We investigated the expression profile and polymorphism of bovine PPARD as well as their association with growth traits in Chinese cattle. Association analysis suggested that individuals with the GAAGTT combined genotype of three SNPs detected showed optimal values in all the growth traits analyzed. These results revealed that the GAAGTT combined genotype of three SNPs detected in the bovine PPARD gene was a significant potential genetic marker for marker-assisted selection in Chinese cattle.

The long-horned Fulani zebu, spread all over the Sahel area, is one of the main cattle groups in Africa. Despite their importance, characterisation of these cattle is poorly developed. The current research illustrated a lack of differentiation among local populations of this cattle group at the body measurements level. Conservation or selection initiatives could be implemented at a cross-boundary level.

Intramammary infections in dairy cows lead to considerable economic losses for farmers. A new somatic cell count index (SCCI) was proposed for the accurate prediction of milk yield losses caused by elevated somatic cell count (SCC). Depending on the time of SCC elevation, parity, milk production level, and level of average SCC, the estimated milk yield loss from the phenotypic potential of milk yield was at least 0.8–0.9 kg day⁻¹ for primiparous cows and 1.3–4.3 kg day⁻¹ for multiparous cows.

Bovine cumulus–oocyte complexes were cultured in a three-step system imitating estradiol-17β (E₂) and progesterone (P₄) concentrations in preovulatory follicular fluid for in vitro maturation (IVM). The blastocyst formation rate after E₂- and P₄-imitated IVM was significantly higher than that after the other IVM (control, E₂-imitated, P₄-imitated), suggesting that the three-step IVM system with the preovulatory levels of E₂ and P₄ improves the developmental potential of embryos in vitro.

The present study aimed at characterizing genetic diversity and relationship of 3 Niger cattle breeds (Zebu Arabe, Zebu Bororo and Kuri). High levels of allelic and gene diversity were observed while genetic differentiation was low. High genetic diversity and poor genetic structure might be due to historic zebu–taurine admixture and ongoing breeding practices in the region. The result of this study will help formulate effective strategies for conservation and improvement of Niger cattle breeds.

As an alternative to soybean meal, which is a major source of proteins in animals' diets, and recently excluded from diets of animals in organic farming due to dubious quality and origin, we used pea grain (Pisum sativum subsp. sativum) in lambs' diets. With the addition of this valuable protein source, in the present research, production traits, fatty acid profile of meat, and blood parameters did not change.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect on goat kids of supplementation with protein–xanthophyll concentrate (PX) obtained from alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Beneficial effects of feeding with PX concentrate were found in a higher loin percentage and improved tissue composition resulting from lower fat tissue content. The PX dietary supplement improved the chemical composition of the muscle tissue by increasing the content of protein and unsaturated fatty acids.

It has been stressed that increasing the growth velocity and muscle mass in chickens possibly resulted in trade-offs regarding product quality. Therefore, this research aimed at comparing the breast meat quality of chickens with divergent growth rates. The results suggest that selection on high growth rates could be associated with increased pH when the body weight of fast-growing birds reaches about 40 to 60 % of their growth potential and, possibly, also with increased cooking loss.

This study focused on examining the effects of different levels of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on broiler tibiotarsus traits and the reduction of leg problems by identifying the pathological changes in the leg skeletal system. Yeast supplementation led to an improvement in the bone traits of broiler chickens. Therefore, the use of yeast as a feed supplement in broilers is considered an economic and convenient way of providing animal welfare and preventing commercial losses due to leg problems.