bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of forage type on the digestion of whole barley grain by breeding ewes
Authors: Chestnutt D. M. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTThe proportion of whole grain consumed that was voided intact in the faeces of ewes in late pregnancy and early lactation was measured for diets based on a range of forages in two experiments. The proportions of grain voided intact varied widely between ewes and was to some extent a characteristic of the individual ewe. During late pregnancy on hay-based diets the mean proportion of grain recovered was 0·053 with a range from 0·042 to 0·063 while on silage-based diets 0·135 (range 0·082 to 0·209) was recovered. On silage-based diets after lambing 0·196 and 0·235 of grain was voided intact in the faeces. The proportion of intact grain voided was affected by forage intake. The estimated increase in the proportion of grain voided intact was 0·012 measured over a range of forages before lambing and 0·021 on silage after lambing per 100 g increase in dry matter intake. However, when the total digestibility was measured, there were no differences between feeding of whole and processed grain where proportionately 0·06 of whole grain consumed was voided intact.
Artificial insemination of farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus)
Authors: Fennessy P. F. , Mackintosh C. G. , Shackell G. H. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTSix experiments involving the artificial insemination (AI) of a total of 300 female red deer (hinds) with frozen-thawed red deer semen (collected by electro-ejaculation) were conducted over 3 years. Insemination took place at fixed times following various oestrous synchronization procedures using progesterone withdrawal and treatment with pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG). In the 1st year, the experiments evaluated basic AI techniques in which pregnancy rates were 45% in 20 hinds receiving two inseminations per vaginam (PV) and 56% in 27 hinds inseminated by the laparoscopic intrauterine method (IU). In the 2nd year, the experiments involved comparisons of the progesterone regime, one or two PV inseminations, and the timing of a single PV insemination. There was no effect of replacement of the progesterone device after 9 days and withdrawal 3 days later compared with the use of one device for the whole period in two experiments. The pregnancy rate for a double PV insemination was significantly higher than for a single PV insemination (58 and 34%;P< 0·05) and there was also a small effect of timing of insemination relative to the synchronization treatment. In the 3rd year all hinds were inseminated by the IU method. The experiments involved a comparison of various times of AI following progesterone withdrawal and a comparison of the progesterone regime. The overall pregnancy rate for 63 hinds inseminated was 56% with no difference between three times of insemination (48, 52 and 55 h). In the second experiment, the difference in pregnancy rate between treatment with progesterone for 15 days and 12 days (44 and 72% for 18 hinds per group) was not significant, but the interaction between the length of progesterone treatment and insemination time was significant (P < 0·05), with the 12-day progesterone/55 h insemination giving a much higher pregnancy rate than the 15-day/55 h insemination (89 and 20% respectively). Although no experiments involved direct comparisons of the routes of insemination, overall pregnancy rates were 56% for IU, 53% for double PV and 35% for single PV inseminations.
Diet selection in pigs: dietary choices made by growing pigs following a period of underfeeding with protein
Authors: Kyriazakis I. , Emmans G. C. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTForty pigs (half each of females and entire males) were used in anad libitumfeeding experiment from weaning to 33 kg live weight (LW). In period 1 to 16 kg LW, the pigs had either food L (134 g crude protein (CP) per kg) or food H (278 g CP per kg) alone. The aim was to delay the growth of pigs on L and create two groups of pigs with different body compositions. At 16 kg LW, eight pigs were killed and their empty bodies chemically analysed. The pigs given L had 1·06 (s.e. 0·08) kg more lipid and a lower protein: ash ratio in their empty body than pigs on H; growth rates, from 9 to 16 kg LW, were 386 (L) and 591 (H) (s.e.d. 17)g/day. Both aims were thus achieved.In period 2 the pigs previously given L (no. = 16) or H (no. = 16) in period 1, were given L alone (no. = 4), H alone (no. = 4) or a choice between L and H (no. = 8) to 33 kg LW when the choice-fed pigs were killed and their empty bodies chemically analysed. The objective of the experiment was to test the idea that pigs previously given a food deficient in CP, when given a choice between foods, one of high and one of low, protein content will select a diet of a composition that allows them to correct the effects of the previous mis-feeding. The pigs given L alone in period 2 grew more slowly, and ate more per day, than those given H alone, with no effect of the food given in period 1. Of those given H alone in period 2, the pigs previously given L grew faster, and were more efficient, than those previously given H.The protein contents (g CP per kg food) of the diets selected by the choice-fed pigs were significantly affected by both sex (228 for malesv.181 for females; s.e.d. 15) and the food given in period 1 (233 for L and 175 for H; s.e.d. 15) with no significant interaction between these factors. The pigs from L grew faster (1039v.780 (s.e.d. 70) g/day) had a higher daily food intake (1420v.1319 (s.e.d. 71) g/day) and were more efficient (0·736v.0·595 (s.e.d. 0·034) g gain per g food) than those from H. At 33 kg LW lipid weights were similar for the two period 1 treatments (L had 0·40 (s.e. 0·54) kg more lipid than H); females had 1·79 (s.e. 0·54) kg more lipid than males.It is concluded that, where pigs are given a choice between foods of low and high protein contents, they will select a diet of a composition such that the effects of previous mis-feeding are corrected. Giving pigs a choice between an appropriate pair of foods allows them to select a diet of a composition suitable for their needs.
Effect of α-tocopherol and dietary fat source on some blood and immunological variables in lactating sows
Authors: Babinszky L. , Langhout D. J. , Verstegen M. W. A. , Hartog L. A. den , Joling P. , Nieuwland M. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTThirty-six 7-month-old gilts were used to study the effects of different levels of a-tocopherol (13, 48, 136 mg/kg food) and different source of fat (50 g/kg sunflower oil or animal fat) in gestation and lactation diets on α-tocopherol concentration in serum, colostrum and milk and on cell-mediated and humoral immune response of lactating sows.Blood samples were taken from six sows per treatment after farrowing and at weaning (28 days of lactation) and were analysed for α-tocopherol concentration, total number of leucocytes and T- and B-lymphocyte counts. In blood lymphocyte stimulation with concanavaline, lysozyme activity and immunoglobulin concentration were also measured. In milk samples α-tocopherol and immunoglobulin concentration were determined at farrowing and at weaning. It was concluded that a high α-tocopherol level in the sow's diet including either sunflower oil or animal fat increased as expected the serum α-tocopherol concentration (P< 0·05) just after farrowing and at weaning. In colostrum the combination of high α-tocopherol with animal fat gave the highest (P< 0·05) α-tocopherol concentration. At weaning α-tocopherol in milk fat was highest in both fat groups with extra high α-tocopherol in the diet. The cell-mediated immunity of sows as tested were not systematically affected by α-tocopherol supplementation or fat addition to diet. However, the humoral immune system may be affected by the combinations of α-tocopherol and fat given.
Effect of constant-release melatonin implants on the onset of oestrous activity and on reproductive performance in the ewe
Authors: Durotoye L. A. , Rajkumar R. , Argo C. M. , Nowak R. , Webley G. E. , McNeil M. E. , Graham N. B. , Rodway R. G. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTVarious types of constant-release melatonin implants were designed and administered to adult ewes during seasonal anoestrus. Implants were given between May and July in a series of four experiments. Treatment of ewes with melatonin implants resulted in advancement of the onset of oestrous activity. Melatonin treatment also resulted in improved reproductive performance, increased numbers of lambs born per ewe bred and caused more multiple births. Results from this study show, therefore, that constant-release melatonin implants administered during late spring or early summer advance the onset of the breeding season and improve reproductive performance in ewes.
Nutritional evaluation of triple low rapeseed products for growing pigs
Authors: Agunbiade J. A. , Wiseman J. , Cole D. J. A. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTGround full-fat rapeseed (FFRS) and the resulting extracted oil (RSO), meal (RSM) and recombined RSO and RSM (ORSM) from a triple-low cultivar containing low levels of erucic acid, glucosinolates and tannins were evaluated. RSO, FFRS and ORSM were included into a basal diet to give levels of added oil of 40, 80 and 120g/kg. RSM was also incorporated into the basal diet at the same rates as in ORSM. The 12 experimental diets together with the basal diet were given to 13 gilts in a metabolism trial conducted over four time periods. A 10-day acclimatization in holding pens preceded a 5-day total collection of faeces and urine in metabolism crates. Rapeseed products, diets, faeces and urine were analysed for gross energy (GE) and all, except urine, for oil content measured by two methods (petroleum ether and acid hydrolysis prior to ether extraction). Apparent digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) of rapeseed products were determined by single-level assay and by regression. Oil DE was also derived indirectly as a product of apparent oil digestibility (AOD) and oil GE. Apparent nitrogen digestibility was estimated for diets and rapeseed products. The response of dietary DE, ME and AOD to rates of test material inclusion was linear (P < 0·001) in all cases except for ORSM and RSM the DE and ME of which, in addition, showed evidence of curvilinearity. Age of pig had no significant effect on dietary AOD and energy values. Linear regression techniques were better than single level assays (particularly at low rates of inclusion) in determining energy values and gave DE values of 42·4, 190, 14·6 and 25·8 MJ/kg dry matter for RSO, FFRS, RSM and ORSM respectively. Oil DE and AOD were not influenced by method of evaluation. The results of this study indicated improved energy values for FFRS and RSM of a triple-low cultivar over published data for high-glucosinolate varieties but not over data for double-low varieties. In addition it appears that AOD is the main factor determining dietary utilization of FFRS and would need to be considered in order to optimize the nutritive value of FFRS in diets for growing pigs.
Sucrose as an energy source for growing pigs: energy utilization for protein deposition
Authors: Beech S. A. , Elliott R. , Batterham E. S. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTAn experiment was conducted to determine the effect of sucrose as an energy source on energy utilization and protein retention by growing pigs. Growing pigs (20 to 50 kg live weight) were restrictively fed (three times maintenance) either a control wheat-based diet (14 MJ digestible energy (DE) per kg), a sucrose-based diet (15 MJ DE per kg) or a wheat-based diet made i so-energetic with the sucrose diet by the addition of oil. Net energy (NE) content of the diet, energy utilization, protein and fat deposition were measured.Both the sucrose- and the iso-energetic wheat-based diets improved energy utilization and increased NE retention. They also increased fat deposition (P < 0·05) but had no effect on protein deposition (P > 0·05) compared with the wheat-based control. Increased DE utilization in the sucrose-based diet appeared due to (i) lower dietary fibre, (ii) a better balance of amino acids, or possibly due to (iii) increased fat synthesis due to sucrose metabolism. The lack of effect of sucrose on protein deposition appeared due to either (i) an increased amino acid requirement as a result of the higher NE content of the diet or (ii) preferential use of sucrose for fat deposition.
Feed intake in six lines of pigs and its influence on growth and carcass traits 1. Feeding twice daily for 20 min per session
Authors: Cöp W. A. G. , Buiting G. A. J. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYFor a crossbreeding experiment six lines of pigs were developed from six breeds: Belgian Landrace (B), Pietrain (P), Dutch Landrace (N), Dutch Yorkshire (G), Duroc (D) and Hampshire (H). Out of 10 different litters per line, one female and one castrate male were housed and fed individually from 20 to 96 kg. All pigs were offered feed twice daily for 20 min exactly.Maximum differences in feed intake between the lines increased from 150 g at 25 kg to more than 500 g at 95 kg live weight. Daily intake of Pietrain pigs was lower than that of all other lines. Differences between the N, H and G lines were small. The difference between the feed intake of males and females increased from zero at 27 kg to 230 g at 75 kg. Differences in daily gain were greatest between the P and G lines, and doubled during the growing period from 80 g to 170 g.Differences in daily gain between the N, H and B lines were small. Pietrain pigs and, to a lesser extent, Belgian Landrace pigs produced more meaty carcasses but both had poorer meat quality than other other lines. It is concluded that differences in feed intake might be the main causal factor for the existence of differences between biological types of pigs.
Seasonal variation in testis diameter and sperm output of rams of breeds of different prolificacy
Authors: Islam A. B. M. M. , Land R. B. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYSeasonal variation in testis diameter and sperm output was studied in five Finnish Landrace (Finn) and five Tasmanian Merino (Merino) rams, together with five crossbreds between these breeds (Finn-Merino), five selected phenotypically from the Finn-Dorset breed type for high juvenile testis diameter (Finn-Dorset-High) and four for low juvenile diameter (Finn-Dorset-Low). There was marked seasonal variation in testis diameter for each of the breed types. The time of the seasonal increase in testis diameter varied among the breed types, the Merino rams starting earliest—49 days before the Finns. The characteristics of seasonal variation in testis diameter thus showed similarity with the characteristics of seasonal variation in the reproductive performance of females of the breed type. Breed differences in response to season were also demonstrated by a significant breed by season interaction for sperm production, but there were no indications of a useful association between variation in sperm production and variation in the reproductive performance of related females. Overall, differences in adult testis diameter were small relative to those among juveniles.
Fertility of inseminations with two sperm concentrations in oestrus-synchronized cattle
Authors: Boyd L. J. , Smith G. F. , Wood P. D. P. , Craven J. , Melrose D. R. , Williamson J. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYTwo field trials were conducted to evaluate oestrus synchronization under farm conditions and to determine if increased sperm numbers per insemination would enhance fertility at the first synchronized oestrus. One hundred and seventy-seven previously unmated British Friesian females in 6 dairy herds and 236 suckler cows in 9 beef herds were used. Treated animals received 1·0 mg melengestrol acetate (MGA) daily for 14 days. Treated and control animals were inseminated with either 15 or 60 million sperm per first insemination.Oestrus was synchronized in 94% of the treated dairy heifers and 66% of the treated suckler cows. Oestrus detection by herdsmen appeared to be much less precise in suckler herds than in the dairy herds.First inseminations were given during a 21-day breeding period (commencing at withdrawal of MGA) to 97% of treated and 79% of control dairy heifers (P<0·01), and to 77% of the treated and 69% of the control suckler cows (P>0·05). On an average, first inseminations were given 10 days earlier to treated heifers and 7 days earlier to treated suckler cows than to their control counterparts. The 45-day non-return rate to first inseminations was 81% for control and 41% for treated dairy heifers (P< 0·001) and 69% for control and 46% for treated suckler cows (P>0·05).Oestrus-synchronized animals required significantly more services than control animals during a 30-day breeding period. However, there was no difference between treated and control animals in the non-return rate to one or more services given during the prescribed 30-day breeding period.Insemination with 15 or 60 million live sperm had no effect on the non-return rate of treated or control animals.
Variation in intake among group-fed pregnant Scottish Blackface ewes given restricted amounts of food
Authors: Foot Janet Z. , Russel A. J. F. , Maxwell T. J. , Morris P. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYThe intakes of concentrates and hay by individuals in three groups of ewes were estimated at three-weekly intervals in late pregnancy from faecal output; chromic oxide was incorporated as a marker in the concentrates. The groups were: (1) 16 mature ewes, (2) 16 2-year-old ewes, (3) eight mature and eight 2-year-old ewes. A constant daily hay allowance of 734 g dry matter (DM)/sheep was given but the concentrate was increased from an equivalent of 96 g DM/sheep at the beginning of the experiment to 435 g at the end. Individual concentrate intakes were most variable when the group allowance was small (CV over 50% in the mixed group) but variation decreased when amounts of concentrates were increased to contribute up to 47% of the total digestible DM intake. The CV for the total digestible DM intake ranged from 13 to 24%.The younger sheep were at no disadvantage when penned with mature ewes. Intakes by individual ewes were compared with their calculated requirements and several twin-bearing ewes were shown to have a substantial energy deficit which was confirmed by their higher plasma ketone concentrations.A major practical difficulty in group-feeding pregnant ewes is to ensure that the ewes with the highest foetal burden are adequately fed.
The effects of quantity and distribution of milk substitute on the performance of artificially reared lambs to forty-eight days of age
Authors: Penning P. D. , Cottrell K. M. , Treacher T. T. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYTwenty-seven groups of Finnish Landrace × Dorset Horn lambs, each of two males and two females, were offered daily quantities of 180, 248 or 343 g milk substitute dry matter (DM) for 21, 29 or 40 days. The environmental temperature was 18°C during the first 21 days of rearing, and concentrate pellets and clean water were always available. From 22 to 48 days of age the lambs were offered 150 g of hay per week.For lambs offered 180 g milk substitute DM, increasing the number of days before weaning increased the daily live-weight gain over the 47-day experimental period. For daily allowances of 248 and 343 g of milk substitute, greater gains were effected only by delaying weaning from 21 to 29 days.Increasing the daily allowance of milk substitute DM had little effect on the daily gain of lambs weaned after 21 days but increased gain by lambs weaned at 29 days. For lambs weaned after 40 days growth rate was increased only by the first increment of milk substitute DM. Intake of solid food began when the lambs were 3 weeks old and total intake of concentrates was inversely related to total quantity of milk substitute DM consumed and in general was less when weaning was later.The overall efficiency of conversion of total DM consumed to live weight was positively related to total milk substitute DM consumed and tended to be greatest when weaning was later. A daily allowance of 180 g milk substitute DM for 21 days gave the lowest food cost per unit of live-weight gain.The incidence of navel sucking is discussed.
A note on the relationships between solid food intake, the volume of the abdominal organs, and external body measurements in calves
Authors: Hodgson J. , Cottrell K. M. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYRegression equations derived from Jersey calves fed on either chopped or ground and pelleted dried grass indicated that the volume of the organs of the abdomen or abdomen plus thorax could be predicted from simple external body measurements. The prediction equations did not differ significantly between diets. It is suggested that this measurement may be of importance in studies on the voluntary food intake of ruminants.
Breed variation in lambing performance and lamb mortality in commercial sheep flocks
Authors: Wiener Gerald , Deeble F. K. , Broadbent J. S. , Talbot M. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYTwo surveys were conducted on commercial farms in England, Wales and Scotland to ascertain whether breeding contributed to variation in the number of lambs born per ewe, in lamb mortality and in the number of lambs remaining to be weaned per ewe. Each flock comprised two or more breed groups, but within flocks differences in breed were often quite small.In one survey of 74 flocks (average size 198 ewes, comprising 175 breed groups) the lambing percentage averaged around 150% and the lamb deaths to weaning (including stillbirths) around 9%. Within flocks there were statistically significant differences in the number of lambs born and weaned per ewe attributable to the breed of lamb and of its dam and sire. Crossbreeding was associated with a higher weaning percentage. Lamb mortality differed significantly among breeds and crosses of lamb. Lambing performance varied with type of farm.The second survey was a comparison of different crossbred types of dam, themselves the offspring of three breeds of sire and seven of ewe. Thirty flocks participated, providing 29 sets of records for 1-yearold females producing on average 120% lambs and losing through death (including stillbirths) 25 % of lambs born, and 10 sets at 2 years old, with 176 lambs per 100 ewes lambing and 11 % of the lambs born dying before 8 weeks old. Variation attributable to the crossbred type of the dam and to the breed of the dam's sire was significant for lambing and weaning percentage and the incidence of lamb mortality.
The fatty acid composition of backfat from Pietrain and Large White pigs
Authors: Wood J. D. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYThe fatty acid composition of backfat from Pietrain and Large White pigs was examined. Both the inner and outer layers of Pietrain backfat had higher concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids and lower concentrations of saturated fatty acids. Pietrains consequently had relatively soft fat.A pair-feeding experiment was conducted with Large White and Pietrain pigs to determine whether these differences could be explained by the lower voluntary feed intake of Pietrains. The results showed that the Large Whites continued to accumulate relatively saturated fatty acids even at the lower level of feeding. It was concluded that the differences in the fatty acid composition of backfat reflect genetic differences in the capacity for fat deposition between the two breeds.