The aim of this study was to perform a multivariate analysis of lambs' birth weight, survivability traits, growth performance traits, and other defined factors. The study focused on one flock of Suffolk sheep kept under permanent pasture management. Overall 1012 lambs were investigated over 3 years. The results of the study detected lambs' optimal birth weight for this management system. This study also suggested practical implications of important factors when improving flock profitability. Hide

In a previous mapping study including body composition and bone mineral traits obtained by DXA scans, QTL for bone mineral traits were rare. This study aimed to clarify if the mapping results were influenced by the analysed body regions. Hence, analyses were repeated using the same material (551 pigs) and methods but two manually defined body regions instead of the initial whole-body setting. Our results show an overall high consistency of mapping results especially for body composition traits. Hide

The present study was based on the association of polymorphisms at LEP, CAST, CAPN1, GHR, FABP4 and DGAT1 genes with fattening performance and carcass traits in Simmental bulls. Results indicated that final weight, fattening period, total weight gain and average daily gain differentiated the CAST and CAPN1 marker genotypes. Moreover, a novel effect of the LEP A80V on carcass weight and dressing percentage was observed. The results could be indicative for future studies on beef production. Hide

The 29 bp indel of sheep LHX3 gene was firstly verified in four Chinese indigenous sheep breeds of various fecundity. Genotypic frequency and allelic frequency distributions were significantly different between the high-fecundity breeds (Hu sheep, HS; small-tail Han sheep, STHS; and Lanzhou fat-tail sheep, LFTS) and the low-fecundity breed (Tong sheep (TS)) based on an χ² test (P < 0.05). Moreover, four significant differences were found in body length and chest width in TS and STHS (P < 0.05). Hide

This paper shows the impact of the rearing system used for laying hens on their productivity and egg quality. Newly created laying hen hybrids dedicated to organic or pro-ecological farming were used. The results showed different reactions of two types of hens to extensive and intensive rearing systems. A significant positive impact of the extensive rearing system (access to open runs, natural length of daylight, farming fodders) on birds and their productivity was found. Hide

In face of the ongoing demand to reduce the interval within deliveries to increase sheep reproductive efficiency, the male effect could be used to shorten anestrus postpartum in ewes. The male effect is a simple, effective and low-cost approach to reducing the duration of postpartum anestrus without affecting pregnancy rates. In conclusion the male effect can be used with postpartum ewes that have lambed within 35 to 40 days previously in order to decrease time between deliveries. Hide

Single housing with full-time crating is the typical system for keeping suckling sows, but animal welfare is neglected. Short-time crating is an alternative due to animal welfare. The objective was to compare the two systems under practical conditions. Short-time crated gilts did not cause an increased amount of loss of piglets due to crushing, and the daily gain of their piglets was higher. Behavioural observations showed that gilts' welfare was positively influenced by short-time crating. Hide

The aim of this study was to evaluate the meat quality of the longissimus muscle of lambs fed a diet containing 3 % rapeseed oil (RO) or a diet with 2 % RO and 1 % fish oil (FO), or experimental diets with addition of 2 % RO, 1 % FO, 0.1 % carnosic acid with 0.35 ppm Se as selenized yeast (SeY) or selenate (SeVI). The results showed that FO and SeVI affected the meat quality traits, especially ultimate pH, color, and muscle proteome profile as well as amino acid composition of muscle. Hide

Sequencing of the GDF9 gene in 16 twin-birth, 4 triplet-birth, and 2 infertile ewes from Iranian sheep with verified segregation of G2–6 mutations, as well as a new G0 mutation, C25T, which causes L9F substitution in the signal peptide region. None of the triplet-birth or infertile ewes carried the G1, G4, G7, FecGE, G8, or FecGT mutations. In addition, using a large dataset comprised of 605 individuals showed a significant difference in the abundance of G1 and G4 mutations between breeds. Hide

This study assesses genetic diversity and population structure of Quarter Horse, Azteca, Thoroughbred and Creole horses, frequently used for horse dancing competitions in traditional regional festivities. Since most animals in the studied area are used as breeders, the results support the improvement of management strategies, including periodical assessment of these populations to ensure acceptable population sizes and breed integrity, and documenting genetic flow and reproductive management. Hide

This study aimed at screening genetic diversity and differentiation in four horse breeds raised in Tunisia: the Barb (BA), Arab-Barb (AB), Arabian (AR), and English Thoroughbred (TS) breeds. A total of 200 blood samples were collected and genomic DNA was extracted. The average number of alleles per locus was 7.52 (0.49), 7.35 (0.54), 6.3 (0.44), and 6 (0.38) for the AB, BA, AR, and TS, respectively. Results showed that the important amount of genetic variation was within population. Hide

The aim of this study was to investigate the polymorphism in the IGF-I gene and its associations with growth, body size, carcass and meat quality traits in Coloured Polish Merino sheep. The IGF-I genotype was found to have an effect on fore shank weight, kidney fat class and EUROP fat class, external fatness on carcass class, drip loss, and subjective assessment of meat colour. The IGF-I gene could be considered as a candidate gene of selected carcass and meat quality traits in sheep. Hide