Abstracts volume 53 (2010) 6, 629-736 
Genetic analysis of distance-dependent racing performances in German Thoroughbreds
Antke-Elsabe Bugislaus
Arch Tierz 53 (2010) 6, 629-638 PDF
The objective of this study was to develop a new multivariate statistical model for genetic estimation of distance-dependent racing performances in German thoroughbreds. Analysed performance traits were »square root of distance to first placed horse in races over Sprintdistances (until 1400 m)«, »square root of distance to first placed horse in races over Miledistances (from 1 401 m to 1 900 m)« and »square root of distance to first placed horse in races over Long-distances (over 1 900 m)«. These traits were found to be influenced by the carried weight, which was determined by the horses’ earlier performance. Therefore, new traits were developed based on random regression models, which were independent from the carried weights. Genetic parameters were first evaluated for these new created traits »new distance to first placed horse in races over Sprint-distances« (h²=0.088), »new distance to first placed horse in races over Mile-distances« (h²=0.081) and »new distance to first placed horse in races over Long-distances« (h²=0.137) using a multivariate animal model. Genetic correlations between these traits were high, but differed from rg=1. A further heritability was estimated for the distance-independent trait »new distance to first placed horse in races over all distances« (h²=0.101) applying a univariate animal model with a fixed distance effect. These two different models were compared by two criteria. The ranking of breeding values for the distance-independent trait (estimated with the univariate model) was first correlated with each of the rankings of breeding values for the three distance-dependent traits (estimated with the multivariate model). Correlations varied from r=0.668 to r=0.813. The second criterion for comparison was the percentage of incorrectly selected raced stallions by breeding values estimated with the univariate model. Between 47.4 % and 69.7 % of stallions were incorrectly selected. The use of a total selection index including breeding values of the three distance-dependent traits with suitable weightings was recommended as a possible future selection criterion.
Relationship between age at first start and racing performance in Polish Thoroughbreds and Arab horses
Magdalena Sobczynska
Arch Tierz 53 (2010) 639-649 PDF
Genetic and phenotypic parameters for age at first start (AFS) and performance traits were estimated for Polish Thoroughbred and Arab horses using REML with an animal model. The traits representing a horse’s racing performance were log of earnings (EA) and square root of number of starts (NS). Separate analyses per first racing season and whole career were carried out. The first racing season comprised 1 759 Thoroughbreds and 1 026 Arab horses. The racing results of whole racing career were available for 1 319 Thoroughbreds and 815 Arab horses. The model accounted for fixed effects of birth year, month of birth, sex and trainer. The average of AFS of Thoroughbreds was 933.2 days for first racing season and 935.1 for whole career. The same AFS was observed at first season and whole career (about 1 199 days) in Arab horses. Heritability estimates for AFS were rather low (0.15-0.21) . All genetic correlations for Arab horses between age and performance traits varied from moderate to high (from −0.25 to −0.85). For whole career of Thoroughbreds, the genetic correlations had opposite signs compared to those observed in Arabs. Genetic correlation between AFS and EA in first racing season was very low in Thoroughbreds (−0.07), whereas high between AFS and NS (−1); the corresponding values for Arab horses were −0.25 and −0.76. The opposite signs of phenotypic and genetic correlations (0.16 vs −1 and −0.24 vs 1 in first season and whole career, respectively) between AFS and NS in Thoroughbreds were observed. Phenotypic correlations between AFS and performance traits were close to zero for whole career while were rather low and moderate (−0.22 and −0.37) for first season in Arab horses. Delay of the first start of Thoroughbreds is favourable from the point of view of future racing performance in whole career and has no effect on earnings in the first racing season. Arab horses beginning their career at a young age are start frequently and earn more money then those beginning their career later.
Changes in teat parameters caused by milking and their recovery to their initial size
Luděk Stádník, František Louda, Jiří Bezdíček, Alena Ježková and Michal Rákos
Arch Tierz 53 (2010) 650-662 PDF
Dairy cows of 2 breeds, 74 Holstein (H) and 72 Czech Fleckvieh (C) cows in the 1st (H, n=38; C, n=38) and 2nd lactation (H, n=36; C, n=34) during the 1st period (n=74; H, n=40; C, n=34; to 150 days) and the 2nd period of lactation (n=72; H, n=34; C, n=38; above 150 days) were observed. Differences in external and internal proportions of teat closely before (the 1st measurement), immediately after (the 2nd measurement) and 3 hours after milking (the 3rd measurement), udder conformation evaluated by linear description, somatic cell count, daily milk yield and the time of milking were evaluated in relation to the effect of breed and period of lactation. The length of the teat canal, area of the teat end, and wall thickness were measured from the axial picture recorded by ultrasound Aloka SSD500 (ALOKA CO., LTD., TOKYO, JAPAN). Significant interbreed differences were detected in external as well as internal teat proportions (P<0.05-0.001). Relative changes of teat diameter, comparing C and H cows, differed significantly between the 1st and the 3rd measurement (P<0.05). The length of teat increased during milking and didn´t achieve the beginning size during 3 hours after milking. Significant diiference in the length of teat between the 2nd measurement and the 3rd measurement was determined in H cows only (P<0.001). The most significant changes of the length of the teat canal and the area of teat were found in both breeds between values measured closely before and immediately after milking (P<0.5-0.001). Wall thickness was strengthen in C cows (+15.6 %) during the 2nd measurement according to the 1st (P<0.05), while difference represented +18 % (P<0.001) in H cows. Non-significantly higher values of external proportions of teat were measured in the 2nd period of lactation except diameter of teat closely before milking. Internal proportions of teat were always significantly higher in the 2nd period of lactation in relation to the 1st period. Prolongation of teat canal by 0.15 cm (P<0.01) closely before, by 0.16 cm (P<0.001) immediately after, and by 0.13 cm (P<0.01) 3 hours after milking was measured in the 2nd period of lactation. The area of teat end measured before milking was significantly larger in the 2nd period of lactation (P<0.01).
Environment discomfort and ability to sustain the performance level during life time under the sub-tropical conditions in imported Holstein Friesian young cows
Ibrahim Fayez Mahmoud Marai, Abel-Halim Ali El-Darawany, Abdel Mageed Sayed Nasr and Mohamed Abdel-Hamid Shehata
Arch Tierz 53 (2010) 663-674 PDF
In the present study, the Holstein Friesians were imported from Germany to the sub-tropical environment in Jordan as pregnant (between 5 and 7 months) heifers. The study included some performance traits as affected by season of the year, parity and classes of each of milk yield, lactation period and days open. The results indicated that the animals were exposed to severe heat stress during summer and to mild climate (without heat stress) during autumn and winter. Days open, lactation period and calving interval values were higher (P<0.05) in summer than in autumn The estimated average deviations percentage occurred as a result to the inadequate conditions was 37.8 for imported young cows, when considering that the optimum comfort environmental temperature for Holstein cattle as 10 °C. Effects of parity were significant (P<0.001 or 0.01) on days open, number of inseminations per conception, milk yield and calving interval. The estimated values were higher (P<0.05) in the second parity than in the other parities. Average deviations in the traits in different parities, relatively to the values of the same traits in the first parity, was estimated as 10.33 %. When studying the effects of some trait classes, it was found that days open and number of services per conception increased (P<0.001) with the increase in classes of milk yield, dry period and calving interval also increased (P<0.001) with the increase in classes of lactation period and lactation increased (P<0.001) with the increase in classes of days open. The results may indicate that deterioration of the newly imported Holstein cow traits under the sub-tropical environment, a state of reversal to origin.
Effect of bovine colostrum on the serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), the IGF binding proteins-2 and -3 and the thyroid hormones in weaning piglets
Christelle Boudry, Jean-Paul Dehoux, Frédéric G. Colinet, José Wavreille, Daniel Portetelle, Yves Beckers and André Théwis
Arch Tierz 53 (2010) 675-688 PDF
This study examined the effect of a bovine colostrum supplementation on growth performance, feed intake and the hormonal response of piglets at weaning. Ninety-six newly-weaned piglets were assigned for four weeks to one of the two treatments: Control (diet with bovine milk whey) and Colostrum (diet with bovine colostrum whey) treatments. The supplements were incorporated in a commercial diet at 20 g/kg during the first 2 weeks after weaning and lowered to 10 g/kg for the next 2 weeks. Body weight and feed intake were measured weekly. Blood samples were taken weekly for determination of circulating IGF-I, its binding proteins and the thyroid hormones (T3 and T4). During the first week of the trial, the Colostrum-fed piglets presented improved growth performance, feed intake and feed efficiency and a higher concentration in circulating IGF-I (+15 %) compared to the Control piglets. In both treatments, the circulating thyroid hormones were reduced by weaning and the levels measured at weaning were recovered earlier by the Colostrum-fed piglets compared to the Control group (P<0.05). It is concluded that hormonal response observed after the bovine colostrum supplementation is, at least in part, consequent of the positive action of bovine colostrum on the feed intake.
Estimates of (co)variance function for growth to yearling in Horro sheep of Ethiopia using random regression model
Solomon Abegaz, Jacob Bernardus van Wyk, Jacobus Johannes Olivier
Arch Tierz 53 (2010) 689-700 PDF
Random regression analyses of weight data from birth to 396 days using 22 141 weight records of 1 951 Horro lambs were used. Six different models formed from three different orthogonal polynomial regressions (legendre scale)orders (quadratic, cubic, quartic) of fit for both additive genetic and animals’ permanent environmental effects, with assumption of either homogeneous or heterogeneous residual variance, were compared. Fixed effects of year and type of birth, sex and age of dam were fitted along with a fourth order polynomial. Both likelihood ratio test (LRT) and Akaike’s Information Criteria (AIC) were used for model comparison. Model fit improved with increased order of polynomial and assumption of heterogeneity of residual variance. Components for additive genetic and permanent environmental (co)variance increased from 0.03 and 0.09 at birth to 23.8 and 37.6 at 396 days of age, respectively. The first three eigenvalues of the coefficient matrix of the additive genetic covariance accounted for about 98 % of the sum of all the eigenvalues. Heritability estimates have shown a declining and increasing trend at different parts of the trajectory, the lowest estimate being 0.14 for weight at birth while the highest being 0.36 for weight at about 390 days of age. Higher heritability estimates in previous uni- and bi-variate models and in the current study and also strong correlation with weight at early age makes weight at one year of age the most important trait to consider in improving productivity in Horro sheep.
Cholesterol content in eggs produced by hens divergently selected for body weight (Short Communication)
Dušan Terčič, Alenka Levart and Antonija Holcman
Arch Tierz 53 (2010) 701-707 PDF
In this work the cholesterol content of chicken eggs produced by two lines (high and low weight) representing the 31st generation of selection for divergent growth was studied. Divergent selection for body weight at 8 weeks of age resulted in changes in egg size and consequently in the weight of egg components. Higher values (P≤0.001) were observed in eggs from the high weight (D+) line for egg weight, albumen, yolk and shell weight. Percent yolk was greater (P≤0.001) and percent albumen was lower (P≤0.001) in eggs from the low weight (D−) line. Eggs from the D− line contained lower (P≤0.001) cholesterol content (mg/ egg, mg/g yolk, mg/g yolk dry matter) than eggs from the D+ line but when cholesterol was expressed in milligrams per gram of egg or per gram of edible egg, differences between the two lines were not significant. Divergent selection for body weight changed the albumen:yolk ratio and a change of this type affected the grams of cholesterol per gram of yolk values.
Vitamins C and E affect plasma metabolites and production performance of layer chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) under condition of high ambient temperature and humidity
J. J. Ajakaiye, A. Perez-Bello, M. Cuesta-Mazorra, G. Polanco Expósito and Á. Mollineda-Trujillo
Arch Tierz 53 (2010) 708-719 PDF
This study was carried out to investigate the effects of vitamins C and E on some plasma metabolites and production performance of layer chickens reared under hot tropical climate. 720 White Leghorn (L33) layer chickens and 39 weeks old were divided into four groups of 180 birds. One group was fed with basal diet (control) and treatment groups were fed with basal diet supplemented with 150 mg of vitamin C/kg of diet, 150 mg of vitamin E/kg of diet, while the last group was supplemented with 150 mg of vitamin C/kg of diet plus 150 mg of vitamin E/kg of diet. Separately or as a combination, supplemental vitamin C and E decreased plasma concentrations of cholesterol, glucose and creatine phosphokinase (P<0.001) compared to control. There were no significant (P>0.05) effects of supplemental vitamin C and E on plasma metabolites of alanine phosphatase and aspartate transaminase. The single supplementation of vitamin E and its combination with vitamin C considerably increased the plasma metabolite of protein (P<0.01). Egg/bird were significantly (P<0.05) higher in all treatment groups compared to control, but P value was highest in vitamin E treated group. The laying index showed a significant (P<0.05) increase in all treatment groups compared to control. Similarly, feed consumption and conversion were significantly (P<0.05) different in treatment groups compared to control. It is concluded that supplementation of vitamins C and E maintained the stability of some plasma metabolites concentration, thereby, sustained production performance and facilitated adaptation of chicken to stressful hot-humid condition.
Eggs weight of Japanese quail vs. eggs quality after storage time and hatchability results
Sebastian Nowaczewski, Katarzyna Witkiewicz, Helena Kontecka, Stanisława Krystianiak and Andrzej Rosiński
Arch Tierz 53 (2010) 720-730 PDF
The aim of the performed investigations was to compare eggs of Japanese quail layers of different weights with regard to their shape, selected traits of the content following various times of their storage as well as the results of hatchability and body weight of one-day old chicks. Hatching eggs were divided into four groups: group S – up to 10.50 g, group M – from 10.51 to 11.50 g, group L – from 11.51 to 12.50 g and group XL – from 12.51 g. In experiment I, on days: 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 of storage, the following traits were assessed in 20 eggs from each group: egg weight (g) and yolk and albumen index as well as the number of Haugh units. In experiment II, five hatches were carried out. The total of 480 eggs were incubated in each hatch (120 eggs for each group). On the 15th day of incubation, the eggs were weighed. After hatching, 30 chicks from each group were weighed. Basic hatchability indices were also determined. Eggs with the smallest weight, stored for 1 day, with the smallest yolks were characterized by their highest content contrary to the eggs with the highest weight (the biggest yolks but with their smallest percentage content). In eggs with the higher weight (groups L and XL), a certain increase in weight and proportion (%) of yolk was observed after 3, 5, 7 and 10 days. The highest albumen percentage content was determined in eggs from groups L and XL, whereas in the remaining groups the albumen content was the smallest. With the lengthening of the egg storage, the albumen weight did not undergo significant changes. After one-day storage, the yolk and albumen index as well as Haugh units were slightly higher for eggs of smaller weight than for bigger ones. Eggs from groups S and M were more spherical. Eggs from groups L and XL had smaller weight losses during hatching. Eggs from group L were characterised by the best fertilisation, hatchability results and proportion of dead embryos and unhatched chicks. The heaviest chicks were obtained from eggs of the highest weight, while the lightest – from eggs of the smallest weight. The obtained results appear to indicate that Japanese quail eggs of 10.51-12.50 g are the best for hatching.
Different estimations of heritabilities in dependence of major gene effects (Brief Report)
Bernd Buske and Nicolas Gengler
Arch Tierz 53 (2010) 731-733 PDF
Chromosome mapping of five differently expressed miRNAs in porcine skeletal muscle development (Brief Report)
Hua Bin He, Shu Hong Zhao and Xin Yun Li
Arch Tierz 53 (2010) 734-736 PDF