Abstracts volume 52 (2009) 4, 343-450
Selection in the genetic resource: genetic variation of the linear described type traits in the Old Kladrub horse
Václav Jakubec, Lubos Vostrý, Werner Schlote, Ivan Majzlík and Karel Mach
Arch Tierz 52 (2009), 343-355 PDF
The structure of the breed in 2003 was: 39 sires and 350 dams. The breed was closed against immigration in 1992. In 1993 and 2003 coefficients of inbreeding (Fx) were calculated from 5 parental generations for sires and dams in the whole breed and white and black variety. From 1993 to 2003 decreased the Fx (%) in the breed for stallions from 5.65 to 5.57 and for mares from 7.75 to 4.88. The effective population size was in 1993 Ne=114.00 and 2003 Ne=140.36. The increment of Ne during the 10-year period was 26.36 animals. The average heterozygosity estimated on the frequencies of blood types, biochemical markers and microsatellites was enough large and was connected with a low coefficient of inbreeding. Linear type evolutions of 494 horses of the Old Kladrub breed for 32 traits were used to analyse the effect of variety and stud. The data were used for the estimation of population parameters and heritability coefficients. The specific properties and variation of the Old Kladrub horse in its current state were characterized by the overall mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, number of utilized scores and heritabilities. The highest coefficient of variation showed the forelimbs-side view (40.14%), chest girth (36.25%) and height at withers (30.97%). The 8 traits showed heritabilities within the interval of 0.20 to 0.68. These traits are candidates as selection criteria. Significant differences between both varieties were found in 13 from 32 traits. Significant differences were found in 12 of 32 traits between the Kladruby stud and the private studs.
Physicochemical properties of milk fat from three breeds of cows during summer and winter feeding
Joanna Barłowska, Tomasz Grodzicki, Barbara Topyła and Zygmunt Litwińczuk
Arch Tierz 52 (2009), 356-363 PDF
The investigations included total 515 milk samples which were collected from 309 cows of the main dairy cows’ breeds used in Poland, i.e. Polish Holstein-Friesian Black-White variety (n=150), Polish Holstein-Friesian Red-White variety (n=77) and Simmental (n=82). There was determined a content of fat, protein and dry matter, a share of fat globules ranging in size, i.e. <6µm, 6-10µm and >10µm as well as a fatty acids profile. It was shown that milk gained from Holstein-Friesian cows was characterized with a higher level of fat dispersion (over 70% globules of <6µm diameter and a higher percentage of short- and long-chain fatty acids (ca. 19%). The Simmentalers milk had a higher protein:fat ratio (about 0.89), a lower fat dispersion level (8.21% globules of >10µm diameter) and the highest share of the polyunsaturated fatty acids (3.28%). Cows nutrition included pasture forage during summer (independently on the breed) had a significant influence (P≤0.01) on increased polyunsaturated fatty acids percentage (mean by 0.51%). The winter milk, however, showed a significantly higher content of dry matter, fat and protein as well as a higher share of big-sized milk globules.
Relationships between production and fertility traits in first lactation and life time performances of Holstein cows under subtropical condition
Mustafa Tekerli and Serdar Koçak
Arch Tierz 52 (2009), 364-370 PDF
The objective of this study was to determine the relationships between milk yield and calving interval in first lactation and breeding efficiency, herd life and length of productive life of 1293 Holstein cows maintained at Ceylanpinar State Farm in Southeast Anatolia from 1990 to 2002. The least-squares means of first lactation milk yield, lactation length and calving interval were 5620.1±76.6kg, 315.5±2.0 and 386.9±2.6 days. The values for breeding efficiency, herd life and length of productive life were 94.9%, 2095.9±34.7 and 1257.2±34.4 days. The year of first lactation had significant effect (P<0.05) on all traits except for calving interval and lactation length, and breeding efficiency was only affected by age at first insemination and age at first calving (P<0.05). Heritabilities were 0.27±0.08 for milk yield, 0.02±0.05 for lactation length, 0.06±0.05 for calving interval, 0.05±0.05 for breeding efficiency, 0.30±0.08 for herd life and 0.29±0.08 for length of productive life. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between different traits ranged from −0.49 to 0.99 and −0.37 to 0.99 respectively.
The accuracy of prediction of body weight from body measurements in beef cattle
Serkan Ozkaya and Yalcin Bozkurt
Arch Tierz 52 (2009), 371-377 PDF
The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of prediction of body weight from body measurements in beef cattle. Wither height, chest girth, body length, chest depth, hip width and hip height measurements were obtained from Holstein, Brown Swiss and crossbred (n=140). Determination coefficients (R2) of regression equation that included all body measurements were higher in Brown Swiss and crossbred than Holstein (92.2, 95.0 and 68.2%, respectively). However, it was found that chest girth was the best parameter of all for prediction of body weight in Brown Swiss (R2=91.1 %) and crossbred cattle (R2=88.8%) in comparison to Holstein (R2=60.7%). According to these results, the body weight estimation of Brown Swiss and crossbred cattle using the body measurements produced higher prediction accuracies than Holstein but chest girth was the best parameter to prediction of body weight among all body measurements. However, the prediction accuracy of prediction of body weight from body measurements and also chest girth was decreased when the animals frame size was increased.
Evaluating welfare in practical farm animal husbandry – discussion of criteria selection using the example of fattening pig husbandry [in German]
Ragnhild E F Weber-Jonkheer and Anne Valle Zárate
Arch Tierz 52 (2009), 378-394 PDF
In the evaluation of animal welfare under practical husbandry conditions – beside a clear definition of welfare – selection of indicators plays an important role. Using the example of fattening pig husbandry, the usefulness of physiological, immunological and pathological, ethological, and technical criteria of husbandry conditions is discussed. While physiological and immunological parameters can lead to findings about stress reactions under controlled circumstances their direct transfer to practical conditions is hardly possible. On the contrary, ethological indicators as outer signs of inner states can be recorded most reliable. Beside stereotypies and aberrant behaviour as clear signs of reduced welfare, especially in barren environments, the performance of species-specific behaviour can point to a positive influence on welfare. Behavioural observations over a longer period of time considering plenty of (ethological) indicators build a solid base for selection of methods. For further interpretation of results behavioural data should be supplemented by parameters which can be recorded without major distraction of the animals: general condition of the animal including injuries and soiling, performance, technical data of the husbandry conditions as well as the increasingly important evaluation of carcasses.
Histochemical analysis of skeletal muscular tissues of pigs according to genotype MYF 4 (Short communication)
Peter Makovický, Pavol Makovický, Miroslava Kačániová, Simona Pavličová and Peter Haščík
Arch Tierz 52 (2009), 395-401 PDF
The results of histochemical analysis of 3 muscles – m. triceps brachii (MTB), m. longissimus thoracitus (MLT) and m. rectus femoris (MRF) – in 2 groups of pigs formed according to the genotypes MYF 4 are presented in this study. Determination of MYF 4 genotypes was performed by the polymerase chain reaction method (PCR). For histochemical analysis, 5 animals detected as homozygotes of the MYF 4-AA type and 5 animals of the heterozygous genotype AB were used out of the total 25 individual animals tested. The histochemical analysis demonstrated that homozygotes AA had larger fat cells on the average than heterozygotes AB in the three studied muscles, which was statistically significant (P<0.05). The percentage surface representation of interstitial tissues was higher in the studied muscles of heterozygotes MYF 4-AB. The volume of interstitial tissues was the highest in the MRF in both groups (myogenin – AA and AB). The average thickness of muscle fibres of the three studied muscles was higher in the homozygote genotype myogenin MYF 4-AA than in heterozygotes MYF 4-AB, which was statistically significant (P<0.05).
Reproductive and physiological traits of Egyptian Suffolk rams as affected by selenium dietary supplementation and housing heat radiation effects during winter of the sub-tropical environment of Egypt (Short Communication)
Ibrahim Fayez Mahmoud Marai, Abel-Halim Ali El-Darawany, El-Sayed Abou-Fandoud Ismail and Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed Abdel-Hafez
Arch Tierz 52 (2009), 402-409 PDF
The present investigation was a part of a research project that aimed to study the reproductive and physiological traits of the rams as affected by selenium dietary supplementation and, housing heat radiation effect which is the change in animals perception of warmth between the different parts of the building or between indoors and outdoors of the farm measured by the difference in temperature-humidity index (THI) values. To carry out such work, the animals were divided into four groups (A, B, C and E) of nearly equal average body weights and were raised in one shed, but divided to southern and northern parts. Two groups (A and B) were housed in the southern part of the farm (facing the bright sun day light), while the other two groups (C and D) were housed in the northern part of the farm (facing the cold air flow). One group in each part of the farm was kept without treatment as control (A or C) and the second (B or D) was treated with selenium (0.1 ppm/kg dry matter [DM] of ration as sodium salenate) orally. The results showed that dietary selenium supplementation improved significantly (P<0.01 or 0.05) most of the ram traits, during winter. Regarding the housing heat radiation effect, the results showed that the southern part was higher than the northern part of the farm with 0.8 THI unit and such change improved significantly (P<0.01 or 0.05) the ram traits, during winter. With regard to the interaction between the studied two factors, there were no significant effects except for the scrotal circumference and scrotal length which were high (P<0.01) in the rams supplemented with selenium and raised in the southern part of the farm, under the sub-tropical environment of Egypt.
The content of chosen chemical elements in wool of sheep of different origins and breeds
Bozena Patkowska-Sokoła, Zbigniew Dobrzański, Khalil Osman, Robert Bodkowski and Katarzyna Zygadlik
Arch Tierz 52 (2009), 410-418 PDF
The following chemical elements in sheep wool originating from Poland (Polish Mountain Sheep), Greece (Karagounico breed), and Syria (Awassi breed) were analysed: macroelements (Ca, P, Na, K, Mg, S), trace elements (Al, Ba, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Sr, Ti, Zn) and heavy metals (As, Cd Hg, Pb). Some statistically significant differences were observed between the content of the examined elements in sheep wool collected in the above countries. Sulphur, calcium, sodium and potassium were found in the highest amounts, while arsenic, cadmium and mercury occurred in the lowest quantity.
Dynamics of changes in iron concentration and total iron binding capacity in blood plasma of goat kids during their first month of life (Short Communication)
Wieslaw Franciszek Skrzypczak, Malgorzata Ożgo, Adam Lepczyński and Anna Łata
Arch Tierz 52 (2009), 419-424 PDF
The experiment was carried out on 14 kids of Polish Improved White breed during the first 30 days of life. The aim of this study was to show changes in the concentration of blood plasma iron and total iron binding capacity (TIBC) during the neonatal period. The statistically confirmed differences (P≥0.01) in blood serum iron concentration was show in the kids between 5th (20.57 μmol/l) and 14th (9.97 μmol/l) day of life, and between 3rd and 4th week with the peak in 23rd day (27.50 μmol/l). We have also shown statisticly confirmed increase in TIBC (P≥0.01) between 1st and 4th day of life (+20.13 μmol/l), and between 14th and 23rd day of life (+15.59 μmol/l). Statistically confirmed decrease of TIBC was observed between 6th (52.30 μmol/l) and 14th (31.78 μmol/l) day of life. Conclusion: The studies have revealed dynamic changes in the concentration and total binding capacity of blood plasma iron concentration during the first month of postnatal life. The pattern of such changes does not depend on the gender or litter size. It was observed a significant decrease in the concentration of this trace element in blood plasma toward the end of the second week, which may indicate a relative iron deficiency, particularly in twin-born kids.
Some carcass traits and physicochemical composition of White Improved breed goat kids slaughtered at 90 and 180 days of age (Short Communication)
Krystyna Pieniak-Lendzion, Roman Niedziółka and Teresa Borkowska
Arch Tierz 52 (2009), 425-431 PDF
The research aimed at analysing the slaughter value and physicochemical attributes of goat kids slaughtered at 90 and 180 days of age. After weaning at 60 days of age, a balanced mixture containing 18.2% of protein and 5.63 MJ of net energy was applied as a feed. Some traits of live and slaughtered animal weight attributes were analysed. Moreover, tissue composition of the half carcass and meat physicochemical properties of meat were determined. The carcass of older male kid goats was by 5.08 kg (P≤0.05) heavier and the weight of primal cuts (P≤0.05) including high-priced cuts was by 0.87 kg higher than the young kids. Half carcass tissue composition of older and younger kids was similar: 60.13-60.50% of meat, 25.48-25.37% of bones, and 14.39-14.13% of fat. Significant differences (P≤0.05) in fat and bone contents were only found in the leg. Furthermore, physiochemical properties indicated that the meat of older animals was darker and had higher values of chemical parameters.
Effects of ascorbic acid and lighting schedule on tibiotarsus strength and bone characteristics in broilers
Huseyin Yildiz, Nazmiye Gunes, S Sule Gezen, Resat Ozcan, Metin Petek, Bestami Yilmaz and Ilker Arican
Arch Tierz 52 (2009), 432-444 PDF
This study was conducted to determine the effects of two lighting programs (continuous program; 24 h lighting or intermittent; 12 h daylight followed by three cycles of 1 h lighting and 3 h dark program during the night period) and three different ascorbic acid (AA) supplementations (0, 200 and 400 mg/l, added to water) on some serum parameters, ash content and mechanical properties of tibiotarsus. For this purpose one-day-old male commercial (Ross PM3) broiler chicks (n=600) were divided into 6 treatment groups (2×3) with random replicates (4 replicates per treatment). At the end of 6 weeks, intermittent lighting program negatively influenced serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and calcium (Ca) levels (P<0.001) while continuous lighting program had positive influence on bone ash, Ca and phosphorus (P) content (P<0.001). The AA addition decreased serum inorganic phosphorus (Pi) level and positively affected bone chemical characteristics (P<0.001). On the mid-section of the bone, although intermittent lighting had positive effect on bone mechanical parameters (P<0.001), no remarkable effect was observed by AA supplementation. The results of the present study suggest that interaction of intermittent lighting and AA supplementation (200 mg/l) may have positive effect on chemical composition and mechanical characteristics of bone in broilers.
Association of PIT-1 gene polymorphism with birth weight, milk and reproduction traits in Isfahan Holstein cows (Brief Report)
Mohammad Ali Edriss, Vahid Edriss and Hamid Reza Rahmani
Arch Tierz 52 (2009), 445-447 PDF
Cytogenetic and syntenic assignment of the bovine platelet-activating factor receptor (PTAFR) to cattle chromosome 2 (Brief report)
Tom Goldammer, Peter Schmidt and Rosemarie Weikard
Arch Tierz 52 (2009), 448-450 PDF