bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of short-term progestogen primings for the induction of fertile oestrus with eCG in ewes during late seasonal anoestrus
Authors: Ungerfeld R. , Rubianes E. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractTwo hundred and seventy-seven ewes were used in three experiments during late seasonal anoestrus to evaluate short-term progestogen primings for equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG)-induced oestrus. In experiment 1, medroxy-progesterone acetate (MAP) sponges were inserted for 6, 9 or 13 days in nulliparous ewes. Percentage of ewes in oestrus (92.3, 85.7 and 96.4%, respectively) and conception rates (66.7, 75.0 and 63.0%, respectively) did not differ among groups (T > 0·05). In experiment 2, MAP sponges were inserted for 1, 2, 3, 6 or 12 days in multiparous ewes. Percentages of ewes in oestrus were higher with 3, 6 or 12 days than with 1 or 2 days of priming (72.2, 93.8 and 87.5% v. 25.0 and 33.3% respectively, P < 0.05) and maximum response was with 6-day priming. From both experiments we conclude that short-term progestogen (6 days) priming is as effective as long-term traditional primings for inducing oestrus. In experiment 3, level of progestogen priming was compared among treatments using a new progesterone releasing device (CIDR) for 6 days, a 6-day used CIDR for 6 days, or an 11-day used CIDR for 6 days. While percentages of oestrous response were similar among groups (95.9, 93.6 and 88.9%, respectively), pregnancy rates were higher with a new CIDR than with one that had been used for 11 days (57.1% v. 27.8%, P < 0.05), with the 6-day used CIDR being intermediate (51.1%). We conclude that a 6-day progestogen priming combined with eCG can be used successfully to induce fertile oestrus in seasonal anoestrous ewes if progestogen levels during priming are kept sufficiently high.
Eating traits in relation to performance and carcass traits of restrictedly fed group-housed finishing pigs
Authors: Ramaekers P. J. L. , Swinkels J. W. G. M. , Huiskes J. H. , Verstegen M. W. A. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractSeventy-two crossbred barrows (28.7 ± 0.3 kg live weight (LW)) were used to examine whether there is a relation between eating traits, and performance and carcass traits in ad libitum and restrictedly fed group-housed pigs. The experiment included two replicates, each consisting of 36 pigs. From day 1 to 42, all pigs were maintained with free access to a starter diet containing 12.7 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) and 8.2 g ileal apparent digestible lysine per kg. The experimental period was from day 42 (55.9 kg LW) to the end of the experiment (110.2 kg LW). The pigs in treatment 1 were maintained with free access to a high (H) energy diet (13.1 MJ ME and 7.1 g ileal apparent digestible lysine per kg). For pigs in treatments 2 and 3 the daily energy allowance per pig was restricted to 18 MJ ME above the daily energy requirement for maintenance using diet H, and a low (L) energy diet (12.5 MJ ME and 6.7 g ileal apparent digestible lysine per kg), respectively. The weekly measured LW was used to compute the energy requirements for maintenance (M = 0·719 MJ ME × LW (kg)0.63). Daily food intake and eating traits per pig were determined using transponders and an electronic feeding station equipped with an antenna.Daily energy intake of the ad libitum and restrictedly fed pigs was correlated with growth and lean meat tissue content of the carcass. In the pigs given food ad libitum, daily energy intake was correlated with daily feeder visiting time, time per meal and food intake per meal, but not with number of meals per day and rate of food intake. In the restricted treatments, number of meals per day was correlated with energy intake, but not with lean tissue content of the carcass. In conclusion, number of meals per day explained part of the variation of lean tissue content of the carcass in ad libitum, but not in restrictedly fed group-housed pigs.
The genetic evaluation of UK Holstein Friesian sires for calving ease and related traits
Authors: McGuirk B. J. , Going I. , Gilmour A. R. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractRecords were analysed on more than 75 000 calvings by 685 Holstein-Friesian bulls tested in commercial dairy herds in England and Wales. The data were collected from 1988 to 1994. The traits analysed were the degree of difficulty at calving, assessed from no difficulty to serious difficulty, calf mortality to 48 h, gestation length and a subjective assessment of calf size. Information was available for the percentage Holstein genes in the sire, dam age (heifer or mature), sex of the calf and the year and month of the calving for all records, while lactation number of the dam and the regional location of the herd were also recorded in 1993 and 1994 (14988 records). Estimates of heritability and genetic and phenotypic correlations were obtained for all traits by restricted maximum likelihood (REML) procedures using a sire model, while also fitting the effects of dam age, calf sex, year and season of calving and significant interations.Heifers had more difficult calvings, higher calf losses and shorter gestations than mature cows while seriously difficult calvings and mortality were higher for male calves (all P < 0·05). Summer months were associated with lower incidences of difficult calvings, lower mortality and shorter gestations. Heritability estimates were 0·05 (s.e. <0·01) for calving difficulty score, 0·45 (s.e. 0·02) for gestation length, 0·02 (s.e. <0·01) for mortality and 0·08 (s.e. <0·01) for calf size score. Heritability estimates for the scored categorical and binomial (mortality) traits were also obtained using threshold model analysis. As expected, these estimates were higher than the REML estimates; 0·12 (s.e. 0.01) for calving difficulty score, 0·08 (s.e. 0·01) for mortality and 0·14 (s.e. 0·01) for calf size score. Calving difficulty score was genetically correlated with calf size score (-0.81), mortality (0.40) and gestation length (0.34) and calf size score was moderately correlated with mortality (-0.40). In all cases, the genetic correlations were stronger than the corresponding phenotypic correlations.Sire genetic merit was predicted for calving difficulty score and the distribution of these predictions is described. Sire predictions for calving difficulty score on the underlying scale were backtransformed to predict the expected incidence of serious difficulties in future calvings.
The identification of beef sires that produce calves of above average
conformation from dairy cows
Authors: McGuirk B. J. , Christison A. , Going I. , Gilmour A. R. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food routinely publishes price information for 3-week-old beef + dairy calves sold at major livestock auction centres in England and Wales. For the period 1993/94 to 1996/97, there were average price premiums of £51 for male and £38 for female calves classed as ‘first quality’. We have shown previously that choosing an easy calving beef sire for use on dairy cows will generally lead to calves which are smaller in size and of poorer conformation. To enable dairy producers to maximize returns from calf sales, we propose that beef sires be evaluated for the predicted incidence of first quality’ calves, which can be derived from the sire’s evaluation for calf conformation and the breed incidence of first quality’ calves. Dairy farmers may then jointly consider a bull’s predicted merit for calving ease and calf quality when choosing a sire for use in their herd.
Genetic evaluation of Holstein Friesian sires for daughter condition-score changes using a random regression model
Authors: Jonest H. E. , White I. M. S. , Brotherstone S. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractIn dairy cattle type classification schemes, heifers are condition scored (CS) only once during their first lactation. Although genetic analysis of condition-score changes is not possible using an animal model, the data can be analysed as repeated observations on the sire.CS records for 100 078 Holstein Friesian heifers, the progeny of 797 sires, were available. Sires differed in the shape of the regression of mean daughter CS on stage of lactation at both the phenotypic and genetic level. Genetic analysis was carried out using a random regression model (RRM) which can account for differences between sires in the shape of the CS curves. CS curves for individual sires were modelled using a cubic polynomial.Heritability estimates for CS at each stage of lactation generally increased through the lactation from 0·20 in stage 2 (days in milk 31 to 60) to 0·28 in later lactation stages. Genetic correlations between CS at different stages were generally high (0·80), with the exception of correlations with stage 1 (days in milk 1 to 30) which decreased to 0·63 with stages 6 and 7, suggesting that CS at stage 1 is under different biological control from CS at other stages of the lactation. Using RRM, sire estimated breeding values (EBVs) for CS at each stage of the lactation were estimated. Sire rankings on EBV at each stage were seen to change through early, mid and later lactation stages.
The influence of sex (boars and gilts) on growth, carcass and pork eating quality characteristics
Authors: Blanchard P. J. , Ellis M. , Warkup C. C. , Chadwick J. P. , Willis M. B. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractBoar and gilt pigs from three genotypes (with 0, 0·25 and 0·50 Duroc inclusion level) were reared from 30 to 90 kg live weight on seven feeding regimens which involved combinations of diet formulation and feeding level. A diet of conventional energy and protein level (CEP; 14·2 MJ/kg digestible energy, 205 g/kg crude protein, 10 g/kg lysine) and a diet of higher energy and lower protein (HELP; 14·7 M]/kg digestible energy, 166 g/kg crude protein, 7·0 g/kg lysine) were used. One treatment involved feeding the HELP diet ad libitum, with the other six treatments involving feeding the CEP diet ad libitum, restricted, or in combinations of ad libitum and restricted. A total of 721 animals comprising similar numbers of boars and gilts were used to estimate sex differences for growth performance, carcass and meat quality, and eating quality. Tissue growth rates were predicted from regression equations based on P2fat depths or ham-joint dissection, developed from subsamples of animals that were subjected to full-side dissection. Overall when compared with gilts, boars grew faster (838 v. 799 gtday, P < 0·001), had improved food conversion ratios (2·39 v.2-55, P < 0·001) but had similar daily food intakes and lean and subcutaneous fat growth rates. Lean tissue food conversions did not differ significantly between the sexes. Killing-out proportions were higher for gilts (0·766 v. 0·749 , P < 0·001), however P2 backfat thickness and lean proportions did not differ between the sexes. The firmness of the mid-back fat, assessed subjectively and using a penetrometer, was greater for gilts than for boars. The tenderness of pork loin chops, assessed by a trained sensory panel, was judged to be better for boars than for gilts but there was no sex difference in overall acceptability. The fat from boars had a higher level of abnormal odour and boar odour. There was a sex × dietary treatment interaction for boar odour with the HELP diet producing the highest levels and the biggest difference between the sexes for odour scores.
Modelling the impact of livestock disease on production: case studies of non-notifiable diseases of farm animals in Great Britain
Authors: Bennett R. M. , Christiansen K. , Clifton-Hadley R. S. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractSpreadsheet models were constructed to assess the economic impact of some 30 non-notifiable diseases of farm animals in Great Britain. A standardized methodology and common valuation base were used to derive estimates of the direct costs to livestock production of each disease, separately identifying the costs associated with disease output losses and those relating to disease treatment and prevention. Disease data limitations and uncertainties are incorporated into the estimation procedure. The spreadsheet models are highly transparent with calculations and the origin of parameter values clearly documented. The assessments of six bovine diseases, are presented: BVD, fasciolosis, lameness, leptospirosis, mastitis, and summer mastitis, and full details of the analyses of all the diseases can he accessed on the internet. The models do not consider the wider economic impacts of disease, such as effects on markets, human health and animal welfare. However, the approach is a simple and transparent one which enables exploration of the direct costs associated with a range of livestock diseases and which is easily communicated to policy makers and others.
Diet selection in pigs: choices made by growing pigs when given foods differing in nutrient density
Authors: Ferguson N. S. , Nelson L. , Gous R. M. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractTwo experiments were conducted to corroborate or refute the theory that animals will choose a food that will allow them to use it with maximum efficiency. Pigs have been shown to utilize foods of high nutrient density more efficiently than those of low density, so the choices made by pigs when offered such foods could be used to test the above optimization theory. In experiment 1, 48 Large White × Landrace gilts were used, for an 8-week period starting at 22 kg live weight, while in experiment 2, 48 boars of the same cross but of a genetically improved strain were used from 24 to 60 kg live weight. In both experiments use was made of high nutrient density summit foods which were used alone, or diluted in the ratio 80 summit: 20 milled sunflower husk to provide the low density foods. In experiment 1, the high density diet (HI) contained 7·5 g lysine per kg and 13·20 MJ digestible energy (DE) per kg, whereas in experiment 2 two summit foods were formulated, the first diet (H2) was offered for 3 weeks from 24 kg live weight and the second (H3) followed until 60 kg live weight. Foods H2 and H3 contained 11·0 and 8·40 g lysine per kg respectively and 15·0 and 14·0 MJ DE per kg, respectively. Both experiments made use of a high (H1 and H2, respectively) and a low nutrient density (L1 and L2, respectively) control treatment in which pigs were given ad libitum access to H1 and H2/H3, and L1 and L2/L3 in experiments 1 and 2 respectively (no. =4). In addition, a medium density treatment (Ml) consisting of a 50: 50 mixture of H1 and L1 (no. = 4) was given in experiment 1. Two choice-feeding treatments where used in both experiments, the first in which H1 and H2IH3 were placed in the left bin (CL1 (no. =18) and CL2 (no. = 20), respectively) and the appropriate dilution diet in the right bin, and the second in which H1 and H2/H3 were placed in the right bin (CR1 (no. = 18) and CR2 (no = 20)). There were no differences in average daily growth rates between treatments within experiments but there were significant differences (P < 0·05) in food intakes and efficiency of food utilization (FCE) between treatments. The highest intakes and lowest FCE were obtained on the L1 and L2 treatments while the lowest intakes were recorded on the choice-feeding treatments. There were no significant differences in FCE neither between H1, CL1 and CR1 nor between H2, CL2 and CR2. Only in experiment 1 were there significant differences (P < 0·05) between choice-feeding treatments on the basis of the position of the food bin but there was no preference for a particular position. The results indicated that pigs were able to differentiate successfully between two foods on the basis of their nutrient density, that bin position was not used as a cue in the choice made, that a small amount of the ‘unwanted’ food was consumed throughout the experiment and that the diet selected maximized FCE.
A comparative study of sperm, sexual hormone concentrations and sexual activity in yearling and adult males of the silver fox (Vulpes vulpes)
Authors: Osadchuk L.V. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe silver fox is an extreme seasonal breeder with one reproductive season during the year. Males are sexually mature at the age of 9 to 10 months. In the present study reproductive function in yearling and adult silver fox males before and during the reproductive period was examined. The aim was to determine the age-dependent features of their reproductive system. It was found that yearling males mate with a smaller number of females and that their first mating period is shorter compared with adult foxes. A high proportion of yearling males did not mate at all (27%) or their sexual activity was reduced (26%), although the number of pups horn from mating males was normal. During the peak of male sexual activity, the number of spermatozoa in the ejaculate was lower in yearling compared with adult males. However, there was no difference in the number of abnormal forms of spermatozoa between the two groups. There was no significant difference in sperm numbers between sexually active and inactive yearlings. Before the reproductive season, yearling males did not differ from adults in plasma concentration of testosterone, while body and testes weights and level of oestradiol were lower. At the end of the breeding season, yearlings did not differ from adults in any trait. It is concluded that the reproductive capacity of yearling male foxes might he immature before the first breeding seasons but that this immaturity did not decrease their reproductive success.
Influence of sward height and advancing season on rumen fermentation in Merino sheep grazing grass/white clover pasture
Authors: Carro M.D. , Ranilla M.J. , Giráldez F.J. , Mantecón A.R. , González J.S. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe study was carried out on a continuously stocked grass/white clover pasture, which was maintained at two sward heights: 3·5 cm (low; LSH) and 6·5 cm (high; HSH). Three oesophageal-cannulated and three other rumen-cannulated Merino sheep were allocated to each of the plots (LSH and HSH) in order to study the effects of sward height and advancing grazing season on rumen fermentation in grazing sheep. Three grazing periods (13 days) were considered: mid June, late July and early October. During each grazing period and after a preliminary period (7 days), samples of the grazed herbage and of grass hay were incubated in nylon bags in the rumen of each sheep for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. On days 10 and 12 rumen fluid was sampled at the incubation time (11.00 h) and at 3, 6 and 12 h afterwards and pH, ammonia-nitrogen and volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentrations were determined. Sward height did not affect (P> 0·05) the degradation rate of dry matter (DM) and neutral-detergent fibre (NDF) from grazed herbage in any of the considered periods. Animals grazing LSH presented higher (P< 0·05) DM and NDF effective degradabilities (DMED and NDFED, respectively) during October but no differences were found during June and July. HSH grazing animals presented lower (P< 0·05) degradation rates of DM and NDF from grass hay during June and July than those found for LSH grazing sheep, with no differences (P> 0·05) observed during October. Sward height did not affect (P> 0·05) grass hay DMED and NDFED during July but during June and October HSH grazing sheep presented higher (P< 0·05) values. In general, DMED and NDFED from grazed herbage increased with advancing season, the lowest (P< 0·05) value being observed during June. Rumen ammonia-nitrogen concentrations were higher during October than during June and July for both sward heights but values were higher than 200 mg/l at any sampling time during all grazing seasons. Rumen pH values were within the range considered adequate for maintaining a normal cellulolytic activity at most of the sampling times, with the exception of sheep grazing LSH during October. Rumen VFA concentrations were within the range reported for other grazing studies and only a few differences between sward heights were found. Differences in rumen parameters are discussed in relation to both chemical composition of grazed herbage and pattern of intake.
Comparison of energy and protein sources offered at low levels in grass-silage-based diets for dairy cows
Authors: Dewhurst R. J. , Aston K. , Fisher W. J. , Evans R. T. , Dhanoa M. S. , McAllan A. B. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractFour dietary treatments were based on a flat-rate (5 kg/day) of concentrates with ad libitum grass silage. The concentrates were iso-energetic and iso-nitrogenous, based on either barley or unmolassed sugar-beet pulp and either extracted rapeseed meal (RSM) or a 1: 3 mixture of fish and soya-bean meals (F/S). These diets were offered to 61 multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows in a continuous design experiment from lactation weeks 4 to 22. Milk yields tended to he higher with RSM (25·1v.23·9 kg/day; s.e.d. = 0·64;P< 0·1), whilst milk fat (38·1 v. 40·0 g/kg; s.e.d. = 0·81) and milk protein (30·4v.31·3 g/kg; s.e.d. = 0·41) concentrations were significantly (P< 0·05) lower. There were no significant effects of treatments on the efficiency of conversion of food-nitrogen (N) to milk-N or on N-retention. A lower organic matter apparent digestibility (g/g) was found for RSM-based diets (0·738v.0·763; s.e.d. = 0·0096;P< 0·05). The diets were also offered to four fistulated dairy cows in a Latin-square-design experiment. Concentrate energy source had significant effects on rumen pH (P< 0·05) and ammonia-N concentration (P< 0·01), whilst protein sources had no effect; values were always in the optimal range (pH > 6 and ammonia-N > 50 mg/l). There was a significant interaction effect (P< 0·05) such that the N-degradability of the whole diet, estimated in vivo, was unaffected by energy source for RSM-based diets but highly dependent on energy source for FIS diets. Microbial protein yield was reduced on the RSM-based diets (179v.220 g/day; s.e.d. = 9·6;P< 0·001).
The donkey as a draught power resource in smallholder farming in semi-arid western Zimbabwe: 1. Live weight and food and water requirements
Authors: Nengomasha E.M. , Pearson R.A. , Smith T. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThree experiments were undertaken to assess the Zimbabwean donkey. In the first study, 191 male and 144 female working donkeys from Matopos, Nkayi and Matobo districts were weighed. Age, sex and coat colour were recorded and heart girth, umbilical girth, body length and height were measured. There were no differences (P > 0⋅05) in live weight, 142 and 141 kg, heart girth 115 and 115 cm, body length 89 and 90 cm and height 105 and 105 cm between males and females. This suggests that draught potential might be similar between the sexes. Heart girth was the best single predictor of live weight: live weight (kg) = heart girth (cm)2⋅83/4786 (R2 = 0⋅86). Donkeys were similar in size to others in Africa. In the second study, the voluntary dry-matter intake (DMI) of a poor quality hay was measured for 35 days in nine male (mean live weight 150 kg) and nine female donkeys (142 kg) allocated to one of three treatment groups: water available ad libitum, or given every 48 h, or every 72 h. There were significant differences in daily water (P < 0.001) and DMIs (P < 0.05): 8.5, 4.9 and 5.1l and 3.1, 2.8 and 2.7 kg for the three treatment groups, respectively. However even with restricted access to water, donkeys maintained a relatively high DMI. In the third experiment a 3 Х 3 Latin square was designed with three teams of four male donkeys each, either working (5 h/day) I no access to food (5 h/day); not working/no access to food (5 h/day) or not working/access to food 24 h/day, for 63 days. For working and non-working donkeys, there were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in DMI, DM apparent digestibility and mean retention time (MRT) of hay. Time of access to food did not influence DMI. The apparent lack of response was attributed primarily to the poor quality of the hay.