bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Behavioural and hormonal responses of pigs during transport: effect of mixing and duration of journey
Authors: Bradshaw R. H. , Parrott R. F. , Goode J. A. , Lloyd D. M. , Rodway R. G. , Broom D. M. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractTwo experiments investigated the welfare of pigs during transport. In experiment 1, 12 groups offour 90-kg pigs were transported to slaughter in a commercial livestock lorry for 1·5 h. Half the animals were transported in their social groups (unmixed condition) and half were transported with groups of previously unfamiliar pigs mixed together (mixed condition). Behaviour was recorded, a general activity index scored and saliva samples taken at different stages of the journey for analysis ofcortisol. Pigs spent most of their time standing in both conditions. The journey was very rough (as revealed by characterization with an accelerometer) and in the unmixed condition the pigs appeared to stand to reduce travel sickness. In contrast, in the mixed condition, this preference for standing seemed to be due to fighting which stressed and exhausted the animals (the general activity index was three times the unmixed condition). Levels of salivary cortisol were higher in the mixed condition at the beginning, middle and end of the journey. In experiment 2, six 35-kg pigs, prepared in advance with jugular vein catheters, were loaded onto a commercial livestock lorry (09.30 h) where they were individually penned. The vehicle remained stationary with the engine off and blood samples were taken at 30-min intervals during the next 8 h (control). Two days later this procedure was repeated while the vehicle was driven for 8 h (on main roads and motorways). Plasma concentrations of cortisol and beta-endorphin increased markedly in both conditions immediately after loading. Cortisol levels were greater (relative to control) at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the journey. Concentrations of beta-endorphin did not differ between control and experimental conditions except during the final 180 min of the journey when the control levels were higher.
Carcass composition and body fat depots of Galego Bragançano and crossbred lambs by Suffolk and Merino Precoce sire breeds
Authors: Teixeira A. , Delfa R. , Treacher T. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe main purpose of this work was to compare two breeds of improved rams (Suffolk and Merino Precoce) with the local Galego Bragangano breed for the production of crossbred slaughter lambs and to evaluate which cross was more adapted for meat production from the local breed in locations in the north-east of Portugal. The experiment was carried out over a 4-year period in three locations: (1) a farm with an intensive management; (2) an upland farm (400 to 600 m); and (3) a hill farm (above 800 m). Within each flock with 90 Galego Bragangano ewes, two rams of each of the sire breeds were used: Galego Bragangano, Suffolk and Merino Precoce. The lambs were slaughtered at 20 and 40kg, to obtain the carcass weight range of 8 to 14kg. The left sides of 151 carcasses were dissected into muscle, subcutaneous fat, intermuscular fat and bone. The lambs from location 1 had the highest carcass muscle proportion and the lowest carcass intermuscular fat proportion; their differences over locations 2 and 3 were 13 and 16 g/kgfor muscle proportion and 11 and 19 g/kgfor intermuscular fat proportion, respectively. The differences between breeds were relatively small and not significant. However the Suffolk crosses had less kidney, knob and channel fat than the other genotypes (5 and Uglkg less than Merino crosses and Bragangano, respectively). The Suffolk crosses tended to have less body fat.
Growth and food intake curves for group-housed gilts and castrated male pigs
Authors: Andersen S. , Pedersen B. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractPolynomial models with random regression coefficients were used to describe cumulated food intake and gain as a function of number of days on test for gilts and castrated male pigs which were on test from 30 to 115 kg live weight. Growth rate and daily food intake were expressed as the derivative of the curves. The applied models allowed a separation of between and within animal variation. Confidence limits for average curves and prediction limits for individual curves were also obtained. A similar model was used to describe gain as a function of cumulated food intake. From this function food efficiency was obtained. The application of the results in stochastic simulation models is discussed.Growth rate and daily food intake had a more curvilinear progress for castrated males than for gilts. It was estimated that 98% of the castrated males and 96% of the gilts had a lower growth rate at day 80 than at day 50; 74% of the castrated males and 48% of the gilts had a lower daily food intake at day 100 than at day 80. On average food efficiency of gilts was higher than food efficiency of castrated males and the difference increased through the test period.
Simulation of growth in pigs: approximation of protein turn-over parameters
Authors: Knap P. W. , Schrama J. W. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA dynamic model for simulation of growth in pigs was extended by a module to describe protein turn-over in six body protein pools (muscle, connective tissue, liver, blood plasma, gastro-intestinal, and 'other' proteins). The model describes protein deposition in these pools following different growth curves and differential rates of turnover. Growth curve parameters and turn-over rates were obtained from the literature.In growing animals, experimentally measured turn-over rates represent a combination of turn-over of already-present body protein and fractional (repeated) synthesis of newly deposited protein. An attempt was made to distinguish between these processes by varying the values of the fractional rate of synthesis of newly deposited protein (FRSdrp) and of the proportionof maintenance energy requirements not related to protein turn-over (FrcMEmaint), and comparing the simulated outputto the output from the original model without the protein turnover module.The turn-over rate (TRpres)of already present connective tissue protein reached unrealistic values for FRSdep > 2·5 per day, which puts an upper limit on FRSdep.The output from the extended and the original models showed similar patterns for certain combinations of FRSdefl and FrcMEmaint, dependent on the levels of model input variables. For FRSdcp 2·5 perday, these similar patterns have their optimum at FrcME^^ = 0·65, coinciding with FRSdep =2·0 per day. The corresponding TRpres values were 0·060, 0·019, 0·585, 1·492, 0·582, and 0·016 per day for the above mentioned pools.
The effects of treating low dry matter herbage with a bacterial inoculant or formic acid on the intake and performance of lactating dairy cattle
Authors: Keady T. W. J. , Murphy J. J. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA randomized block design experiment involving 64 lactating dairy cattle was carried out to evaluate a bacterial inoculant and two rates of formic acid as silage additives. Herbage from the primary growth of a predominantly perennial ryegrass sward was ensiled unwilted using two precision-chop harvesters. Alternate loads of herbage were either untreated (UT) or treated with formic acid applied at the rate of 2·7 l/t grass (LF) and 5·7 l/t grass (HF) or an inoculant enzyme preparation applied at the rate of 2·2 l/t grass (I). The mean dry matter (DM) and water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentrations and buffering capacity of the UT herbage were 148 g/kg, 151 g/kg DM and 638 mEq/kg DM. Inoculant treatment had no effect on the rate of silage fermentation post ensiling relative to the UT silage whereas HF treatment produced a restricted fermented silage. For silages UT, LF, I and HF, pH values were 4·53, 3·89, 4·32 and 4·05 (s.e.d. = 0·061); ammonia nitrogen (N) concentrations were 179, 89, 150 and 73 g/kg total N (s.e.d. = 10·4); butyrate concentrations were 6·0,1·9, 5·1 and 2·0 g/kg DM (s.e.d. = 1·24); and WSC concentrations were 14·4, 35·2, 18·0 and 100·7 g/kg DM (s.e.d. = 1·24), respectively. The silages were offeredad libitum. The UT silage was supplemented with either 2 (UT2), 4 (UT4) or 6 (UT6) kg concentrates per head daily while the LF, I and HF silages were supplemented with 4 kg (LF4,14, HF4) of concentrates. For treatments UT4, LF4, 14 and HF4, silage DM intakes were 9·69, 10·89, 9·93 and 10·89 (average s.e.d. = 0·465) kg/day; fat plus protein yields 1·39,1·44,1·32 and 1·49 (average s.e.d. = 0·057) kg/day; protein concentrations 29·2, 31·1, 29·9 and 30·2 (average s.e.d. = 1·01) g/kg. Inoculant treatment increased N apparent digestibility (P < 0·05) of the total diets relative to UT. The apparent digestibilities of neutral-detergent fibre (P < 0·05) and hemicellulose (P < 0·01) were decreased due to HF treatment. For the production of a constant milk fat plus protein yield it was estimated that an extra 0·63 kg per head per day and 1·04 and 1·77 kg per head per day less concentrate would be required for the I, LF and HF treatments, respectively. It is concluded that relative to the UT treatment, I treatment had no beneficial effects on silage fermentation, total diet apparent digestibility (other than N apparent digestibility) or animal performance. The LF treatment improve lage fermentation and intake, and tended to increase the yield of fat plus protein (P > 0·05) whereas HF treatment restricted silage preservation and increased silage intake and the yields of protein and fat plus protein.
Indoor space allowance: effects on growth, behaviour, adrenal and immune responses of finishing beef heifers
Authors: Fisher A. D. , Crowe M. A. , Prendiville D. J. , Enright W. J. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe objective was to determine the daily live-weight gain, behaviour, adrenal and immune responses of finishing beef heifers housed at two different space allowances. Heifers (no. = 32) with a mean live weight of466 (s.e. 3·6) kg were assigned to either 1·5 or 3·0 m2average individual space allowance in four slatted-floor pens (two per treatment) for a period of 104 days. On days 5, 40, 68 and 96, heifers (no. = eight per treatment, four per pen) were challenged with 1·98 i.u. ACTH per kg M0·75, and serial blood samples were analysed for plasma cortisol concentrations. The other 16 heifers were immunized against keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) on day 28, and blood samples collected on days 28, 42, 56, 70, 84 and 98 were analysed for anti-KLH immunoglobulin (Ig) concentrations. All heifers were blood sampled on days 0, 14, 56 and 98, and red and white blood cell numbers, packed cell volume (PCV) and plasma concentrations of creatine kinase (CK), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and urea were determined. Behavioural observations were conducted on days 8, 43, 71 and 99 by scan sampling for 24 h (10-min intervals), and continuous 4-h observations were conducted on days 100 and 101.Heifers at 1·5 m2space allowance had a lower daily live-weight gain compared with those at 3·0 m2(0·60v.0·87 (s.e. 0·04) kg;P< 0·001). Heifers at 1·5 m2had lower pre-ACTH baseline cortisol concentrations (P < 0·05) and lower post-ACTH peak cortisol concentrations (P < 0·05). There were no effects of treatment on serum anti-KLH IgG1or IgG2responses (P > 0·05). Heifers at 1·5 m2had lower plasma NEFA concentrations (P < 0·05). Red and white blood cell numbers, PCV, CK and urea were not affected by treatment (P > 0·05). The time spent lying down was lower for heifers at 1·5 m2(10·0v.21·1 h/day;P< 0·05). Social interactions were fewer (P < 0·05), and incidence of head-resting behaviour was higher (P < 0·05) among heifers at 1·5 m2compared with 3·0 m2space allowance. In conclusion, the restricted space allowance resulted in a substantial decrease in daily live-weight gain, and changes in adrenal response and behaviour.
Passage rate of solids and fluids in the digestive tract of buffaloes, cattle and sheep: selection of non-linear model
Authors: Amici A. , Bartocci S. , Terramoccia S. , Martillotti F. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractFive mathematical models were compared to select the most satisfactory model to describe digesta kinetics of solids and fluids in the gastrointestinal tract of buffaloes (Mediterranean bulls), cattle (Friesian bulls) and sheep (Delle Langhe rams) given food at maintenance level, according to a Latin-square arrangement for four consecutive periods of 21 days. Chromium mordanted alfalfa hay and cobalt-ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid were used as nonabsorbable markers and were administered through the rumen cannula in a single dose. Four different isonitrogenous diets (N × 6·25 = 140 g/kg dry matter) with different concentrate:forage ratios (12·5:87·5, 25:75, 37·5:62·5, 50:50) were used.Faecal chromium and cobalt concentration curves were fitted with five non-linear models: three gamma (G2, G3, G4) age-dependent one-compartment, one gamma age-dependent/age-independent two-compartment (G2G1) and one multicompartment (MC).Wilcoxon tests on residual sums of squares of the different models for solids showed that MC and G4 gave a better fit than G2G1, G2, G3 for all the data and within the species. The comparison of MC v. G4 did not show any significant difference (P > 0·05) for all the data computed together or within each species. Nevertheless, MC had a higher number of curves with lower residual sums of squares in comparison with G4 and was also able to produce estimates of digesta kinetics in the second compartment.The cobalt excretion curves for fluids, considering all the data, and only within sheep, showed G4 as the best fitting model. When G4 was compared with other models no significant differences were recorded either for cattle: G4 v. G2 (F = 0·6645), G4 v. G2G1 (P = 0·0620) and for buffalo: G4 v. G2 (P = 0·1575), G4 v.G3(P = 0·0796) and G4 v. G2G1 (P = 0·1641).It is concluded that the multicompartment model (MC) and G4 model were the best fits for solids and for fluids respectively.
Estimation of the mature weight of three breeds of Greek sheep using condition scoring corrected for the effect of age
Authors: Zygoyiannis D. , Stamataris C. , Friggens N. C. , Doney J. M. , Emmans G. C. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe objective of this study was to evaluate the influences of age and condition score on the live weight of ewes of three Greek dairy breeds. Boutsko (no. = 225), Serres (no. = 292) and Karagouniko (no. = 301) ewes from individually recorded purebred flocks were weighed (±0·5 kg) and condition scored, on a six-point scale, to the nearest 0·5 unit. Within each breed and age group the relationship between live weight and condition score was derived by linear regression. There was a highly significant relationship between condition score and live weight in all of the groups (P < 0·01). Live weight, adjusted to a standard condition score, increased with increasing age up to 3·5 years; beyond this age there was no effect of age on condition score. The live weight and condition score data for ages 3·5 years and upwards were used to derive a single regression between live weight and condition score for each breed. This provides a means to estimate adult live weights standardized to a given condition score. The values of the regression coefficients were directly proportional to the breed mature weight; on average the increase in live weight associated with a unit of condition score was 0·129 kg/kg of mature weight for the three breeds studied. Mature weight was estimated as the weight at a condition score of 5. Using published information, a similar value was found to apply to a wide range of sheep breeds and also to cattle. This robust value permits the live-weight change associated with a unit of condition score to be calculated, for any breed.
Effect of forage to concentrate ratio on comparative digestion in sheep, goats and fallow deer
Authors: Ramanzin M. , Bailoni L. , Schiavon S. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThree ewes, three female goats and three male fallow deer, aged between 7 and 12 months and weighing 24·0 to 32·2 kg, were used in this experiment to outline the main differences in digestion among the three species. Dietary treatments were three diets with three forage: concentrate ratios of 10: 90, 50: 50, and 90:10 and two different feeding levels (45 and 90 g/kg M0·75per day). The three diets were given to the three animals of each species in a Latin-square design; the two levels of feeding were compared ivithin diet in each period of the Latin square. The diet selected, apparent digestibility, and rumen retention time of Cr-mordanted neutral-detergent fibre were significantly different among species and dietary treatments. Interactions between species and dietary treatments were also significant for all the above variables. Sheep showed the highest intakes and apparent digestibilities of the forage-rich diets, and the longest rumen mean retention times. Goats tended to select diet components, despite allowance of diets being limited, and had lower food intakes than sheep. Apparent digestibility of forage-rich diet was also lower. Rumen mean retention times were shorter and less influenced by dietary treatments. Fallow deer had an apparent digestibility of forage-rich diets which was even lower than that of goats. Food intake was similar to that of sheep, with no evidence of selection. Rumen mean retention time was shorter than that of goats.
Effect of feeding diets high in monounsaturated fatty acids and α-tocopheryl acetate to rabbits on resulting carcass fatty acid profile and lipid oxidation
Authors: Lopez-Bote C. , Rey A. , Ruiz J. , Isabel B. , Sanz Arias R. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe effects of olive (MONO) or sunflower (POLY) oil-enriched (30 g/kg) diets with either a basal (10 mg/kg food) or supplemented (200 mg/kg) level of a-tocopheryl acetate on some measures of production, fatty acid composition of animal tissues and susceptibility to oxidation of rabbit meat and membrane extracts have been studied. MONO diet produced higher levels of C18:1 in animal tissues. Animals that received POLY diet had a higher level of C18:2 in perirenal and neutral fraction of intramuscular fat and higher levels of C18:2, C20:4, C22:4 and C22:5 in phospholipid, reaching a higher overall unsaturation (P = 0·001). Muscle samples from rabbits given the POLY diet were more susceptible to lipid oxidation (P = 0·0001). Differences in membrane lipid oxidation, between groups followed a similar pattern to that of meat. Diets rich in C18:2 resulted in increases in concentration of pentanal (P < 0·001), hexanal (P = 0·0001) and total volatile aldehydes (P = 0·0001) in meat as monitored by headspace gas liquid chromatography. Dietary supplementation with α-tocopheryl acetate reduced the overall concentration of volatile aldehydes (P < 0·05), particularly hexanal (P < 0·05). Dietary administration of monounsaturated fatty acids not only reduces membrane and meat lipid oxidation but also modifies the relative proportion of volatile aldehydes generated upon heating, with a specific decrease in those generally related to rancidity and off-flavour of meats.
Measuring diet selection in dairy cows: effect of training on choice of dietary protein level
Authors: Tolkamp B. J. , Kyriazakis I. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractIn a 7-week experiment, the ability of lactating Holstein-Friesian cows to select a consistent diet from two similar foods differing in calculated metabolizable protein to energy (MP/ME) yield was investigated. The effect on diet selection of training through previous access to foods separately, was measured. Food intake was recorded with 28 computer-linked feeders. All foods were mixtures of grass silage and concentrates. In week 1, all feeders contained a standard food. In weeks 2 to 7 a low protein food (LP) and a high protein food (HP) were offered in 14 feeders each. Group CHOICE had access to both foods as a choice from week 2. Group TR1 was trained by access to one food during days 8 to 10 and to the other during days 11 to 13. Group TR2 received the same training as group TR1 during days 8 to 13 which was repeated once during days 14 to 19. After training, TR groups had access to both foods as a choice. Groups LOPRO and HIPRO had only access to LP or HP, respectively in weeks 2 to 5 and to both foods as a choice in weeks 6 and 7. In weeks 2 to 5 LOPRO COWS consumed less dry matter and produced less milk than CHOICE or HIPRO cows. After a week of adaptation, untrained CHOICE COWS selected 662 (s.e. 27) g HP per kg of intake, a choice that differed significantly (P < 0·01) from random. In weeks 4 to 7 TR cows established similar diet choice: 696 (s.e. 21) g HP per kg intake and the proportion selected was unaffected by length of training. The between-day variation in diet choice within cows was not affected by treatment. It is concluded that, under the circumstances tested, training was not required for cows to distinguish between two mixed foods with different calculated MP/ME ratios and to select proportions significantly different from random.
The effect of body condition on the feeding behaviour of sheep with different times or access to food
Authors: Sibbald A. M. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractIntakes and feeding patterns were studied in two groups of 24 Scottish Blackface ewes, with initial mean body condition scores of 2·15 (thin) and 3·15 (fat). Three treatments, allowing access to a dried-grass pellet diet ad libitum for 6, 12 or 24 h/day, were applied in a Latin-square design, with each sheep receiving each treatment for one 12-day period. Food intakes were measured daily and feeding activity was recorded automatically every minute for one 24-h period during the last 5 days of each 12-day treatment period.Mean intakes were higher for thin than for fat ewes (1720 v. 1467 g dry matter (DM) per day; P < 0·001). There were no interactions between the effects of body condition and food access time and mean intakes over the last 7 days for the 6-, 12- and 24-h food access treatments were 1429, 1686 and 1805 g DM per day respectively (T < 0·001). Time spent feeding was higher for thin than for fat ewes, over the whole day (231 v. 197 mini day; P < 0·05) and in the first 6 h after the introduction of fresh food (140 v. 120 min; P < 0·05), but there were no differences between thin and fat ewes in the frequency of meals or in the rate of intake during meals. Intakes for the first 6 h were higher with restricted food access (1402, 1109 and 819 g DM per day for 6-, 12- and 24-h access; P < 0·001) but there were no differences in time spent feeding. The number of meals during the first 6 h was higher (10·4 v. 8·3; P < 0·05) and the rate of intake was higher (11·4 v. 7·8 g/min; P < 0·05) for 6-h compared with 24-h food access.It was concluded that long-term differences in intake due to body condition and short-term changes due to restricting food access time, involve different behavioural responses and this may reflect differences in the mechanisms involved in the regulation of voluntary intake. Keywords: body condition, feeding behaviour, sheep.