bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differences in food resource allocation in a long-term selection experiment for litter size in mice 2. Developmental trends in body weight against food intake
Authors: Rauw W. M. , Luiting P. , Verstegen M. W. A. , Vangen O. , Knap P. W. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractIn the accompanying paper, specific genetic factors for body weight and food intake were identified in non-reproductive male and female mice of a line selected for high litter size at birth (average of 22 born per litter) and a non-selected control line (average of 10 born per litter). The existence of these factors are indicated by variation in efficiency parameters such as growth efficiency and maintenance requirements. Residual food intake (RFI) and Parks’ estimates of growth efficiency (AB) and maintenance requirements (MEm) were used to quantify these factors. In the growing period, females had a higher RFI (are less efficient) than males. At maturity, selected mice had higher RFI than control mice and selected females had higher RFI than selected males. AB was higher in selected-line mice than in control-line mice, and higher in males than in females. MEm was higher in selected-line mice than in control-line mice, and higher in females than in males. The results indicate the existence of specific genetic factors for both growth efficiency and maintenance requirements. Selected females may increase RFI in the adult state to anticipate the metabolically stressful periods of pregnancy and lactation, to support a genetically highly increased litter size.
Effects of light and food on plasma leptin concentrations in ewes
Authors: Tokuda T. , Matsui T. , Yano H. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractPlasma leptin concentration shows pulsatility and diurnal rhythm in humans. However, there are few reports concerning the 24-h profile of circulating leptin levels in ruminants. Five crossbred ewes were housed in metabolism cages under a 1-h light-dark cycle. The ewes were offered alfalfa hay daily to meet their energy requirement. Blood samples were collected at 15-min intervals for 24 h. Plasma leptin concentrations were determined using a radioimmunoassay and the profile of plasma leptin levels was analysed by the PULSAR algorithmic program for detecting pulse. Plasma leptin concentration changed in a pulsatile fashion. The mean leptin concentration was 2·93 ng/ml. The mean pulse frequency was 4·8 pulses per day and the mean pulse amplitude was 0·67 ng/ml with an average pulse length of 1:13 h. Plasma leptin level was not affected by feeding or lighting cycle. These results indicate that plasma leptin level in sheep shows pulsatility but diurnal rhythm is not exhibited.
Effect of nocturnal grazing and supplementation on diet selection, eating time, forage intake and weight changes of cattle
Authors: Ayantunde A. A. , Fernández-Rivera S. , Hiernaux P. H. Y. , Keulen H. van , Udo H. M. J. , Chanono M. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractSixty-four Azawak male calves were used to study the effect of nocturnal grazing (NG) and supplementation (S) in the dry season on forage and water intake, faecal output, eating time and weight changes of cattle in the Sahel. Treatments were factorial combinations of four levels of NG (0, 2, 4 and 6 h/day) and two levels of S (0 and 608 g dry matter (DM) per animal per day). All animals were allowed to graze 10 h during the day and were weighed every 2 weeks during the 70-day experimental period. Eight oesophageally fistulated steers were used in a cross-over design to sample the diet (forage) selected during the day and at night by supplemented and non-supplemented animals. Extrusa crude protein and in vitro organic matter digestibility were not influenced by supplementation (P > 0·05). Time spent eating during the day or at night were not affected by supplementation but total eating time increased by 39·4 (s.e. 2·1) min/h of NG. Forage intake increased with increase in NG, while total food intake (forage + supplement) increased with supplementation (82·4 v. 92·1 (s.e. 2·4) g DM per kg M0·75 per day). The supplemented animals also drank more water than the non-supplemented (26·2 v. 24·8 l per animal per day). Average live-weight change (LWC) increased by 24·4 (s.e. 8·7) and 9·3 (s.e. 6·2) g/h of NG in non-supplemented and supplemented animals, respectively. Supplementation improved LWC (–107 v. 99 g/day, s.e. 14, P < 0·05). Night grazing improves dry season performance and its effect decreases when cattle are supplemented.
Influence of housing system during gestation on the behaviour and welfare of gilts in farrowing crates
Authors: Boyle L. A. , Leonard F. C. , Lynch P. B. , Brophy P. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThere is some evidence to show that loose housing during gestation has a negative influence on the welfare of sows subsequently in farrowing crates. However, little is known about the effects of the gestation housing on the initial responses of gilts to the farrowing crate or of the effects on gilt welfare throughout lactation. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate three gestation housing systems (1) stalls (ST); (2) loose-bedded (LB) and (3) loose-unbedded (LU) pens for their effect on behaviour, heart rate and skin lesion scores of gilts in farrowing crates. During the 1st h in the farrowing crate, LB gilts were more active, while ST gilts were more vocal. Although heart rates during the 1st h did not differ significantly between treatments, LB and LU gilts had significantly higher mean heart rates during the first 5 min in the crate, compared with 35 min later. Posture changes during the first 24 h did not differ between treatments. However, there was a significant reduction in the number of posture changes made by ST gilts but not LB or LU gilts by day 8. Increases in the skin lesion score of gilts in all three treatments were observed after 24 h in the crate, further increases were observed post farrowing in both loose treatments. Although no significant differences in the skin lesion score were observed during lactation, LB gilts were weaned with lower lesion scores than LU or ST gilts. Gilts from both loose treatments experienced greater distress at first introduction to the farrowing crate. However, the change in environment also had an adverse affect on the welfare of ST gilts. Skin damage and continuing discomfort of the loose-housed gilts post farrowing suggests that they experienced more stress at parturition. Bedding during gestation had a beneficial effect on skin health in the farrowing crate that persisted until weaning.
Tissue-specific differences in insulin binding affinity and insulin receptor concentrations in skeletal muscles, adipose tissue depots and liver of cattle and sheep
Authors: McGrattan P. D. , Wylie A. R. G. , Nelson J. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractDifferences in insulin binding affinity and in concentrations of insulin receptor, were found in a variety of tissues taken, at slaughter, from mature steers (701 (s.d. 23) kg) and growing lambs (47 (s.d. 2·1) kg). In both species, liver had lower insulin binding affinity than skeletal musclesm. pectineus m. longissimus dorsiandm. rectus capitis(allP< 0·001) and subcutaneous, omental and perirenal adipose depots (allP< 0·001). Site-specific differences in affinity for insulin existed between adipose depots (subcutaneous < omental,P< 0·05; subcutaneous < perirenal,P< 0·001) and between tissue-types (subcutaneous fat <m. pectineusskeletal muscle,P< 0·05;m. rectus capitis< perirenal fat,P< 0·05) in steers. In lambs also, receptor affinity for insulin differed between tissue-type (m. longissimus dorsi< perirenal fat,P< 0·05;m. rectus capitis< subcutaneous fat,P< 0·05 andm. rectus capitis< perirenal fat,P< 0·001) but lambs did not show the adipose depot-specific differences in insulin affinity observed in steers. Insulin receptor concentration differed between adipose depots (subcutaneous < omental,P< 0·05; subcutaneous < perirenal,P< 0·01) and between tissue-type (m. pectineus< perirenal fatP< 0·05) in steers and perirenal and subcutaneous adipose depots of lambs had higher receptor concentrations thanm. longissimus dorsiandm. pectineusP< 0·001). This is the first study to demonstrate, in any species, differences in insulin receptor binding affinity and receptor concentration in a wide range of tissues (liver, skeletal muscles and adipose depots) from the same individual. Such differences in meat-producing animals could, through effects on tissue sensitivity and/or responsiveness to insulin, influence nutrient partitioning to tissues and affect overall rates of lipid storage and net protein synthesis.
Changes in the resistance of the ewe to infection with Teladorsagia circumcincta during late pregnancy and lactation
Authors: McAnulty R.W. , Familton A.S. , Sedcole R.D. , Sykes A.R. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractDuring each of four periods commencing either 4 weeks before, at, and at 6 and at 12 weeks after parturition four groups of reproductive sheep and one group of non-reproductive sheep (no. = 6 in all cases) were brought indoors with their lambs from pasture. One group of reproductive sheep (PA) was slaughtered to determine worm burdens carried at pasture. At the same time non-reproductive sheep (B) and a group of reproductive sheep (PB) were treated with anthelmintic (day –7) and on day 0 given 20 000 larvae of T. circumcincta and slaughtered on day 21 for the measurement of worm burdens. The remaining two groups of reproductive sheep were maintained indoors: one group (PC) was given 4000 larvae of T. circumcincta per day for 30 days and the final group (PD) uninfected. Both groups were treated with anthelmintic after 50 days and on day 57 given 20 000 larvae of T. circumcincta and slaughtered on day 78 for worm counts. Production data were obtained for sheep in groups PC and PD.Chronic infection of ewes (PC) was associated with a 0·15 reduction in growth rates of their lambs and an increase in wool tenderness (0·3, P < 0·01). Worm burdens and eggs per g in reproductive sheep outdoors were highest during mid to late lactation which was confirmed by the pattern of change in resistance to challenge infection on removal from pasture. This contrasted with the situation indoors where resistance was least around parturition but was restored within 3 weeks of parturition and was especially evident in the group exposed to larvae during lactation (group PC).It is argued that the prolonged period of susceptibility of the sheep at pasture could have a nutritional basis, reflecting their much greater body-weight loss during early lactation than in the sheep indoors. The implications of the findings for the management of sheep flocks with reduced chemical inputs are discussed.
The effect of continuous or rotational stocking on the intake and live-weight gain of cattle co-grazing with sheep on temperate pastures
Authors: Kitessa S. M. , Nicol A. M. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractTwo experiments were conducted to determine if type of stocking system influenced the intake and live-weight gain (LWG) of cattle co-grazed with sheep on sown ryegrass/white clover pasture.In experiment 1 (134 days), yearling heifers (no. = 9) plus ewe hoggets (no. = 27) were co-grazed (1: 1 M0·75) using continuous (C-CS) or rotational (R-CS) stocking. In experiment 2 (126 days), a cattle alone (no. = 9) treatment was included under each stocking system (C-C and R-C). Initial live weight of heifers was 266 (s.e. 4·5) and 232 (s.e. 4·4) kg and that of hoggets was 54 (s.e. 0·9) and 47 (s.e. 0·7) kg in experiments 1 and 2, respectively. In both experiments, the area offered daily to R-CS group was manipulated to promote a weekly live-weight change in sheep similar to that on the C-CS treatment. C-C cattle in experiment 2 were grazed at similar sward surface height (SSH) to C-CS, and R-C cattle at similar pre- and post-grazing SSH to R-CS. SSH was measured daily on all treatments and regulated on the continuously stocked treatments by addition and removal of non-experimental animals. Organic matter intake (OMI) was determined from the ratio of n-alkanes in faeces and herbage. Animals were weighed weekly.Mean SSH on continuously stocked pastures was 5·10 (s.e. 0·03) and 4·26 (s.e. 0·02) cm for C-CS in experiments 1 and 2, respectively, and 4·27 (s.e. 0·02) cm for C-C in experiment 2. The mean pre- and post-grazing SSH for R-CS was 15·9 (s.e. 0·12) and 5·60 (s.e. 0·07) cm, respectively in experiment 1, and 15·2 (s.e. 0·08) and 4·82 (s.e. 0·03) cm, respectively in experiment 2. On R-C swards pre- and post-grazing SSH was 14·9 (s.e. 0·08) and 4·87 (s.e. 0·03) cm, respectively.In experiment 1, cattle continuously co-grazed with sheep grew significantly more slowly than those rotationally co-grazed with sheep (804 (s.e. 41·6) v. 1039 (s.e. 47·7) g/day, P < 0·01). Sheep LWG did not differ between stocking treatments (150 v. 138 g, P > 0·05 for C-CS and R-CS respectively). These findings were confirmed in the second experiment in which C-CS cattle only grew at 0·69 of the daily LWG achieved by R-CS cattle (706 v. 1028, (s.e. 72) g/day; P < 0·05) at similar sheep LWG (155 v. 147, (s.e. 6·5) g/day respectively). LWG of C-C and R-C cattle was similar (916 v. 1022, (s.e. 72) g/day; P > 0·05). LWG per ha in both experiments was higher on R-CS than on C-CS treatments, and on cattle alone than on CS treatments. Treatment effects on OMI and final fasted live weight were similar in pattern to LWG.It is suggested that the observed disadvantage to cattle when co-grazed with sheep under continuous stocking and the lack of effect when rotationally co-grazed reflected a difference in the two stocking systems in providing opportunities for complementary/competitive use of pasture resources.
Technical review of the energy and protein requirements of growing pigs: food intake
Authors: Whittemore C. T. , Green D. M. , Knap P. W. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractFood intake in pigs is highly variable across different production circumstances. This report concludes from a critical review of published observations that it was unrealistic to expect from the scientific literature purporting to express nutrient requirement any reasonable prediction of the particular food intake of groups of pigs. None the less, such knowledge is essential for the practical purposes of their day-to-day nutrition. The literature does however yield general principles from which may be derived: (a) the likely forms (but not the parameter values) of intake functions relating food intake to pig live weight; and (b) the likely factors involved in the modulation of food intake at any given live weight. Using these principles two methods for determining on-farm food intake from the use of simple and available records were proposed. The first requires knowledge only of start and final weight, the time elapsed, and total food intake: it involves two steps, the determination of a suitable growth curve followed by the fitting of a suitable food intake curve. The second method is appropriate in the absence of information on total food intake, and requires a minimum number of spot measurements through the growth period. Different functions were tested for the curve of best fit. As a further benefit it appeared that models could be constructed from the information presented that would speculate for diagnostic purposes upon the likely modulators of food intake. Such models could explore the constraints of gut capacity, the energetic requirements of maintenance and potential growth, the influence of excessive or inadequate environmental temperature, the quality of housing and stocking density.
Effects of dietary protein source on growth, immune function, blood chemistry and disease resistance of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salarL.) parr
Authors: Bransden M. P. , Carter C. G. , Nowak B. F. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractMany studies with fin fish have demonstrated the potential to use alternative dietary protein sources to fish meal based on growth responses, although these trials mostly neglect to determine if such protein sources affect immune function. This study investigated the effect of fish meal replacement with dehulled lupin meal (LPN) or hydrolysed poultry feather meal (FTH). Atlantic salmon (Salmo salarL.) parr were supplied isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets with 40% of the dietary protein provided by LPN or FTH, or 400 g/kg of the dietary protein provided equally by LPN and FTH (MIX). A diet mainly containing fish-meal protein acted as a control (CON). Growth, immune function, blood chemistry and disease resistance were assessed after 56 days. Significant differences (P< 0·05) in weight gain were detected between Atlantic salmon given the CON and FTH diets, whilst those salmon given LPN and MIX did not differ from any other. Productive protein values were significantly lower (P< 0·01) for salmon on FTH compared with those on CON and MIX. Immune function (as assessed by lysozyme, antiprotease, neutrophil oxygen radical production and plasma total immunoglobulin) and blood chemistry (as assessed by plasma total protein and glucose) were not significantly (P> 0·05) affected by any diet. Mortality rates of Atlantic salmon challenged with Vibrio anguillarum were not influenced by diet. These data suggest Atlantic salmon could be supplied diets with the fish meal component reduced to supply approximately 600 g/kg of the total protein, with the remaining 400 g/kg supplied by dehulled lupin meal or a combined dehulled lupin and hydrolysed poultry feather meal without any adverse effects on growth, immune function or blood chemistry.
Genetic variation for resistance to clinical and subclinical diseases exists in growing pigs
Authors: Henryon M. , Berg P. , Jensen J. , Andersen S. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe objective of this study was to test that genetic variation for resistance to clinical and subclinical diseases exists in growing pigs. A total of 13 551 male growing pigs were assessed for resistance to five categories of clinical and subclinical disease: (i) any clinical or subclinical disease, (ii) lameness, (iii) respiratory diseases, (iv) diarrhoea, and (v) other diseases (i.e. any clinical or subclinical disease with the exception of (ii), (iii), and (iv)). Additive genetic variation for resistance to each disease category was estimated by fitting a Weibull, sire-dam frailty model to time until the pigs were first diagnosed with a disease from that category. Genetic correlations among the resistances to each disease category were approximated as product-moment correlations among predicted breeding values of the sires. Additive genetic variation was detected for resistance to (i) any clinical or subclinical disease (additive genetic variance for log-frailty (± s.e.) = 0·18 ± 0·05, heritability on the logarithmic-time scale = 0·10), (ii) lameness (0·29 ± 0·11, 0·16), (iii) respiratory diseases (0·24 ± 0·16, 0·12), (iv) diarrhoea (0·30 ± 0·27, 0·16), and (v) the other diseases (0·34 ± 0·15, 0·19) and there were generally positive and low-to-moderate correlations among the predicted breeding values (-0·03 to + 0·65). These results demonstrate that additive genetic variation for resistance to clinical and subclinical diseases does exist in growing pigs, and suggests that selective breeding for resistance could be successful.
Effect of oil supplementation of a diet containing a high concentration of starch on levels of trans fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acids in bovine milk
Authors: Offer N.W. , Marsden M. , Phipps R.H. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractSixteen Holstein Friesian cows were offered ad libitum a forage mixture of three parts (dry-matter (DM) basis) maize silage (starch and neutral-detergent fibre (NDF) 324 and 395 g/kg DM) and one part grass silage (NDF 518 g/kg DM) in a 4 ✕ 4 Latin-square change-over design experiment using four periods each of 4 weeks. Cows were housed in a cubicle house, bedded on sand and given food through Calan gates. The four supplement treatments were control (no oil supplement, C); 1·5 kg/day processed crushed linseed (PL); 1·5 kg/day crushed linseed (L) and 0·6 kg/day marine algae (A) providing 0, 440, 423 and 109 g/day of oil respectively. Cows also received a pelleted concentrate in three equal meals (12·0, 10·5, 10·5 and 11·2 kg/day for C, PL, L and A respectively) containing (g/kg DM) 260, 203, 288 and 74 of crude protein, NDF, starch and water-soluble carbohydrate respectively. Oil supplementation depressed (P < 0·05) forage intake (11·2, 10·3, 10·1 and 10·1 kg DM per day) but milk yield was unaffected (P > 0·05) by treatment (mean 35·9 kg/day). Milk fat concentrations were low and further depressed (P < 0·05) by algal supplementation (33·5, 32·3, 32·3 and 25·6 g/kg). Algal supplementation caused a three-fold increase in the concentrations of (n-3) long chain (>C20) polyunsaturated fatty acids in milk fat (to 0·51 g/100 g fat) representing a transfer efficiency from diet to milk of ca. 5%. Oil supplementation increased levels of all trans monoenes in milk but the effect was much greater for treatment A (P < 0·05) and for trans-10 C18: 1 (1·52, 1·94, 1·72 and 6·12 g/100 g milk fat for C, PL, L and A respectively). Trans-10 C18: 1 was the predominant trans monoene in milk fat for all treatments (47·7, 45·2, 45·6 and 67·4% of total). Treatment A also caused the greatest increases (P < 0·05) in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA to 0·54, 0·69, 0·65 and 0·97 g/100 g milk fat). Although mainly cis-9, trans-11, a small proportion (4·8 to 5·5%) of the CLA was identified as the trans-10, cis-12 isomer for all treatments. This pattern of isomers of trans monoenes and CLA, which may have implications for the health properties of the milk, may be related to effects on rumen function caused by the high starch intakes (5·75, 5·09, 5·11 and 5·27 kg/day).
Veggie Rx: an outcome evaluation of a healthy food incentive programme
Authors: Cavanagh Michelle , Jurkowski Janine , Bozlak Christine , Hastings Julia , Klein Amy 
Published: August 2016

AbstractObjectiveOne challenge to healthy nutrition, especially among low-income individuals, is access to and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. To address this problem, Veggie Rx, a healthy food incentive programme, was established within a community clinic to increase access to fresh produce for low-income patients diagnosed with obesity, hypertension and/or type 2 diabetes. The current research aimed to evaluate Veggie Rx programme effectiveness.DesignA retrospective pre/post design using medical records and programme data was used to evaluate the programme. The study was approved by the University of Albany Institutional Review Board and the Patient Interest Committee of a community clinic.SettingThe study was conducted in a low-income, urban neighbourhood in upstate New York.SubjectsMedical record data and Veggie Rx programme data were analysed for fifty-four eligible participants. An equal-sized control group of patients who were not programme participants were matched on age, ethnicity and co-morbidity status.ResultsA statistically significant difference in mean BMI change (P=0·02) between the intervention and the control group was calculated. The intervention group had a mean decrease in BMI of 0·74 kg/m2.ConclusionsGreater improvement in BMI was found among Veggie Rx programme participants. This information will guide programme changes and inform the field on the effectiveness of healthy food incentive programmes for improving health outcomes for low-income populations.