bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of mating pressure and season on the semen characteristics of rams
Authors: Tomkins T. , Bryant M. J. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYTwo groups of 4 Suffolk rams were each subjected to mating pressures of 90 ejaculates (High) and 45 ejaculates (Low) over a 3-day period during summer and autumn. Every sixth (High) or every third (Low) ejaculate was collected into an artificial vagina and assessed for volume, sperm density, total sperm per ejaculate, motility and percentage of live and abnormal sperm.There was a general lowering of semen quantity and quality with successive ejaculations. Rate of change of the various measures was greater on the High than on the Low mating pressure. Volume and percentage of live sperm showed a greater decline, and percentage of abnormal sperm a greater increase, during the autumn than during the summer. Density showed a greater decline in summer than in autumn.The significance of the changes in semen characteristics observed is considered in relation to requirements for high fertility after pro-gestagen treatment.
A note on the influence of a supplement of barley and dried lucerne on the intake of barley straw by cattle
Authors: Horton G. M. J. , Holmes W. 
Published: September 2010

SUMMARYSix castrated male cattle of 350 kg live weight were used in an incomplete Latin square design to measure intake and digestibility of barley straw offered ad libitum alone and with 5 levels, 1·5 to 7·5 kg/day, of a barley and dried lucerne concentrate. Straw intake declined and total organic-matter intake increased linearly with increasing concentrate level. On average 1 kg additional organic matter as concentrate, increased total organic-matter intake by 0·68 kg. There was no evidence that the crude protein content of the whole diet affected straw consumption.
The effects of breed, birthcoat and body weight on the cold resistance of newborn lambs
Authors: Slee J. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACT1. Twenty-two Scottish Blackface, 51 Welsh Mountain and 22 Tasmanian Merino lambs aged between 6 and 75 h were tested for resistance to body cooling in a climate chamber. Blackface lambs had long birthcoats, Merinos were short-coated. Welsh lambs were from two strains with long (L) and short (S) types of birthcoat. Some lambs were clipped before cold exposure.2. Clipping reduced cold resistance in Welsh (S) and (L) lambs by factors of 3 and 13 respectively.3. Undipped lambs showed significant breed differences, Welsh (L) and Blackfaces having the greatest cold resistance and Merinos the least. Long-coated lambs (Blackface and Welsh (L)) were on average six times more cold resistant than the average of Welsh (S) and Merino lambs; and Welsh (L) lambs were four times more resistant than the Welsh (S) type. Birth weight and age did not significantly influence cold resistance.4. In clipped lambs there was a significant positive linear regression between cold resistance and birth weight. Breed differences in cold resistance were still significant if no adjustment was made for the effect of breed differences in birth weight.5. Cold resistance was strongly influenced by breed differences in birthcoat morphology and probably by other physiological factors partly attributable to the different genetic backgrounds associated with birthcoat type. The breed differences in cold resistance were generally consistent with field data on mortality and body temperature regulation of lambs in severe weather, suggesting that climate chamber tests might be used to evaluate potential viability in the field.
Growth of bovine tissues 3. Genetic influences on patterns of fat growth and distribution in young bulls
Authors: Berg R. T. , Andersen B. B. , Liboriussen T. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTFat growth and distribution were studied by jointing and complete tissue separation of carcasses from 277 young bull progeny of eight sire breeds and two dam breeds, serially slaughtered at 300 kg live weight, 12 and 15 months of age. Growth impetus for fat in each joint was established from the allometric equation (Y = aXb). Differential growth of fat in different joints resulted in marked differences in percentage of fat in various joints as fattening progressed. Growth coefficients,b, for fat in each joint were homogeneous among breed groups, indicating similar fat development patterns over the weight range studied. Growth impetus for fat was lowest in the distal limbs and in the proximal hind limb. Fat growth in the proximal fore limb was proportional to total fat. Along the dorsal line, low impetus was found in neck and rump regions, increasing to a high impetus in the mid-back region. Ventrally the fat of the flank showed the highest growth impetus of all regions with fat in the brisket and flat ribs also showing an increasing proportion with increases in total fat.Small but significant differences among sire breeds were found for the amount of fat in each joint at a standard amount of total fat in the carcass. Differences found among sire breeds in fat distribution were not associated with differences in maturity type.
A note on the nutritive value of wild oats
Authors: Barranco A. , Morgan D. J. , Capper B. S. , Ogilvie L. M. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTThe nutritive value of wild oats has been examined in two trials with growing rats. Feed consumption was reduced with diets containing 50 % wild oats and dry-matter digestibility was lower (76 and 73 %) with two diets containing 25 and 50 % wild oats compared with diets containing 25 and 50% barley (80·2 and 81·1 %). Live-weight gain was depressed when diets contained more than 45 % wild oats and it can be predicted that growth and feed conversion ratios of mono-gastric animals fed on diets containing high levels of wild oats are liable to be affected adversely. Biochemical studies indicated that any reduction in growth rate could not be attributed readily to specific toxic effects.
Chemical processing of wheat straw and cotton by-products for fattening cattle 2. Performance of animals receiving material after drying and pelleting
Authors: Holzer Z. , Levy D. , Folman Y. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTTwo fibrous roughages, wheat straw (WS) and cotton hulls (CH), were either untreated or treated with 30 g/kg or 60 g/kg of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), the residual NaOH was either unneutralized or neutralized with sulphuric acid, and the materials were then pelleted. The effects of these treatments on the nutritive value of the two roughages were examined in an arrangement that differed from the factorial 2 × 3 × 2 = 12 in that only one control group was included for each roughage. Digestibility trials,in vitroandin vivo, and a 7-month feeding trial were carried out. Concentrates were limited in the feeding trial to 6 kg/head per day, and roughages were offeredad libitum.Dry matter digestibilityin vitrowas significantly higher on CH than on WS and was significantly increased by NaOH treatment. Level of NaOH and neutralization of residual alkali had no significant effect. Intake of WS was increased by treatment with 30 g NaOH/kg in the digestibility and feeding trials. Increasing the level of NaOH to 60 g/kg reduced intake of both roughages. Digestibility of organic matter of WS was increased by NaOH treatment at both levels, by 25 to 30%, while that of CH was improved significantly only by the higher level. Neutralization had no effect. The actual intake of roughages was 30 to 35% of the entire ration. The rate of gain of animals offered roughages treated with 30 g NaOH/kg was non-significantly increased, and that of animals offered roughages treated with 60 g NaOH/kg was reduced significantly in comparison with the control. Animals offered NaOH-treated roughages had a significantly higher dressing percentage, and those offered treated WS had a greater fat trim than the control animals. Efficiency of conversion of metabolizable energy into live or carcass weight for both roughages was improved only with the neutralized 30 g NaOH/kg treatment. Comparing the performance in this study with that of a former study of similar design in which the same roughages were offered wet, revealed no marked advantage from pelleting.
A note on the fracture of porcine scapulae during their withdrawal from the carcass
Authors: Thomas T. R. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTIn the processing of pig carcasses after slaughter the scapulae are removed mechanically. It is economically important to minimize the proportion of fractures (2 to 4%) that occur during this operation. The incidence of fractures in several hundred scapulae was investigated with a strain testing machine modified to simulate production-line techniques. The proportion of fractures occurring on the line was consistent with the relationship between the standard force employed and the standard deviation of the normal variation of the fracture load about its mean. In an attempt to raise the mean fracture load by reducing the maximum contact stress, the contact radius of the withdrawing tool was increased; this did not significantly change the mean fracture load but significantly decreased its variation.
Male reproductive characteristics of Merino and Ossimi sheep and their crosses
Authors: Galal E. S. E. , El-Gamal A. A. , Aboul-Naga A. , El-Fouly M. A. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTThe effects of breed type and season on semen quality and libido were examined. Tests were carried out in autumn, winter, spring and summer using 47 rams of five breeding groups, namely the the Fleisch Merino, the Ossimi, the first cross and the two parental backcrosses. All the rams were born and reared locally.Except for the percentage of abnormal sperm cells and time to first mount, semen quality and libido were not affected by breed type. There was little consistent evidence of heterosis in any of the traits examined. All traits except time to first mount were significantly affected by season. Semen was of better quality in autumn and spring than in winter and summer. With one exception all aspects of libido were depressed in winter.Breed × season interactions were significant in six of the 10 traits studied but showed no consistent trends.The reproductive performance of Merino rams was not adversely affected by the environment. This indicates the feasibility of introducing new breeds so far as semen quality and male libido are concerned.
A note on the effect of prolonged salt intake from drinking water on the distribution of body water in Marwari sheep of the Rajasthan Desert, india
Authors: Singh N. , Taneja G. C. 
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACTSixteen healthy ewes of the Marwari breed were randomized and four ewes allocated to each of the following treatments: control, 0·5%, 1·0% and 1·5% sodium chloride in the drinking water. Blood volume, total body water, extracellular fluid volume, intracellular fluid volume and interstitial fluid volume were determined. The results showed that Marwari sheep have a remarkable tolerance to saline water. There were no significant changes in body water compartments accompanying the changes in salinity of the water. It was also concluded that sheep can subsist on drinking water containing concentrations of up to 1·5% sodium chloride for a period of 6 months or more without exhibiting signs of change in body water distribution.
A comparison of bulls and steers implanted with various oestrogenic growth promoters in a 15-month semi-intensive system of beef production
Authors: Steen R. W. J. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractTwo experiments, each involving 48 British Friesian cattle, were carried out to examine the performance and carcass quality of bulls and steers implanted with one of three oestrogenic growth promoters in a semi-intensive system of beef production in which the animals were slaughtered at 14 to 17 months of age. The treatments used in experiment 1 were: (1) control steers (no implant); (2) steers implanted with 45 mg oestradiol in silastic rubber at 4·5 months of age and with 300 mg trenbolone acetate at 10·5 and 13·5 months; (3) steers implanted with 20 mg oestradiol and 200 mg progesterone at 95-day intervals from 4·5 months and with 300 mg trenbolone acetate at 10·5 and 13·5 months of age; (4) bulls (no implant). For treatments 1 to 4 respectively dry-matter (DM) intakes were 6·74, 7·24, 7·50 and 7·16 (s.e. 0·092) kg/day; carcass weights were 260, 283, 298 and 290 (s.e. 5·4) kg; and fat depths over m. longissimus were 6·5, 5·3, 6·3 and 3·4 (s.e. 0·53) mm. The same treatments were used in experiment 2, except that 36 mg Zeranol® was used in treatment 3 instead of 20 mg oestradiol plus 200 mg progesterone, and the bulls in treatment 4 were implanted with 36 mg Zeranol at 7·5, 11 and 14·5 months. For treatments 1 to 4 respectively DM intakes were 7·37, 7·85, 7·76 and 7·42 (s.e. 0·092) kg/day; carcass weights were 262, 285, 284 and 296 (s.e. 7·1) kg and mean fat depths over m. longissimus were 7·1, 5·9, 7·0 and 5·2 (s.e. 0·54) mm. Implantation of steers increased food intake but also improved food conversion efficiency and did not consistently affect carcass fatness or conformation. Repeated implantation with 20 mg oestradiol plus 200 mg progesterone produced a greater response in performance than a single implantation with 45 mg oestradiol-17β in a controlled-release silastic-rubber implant, while repeated implantation with 36 mg Zeranol produced a similar response to the single silastic-rubber implant. Bulls produced leaner carcasses and converted food to carcass gain more efficiently than implanted steers.
A note on lactation curves of dairy cows in Scotland
Authors: Mainland D. D. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe aim of this study was to estimate the parameters of the lactation curve of dairy cows in Scotland so as to improve the prediction of milk yield. The data used for deriving the parameters were ‘milk test’ yield values recorded by the Scottish Milk Records Association during a 2-year period. The data were grouped, according to lactation number, breed and area of Scotland, into 27 groups. The data pertaining to each group were then averaged so as to produce by regression analysis a curve for each calving week, lactation number and area. Areas and breeds were found to affect the shape of the lactation curves.
The relationship between volume of rumen contents and genetic susceptibility to pasture bloat in cattle
Authors: Cockrem F. R. M. , McIntosh J. T. , McLaren R. D. , Morris C. A. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractExperiments were designed to exchange rumen contents and vary the volumes of rumen contents between two pairs of rumen fistulated cows from herds selected for high (HS) or low (LS) susceptibility o t bloat. After exchanges between HS and LS cows the animals were tested on bloat-potent lucerne. The volume of rumen contents was lower in LS than in HS cows by 3·05 1. Increasing the volume of rumen contents of LS cows caused them to bloat to a degree never previously attained. The degree of bloat (i.e. score) was related to the volume of rumen fluid (r = 0·71) regardless of its origin (HS or LS) or the susceptibility of the recipient cow. The results implied that LS cows from this selection experiment did not bloat because they had a lower relative volume of rumen digesta than HS cows.
Pattern of milk production of East Friesland and Scottish Blackface ewes and associated blood metabolite and hormone profiles
Authors: Rhind S. M. , Bass J. , Doney J. M. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractPatterns of milk production and circulating blood metabolite and hormone concentrations were determined throughout a 14-week lactation in groups of 10 twin-rearing East Friesland EF) and Scottish Blackface (SBF) ewes. All ewes were offered, ad libitum, a pelleted diet throughout the experiment and milk yields were measured weekly. Pooled blood samples (six samples, 20-min intervals), collected before feeding, on 1 day of each week, were assayed for plasma glucose, non-esterfied fatty acids, 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-OHB), albumin, total protein, insulin, growth hormone (GH), cortisol, prolactin, thyroxine (T4), and triiodothyronine (T3). At weeks 2, 4,10, and 14, samples were collected at 20-min intervals for 8 h and assayed individually for plasma insulin, GH, cortisol, and prolactin. Mean daily intakes and milk yields of ewes were similar in the two breeds. Mean pre-feeding concentrations of most blood metabolites during the experiment were also similar in ewes of the two breeds but SBF ewes had higher plasma concentrations of 3-OHB (0·67 v. 0·43 mmol/l; P < 0·01) and total protein (73·2 v. 66·4 g/l; P < 0·001). SBF ewes had higher overall mean concentrations of insulin (9·53 v. 4·36 mU/l; P < 0·001), cortisol (7·59 v. 573 μg/l; P < 0·05), prolactin (457·1 v. 316·1 μg/l; P < 0·05), and T3(1.32 v. 1·12 μg/l; P < 0·001). GH and T4profiles were similar in the two breeds. Following the daily introduction of fresh food, there were significant increases in concentration of insulin (P < 0·001) and cortisol (P < 0·01) while there was a decrease in mean concentrations of GH (P < 0·001) and prolactin (P < 0·01). There were significant interactions between breed and feeding effects on insulin, GH, cortisol and prolactin concentrations. Patterns of milk production in ewes of these breeds were associated with changes in insulimGH ratios both before and after feeding which may be of a causal nature.
A comparison of silage-based and dried forage-based diets for finishing beef cattle
Authors: Steen R. W. J. , Moore Charlotte A. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractTwo experiments have been carried out to compare silage-based and dried forage-based diets for finishing beef cattle, and to examine the effect of supplementing the silage-based diet with additional protein. The three diets used in experiment 1 consisted of (1) grass silage supplemented with a low-protein, cereal-based concentrate (98 g crude protein (CP) per kg dry matter (DM)) (2) grass silage supplemented with a high-protein, cereal/soya-bean meal concentrate (208 g CP per kg DM) and (3) grass hay supplemented with a cereal-based concentrate (130 g CP per kg DM). The two diets used in experiment 2 consisted of (1) grass silage supplemented with barley and (2) a mixture of grass hay and artificially dried grass supplemented with barley. All the diets contained approximately 700 g forage and 300 g concentrates per kg DM except diet 3 in experiment 1 which contained 240 g hay and 760 g concentrates per kg. The silages were of high digestibility (digestible organic matter in dry matter 0·72) and were well preserved (ammonia N 36 g/kg total N). The diets were offered to castrated male cattle which were initially 384 kg in experiment 1 and 515 kg in experiment 2. For diets 1 to 3 in experiment 1 and diets 1 and 2 in experiment 2 respectively metabolizable energy intakes were, 92, 94, 94, 124 and 120 MJ/day; live-weight gains were 1·21, 1·16 and 1·21 (s.e. 0·044) and 1·25 and 1·22 (s.e. 0·060) kg/day; carcass gains were 0·76, 0·76 and 0·75 (s.e. 0·034) and 0·80 and 0·74 (s.e. 0·036) kg/day; carcass fat classifications (five-point scale; 1 = leanest, 5 = fattest) were 2·4, 2·9 and 2·2 (s.e. 0·09) and 3·6 and 3·6 (s.e. 0·18); mean subcutaneous fat depths were 6·8, 8·1 and 6·6 (s.e. 0·74) and 7·8 and 7·4 (s.e. 0·48) mm; areas of m. longissimus dorsi at the 10th rib were 66·4, 69·4 and 71·3 (s.e. 3·16) and 77·6 and 72·3 (s.e. 1·52) cm2 and marbling scores (eight-point scale; 1 = leanest, 8 = fattest) for m. longissimus were 1·7, 2·5 and 2·2 (s.e. 0·24) and 3·2 and 2·8 (s.e. 0·16). It is concluded that performance, efficiency of energy utilization and carcass fatness were similar for silage-based and dried forage-based diets, and that protein supplementation of a silage-based diet did not affect performance but tended to increase carcass fatness.
A study on consistency of differences between cows in rumen outflow rate of fibrous particles and other substrates and consequences for digestibility and intake of roughages
Authors: Ørskov E. R. , Ojwang I. , Reid G. W. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractIn 22 cows given complete diets of 500 g straw and 500 g concentrates per kg fresh weight the outflow rate of small fibrous particles was determined on two occasions to investigate the consistency of this measurement and its association with apparent digestibility. The correlation between the outflow rates on the two occasions werer= +0·90 and the correlation with apparent digestibility wasr= −0·80.In a second experiment, the outflow rates of long and small particles were determined together with rumen retention time. There was no difference between outflow rate of long and small particles but rumen retention times were greater with the long particles. The correlation between the two estimates of outflow rate wasr= +0·84. The outflow rate of fish meal was found to be 0·070 while that of short fibrous particles was 0·031 per h. The average liquid outflow rate was 0·146 per h.The three cows with the highest outflow rate and the three with the lowest outflow rate from experiment 2 were selected for experiment 3. While voluntary food intakes of the two groups were similar, the differences in outflow rates between the cows persisted both withad libitumand restricted intakes of both a high and a low roughage diet. The differences were reflected in significant differences between the two groups in apparent digestibility of the diets. The practical implications for breeding and selection are discussed.
Effect of post-partum levels of nutrition on productivity of 2-year-old heifers
Authors: Whittier J. C. , Clanton D. C. , Deutscher G. H. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractForty crossbred heifers, mated to one sire, that calved in a 20-day period were used to study the effect of varying time and level of post-partum nutrition on productivity. Heifers were individually fed for 90 days post partum beginning at parturition: (1) proportionately 1·3 National Research Council (NRC) 1984 recommendations for 45 days followed by 0·7 NRC for 45 days (130·70); (2) 1·0 NRC for 90 days (100·100); and (3) 0·7 NRC for 45 days followed by 1·3 NRC for 45 days (70·130). Milk production, growth and body condition were estimated periodically during the lactation. The 130·70 heifers maintained their weight during the first 45 days of lactation, while the 100·100 and the 70·130 heifers lost weight (−0·33 and 0·60 kg/day, respectively). During the second 45-day period, the 100·100 and 70·130 heifers gained weight (0·24 and 0·72 kg/day, respectively) while the 130·70 heifers lost weight (−0·39 kg/day). Visual condition scores paralleled weight changes during both phases of the feeding period. Milk production varied according to nutrient intake and treatment differences were greatest at 45 days post partum (8·1, 7·3 and 6·1 kg/day for 130·70, 100·100 and 70·130, respectively). Calf weight gains were unaffected by dam nutrition. Days to first oestrus, days to conception or services per conception were not significantly different (P > 0·05) among treatment groups. Based on this experiment, neither of the alternate feeding systems resulted in decreased performance when compared with feeding at a constant level. Therefore, it appears that latitude exists in the way heifers can be fed early in their first lactation, without adversely affecting production.