bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adipose tissue metabolism and cell size: variation between subcutaneous sites and the effect of copper supplementation
Authors: Sinnett-Smith P. A. , Woolliams J. A. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAdipose tissue cell volume, lipolytic rates, Iipoprotein lipase (LPL) and acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC) activities were determined in biopsy samples taken from the back, shoulder, rump and groin subcutaneous fat depots of 17-month-old female sheep (no. = 24). Half of the sheep had received a copper (Cu) supplement at 6 weeks of age. Biopsy samples were taken after fasting overnight.Differences in cell volume and ACC activity were apparent between sites. Supplementation with Cu at 6 weeks of age led to a proportional increase of between 0·24 and 0·45 in adipose cell volume and a proportional increase in lipolysis which varied from 0·70 to 2·27 depending on site and hormone addition. Correlations between sites for cell volume and lipolytic activity were not high in general but those for ACC and LPL activities were higher (for ACC r = 0·40 to 0·79). Overall the best correlations were between the back and rump sites. Correlations between the various metabolic measurements and cell volume were not apparent within treatment groups.
Evaluation of electronic meat-measuring equipment in predicting carcass composition in the live pig
Authors: Joyal S. M. , Jones S. D. M. , Kennedy B. W. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAn electronic meat-measuring equipment (EMME) determination (average of three consecutive readings) and backfat thickness (averaged over two sites) were taken on each of 107 live Yorkshire pigs weighing approximately 110 kg. After slaughter, 10 carcass traits: killing out, grade fat (fat thickness at maximum loin of split carcass), in. longissimus area, total and individual weights of the four untrimmed primal cuts (butt, picnic, loin and ham) and total weight of lean and subcutaneous fat in the four primal cuts, were measured and used to evaluate the EMME and ultrasound backfat probe, alone and in combination, in predicting carcass merit. Value of prediction was measured as significant improvement in correlation over a base model (A/?2). After adjustment for live weight and treatment (diet, sex and housing) differences, the EMME alone was significant in predicting grade fat (A/?2 = 007), weight of the four untrimmed primal cuts (A/?2 = 0·03) and weights of ham (A/?2 = 0·04), lean (A/?2 = 0·17) and subcutaneous fat (A/?2 = 0·08). Backfat thickness alone was significant in predicting grade fat (AR2 = 0·21) and the weights of loin (AR2 = 0·03), ham (AR2 = 0·02), lean (AR2 = 0·09) and subcutaneous fat (AR2 = 0·42). Their combined information was superior in predicting fat thickness (AR2 = 0·24), weight of lean (AR2 = 0·21) and weight of subcutaneous fat (AR2 = 0·44). Similar results were obtained when treatment effects were ignored. Correlations of the EMME number with fat thickness, weight of total lean and total subcutaneous fat were 0·31, 0·49 and -0·30, respectively. Correlations of backfat thickness with grade fat, weight of total lean and total subcutaneous fat were 0·53, -0·35 and 0·72, respectively.
Food restriction as a cause of stereotypic behaviour in tethered gilts
Authors: Appleby M. C. , Lawrence A. B. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe behaviour of Large White × Landrace gilts tethered in stalls was studied by scan sampling from 07.00 to 17.00 h on 3 days consecutively every 5 weeks. Results are presented on 30 gilts sampled during their first 5 weeks in the house, period 1, and on 36 gilts during the following 5-week period, period 2. Twenty individuals were common to both samples. Gilts were fed at 08.00 h with a pelleted complete diet, either on low food levels (1·25 to 2·00 kg) or on high food levels (2·2 to 4·0 kg).In both periods behaviour was strongly related to food allowance in individual gilts. Gilts on low food levels spent a greater proportion of their time in the standing position than those on high food levels (period 1, medians 0·31 and 0·12 respectively; period 2, medians 0·27 and 0·11 respectively), spent more time in repetitive behaviour (period 1, medians 0·22 and 0·04 respectively; period 2, medians 0·16 and 0·07 respectively) and spent a greater proportion of their standing time in repetitive behaviour (period 1, medians 0·46 and 0 respectively; period 2, medians 0·30 and 0 respectively). Similarly, all three measures of behaviour correlated negatively with food allowance overall, but there was some indication that food level had a threshold effect, with more activity and repetitive behaviour occurring on food levels below about 2 kg.These results suggest that if food allowances are low tether stalls are not a suitable system of housing for pregnant sows.
The effect of dietary protein on metabolite concentrations during fasting in calves differing genetically in dairy merit
Authors: Woolliams J. A. , Nisbet R. S. , Løvendahl P. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractEighty calves of both sexes, 4 months of age, of two lines, differing in genetic merit for fat plus protein production by 70 kg per 305-day lactation, were given one of four diets differing in protein content to give an estimated range of protein intakes from 299 to 530 g/day. After 21 days the calves were fasted for 72 h. Samples of blood were taken before and after feeding in the morning and afternoon prior to fasting, seven further samples were taken throughout the fast and five samples were taken ranging from 0·5 to 7·5 h after food was re-introduced. The samples were analysed for concentrations of urea, free fatty acids (FFA), glucose, triglyceride and f5-hydroxybutyrate.No association between metabolite concentrations and predicted breeding value (PBV) were found at any stage of the trial except for the effect of feeding on FFA concentration, the rate of increase of FFA during the fast and its ultimate concentration. These associations with FFA depended on the sex of the calf and were either absent or less marked in males. The results strengthen the possibility that FFA concentrations during fasting are related to PBV in females, and that sexual dimorphism may explain differing conclusions amongst previous trials.The magnitude of the estimate of coheritability of urea concentration during fasting with PBV, pooled across experiments, is reduced from -0·193 to -0·066 (s.e. 0·037) by inclusion of these results. However, heterogeneity between experiments is evident and remains to be explained. This suggests that urea concentrations are not consistent predictors of genetic merit and cannot be considered to be reliable for use in practice.
The response of spring-born suckled calves to the provision of supplementary feeding when grazing two sward heights in autumn
Authors: Wright I. A. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAn experiment was conducted to measure the response of spring-born suckled calves to supplementary feeding when they grazed, with their dams, on swards of different heights in the autumn. Two swards were maintained at mean heights of either 5·8 cm or 9·0 cm, and calves were offered 0, 0·76 or 1 -51 kg organic matter (OM) per day of a commercially available supplement for a period of 60 days until weaning. Supplement intakes by the calves grazing the taller sward increased throughout the 60-day period, but did not exceed 0·75 kg OM per day. There was no response in terms of calf live-weight gain to the provision of supplement on the sward maintained at 9·0 cm. On the shorter sward, intake of supplement increased at a greater rate and reached 0·75 kg OM within 3 weeks. Maximum intake by those calves offered 1·51 kg supplement OM per day was 1·25 kg OM per day. The provision of supplementary feeding when mean sward height was 5·8 cm resulted in a significant increase in calf live-weight gain (P < 0·05), although supplementary feeding did not fully compensate for the reduction in milk and herbage intakes because of partial substitution of supplement for herbage. During the winter after weaning the calves that had previously grazed the shorter sward showed increased live-weight gain compared with those that had previously grazed the taller sward but prior supplementary feeding was without significant effect in this group.
The effect of feeding supplements in the autumn on the reproductive performance of grazing ewes 2. Feeding supplements in relation to sward height
Authors: Gunn R. G. , Jones J. R. , Sim D. A. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe effects of feeding supplements in relation to sward height in the autumn on the reproductive performance of ewes grazing predominantly perennial ryegrass swards were studied in four experiments with three genotypes. Treatments in which either no supplements were given or supplements were offered according to the height of the sward were compared when ewes were grazed on swards which were managed to decline in height from > 5 cm to 2·5 cm either before or after mating. At a sward height of < 3·5 cm, 400 g ground and pelleted barley was offered per head per day; at < 3·0 cm, 700 g was offered; and, at < 2·5 cm, hay was offered in addition to the barley. Responses to these treatments were compared with that of a treatment in which a sward was maintained at > 5 cm. Sward heights were controlled by varying stocking rate. In experiment 1, with 305 Scottish Blackface ewes, supplementation was not necessary until after the start of the mating period. In experiment 2, with 200 Brecknock Cheviot ewes, the supplementation protocol was examined on swards declining in height either before or after a synchronized mating. Experiment 3 repeated experiment 2 with 200 Beulah Speckled-face ewes and experiment 4 repeated only the pre-mating phase of experiment 3 with 195 Beulah Speckled-face ewes.In experiment 1, ovulation, ova loss and potential lambing rates were determined from the number of corpora lutea and viable embryos at slaughter at 8 to 10 weeks after the start of mating in 103 ewes and lambing rate was determined from the number of lambs at lambing in the remaining 202 ewes. In experiments 2, 3 and 4, ovulation, ova loss and potential lambing rates were determined from the number of corpora lutea and viable embryos at slaughter at return to service or at 4 weeks after a synchronized first mating.Grazing a sward declining in height below 3·5 cm in the pre-mating period significantly reduced ewe live weight, body condition and reproductive performance, particularly in the relatively prolific Beulah Speckled-face breed, compared with grazing a sward maintained at > 5 cm. Supplementation at the levels offered overcame some of the effects of the lower sward height treatment in the pre-mating period but did not compensate fully. Grazing a sward declining in height below 3·5 cm in the post-mating period, although reducing ewe live weight and body condition, had little effect on reproductive performance, compared with that achieved on a sward maintained above 4 cm. Supplementation at the levels offered at the lower sward height during the post-mating period produced no increase in overall reproductive performance and had a negative effect on some reproductive parameters.
The effect of implantation with hormonal growth promoters on the response in the performance of beef cattle to protein supplementation of a silage-based diet
Authors: Steen R. W. J. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAn experiment has been carried out to examine the effects of implantation with hormonal growth promoters on the response in the performance of castrated male cattle (steers) to protein supplementation of a silage-based diet. The treatments consisted of grass silage offered ad libitum and supplemented with 2·7 kg per head daily of either a low protein (LP, 114 g crude protein per kg dry matter (DM)) or a high protein (HP, 206 g crude protein per kg DM) concentrate. Half of the animals, given each of the two concentrates were implanted with 20 mg oestradiol plus 200 mg progesterone and 300 mg trenbolone acetate at the beginning of the experiment and after 77 days, while the remainder of the animals received no implant, giving four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Sixty-four British Friesian and Simmental cross steers which were initially 426 (s.e. 3·5) kg live weight were used. The treatments were imposed for 157 days. The silage used was well preserved and of high digestibility. For LP and HP concentrates given to non-implanted animals and LP and HP given to implanted animals respectively silage DM intakes were 5·7, 5·8, 6·3 and 6·6 (s.e. 0·18) kg/day; live-weight gains 0·96, 0·92, 1·22 and 1·33 (s.e. 0·045) kg/day; carcass gains 0·58, 0·53, 0·78 and 0·81 (s.e. 0·024) kg/day; carcass subcutaneous fat depth 6·0, 6·5, 5·8 and 5·5 (s.e. 0·35) mm; areas of m. longissimus dorsi 69·1, 58·5, 69·6 and 74·7 (s.e. 1·91) cm2 and marbling scores 3·0, 3·6, 3·3 and 3·1 (s.e. 0·25). It is concluded that protein supplementation of well preserved grass silage produced a marginal increase in the performance of implanted finishing steers but did not affect carcass fatness. With non-implanted steers protein supplementation produced a marginal depression in performance and increased carcass fatness.
Electron spin resonance of wool from Merino sheep heterozygous or homozygous for white fleece
Authors: Fleet M. R. , Lincoln S. F. , Hounslow A. M. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractWool samples were collected from two groups of Merino sheep, both of which contained animals that were either heterozygous (Ww) or homozygous (WW) for white fleece. Group 1 were sampled in summer and group 2 in winter. These samples were scoured and measured for electron spin resonance initially (ESR1), following irradiation by ultraviolet light (ESR2) and then after wetting and drying the sample (ESR3).There was no significant difference between WW and Ww sheep in each group for any of the ESR measurements (P > 0·05). However, for ESR1 there was a difference between management groups (group 1> group 2; P < 0·05). The ESR3 on ESR1 values were plotted separately for WW and Ww genotypes. The plotted ESR3 on ESR1 values in both groups showed no differentation into distinct genotype clusters. Nevertheless, for group 2 there was a slight similarity to the cross-like pattern of genotypes reported in an earlier description of this technique and the regression coefficients of ESR3 on ESR1 for WW sheep (b = −0·09 (s.e. 0·28)) differed significantly from those of Ww sheep (b = 1·31 (s.e. 0·52)) (P < 0·05).It appears that the previously published method for differentiating between sheep that are either heterozygous or homozygous for white fleece was ineffective in this case.
In situ degradability of organic matter, crude protein and cell wall of various tree forages
Authors: Kamatali P. , Teller E. , Vanbelle M. , Collignon G. , Foulon M. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractLeaves of Leucaena leucocephala, Sesbania sesban and Calliandra callothyrsus were harvested in Rwanda from young shoots at 8 weeks after the first cutting. They were dried, ground and incubated at the same time in polyester bags in three non-lactating Holstein-Friesian cows each fitted with a ruminal cannula. The bags were removed at 0, 2, 4, 8, 24, 48, 72 and 144 h after the start of incubations. The different parameters characterizing extent and rate of ruminal degradation of organic matter (OM), neutral-detergent fibre (NDF), and crude protein (CP) were calculated. In vitro digestibility of residual protein after 24 h and 48 h incubation was also determined. Sesbania sesban had lowest cell wall contents and gave highest ruminal degradability for OM, NDF and CP. Leucaena leucocephala was degraded to a lesser extent, but its undegraded protein had a somewhat higher in vitro digestibility. In contrast, protein of Calliandra callothyrsus was poorly degraded and digested. The proportion and composition of cell wall could not explain these differences in digestion characteristics and other measurements, such as tannins, were incriminated. Increased ruminal incubation time augmented the extent of ruminal degradation and reduced in vitro digestibility of undegraded protein but did not affect the undigestible protein fraction.
Relationships between blood groups and some wool characteristics in Egyptian coarse-wool fat-tailed sheep
Authors: Marai I. F. M. , Gebriel G. M. , Abou-Fandoud E. I. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe relationships between some wool characteristics and blood group genotypes (AaAa, AbAb, AaAC, AAb, ACand AbAc) were studied in Ossimi and Rahmani Egyptian fat-tailed breeds of sheep.Interrupted medullation and coarse wool percentages and grade of wool were significantly related to blood group genotypes (P < 0·01). Fibre length and diameter and continuous medullation percentage were significantly related to genotype (P < 0·05). Staple length, number of crimps per cm, percentages of kemp, clean wool, impurities, moisture regain and fine wool were not significantly related to blood group genotype (P > 0·05).
Relationships between ovulation rate, embryo survival and litter size in rabbits
Authors: Santacreu M. A. , Gou P. , Blasco A. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA total of 233 does were subjected to laparoscopy in order to study the relationships between litter size (LS) and its components, using linear and quadratic models. The relationships were essentially linear, but there was a quadratic relationship between ovulation rate (OR) and the number of live embryos at 12 days of gestation. OR explained a small proportion only, but prenatal survival a greater proportion of the variation in LS. Both embryo survival and foetal survival were of similar importance and appeared to operate independently.
Muscle: bone ratio and fat percentage as measures of beef carcass composition
Authors: Berg R. T. , Butterfield R. M. 
Published: September 2010

1. Total anatomical dissection data from 62 half carcasses of steers representing 6 breed groups differing in age and nutritional history, were examined with a view to establishing a basis for comparison of carcass composition of breed groups or of cattle from various treatments.2. The results indicate that total muscular tissue might be used for comparative purposes in certain instances. Muscle weight differences could be examined independently of general size by adjusting to common muscle plus bone weights.3. It is proposed that relative carcass composition is best assessed by use of two measures: muscle: bone ratio and percentage fat tissue in the carcass.4. Muscle: bone ratio was shown to increase with carcass weight and after the effects of carcass weight had been statistically removed the influence of percentage fat on this ratio was negligible. The required adjustment to muscle: bone ratio for differences in carcass weight was estimated at 0·03 per 10 kg. increase in carcass weight.5. Percentage fat in a carcass is proposed as an index of acceptability. The requirements of different markets in terms of this index would need to be established. Adjustment factors for percentage fat based on carcass weight would need to be established on a within group basis.6. Relative growth coefficients for muscle, bone and fat, based on a logarithmic relationship with total muscle plus bone, are presented and were found to agree closely with those for swine and sheep. The magnitude of differential growth in body tissues indicated by the growth coefficients accentuates the necessity of making carcass composition comparisons at standard weights or following suitable statistical adjustments.7. The implications of carcass composition assessment in beef breeding programmes are discussed.
Nutrition of the early-weaned calf. IX. Nitrogen retention from different protein sources in calves fed ad libitum
Authors: Kay M. , Preston T. R. , MacLeod N. A. , Philip Euphemia B. 
Published: September 2010

1. Nitrogen balance studies were conducted on 8 early-weaned calves fed on four diets containing respectively Peruvian fish meal, soya bean meal, groundnut meal and dried distillers grains as the major sources of protein.2. Nitrogen retention differed significantly between diets, being highest on the fish meal diet, and lowest on the groundnut diet.
Volatile fatty acids in the rumen of African sheep given a variety of low-protein diets
Authors: Topps J. H. , Elliott R. C. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARY1. Total concentrations of volatile fatty acids and molar proportions of acetic, nrooionic and butyric acids were determined in the rumen of Blackhead Persian sheep given sixteen low-protein diets.2. Total concentrations of acids ranged from 2·89 to 9·33 millimoles/ 100 ml. of rumen liquor. Both digestibility and protein content of the ration had a significant effect on the concentration of volatile fatty acids in the rumen liquor. Protein content of the diet probably influenced the latter through controlling the rate of ruminal fermentation.3. Molar proportions of acetic acid varied from 59·7% to 69·3%, of propionic acid from 21·2% to 29·6%, and of butyric plus higher acids from 7·6% to 16·3%. Protein content of the diet had no significant effect on the composition of the acid mixture, but organic matter digestibility was inversely related to the proportion of acetic acid.4. The fermentation in the rumen of Blackhead Persian sheep, as judged by the volatile fatty acids produced, appears to be similar to that found in European breeds of sheep.
Determination of the milk yield of sows and correction for loss of weight due to metabolic processes of piglets during suckling
Authors: Spaendonck R. L. Van , Vanschoubroek F. X. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYIn determining the milk yield of the sow by weighing the litter before and after suckling, loss of weight due to metabolic processes must be considered.An experiment is described to investigate the loss of weight of piglets caused by metabolic processes between two consecutive weighings, and to investigate the relationship between this loss on the one hand and the body weight and the age of the piglets on the other. Weight changes of 15 litters of average 9·8 piglets were studied during 66 weighing periods of 16 minutes, by putting the pigs in a cage, fixed on a differential balance. Each weighing period consisted of 8 periods of 2 minutes, so that in all, loss of weight was studied during 528 2-minute periods.
Specialised sire and dam lines. IV. Selection within lines
Authors: Moav Rom , Hill W. G. 
Published: September 2010

Selection on an index of two traits was represented graphically by means of a response ellipse or response circle. This procedure was used to find optimal index weights for uncorrelated traits, and to compare the efficiency of alternative indices.Profit was expressed as a reciprocal function of reproductive performance, from which it was shown that the higher the reproductive performance, the smaller the weight that should be applied to it in a selection index. It was found that in pigs and broilers the average commercial standard of reproductive performance is sufficiently high that selection on production traits alone is almost as efficient as selecting on the optimum index.Three alternative procedures for selecting from a single original line were compared graphically: A. Maintaining the single line and selecting all animals on the same index. B. Maintaining the single line but selecting males and females on separate indices. C. Splitting the original line into separate sire and dam lines, each selected on a specialised index. Method C was found to be the most efficient of the three; B was more efficient than A for one generation, but less efficient in subsequent generations.