bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of dietary supplementation and work stress on ovarian activity in non-lactating Mashona cows in a small-holder farming area of Zimbabwe
Authors: Chimonyo M. , Kusina N. , Hamudikuwanda H. , Nyoni O. , Ncube I. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe effects of work stress and dietary supplementation on ovarian activity were determined in 16 multiparous Mashona cows in Sanyati Communal Area, which lies in a semi-arid environment of Zimbabwe. The cows were assigned to one of four treatments: supplemented working (SW), supplemented non-working (SNW), non-supplemented working (NSW) and non-supplemented non-working (NSNW) cows in a 2 × 2 factorial treatment arrangement with two dietary and two work levels. Cows in the SW and NSW groups pulled a cart with a 200-1 water drum for 18 km (9 km with drum empty, 9 km with drum full) every day for 5 days/week for a total of 12 weeks.Rectal temperatures were recorded at specific points along the route to and from the river where the water was obtained. Blood samples were collected by jugular venipuncture once a week, before working, for the determination of plasma glucose and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA). In addition, blood samples were collected once every 3 days for the determination of progesterone concentration. There were no differences (P> 0⋅05) in the rectal temperatures between SW and NSW cows. Cows in the NSW group had the highest decrease in glucose levels and also showed marked increases in NEFA concentrations. The incidence of ovarian activity was similar between SNW and SW cows (P> 0⋅05). The incidence of ovarian activity was least in NSW cows. We conclude that nutritional stress was more important in suppressing ovarian activity than work stress and that dietary supplementation can reduce the negative effects of draught on ovarian activity.
Genetic parameters for growth and carcass traits of Japanese Black (Wagyu) cattle
Authors: Oikawa T. , Sanehira T. , Sato K. , Mizoguchi Y. , Yamamoto H. , Baba M. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractRestricted maximum likelihood analyses fitting an animal model were conducted to estimate genetic parameters with a pooled-data set of performance tests (growth traits and food intake) on 661 bulls and progeny tests (growth traits and carcass traits) on 535 steers. Traits studied included concentrate intake (CONC), roughage intake (ROU), TDN conversion (TCNV), TDN intake (TINT) of bulls; rib eye area (REA), marbling score (MARB), dressing proportion (DRES) and subcutaneous fat depth (SCF) of steers. Body weight at start (BWS), body weight at finish (BWF) and average daily gain (ADG) of all animals were measured. Estimated heritabilities were 0·18 (CONC), 0·71 (ROU), 0·11 (TCNV) and 0·36 (TINT); 0·02 (REA), 0·49 (MARB), 0·15 (DRES), 0·15 (SCF), and from 0·20 to 0·38 for growth traits. Genetic correlations of ROU were different from those of CONC, probably due to inconsistent restrictions on concentrate intake; those of TINT with the weights, ADG and SCF were high. MARB showed positive genetic correlations with growth traits and low correlations with TINT and SCF. High potentiality for improvement of marbling score was suggested.
Effect of proteinate or sulphate mineral sources on trace elements in blood and liver of piglets
Authors: Schiavon S. , Bailoni L. , Ramanzin M. , Vincenzi R. , Simonetto A. , Bittante G. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractFour hundred piglets were housed in 20 pens and offered for 42 days a pre-starter and then a starter compound supplemented with trace elements given as sulphates (SULF) or proteinates (PROT) at a common level (100) or at a reduced level (20) of inclusion. The common level supplied 278, 148, 315 and 98 mg/kg and the reduced level supplied 128, 38, 135 and 50 mg/kg of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn), respectively, taking into account the natural food contents. Proteinates used in the trial were analysed and described in terms of content and quality of different potential ligands. Piglet growth was not affected by any treatment. At the end of the trial blood samples were collected from eight pigs for each treatment. These animals were slaughtered and their livers were removed, weighed and analysed. Compared with SULF, PROT increased significantly plasma levels of Fe (25·1 v. 15·7 μmol/l), haemoglobin (10·9 v. 10·4 g/dl) and the number of red blood cells (6·4 v. 6·1 millions per μl) but the liver recovery of Fe was not affected by any treatment. In piglets receiving PROT the liver content of Cu and Zn increased significantly compared with those receiving SULF. On reducing the dosage, Cu in the liver significantly decreased with SULF but not with PROT and the amount of Zn decreased more with SULF than with PROT. The results may reflect a better availability of Cu and Zn when proteinates rather than sulphates were used as mineral supplements.
The development of suckling frequency in pigs from birth to weaning of their piglets: a sociobiological approach
Authors: Puppe B. , Tuchscherer A. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe suckling frequency in 34 first-lactation sows and their litters in conventional farrowing pens was observed during a 35-day lactation period from birth to weaning. In order to quantify the ontogenetic development of this behaviour a non-linear regression function was used as a model. The maximum (MAX) of the curve was determined at day 8×5 (31×4 sucklings per 24-h period) and was considered as the biological beginning of the weaning process. The occurrence of MAX was shifted towards an earlier time by about 6 days earlier from small (4 to 7 piglets per litter) to large litters (11 to 14 piglets per litter). However, no significant influence of the litter size on the development of the daily suckling frequency and the average individual piglet weight was found. Nevertheless, there was a tendency for an inverse relationship between the litter size and the piglet weight during lactation and, further, for an increased daily suckling frequency during early lactation and a lower frequency during late lactation in larger litters. As a compensation for the decreasing suckling frequency piglets markedly increased their creep food consumption in the last week of the suckling period (day 28 to 35). The results indicate that the suckling behaviour in domestic pigs reflects sow-piglet relationships which are consistent with a theoretically predicted model of weaning conflict. Hence, it is suggested that modelling the suckling behaviour using well defined and comparable measures may be a suitable approach for the evaluation of the weaning process both in terms of sociobiology (e.g. weaning conflict, parent-offspring conflict) and of farm animal science (e.g. performance, housing conditions).
Monthly variations in some reproductive parameters of Barki and Awassi rams throughout 1 year under subtropical conditions 2. Biochemical and enzymatic properties of seminal plasma
Authors: Taha T. A. , Abdel-Gawad E. I. , Ayoub M. A. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractFifteen sexually mature rams, five each of Barki, Awassi (I, imported from Syria) and Awassi (LB, locally born in Egypt) were used to study the biochemical and enzymatic properties of seminal plasma for 12 months. The biochemical analyses of ram seminal plasma indicated that the highest values of total protein, albumin (A), globulin (G), fructose, total lipids and cholesterol were recorded in late summer and early autumn, while A/G and AST/ALT ratios exhibited the lowest values. Lowest values of the same parameters were recorded in winter and late spring, while ratios of A/G and aspartate amino transferase (AST)/alanine amino transferase (ALT) showed the highest values in spring. AST enzyme activity showed highest activity in winter and summer and lowest activity in autumn, while ALT exhibited the highest activity in winter and the lowest activity in spring. The relationships between these parameters and semen quality are discussed.
Effect of amount ofPanicum virgatumhay offered on intake, apparent digestibility and short-term intake rate of rams
Authors: Ferri C. M. , Stritzler N. P. , Petruzzi H. J. , Cerqueira E. D. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractSwitchgrass (Panicum virgatumcv.Alamo) standing hay was cut and offered to 16 rams. The rams were randomly allocated to one of the following levels of feeding: 0·5; 1·0; 1·5 and 2·0✕maintenance. The forage was offered twice a day to the animals; no supplements were given. The animals were individually penned and fitted with faeces collection bags. After 8 days for adaptation, in vivo dry matter apparent digestibility (DMD) and proportion of blades and stem + sheath of the consumed forage were measured for 8 days. DMD varied from 0·310 (0·5) to 0·391 (2·0) and the proportion of the blade fraction in the diet from 0·44 (0·5) to 0·78 (2·0). The short-term intake rate (STIR) of rams was measured for 5 days. The animals were divided randomly into four blocks, with one ram of each treatment in each block. After 4 h without food and 15 min intervals between blocks, the amount of forage consumed during 4 min of active eating was measured. The amounts consumed were (in g DM per min per 50 kg live weight): 0·5: 8·2; 1·0: 7·8; 1·5: 5·3 and 2·0: 5·3 (0·5 = 1·0 > 1·5 = 2·0;P< 0·01). The results show that offer rate of P. virgatum affects the blade: stem + sheath ratio of intake and, therefore, the nutritive value of the diet. Level of feeding before measuring STIR influences the amount of forage consumed during the test.
The effect of crop maturity on the nutritional value of maize silage for lactating dairy cows. 3. Food intake and milk production
Authors: Phipps R. H. , Sutton J. D. , Beever D. E. , Jones A. K. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractFifty-five multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows were used in a 20-week continuous design study to determine the effect of maize silage maturity on food intake and milk production. Forage maize (cv. Hudson) was harvested and ensiled at target dry matter (DM) contents of 230 (T23), 280 (T28), 330 (T33) and 380 (T38) g per kg fresh weight (FW). The mean values for volatile-corrected DM (VCDM), starch, neutral-detergent fibre (NDF), crude protein and predicted metabolizable energy (ME) content of the four maize silages were 226, 290, 302 and 390 g/kg FW, 114, 274, 309 and 354 g/kg VCDM, 574, 447, 431 and 448 g/kg VCDM, 96, 80, 74 and 75 g/kg VCDM and 10·3, 11·5, 11·6 and 11·2 MJ/kg DM, respectively. Grass silage containing 296 g VCDM per kg FW was produced from the primary growth of a perennial ryegrass sward. At week 3 of lactation cows were allocated to one of five forage treatments offered ad libitum. The forage treatments were either grass silage alone (TGS) or a 3 : 1 DM ratio of maize and grass silage designated as T23, T28, T33 and T38. All cows also received 8·7 kg DM per day of a dairy concentrate. Forage VCDM intake for TGS was lower (P < 0·001) than for T23 to T38. Increasing maize silage DM content from 226 (T23) to 290 (T28) g/kg increased (P < 0·05) forage VCDM intake from 10·9 to 13·3 kg/day but a further increase to 390 (T38) g/kg tended to reduce VCDM intake. When compared with TGS, the inclusion of maize silage increased milk yield from 28·0 kg/day to 29·4, 32·7, 33·0 and 30·8 kg/day for T23 to T38, respectively, the increases being significant for T28 to T38. However, milk yield was reduced (P < 0·05) when the DM content of the maize silage increased from 302 to 390 g/kg. Increasing maize silage DM content from T23 to T33 reduced (P < 0·05) milk fat content from 45·8 to 41·8 g/kg, which was also lower (P < 0·05) than for TGS. The inclusion of maize silage increased fat yield with a significant difference (P < 0·05) between TGS and T28. The inclusion of maize silage increased milk protein content (P < 0·05) and protein yield (P < 0·001) when compared with TGS. While increasing maize silage maturity did not affect (P > 0·05) milk protein content, protein yield was higher (P < 0·05) for the two intermediate DM contents. There were no treatment effects on body condition score. It is concluded that the changes in composition of maize silage with increasing maturity, which are associated with increased starch and reduced NDF content, resulted in large increases in food intake and yield of milk and protein as crops matured from T23 to T33. However, when crop maturity increased further to T38 there was a tendency for DM intake and yield of milk and protein to decline.
The effect of change of the diet and feeding regimen at weaning on duodenal myoelectrical activity in piglets
Authors: Lesniewsk V. , Lærke H. N. , Hedemann M. S. , Højsgaard S. , Pierzynowski S. G. , Jensen B. B. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThis study investigated the effect of the change of diet and feeding regimen at weaning on myoelectrical activity of the intestine of piglets. For this purpose the electromyographic recordings of duodenal myoelectrical activity were carried out in relation to the different weaning status of piglets. Six piglets, in two experimental trials were surgically modified with two serosal, bipolar electrodes on the duodenum. The myoelectrical activity was recorded in the same piglets before weaning when they were sucking their sow and after weaning when the diet was changed to solid dry food (standard commercial concentrate for weaned pigs). In sucking piglets the intestinal myoelectrical activity pattern exhibited triple-phased migrating myoelectric complex (MMC), undisturbed by sow nursing. After weaning, feeding with solid food induced a long-term post-prandial pattern with higher frequency of electrical response activity (ERA) when compared with phase II of the MMC. The duration of the MMC cycles increased with time over the experiment by proportionately 0•11 and 0•14 in the periods before and after weaning. However, weaning significantly shortened MMC cycle duration by proportionately 0•21. The duration of phase II was significantly prolonged with time over the experiment by 0•07 to 0•10 and it was not affected by weaning. Phase III of MMC were of constant duration over the whole experimental period.In summary, changes in the diet and feeding regimen have an influence on the characteristics of intestinal myoelectrical activity in piglets around weaning.
Effects of dietary linseed on nutritional value and other quality aspects of pig muscle and adipose tissue
Authors: Riley P. A. , Enser M. , Nute G. R. , Wood J. D. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThis study reports improvements in the nutritional value of pork by including linseed in the diets of boar and gilt pigs. Two feeding strategies, either short-term or long-term, were employed: (i) 0 g or 114 g linseed per kg of food provided to 16 pigs of 87 kg live weight for 20 or 27 days; (ii) 0 g, 10 g, 20 g or 30 g linseed per kg of food provided to 64 pigs of 46 kg live weight for 54, 62, 68 or 75 days. All diets were supplemented with DL-α-tocopheryl acetate (0•2 g/kg). The 18 : 3n-3 contents (18 : 2n-6 :18 : 3n-3 ratios in parentheses) of the short-term 0 g and 114 g/kg, and long-term 0g, 10 g, 20 g and 30 g/kg linseed diets, were 2•1 g (7•75), 28•1 g (0•70), 1•0 g (8•86), 3•4 g (2•73), 6•0 g (1•66) and 8•1 g/kg food (1•25) respectively. The long-term 30 g/kg diet reduced the n-6 : n-3 ratio of muscle and adipose tissue as successfully as the short-term 114 g/kg diet to accord with guidelines for the overall human diet (5 :1 or less) but required only 0•73 as much linseed and increased the proportion of C20-22 n-3 fatty acids more effectively; compared with their respective control diets, the 114 g/kg and 30 g/kg diets more than halved the n-6 : n-3 ratios in muscle to 3•8 and 3•9, approximately trebled the concentrations of 18 : 3n-3 in muscle to 0•43 mg and 0•28 mg/g tissue, and doubled the concentrations of 20: 5n-3 in muscle to 0•08 mg and 0•10 mg/g tissue. Similar changes occurred in adipose tissue. With both strategies, the majority of the changes had occurred by the time the first groups were slaughtered. There was a strong relationship between the 18 : 2n-6 :18 : 3n-3 ratio of the food and tissues and the accumulation of all C20-22 n-3 fatty acids, except 22 : 6n-3, which was unaffected by dietary linseed. The improvements in nutritional value were obtained without changes in organoleptic characteristics, as measured by a trained taste panel, or significant loss of shelf-life, as measured by TBARS analysis and colour stability.
The influence of sow behaviour on piglet mortality due to crushing in an open farrowing system
Authors: Marchant J. N. , Broom D. M. , Corning S. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe objectives of this study were to establish what changes in posture by sows carried a high risk of piglet crushing in a group farrowing system during early lactation and also to determine what factors influenced the risk of crushing during lying down. A total of 24 Large White ✕ Landrace sows were studied during the first 7 days of lactation in a group farrowing system. Cross-fostering was not carried out so as not to influence behaviour. Dead piglets were removed and cause of death ascertained from external observation and post-mortem examination. Sow and piglet behaviour was video-recorded continuously. A total of 268 piglets were born alive, with 67 liveborn piglets subsequently dying during the 7-day experimental period, 50 as a result of crushing. A total of 7425 posture changes were analysed and 11 types of posture change were identified, the most dangerous being lying down from standing and those involving swapping sides, or rolling over, whilst lying.Dangerous events during lying down were more likely to occur (1) in the first 24 h after farrowing, (2) when the sow lay down in the middle of the pen, (3) when the sow lay down without carrying out much piglet-directed pre-lying behaviour and (4) when the piglets were spread out but near to the sow. The amount of pre-lying behaviour decreased over time and crushing mortality also decreased. The results confirm that the piglets are most vulnerable to crushing during the first 24 h of life, when they are spending much of their time near the udder and have relatively poor mobility. Co-ordination of behaviour between the sow and her litter is important to reduce the risk of crushing. It is also important that the design of open farrowing systems incorporates knowledge about how crushing deaths occur in order to improve piglet welfare.
Genetic evaluation of dairy bulls for energy balance traits using random regression
Authors: Coffey M. P. , Emmans G. C. , Brotherstone S. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractCurrent selection objectives for dairy cattle breeding may be favouring cows that are genetically predisposed to mobilize body tissue. This may have consequences for fertility since cows may resume reproductive activity only once the nadir of negative energy balance (NEB) has passed. In this study, we repeatedly measured food intake, live weight, milk yield and condition score of Holstein cattle in their first lactation. They were given either a high concentrate or low concentrate diet and were either selected or control animals for genetic merit for kg milk fat plus milk protein. Orthogonal polynomials were used to model each trait over time and random regression techniques allowed curves to vary between animals at both the genetic and the permanent environmental levels. Breeding values for bulls were calculated for each trait for each day of lactation. Estimates of genetic merit for energy balance were calculated from combined breeding values for either (1) food intake and milk yield output, or (2) live weight and condition-score changes.When estimated from daily fluxes of energy calculated from food intake and milk output, the average genetic merit of bulls for energy balance was approximately -15 MJ/day in early lactation. It became positive at about day 40 and rose to +18 MJ/day at approximately day 150. When estimated from body energy state changes the NEB in early lactation was also -15 MJ/day. It became positive at about day 80 and then rose to a peak of +10 MJ/day. The difference between the two methods may arise either because of the contribution of food wastage to intake measures or through inadequate predictions of body lipid from equations using live weight and condition score or a combination of both. Body energy mobilized in early lactation was not fully recovered until day 200 of lactation. The results suggest that energy balance may be estimated from changes in body energy state that can be calculated from body weight and condition score. Since body weight can be predicted from linear type measures, it may be possible to calculate breeding values for energy balance from national evaluations for production and type. Energy balance may be more suitable as a breeding objective than persistency.
Effect of weaning age and slaughter weight on carcass and meat quality of Talaverana breed lambs raised at pasture
Authors: Cañeque V. , Velasco S. , Díaz M. , Pérez C. , Huidobro F. , Lauzurica S. , Manzanares C. , González J. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThree weaning treatments (weaning at 45 days of age, at 65 days of age, unweaned) and two slaughter weights (24 and 28 kg) were compared in lambs raised at pasture, and their effect on carcass and meat traits were studied. Unweaned lambs displayed a greater growth rate, lower concentrate consumption, greater dorsal fat thickness, more kidney knob and channel fat and greater total fat levels, measured through dissection of the hind limb. Total collagen concentration was lower in unweaned lambs and the intramuscular fat of these same animals exhibited a greater proportion of saturated fatty acids and a lower n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio. Slaughter weight influenced scored carcass fatness, which was greater in heavier lambs, meat colour, which displayed greater lightness in lower-weight lambs, and water-holding capacity, which was lower in lambs with the lower slaughter weight. The heavier lambs displayed lower soluble collagen values, and the intramuscular fat of thelongissimus dorsimuscle of these same lambs contained higher levels of monounsaturated and lower levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids.