bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Establishing twin pregnancies in cattle by embryo transfer
Authors: Sinclair K. D. , Broadbent P. J. , Dolman D. F. , Watt R. G. , Mullan J. S. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAn experiment zoas conducted to assess differing methods of twin pregnancy establishment in Hereford × British Friesian beef cows and heifers. The experiment was 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design in which the factors were (i) source of embryos (in vivo or in vitro produced); (ii) pregnancy status of recipient (inseminated or non-inseminated); (Hi) method of embryo transfer (surgical or cervical); and (iv) uterine location of a native and transferred embryo, or two transferred embryos (both located in the ipsilateral, or one in each of the ipsi and contralateral uterine horns). Pregnancy and twinning rates for 285 animals used for embryo transfer were initially diagnosed at day 56 after induced oestrus by transrectal ultrasonography. Subsequently, calving rate and birth weiglit at calving were recorded.Pregnancy rates at day 56 after induced oestrus were similar for both surgical and cervical transfers (58·6% v. 55·2%), as was the case for twinning rate (36·2% v. 30·0%). Similarly, there were no differences between these two methods of transfer (50·0% v. 46·9%) and (26·1% v. 17·7%) for calving and twin calving rates respectively. Recipients which had two embryos located in the ipsilateral uterine horn had higher (P < 0·001) pregnancy rates (66·6% v. 47·3%) but similar twinning rates (32·6% v. 33·4%) at day 56 after induced oestrus to recipients which had one embryo located in each horn. A greater (P < 0·05) percentage of recipients with two embryos originally located in the ipsilateral horn calved (56·0% v. 41·0%) but fewer (P > 0·05) produced twins (17·8% v. 25·7%) than was the case for recipients which originally had one embryo located in each horn. In vivo produced embryos resulted in higher (P < 0·001) pregnancy rates (74·4% v. 39·7%) and twinning rates (48·3% v. 18·0%) at day 56, and higher (P < 0·001) calving rates (64·5% v. 32·7%) and twin calving rates (36·3% v. 7·6%) than did in vitro produced embryos. Inseminated (Al + ET) recipients had slightly greater (P>0·05) pregnancy rates (61·6% v. 51·6%) and twinning rates (36·9% v. 28·7%) than non-pregnant recipients which received two embryos. A greater (P<0·05) percentage of inseminated recipients (Al + ET) calved (54·3% v. 42·0%) than was the case for non-pregnant recipients which received two embryos. The percentage producing twins at calving were similar for these two methods of twin pregnancy establishment.Embryo survival to day 56 after induced oestrus averaged 45·0% and was found to be non-independent of its co-twin. From day 56 to parturition foetal loss averaged 21·0% and foetal survival was found to be independent of the fate of its co-foetus. Twin foetuses located in the same uterine horn were lighter at birth than twin foetuses located in separate uterine horns (33·0 v. 35·2 kg; P < 0·05).
A mathematical model for describing and predicting the lactation curve of Merino ewes
Authors: Groenewald P. C. N. , Ferreira A. V. , van der Merwe H. J. , Slippers S. C. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe milk production of 63 5-year-old Merino ewes was measured over a 16-week period after lambing. The purpose was to find a suitable mathematical model to represent the lactation curve of Merino sheep and to estimate the parameters of the model for an individual ewe from a single data point in early lactation. Three models were considered, the three-parameter Wood model, yn = nb exp(a + en), the four-parameter Morant model, yn = exp(a + bn + en2 + d/n and the six-parameter Grossman model, yn = a1b1 - [tanh2 (b1n - c1))] + a2b2[1 – tanh2 (b2(n -c2,))].The Grossman model was found to be inappropriate for the available data, while there seems to be little difference in the suitability of the other two models. The Wood and Morant models both seem adequate to represent the lactation curve. A pattern in the estimated residuals suggests possible autocorrelations in the errors, but this is inconclusive due to the limited number of data points per animal.The correlation between the estimated parameters of the model and the daily yield measured during the 1st week of lactation enabled us to use linear regression to estimate the lactation curve of an individual animal based on the 1st week's yield. Confidence and prediction intervals for the yield during the rest of the lactation period may then also be constructed. This makes it possible to extend incomplete milk records for use in genetic evaluation, formulation of rations and economic evaluations.
Lifetime productivity in gilts previously selected for decreased age at puberty
Authors: Holder R. B. , Lamberson W. R. , Bates R. O. , Safranski T. J. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA study was conducted to evaluate the effect of decreasing age of puberty on lifetime productivity in sows. Two lines of gilts from the Nebraska Gene Pool population were used in this study: a line that had been selected for decreased age at puberty (AP) and a line in which selection had been random (RS). The study was conducted in two parts. In part one, 75 gilts were mated at second oestrus and the productivity measured over five parities. A second experiment utilizing 68 gilts was conducted to provide further data for comparing litter size at parity 1, and also to compare ovulation rates in the two lines at second oestrus. Results showed that litter size was similar in both lines across parities. After five parities the percentage of sows farrowing relative to parity 1 was 58-8% for the AP line but only 39·4% for the RS line (P = 0·17). Litter birth weight, litter size and weight at 21 days, number weaned, and lactation food consumption were similar for both lines. Lactation weight loss was not significantly different between the two lines (60·9 (s.e. 5·9) v. 527 (s.e. 5·0) kg, for RS and AP gilts, respectively) but was consistent with the slightly longer weaning to remating intervals in the RS line (7·8 (s.e. 0·7) v. 6·6 (s.e. 0·7) days, P = 0·22). Ovulation rate at second oestrus did not differ between the two lines (14·1 (s.e. 0·9) v. 14·3 (s.e. 0·5), for RS and AP gilts, respectively). The regression of mean accumulative productivity on time was in favour of the AP line (P = 0·05). These results suggest that reproductive performance is not impaired in gilts which have been selected to reach puberty at earlier ages, and productivity at a specific age may be enhanced.
Production, carcass and meat quality traits of F2-crosses between European Wild Pigs and domestic pigs including halothane gene carriers
Authors: Lundström K. , Karlsson A. , Håkansson J. , Hansson I. , Johansson M. , Andersson L. , Andersson K. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA pedigree originally designed for pig genome mapping was used in order to study carcass and muscle development as well as meat quality of F2-crosses between the European Wild Pig and the domestic Large White pig (no. = 191). As a marker for the influence of genes inherited from the ‘wild’ and domestic grandparents, grouping based on the length of the small intestine was used. The pigs were also typed for genetic polymorphism at the calcium release channel (CRO locus controlling halothane susceptibility in pigs, and one of the Wild boars was found to be a carrier of the halothane mutation. At assessment, the carcasses were divided into cuts, the back and ham were defatted, and m. longissimus dorsi and the large muscles of the ham were weighed separately.Wlien grouped according to length of the small intestine, those animals with a short small intestine were more similar to Wild Pig, e.g. they were older at slaughter and had a slower growth rate than the other group. Their carcasses contained less lean meat, more flare fat and more subcutaneous fat. No difference in meat quality could be discerned between the groups, except for a tendency to greater pigment content and higher shear force value in the group with a short small intestine.The effect of the halothane mutation at the CRC locus was very prominent, although no animals had the gene in homozygous form. Carriers of the gene were leaner and had a higher reflectance value, lower water-holding capacity, lower pHu, higher protein denaturation and higher shear force value.
Digestibility and gastro-intestinal transit time of diets containing different proportions of alfalfa and oat straw given to Thoroughbreds, Shetland ponies, Highland ponies and donkeys
Authors: Cuddeford D. , Pearson R. A. , Archibald R. F. , Muirhead R. H. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA series of 4 × 4 Latin-square digestibility trials was carried out to determine whether there were any differences between different types of equid in their ability to digest diets containing different levels of fibre and protein. The equids (Thoroughbreds, Highland ponies, Shetland ponies and donkeys) were offered one of four molassed diets in turn and these contained different proportions of alfalfa and oat straw: 1·0:0, 0·67:0·33, 0·33:0·67, 0:1, respectively. The apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), gross energy (GE), crude protein (CP), acid-detergent fibre (ADF) and neutral-detergent fibre (NDF) were estimated. The rate of passage of the different diets was measured using Cr-mordanted fibre (Cr-fibre) and Co-ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid.All animals digested the components of the high-fibre diets less well than those of the low-fibre diets (P < 0·001 for DM, OM, GE, CP and ADF). Donkeys digested fibre more effectively than the other equids (F < 0·01 for ADF and NDF). The gastro-intestinal transit time of the high fibre diets was significantly less than that for the low fibre diets (P < 0·001) and donkeys retained food residues longer than the other equids (P < 0·01).
Milk production from grass silage diets: strategies for concentrate allocation
Authors: Aston K. , Sutton J. D. , Fisher W. J. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractTo investigate strategies for concentrate allocation, 155 multiparous Holstein-Friesian cows received grass silage ad libitum during lactation weeks 4 to 22 in two experiments. A standard concentrate (196 g crude protein (CP) per kg dry matter (DM)) was offered at the same average amount across the lactation period either at aflat rate or as two rates with a change of 6 kg in week 13. Treatments, described as kg concentrate DM per day in the first and second periods of lactation, were 3: 3, 6: 0, 3: 9 (experiment 1), 6: 6, 9: 3, 9: 9 and 12: 6 (experiments 1 and 2). In experiment 2, two additional treatments maintained CP supply from concentrate after a change from 9 and 12 kg DM by giving 3 and 6 kg high-protein concentrate (HP) DM per day (575 and 383 g CP per kg respectively).Generally as concentrate intake increased silage intake fell, DM intake rose and yields of milk and all milk solids increased linearly. However, in experiment 1 from a base of 3 kg DM, as concentrate intake increased so did fat yield overall and protein yield in mid-lactation but at a declining rate. Fat concentration was depressed at the lowest and highest concentrate levels. Protein concentration rose as concentrate allowance increased particularly at low levels. Increasing concentrate in mid lactation improved protein but not fat concentration. Additional concentrate either spared weight loss or increased weight gain. Distributing more of a fixed allowance of concentrate to early lactation did not affect cow performance overall.Silage intake, milk, protein and lactose yields and protein concentration increased and fat concentration was reduced by giving HP concentrates, effects being greater with 3 than with 6 kg DM per day. Reducing concentrate level while maintaining CP intake did not influence milk and solids yields. The ratios of responses to concentrate CP (3 kg DM per day HP v. 3 kg DM per day standard) compared with concentrate energy (9 kg DM per day standard v. 3 kg DM per day HP) were 2·1, 2·2, 7·4 and 1·9 for milk, fat, protein and lactose yields respectively. The results suggest feeding strategies for manipulating the production and quality of milk from grass silage diets.
Forage mixtures for dairy cows: the effect on dry-matter intake and milk production of incorporating either fermented or urea-treated whole-crop wheat, brewers' grains, fodder beet or maize silage into diets based on grass silage
Authors: Phipps R. H. , Sutton J. D. , Jones B. A. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractOne hundred and two multiparous Holstein/Friesian dairy coivs were used to examine the effect on food intake and milk production of replacing 330 g/kg dry matter (DM) of first-cut perennial ryegrass silage (GS) with either fermented (FW) or urea (40 g/kg DM) treated (UW) whole-crop wheat, brewers' grains (BG), fodder beet (FB) or maize silage (MS). A forage mixture containing GS and 750 g/kg DM of maize silage (MSH) was also offered. Dietary crude protein (CP) concentrations were equalized by offering all cows 6 kg DM per day of an appropriate concentrate supplement. DM intake and milk yield of cows offered GS (15·3, 23·0 kg/day) were increased (F < 0·01) by the inclusion of BG (16·3, 26·7 kg/day), FB (17·6, 25·9 kg/day), MS (16·6, 26·4 kg/day) and MSH (18·5, 27·6 kg/day). BG, FB and MS all produced similar increases in milk yield. Although the inclusion of FW and UW increased (F < 0·05) DM intake, milk yield was not significantly affected. The differences between the highest and lowest milk fat concentration, produced by FB (42·9 g/kg) and BG (40·1 g/kg) respectively, and the highest and lowest milk protein concentration produced by FB (32·1 g/kg) and GS (29·9 g/kg) respectively, were statistically significant (F < 0·001). Milk fat and protein yields of cows offered GS (0·97, 0·71 kg/day) were increased (F < 0·01) by BG (1·07, 0·82 kg/day), FB (1·11, 0·83 kg/day), MS (1·11, 0·83 kg/day) and MSH (1·12, 0·88 kg/day). Intermediate values were recorded for FW (1·01, 0·72 kg/day) or UW (1·00, 0·73 kg/day). Results show that farmers should consider replacing a major part of the grass silage component with an alternative forage or forage substitute.
Prediction of apparent digestibility and voluntary intake of hays fed to sheep: comparison between using fibre components, in vitro digestibility or characteristics of gas production or nylon bag degradation
Authors: Khazaal K. , Dentinho M. T. , Ribeiro J. M. , Ørskov E. R. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe study compared using chemical components (i.e. crude protein (CP), neutral- and acid-detergent fibre or lignin (NDF, ADF and ADL) g/kg dry matter (DM), the in vitro digestibility (Tilley and Terry, 1963), the in situ (nylon bag) DM degradation (g/100 g DM) and gas production (ml/200 mg DM) techniques to predict voluntary daily intake (g DM per kg M0.75) and in vivo apparent DM digestibility (DMD) of 10 graminaceous hays individually offered ad libitum to four Merino male sheep. Gas production or DM degradation were determined after 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 or 96 h incubation and their characteristics described using the equation p = a + b (1 – e-ct). Intake and in vivo DMD of the hays were variable and poorly related (r = 0·52; P > 0·05). The in situ DM degradation was significantly (Y < 0·05) related to in vivo apparent DMD at 48 to 96 h incubation (i = 0·76 to 0·75) and to intake at 24 to 96 h (r = 0·71 to 0·75) incubation. However, fibre components, the in vitro digestibility or gas production were either related to daily intake or in vivo apparent DMD, but not to both on the same occasion. Accurate prediction of intake (r = 0·90; P < 0·05) and in vivo apparent DMD (r = 0·88; P < 0·069) were achieved using NDF, ADF, ADL and CP in a multiple regression. Using the (a + b) and the rate (c) of in situ DM degradation, both in vivo apparent DMD (r = 0·77; P < 0·05) and intake (r = 0·83; P < 0·05) were predicted with accuracy. However, using the (a + b) and (c) of gas production, only intake was predicted accurately (r = 0·87; P < 0·01). The lower performance of the gas test was attributed to the small contribution to gas production and higher buffering capacity resulting from protein fermentation. When data of the graminaceous and other data from leguminous hays were combined, the most accurate prediction of both intake and apparent digestibility was by using characteristics of in situ DM degradation followed by those of gas production. The latter was more accurate than using chemical components or the in vitro digestibility. Addition of CP in the multiple regression improved the prediction of intake and in vivo apparent DMD from characteristics of gas production. It was concluded that despite the need to overcome the problem of protein fermentation in the gas test, accurate prediction of both intake and apparent digestibility can be achieved simply from the degradation characteristics of foods.
Selection on lean growth in a nucleus of Landrace pigs: an analysis using Gibbs sampling
Authors: Rodriguez M. C. , Toro M. , Silió L. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractData from 4150 Landrace pigs tested during the period 1989-94 for backfat thickness and age at 100 kg in an open selection nucleus were analysed with the standard restricted maximum likelihood/best linear unbiased prediction method and with a Bayesian approach based on the marginal posterior distributions of parameters of interest achieved via Gibbs sampling. Breeding values and fixed effects were sampled from normal distributions and (co)variance components from inverted Wishart distributions. The Bayesian analysis indicated that the selection was effective for both traits. Assuming flat priors for the (co)variance components, the posterior means of the annual rates of response to selection for both traits were −0·473 days and −0·212 mm. The influence of informative priors constructed from (co)variances estimated in the French Landrace breed on inferences about genetic and common environmental parameters, genetic group effects and total and annual responses was also examined.
Nutrition of draught oxen in semi-arid west Africa. 1. Energy expenditure by oxen working on soils of different consistencies
Authors: Fall A. , Pearson R. A. , Lawrence P. R. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe Oxylog, a portable breath-by-breath gas analyser, was used on seven animals to determine standing metabolic rate, energy cost of walking on soils of different consistencies and efficiency of work ploughing and carting. The average standing metabolic rate of animals was 5·63 (s.e. 0·12) W/kg M00·75. The consistency of the soil on which animals worked had a marked effect on their energy cost of walking which was 1·59 (s.e. 0·069) on unploughed soil, 2·15 (s.e. 0·084) on ploughed soil and 1·0 (s.e. 0·10) J/m per kg live weight on laterite tracks. The efficiency of ploughing sandy soils (i.e. ratio of work done to energy used for work) was 0·32 and was not significantly different from the efficiency of carting with different loads. The efficiency of doing work was not influenced by the type of work performed, the draught force exerted or the walking speed.
Influence of sex on cellularity and lipogenic enzymes of Spanish lamb breeds (Lacha and Rasa Aragonesa)
Authors: Mendizabal J. A. , Soret B. , Purroy A. , Arana A. , Horcada A. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe effect of sex on the size and number of adipocytes and on the lipogenic enzyme activity in different fat depots in Lacha (L) and Rasa Aragonesa (RA) lambs was studied. Male and female L lambs were fed on ewe milk and were slaughtered at 25 and 24 days of age corresponding to 11·4 and 10·9 kg live weight (UN), respectively. Male and female RA lambs were weaned at 58 days (16·0 kg LW) and were then given concentrates and barley straw until slaughtered at 89 and 91 days of age corresponding to 24·5 and 23·1 kg LW, respectively. A number of parameters were studied in omental (OM), mesenteric (MES) and kidney knob and channel fat (KKCF) depots including the amount of fat, the number and size of adipocytes and the activity of the following enzymes: glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH), fatty acid synthetase (FAS), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) and NADPmalate dehydrogenase (MD). In subcutaneous (SC) and intermuscular (IM) depots, all the former parameters except the adipocyte number were studied. Females of both breeds had higher amounts of adipose tissue than males in the internal fat depots(P < 0·05)as well as larger adipocytes, mainly in the KKCF(P < 0·05andP< 0·001for L and RA lambs, respectively) and OM(P < 0·05in the RA lambs) depots. There were no differences between sexes in the number of adipocytes. The activity of the G3PDH enzyme was higher in females than in males in OM and SC depots(P < 0·01)in L lambs, and in KKCF, IM(P < 0·05),OM and MES(P < 0·001)depots in RA lambs. Thus, the sex effect on adiposity in both breeds studied involved a greater fattening of the females which was consistent with a greater hypertrophy and a higher G3PDH activity.
Growth and carcass characteristics of heavy slaughter weight lambs: effects of sire breed and sex of lamb and relationships to serum metabolites and IGF-1
Authors: Wylie A. R. G. , Chestnutt D. M. B. , Kilpatrick D. J. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractTexel (T) and Suffolk (S) sired ram, wether and ewe lambs (no = 180) were kept at grass with their dams until weaned at 20 weeks and then taken to slaughter weights of 40, 44 and 48 kg, also at grass. Sex type, but not sire breed, affected lamb growth rate (rams 293, wethers 253, ewes 224 g/day; P < 0·001). Both T and S ewe lambs were fatter at slaughter in all fat depots compared with their ram and wether siblings such that rams could be slaughtered at a calculated 7·7 kg greater live weight than ewes at equal carcass fat cover. T carcasses were greater than S carcasses in eye-muscle area (793 v. 732 mm2; P < 0·001) and killing-out proportion (481 v. 476 g/kg; P < 0·05) but not in any fat measurement. Slaughter weight influenced killing-out proportion (P < 0·001) and all fat measurements (P < 0·01) but did not significantly affect eye-muscle area.Mean serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations (μig/l), determined during weeks 8,11, 14, 17 and 20 in a balanced subset of 84 lambs, were higher in T than in S lambs (P < 0·05), in singles than in twins (P < 0·01; rams and wethers only) and in rams than in either wethers or ewes (P < 0·001). Mean serum IGF-1 concentration decreased between week 8 and week 20 with a greater rate of decline in singles than in twins (P < 0·001). IGF-1 was more strongly correlated with live weight at 8 weeks (r = 0·629; P< 0·001) than at 20 weeks (r = 0·293; P < 0·05). Mean IGF-1 (weeks 8 to 20) was correlated with rate of live-weight change (r = 0·576; P < 0·001). Significant differences for T and S lambs were found in the relationships between mean serum IGF-1 (weeks 8 to 20) and daily live-weight gain (weeks 8 to 20) and between mean IGF-1 and eye-muscle area at slaughter. Metabolite concentrations differed little between sire breeds and not at all between sex types.