Markers on Bovine Chromosome 20 Associated with Carcass Quality and Composition Traits and Incidence of Contracting Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis

The objective of this study was to use single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) located on bovine chromosome 20 to fine map a previously identified QTL associated with the incidence of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK). Crossbred steers (GPE 7; n = 539) derived from sires of 7 Bos taurus breeds and having veterinary records related to IBK were used to test the association of a total of 105 SNP located under the most relevant region of the QTL. Five SNP were significantly associated with IBK (P < 0.05), as animals inheriting differing genotypes from individual SNP exhibited significantly different incidence rates of IBK. The population also had numerous other phenotypes, supporting evaluation of association of the 105 markers with carcass traits to identify potential antagonistic effects of implementing a marker-assisted selection program for IBK susceptibility. An association of 2 SNP for marbling and tenderness was identified, along with 3 SNP associated with the percentage of carcasses classified as choice. Four SNP were significantly associated with fat yield, 2 SNP with longissimus muscle area, and 2 additional SNP with dressing percentage. The association of these markers indicates that the evaluated QTL region may, in fact, harbor the causative mutations responsible for the variation observed in IBK susceptibility and carcass quality and composition traits. Thus, further evaluation of SNP in this region is necessary in order to identify mutations accounting for the largest degree of variation for IBK and carcass traits.     

Verdaulichkeit,wachstum und körperzusammensetzung von karpfen (Cyprinus carpio L.) nach verfütterung verschiedener stärkearten

Maisstärke, Maisquellstärke, Weizenstärke, Weizenquellstärke, Kartoffelstärke oder Maniokmehl werden in Anteilen von 41% bzw. 46,7% (Maniokmehl) einer Basalration zugemischt. Jede Versuchsration wurde an insgesamt 33 Karpfen (Cyprinus carpio L.) (drei Becken mit je 11 Karpfen) in einer Menge von 1,8‐ 2,0 % der Lebendmasse über eine einheitliche Versuchsdauer von 118 Tagen ab einer mittleren Lebendmasse von 146 g verfüttert. Die 4 Rationen auf Basis von Mais‐ bzw. Weizenstärke weisen insgesamt die gleiche, hohe Energieverdaulichkeit von etwa 90% auf. Die Zumischung von Kartoffelstärke bzw. von Maniokmehl verringert die Energieverdaulichkeit um 5 % bzw. 3% signifikant. Das Wachstum und der Futteraufwand werden durch die unterschiedlichen Stärkearten nicht beeinflußt. Zu Versuchsende weisen die Karpfen eine mittlere Masse von 520 g auf. Die Ganzkörper haben insgesamt mittlere Gehalte an Rohasche, Rohprotein und Gesamtfett bzw. Energie von 2,8, 15,7,9,4% bzw. 7,4 kJ pro g Frischmasse. Allerdings führt die Zumischung von Kartoffelstärke bzw. Maniokmehl zu einer deutlich geringeren Energieretention gegenüber Mais‐ und Weizenstärke, da die Trockensübstanz‐, Fett‐ und Energiegehalte dieser Karpfen signifikant niedriger sind.     

Growth performance,carcass characteristics and bioavailability of isoflavones in pigs fed soy bean based diets

A growth trial with 38 weaners (castrated male pigs) was designed to compare the growth performance and carcass quality of pigs fed diets containing either soy bean meal or soy protein concentrate in a pair-feeding design. Soy bean meal (SBM) and soy protein concentrate (SPC) differed in isoflavone (daidzein plus genistein) content (782?μg/g in SBM and 125?μg/g in SPC, respectively). During the experiment, all pigs were fed four-phases-diets characterized by decreasing protein concentrations with increasing age (weaner I, weaner II, grower, finisher diets). Rations of control and experimental groups were isoenergetic, isonitrogenous, and isoaminogen. The weanling pigs with an initial live weight of 8.4?±?1.1?kg were allotted to flat deck boxes. During the growing/finishing period (days 70?–?170 of age), the pigs were housed in single boxes. Both, the weaning and the grower/finishing performances (daily body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio) were similar in both groups. No differences were found between the groups in carcass composition (percentages of cuts, tissues, and protein/fat), and meat quality of pigs. Moreover, the IGF-1R mRNA expression in longissimus muscle was not influenced by the kind of soy product. However, circulating levels of isoflavones were clearly different between pigs fed SBM (genistein 239?±?44; daidzein 162?±?42; equol 12?±?4?ng/ml plasma) and animals fed SPC (genistein 22?±?9 and daidzein 8?±?3, and equol 10?±?3?ng/ml plasma). The results confirm the expected differences in the bioavailability of soy isoflavones, yet, there were no significant differences in performance of pigs fed either soy bean meal or soy protein concentrate.     

Gender and slaughter weight effects on carcass quality traits of suckling lambs from four different genotypes

The effects of gender and slaughter weight on carcass quality traits were studied in 114 suckling lambs from four genotypes (Suffolk Down, Merino Precoz Aleman, Suffolk Down × Corriedale and Suffolk Down × Merino Precoz Aleman) raised to either 10 or 15 kg live weight. The characteristics of hot carcass weight, commercial dressing percent and real dressing percent (based on empty body weight), ribeye muscle area, and back fat depth were increased by higher slaughter weight; hot carcass weight, ribeye muscle area and back fat depth were higher in male suckling lambs. Different tissue components (bone, residues) varied according to slaughter weight. The commercial yield of carcass cuts and the anatomical proportions of shoulder and leg components were affected by both genotype and slaughter weight. None of the genotypes showed clearly superior carcass traits.     

Influence of level of zilpaterol chlorhydrate supplementation on growth performance and carcass characteristics of feedlot lambs

Forty-eight Pelibuey × Katahdin (38.8 ± 0.67 kg) crossbred male lambs were used in a 32-day feeding trial (four pens per treatment in a randomized complete block design), to evaluate the influence of zilpaterol (β₂-agonist) supplementation level on growth performance and carcass characteristics. Lambs were fed a dry-rolled corn-based finishing diet (3.04 Mcal/kg of ME) supplemented with 0, 0.15, 0.20, or 0.25 mg/kg of live weight d⁻¹ zilpaterol (as zilpaterol chlorhydrate, Zilmax^®, Intervet México, México City). DM intake averaged 1.099 ± 0.042 kg/d and was not affected (P = 0.40) by treatments. Compared with control lambs, zilpaterol supplementation increased gain efficiency (15.8%, P < 0.03), apparent energy retention per unit DMI (10.9%, P = 0.03), and tended to increased daily gain (16%, P < 0.07) and total gain (17.7%, P < 0.08). Zilpaterol supplementation did not affect (P = 0.20) carcass weight, longissimus muscle area (LM), or fat thickness, but increased (2.3%, P = 0.04) carcass dressing percentage and reduced (36%, P < 0.01) kidney-pelvic fat. Increasing level of zilpaterol supplementation increased total weight gain (linear component, P < 0.05), gain:feed (linear component, P < 0.01), and dressing percentage (linear component, P < 0.02), and decreased (linear component, P < 0.01) kidney-pelvic fat. We conclude that zilpaterol supplementation enhances growth performance and dressing percentage in lambs in a manner comparable to that of cattle (greater muscle accretion, reduced body fat). Responses to zilpaterol was optimal when supplemented at 0.20 mg of zilpaterol/kg of live weight d⁻¹.     

Prüfung einer quantitativen Futterrestriktion ab 3. Lebenswoche bei der Aufzucht von Junghennen der Mastrichtung im Käfig

The concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn were determined in meat, inner organs, blood and residual carcass in a total of 24 barrows and gilts of 60 kg and 100 kg of live weight, respectively. The finisher diet contained 192 ppm Fe, 113 ppm Zn, 18 ppm Cu and 65 ppm Mn with, as calculated, a great proportion originating from the mineral supplement. During growth, the contents of Fe, Cu and Mn were significantly reduced. No sex differences occurred. In the lean meat of the 100 kg pigs, common values accounting for 1.1 mg Fe, 2.8 mg Zn and 0.05 mg Cu per 100 g were analyzed. The manganese concentration of 0.01 mg per 100 g, however, was considerably lower as the corresponding figure from nutrient tables. In the finishing period, the animals retained per animal and day about 18 mg Fe, 15 mg Zn and 0.2 mg Cu. Mn retention was not significantly different from zero. The low utilization rates calculated from these data can be partly explained by the moderately excessive supply in this fattening period. In order to reduce the trace element load of the soils, a considerably lower tolerance of excessive trace element contents in finisher diets has to be developed.     

Influence of sex, slaughter weight and carcass weight on “non-carcass” and carcass quality in segureña lambs

The effects of sex, slaughter weight and carcass weight on carcass characteristics and meat quality traits were evaluated using 100 Segureña lambs. The management of all lambs was similar prior to slaughter at 19–25 kg. Slaughtered animals with a hot carcass weight below 20 kg were assigned to class B, and those greater than 22 kg to class C. Carcass weight had a significant influence on “non-carcass” components, dressing percentage, subjective carcass conformation, fat deposits, carcass fatness, bone and most carcass measurements. Sex had a significant effect on age at slaughter, “non-carcass” components, rib measurements, dressing percentage, fat deposits, and neck and shoulder percentage. As the weight increased, the carcass measurements also increased. Concurrently, while improving the conformation indices of the carcass, leg and dressing percentages, neither the commercial cuts of the animal nor tissue composition was significantly affected. Sex primarily affected the quantity of all types of fat deposits.     

Beyond leopards: tooth marks and the contribution of multiple carnivore taxa to the accumulation of the Swartkrans Member 3 fossil assemblage

The ca. 1.0 myr old fauna from Swartkrans Member 3 (South Africa) preserves abundant indication of carnivore activity in the form of tooth marks (including pits) on many bone surfaces. This direct paleontological evidence is used to test a recent suggestion that leopards, regardless of prey body size, may have been almost solely responsible for the accumulation of the majority of bones in multiple deposits (including Swartkrans Member 3) from various Sterkfontein Valley cave sites. Our results falsify that hypothesis and corroborate an earlier hypothesis that, while the carcasses of smaller animals may have been deposited in Swartkrans by leopards, other kinds of carnivores (and hominids) were mostly responsible for the deposition of large animal remains. These results demonstrate the importance of choosing appropriate classes of actualistic data for constructing taphonomic inferences of assemblage formation. In addition, they stress that an all-encompassing model of assemblage formation for the hominid-bearing deposits of the Sterkfontein Valley is inadequate and that each must be evaluated individually using not just analogical reasoning but also incorporating empirical data generated in the preserved fossil samples.     

Use of available crop by-products as alternative bedding materials to wheat straw for rearing broilers

The provision of suitable bedding for rearing broilers is an ongoing challenge for poultry producers. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of using different types of crop residues as alternative bedding materials to wheat straw on growth performance, carcass traits, health, and welfare of broilers; moreover, the effects on the bedding and air quality were analyzed. We randomly assigned 180 1-day-old chickens (Cobb 500) across six bedding groups (three replicates of 10 birds each). Chickens in all groups were reared under similar housing conditions. Chickens of one group were reared on a wheat straw bedding (control), whereas those of the remaining five groups were reared on clover straw, cornstalk chips (CS), sugarcane top chips, chopped palm spines (CPS), and corn ear husks. Cornstalk chip and chopped palm spines were associated with the lowest (P < 0.05) ammonia concentrations compared with the remaining beddings. The mean values of bedding moisture percentage (P < 0.05), caking score, and ammonia concentrations (P < 0.05) were decreased with 6-week-old broilers reared on cornstalk chips. At 6 weeks, wheat straw, clover straw, sugarcane top chips and corn ear husks resulted in higher (P < 0.0001) BW and average daily gain compared with CS and CPS. Broilers reared on clover straw bedding showed the best FCR during 4–6 weeks of age (P < 0.01), and those kept on clover straw and sugarcane top chips exhibited the best (P < 0.01) feed conversion ratio (1.61 and 1.64, respectively) during 0–6 weeks of age. The carcass dressing yield, airborne dust concentration, bedding pH, and bacterial counts did not differ among the different bedding materials. The proportions of the drumsticks, gizzards, and abdominal fat of 6-week-old broilers were affected by bedding type (P < 0.05); but the differences among the bedding treatments were small. The mean incidence of footpad dermatitis and breast blisters was significantly less using clover straw. Broilers reared on chopped palm spine had the highest (P < 0.05) heterophil/lymphocyte ratio when compared with their counterparts. Conclusively, using clover straw or cornstalks as an alternative bedding material may be a beneficial strategy and should be highly recommended for rearing broilers.