bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Selection for high and low prolificacy in Cambridge sheep
Authors: Ap Dewi I. , Owen J. B. , Axford R. F. E. , Beigi-Nassiri M. T. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractPrevious reports have suggested the presence of a major gene influencing prolificacy in the Cambridge sheep breed. To estimate the effect of such a gene, high and low prolificacy groups were established in a Cambridge sheep flock between lambing years 1990 and 1993. In 1990-1991 ovulation rate (OR) was used as the basis for allocating ewes into groups but for 1992-1993 litter size was used also as a secondary selection criterion. In 1990 and 1991 small groups (each with one ram) of extreme phenotype were formed. In 1992 and 1993, six high and six low groups were formed using all available ewes, increasing the number of observations but with less selection pressure for high and low prolificacy. Results from the groups were interpreted on the basis of a major gene with additive effect resulting in three distinct genotypes (CC, Cc and cc). It was assumed, because of the selection method adopted, that CC ewes were exclusively in the high groups, heterozygotes (Cc) were distributed between the high and low groups and that cc ewes were exclusively in the low groups. In 1990-1991 there was a difference in OR of 4·0 between ewes allocated to the high and low groups. In 1992-1993 the difference was 1·9. Litter size differences between groups averaged 0·73. Whilst the high group progeny had higher OR, the differences between groups were less than differences observed between groups based on selected dam records, possibly a reflexion of the young age at which progeny records were collected. Differences between the high and low groups suggest a gene effect for adult ewes of approximately 2·0, with expected OR, above a basal level of 2·0, of 4·0 and 6·0 for heterozygous and homozygous carriers respectively. The effect of the gene in young ewes (predominantly 1 to 2 years) was approximately 0·8.
Genetic parameters for lamb weight at different ages and wool production in Baluchi sheep
Authors: Yazdi M. H. , Engström G. , Näsholm A. , Johansson K. , Jorjani H. , Liljedah L.-E. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe Baluchi breed is the most common native breed of Iran adapted to harsh environments in the eastern parts of the country. The data used in the present study, collected from two research flocks at the Abbasabad sheep breeding station in north-east Iran, included 20 534 animals descended from 363 sires, 5992 dams, 282 maternal grandsires, and 2865 maternal granddams during the period 1966 to 1989. The traits recorded were: birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), weight at 6 months (W6), weight at 12 months (YW), pre-weaning gain (WG), post-weaning gain (PWG), lamb fleece weight (LFW), ewe fleece weight sheared before first joining (FW1) and adult ewe fleece weight (FW). Genetic parameters, estimated with restricted maximum likelihood and a two-trait animal model, were similar in the two flocks. Direct heritabilities for the various body weight traits were moderate and varied between 0·13 and 0·32, while the maternal heritabilities were low and varied between 0·01 and 0·12. Direct and maternal genetic correlations between WW and weights at later ages were moderate to high (0·59 to 0·96). Direct heritabilities of weight gain measures varied between 0·12 and 0·19, while no significant maternal influence on either of these weight gain measures could be detected. The estimates of direct genetic correlation between WG and PWG were positive and varied between 0·54 and 0·74, while negative maternal genetic correlation (0·17 on average) between WG and PWG was detected. For LFW, direct heritability was low and no maternal heritability could be shown. For FW1, both direct and maternal genetic influences were demonstrated (0·07 to 0·26). Direct genetic correlation between LFW and FW1 was very low and close to zero, while maternal genetic correlation was positive and relatively high (0·72 on average). The relative contributions to phenotypic variance from variance components due to common environmental effects ranged from 0·01 to 0·15 for all traits. The repeatability of FW was low (0·03 to 0·12).
Timing of melatonin treatment: differential effects on oestrus and coat growth in goats
Authors: Forsyth I. A. , Gebbie F. E. , Arendt J. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractTo avoid winter scarcity of fresh goat milk, simple methods of advancing the season of kidding would be commercially valuable. A combination of long-day light treatment followed by melatonin is successful but other aspects of seasonality including coat growth are also reset. To investigate whether effects on breeding season and coat growth can be dissociated, British Saanen dairy goats (no. = 30) were randomly allocated to one of six groups. Control goats were untreated. Goats in the other five groups received 2 months of treatment with 20 h light: 4 h darkness (20L: 4D) and were then given 3 mg melatonin orally at 16.00 hfor 2 months. The treatments started on 11 January (group 1), 29 March (group 2), 14 June (group 3), 30 August (group 4) and 8 November (group 5). Weekly blood samples were taken for the measurement of progesterone to monitor ovarian activity and prolactin. Side patches (10 cm ×10 cm) were clipped monthly from alternate sides and weighed to measure coat growth. The onset of ovarian activity was advanced from a median date of 15 November in controls to 24 May in group 1 (P < 0·01), 16 August in group 2 (P < 0·05) and 18 October in group 3 (? < 0·05). Groups 4 and 5 showed no significant change in the onset of oestrus (median onset dates 8 November and 1 November, respectively). Group 1 goats came into season again with controls in November. In all except group 5, treatment interacted with time to affect significantly the growth of the coat. The pattern of coat growth was most altered (P < 0·001) in groups 1 and 2. This was associated with effects on plasma prolactin concentrations of light stimulation and melatonin suppression. Group 1 goats resynchronized with control goats to show a coat of normal weight in the winter following treatment. Division of milking goat herds into spring and autumn kidding groups is, therefore, a practical possibility, but effects on overall milk yield require study.
Responses of young calves, on two levels of feeding, to transportation
Authors: Schrama J. W. , Heetkamp M. J. W. , Verstegen M. W. A. , Schouten W. G. P. , van der Veen F. , Helmond F. A. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe effect of transportation on energy metabolism in young calves was assessed at two feeding levels by indirect calorimetry during a 5·5-day experimental period. Twenty-six Holstein-Friesian male calves were assigned in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Calves were fed below or near the maintenance requirements (270 or 420 k) metabolizable energy per kg M0·75 per day). At 5 days of age, 13 calves were transported. The applied transportation procedure was aimed to mimic common transport of young calves. The other 13 calves were controls. Metabolizability of dietary energy was low (0·808), but similar for control and transported calves. Despite the similar salivary cortisol concentrations after transportation, heat production was higher by 23 kJ/kg M0·75 per day in transported than in control calves. Calves were not in a steady-state regarding their energy metabolism. Heat production decreased with time. Both transportation and feeding level influenced the decline in heat production with time. Only during the first 3 days after transportation was heat production enhanced, suggesting a relatively short-term effect of transportation in young calves. The impact of transportation on heat production and time related alterations in heat production were not related to the calfs activity.
Phenotypic variation in residual food intake of mice at different ages and its relationship with efficiency of growth, maintenance and body composition
Authors: Archer J. A. , Pitchford W. S. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractFood intake and body weight of 119 mice was measured from 3 to 18 weeks of age. Residual food intake was calculated for each week as the variation in food intake independent of variation in weight gain, weight maintained and sex. Growth efficiency and maintenance requirement were calculated by fitting curves to data from 3 to 18 weeks. The repeatability of residual food intake was low in young mice, but increased as they matured. Growth efficiency was correlated with residual food intake in very young mice. Residual food intake was not correlated with maintenance requirement in young mice, but as mice matured the correlation of residual food intake with maintenance requirement increased to 0·6. Body composition at maturity was correlated with residual food intake and maintenance requirement of mature mice, but a large proportion of the variation in residual food intake and maintenance requirement was independent of body composition. The results suggest that the age at which residual food intake is measured is important if it is to be used as a criterion for selection for efficiency.
Evaluation of milk allantoin excretion as an index of microbial protein supply in lactating dairy cows
Authors: Shingfield K. J. , Offer N. W. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe potential of milk allantoin as an index ofmicrobial protein supply was evaluated in two experiments conducted with 12 multiparous Holstein-Friesian dairy cows that examined the effects of altering the supply of metabolizable energy (ME) and fermentable metabolizable energy (FME). In the first experiment, late lactation cows received a 14·3 kg dry matter (DM) per day basal diet consisting of (g/kg DM) chopped barley straw (415), soya-bean meal (322), molassed sugar-beet pulp (197), molasses (33), urea (17) and a vitamin and mineral supplement (17) for a 21-day co-variance period. During four 16-day periods, six treatments were allocated randomly to cows, consisting of potato starch (1, 2 or 3 kg DM per day) or fat supplements (0·64, 1·27 or 1·91 kg DM per day). In the second experiment, early lactation cows received 40 kg/day (fresh weight, (FW)) of silage (307 g/kg toluene-corrected dry matter, 149 g/kg DM crude protein and 11·6 MJ/kg ME). During three 21-day periods, four treatments were evaluated consisting of supplements of either 4·1 (LI) or 8·1 (12) kg fresh weight per day of a low fat concentrate (acid hydrolysis ether extract (AHEE) 45 g/kg DM) or 3·8 (HI) or 7·5 (H2) kg fresh weight per day of a high fat concentrate (AHEE 110 g/kg DM). Both experiments showed individual cow milk allantoin concentration or excretion to be poorly correlated with urinary purine derivative excretion or calculated microbial protein supply. Use of treatment mean (TM) values dramatically improved these relationships. For pooled TM (no. = 10) values from both experiments, close relationships existed between milk allantoin excretion and concentration with milk yield (r values 0·991 and 0·883, respectively). Auto-correlation with milk yield appeared to account for milk allantoin excretion and concentration being highly correlated with urinary purine derivative excretion (r values 0·908 and 0·934, respectively) and calculated microbial protein supply (r values 0·938 and 0·945, respectively). Current experimental data indicates that measurement of milk allantoin is not a reliable indicator of microbial protein supply for individual cows.
Modelling the effect of the stage of pregnancy on milk composition
Authors: Coulon J. B. , Pérochon L. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe effect of pregnancy on the fat and protein contents of milk was studied on a 414-lactation sample. One hundred and forty-nine lactations of non-pregnant cows managed under identical conditions served as controls. The difference between individual fat or protein contents of each pregnant animal and the mean corresponding values in controls was computed weekly from the week of conception. The effect of pregnancy on fat and protein concentrations began to be significant from the 20th week of pregnancy, regardless of the week of conception. It was higher in the Friesian breed than in Holstein or Montbeliarde cows. In Holstein and Montbeliarde cows, the effect of pregnancy was higher in high producing multiparous cows (+2·8 and +2·9 g/kg for fat and protein concentrations, respectively, at the 29th pregnancy week) than in primiparous or low producing multiparous cows (+2·0 and +1·4 g/kg, for fat and protein concentration, respectively). In each of these three lactation groups (Friesian, high producing multiparous Holstein and Montbeliarde cows, other Holstein and Montbeliarde cows) the following linear modelwas fitted, where Y is the difference between fat or protein concentration of pregnant and non pregnant cows at a given stage (week), Pw is the pregnancy week, and a and b are parameters. This increase in milk fat and protein concentrations in late pregnancy cannot compensate the concomitant decrease in milk yield, so that fat and protein yield decreased in the same manner as milk yield during pregnancy (-77 glday and -68 glday at the 29th week of pregnancy, for fat and protein yield, respectively).
Compensatory growth in Belgian Blue bulls previously grazed at two stocking rates: animal performance and meat characteristics
Authors: Hornick J. L. , Raskin P. , Clinquart A. , Dufrasne I. , van Eenaeme C. , Istasse L. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA comparison was made between fattening systems with Belgian Blue bulls of the double-muscle type, in order to assess the reponse in terms of compensatory growth when the bulls were grazed at a high stocking rate. Two groups of eight bulls were grazed on Lolium perenne and Trifolium repens pasture during an initial period of 135 days (period I). One group grazed at a stocking rate of six animals per ha allowing for normal growth at pasture (NGP); the other group grazed at stocking rate of 10 animals per ha (low growth at pasture, LGP). Both groups were then finished indoors (period II) with a concentrate based on dried sugar-beet pulp. Eight control bulls were also fattened indoors on the concentrate diet during periods I and II (CG). The bulls were slaughtered according to similar finishing fattening state. Live-weight gains were 1·47, 1·10 and 0·52 kg/day (P < 0·002) during period I in CG, NGP and LGP groups respectively. Corresponding live-weight gains during period II were 1·22, 1·37 and 1·50 kg/day (P > 0·05). The LGP group had lower food conversion ratios, slaughter weights (P < 0·05) and dressing proportions (P < 0·01). The meat from the grazed bulls had lower cooking losses (P < 0·05) and tended to have lower drip losses (P > 0·05) and higher tenderness (P > 0·05). It also had a higher cholesterol (P < 0·05) content. Large differences were observed in the fatty acid composition according to fat location (subcutaneous, intermuscular or intramuscular). The proportions of mono and polyunsaturated acids were increased in the fats of the animals previously grazed (P > 0·05, P < 0·05).
Comparative effects of selenium supplementation on the plasma selenium concentration and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity in cattle and camels
Authors: Bengoumi M. , Essamadi A. K. , Tressol J. C. , Chacornac J. P. , Faye B. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAt an experimental farm, five camels and five cows were each given a similar basal diet for 6 months. They received oral trace element supplementation for 3 months (day 22 to 112) which included zinc, copper, selenium, manganese, iodine and cobalt and corresponded to twice the daily requirement generally recommended for cows. Plasma selenium concentrations were significantly lower in the camels (20 (s.e. 2) mg/l) compared with the cows (33 (s.e. 2) μg/l). The mineral supplementation induced a large increase in the plasma selenium concentration in the camels which reached 200 (s.e. 35) fig/l. In the cows, the increase was much smaller and did not go beyond 65 (s.e. 8) μg/l. Before supplementation the red blood cell glutathione peroxidase activity was similar in the camel and the cow varying between 4000 and 6000 IU per 100 g haemoglobin. In both species, this activity increased with mineral supplementation and remained very high even when mineral supplementation was stopped. The results suggested that selenium metabolism in camels is different from that in the cows.
The influence of ewe intramammary infection caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci on the milk constituents total protein, albumin, potassium and sodium
Authors: Burriel A. R. , Wagstaff A. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAn experiment was carried out to estimate the concentration of sodium, potassium, whey albumin and total protein of normal and experimentally infected milk from meat breed ewes. Intramammary infection significantly (P> 0·0001) increased the concentration of sodium, albumin and total protein and decreased that of potassium. The potassium decrease was not statistically significant fP = 0·08). The increase in whey albumin and total protein was followed by a significant decrease in the albumin and total protein of blood serum. The increases and decreases of sodium, potassium, albumin and total protein were significantly correlated to the rise in somatic cell count and subsided 3 to 4 days after failure to isolate the infecting micro-organisms from the milk of ewes. Changes in the concentration of albumin could be used in identifying infected mammary glands or to evaluate the virulence of the infecting micro-organism.
The effect of increasing slaughter weight on the production performance and meat quality of finishing pigs
Authors: Weatherup R. N. , Beattie V. E. , Moss B. W. , Kilpatrick D. J. , Walker N. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA study was made in two parts to establish the production performance potential of pigs taken to heavy slaughter weights (a) in individual housing and (b) in group housing. In experiment 1 96 crossbred pigs, comprised of equal numbers of boars, castrated males and gilts, were housed individually from 50 kg live weight and offered foodad libitumuntil one of four target slaughter weights was reached (70, 80, 90 or 100 kg carcass weight). Detailed dissection and meat quality assessments were performed on sample joints taken from these pigs. There were significant interactions in that boars maintained a high level offood conversion efficiency while this deteriorated at heavier weights for castrated males and gilts. Protein deposition rates (PDR) were estimated to be close to, or in excess of, 200 glday for boars. Daily live-weight gains were similar at all four slaughter weights despite increases (P< 0·001) in daily food intake at the heavier weights. Sample joint contents of lean (P< 0·05) and bone (P = 0·001) decreased while subcutaneous fat content increased (P< 0·001) with increasing slaughter weight. Cooking loss was reduced (P< 0·001) at the heavier weights while other meat quality parameters were not significantly affected by slaughter weight or gender. In experiment 2 288 group-housed boars and gilts were slaughtered at the same four target carcass weights as in experiment 1. Daily food intake, daily live-weight gain and variability in performance were lower for group-housed animals. It is concluded that maximum lean growth lies beyondad libitumfood intake for group-housed pigs of the genotype used in the present study. There are opportunities to take pigs to high slaughter weights with no reduction in daily live-weight gain and concomitant improvements in some aspects of meat quality.
Feeding value of pea (Pisum sativum, L.) 1. Chemical composition of different categories of pea
Authors: Bastianelli D. , Grosjean F. , Peyronnet C. , Duparque M. , Régnier J. M. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractLines of peas (no. = 213) grown in the same location were analysed for 1000 seed weight, protein, starch, fat, sugars, ashes and fibre content. Some 54 lines of peas out of the total 213 were grown in large amounts and analysed for the same criteria and also for amino acids, legumin, vicilin, lectins, trypsin inhibitor activity, carbohydrates, fatty acids, tannins, saponins. The lines have been arranged into four categories according to the shape, colour, weight, chemical composition and end uses of the seeds. Feed peas and garden peas are round and have similar composition in terms of protein, starch and fibre contents; they are tannin-free and have variable trypsin inhibitor activity. Coloured peas have also a round shape but differ from the feed and garden peas principally by tannins and also by lower starch, higher protein, higher fibre contents. Wrinkled peas differ from the feed and garden peas by lower starch, higher protein, higher fibre, higher lipid contents and their starch is characterized by a higher amylose/amylopectine ratio.
Spatial Architecture of Nitrifying Bacteria Biofilm Immobilized on Polyurethane Foam in an Automatic Biodetector for Water Toxicity
Authors: Woznica Andrzej , Karcz Jagna , Nowak Agnieszka , Gmur Aleksander , Bernas Tytus 
Published: September 2010

AbstractWe describe the architecture of nitrifying bacteria biofilms immobilized on a three-dimensional (3D) polyurethane foam that permits efficient water flow through a bioreactor. The 3D spatial organization of immobilized bacterial colonies is characterized on three resolution levels with X-ray tomography, light confocal microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Using these techniques we demonstrate biofilm distribution in the foam and the existence of several modes of binding of bacteria to the foam. Computed X-ray tomography permits observation of the distribution of the biofilm in the whole open cellular polyurethane material volume and estimation of biofilm volume. SEM and confocal laser scanning microscopy techniques permit 3D visualization of biofilm structure. Three distinct immobilization patterns could be observed in the open cellular polyurethane material: (1) large irregular aggregates of bacterial biofilm that exist as irregular biofilm fragments, rope-like structures, or biofilm layers on the foam surface; (2) spherical (pom-pom) aggregates of bacteria localized on the external surface of biofilm; and (3) biofilm threads adherent to the surface of polyurethane foam. Finally, we demonstrate that immobilized bacteria exhibit metabolic activity and growth.
Homocystein beim Alkoholismus: Pathobiochemische und pathophysiologische Aspekte
Authors: Bleich Stefan , Kornhuber Johannes 
Published: September 2010

<B>Hintergrund:</B> Eine Alkoholismus- assoziierte Hyperhomocysteinämie kommt nicht nur im Alkoholentzug vor, sondern ist mit kontinuierlichem und chronischem Alkoholkonsum verknüpft. Bei einer unter Alkoholentzug verstärkten glutamatergen Exzitotoxizität und Stress-induzierten Permeabilisierung der Blut-Hirn-Schranke erlauben erhöhte Homocystein-Plasmakonzentrationen die Prädiktion von Alkoholentzugsanfällen, was dann die frühzeitige Einleitung einer medikamentösen antiepileptischen Prophylaxe ermöglicht. Die Alkoholismus-induzierte Hyperhomocysteinämie korreliert mit der hippokampalen Volumenreduktion bei Patienten mit Alkoholismus und könnte zur Pathogenese auch der Alkohol-bedingten Hirnatrophie beitragen. Eine Hyperhomocysteinämie-induzierte Dysregulation der epigenetischen Kontrolle wird aktuell untersucht. </P><P> <B>Schlussfolgerungen:</B> Prospektive Interventionsstudien werden klären, ob durch eine frühzeitige Senkung erhöhter Homocysteinspiegel die Inzidenz von Komplikationen des Alkoholentzuges oder Alkoholismus-induzierter chronischer Schäden reduziert werden kann.