Testicular size at weaning in tropically-adapted beef bulls as influenced by breed of sire and dam

This study was conducted to evaluate testicular size at weaning for bulls representing diverse tropically-adapted genotypes. Calves from 2 locations were weighed and castrated at weaning. In one herd, calves were born to Brahman dams and Angus, Tuli, and Brahman sires. Body weights and paired testes weights were heavier (P < 0.01) for Angus x Brahman (AB) genotype than for Tuli x Brahman (TB) and purebred Brahman (BB) genotype calves. The testes:body weight ratio was greater (P < 0.01) for AB than for TB and BB calves. In a second herd, calves were born to Angus cows and Brahman, Tuli, and Senepol sires. Means were similar between Brahman- (BA), Tuli-(TA), and Senepol-sired (SA) calves for body weight and testes:body weight ratio. Paired testes weight was heavier (P < 0.05) for SA than BA calves. Across locations, paired testes weights were heavier (P < 0.01) for TA than TB calves but their body weights were similar. Within-herd deviations were greater (P < 0.01) for AB than BA calves for paired testes weight and testes:body weight ratio. The correlation between the proportion of Bos indicus genetic contribution and testes:body weight ratio was significantly negative. Tropically-adapted calves differed in testicular size at weaning due to breed of sire and dam effects.     

Effect of melatonin administration to lactating cashmere goats on milk production of dams and on hair follicle development in their offspring

Melatonin treatment in adult cashmere goats can increase cashmere yield and improve cashmere fibre quality by inducing cashmere growth during cashmere non-growth period, of which time cashmere goats are in the mid and late stages of lactation. However, whether melatonin treatment in adult cashmere goats affects their offspring’s growth performance remains unknown. Therefore, the objectives of the current study were to determine the effects of melatonin treatment in adult cashmere goats on cashmere and milk production performance in dams and on hair follicle development and subsequent cashmere production in their offspring. Twenty-four lactating Inner Mongolian Cashmere goat dams (50 ± 2 days in milk, mean ± SD) and their single-born female offspring (50 ± 2 days old, mean ± SD) were randomly assigned to one of two groups supplemented with melatonin implants (MEL; n = 12) or without (CON; n = 12). The melatonin implants were subcutaneously implanted behind the ear at a dose of 2 mg/kg live weight on two occasions – 30 April and 30 June 2016. The results demonstrated that melatonin treatment in adult cashmere goats increased cashmere production and improved cashmere fibre quality as indicated by greater cashmere yield, longer cashmere fibre staple length, finer cashmere fibre diameter and thicker cashmere fibre density. The milk fat content was higher in MEL compared with CON cashmere goats. The daily yields of milk production, milk protein and milk lactose were lower in MEL compared with CON cashmere goats. Serum melatonin concentrations were greater, serum prolactin concentrations were lower and milk melatonin concentrations and yields were greater in MEL compared with CON cashmere goats. With regard to offspring, there were no differences in cashmere yield, fibre staple length, fibre diameter and fibre density at yearling combing, and the primary and secondary hair follicles population and maturation between treatments. In conclusion, melatonin treatment in adult cashmere goats during cashmere non-growth period is a practical and an effective way in cashmere industry as indicated by not only increasing cashmere yield and improving cashmere fibre quality in adult cashmere goat dams but also having no impairment in hair follicle development and the subsequent cashmere production in their single-born offspring.     

A directed search around caprine candidate loci provided evidence for microsatellites linkage to growth and cashmere yield in Rayini goats

Four genomic regions located on goat chromosomes 1, 2, 5 and 13 previously reported as significant DNA regions harboring quantitative trait loci (QTL) for growth and fleece traits in goat were considered as candidate genomic regions. The objective of conducting this study was to determine whether there is evidence for association of growth traits and cashmere yield in native Iranian Rayini goats with markers flanking these candidate regions. One hundred and twenty kids from 6 Rayini bucks (20 half-sib offspring per buck) were used in the present study. The six bucks and their offspring were genotyped for eight microsatellite markers flanking the candidate intervals. Body weights recorded on the kids were birth weight (BW0), weaning weight (BW3) and weight at 6 months of age (BW6). Average daily gains from birth to weaning and weaning to 6 months of age were computed based on the values obtained for BW0, BW3 and BW6. Cashmere yield was also recorded for the kids at the first, second and third year of age. QTL analysis in the candidate intervals was conducted using the least squared regression interval mapping approach. Linkage analysis indicated significant QTL for growth traits on goat chromosomes 1, 2 and 5 (chromosome-wide significance of P < 0.01). Three of the candidate regions located on chromosomes 2, 5 and 13 were linked to cashmere yield. QTL effect ranged from 0.8 to 4.3 in units of residual standard deviation for different traits and families.     

Genetic parameters for growth, reproductive and maternal traits in a multibreed meat sheep population

The genetic parameters for growth, reproductive and maternal traits in a multibreed meat sheep population were estimated by applying the Average Information Restricted Maximum Likelihood method to an animal model. Data from a flock supported by the Programa de Melhoramento Genético de Caprinos e Ovinos de Corte (GENECOC) were used. The traits studied included birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), slaughter weight (SW), yearling weight (YW), weight gain from birth to weaning (GBW), weight gain from weaning to slaughter (GWS), weight gain from weaning to yearling (GWY), age at first lambing (AFL), lambing interval (LI), gestation length (GL), lambing date (LD - number of days between the start of breeding season and lambing), litter weight at birth (LWB) and litter weight at weaning (LWW). The direct heritabilities were 0.35, 0.81, 0.65, 0.49, 0.20, 0.15 and 0.39 for BW, WW, SW, YW, GBW, GWS and GWY, respectively, and 0.04, 0.06, 0.10, 0.05, 0.15 and 0.11 for AFL, LI, GL, LD, LWB and LWW, respectively. Positive genetic correlations were observed among body weights. In contrast, there was a negative genetic correlation between GBW and GWS (-0.49) and GBW and GWY (-0.56). Positive genetic correlations were observed between AFL and LI, LI and GL, and LWB and LWW. These results indicate a strong maternal influence in this herd and the presence of sufficient genetic variation to allow mass selection for growth traits. Additive effects were of little importance for reproductive traits, and other strategies are necessary to improve the performance of these animals.     

Factors affecting length of gestation and birth weight of Nili-Ravi buffaloes

This study was conducted to determine the effects of various factors on gestation length and calf birth weight of Nili-Ravi buffaloes in Pakistan. Records were analyzed from 421 uneventful calvings by 274 buffaloes inseminated artificially from 1980 to 1984. Gestation averaged 308.7±0.4 days and ranged from 275 to 346 days in length. Most (57.2%) buffaloes calved from 305 to 314 days after insemination. Calf birth weight, sire of calf, month of breeding, and month of calving accounted for significant amounts of variation in lengths of gestation. Gestation length changed quadratically with calf birth weight. Buffaloes producing calves weighing about 35 kg had the shortest (about 308 days) gestation period, and buffaloes producing calves weighing either more or less than 35 kg had longer gestation periods. Calf birth weight averaged 38.2 ± 0.2 kg and ranged from 17 to 48 kg. Bull calves were heavier at birth than were heifer calves (39.0 vs. 37.5 kg). Calf birth weight increased quadratically with body weight of the dam at calving. Heavier dams produced heavier calves, and body weight of the dam at calving increased with age of the dam at calving. This study indicates that sires, dams and months of breeding could be selected to help control gestation length and birth weight of Nili-Ravi buffaloes.     

Effects of birth-rearing type on weaning weights in meat sheep are systematically associated with differences in mean performance among flocks

Background

Adjustment of body weights for systematic environmental effects such as dam age and litter size is essential for accurate prediction of breeding values in meat sheep and often accomplished by pre-adjusting records using simple multiplicative adjustment factors, which are derived as ratios of least-squares means of weights of lambs in target and reference classes. However, increasing use of multibreed genetic evaluations that incorporate data from both purebred and commercial flocks has generated concerns regarding the ability of simple additive or multiplicative adjustment factors to properly correct for environmental effects in flocks that differ widely in mean performance. Thus, consistency of adjustment factors across flocks and systematic effects of the level of flock performance on these factors were evaluated using data from the US National Sheep Improvement Program.

Methods

We used birth and weaning weights of lambs from 29 flocks that had at least 500 records per flock and represented several terminal-sire sheep breeds. Effects of lamb sex, dam age class and litter size on birth weights, and of dam age class and combined effects of type of birth and rearing on weaning weights were evaluated. Interactions between these effects and flock were assessed. Bias associated with different adjustment protocols was evaluated for high- and low-performance flocks.

Results

Effects of litter size and differences between yearling and adult dams varied (P < 0.001) among flocks. For weaning weights, additive adjustment factors were not associated with the level of flock performance, but multiplicative adjustment factors were strongly and inversely related to flock means for weaning weights (W). Flock-specific adjustment factors (F = αW^β) reduced bias in adjusted weaning weights associated with differences in flock performance. By contrast, simple multiplicative adjustment factors were appropriate to adjust birth weights.

Conclusions

Differences in weaning weights among single, twin, and triplet lambs were inversely related to the level of flock performance. Use of simple multiplicative adjustment factors led to adjustment bias when applied across flocks with large differences in mean performance. This bias was reduced by using additive adjustment factors or multiplicative factors that were derived as simple exponential functions of flock means for weaning weight.     

Effect of nutritional flushing on the productivity of Finnish Landrace ewes

In the autumn (October–December), Finnish Landrace ewes aged 1 year (yearling), 4–5 years (mature) and 7–8 years (older) were fed forages with no supplemented (control) or supplemented daily with 150 g (diet 150) or 300 g (diet 300) of concentrates per ewe in order to determine the effect of energy supply to initiate flushing on ewe productivity. Concurrently, in the summer (August–September), yearling and mature ewes were fed 0, 300 or 450 g of concentrates daily for 17 or 34 days. Concentrate supplement prior to and during mating had little effect on the live weight, however mature ewes gained weight in the summer. In the autumn, increasing proportion of concentrate in the diet reduced the length of the mating period in the yearling ewes (P=0.03) however, diet combination had no significant effect of age on conception. In August and early September, flushing did not hasten the onset of estrus and only 25% of the young ewes and 83% of the adult ewes were mated successfully. The flushing diet had no effect on the prolificacy in yearling and older ewes. In contrast, prolificacy and number of lambs weaned increased (P<0.05) for mature ewes on diet 150. In the autumn, there was a significant influence of flushing on the litter weight at birth and live weight gain from birth to weaning for older ewes however, diet 300 and the control were similar. Although litter weight at birth and weaning tended to be higher in the summer for ewes supplemented with concentrate for 34 days, the number of ewes required for a significant influence due to diet and length of flushing combination were not adequate. It was concluded that little is to be gained in lamb production by flushing ewes of the Finnish Landrace breed.     

母体遗传效应对青海细毛羊生产性能遗传参数估计的影响

为了研究母体遗传效应对青海细毛羊生长性状、产毛性状的影响,文章采用平均信息最大约束似然法应用不同混合动物模型估计青海细毛羊生产性状的遗传参数,并采用似然比检验对不同模型进行比较分析。各模型中均包括固定效应、个体直接加性遗传效应、残差效应;随机效应为:个体永久环境效应、母体遗传效应、母体永久环境效应。不同模型对随机效应作了不同考虑:模型1不考虑个体永久环境效应、母体遗传效应、母体永久环境效应;模型2考虑母体永久环境效应;模型3考虑母体遗传效应;模型4考虑母体遗传效应和母体永久环境效应;模型5考虑个体永久环境效应和母体遗传效应;模型6考虑个体永久环境效应、母体遗传效应、母体永久环境效应。各模型估计的初生重遗传力为:0.1896~0.3781;断奶重遗传力为:0.2537~0.2890;周岁重遗传力范围:0.2244~0.3225;成年羊体重遗传力范围:0.2205~0.3983;产毛量遗传力为:0.1218~0.1490;羊毛细度遗传力为:0.0983~0.4802;羊毛长度遗传力为:0.1170~0.1311。与模型1相比,模型3对于初生重、断奶重差异显著(P<0.01),对于周岁重、成年羊体重各模型与模型1的似然比检验差异不显著(P>0.05);与模型6相比,模型4、5对于羊毛细度差异显著(P<0.01),模型4对羊毛长度差异显著(P<0.05),对于产毛量各模型与模型6似然比检验差异不显著(P>0.05)。生长性状中初生重、断奶重受母体遗传效应影响显著,周岁重、成年羊体重受母体遗传效应影响不显著;产毛性状中羊毛细度、长度受母体遗传效应影响显著,产毛量受母体遗传效应影响较弱。     

母体遗传效应对青海细毛羊生产性能遗传参数估计的影响

为了研究母体遗传效应对青海细毛羊生长性状、产毛性状的影响, 文章采用平均信息最大约束似然法应用不同混合动物模型估计青海细毛羊生产性状的遗传参数, 并采用似然比检验对不同模型进行比较分析。各模型中均包括固定效应、个体直接加性遗传效应、残差效应; 随机效应为：个体永久环境效应、母体遗传效应、母体永久环境效应。不同模型对随机效应作了不同考虑：模型1不考虑个体永久环境效应、母体遗传效应、母体永久环境效应; 模型2考虑母体永久环境效应; 模型3考虑母体遗传效应; 模型4考虑母体遗传效应和母体永久环境效应; 模型5考虑个体永久环境效应和母体遗传效应; 模型6考虑个体永久环境效应、母体遗传效应、母体永久环境效应。各模型估计的初生重遗传力为：0.1896~0.3781; 断奶重遗传力为：0.2537~0.2890; 周岁重遗传力范围：0.2244~0.3225; 成年羊体重遗传力范围：0.2205~0.3983; 产毛量遗传力为：0.1218~0.1490; 羊毛细度遗传力为：0.0983~0.4802; 羊毛长度遗传力为：0.1170~0.1311。与模型1相比, 模型3对于初生重、断奶重差异显著(P<0.01), 对于周岁重、成年羊体重各模型与模型1的似然比检验差异不显著(P>0.05); 与模型6相比, 模型4、5对于羊毛细度差异显著(P<0.01), 模型4对羊毛长度差异显著(P<0.05), 对于产毛量各模型与模型6似然比检验差异不显著(P>0.05)。生长性状中初生重、断奶重受母体遗传效应影响显著, 周岁重、成年羊体重受母体遗传效应影响不显著; 产毛性状中羊毛细度、长度受母体遗传效应影响显著, 产毛量受母体遗传效应影响较弱。     

A novel single-nucleotide polymorphism in the 5' upstream region of the prolactin receptor gene is associated with fiber traits in Liaoning cashmere goats

The most important traits of Chinese Liaoning cashmere goat fiber are fiber diameter, weight, and length. We looked for polymorphisms and their possible association with cashmere fiber traits in the 5' upstream region (5' UTR) of the prolactin receptor gene (PRLR), which encodes an anterior pituitary peptide hormone involved in different physiological activities; it is the principal endocrine regulator in pelage replacement in mammals. A novel single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was found in the 5' UTR of PRLR by PCR-RFLP in an analysis of 590 goats. Two genotypes (CC and CT) were observed. The frequencies of allele C and T were 0.93 and 0.07, respectively. Association analysis revealed that the PRLR 5' UTR polymorphism (SNP5) was significantly associated with cashmere fiber weight and diameter. This novel SNP in hircine PRLR has potential as a molecular marker for cashmere fiber weight and diameter in Liaoning cashmere goats.     

Estimation of genetic parameters and variance components for growth traits in Romosinuano cattle in the Colombian humid tropics

(Co)variance components and genetic parameters were estimated for body weights of a Romosinuano herd located in Sinú Valley, Cordoba, Colombia. Restricted maximum likelihood methods were used with a univariate animal model for birth weight, weaning weight (270 days), 16-month weight (480 days), weaning daily gain, and post-weaning daily gain. Models included random animal direct and maternal genetic effects, maternal permanent environmental effect (c2), and sex-year-month of birth and age of dam, as fixed effects. Estimates of direct effect for birth weight, weaning weight, 480-day weight, weaning daily gain, and post-weaning daily gain were: 0.25 +/- 0.0001, 0.34 +/- 0.063, 0.33 +/- 0.066, 0.32 +/- 0.062, and 0.17 +/- 0.052, respectively. Estimates of direct maternal genetic effects were low and ranged from 0.06 +/- 0.003 for birth weight to 0.20 +/- 0.054 for weaning daily gain. The genetic correlations between direct and maternal genetic effects were negative and low for 480-day weight (-0.05 +/- 0.219) and showed values of -0.37 +/- 0.007, -0.34 +/- 0.133, -0.33 +/- 0.135, and -0.38 +/- 0.232 for birth, weaning weight, weaning, and post-weaning daily gain, respectively. Permanent environmental maternal effects were not significant; the highest values were found for weaning weight, and weaning daily gain (0.086 +/- 0.031 and 0.078 +/- 0.031, respectively). We conclude that direct and maternal effects should be included in a selection program for all of these traits, and also that selection of weaning weights would be the most productive way to improve performance in Romosinuano cattle.     

A reproductive study of Weiser-Maples guinea pigs]

The Weiser-Maples (WE) guinea pig strain was introduced by Backshire Co., Ltd. (USA) in 1977. We have been breeding WE strain guinea pigs for skin melanization research. The WE guinea pig colony produced 1271 pups in 417 litters from May 1978 through December 1983. Breeding date are shown below. The mean litter size was 3.05, the stillborn rate was 15.2%, the weaning rate for live-born pups was 93.5% and the sex ratio was 1.01. The average age at first vaginal membrane rupture was 31.4 days at which time body weight was 290.5g. The mean length of the first 7 estrous cycles was about 17 days, with no cyclical variation in length. The mean duration of gestation was 67.9 days. Duration of pregnancy varied with litter size. There was an inverse relationship between litter size and duration of pregnancy. Most of the pups were delivered alive in mid-pregnancy with a parturition range of 56 to 76 days. The probability of pup death depends on gestational length: the lowest incidence of mortality was seen in litters born at 70 days. The mortalities were related to litter size but not to parity. There was an inverse relationship between birth weight and litter size. In WE guinea pigs, the mean weight for a litter of 1 was 120 g; for a litter of 5, the mean body weight was 58g. Male body weights were slightly heavier than female at birth and at weaning age. The mean body weights are shown below, date of birth: female 88.3g, male 93.3g, weaning age (2 weeks): female 181.1g, male 198.8g and 30 weeks: female 758.7g, male 1018.0g. These date for WE guinea pigs are comparable to those of other strains.     

Reproductive performance of farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus) in New Zealand. I. Descriptive data.

A longitudinal observational study of 15 red deer (Cervus elaphus) farms was carried out in New Zealand for 2 years from Mar 1992. Management of hind mobs and their composition during mating, calving, and weaning were recorded. About 2700 hinds were individually monitored for live weight, body condition score and reproductive success. All hinds were pregnancy tested in June by ultrasound and classified as having conceived before May 1, after May 1, or as being not pregnant. Calving dates and dam-offspring pairs were recorded on four farms. The lactational status of hinds and live weight of calves were recorded at weaning. Mean pre-mating live weights of yearling hinds were 81.3-82.8 kg and of adult hinds 98.0-98.7 kg, respectively, for each year of study. The percentage of yearling and adult hinds conceiving before May ranged from 8.3 to 95.0% and from 77.6 to 98.4%, respectively, between farms. Overall, the proportion of yearling and adult hinds not pregnant was 15.3% and 3.2%, respectively. Pregnancy rates at scanning of adult hinds within mating mobs were generally over 90%, and 41.7% of mating mobs had 100% pregnancy rates. In contrast, the pregnancy rates of yearling hind mobs were more variable, with five mobs below 50%, and 34.1% of mating mobs achieving 100% pregnancy rate. Estimated in utero loss rates from pregnancy diagnosis to calving were 0.66 and 0.79% for yearling and adult hinds, respectively. From four farms, median calving dates of yearling and adult hinds were Dec 13 and Nov 30, respectively. Overall, calf survival rates to weaning of yearling and adult offspring were 84.1 and 91.6%, respectively, while the reproductive efficiencies (number of calves weaned per hind mated) were 70 and 83.6%, respectively. Farm mean weaner live weights standardised on Apr 1 ranged from 42-59 kg and 39-51 kg for stags and hinds, respectively. These data are currently the best estimates of reproductive parameters of New Zealand red deer herds, and highlight a wide variability in reproductive indices between farms.     

Genetic and phenotypic parameters of body weight in West African Dwarf goat and Djallonké sheep

The International Trypanotolerance Centre's small ruminant breeding programme was initiated in 1995. The aim was to increase the efficiency of meat production and the trypanotolerance of the animals (sheep and goat). To achieve that goal, selection was based on estimated breeding values for daily weight gain from 4 to 12 months of age measured on trypanotolerance challenge. The purpose of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for growth traits and to evaluate genetic trends in West African Dwarf goat and Djallonké sheep resulting from the breeding programme under a low input production environment. Data for West African Dwarf goat and Djallonké sheep included birth weight (BW), weaning weight (W120), yearling weight (W360), pre-weaning (GR0–4) and post-weaning (GR4–12) growth rate. The data were analysed using an animal model that accounted for fixed effects of sex, year of birth, season of birth, parity of the dam, type of birth and the interaction year by season of birth. Estimates of heritability for BW, W120, W360, GR0–4 and GR4–12 were 0.5, 0.43, 0.30, 0.32 and 0.11 for goats and 0.39, 0.54, 0.21, 0.54 and 0.23 for sheep, respectively. The genetic correlation between BW and W120 was high for goats (0.74) and moderate for sheep (0.47). Genetic correlations between W120 and GR4–12 were high (0.92) for goats and moderate (0.49) for sheep. Between GR0–4 and BW the correlation was positive but low for sheep (0.26) and moderate for goats (0.60). Positive trends were found in mean estimated breeding values for animals born in the period 1995–2002 which demonstrated the effectiveness of the implemented breeding programs.     

(Co)variance components and genetic parameters for growth traits in Arabi sheep using different animal models

The objective of the present study was to estimate genetic parameters for body weight at different ages in Arabi sheep using data collected from 1999 to 2009. Investigated traits consisted of birth weight (N = 2776), weaning weight (N = 2002) and weight at six months of age (N = 1885). The data were analyzed using restricted maximum likelihood analysis, by fitting univariate and multivariate animal models. All three weight traits were significantly influenced by birth year, sex and birth type. Age of dam only significantly affected birth weight. Log-likelihood ratio tests were conducted to determine the most suitable model for each growth trait in univariate analyses. Direct and total heritability estimates for birth weight, weaning weight and weight at six months of age (based on the best model) were 0.42 and 0.16 (model 4), 0.38 and 0.13 (model 4) and 0.14 and 0.14 (model 1), respectively. Estimation of maternal heritability for birth weight and weaning weight was 0.22 and 0.18, respectively. Genetic and phenotypic correlations among these traits were positive. Phenotypic correlations among traits were low to moderate. Genetic correlations among traits were positive and higher than the corresponding phenotypic correlations. Weaning weight had a strong and significant correlation with weight at six months of age (0.99). We conclude that selection can be made in animals based on weaning weight instead of the present practice of selection based on weight at six months.     

Estimates of (co)variance components due to direct and maternal effects for body weights in Jamunapari goats

Estimates of (co)variance components were obtained for weights at birth, weaning and at 6, 9 and 12 months of age in Jamunapari goats maintained at the Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Mathura, India, over a period of 23 years (1982 to 2004). Records of 4301 kids descended from 204 sires and 1233 does were used in the study. Analyses were carried out by restricted maximum likelihood (REML), fitting an animal model and ignoring or including maternal genetic or permanent environmental effects. Six different animal models were fitted for all traits. The best model was chosen after testing the improvement of the log-likelihood values. Direct heritability estimates were inflated substantially for all traits when maternal effects were ignored. Heritability estimates for weights at birth, weaning and at 6, 9 and 12 months of age were 0.12, 0.18, 0.13, 0.17 and 0.21, respectively. Maternal heritability of body weight declined from 0.19 at birth to 0.08 at weaning and was near zero and not significant thereafter. Estimates of the fraction of variance due to maternal permanent environmental effects were 0.09, 0.13 and 0.10 for body weights at weaning, 6 months and 9 months of age, respectively. Results suggest that maternal additive effects were important only in the early stages of growth, whereas a permanent environmental maternal effect existed from weaning to 9 months of age. These results indicate that modest rates of genetic progress appear possible for all weights.     

Body weight loss during lactation and its influence on weaning-to-service interval and ovulation rate in Landrace and Yorkshire sows in the tropical environment of Thailand

The aim of this study was to investigate the ovulation rate and the weaning-to-service interval (WSI) of sows in relation to their body weight loss during lactation in tropical climatic conditions. Effect of lactation length (LL), number of total born piglets, number of live born piglets, litter birth weight, average piglet birth weight, number of pigs weaned, litter weaning weight and average pig weaned weight on sow weight loss during lactation were also studied. This study was conducted in two commercial purebred sow herds (A, B) in the central part of Thailand from August to December 1997. The herds had both Landrace (L) and Yorkshire (Y) sows. The 123 sows (55 L and 68 Y) in herd A and 153 sows (95 L and 58 Y) in herd B, parity 1-4, were weighed within 4 days after farrowing and at weaning. Lactation length, litter size at birth and at weaning, litter weight at birth and at weaning, and WSI were recorded for each of these sows. In herd A, 52 sows (20 L and 32 Y) were examined once by laparoscopy between days 8 and 14 after AI-service. These sows had farrowed at least seven piglets in the previous parturition. The numbers of corpora lutea (CL) in both ovaries were counted, and were assumed to equal the ovulation rate. L-sows had significantly (P < 0.05) higher relative weight loss during lactation (RWL) than Y-sows. The RWL increased by 0.7% for each extra pig weaned. When LL increased by 1 day, within the interval of 17-34 days, RWL decreased by 0.6%. Sows with a high weight loss had significantly (P < 0.05) longer WSI than sows with medium or low weight loss. Weight loss had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on WSI in parity 1 and 2 sows. Y-sows had more CL than L-sows (15.7 versus 14.0) (P < 0.05). RWL, parity and regression on lactation length had no significant effect on number of CL. In conclusion, sows with higher number of pigs weaned lose more weight. Under the restricted feeding regime applied, high weight loss during lactation prolongs WSI in parity 1 and 2 sows, but has no influence on the ovulation rate at first oestrus after weaning. The ovulation rate is higher in Yorkshire than in Landrace sows. The ovulation rate is independent of parity.     

Implications to fleece evaluation derived from sources of variation contributing to cashmere fibre curvature

Cashmere fibre curvature (crimp) has important impact on the softness and quality of cashmere textiles, the efficiency of cashmere processing and cashmere production. This work was aimed to quantify the magnitude and direction of factors affecting cashmere fibre curvature, with data collected from 11 Australian commercial cashmere farms, using general linear model analysis. Nineteen parameters were recorded for 1244 goats. Following log transformation the best model for fibre curvature included farm, age, clean washing yield, mean fibre diameter, cashmere yield, fibre diameter standard deviation, and live weight and the interactions between these terms. The percentage variance accounted for was 71.7%. Mean fibre diameter alone accounted for 39% of the variation in fibre curvature and farm accounted for 49% of the variation. Cumulatively mean fibre diameter and farm accounted for 66.6% of the variation existing in fibre curvature. For the other terms, age added 2.2% and the other fibre measurements a further 2.9% to variation accounted for by the best model. Results suggest that within a farm, using cashmere fibre crimp frequency to estimate mean fibre diameter has a correlation of 0.72—provided the trained observers perform as well as the calibrated laboratory equipment. On the other hand, however, results indicate fibre curvature not to be a reasonable indicator of mean fibre diameter differences across farms. Farm-effects on fibre curvature are large and may explain the difficulties cashmere growers experience when they visit other farms to visually evaluate cashmere goats prior to purchase. This work indicated that heavier goats are likely to produce cashmere with a lower fibre curvature. As this relationship did not differ between farms, it is reasonable to conclude that all goats exhibit this phenotypic response. Using cashmere fibre curvature (crimp frequency) as a tool for changing mean fibre diameter or selecting homogenous batches of fibre for sale will be reasonably effective within a farm, but is not a reasonable indicator and predictor of mean fibre diameter differences between farms.     

Factors affecting weaning weight in Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at South Georgia

Summary Relationships between size, body condition, age and feeding-attendance patterns during pup rearing of female Antacrtic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella and their effects on the timing of birth and weaning, pup weight, growth and condition were studied at South Georgia in 1981–1982. Twenty-seven (6 male, 21 female) mother-pup pairs were followed from birth to weaning. The analysis of maternal effects was limited to female pups because of the small sample size of male weaners. High weaning weight was associated with those female pups whose mothers spent more time ashore attending their offspring. Weaning weight showed no relationship with perinatal duration, number of feeding trips to sea, days at sea or date of weaning. A further 63 mother-pup pairs were analysed for the effects of maternal body condition (weight/length), age and timing of birth on offspring body weight and condition. Pup weight and condition were weakly correlated with maternal age in female pups. Male pups born earlier in the season were heavier and in better condition. Maternal and offspring body weight and condition were unrelated. For the Antarctic fur seal population at South Georgia where the food supply was apparently not limiting in summer, maternal condition and foraging time were subordinate to maternal care on land (as expressed by attendance duration) in determining offspring weight at weaning.     

Genome-wide association study for growth traits in Nelore cattle

The objective of this study was to investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with birth weight, weight gain from birth to weaning and from weaning to yearling, yearling height and cow weight in Nelore cattle. Data from 5064 animals participating in the DeltaGen and PAINT breeding programs were used. The animals were genotyped with a panel of 777 962 SNPs (Illumina BovineHD BeadChip) and 412 993 SNPs remained after quality control analysis of the genomic data. A genome-wide association study was performed using a single-step methodology. The analyses were processed with the BLUPF90 family of programs. When applied to a genome-wide association studies, the single-step GBLUP methodology is an iterative process that estimates weights for the SNPs. The weights of SNPs were included in all analyses by iteratively applying the single-step GBLUP methodology and repeated twice so that the effect of the SNP and the effect of the animal were recalculated in order to increase the weight of SNPs with large effects and to reduce the weight of those with small effects. The genome-wide association results are reported based on the proportion of variance explained by windows of 50 adjacent SNPs. Considering the two iterations, only windows with an additive genetic variance >1.5% were presented in the results. Associations were observed with birth weight on BTA 14, with weight gain from birth to weaning on BTA 5 and 29, with weight gain from weaning to yearling on BTA 11, and with yearling height on BTA 8, showing the genes TMEM68 (transmembrane protein 8B) associated with birth weight and yearling height, XKR4 (XK, Kell blood group complex subunit-related family, member 4) associated with birth weight, NPR2 (natriuretic peptide receptor B) associated with yearling height, and REG3G (regenerating islet-derived 3-gamma) associated with weight gain from weaning to yearling. These genes play an important role in feed intake, weight gain and the regulation of skeletal growth.