bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of food type and location on the attendance to an automatic milking system by daily cows and the effect of feeding during milking on their behaviour and milking characteristics
Authors: Prescott N. B. , Mottram T. T. , Webster A. J. F. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractFood can be used in an automatic milking system (AMS) to encourage frequent attendance to, and modify behaviour in, an AMS. An AMS was designed such that a cow had to pass from a bedded area through the AMS to enter the feeding area. A visit resulted in milking if the interval since the last milking was greater than 4 h.Fourteen Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were allowed to attend voluntarily an AMS for 15 h/day for three 8-day periods. In period 1 the cows were given forage in the feeding area and concentrates in the bedded area but in period 2 this was reversed. Period 3 repeated period 1. The cows were also divided into two groups of seven, only one of which was given 1 kg of concentrates when milked in each period in a cross-over design.Visits per cow per day increased when the cows were given forage in the feeding area (6·0 v. 4·1 (s.e.d. 0·08) P < 0·05) but milkings per cow per day were only slightly different (2·6 v. 2·4 (s.e.d. = 0·02) P = 0·052). Feeding forage in the feeding area modified forage-eating behaviour by reducing the number of bouts (4·9 v. 7·6 bouts per cow per day, P < 0·05) and total forage eating time (209 v. 289 min per cow per day (s.e.d. = 33·6), P < 0·05). The cows also tended to spend less time lying (529 v. 620 min per cow per day (s.e.d. = 43·2) P = 0·051).There was no effect of feeding/not feeding concentrates in the milking stall on visits per cow per day or milkings per cow per day. However, feeding tended to create more shuffling behaviour during the automatic teat cup attachment process (3·4 v. 6·7 shuffling bouts per milking (s.e.d. 2·07) P = 0·053) but there were no effects on the levels of kicking, successful teat cup attachment rate, vocalization, elimination, hesitations in mounting a step or poor rear leg positions. The cows tended to adjust to a more accessible stance during both the automatic attachment process (from 17% of milkings exhibiting poor leg positions at the start of attachment, to 10% at the end, P < 0·01) and over the course of the experiment (from 26% to 10%, P < 0·02). There was a trend for cows who were not fed to milk out quicker than those who were fed for all milkings per day combined (733 s v. 811 (s.e.d. 43·3) s P = 0·074) but there were no other effects on yield, milk flow rate from the udder or time taken to milk out for all milkings through the day combined or just the first milking of the day.Feeding concentrates in the feeding area can be used as an alternative to feeding forage in the feeding area, but there is no need to feed concentrates in the milking stall. Feeding cows while they were being milked did not improve their behaviour or milking characteristics.
Genetic parameters for lamb birth weight in spring and autumn lambing
Authors: Al-Shorepy S. A. , Notter D. R. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractGenetic parameters for birth weight were estimated for two sets of spring-born and one set of autumn-born lambs of the same breed composition and genetic origin using a model that included random additive, additive maternal, permanent environmental maternal, litter and residual effects. Litter effects were significant for all data sets, indicating that within-year effects of common environment and (or) non-additive genotype were important for birth weight and should be included in genetic evaluation programmes. Estimates of variance components for autumn-born lambs differed significantly from those obtained from spring-born lambs or from the combined data. In contrast, estimates obtained for the two sets of spring-born lambs did not differ from those obtained when data on all spring-born lambs were pooled. The estimate of h2 for birth weight in spring-born lambs was over twice as large as that obtained for autumn-born lambs (0·26 v. 0·22).In contrast, the across-year repeatability of ewe effects was much larger in autumn lambs (0·41 v. 0·26) as was the full-sib littermate correlation (0·73 v. 0·49). Mean birth weights were also 0·4 to 0·6 kg less in autumn lambs. These results suggest that negative effects on birth weight that have been reported for lambs gestated during summer in equatorial and subtropical regions are also manifested (albeit at reduced levels) in less extreme climates (in this case, 37°, 15' N latitude and 654 m elevation) and that maternal variation exists in the ability of the ewe to maintain adequate lamb birth weights in autumn lambing systems.
The determination of the age of ostrich carcasses from ossification of the pectoral girdle (ossa cinguli membrii thoracici)
Authors: Sales J. , Mellett F. D. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAlthough the extent of ossification between the caracoid and clavicle bones of the pectoral girdle (ossa cinguli membrii thoracici) in the ostrich carcass can be used to determine between ossification classes within the age range 8 to 14 months (considered as the optimal time of slaughter of ostriches), it is not an accurate tool for estimating the exact age at slaughter. It is possible to distinguish between carcasses originating from the birds between 10 and 12 months of age, at which ostrich meat toughens.
Frequency of subclinical mastitis and observations on somatic cell counts in ewes' milk in northern Greece
Authors: Stefanakis A. , Boscos C. , Alexopoulos C. , Samartzi F. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractSomatic cell counting by the Coulter Counter method, California mastitis test and bacteriological examination were performed on milk samples taken at fortnightly intervals throughout lactation from healthy primiparous and iniiltiparous ewes of the Chios and Karagouniki breeds and from healthy ewes in five grazing flocks in northern Greece.The proportion of the bacteriologically positive milk samples was 0·22. The prevalence of subclinical mastitis ranged, between the flocks, from 29 to 43% of the ewes. Subclinical mastitis occurred more frequently in Karagouniki than in Chios eives and in multiparous than in primiparous ewes of both breeds. Coagulase-negative staphylococci and S. aureus were isolated in 44 and 33% of the bacteriologically postive samples, respectively. No parity, breed or flock differences in normal somatic cell count were noticed, but stage of lactation influenced normal somatic cell count both in primiparous and multiparous ewes. The results of this investigation also suggest that (a) ovine milk samples with somatic cell count more than 1000 × 103 cells per ml, should be tested bacteriologically, (b) somatic cell count values between 1000 and 2000 × 103 cells per ml should cause suspicion about the presence of coagulase-negative staphylococci in the milk, and (c) the presence of S. aureus in ewe's milk results in a significant increase in somatic cell count, but the wide range of the values does not permit us to suggest any threshold value. The significant correlation between the results of the Coulter Counter somatic cell count method and the Califortiia mastitis test, indicates that the latter can be used for the determination of somatic cell count in ewe's milk.
Heart rate responses and plasma cortisol and (β-endorphin concentrations in ewes subjected to laparoscopy and its associated handling procedures
Authors: Haresign W. , Williams R. J. , Khalid M. , Rodway R. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractTwo experiments were performed to monitor the stress responses of sheep to intra-uterine insemination by laparoscopy and its associated handling procedures. The results of experiment 1 indicated that both restraint alone and full laparoscopic intra-uterine insemination in animals which had been sedated with 0·2 mg/kg diazepam promoted similar, significant (P < 0·001) short-lived increase in heart rate and plasma cortisol concentrations, but there was no effect of treatment on plasma β-endorphin concentrations. Experiment 2 compared restraint and full laparoscopy, with and without sedation in a 2 × 2 factorial design. The heart rate and cortisol responses following restraint and full laparoscopy were not significantly different, although laparoscopy tended (P = 0·06) to increase the duration of the heart rate response. Sedation with diazepam significantly (P<0·05) increased the duration of the heart rate response but attenuated (P < 0·05) the amplitude of the cortisol response. These results indicate that laparoscopic intra-uterine insemination does cause sheep to mount a typical stress response, but that most of this is attributable to the restraint required to effect insemination. However, the magnitude of the stress responses recorded were much lower than those reported to follow many other husbandry procedures.
Optimum linear selection indexes for multiple generation objectives with non-linear profit functions
Authors: Dekkers J. C. M. , Birke P. V. , Gibson J. P. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA method to obtain linear selection indexes that maximize objectives that involve average profit in one or more generations within a planning horizon based on non-linear profit functions, was derived through application of optimal control theory. The method involves simultaneous optimization of indexes for each generation in the planning horizon. Optimum linear indexes were found to be conform indexes derived from selection index theory, with economic values equal to a weighted sum of partial derivatives of the profit function at the trait means which result in each generation of the planning horizon. Numerical procedures to derive optimum indexes are presented. Methods and properties of alternative strategies for selection witli non-linear profit functions are illustrated for selection on egg weight and rate of lay in poultry. In the example, the additional benefit of selection indexes that maximize cumulative net present value of profit over a planning horizon of10 years was small relative to use of traditional selection procedures. Optimal indexes were also derived with a derivative-free non-linear programming optimizer, with identical results. The latter method also allows incorporation of additional constraints.Possible extensions of the optimal control methodology to address other problems related to optimization of selection over multiple generations are discussed.
Seasonal variations in testis size, libido and plasma testosterone concentrations in British goats
Authors: Ahmad N. , Noakes D. E. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe effects of months and seasons of the year on the testis size, libido and plasma testosterone (T) concentrations were studied in 10 young sexually mature male goats over a 12-month period. Testis size was expressed in terms of scrotal circumference, testis diameter and paired testes width while the libido was measured as stimulation and reaction times,number of mounts and services, and libido index. These measurements were recorded fortnightly.The body weight increased from 33·5 (s.e. 0·95) kg in October, to a maximum of 62·8 (s.e. 1·55) kg in July. All parameters of testis size decreased from October through January with a sharp increase noted in July and August. These parameters were significantly higher in the summer and autumn than in the winter and spring (P < 0·01). The libido in the goats increased from October to a maximum in December, declined gradually to reach the minimum in July, and then improved again in August. Thus, libido was lowest during the summer and highest in winter, the difference being significant (P < 0·01). Plasma T concentrations were high during October, with the lowest values noted in June. An increase in the T concentrations was observed in August, reaching the maximum value in September, the difference being significant (P < 0·01). The T concentrations were significantly higher during autumn than in all other seasons (P < 0·01).
Effect of meal frequency and rate of nutrient supply on the post-feeding behaviour of the pig
Authors: Morgan C. A. , Lawrence A. B. , Hunter E. A. , Oldham J. D. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThere have been suggestions that positive feedback from the meal may stimulate the performance of undesirable behaviour, such as stereotypies, in the post-feeding period. The aim of this work was to measure the short-term effects of a meal on the post-feeding behaviour of the pig.Pigs (70 kg live weight) were offered food ad libitum for 7 days and then given a restricted food allowance for 23 days (experiment 1) or 14 days (experiment 2). In experiment 1, the food allowance was given in one, two or three meals per day. In experiment 2, the food allowance was given in two meals per day and comprised ingredients which supplied glucose at different rates (starch, glucose/starch, starch/guar gum). The pigs' posture and behaviour were recorded in three 1-h periods during the day on 2 days consecutively during the ad libitum feeding period (time period 1) and on pairs of days on three (periods 2, 3 and 4: experiment 1) or two (periods 2 and 3: experiment 2) subsequent occasions during food restriction. The meal frequency or estimated rate of glucose supply had no significant effects on posture or behaviour. In both experiments activity increased with the duration of food restriction. In periods 1, 2, 3 and 4 of experiment 1 the proportions of observations spent were: standing 0·244, 0·260, 0·706 and 0·728 (s.e.d. 0·0346); nosing 0·073, 0·094, 0·229 and 0·253 (s.e.d. 0·0169); rooting 0·032, 0·037, 0·108 and 0·133 (s.e.d. 0·0133). In periods 1, 2 and 3 of experiment 2 the proportions were: standing 0·247, 0·302 and 0·446 (s.e.d. 0·0240); nosing 0·045, 0·075 and 0·138 (s.e.d. 0·0113); chewing 0·101, 0·126, 0·155 (s.e.d. 0·0121). In experiment 1 feeding rate increased with duration of restriction (P < 0·001), but was unaffected by treatment. It is concluded that post-feeding behaviour was influenced more by long-term changes in state (i.e. prolonged food restriction) than by short-term effects of the meal.
Thiamin supplementation of diets containing varied lipid: carbohydrate ratio given to gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.)
Authors: Morris P. C. , Davies S. J. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractOn the basis of their respective metabolizable energy contents, supplemental marine oil was partially replaced with a maize starch/dextrin mixture in diets containing approximately 500 g crude protein per kg food thus lowering the total dietary lipid concentration from 141·6 to 100·9 g/kg. The basal diets were then supplemented with thiamin hydrochloride at 0·5, 5·0 and 10·0 mg/kg food to produce six test diets in all. After 182 days of feeding, the fish given the diets containing the higher lipid content with a thiamin supplement of 10·0 mg/kg had shown significantly better growth and food utilization (food conversion efficiency and apparent net protein utilization) than the fish presented with the remaining five diets. Thiamin supplements of 5 mg/kg or less resulted in poorer performance amongst the fish given the high lipid diets. The fish given all three of the low oil diets performed poorly by comparison with those given the high lipid, high thiamin diet and performance was comparable with that of the fish given the high lipid diets containing thiamin at 5 mg/kg or less. Proximate carcass composition in terms of moisture, protein and lipid was unaffected in response to diet. Glycogen accumulation in the liver was significantly elevated amongst the fish given the low lipid diet where the thiamin supplement was 5·0 mg/kg or more. The haematology of the fish was not significantly altered in response to diet although elevated haematocrit was associated with decreasing thiamin supplementation. It would appear that for the seabream, lipid and carbohydrate are not exchangeable on the basis of their metabolizable energy content. When given high lipid diets the thiamin requirement of the seabream is in excess of 5·0 mg/kg and increasing the thiamin supplement to 10 mg/kg in high carbohydrate diets made no impact on performance.
Maintenance of villous height and crypt depth in piglets by providing continuous nutrition after weaning
Authors: Pluske J. R. , Williams I. H. , Aherne F. X. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThirty-two piglets weaned at 28 days of age were used to test the hypothesis that maintenance of nutrition after weaning would prevent the normal decline in villous height and increase in crypt depth and hence preserve the structure and function of the small intestine. Piglets were allocated to one of four treatments at weaning: (1) control group killed at weaning; (2) piglets offered a dry starter dietad libitum; (3) piglets offered ewes' fresh milk; and (4) piglets offered ewes' fresh milk plus 20 g t-glutamine per I. Piglets in treatments (3) and (4) were offered ewes' fresh milk every 2 h in a feeding schedule that increased from 1·2 I per piglet on the 1st day after weaning to 2·4 I on days 4 and 5. On the 5th day all piglets were killed and samples of small intestine were taken for histological and biochemical examination. Feeding ewes' milk or ewes' milk plus 20 g L-glutamine per I maintained (P > 0·05) villous height and crypt depth compared with piglets killed at weaning. In contrast, piglets given a dry starter diet had shorter villi (P < 0·001), deeper crypts (P < 0·001), and proportionately 0·21 to 0·28 less protein (P > 0·05) in their intestinal mucosa. Piglets given the starter diet proportionately grew from 0·49 to 0·62 more slowly (P < 0·01), ate the same amount of dry matter (DM;P> 0·05), but consumed proportionately 0·30 less energy (P < 0·001) than their counterparts given the milk diets. No treatment differences in the specific activity of lactase and sucrase were observed (P > 0·05). Significant correlations existed between voluntary food intake and villous height at the proximal jejunum for piglets given the starter diet and ewes' milk (P < 0·05 and P = 0·073, respectively). In turn, villous height was significantly correlated (r = 0·78 to 0·87,P< 0·05) with the rate of body-weight gain after weaning in these two groups. For piglets offered ewes' milk plus glutamine, an increase in DM intake was associated only with increases in crypt depth (P < 0·01). These data show that the structure and function of the small intestine can be preserved when a milk diet is given after weaning, and suggest an association between food intake and villous height in determining post-weaning weight gain.
A two-diet system andad libitumlactation feeding of the sow. 2. Litter size and piglet performance
Authors: Neil M. , Ogle B. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractSixty gilts were allotted to one of the following feeding regimes: CR, a conventional diet offered at a restricted level according to Swedish feeding standards; SA, a simplified gestation diet (mainly oats and barley) offered at a restricted level and a conventional diet offeredad libitumduring lactation; CA, a conventional gestation diet offered at a restricted level and the same diet offeredad libitumduring lactation. The sows were followed for four parities. Piglet birth weight was unaffected by sow feeding, but differences in piglet live weight were found from 3 weeks of age to the end of the experiment when the piglets were 9 weeks old. CA piglets were heavier than SA piglets at 3 and 9 weeks of age and heavier than both CR and SA piglets at weaning (35 ± 3 days). Litter size was unaffected by treatment as was piglet mortality, whereas the cause of death varied with treatment. Mortality due to trauma was higher among CA piglets than among others, while mortality due to weakness was higher among SA piglets than others and there was also a tendency for higher mortality due to diarrhoea among CR piglets. It was concluded that the CA feeding regime was superior with regards to piglet performance.
Systems of mating to reduce inbreeding in selected populations
Authors: Caballero A. , Santiago E. , Toro M. A. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractStochastic simulation is used to compare different systems of mating to reduce rates of inbreeding in selection programmes with phenotypic or animal model best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) evaluation. Compensatory mating (the mating between individuals from the largest selected families to individuals from the smallest) turns out to be proportionately about 0-30 more effective than minimum coancestry matings for situations with low rates of inbreeding, such as phenotypic selection or high population size, although the advantage is less apparent if common environmental effects are important. A modification of this system of mating is proposed which can be applied for overlapping generations, and this is shown to reduce rates of inbreeding proportionately by about 0-50 more than for discrete generations. Under high inbreeding, however, such as for BLUP selection and small population size, minimum coancestry matings, or even avoidance of sib matings are more effective. A procedure combining compensatory and minimum coancestry matings is also simulated and gives the largest reductions in the rate of inbreeding. The effects of these and other systems of mating on the rate of inbreeding are shown to occur through a reduction in the cumulative effect of selection and a deviation from Hardy-Weinberg proportions.
Variation in ovulation rate and litter size of Cambridge sheep
Authors: Ap Dewi I. , Owen J. B. , El-Sheikh A. , Axford R. F. E. , Beigi-Nassiri M. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractOvulation rate (OR) and litter size (LS) were recorded in a flock of Cambridge sheep from 1984 to 1994 and from 1976 to 1994 respectively. There were 1516 and 2480 OR and LS records with means of 3·2 and 2·5 respectively. There was considerable variation in results between years ranging from 2·2 to 3·2 for LS and from 2·8 to 4·2 for OR. Ewe lamb OR was affected by year of recording, some years having higher OR than others. Rearing type (single, twin or triplet) also affected ewe lamb OR, twins having lower OR than both singles and triplets. Ewe lamb OR decreased with later date of birth reflecting a lower age at OR counting. Ewe lamb LS was affected by year of recording and there was also an interaction between date of birth and year indicating that OR decreased with later date of birth in some years but not in others. OR of adult ewes was affected by year of recording which also interacted with age (2, 3 and 4). Generally, OR increased with age but this trend was not observed in all years. LS of adult ewes was significantly affected by year and increased with ewe age (2, 3 and 4). Heritability and repeatability were determined for ewe lamb OR and LS and adult ewe OR and LS in univariate and two-trait analyses using DFREML. Heritabilities of ewe lamb OR (0·18 to 0·21) and LS (0·05 to 0·08) were lower than corresponding adult ewe values for OR (0·19 to 0·34) and LS (0·19 to 0·22). Ewe OR had a lower repeatability (0·43 to 0·55) than LS (0·30 to 0·80). High genetic correlations (>0·9) were obtained for combinations of ewe lamb OR, ewe lamb LS, adult ewe OR and adult ewe LS. The importance of analysing ewe lamb and ewe records separately is discussed as is the value of ewe lamb OR as a selection criterion.