Risk Factors for Lamb Mortality in Sahelian Sheep on a Breeding Station in Ghana

A retrospective cohort study was designed to examine the effect of sex, season of birth, type and year of birth, and birth weight on lamb mortality. The method used involved analysis of breeding records for Sahelian sheep kept on a breeding station at Pong-Tamale in northern Ghana from 1994 to 2000. The pre-weaning and post-weaning mortalities were 10% (n = 505) and 19% (n = 453), respectively, while the overall mortality from birth up to 12 months of age was 28% (n = 505). Compared to the pre-weaning period, the post-weaning period recorded significantly higher proportions of deaths in male, single-born, lambs born in the rainy or dry seasons, and in lambs with low (<3 kg) or high (> or =3 kg) birth weight. The odds and risks of death for male lambs were about one and a half times those for females at post-weaning. Lambs born in the dry season had significantly higher mortality than those born in the rainy season. Lambs that died by the time of weaning were not significantly different in weight at birth from those that survived. The mean birth and weaning weights of single-born lambs were significantly higher than those for twins. The mean pre-weaning ADG was significantly higher in lambs born as singles compared to that for twins. The season of birth had influence on mean birth weight, with those born in the rainy season having significantly higher weights than those born in the dry season. The year of birth significantly affected birth weight, weaning weight, weight at 12 months and ADG at all stages of the lambs' life. The study concluded that the most significant risk factors for lamb mortality included sex of the lamb, season of birth and birth weight. The last two could be manipulated, to some extent, to reduce lamb mortality.     

Effects of genetic and environmental factors on pre-weaning and post-weaning growth in West African crossbred sheep

Effects of genetic and environmental factors on pre-weaning and post-weaning growth were studied in West African crossbred sheep. Effects of lamb genotype (7/8 Sahelian–1/8 Djallonké, 3/4 Sahelian–1/4 Djallonké and 1/2 Sahelian–1/2 Djallonké; hereafter denoted 7/8Sa, 3/4Sa and 1/2Sa, respectively), parity, type of birth, sex of lamb and year-season of lambing on birth weight, weaning weight, 8-month weight and pre- and post-weaning growth rates were determined. At birth 7/8Sa and 3/4Sa lambs were heavier (p<0.01) than 1/2Sa lambs. Lambs born to first-parity ewes were lighter (p<0.01) at birth than lambs of older ewes. At weaning and 8 months of age, lambs born to fourth-parity ewes were heavier (p<0.05) than those born to ewes of the other parities. Parity did not have any significant effects on pre-weaning growth rate. Lambs born in the rainy season of 2001 were significantly heavier at birth and at 8 months of age than those born in the dry season of 2001/02, but there was no difference between the two groups at weaning. Pre-weaning growth rate was significantly faster in lambs born in the dry season of 2001/02 but the reverse was true for post-weaning growth rate.     

Adjustment factors for growth characters of the Damascus goatFacteurs de correction pour les caractères de croissance de la chèvre damascaineKorrekturfaktoren für wachstumsmerkmale bei der damaskusziege

Data on 1542 purebred Damascus kids obtained from the Goat Breeding Unit at Akhelia were used to determine the effects of year, month and type of birth (singles, twins, other multiples), sex of kid and dam lactation number on growth characters of goats. Least squares analyses showed that all factors studied had a significant effect on weaning weight, pre-weaning growth rate and 140-day weight (P<0.01). Type of birth and lactation number effects were small and insignificant for post-weaning growth rate.Adjustment factors were computed across year of birth for the effects of month of birth, type of birth, sex of kid and dam lactation number. These adjustment factors, although developed from a single herd, can be used, with some caution, in a breeding program for the improvement of Damascus goats.     

Epidemiological studies of piglet diarrhoea in intensively managed Danish sow herds. II. Post-weaning diarrhoea

This study comprised 48,931 litters in 89 sow herds. During the study (1976-82) weaning age decreased from approx. 42 days to approx. 30 days. The mean incidence of post-weaning diarrhoea was 6.0% of litters weaned, with little variation by year but with considerable variation among herds. Within the individual herd increased incidence occurred over limited periods, probably associated with specific infections. Litters with diarrhoea during the suckling period had increased risk of post-weaning diarrhoea. The incidence of post-weaning diarrhoea increased with litter size at weaning. Thus, a litter of 11-12 piglets at weaning had 1.2 times higher risk than litters with 8-10 piglets. In contrast to pre-weaning diarrhoea, there was no association between parity of the sow and diarrhoea in the litter after weaning. Litters weaned below 2 weeks of age had a 2-fold risk of developing diarrhoea after weaning and a 2.4-fold higher mortality rate than did litters weaned at 6-7 weeks. Similarly, litters weaned at an individual piglet weight below 3 kg bodyweight had a 3-fold higher risk of developing diarrhoea after weaning and a 5-fold higher mortality rate than did pigs from litters weaned at a bodyweight of 7-8 kg. The incidence of post-weaning diarrhoea decreased with increasing herd size. Piglets from litters with post-weaning diarrhoea had reduced weight gains after weaning and were 2.3 days older at 25 kg bodyweight than piglets from non-diarrhoeic litters. Likewise, diarrhoea after weaning was associated with an increased incidence of diseases of the skin and respiratory tract. Thus the risk of contracting respiratory disease was 4 times greater in diarrhoeic litters.     

Breed and environmental influences on weaner lamb production in Zimbabwe

Performance of the Dorper and Mutton Merino breeds and their crosses was assessed from 1,305 ewe and 1,453 lamb records from six lambing seasons. Dorper and Mutton Merino were mated in all combinations under an accelerated lambing system and crossbred females were mated to Suffolk rams. The Dorper and Mutton Merino breeds were not significantly different for fertility, pre-weaning lamb growth and survival. Suffolk sired lambs from crossbred ewes grew rapidly and were heaviest at birth and at weaning. They also survived better than lambs from the other breeding groups and this contributed to the higher weaning rate (P less than 0.05) in crossbred ewes. Weight of weaned lambs per ewe exposed to the ram per season was 12% higher (P less than 0.05) in the Dorper than the Mutton Merino ewes. However lifetime production was 28% higher (P less than 0.01) in Mutton Merino ewes due to significantly superior longevity. Crossbred ewes were highly productive. Individual heterosis was not significant but estimates were positive for most traits. Growth rate and survival of lambs increased as age of dam increased to 48 and 40 months respectively. Lambs born to previously non-lactating ewes were heavier and survived better than lambs born to ewes lactating in the previous season. Lambs born and reared as singles were 25% heavier at birth (P less than 0.001) and 52% heavier at weaning (P less than 0.001) than those born and reared as twins. Male lambs grew faster and were 7% heavier at weaning than females (P less than 0.001).     

Birth weight,birth type and pre-weaning survivability of West African Dwarf goats raised in the Dangme West District of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana

A study was conducted on 441 West African Dwarf goat (WADG) kids born from September 1999 to August 2002 at three locations in the Dangme West District of the Greater Accra Region in Ghana to determine the effect of environmental factors on birth weight, birth type and pre-weaning survivability. The overall mean birth weight was 1.32 ± 0.01 kg. Birth weights were similar (p >0.05) between single births (1.43 ± 0.04 kg) and twins (1.34 ± 0.03 kg), but singles were significantly heavier (p < 0.05) than triplets (1.24 ± 0.05 kg). Kids born in the major wet season recorded the best mean birth weight (1.37 ± 0.04 kg). Sex, parity of does, and year of birth of kids had no significant (p > 0.05) effect on birth weight. Mean litter size was 1.93 ± 0.03. Does that kidded in the dry season had a significantly (p < 0.05) higher litter size (2.05 ± 0.06) than those that kidded in the minor wet season (1.80 ± 0.10). Litter size of first-parity kids was significantly smaller (p < 0.05) than in subsequent parities. Litter size dropped significantly (p < 0.05) from year 2 (2.03 ± 0.07) to year 3 (1.83 ± 0.07). Pre-weaning survivability was 79.1% and season of kidding had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on survivability. Survivability of quadruplets (61.8%) was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than in the other birth types.     

Effect of weaning on behavior and serum parameters in dairy goat kids

This study aimed at investigating the effects of weaning kids abruptly at an average of 55 ± 13 days of age on intake, behavioral and serum parameters and, lasted for a total of six weeks; two weeks pre-weaning and four weeks post-weaning. Sixteen single kids with equal gender were used. Kids were only allowed to stay with their mothers for suckling (45 min/period) both in the morning and in the evening period during pre-weaning. Grower concentrate and hay were offered ad libitum . The duration of the study was divided into three periods for the sampling of behavioral and serum parameters; (i) pre-weaning period lasting for two weeks (P-BW) (ii) early post-weaning period lasting for one week (P-AW1) and (iii) late post-weaning period lasting for three weeks (P-AW2). Daily weight gain of kids gradually decreased as the observation period progressed ( P  = 0.001). However concentrate feed intake increased from 0.154 kg/day in P-BW to 0.479 kg/day in P-AW1 and 0.499 kg/day in P-AW2. Water intake, rumination and standing behaviors decreased in P-AW2 ( P  < 0.001), whereas activity towards concentrate feed (CF) ( P  < 0.001) and roughage ( P  = 0.012) increased as compared to P-BW and P-AW1. Abnormal oral activity was not affected by the periods ( P  = 0.906). CF was significantly higher in females ( P  = 0.003), whereas males displayed higher lying behavior ( P  = 0.007). Glucose, total protein, urea, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol concentrations ( P  = 0.001) and ALP activity ( P  = 0.003) were significantly affected by the periods. The results of the present study suggest that behavioral and serum parameters across the periods describe changes in the nutritional conditions as a result of the transition from milk to solid feed in association with weaning.     

Growth performance of Black Bengal,Saanen, and their crossbred F1 as affected by sex,litter size,and season of kidding

The objective of the present study was to determine the factors that influenced growth performance of the goat kids of Black Bengal (BB), Saanen (SA), and their crossbred F1 (male Bengal × female Saanen [BBSA] and male Saanen × female Black Bengal [SABB]). Data for 674 kids were analyzed from 316 litters and 134 does. All kids were weekly measured on their characteristics (body weight, length, height at the withers, and chest girth) from birth to 11 weeks old. The kid’s breed and sex, litter size, and season of kidding influenced birth weight and other characteristics through the experiment. The SA and BBSA kids showed similar performance, which were higher than BB and SABB kids. Male kids had higher performance than female kids, and kids from a single litter showed the highest performance. Kids born during rainy season showed lower performance than those born in hot and cool seasons. In conclusion, the crossbred BBSA is superior to SABB or BB to raise in tropical climate Moreover, sex, litter size, and kidding season also affected growth performance during the preweaning period up to 11 weeks old.     

Production performance of Dera Din Panah goat under desert range conditions in Pakistan

Effects of fodder availability and prolificacy on birth weight, weaning weight, weight at 6 and 9 months age, and pre- and post-weaning growth rates of Dera Din Panah goat were determined. A total of 350 records of Dera Din Panah (DDP) goats maintained at Sheep and Goat Development Centre, Rakh Khairewala, District Layyah, Punjab, Pakistan were analyzed using Harvey’s Mixed Model Least Squares and Maximum Likelihood computer program. Fodder availability significantly affected (P < 0.05) the birth weight, weaning weight, and pre-weaning daily gain. The effect of prolificacy on the birth weight, weaning weight, pre-weaning growth rate was significant (P < 0.05). Effects of fodder availability and prolificacy on average daily weight gain during different stages, such as from birth to 3 months of age (GR1), 3 to 6 months of age (GR2), 6 to 9 months of age (GR3), 9 to 12 months of age (GR4), and overall growth rate from birth to 12 months of age (GR5) age were determined.     

Epidemiological studies of piglet diarrhoea in intensively managed Danish sow herds. I. Pre-weaning diarrhoea

The study comprised 70,796 litters in 104 sow herds, observed from 1976 through 1982. Weaning age decreased from approx. 42 days to approx. 30 days during the observation period. Diseases and symptoms were recorded together with production parameters (feeding, barn construction, economic returns etc.). The mean incidence rate of pre-weaning diarrhoea was 6.8% of litters, with considerable inter-herd differences (incidence rates from 0 to approx. 50%). There was a slight increase in incidence during the autumn (August through October). Incidence rates increased with litter size, with a peak incidence in litters of 11-13 piglets, and decreased with increasing parity of the sow. There was a positive association between occurrence of arthritis and pre-weaning diarrhoea in the litters, and litters from sows with post parturient disease (MMA complex) had 1.8 times higher risk of getting diarrhoea than litters from healthy sows. No important differences among breeds were found. Small herds (less than 200 farrowings per year) had higher incidence rates than large herds (400-499 farrowings per year). Herds with a gilt proportion above 30% had an incidence rate of 12.3%, i.e. nearly twice as high as the overall mean (6.8%). There was a trend towards a higher incidence rate in litters kept in traditional pens (i.e. large pens with solid floor and loose sows) than in intensive pens (i.e. small pens with slatted flooring and tethered sows). The overall pre-weaning mortality rate was 16.2% of pigs born, half of which was due to stillbirths (6.3%) and overlaid piglets (2.2%). In litters with pre-weaning diarrhoea, the mortality rate was 19%, compared to 13% in litters without occurrence of diarrhoea. This difference accounts for an excess loss of 0.6 piglets from birth to weaning in diarrhoeic vs. non-diarrhoeic litters. Piglets from litters with pre-weaning diarrhoea had reduced weight gain. Thus, on the average, they were 2.2 days older at 25 kg bodyweight and weighed 0.4 kg less at 30 days than piglets from non-diarrhoeic litters. Also, litters with pre-weaning diarrhoea had a significantly increased risk of post-weaning diarrhoea. The present information forms a basis for defining acceptable disease thresholds in suckling litters in intensively managed herds.     

Some Production Characteristics of Sudan Desert Sheep under Range Conditions in North Kordofan,Sudan

The records on the flocks of sheep at El-Obeid Research Station during 1988–1990 were analysed using least-squares mixed-model procedures. The objective was to study some production characteristics of Sudan Desert sheep in North Kordofan, Sudan, in relation to the seasonal variation and husbandry systems. No significant differences (p>0.05) were found between sedentary and nomadic flocks in the number of ewes serviced and the conception, lambing or abortion rates. Mortality rates were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the nomadic flock. The breeding season had a significant effect on all the parameters measured. Higher conception (p<0.05) and lambing (p<0.01) rates were recorded for the rainy and late dry seasons. However, the highest ewe mortality (p<0.01) was in the rainy season. The highest (p<0.01) lamb weights at birth and at 30 days of age were recorded under the nomadic system. None the less, lambs kept under the sedentary system had somewhat higher weight gains from 60 to 150 days of age. Lambs born during the rainy season had the highest birth weights (p<0.05) and the highest weight at 30 days of age. However, the live weights from 60 to 150 days of age were significantly higher in lambs born in the late dry season. The highest lamb mortality was recorded in the lambs born in the rainy season. Lambs born under the nomadic system and during the rainy season had the highest (p<0.05) weights at 30 and 60 days of age, and also higher (p<0.01) mortality rates compared to the other flock×season combinations. It was concluded that the production characteristics of Sudan Desert sheep reflect the seasonal nutritional status and husbandry system. The effects of supplementary feeding on breeding and pregnant ewes, and on the performance of weaned lambs in the area should be studied. Moreover, the socioeconomic factors governing mobility in nomadic flocks should be thoroughly investigated.     

Performance of Djallonké Sheep under an Extensive System of Production in Faranah,Guinea

A total of 147 ewes, 4 rams and 188 lambs of their progeny of the Djallonké breed of sheep were used to study the factors affecting reproductive and growth traits and the causes of lamb mortality. Data on ewes were collected during a 12-month period, while those on the lambs born to 123 of the ewes were collected until they were 12 months of age. The average fertility and abortion rates were 0.84 and 0.09. The fertility rate increased and the abortion rate decreased with increasing age of the ewes (p<0.05). The number of lambs born per ewe joined, litter weight at birth per ewe joined and litter weight at weaning per ewe joined were 1.28, 3.5 kg and 17 kg, respectively. The average numbers of lambs born per ewe, lambs born alive per ewe, lambs born dead per ewe and lambs per ewe that died between birth and weaning were 1.53, 1.43, 0.03 and 0.3, respectively. The age of the ewes significantly (p<0.05) affected all these traits except the number of dead lambs and the index of fertility (94%). The age of the ewes significantly (p<0.05) affected the birth weight and the weight at 6 and 12 months of age, whereas the lambing season significantly (p<0.05) affected all the growth traits studied. The type of birth was the most important source of variation in body weights of lambs. Sex had no significant (p>0.05) effect on the growth traits studied. The complex `starvation–bad management–light body weight at birth' caused 48% of the lamb mortality between birth and weaning, while diarrhoea, pneumonia and internal and external parasites caused approximately 52% of the lamb mortality over the same period. The seasonal raw mortality rate of the lambs before weaning was highest in the humid season.     

Pre-weaning growth performance of crossbred lambs (Dorper × indigenous sheep breeds) under semi-intensive management in eastern Ethiopia

A study was conducted to assess the effect of genetic and non-genetic factors (litter size, sex of lamb, and parity of dam) on pre-weaning growth performance of crossbred lambs (75 % Dorper (DR) 25 % indigenous lambs; and 50 % Dorper 50 % indigenous lambs) under semi-intensive husbandry practices in eastern Ethiopia. Data from a total of 275 Dorper sire breed × indigenous (Blackhead Ogaden [BHO] and Hararghe Highland [HH]) crossbred lambs with different genetic group of the parental breeds were collected for three consecutive years (2009 to 2011). Pre-weaning growth performance attributes of crossbred lambs studied were birth weight, weaning weight, and pre-weaning average daily gain. Data were analyzed using the GLM procedure of SAS (2003). Breed group and non-genetic factors significantly affected pre-weaning growth performance. Lambs with 75 % Dorper and 25 % indigenous had higher (P?<?0.01) birth weight than 50 % DR and 50 % HH but similar to 50 % DR and 50 % BHO. Weaning weight and pre-weaning live weight gain were higher (P?<?0.01) for ¾DR¼BHO and ¾DR¼HH than 50 % Dorper inheritance. Single-born lambs had higher weight at birth, weaning weight, and pre-weaning average daily gain as compared to twins. Sex comparison is significant (P?<?0.05) and male lambs recorded highest pre-weaning growth performance compared to female counterparts. Parity, season, and lambing year significantly (P?<?0.01) influenced the pre-weaning growth of crossbred lambs. Therefore, it could be concluded that 50–75 % Dorper inheritance improved pre-weaning growth performance of indigenous breeds of Hararghe Highland and Blackhead Ogaden sheep. The result also suggested culling of ewes older than fourth parity to improve the pre-weaning growth performance of lambs.     

Nitrogenous constituents in plasma of foals weaned at three, four or six months of age

A study was conducted to measure the nitrogenous constituents in the blood of foals weaned at 3, 4 or 6 months of age (four foals per weaning age).Jugular blood was sampled from one week prior to weaning until one month post-weaning, and was analyzed for total protein, albumin, creatinine, urea Nitrogen and free amino acid content. Results indicated that the concentrations of most of the constituents in the blood of foals were not altered by the age of weaning, however, free amino acids decreased as age at weaning increased and creatinine was significantly higher in foals weaned at 6 months of age. Plasma creatinine, lysine and methionine levels generally decreased between pre-weaning and one month post-weaning. These data establish baseline values for blood nitrogenous constituents in foals at weaning.     

Short-term effects of maternal feed restriction during pregnancy on goat kid morphology, metabolism, and behavior

Morphometric, metabolic, and behavioral modifications were studied in goat kids after maternal feed restriction during the last one-third of pregnancy. At birth, only kids from twin and triplet litters were studied [n=40 kids born to control dams (CONT) and n=38 born to restricted dams (REST)] and only males thereafter (n=13 CONT and 15 REST kids) until slaughter at 6 wk of age. Kids born to restricted goats had a smaller abdominal girth at birth (P<0.01) and tended to have a smaller body mass index (P=0.10) and a smaller density index (P=0.09) than kids born to CONT goats. Male REST kids had a lighter birth weight (P=0.03) than male CONT kids, but no differences (all P>0.10) were found for BW and morphometric measurements thereafter. Decreased NEFA concentrations suggested that male REST kids mobilized their body reserves less than CONT kids at birth (P<0.01). No modifications in drinking tests at 3 and 5 wk of age were observed, or in feeding behavior and emotional reactivity at 5 wk of age (all P>0.10). In conclusion, maternal feed restriction in the last one-third of pregnancy resulted in a decrease in birth size, but male kids rapidly caught up, and there were no changes in behavior, morphology, or metabolism during rearing.     

Lamb and Kid Mortality in Village Flocks in the Coastal Savanna Zone of Ghana

A cohort study was designed to observe and follow up mortality in lambs and kids in 88 flocks of sheep and goats under the traditional production system in five villages within the coastal savanna zone of Ghana over a 2-year period. The overall mortality rates for kids and lambs were 30.8% and 33.5%, respectively. Significantly higher proportions of kids (80.2%) and lambs (75.6%) up to 3 months of age died compared to kids and lambs from 4 to 12 months of age. The differences in mortality rates, either between male and female kids and lambs or between single-born and multiple-birth kids and lambs, were not significant. The odds ratio (OR) and relative risks (RR) for lambs and kids, on the basis of sex and birth types, were not significant; neither were the values obtained for attributable risk, attributable fraction, population attributable risk and population attributable fraction. The overall mortality rate on the basis of species of animal was not significant. At the village level, significant differences in the proportions of mortality on the basis of sex were seen in two villages. At Akotokyir, more male lambs (54.2%) died compared to females (27.6%), while at Apewosika more female lambs (42.2%) died compared to males (16.7%). The only significant difference in mortality proportions on the basis of birth type at the village level was seen at Apewosika, where more single-born kids died (52.8%) compared to kids born with sibling(s) (28.4%). The significant ORs for mortalities were 3.10 for male lambs at Akotokyir, 3.35 for female lambs at Apewosika and 2.82 for single-born kids at Apewosika. The corresponding RRs were equally significant. On the basis of species, significantly more lambs died at Akotokyir (44.2%) and Kwesimprah (44.7%) compared to kids. The implications of these findings are discussed.     

湖羊羔羊早期断奶前后瘤胃发酵与微生物区系的变化

本试验旨在研究湖羊羔羊早期断奶前后的瘤胃发酵与微生物区系变化,为幼龄反刍动物瘤胃发育变化理论以及羔羊的早期培育等提供依据。选择初生重接近的湖羊公羔(3.81 kg±0.55 kg)16只,1~7日龄饲喂母乳,8日龄与母羊分离,开始饲喂代乳粉(按8日龄体重的2%,分3次等量饲喂)和开食料(自由采食),35日龄断奶。分别于断奶前(21日龄)、后(42日龄)各选择5只羔羊进行屠宰,采集瘤胃内容物,测定瘤胃发酵、酶活和微生物区系。结果表明,断奶后羔羊的瘤胃总挥发性脂肪酸、乙酸、丙酸、丁酸及纤维素酶和α-淀粉酶活性均极显著高于断奶前(P<0.01)。断奶后瘤胃菌群多样性和丰富度均低于断奶前(P<0.05)。断奶前后的优势菌门均为拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)和厚壁菌门(Firmicutes),其中,拟杆菌门为第一优势菌门,在断奶前后分别占61.96%和65.36%,厚壁菌门为第二优势菌门,在断奶前后分别占32.08%和24.03%;两菌门之和在断奶前后分别占瘤胃总菌门的94.04%和89.39%。断奶前后的优势菌属均为unidentified_Prevotellaceae,分别占21.85%和38.49%。断奶前后羔羊瘤胃微生物的功能没有显著变化,都主要集中在复制和修复、碳水化合物代谢和翻译等途径。以上结果说明,羔羊早期断奶后的瘤胃发酵和酶活增强,菌群多样性和丰富度有所降低,在早期断奶前后的优势菌群和功能相似。     

Growth and reproductive performance of two rabbit breeds reared under intensive system in Ghana

A study on the growth and reproductive performance of two rabbit breeds was undertaken. Data on 588 kits and 97 does of California White and 574 kits and 90 does of New Zealand White rabbits reared under hot and humid environment in Ghana were taken. The reproductive performance of the two breeds, in terms of litter size at birth and weaning, litter weight at birth and weaning, kindling interval, age at sexual maturity, and gestation length as influenced by breed, season of kindling (rainy and dry), year of kindling (2005–2012), and parity (first to sixth and over) were determined. The performance of California White in terms of litter size at birth, at weaning, kit weight at birth, and age at first kindling was 5.9?±?0.2, 4.6?±?0.1, 54.7?±?0.4 g, and 159.8?±?0.2 days, respectively. That of New Zealand White was 5.9?±?0.1, 5.1?±?0.1, 55.2?±?1.0 g, and 159.9?±?0.2 days, respectively. The results obtained also showed a significant breed effects on kit weight at birth, litter weight at weaning, and mortality; whereas no significant differences (p?>?0.05) were observed between the two breeds regarding the other traits measured. Parity had significant effects (p?<?0.05) on all the growth and reproductive parameters measured with the exception of age at first kindling. Year of kindling also had significant effect on litter weight at birth, kit weight at birth, and at weaning (p?<?0.05) but did not have any significant effect on the age at sexual maturity and mortality. Season also had significant (p?<?0.05) effects on kit weight at birth, gestation length, kindling interval, and mortality with better performance experienced during the rainy season.

     

Analysis of factors to predict piglet body weight at the end of the nursery phase

In pig (Sus Scrofa) production, within-batch variation in bw gain of piglets during the nursery period (up to 10 wk of age) can be high and is of high economic importance. Homogeneity of BW within batches of animals is important as it influences the efficiency of use of the grower and finisher facilities, and provides an extra value for the fattening farms. In the current study, factors for a light BW at the end of the nursery period of pigs were determined by analyzing datasets from 3 different swine research centers in the Netherlands and France. The entire dataset contained information on 77,868 individual piglets born between 2005 and 2010. Body weight was determined at different time points over the pre- and post-weaning phase, and sex, season of birth, litter information (litter size at day of birth and after cross-fostering, number of piglets born alive per litter, number of total born littermates, sow parity number), cross-fostered animals (yes or no), and pen group size over the post-weaning period were recorded. A risk factor analysis approach was used to analyze the datasets to determine factors that predict piglet bw at the end of the nursery period. Body weight at the end of the nursery period corrected for age was mainly determined by season (P < 0.001), birth weight (BiW, P < 0.001), weaning weight (WW, P < 0.001), and BW at 6 wk of age (P < 0.001). These variables were consistent among datasets and explained approximately 70% of the overall variation in BW at the end of the nursery period. Litter information did not significantly (P > 0.05) contribute to explaining the BW at the end of the nursery period. To discard the possibility of intrauterine growth retarded piglets (IUGR) being the reason for the influence of BiW as an explanatory factor in the regression model, a further analysis was performed on the effect of this category of piglets on the results of the regression analysis. Overall, it was concluded that the bw of piglets at the end of the nursery phase is mainly determined by season, sex, birth, WW, and BW at 6 wk of age. Piglets with a BiW greater than the mean biw minus 2.5 times the sd have the potential to compensate during the subsequent phases of growth.     

湖羊羔羊早期断奶前后瘤胃发酵与微生物区系的变化

本试验旨在研究湖羊羔羊早期断奶前后的瘤胃发酵与微生物区系变化，为幼龄反刍动物瘤胃发育变化理论以及羔羊的早期培育等提供依据。选择初生重接近的湖羊公羔（3.81 kg±0.55 kg）16只，1~7日龄饲喂母乳，8日龄与母羊分离，开始饲喂代乳粉（按8日龄体重的2%，分3次等量饲喂）和开食料（自由采食），35日龄断奶。分别于断奶前（21日龄）、后（42日龄）各选择5只羔羊进行屠宰，采集瘤胃内容物，测定瘤胃发酵、酶活和微生物区系。结果表明，断奶后羔羊的瘤胃总挥发性脂肪酸、乙酸、丙酸、丁酸及纤维素酶和α-淀粉酶活性均极显著高于断奶前（P<0.01）。断奶后瘤胃菌群多样性和丰富度均低于断奶前（P<0.05）。断奶前后的优势菌门均为拟杆菌门（Bacteroidetes）和厚壁菌门（Firmicutes），其中，拟杆菌门为第一优势菌门，在断奶前后分别占61.96%和65.36%，厚壁菌门为第二优势菌门，在断奶前后分别占32.08%和24.03%；两菌门之和在断奶前后分别占瘤胃总菌门的94.04%和89.39%。断奶前后的优势菌属均为unidentified_Prevotellaceae，分别占21.85%和38.49%。断奶前后羔羊瘤胃微生物的功能没有显著变化，都主要集中在复制和修复、碳水化合物代谢和翻译等途径。以上结果说明，羔羊早期断奶后的瘤胃发酵和酶活增强，菌群多样性和丰富度有所降低，在早期断奶前后的优势菌群和功能相似。