements and vitamins A, D and E coated onto the grain in a sugar solution. A control group received the unsupplemented diet containing 3.5mg Cu/kg DM while four groups received Cu:lysine or CUSO4 added at a lower (1) and a higher (2) level, giving diets containing 9.8 and 14.6 or 8.4 and 13.2mg Cu/kg DM, respectively.
Relation between in vivo and in vitro fermentation of oligosaccharides in weaner pigs
Authors: Houdijk J.G.M. , Williams B.A. , Tamminga S. , Verstegen M.W.A. 
Published: November 2021

Non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDOs), including fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and trans-galacto-oligosaccharides (TOS), are not digested by endogenous enzymes, but may be fermented by bacteria such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria (Tomomatsu, 1994). Thus, dietary NDOs may alter fermentation characteristics of the microflora of the host. In this experiment, in vivo and in vitro fermentation characteristics of NDOs in weaner pigs were studied, using the cumulative gas production technique (Theodorou et al.,1994).A NDO-free control diet (CON), with oatshuskmeal (OHM) as a fibre source, and this diet with 40 g FOS (FOS40) or TOS (TOS40) per kg (w/w against cellulose) was restrictedly fed for 7 weeks (2.6*Em) to 3 groups of four 35-day old individually housed weaner pigs. Total faeces were collected from day 13-18 to determine crude fibre digestibility. Pigs were fitted with a PVTC-cannula on day 21 (Van Leeuwen et al, 1991). Inocula for gas production were anaerobically prepared from faeces (day 14-16) and ileal chyme (day 33-35, via PVTC-cannula). Samples were diluted (1:4) with sterile saline and filtered through cheese cloth. Five ml filtrate were injected into airtight bottles, containing 80 ml growth medium and no substrate (BLA) or 0.25 g FOS, TOS or OHM as sole energy source.
A comparison in growth performance of young pigs fed six different cultivars of wheat
Authors: Pearce A.N. , Rose S.P. , Kettlewell P.S. , Schulze H. 
Published: November 2021

Wheat is a major source of energy and may account for over 50% of the pig's diet. Although there are differences in the energy and protein content of different cultivars of wheat, these factors have not been correlated with differences in the growth of pigs (Bell and Anderson 1984). The objectives of this trial were to compare the growth performance of young pigs offered diets differing only in the cultivar of wheat used and to establish whether variation in growth could be explained by other chemical or physical properties of the wheat.72 crossbred (Large White x Landrace x Large White) pigs were selected at weaning at a mean age of 24 days and mean weight of 7.86 kg. They were allocated by weight in pairs in a randomized block design to one of six dietary treatments in 6 replicates and over three time periods.
The effect of the source of dietary supplemental zinc on tissue copper concentrations in the rat
Authors: Lowe J.A. , Wiseman J 
Published: November 2021

Hill and Matrone (1970) postulated that chemically similar minerals would manifest biological similarity. As a result there would be competitive antagonism for inclusion in metabolic processes, including intestinal transport. Such interactions have been reported for copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), where the chronic over supply of Zn reduced Cu absorption (Fischer, Giroux and L'Abbe 1981). Previous work ( Lowe, Wiseman and Cole 1994) has indicated that when Zn is supplied as a chelate that antagonism to its absorption from calcium may be overcome. As many diets, specifically for piglets, now appear to contain very high levels of supplementary Zn it is appropriate to evaluate the effects of its dietary supplemental source on other mineral uptake.24 adult female CD rats (327g, SE 4.7) were randomly divided into four groups and fed a maintenance diet (27.mg. kg-1 Cu) on a free choice basis containing 28mgZn.kg-1 to which 65mg of supplemental Zn.kg-1 from four different sources was added for the duration of the study.
Fatty Acid Profile and α-Tocopherol Content of Porcine Muscle During Oxidative Changes
Authors: Onibi G.E. , Scaife J.R. , Murray I. 
Published: November 2021

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) especially n-3 PUFA are important components of healthy human diets but these fatty acids are very susceptible to oxidation. Lipid peroxidation has been implicated as contributor to many pathological processes in humans (Byers, 1993). It is well established that tissue vitamin E (α-tocopherol; AT) protects lipid against peroxidation in vivo and in vitro. During lipid oxidation, vitamin E supplies are depleted and there are health benefits from higher intakes of the vitamin. In this study, changes in fatty acid composition and AT content of pig muscle during-oxidation were examined.Twenty four Large White x Landrace pigs were individually fed, from 50 to 90 kg LW, either a control (CD) diet (containing palm oil) or a diet based on full-fat rapeseed (FFR; 250 g/kg) (diet FRD) with varying levels of α-tocopheryl acetate (ATA) (0, 200 and 500 mg/kg diet for FRD0, FRD200 and FRD500 respectively). Diets were isonitrogenous and isocaloric.
Reproductive performance and aggression between sows re-mixed into small stable groups at different stages during the embryo implantation period following initial mixing at weaning
Authors: Burfoot A. , Kay R.M. , Corning S. 
Published: November 2021

With the advent of the stall and tether ban in the UK it is now a requirement to house dry sows in groups throughout their pregnancy which necessitates their being mixed with other sows at some point after service. It is generally recommended that mixing sows during the embryo implantation period should be avoided as this is thought to effect embryo survival rates. The object of this experiment was to demonstrate the aggression that occurs between sows after mixing and determine the effect on reproductive performance when mixing sows at different times during the 42 days post-service.294 sows were mixed at six different times during early pregnancy: 0 to 7(T1), 8 to 14,(T2) 15 to 21(T3), 22 to 28(T4), 29 to 35(T5) and 36 to 42(T6) days post service. Six groups of sows from six consecutive weeks weanings were served at the first post-weaning oestrus and kept in stable weekly treatment groups until the sixth group was served.
Nutritional evaluation of poultry litter treated with acids incorporated in sheep diet
Authors: Osman A. A. , Ap Dewi I. , Swidan F. Z. , Omed H. M. 
Published: November 2021

Poultry litter is an economical and safe source of crude protein, minerals and energy for ruminant animals. The aim of this study was to test diets containing poultry litter treated with acids as a component of rations for growing lambs.Four diets were used in this study, a control diet, diet mix containing untreated poultry litter, diet mix containing poultry litter treated with HCl acid and diet mix containing poultry litter treated with acetic acid. The control diet consisted of 48% maize, 40% wheat bran, 10% sun flower seed cake, 1.5% limestone and 0.5% salt. In the other three diets the sun flower seed cake was replaced untreated poultry litter, poultry litter treated with HC1 and poultry litter treated with acetic acid respectively. The diets were manufactured in a commercial feed mill. All ingredients were ground to a maximum size of 6 mm. In the press unit steam was used for pelleting the feed into 8 mm diameter pellets.
Estimation of direct and maternal genetic parameters for 12 week weight for Welsh Mountain sheep
Authors: Aslaminejad A.A. , Roden J.A. 
Published: November 2021

The dam's milk production, mothering ability and the lamb's own genetic potential are important for preweaning growth. If there are strong maternal effects, which have not been separately accounted for, they can bias the estimates of heritability.The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for 12 week weights in Welsh Mountain lambs, and to assess the relative importance of the maternal genetic effect in this trait.
Physiological characteristics of high genetic merit and low genetic merit dairy cows: a comparison
Authors: Sorensen A. , Alamer M. , Knight C. H. 
Published: November 2021

Genetic selection has greatly improved individual cow productivity. A high genetic merit Holstein Friesian cow will produce 10,000 of litres of milk in a 305 day lactation, those of lower genetic merit half this amount. Despite major research effort in generating these differences, quantitative biological description of what has been achieved is lacking. The aim of this study was to compare biological variables of relevance to milk synthesis in well defined high genetic merit and lower genetic merit dairy cows.12 cows of high genetic merit (HGM: top 5% of UK national herd) and 12 of lower genetic merit (LGM: close to UK average) were purchased from the Blythbank and Langhill herds; the ontogeny of these selection lines has been described elsewhere (Woolliams et al, 1993). Mean parity was 3.7±0.3 and was balanced between HGM and LGM. Management of the two groups was identical. Measurements were made over a period of two weeks close to peak lactation. Milk yield was recorded at each milking. Plasma samples were collected and analysed for a variety of hormones by radioimmunoassay and metabolites by established spectrophotometric assays. Udder size was determined by a casting technique (Dewhurst et al., 1993) and mammary biopsies for key enzyme activities were obtained as described by Knight et. al. (1992). Differences between lines were analysed by analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Effect of feeding a high energy/low protein diet to finishing pigs on growth and meat quality
Authors: Blanchard P.J. , Mantle D. , Chadwick J.P. , Willis M. 
Published: November 2021

Previous work (Blanchard et al, 1995) has suggested that the feeding of a high energy/low protein diet to finishing pigs produces pork of a superior eating quality compared to animals fed conventional energy and protein diets. It has been demonstrated in recent studies (Blanchard et al, 1995) that pork eating quality, particularly tenderness, can be influenced by a change of diet imposed at two weeks prior to slaughter. It has also been suggested (Warkup and Kempster, 1991) that both growth rate and fatness are positively correlated to pork eating quality and that proteolytic enzymes are involved in determining eating quality (Blanchard 1994). The objective of this study was therefore to test these various hypothesis.Two diets were evaluated: CEP diet (DE 14.0 MJ/kg, Protein 200 g/kg, Lysine 10.0 g/kg) and HELP diet (DE 15.0 MJ/kg, Protein 160 g/kg, Lysine 7.0 g/kg). Treatment 1 animals (n=26) received CEP fed ad libitum 45 kg to 90 kg Iwt. Treatment 2 animals (n=23) received HELP fed ad libitum 45 kg to 90 kg lwt. Treatment 3 animals (n=23) received CEP diet until 14 days prior to slaughter following which they received HELP diet fed ad libitum. A range of carcass and meat quality characteristics were recorded. Grilled loin steaks from each animal were evaluated for eating quality characteristics by trained sensory panel and rated on a scale of 1-8 (increasing with intensity). Activity levels of calpain and calpastatin were measured in samples of LD muscle remove from each carcass 45 minutes after slaughter.
Stockperson-directed aggression shown by sows in farrowing crates and farrowing pens: relationships with responses to humans during gestation and with piglet survival
Authors: Marchant J.N. 
Published: November 2021

Stockperson-directed aggression by the sow is a potential problem in open farrowing systems, but may have advantages for piglet survival. The aims of this study were to compare the levels of aggression exhibited in open and confined farrowing systems and to determine whether there was any relationship between aggression in the farrowing house, the responses of the sow in a human approach test during gestation and piglet survival.A total of 62 LW x Landrace gilts (PIC, Abingdon, UK) were subjected to a standard approach test, followed by a test in which the experimenter approached the pig. At testing, approximately 6-8 weeks prior to parturition, each group of 3-5 gilts was moved to a handling area. Here, each gilt in turn was fitted with a heart rate monitor and moved to a 2.4m x 2.4m test arena. After 2 min acclimatisation, an unfamiliar experimenter entered the pen and stood for 3 min against one wall. After this, the experimenter approached the gilt and touched her on the snout. Behaviour and heart rate were recorded continuously.
Food competition tests between pigs: differences in heart rates of “winners” and “losers” prior to testing
Authors: de Vries H.L. , Spoolder H.A.M. , Marchant J.N. 
Published: November 2021

Physiological parameters in rats have been shown to predict the outcome of a fight before the result is behaviourally apparent (Schuurman, 1980). In pigs, Marchant et al. (1995) have demonstrated that losing animals have higher heart rate values than winning ones during and just after agonistic interactions. The present study aimed to investigate at what stage differences in pig heart rate can be detected between animals which will lose and animals which will win an ensuing aggressive encounter.Three groups of seven multiparious PIC Camborough sows were subjected to pair wise food competition tests, within groups. In each group all possible 21 pairs were tested. Sows had spent at least two weeks in their groups prior to testing and were normally fed in stalls.
An evaluation of handling systems for delivering pigs to CO2 stunning units
Authors: Anil M.H. , McKinstry J.L. , Wilkins L.J. , Philips A.J. , Parkman I.D. 
Published: November 2021

There has been concern about the stress involved in loading pigs into CO2 stunning units. Present systems suffer from the innate problem that it is a “stop-go” procedure. Therefore, studies were required to test alternative systems for improving loading of pigs into CO2 units and reduce distress caused to the animals.The four alternative systems for loading pigs into CO2 stunning units tested in the lairage of a commercial plant on 1600 slaughter pigs were as follows:1) Semicircular loading pen - direct individual feeding into a simulated CO2 entrance;
2) Semicircular loading pen - feeding individuals into a simulated CO2 entrance through a single file race;3) Semicircular loading pen - feeding animals into a twin race ending with a flap gate allowing exit of one animal at a time;4) Loading pen (no swing gate) and a twin race ending with a flap gate allowing single exit.Considering that most CO2 handling systems have to restrict entry of pigs into units, both restricted and unrestricted entry to the simulated gas unit was tested in our evaluation.
Ad libitum sugar beet pulp as the major fibre source in equine diets when ponies are offered a restricted amount of mature grass hay
Authors: Hyslop J. J. , Roy S. , Cuddeford D. 
Published: November 2021

There is increased interest, in using sugar beet pulp (SBP) products in equine diets as a major source of fibre in place of traditional forages. It has been observed that voluntary feed intake (VFI) was lower when SBP products were included in the diet of dry sows compared to other fibrous foodstuffs (Brouns, et al 1995). Equids are similar to pigs in respect that fibrous feed components must pass through the stomach and small intestine before reaching the hindgut; the primary site of fibre fermentation. This study examines the VFI and apparent digestibility in vivo of two SBP based diets and determines their ability to meet the predicted energy and protein needs of mature ponies.Five mature Welsh-cross and three mature Shetland pony geldings with a mean liveweight (LW) of 219 kg (s.e.d. 2.2) were individually housed and offered 2 kg/d dry matter (DM) of a mature threshed grass hay (THAY), 60 g/h/d minerals and ad libitum access to either soaked molassed sugar beet pulp (MSBP) or soaked unmolassed sugar beet pulp (USBP).
Effects of stage of maturity of fermented whole crop wheat on milk production by dairy cows
Authors: Sinclair L.A. , Wilkinson R.G. 
Published: November 2021

Previous work conducted with whole crop wheat (WCW) as a forage for dairy cattle has focussed on harvesting the crop at a relatively mature stage and the addition of urea to act as a preservative (e.g. Cammell et al., 1996). Fermented WCW has the potential of being an important complementary forage to grass silage for dairy cows but avoids the addition of large quantities of nitrogen to the crop at ensiling required for urea treatment. However, little work has been conducted to evaluate the effects of stage of maturity of whole crop wheat on subsequent animal performance. The objectives of the current experiment were to examine the effects of stage of maturity of fermented WCW on milk production, liveweight and blood metabolite concentrations of dairy cows.The winter wheat variety Hunter was grown as a conventional cereal crop and cut at two stages of maturity. The first cut (low starch) was when the crop was approximately 300g/kg dry matter (DM) and Zadoks growth stage 71 (watery ripe) and the second (high starch) at approximately 370g/kg DM and growth stage 85 (soft dough).
Maternal and dietary influences on post-weaning piglet growth
Authors: Rooke J. A. , Shanks M. , Edwards S. A. 
Published: November 2021

A previous study (Rooke et al, 1997) showed that in normal commercial feeding conditions there were large differences between litters in live-weight gain at weaning and in immune response to inclusion of soyabean meal. The current experiment attempted to separate these maternal influences into pre- and post-partum effects and investigated whether maternal diet fatty acid composition influenced piglet performance.Five groups of 6 sows (Large White x Landrace) were used. At weaning, sows were grouped into threes by live-weight and backfat thickness and allocated to one of three diets which were fed throughout pregnancy and lactation. Pregnancy and lactation diets were formulated to supply 12.5 and 14.0 MJ DE, 140 and 180 g CP and 4.5 and 8.5 g lysine / kg. Pregnancy diets contained 17.5 g/kg of either maize oil (M), linseed + maize oil (60:40 ratio, L) or fish oil (Tuna Orbital Oil, Scotia Pharmaceuticals Ltd, F) and lactation diets 35 g/kg oil (17.5 g maize oil + amounts in gestation diets). Six groups of 3 sows participated in a cross-fostering study. All sows were induced to farrow on day 113 or 114 of gestation. Piglets were removed from the sow until farrowing was complete to avoid colostrum consumption. Nine piglets / sow were chosen for cross-fostering from each group of 3 sows (1/diet). Piglets were grouped into threes by weight and allocated to each of the 3 sows. The piglets were reared on the sows with no access to creep feed until weaning at 28 days of age. At weaning the piglets were kept in their lactation sow groups and fed a common diet (16.3 MJ DE, 240 g CP , 15.5 g lysine / kg) based on cooked cereals, milk products and containing 150 g / kg soya bean meal for 7 days. Piglets were weighed at birth and weekly thereafter. The data were analysed using the REML procedure of Genstat to quantify variance relating to sow effects (during pregnancy and lactation) and of pregnancy and lactation diets.