bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contemporary administration of high and low concentrated diets in lactating rabbit does
Authors: Nizza A. , Infascelli F. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe aim of this work was to study the effect of the contemporary administration, in separate troughs, of two diets differing in digestible energy (DE) and crude fibre (CF) content, on the performance of lactating rabbit does. At the first mating (130 days of age and 3·8 kg), 54 nulliparous rabbit does (New Zealand) were assigned to the control group offered a conventional lactation diet (diet C: 188 g crude protein (CP) per kg dry matter (DM) and 11·43 MJ DE per kg DM); whilst another 54 rabbit does were offered at the same time, in separate troughs, diet E (203 g CP per kg DM and 12·66 MJ DE per kg DM) and diet F (178 g CP per kg DM and 10·73 MJ DE per kg DM). The contemporary administration of two diets did not significantly affect food intake. However, the rabbit does in group F + E, due to the greater consumption of diet E (approx. 0·76 of the total), consumed more digestible protein (DP) both during the first (14·40 v. 13·44 g/day per kg M0·75 and 80·1 v. 73·5 g/day per kg M0·75, respectively for days 1 to 21 and days 22 to 35) and subsequent lactations (15·37 v. 14·35 g/day per kg M0·75 and 82·6 v. 76·5 g/day per kg M0·75 respectively for days 1 to 21 and days 22 to 35). Also the DE intake was higher for the rabbit does of group F + E during the 22- to 35-day period (6708 v. 6361 kJ/day and 6918 v. 6620 kJ/day respectively for primiparous and multiparous). The improved performance of rabbit does given two different diets does not justify the extra time involved in such a technique, as the intake of diet E was constant during the experimental period and was not influenced by the different energy requirements during lactation.
Effect of diurnally fluctuating high ambient temperatures on performance and feeding behaviour of multiparous lactating sows
Authors: Quiniou N. , Renaudeau D. , Dubois S. , Noblet J. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractForty-two multiparous Large White sows were used to investigate the effect of diurnally fluctuating temperature (T) on lactation performance and feeding behaviour. The animals were allocated to one of the four thermic treatments: constant T at 25°C (25C) and 29°C (29C) or equal-mean diurnal cyclic T varying from 21 to 29°C (25V) and from 25 to 33°C (29V). Photoperiod was fixed to 14 h of light. The sows were given food ad libitum between the 7th and the 19th day post partům. Lactation performance was measured for all sows whereas the feeding behaviour was recorded only on 28 sows. The ad libitum food intake was comparable at 25C and 25V (6•31 kg/day) as were milk production and body reserves mobilization. In contrast, food intake at 29V was higher than at 29C (4•53 v. 3•48 kg/day) with no difference in milk production between the two treatments. The increased daily food intake at 29V resulted from higher intakes over the coolest periods of the day and especially during the dark period. Neither meal size nor daily number of meals were significantly affected by T. Feeding behaviour was mainly diurnal but with differences between treatments: 0•90 of total food intake at 29C v. 0•78 at the other three T It appears that the effects of diurnally fluctuating T on lactation performance of sows depend on the mean level of T
Comparison of five crossbreeding types involving Timahdit, D’man and improved terminal sire breeds of sheep: ewe reproduction, lamb survival and growth performance
Authors: El Fadili M. , Michaux C. , Detilleux J. , Leroy P. L. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractA crossbreeding experiment involving Timahdit (T), D'man (D) and improved sire breeds (M) was conducted to compare lamb production in five crossbreeding types: D ✕ D, T ✕ T, D ✕ T (DT), M ✕ T, and M ✕ DT lambs. Reproductive and production traits were analysed in 1187 litters, 1586 lambs born and 1346 lambs weaned, progeny of 605 ewes. Effects of crossbreeding type, year of birth, sex of lamb, age of dam, and type of birth were significant on the majority of traits studied. The D ✕ D and M ✕ DT crossbreeding system showed the highest litter sizes at lambing and at weaning with respective values in D ✕ D (2·17, 1·34) and M ✕ DT (1·72, 1·39). Ewes bearing the M ✕ DT cross lambs showed the highest (P < 0·05) litter weight at weaning (28·28 kg) followed by those with M ✕ T (23·14 kg), and D ✕ D (22·53 kg) lambs. M ✕ DT and M ✕ T lambs were heavier and grew faster than the other lambs. On the other hand, lamb survival rates and growth traits were the lowest in D ✕ D but those in T ✕ T and D ✕ T genetic types of lamb were intermediate. Results showed that D as a dam breed had a favourable effect on litter size (P < 0·01) but unfavourable effect on lamb survival and birth weight. The reproductive performance of DT crossbred ewes, due to their high prolificacy and lamb survival, associated with the favourable effect of an improved terminal sire (M) for growth traits, indicated that the three breed cross (M ✕ DT) could enhance lamb production in Morocco.
Genetic parameters for osteochondrosis in Danish Landrace and Yorkshire boars and correlations with leg weakness and production traits
Authors: Jørgensen B. , Andersen S. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to estimate the heritabilities and the genetic correlations of osteochondrosis in different joints and to estimate genetic correlations between osteochondrosis, leg weakness and production traits. The humerus condyles, anconeal process, distal ulna growth line, femoral condyles, distal tibia and medial trochlear ridge of talus on both sides of the animals were examined radiologically for osteochondral lesions and scored from 1 to 5 with increasing severity. The boars were also scored for 13 different leg weakness traits on a scale from 1 (normal) to 5 (very severe changes). During a 3-year period, a total of 2042 Landrace boars from 256 sires and 1946 Yorkshire boars from 240 sires were examined at a mean weight of 93 kg. The data were analysed by animal models for each breed. The Landrace was found to be more severely affected than the Yorkshire regarding osteochondrosis in all localities expect the anconeal process. The genetic correlations between left and right side scores of the osteochondral trait were close to 1. This indicates that genetically the same trait is measured in the left and in the right side of the animal. The heritability of average osteochondrosis scores was low to moderate ranging from 0•08 to 0•39 (s.e. between 0•02 and 0•04). The genetic correlations between osteochondrosis in the different body localities were low, indicating that osteochondrosis is not a generalized disease. The Landrace was more severely affected than the Yorkshire regarding all leg weakness symptoms except buck-kneed forelegs, forelegs turned out and weak pasterns on forelegs. The heritability of leg weakness traits ranged from 0•01 to 0•35 (s.e. between 0•01 and 0•04). Genetic correlations between osteochondrosis and leg weakness showed a clear picture for the Yorkshire breed regarding the humeral condyles: positive correlations with buck-kneed forelegs, forelegs turned out, stiff in front and rear. In both breeds osteochondrosis in femoral condyles showed a high positive correlation with hind legs turned out and a lower positive correlation with stiff in front. The sum of osteochondrosis traits (sumost) was unfavourably genetically correlated with daily gain, whereas the sum of leg weakness traits (sumleg) was unfavourably correlated with lean meat percentage in both breeds. The correlation between the summary measures sumost and sumleg was 0•09 (s.e. 0•11) in the Landrace and –0•07 (s.e. 0•12) in the Yorkshire.
The effect of expander processing and extrusion on the nutritive value of peas for pigs
Authors: O’Doherty J. V. , Keady U. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractTwo experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of expander processing of food for growing and finishing pigs. Experiment 1 examined the effects of expander processing on the nutritive value of a cereal-based diet and a pea-based diet for pigs while experiment 2 determined the effects of extrusion and expansion of the peas component of the diet on the nutritive value. In experiment 1, growth performance, carcass characteristics (no. = 12) and nutrient digestibility (no. = 4) were determined in pigs offered individually food containing a cereal diet (T1), a complete cereal diet that had been expander processed (T2), a 400 g/kg peas diet (T3) or a complete 400 g/kg peas diet that had been expander processed (T4). The expanded diets were processed at 105°C for 5 s at 35 bar pressure. In experiment 2, productive performance and nutrient digestibility were determined in pigs (no. = 12) offered individually diets including a control cereal diet (no peas) (TT1), a 400 g/kg raw peas diet (TT2), a 400 g/kg expander processed peas diet (TT3) or a 400 g/kg extruded peas diet (TT4). The pea portions of the diets were extruded at 130°C for 30 s and expanded at 130°C for 10 s at 42 bar pressure. In experiment 1, the inclusion of peas in the diet reduced (P < 0·001) the digestibility of the organic matter (OM) (0·871 v. 0·893, s.e. 0·003), protein (0·867 v. 0·907, s.e. 0·004) and energy (0·857 v. 0·880, s.e. 0·003). Expansion had no effect on the nutrient digestibility of the diets, however, it did increase (P < 0·05) the digestible energy content of the cereal diet. The inclusion of peas in the diet reduced (P < 0·05) daily gain (0·929 v. 0·999, s.e. 0·024 kg/day) and increased (P < 0·001) food conversion ratio (FCR) (2·31 v. 2·16, s.e. 0·029) from 34 kg to slaughter. Expansion had no effect on daily gain or FCR. In experiment 2, OM digestibilities of 0·891, 0·872, 0·882 and 0·885 (s.e. 0·0042) (P < 0·01), protein digestibilities of 0·905, 0·879, 0·874 and 0·877 (s.e. 0·0069) (P < 0·001) and gross energy digestibilities of 0·875, 0·861, 0·870 and 0·875 (s.e. 0·005) (P < 0·05) were recorded for TT1 to TT4 respectively. Gains (kg/day) of 0·981, 0·927, 0·940, and 1·016 (s.e. 0·036) (P < 0·05) and FCR of 2·17, 2·32, 2·28 and 2·18 (s.e. 0·037) (P < 0·05) were recorded for TT1 to TT4 respectively. In conclusion, expansion had no effect on the nutritive value of food for pigs.
Comparison of voluntary food intake, apparent digestibility, digesta kinetics and digestive tract content in Manchega and Lacaune dairy sheep in late pregnancy and early and mid lactation
Authors: Molina E. , Ferret A. , Caja G. , Calsamiglia S. , Such X. , Gasa J. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractTwo experiments were carried out with pregnant (experiment 1) and lactating ewes (experiment 2), to compare dry-matter (DM) intake, and total tract apparent digestibility, digesta kinetics and weight of digestive tract contents of Lacaune and Manchega sheep, with the aim of explaining possible differences between the breeds in voluntary food intake. In experiment 1, 20 3-year-old single-bearing pregnant ewes, 10 Manchega and 10 Lacaune, were permanently housed for the last 10 weeks of pregnancy. The diet used consisted of lucerne hay, offeredad libitum, supplemented with 0·3 kg/day of concentrate. DM and digestible DM intake per kg M0·75were higher (P< 0·01) in Lacaune than in Manchega sheep. Breed did not affect total tract apparent digestibility, fractional rates of passage, transit time, total mean retention time, or weight of digestive tract contents. Changes in body weight and body condition score were similar between breeds. In contrast, Lacaune lambs tended (P= 0·09) to weigh less than Manchega lambs, suggesting genetic differences in the energy utilization between breeds in late pregnancy. Higher DM intake observed in Lacaune sheep may have been related to a higher energy demand for mammary development. In experiment 2, 32 3-year-old lactating multiparous ewes, 16 Manchega and 16 Lacaune, were permanently housed during the first 12 weeks of lactation. The experimental diet used was based on a mixture of maize silage and dehydrated lucerne (10: 1, fresh weight basis), offeredad libitum, and supplemented with 0·8 kg/day of concentrate. Milk, fat and protein yield as well as DM and digestible DM intake in Lacaune ewes was higher (P< 0·01) than in Manchega ewes. DM intake was constant in Lacaune sheep with advancing lactation, while in Manchega sheep DM intake decreased. Throughout this period Lacaune ewes lost 0·5 kg of body weight while Manchega gained 4·4 kg. Breed did not affect either apparent digestibility of DM, organic matter and neutral-detergent fibre, or fractional rates of passage, transit time and total mean retention time. The weight of total tract digestive contents was greater (P< 0·05) in Lacaune than in Manchega sheep, particularly in the reticulo-rumen. Results suggest that the scheme of selection in Lacaune dairy sheep has increased milk yield together with voluntary food intake, the latter being associated with an increase in the rumen fill capacity. The higher milk yield of Lacaune ewes cannot be attributed to the higher DM intake only; other factors, i.e. mobilization of fat reserves, are required to support this higher milk output.
Selection of sheep for response to Trichostrongylus colubriformis larvae: genetic parameters
Authors: Woolastont R. R. , Windon R. G. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractData were analysed from a long-term selection experiment with Merino sheep, based on immunological responsiveness to the intestinal nematode Trichostrongylus colubriformis. For the first 14 years of selection, the criterion was the mean of five fortnightly faecal worm-egg counts (FECs) of pen-housed lambs that were vaccinated with irradiated larvae then challenged with normal T. colubriformis larvae. For most of the lambs born in the subsequent 6 years, the selection criterion was the mean of three weekly FECs of grazing lambs following a secondary challenge with T. colubriformis larvae. Data from 2233 lambs were included in the analyses.At the end of the experiment, the lines selected for high and low response to challenge differed by 2·3 to 2·9 phenotypic standard deviations. The heritability of average pen-tested FEC was 0·38 (s.e. 0·04), similar to that for average FEC after secondary field challenge (0·37, s.e. 007). Average FECs from the primary field challenge were less heritable (0·21, s.e. 006). Counts recorded on pen-tested animals at 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 weeks after infection were all highly correlated genetically (estimates 0·93 to 0·99) and of similar heritability (0·33 to 0·39) with a non-significant tendency for later FECs to be more heritable. Phenotypic correlations were lower, ranging from 0·60 for counts 8 weeks apart, to 0·78 to 0·81 for adjacent samples 2 weeks apart. Single-record heritability estimates at 3, 4 and 5 weeks after secondary infection in grazing lambs did not differ statistically from each other but were highest at the 5th week after infection at 0·33 (s.e. 007).FECs determined in pens were imperfectly correlated with FECs determined at pasture (genetic correlation 0·72, s.e. 013). Phenotypic correlations of single-record FECs across primary and secondary field challenges were low (around 0·2), although the genetic correlation between mean primary FEC and mean secondary FEC was not significantly different from unity. Testing under standardized conditions in pens did not result in consistently higher heritabilities than testing immunologically primed lambs at pasture. Repeated measurement in a breeding programme offers little additional benefit, except when lambs have had ample prior experience of parasite infection, with the two measures separated by an anthelmintic treatment. If an objective of a Merino breeding programme is to reduce FEC under field conditions, then using one measure in the field, approximately 3 to 5 weeks after a secondary artificial infection, is likely to lead to long-term progress.
Using artificial intelligence to design and implement a morphological assessment system in beef cattle
Authors: Goyache F. , del Coz J. J. , Quevedo J. R. , López S. , Alonso J. , Ranilla J. , Luaces O. , Alvarez I. , Bahamonde A. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractIn this paper a methodology is developed to improve the design and implementation of a linear morphological system in beef cattle using artificial intelligence. The proposed process involves an iterative mechanism where type traits are successively defined and computationally represented using knowledge engineering methodologies, scored by a set of trained human experts and finally, analysed by means of four reputed machine learning algorithms. The results thus achieved serve as feed back to the next iteration in order to improve the accuracy and efficacy of the proposed assessment system. A sample of 260 conformation records of the Asturiana de los Valles beef cattle breed is shown to illustrate the methodology. Three sources of inconsistency were detected: (a) the existence of different interpretations of the trait’s definition, increasing the subjectivity of the assessment; (b) the narrow range of variation of some of the anatomical traits assessed; (c) the inclusion of some complex traits in the assessment system. In this sense, the reopening of the evaluated Asturiana de los Valles assessment system is recommended. In spite of the difficulty of collecting data from live animals, further implications of the artificial intelligence systems on morphological assessment are pointed out.
Influence of genotype and gender on receptor binding affinity (Kd) for insulin and insulin receptor concentration in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue of growing lambs
Authors: McGrattan P. D. , Wylie A. R. G. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractDifferences in receptor binding affinity for insulin, and insulin receptor concentration, were found in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue of lambs differing in genotype and gender. The Rouge de l’Ouest lamb genotype had a lower receptor affinity for insulin in m. rectus capitis skeletal muscle compared with both Dutch Texel and Greyface lamb genotypes (P< 0·01). Insulin receptor concentration in m. longissimus dorsi skeletal muscle was greater in the Texel lamb genotype compared with both the Greyface (P< 0·001) and Rouge de l’Ouest (P< 0·05) lamb genotypes. Insulin receptor concentration in perirenal fat tissue was greater in the Rouge de l’Ouest lamb genotype compared with the Texel lamb genotype (P< 0·05).There were no differences in receptor affinity for insulin between individual tissues in male and female lambs. The concentration of insulin receptors in male lambs was greater in m. longissimus dorsi (P< 0·05), subcutaneous adipose tissue (P< 0·05) and perirenal fat (P< 0·001) compared with female lambs. Receptor affinity for insulin in individual tissue depots also demonstrated significant genotype ✕ gender interactions. M. longissimus dorsi had a lower receptor affinity for insulin in Texel male lambs compared with Greyface male lambs (P< 0·05). M. rectus capitis had a lower receptor affinity in Rouge de l’Ouest male lambs compared with Texel male lambs (P< 0·01). M. rectus capitis also had a lower receptor affinity for insulin in Rouge de l’Ouest female lambs compared with both Texel and Greyface female lambs (P< 0·01). Within individual genotypes, m. longissimus dorsi had a lower receptor affinity for insulin in Greyface female lambs compared with Greyface male lambs (P< 0·05) whereas m. rectus capitis had a lower receptor affinity for insulin in Texel female lambs compared with Texel male lambs (P< 0·05).Such differences in tissue receptor affinity for insulin and receptor concentration in lambs differing in genotype and gender could, through effects on tissue sensitivity and/or responsiveness to insulin, manipulate nutrient partitioning between skeletal muscle and fat tissue and hence control, at least in part, the efficiency of lean meat production.
Follicular growth and serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) responses to recombinant bovine FSH in GnRH-immunized anoestrous heifers
Authors: Crowe M. A. , Enright W. J. , Boland M. P. , Roche J. F. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe effect of recombinant bovine FSH (rbFSH) administration on serum FSH and follicular growth was determined in 16 GnRH-immunized heifers (primary day 0 and booster day 28 using 0·4 mg human serum albumin (HSA) – Cys-Gly-GnRH in DEAE-dextran). All heifers produced GnRH antibody titres (mean 58·8 (s.e. 2·8)% binding at 1: 640 serum dilution on day 42), follicular growth ceased (follicles ≤ 4 mm) between days 33 and 49, progesterone concentrations were ≤ 0·5 ng/ml in all heifers by day 53, and pulsatile LH secretion was markedly reduced (v. luteal phase control heifers) on day 63. Heifers were blocked by antibody titre and LH concentrations on day 63 and assigned (no. = five or six per treatment) on day 78 to: (1) control (saline given i.m. four times per day for 4 days), (2) 0·5 mg equivalent (USDA bFSH BP 1) of rbFSH (Granada Biosciences, TX) given i.m. four times per day for 6 days (12 mg in total) or 3) 1·5 mg rbFSH given i.m. four times per day for 4 days (24 mg in total). Ovaries of heifers were examined by ultrasound and blood samples were collected at 3- to 6-h intervals from days –1 to 10 and then twice a day until follicles ≥ 5 mm were no longer detectable. The increase in serum FSH concentrations was different (P < 0·05) between treatments (mean peak FSH above pre-treatment baseline concentrations at 102 h after first rbFSH were 1·4 (s.e. 0·8), 14·5 (s.e. 3·3) and 33·6 (s.e. 5·3) ng/ml for treatments 1 to 3, respectively). The rate of decline in FSH from 102 to 302 h was not different between treatments 2 and 3. There was no detectable follicular growth in heifers given saline injections. Following either rbFSH treatment, medium (MF; 5 to 9 mm) and large (LF; ≥ 10 mm) follicles grew. For heifers in treatments 2 and 3, there was no difference in the interval from start of rbFSH until the first appearance of MF (4·2 (s.e. 0·7) v. 3·3 (s.e. 0·3) days) or LF (5·3 (s.e. 0·3) v. 4·8 (s.e. 0·8) days) or in the duration of the presence of MF and/or LF (13·2 (s.e. 4·5) v. 16·6 (s.e. 2·6) days). Increasing dose of rbFSH increased (P < 0·05) the mean maximum number of MF (4·3 (s.e. 1·1) and 9·2 (s.e.0·9) for treatments 2 and 3) and LF (2·0 (s.e. 1·1) and 8·4 (s.e. 1·2)). In summary, low doses of rbFSH induced a small cohort of follicles to grow and develop without selection or development of a single dominant follicle, whereas high doses of rbFSH resulted in large numbers of both MF and LF.