中国荷斯坦后备奶牛生长发育规律的研究

通过对西安现代化农业开发公司草滩农场170头荷斯坦牛后备牛初生,4月龄至16月龄体高、体长、胸围及体重进行测定,统计各月龄体高、体长、胸围及体重的累积生长的平均值、绝对生长值、相对生长值,对应绘制出四项指标的累计生长、相对生长曲线;分析了西安地区中国荷斯坦牛的早期生长发育状况,为制定后备牛的培育方案奠定了基础。     

鲁中肉羊初生体尺体重的遗传参数估计

为估计鲁中肉羊初生重、体高、体长、胸宽、胸深、胸围和管围的遗传参数,利用2018年上半年出生的611只鲁中肉羊的初生体尺体重数据,采用AI-REML (Average information restricted maximum likelihood)算法,借助DMU软件分析以产羔数为固定效应、个体加性遗传效应为随机效应的多性状动物模型。结果表明:鲁中肉羊初生重、胸宽、胸深、体高、体长、胸围和管围的遗传力分别为0.16、0.10、0.22、0.44、0.43、0.46和0.52,各性状之间遗传相关为-0.517～0.773,表型相关为-0.197～0.503。说明鲁中肉羊初生重、胸宽和胸深为低遗传力性状,体高、体长、胸围和管围为中等遗传力性状。     

青海加什科羊体尺指标的测定

对加什科村的99只成年公羊、24只周岁公羊,82只成年母羊和47只周岁母羊的体高、体长、胸围、胸深和管围等体尺指标进行了测定。结果表明,加什科羊除体高和管围比青海细毛羊小外,其他三项体尺均大于青海细毛羊。与青海半细毛羊比较,胸围和管围小于青海半细毛羊,其他三项体尺均大于青海半细毛羊。周岁母羊的体高和胸深稍大于青海半细毛羊,而体长、胸围和管围均大于青海半细毛羊。     

The small East African shorthorn zebu cows in Kenya. I: Linear body measurements

Assessment of genetic diversity is a prerequisite for the management and conservation of animal genetic resources. Appropriate design of breeding programmes is therefore impossible for breeds that have not been adequately characterized either phenotypically and/or genetically. Phenotypic characteristics are important in breed identification and classification in ways that farming communities can relate with. This study phenotypically characterized two breeds of zebu cattle in Kenya. A total of 12 measurements (face length, ear length, horn length, heart girth, height at withers, chest depth, body length, height at rump, pelvis width, corpus length, pin bone width and tail length) were collected on 373 Maasai and 277 Kamba zebu kept by traditional farmers in south-east Kenya. The data were classified on the basis of breed group, age group, sex and coat colour pattern. Breed group, age group and sex significantly influenced all measurements. Coat colour pattern significantly influenced only height at withers, corpus length, ear length and tail length. Except for horn and ear length, all the other measurements were significantly higher for the Maasai zebu. Additionally, the Maasai zebu was taller than it was long. The opposite was true for the Kamba zebu. The Maasai and Kamba zebus can be classified as medium-sized breeds; however, great variations exist in their body sizes within and between the breeds.     

Estimation of genetic parameters of conformation traits in Iranian Thoroughbred horses

The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters of conformation traits in Iranian Thoroughbred race horses. The data set included the conformation records of 607 Thoroughbred horses. In this study, 10 conformation traits were recorded. The effect of sex was significant for length of back line (P < 0.05), withers height (P < 0.05), circumference of front cannon (P < 0.001), and circumference of hind cannon (P < 0.001). The effect of age was significant for all traits (P < 0.01). The genetic parameters were estimated by the restricted maximum likelihood (REML) method using DFREML program. The heritability estimates were for head length 0.39, length of back line 0.41, length of shoulder 0.24, heart girth 0.49, chest width 0.22, withers height 0.38, front cannon height 0.27, circumference of front cannon 0.30, hind cannon height 0.29 and circumference of hind cannon 0.34. The estimates of genetic correlation ranged from 0.18 to 0.96 and those of phenotypic correlation varied from 0.16 to 0.83.     

青海高原型牦牛生长发育研究

[目的]为研发高原有机牦牛肉提供依据。[方法]对高原型牦牛和改良型牦牛进行了生长发育项目的测定。[结果]在正常年景下,高原型牦牛出生、1周岁、2周岁、3周岁和4周岁体重分别为：11.90±2.10 kg、98.27±24.33 kg、162.63±27.37 kg、194.52±45.05 kg和237.62±33.44 kg。高原型牦牛出生至4周岁日增重速度随年龄的增长,呈下降趋势;体高、体长、胸围和体重日增长曲线拐点出现在1周岁及稍后一段时间。出生时改良型牦牛的体高、体斜长极显著高于高原型牦牛（P〈0.01）,胸围、管围和体重比高原型牦牛高出1.15 cm、0.12 cm和0.39 kg。1周岁时改良型牦牛的胸围和体重极显著低于高原型牦牛（P〈0.01）,体高、体长和管围比高原型牦牛低1.4 cm4、.57 cm和0.18 cm。[结论]在品种改良现阶段,良种是提高改良效果的核心内容,但良好的饲养管理水平才是体现改良效果、发挥改良潜能的关键。     

Some productive characteristics and body measurements of Norduz goats of Turkey

Productive characteristics and body measurements of Norduz goats, a native genetic resource in Turkey, were measured. The animals studied were brought from natural habitats to the farm of the Animal Science Department of Agricultural Faculty, Yüzüncü Yıl University. Least squares means of withers height (WH), body length (BL), chest width at back of withers (CWBW), chest depth (CD), chest girth (CG) and leg girth (LG) of Norduz does were 65.9 ± 1.08, 67.2 ± 1.08, 21.1 ± 0.88, 30.8 ± 0.62, 88.9 ± 1.78 and 60.4 ± 1.28 cm, respectively. Least squares means of body weights after parturition of does were 41.3 ± 2.01 kg. The means of lactation length and lactation milk yield were 226. ± 7.2 days and 347 ± 40.1, respectively. Twinning rate, fertility, fecundity, litter size and litter size at weaning were 30%, 98%, 1.27, 1.30 and 1.28, respectively. Means of WH, BL, CWBW, CD, CG, LG and body weights of Norduz bucks were 73.9 ± 2.61, 75.6 ± 2.23, 21.4 ± 0.67, 33.9 ± 1.15, 95.0 ± 2.34, 69.8 ± 2.69 cm and 58.7 ± 3.91 kg, respectively.     

Mapping the quantitative trait loci (QTL) for body shape and conformation measurements on BTA1 in Japanese Black cattle

The detection and mapping of segregating quantitative trait loci (QTL) that influence withers height, hip height, hip width, body length, chest width, chest depth, shoulder width, lumbar width, thurl width, pin bone width, rump length, cannon circumference, chest girth, abdominal width and abdominal girth at weaning was conducted on chromosomal regions of bovine chromosome one. The QTL analysis was performed by genotyping half‐sib progeny of five Japanese Black sires using microsatellite DNA markers. Probability coefficients of inheriting allele 1 or 2 from the sire at specific chromosomal locations were computed. The phenotypic data of progeny were regressed on these probability coefficients in a within‐common‐parent regression analysis using a linear model that included fixed effects of sex, parity and season of birth, as well as age as a covariate. F‐statistics were calculated every 1 cM on a linkage map. Permutation tests of 10 000 iterations were conducted to obtain chromosome‐wide significance thresholds. A significant QTL for chest width was detected at 91 cM in family 3. The detection of this QTL boosts the prospects of implementing marker‐assisted selection for body conformation traits in Japanese Black beef cattle.     

探讨微卫星作为地方山羊品种生长性状的遗传标记

采用微卫星技术及最小二乘拟合线性模型，利用崂山奶山羊、济宁青山羊、鲁北白山羊和莱芜黑山羊4个地方山羊品种中的10个多态性微卫星基因座，分析了微卫星基因座及其等位基因对山羊生长性状的关联效应。结果表明：与品种、性别和年龄等因子比较，标记因子对山羊体重和体尺性状的影响较小，但发现BM6404、BM1818、BM812和BM6444基因座对体重有显著影响（P〈0．05或P〈0．01），BM6404、BM1818、BMS12484、MAF70基因座对主要体尺性状有显著影响（P〈0．05或P〈O．01）。BM6404基因座的等位基因130可能对山羊的胸围、体高、尻宽均有正效应；120对胸围有较强的负效应，而对体高、尻长则有较强的正效应；168对尻长、尻宽均表现为负效应。MAF70基因座的等位基因142对体长有正效应，178对体长有负效应。BMS1248基因座的等位基因128对管围有正效应。     

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.     

Assessment of inbreeding depression for body measurements in Spanish Purebred (Andalusian) horses

Our aim was to ascertain inbreeding depression in the Spanish Purebred horses for eight body measurements. A total of 16,472 individuals were measured for height at withers, height at chest, leg length, body length, width of chest, heart girth circumference, knee perimeter and cannon bone circumference. Three different multivariate animal models including, respectively, no measure of inbreeding, individual inbreeding coefficients (F_i) or individual increase in inbreeding coefficients (ΔF_i) as linear covariates were used. Significant inbreeding depression was assessed. Even though the models including measures of inbreeding fitted better with data, no effect on estimates of genetic parameters was assessed. However, the inclusion of inbreeding measures affected the ranking order according to the Expected Breeding Values (EBV). Due to the better fit with data and nice properties (the adjustment of individual inbreeding coefficients with the pedigree depth and linear behaviour) the use of ΔF_i in the evaluation models can be recommended for morphological traits in horses.     

Serosurvey of Coxiella burnetii (Q fever) in Dromedary Camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Laikipia County,Kenya

Dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) are an important protein source for people in semi‐arid and arid regions of Africa. In Kenya, camel populations have grown dramatically in the past few decades resulting in the potential for increased disease transmission between humans and camels. An estimated four million Kenyans drink unpasteurized camel milk, which poses a disease risk. We evaluated the seroprevalence of a significant zoonotic pathogen, Coxiella burnetii (Q fever), among 334 camels from nine herds in Laikipia County, Kenya. Serum testing revealed 18.6% positive seroprevalence of Coxiella burnetii (n = 344). Increasing camel age was positively associated with C. burnetii seroprevalence (OR = 5.36). Our study confirmed that camels living in Laikipia County, Kenya, have been exposed to the zoonotic pathogen, C. burnetii. Further research to evaluate the role of camels in disease transmission to other livestock, wildlife and humans in Kenya should be conducted.     

野血牦牛复壮家牦牛的效果测定

对l/2野血牦牛和家牦牛的初牛犊牛和6月龄1/4野血犊牛进行了生长发育指标的测定和比较。测定结果表明:1/4野血初生牦犊牛体高、体斜长、胸围和体重比家牦牛初生犊增加1.80cm、3.42cm、2.28cm和1.27kg,分别提高了3.51%、7.33%、4.12%和11.05%。6月龄l/4野血牦牛体高、体斜长、胸围和体重比同龄家牦牛增加4.78cm、5.10cm、6.74cm和7.94kg,分别提高了6.70%、6.90%、7.58%和20.00%(P<0.01)。结果表明,给家牦牛导入野牦牛血可促进牦牛的生长发育。     

欧拉型藏羊羔羊育肥试验

本试验结果表明：欧拉型藏羊羔羊在秋季放牧加补饲料颗粒料,自由采食,短期育肥,10月龄平均体重和日增重分别达到46．22kg和243g（P〈0．01）,比对照组提高5．94kg和110．64g（P〈0．01）;体高、体长、胸围和胸宽分别比对照组提高2．29mm,3．42mm,2．77mm和1mm,增重和生长发育潜力较大;胴体重达到21．40kg,比对照组提高5．28kg（P〈0．01）,屠宰率达到47．45％,提高16．36％（P〈0．05）,羊多收入27．66元／只。     

Body condition scoring and weight estimation of horses

Three hundred and seventy two horses of varying breeds, height and fatness were weighed and measured for height at the withers. They were assessed for condition score by adaptation of a previously published method. The heart girth and length of 281 of the horses were also measured. Weight of horses was highly correlated (P less than 0.001) with height (r2 = 0.62), condition score (r2 = 0.22) and girth2 x length (r2 = 0.90). Nomograms were constructed to predict weight from height and condition score, and girth and length measurements. Weight can also be accurately estimated from the formula: (formula, see text) The average value of 'Y' in this experiment was 11900 and this estimated weight with more accuracy than some previously published values of 'Y'. Racing Thoroughbred horses were found to be significantly lighter than non-racing Thoroughbreds of the same height and condition score. The method of assessment of condition score was shown to be repeatable between different operators with varying degrees of experience.     

Multivariate characterisation of the phenotypic traits of Djallonke and Sahel sheep in Northern Ghana

The characterisation of the small ruminant populations in developing countries will play a major role in the maintenance of the genetic resources as the basis for future improvement in livestock production. The present study aimed at morphological characterisation of the two main breeds of sheep in Ghana by assessing variation within and between breed populations using principal component and discriminant analyses. The two breeds were the Sahel and the Djallonke sheep of both sexes and of two groups namely, young (1 year old, consisting of 74 animals) and mature sheep (≥2 years old, comprising 219 animals). The analysis of variance revealed significant (P?<?0.05) differences in the morphological traits of the Sahel and the Djallonke sheep breeds with higher values recorded for the former. Sexual dimorphism was in favour of male animals in all the morphological traits examined. Mature animals also had comparative advantage over the young. Two principal components were extracted to discern the structure of the two genetic groups. The most discriminating traits between the two sheep breeds were rump height, height at withers, neck girth and pin-bone width. Mahalanobis distance between the two genetic groups was 5.723 (P?<?0.0001). The developed discriminant functions clearly discriminated and classified the Sahel and the Djallonke sheep into their breeds of origin, thus yielding 100, 93.4 and 90.4 % accurate classification for the rams, ewes and the overall sheep population, respectively. The present approach would greatly help in establishing management and conservation policies for the sustainable production of the two Ghanaian sheep breeds.     

Non-genetic factors influencing reproductive traits and calving weight in Saudi camels

Reproductive traits and calving weight were assessed in Saudi camels, and non-genetic factors influencing them were studied using data collected at Al Jouf centre from 1987 to 2009. Age at first conception, age at first calving, open period, calving interval, gestation length and weight at calving of camels averaged 42.3 months, 54.8 months, 10.6 months, 22.6 months, 377.5 days and 591.9 kg, respectively. A mixed model including the camel as a random effect was used to assess the effect of environmental effects on the traits studied. Age at first conception and age at first calving were affected by camel’s birth year. Open period and calving interval were not affected by parity or year of calving. However, camels that calved from October to February had a calving interval of 2.5 months higher than those that calved from March to September. Gestation length was affected by season and year of calving but not by parity or sex of calf. Camels calving from March to September had a gestation length 6.6 days shorter than those calving from October to February. Weight at calving was affected by parity and year of calving but not by season of calving. It was concluded that an improvement in camel reproductive traits is possible both through improving management systems and utilisation of controlled breeding techniques.     

中国荷斯坦牛早期生长曲线拟合研究

对947头0～24月龄中国荷斯坦牛体高、胸围、体斜长进行测定,用线性回归、二次回归和三次回归方程进行拟合。结果表明:中国荷斯坦牛体高、胸围、体斜长的生长曲线呈抛物线型,三次回归方程拟合结果与实测值吻合度最高。除体高离回归平方和高于二次回归方程外,胸围和体斜长的离回归平方和都明显低于用线性回归和二次回归方程计算的结果,表明三次回归方程曲线拟合效果最好,线性回归方程曲线拟合效果最不理想。体高的拐点月龄为16.5,胸围和体斜长的拐点月龄均为18。     

Estimation of mature live weight using some body measurements in Karya sheep

The aim of this study was to determine models which will be used for the estimation of adult live weights based on some body measurements using multiple regression model in Karya sheep of different age groups. Animal material of the study consisted of a total of 215 Karya sheep. Least squares means for live weight, body length, rump height, withers height, back height, chest depth, chest girth, and chest width of Karya sheep in Adnan Menderes University Group Sheep Breeding Program elite flock and breeder flocks were found as 47.24 kg, 67.08, 68.29, 68.58, 66.97, 30.04, 93.24, and 18.29 cm, respectively. Karya ewes were put into five categories according to ages (2–6 years). High positive phenotypic correlation coefficients were observed between live weight and body measurements of animals in different age groups (2–6 years). Among the formed multiple regression models, the highest coefficients of determination (R ²) were obtained from the models formed for body length or body length and chest girth together (R ²?=?0.79, R ²?=?0.87). It is concluded that live weight of Karya sheep can be estimated with a high accuracy using some body measurements and statistical methods.     

Associations between prion protein genotype and type traits in East Friesian milk sheep

Linear models were used to analyse the relationships between the prion protein genotypes and the height at the withers and rump, the heart girth and the length of the trunk of 440 East Friesian milk sheep. Significant associations were found between the ARR allele and the height of the withers and rump, and heart girth. The average height at the withers of the homozygous ARR/ARR sheep was 1.9 cm less than that of ARQ/ARQ sheep and 1.6 cm less than in sheep heterozygous for ARR; the height at the rump, length of the trunk and heart girth were similarly smaller. In the ARR/ARR ewes, the average height at the withers was 2.6 cm less and the height at the rump was 1.9 cm less than in the ARQ/ARQ ewes.