Predicting early lactation energy balance in primiparous Red Dairy Cattle using milk and body traits

Abstract

The relationship of milk fat–protein ratio (FP), body condition score (BCS), body weight (BW) and their changes (ΔBCS, ΔBW) to energy balance (EB) in early lactation, and usefulness of the traits for predicting of EB of primiparous Finnish Red Dairy Cattle were studied. BW on the first test-day after calving correlated negatively (r=?0.30; P<0.02) with EB, suggesting large loss of body reserves for heavier cows. FP correlated significantly (r=?0.37) with EB on the first but not on the other test-days. Thus, when a single measure of FP is used to predict EB, records on the first test-day after calving seem to be the most appropriate. Milk FP was a better predictor of EB than BCS, BW or their changes. The accuracies of predictions were moderate; the best prediction explained 39.4% of EB variation. The low accuracy was suggested to be caused by imprecision in estimation of the EB.     

A comparison of the methods for determination of the rennet coagulation properties of milk

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to compare two methods for measuring the rennet coagulation properties of milk: the Formagraph, and the Optigraph. The parameters used to describe rennet coagulation of 81 milk samples were rennet coagulation time (RCT, Formagraph, and R, Optigraph) and curd firmness 30 min after the addition of rennet (E₃₀, Formagraph, and A₃₀, Optigraph).

New Optigraph system recipes were found: R slope?=?1.784 and R offset?=???2.303. Using the above Optigraph system recipes, no statistically significant differences were found in rennet coagulation time measurements in either of the studied methods. Regarding curd firmness, the best approximation to describe the relationship between the methods was polynomial: E₃₀=???0.0357*A₃₀ ²+2.8795*A₃₀ ?5.2991 (R ² =0.925). Such strong correlations indicate that the two techniques for detecting milk coagulation properties are comparable and that the data obtained by these methods allow for data interpretation in studies using either method.     

Genetic parameters in Finnish blue fox population: Pelt character and live animal grading traits

Abstract

Finnish blue fox farmers breed for increased litter size and pelt size, and improved fur quality. Some farmers select pelt size and fur quality indirectly using live animal evaluations (grading traits). In order to be able to define breeding goals properly, heritabilities and genetic correlations were estimated for size traits and fur quality traits. There were four pelt character traits (pelt size, pelt colour darkness, pelt colour clarity and pelt quality) measured on dried skins, and six grading traits (animal size, grading colour darkness, grading colour clarity, underfur density, guard hair coverage and grading quality). The data included 54,680 animals born during the years 1987–2002, originating from seven farms. The heritabilities were high for pelt colour darkness and grading colour darkness, moderate for pelt size and low for other traits. In general, heritability of a pelt character trait was higher than its corresponding grading trait. Genetic correlations within the pelt character traits were low (～0.11) and within the grading traits mainly moderate or high (～0.44). There was high genetic correlation between pelt darkness and grading darkness, pelt quality and grading density, pelt size and animal size; between pelt quality and grading quality and between pelt colour darkness and grading guard hair coverage. This suggests that selection of pelt character traits via grading traits in most cases is relatively effective.     

New fertility traits in breeding value evaluation of Finnish blue fox

Abstract

Fertility traits have been included in the Finnish blue fox breeding goal for several generations. However, genetic trend in reproductive performance has been undesired due to unfavorable correlations to other important traits such as animal size (AS). The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for pregnancy rate (PREG) and felicity (FEL), and their genetic correlations to litter size (LS) and AS. The estimated heritabilities were low for PREG (0.028) and FEL (0.049). The genetic correlations between LS and PREG (0.63), and LS and FEL (0.75) were clearly positive. Thus, on an average females having genetically larger LS have higher PREG and FEL. The genetic correlation between AS and PREG was close to zero (?0.05), but correlation between AS and FEL was moderate (?0.27) indicating that larger animals are more likely barren or to lose their pups during pregnancy or right after birth.     

Relationship of body measurements and body condition score to body weight in modern Finnish Ayrshire cows

Abstract

The differences in body weight (BW) and measurements between the cows of today and the early 70s was evaluated and the usefulness of heart girth (HG), wither height, body length (BL) and body condition score (BCS) as predictors of the BW of modern Finnish Ayrshire cows was estimated. During the last three decades, the BW, HG and BL has increased indicating change in body conformation. The BW prediction equation based on early 70s data underestimate the BW of modern Ayrshire cows. Based on current data it is recommended to use different models to predict BW for primiparous and multiparous cows. From single measurements, HG predicted BW most accurately. Inclusion of BL in model gave slight improve in BW prediction, especially for primiparous cows. An additional term of age or days in milk (DIM) for primiparous cows and BCS or DIM for multiparous cows along with HG increased slightly the accuracy of BW prediction.     

Bull Selection in MOET Nucleus Breeding Schemes with Limited Testing Capacity

Centralized multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) nucleus breeding schemes with limited testing capacity were compared with a conventional artificial insemination (AI) scheme using a simulation. The donor cows were selected after their first lactation. In the hybrid MOET schemes, bulls were progeny tested in the AI population. In comparison, two other schemes used nucleus-born adult bulls only. The best hybrid scheme gave 77% or 40% better genetic response in milk protein yield than that estimated in the national AI scheme when the assumed genetic progress in the AI scheme was low or high, respectively. The best scheme had acceptable coefficients of variation of genetic response, although the rate of inbreeding was 2.5 times higher than in the national AI scheme. The schemes using adult bulls had lower responses and higher rates of inbreeding than the hybrid schemes. The outstanding performance of the hybrid schemes was due to more successful cow selection path than in a conventional AI scheme. A high accuracy of selection of bulls was also important.     

Prevention of Storage Aging in Dried Raw Blue Fox Skins

Abstract

Ninety dried raw blue fox skins having two different dietary backgrounds, saturated fat and fish fat feeding, were submitted to the following experimental treatments: dressing after pelting; control storage at 8 [ddot]C or at -20 [ddot]C; antioxidant diet, storage at 8 [ddot]C or at -20 [ddot]C; butylhydroxytoluene (BHT) drumming, storage at 8 [ddot]C or at -20 [ddot]C; nitrogen gas, storage at 20 [ddot]C; and pickling, storage at 8 [ddot]C. Each storage group contained five skins from both dietary groups. Storage duration for the dried raw skins was approximately one year, during which the changes in their fatty acid compositions were analysed. After the storage period the skins were dressed and the physical characteristics of the leathers were determined.

The dietary background of the animals had a significant influence on the fatty acid profiles of the dried raw skins, but it did not affect their fat peroxidation during storage. Moreover, freezing at a temperature of -20 [ddot]C or the antioxidant treatments employed did not prevent lipid peroxidation in the skins. In the pickle-treated skins the changes in the fatty acid profiles were even more pronounced than in the other groups. The only skins in which the fatty acid composition stayed constant were those stored in nitrogen gas.

The dietary background affected the breaking load and the elongation at break of the leather. Based on the measured physical characteristic of elongation at break, the quality of the leather decreased when the skins were stored in circumstances involving oxygen. The storage period is recommended to be kept to a minimum time, and storage temperatures above ±0 [ddot]C should be avoided, because of water condensation. The results also emphasize the importance of careful conservation and proper handling of the dried raw skins.     

Vascular Endothelial (VEGF) and Epithelial Growth Factor (EGF) as Well as Platelet‐Activating Factor (PAF) and Receptors are Expressed in the Early Pregnant Canine Uterus

The aim of this study was to investigate the course of expression of platelet‐activating factor (PAF), PAF‐receptor (PAF‐R), epidermal growth factor (EGF), EGF‐R, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF‐R1 and VEGF‐R2 in uterine tissue during canine pregnancy. For this purpose, 20 bitches were ovariohysterectomized at days 10–12 (n = 10), 18–25 (n = 5) and 28–45 (n = 5) days after mating, respectively. The pre‐implantation group was proven pregnant by embryo flushing of the uterus after the operation, the others by sonography. Five embryo negative, that is, non‐pregnant, bitches in diestrus (day 10–12) served as controls. Tissue samples from the uterus (placentation sites and horn width, respectively) were excised and snap‐frozen in liquid nitrogen after embedding in Tissue Tec^®. Extraction of mRNA for RT‐PCR was performed with Tri‐Reagent. In the embryos, mRNA from all factors except VEGF was detected. In the course of pregnancy, significantly higher expression of PAF and PAFR as well as VEGF and VEGFR2 during the pre‐implantation stage than in all other stages and a strong upregulation of EGF during implantation were characteristic. The course of EGF was in diametrical opposition to the course of the receptor. These results point towards an increased demand for VEGF, EGF and PAF during the earliest stages of canine pregnancy.     

Readability of branding symbols in horses and histomorphological alterations at the branding site

Identification of horses has traditionally been facilitated by hot iron branding, but the extent by which branding symbols and numbers can be identified has not been investigated. The local pathological changes induced by branding are also unknown. This study analysed the readability of branding symbols and histomorphological alterations at the branding sites. A total of 248 horses in an equestrian championship were available for identification of symbols and numbers. A further 28 horses, euthanased for other reasons, provided histological examination of the branding site.All except one horse had evidence of histological changes at the brand site, including epidermal hyperplasia, increase of dermal collagenous fibrous tissue and loss of adnexal structures. In two foals, an ulcerative to necrotizing dermatitis was observed and interpreted as a complication of recent branding lesions. Despite the fact that hot iron branding caused lesions compatible with third degree thermal injury, it did not allow unambiguous identification of a large proportion of older horses. While the breed-specific symbol was consistently identified by three independent investigators in 84% of the horses, the double-digit branding number was read correctly by all three investigators in less than 40%. In conclusion, hot iron branding in horses causes lesions compatible with third degree thermal injury but does not always allow identification of horses.     

Comparison of chlorophyll fluorescence curves and texture analysis for automatic plant identification

With automatic plant identification methods, the amount of herbicides used in agriculture can be reduced when herbicides are sprayed only on weeds. In the present study, leaves of oat (Avena sativa) and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale, TAROF) were arranged so that there was overlap between the species, imaged with a pulse amplitude modulation fluorescence camera and photographed with a digital color camera. The fluorescence induction curves from each pixel were parameterized to obtain a set of features and from color photographs, texture features were calculated. A support vector algorithm that also performed feature selection was used for pattern recognition of both data sets. Fluorescence-based identification worked well with oat leaves, producing 92.2 % of correctly identified pixels, whereas the texture-based method often mis-identified the central vein of a TAROF leaf as oat, identifying correctly only 66.5 % of oat pixels. With TAROF that shows a clear dicot-type texture, the texture method was slightly better (96.4 % correctly identified pixels) than the fluorescence method (94.6 %). In fluorescence-based identification, the accuracy varied between entire TAROF leaves, probably reflecting the genetic variability of TAROF. The results suggest that the accuracy of identification could be improved by combining two identification methods.