Coprological analyses on apparently healthy Alpine ibex (Capra ibex ibex) from two Swiss colonies

To provide baseline parasitological data for health surveillance in free-ranging Alpine ibex (Capra ibex ibex), we assessed the endoparasite population and level of parasitism in apparently healthy ibex. Faecal samples from 148 ibex were collected between 2006 and 2008 in two different Swiss ibex colonies. They were analysed by coprology, including combined sedimentation/flotation method, sedimentation method, Baermann funnel technique and Ziehl-Neelsen staining. Gastrointestinal parasites and lungworms were identified in 100% and 81.8% of the examined animals, respectively. Highest prevalences were recorded for gastrointestinal strongylids other than Nematodirus/Marshallagia spp. (100%), Eimeria spp. (100%), Muellerius spp. (79.8%) and Nematodirus/Marshallagia spp. (79.0%). We report for the first time Cryptosporidium sp. in free-ranging Alpine ibex and Cystocaulus spp. in free-ranging ibex from Switzerland. On average, ibex were infected with 3.9 different parasites taxa (range: 1-8). Parasite prevalence and diversity varied significantly between sexes, study sites and seasons. Parasite egg output was low in 95.7% and moderate in 5.3% of the samples. Overall, the results indicate that Alpine ibex are widely infected with endoparasites and suggest that multiple infections are very common in apparently healthy populations. Furthermore, our data underline the potential influence of factors such as sex, study site and season on parasitological findings.     

The estimation of the age of the female ibex (Capra ibex ibex L.) by skeletal development]

In female ibex up to an age of six years, a sufficiently accurate age determination can be made based on the degree of skeletal ossification and length of the bones (s. Table 2). Definitive ossification of the epiphyseal discs with the body of the vertebrae in the female ibex is not complete at end of the growth period. Observations with regard to sex-related dimorphism of the skeleton will not be possible until corresponding investigations have been carried out on the buck.     

最小二乘法在黄牛体重估测中的应用

本文能过最小二乘法用黄牛的体长、胸围两项体尺估测黄牛的体重。不同的估测方法估测的精度不同,采用体长和胸围两项体尺建立在二元二次回归方程估测的体重Ｙ１与实测的体重Ｙ０的相关系数最高（ｒ０１为０．６７０５）;用体长Ｘ１的单项体尺估测的体重Ｙ２与实际体重Ｙ０相关系数（ｒ０２）为０．６１４;用胸围Ｘ２的单项体尺估测的体重Ｙ３与实测体重Ｙ０的相关系数（ｒ０３）为０．６２６;用体长Ｘ２建立二元一次回归方程估测     

Estimation of body weight in Indian elephants (Elephas maximus indicus)

Thirty-nine adult Indian elephants (Elephas maximus indicus) of both sexes and various ages and weights, belonging to the Forest Department of the Government of Kerala (India), Temple Devaswoms, Gemini Circus and other private agencies, were used to derive formulae to predict body weight and height from body measurements. Several models were fitted separately for males and females and also for adults irrespective of sex. The best prediction of body weight (W) in kg was obtained for adults irrespective of sex by using two parameters, the body length (L) in cm from the base of the forehead to the base of the tail, and the chest girth (G) in the formula W=–1010+0.036 (L×G). No single parameter gave as accurate a prediction of the body weight, and the inclusion of height as a third parameter did not improve the prediction. No significant improvement in the accuracy of prediction resulted from the use of different formulae for males and females. An equation to predict the height at the shoulders (H) in cm from the right forefoot circumference (C) in cm in adult elephants irrespective of sex was also derived. This was H=–1.60+1.99 C.     

Estimation of the liveweight of working mules in Morocco from their body measurements

During March 2001, 117 working mules, randomly chosen from four markets in Morocco, were weighed and a series of body measurements recorded; their age and body condition score were also recorded. Linear regression techniques were used to derive a 'best fit' equation for predicting liveweight from the other variables. For the working mules weighing between 131 and 391 kg the best prediction equation using two variables was: liveweight (kg) = -33 + 2.8 x heart girth (cm)+1.36 x length (cm). Other prediction equations available for estimating the liveweight of equidae were tested on the data, but in all cases they significantly overestimated the weights of the Moroccan mules.     

Body measurements of west African dwarf sheep as parameters for estimation of live weight

The relationships between live weight and eight body measurements of West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep were studied using 210 animals under on farm condition. Data obtained on height at withers (HW), heart girth (HG), body length (BL), head length (HL), head width (HDW), loin girth (LG), length of hindquarter (LHQ) and width of hindquarter (WHQ) were fitted into linear, allometric and multiple regression models to predict live weight from the body measurements. Results revealed that body measurements of WAD sheep were generally higher in the rams than in the ewes. Coefficient of determination (R(2)) values computed for the body measurements were generally higher (0.87-0.99) using allometric regression model than linear regression model (0.44-0.94). Heart girth (HG) and WHQ depicted the highest relationship to live weight in linear and allometric models compared to other body measurements. Based on stepwise elimination procedure, HG, HL and WHQ were better in predicting live weight in multiple linear regression models. The magnitude of correlation coefficient (r) indicate that WHQ shows the highest correlation with live weight (r = 0.96) compared to HG (r = 0.94).     

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.     

The estimation of live weight based on linear traits in indigenous Tswana goats at various ages in Botswana

The objective of this study was to determine the usefulness of some linear body measurements in predicting live weight in indigenous Tswana goats at various ages. Data for this study were obtained from 2,783 goats sampled from six agricultural regions of Botswana except for Tsabong and Ghanzi districts. Fifteen farmers keeping goats were randomly selected from each district and records taken on a random sample of 4–12 animals per farm depending on the 1999 Botswana Government average district flock size. Body measurements recorded were heart girth, height at withers, body length, shoulder width, and live weight. Information on age of each animal was estimated from dentition; flock size and sex of the animal were also recorded for each farm. Regression analysis using stepwise selection method in Statistical Analysis System was used to determine prediction equations for live weight with heart girth, height at withers, body length, and shoulder width as independent variables for male and female goats of different ages. In all models, heart girth contributed most in explaining variation in body weight as shown by high partial R ² which ranged from 0.48 for female mature to 0.80 for mature male goats. Using mean square error, R ², and Mallows’ C(p), the best prediction equations were for female and male kids (R ² = 0.83 and 0.82, respectively) and mature male goats (R ² = 0.82). The poorest model was for mature female goats with R ² = 0.57. Live body weight could be estimated with accuracy from linear body measurements in Tswana goats which are unique for each sex and age. More research is required to explore using these models to develop measuring tapes for use by resource poor farmers who keep indigenous Tswana goats.     

11~14月龄奶水牛体重与体尺指标的相关性分析

本文旨在研究生长期奶水牛体重与体尺指标的相关关系,为通过体尺指标估测其体重提供科学依据。选取76头健康的11~14月龄生长期奶水牛,用地磅、测仗、卷尺分别进行体重与体尺指标测量。采用Excel中LINEST函数对数据进行多元回归和多项式回归分析,用SPSS 17.0对体重与体尺指标进行相关性分析及主成分分析。结果表明,各体尺指标均在不同程度上影响生长期奶水牛的体重,体重与体高、体斜长、十字部高、胸围、腹围、胸宽、胸深、尻长、尻宽和管围均存在极显著相关关系(P<0.01),其中胸围与体重的相关性最大(P=0.823),其次是腹围、体斜长、胸深、管围等;由体重与各体尺指标间多元回归方程的相关系数r可知,11~14月龄奶水牛体重与体尺间存在较强的线性回归关系,可通过不同的体尺指标预测其体重;从主成分的特征根与累计贡献率来看,由第一主成分关系式可见,体重、胸围、体斜长、腹围、管围等的特征向量较大,对第一主成分的贡献也较大,基本反映11~14月龄奶水牛的体型结构,可称为体型因子,第二主成分为尻宽因子,第三主成分为体高因子。     

Detection of Mycoplasma conjunctivae in the eyes of healthy, free-ranging Alpine ibex: possible involvement of Alpine ibex as carriers for the main causing agent of infectious keratoconjunctivitis in wild Caprinae

Mycoplasma conjunctivae is considered the major cause of infectious keratoconjunctivitis (IKC) in Alpine ibex (Capra i. ibex) and chamois (Rupicapra r. rupicapra). While it is known that domestic sheep can act as healthy carriers for M. conjunctivae, this question has not been addressed in wild ungulates so far. In this study, bacteriological investigations and field observations were performed to assess whether free-ranging Alpine ibex can be healthy carriers of M. conjunctivae. Among 136 ibex without clinical signs of IKC, M. conjunctivae was identified 26 times (19.1%) by TaqMan PCR. To assess the potential pathogenicity of M. conjunctivae strains isolated from asymptomatic eyes, strains from three healthy ibex and from 15 IKC-ibex and IKC-chamois were analysed genetically by DNA sequence analysis of the variable part of the lppS gene. No significant differences were observed between strains from asymptomatic and clinically affected animals, reflecting the assumption that healthy ibex may act as carriers for M. conjunctivae strains that may be pathogenic for other individuals. Our results further indicate that development of IKC is associated with M. conjunctivae load in the eyes. In addition, a questionnaire survey revealed that IKC is generally less common in ibex than chamois and that infection in wild ungulates is not necessarily linked to the presence of sheep. These data support the hypothesis that apparently healthy ibex may be important in the epizootiology of IKC and indicate that host predilection may play a role in IKC development.     

Age- and sex-dependent regression models for predicting the live weight of West African Dwarf goat from body measurements

The relationships between live weight and eight body measurements of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats were studied using 211 animals under farm condition. The animals were categorized based on age and sex. Data obtained on height at withers (HW), heart girth (HG), body length (BL), head length (HL), and length of hindquarter (LHQ) were fitted into simple linear, allometric, and multiple-regression models to predict live weight from the body measurements according to age group and sex. Results showed that live weight, HG, BL, LHQ, HL, and HW increased with the age of the animals. In multiple-regression model, HG and HL best fit the model for goat kids; HG, HW, and HL for goat aged 13–24 months; while HG, LHQ, HW, and HL best fit the model for goats aged 25–36 months. Coefficients of determination (R ²) values for linear and allometric models for predicting the live weight of WAD goat increased with age in all the body measurements, with HG being the most satisfactory single measurement in predicting the live weight of WAD goat. Sex had significant influence on the model with R ² values consistently higher in females except the models for LHQ and HW.     

塞北兔体重与体尺、耳型的通径分析

对105只6月龄塞北兔的体重、体尺、耳型进行了通径分析。结果表明:塞北兔6月龄体重与体长、胸围、耳长、耳宽的相关系数依次为0.730、0.736、0.465、0.354,通径系数依次为0.526、0.535、0.264、-0.148;通过对决定系数与相关原因决定系数的分析,决定系数总和为0.849,误差项决定系数为1～0.849,并建立了塞北兔成年体重的“最优”回归方程。     

闽西南黑兔选育研究

利用原有闽西南黑兔保种基础群,采用家系内个体综合指数、继代繁育选留法,选育闽西南黑兔核心群,结果表明,公兔、母兔13周龄体重第3世代比第1世代分别提高1o.8％,10.4％,公兔13周龄体长、胸围、耳长、耳宽第3世代比第1世代提高3.0％～6.5％,差异均极显著（P＜0.01）,母兔13周龄胸围第3世代比第1世代提高3.6％,差异极显著（P＜0.01）;第3世代公、母兔13周龄体长、胸围、耳长和耳宽的变异系数小于7.8％,体型外貌整齐一致.闽西南黑兔每个世代的繁殖性能和各世代公、母兔4、10、13周龄性别间体重差异均不显著（P＞0.05）.     

Live weight assessment based on easily accessible morphometric characteristics in the double-muscled Belgian Blue beef breed

Live weight is an important trait in cattle farming. Weighing is not always feasible and therefore live weight is often estimated from easily accessible data. In this study, data on live weight, age and gender, and four body measurements, withers height (WH), heart girth (HG) and width of the shoulders (SW) and hind quarters (BcW) of double-muscled Belgian Blue beef (DM-BBB) farm animals were used to develop multivariable non-linear and linear regression models that predict live weight from these easily accessible data. The relationship between the logarithm of the live weight and the logarithm of time is adequately described by a general logistic function. The age period from 100 to 600 days of age is contained in the linear part of the logistic function. This region is of particular economic interest because it contains the yearling age and slaughter age that are important in DM-BBB breeding and management. Adding one of the body traits in the linear models that contain age and gender as fixed effects decreases the coefficient of variation. A model with withers height and shoulder width has the lowest coefficient of variation, with no further significant improvement when adding either heart girth or width of the hind quarters.     

Prediction of body weight from body measurements in grass cutters

In order to predict the body weight of grass cutters from linear body measurements, the weights and measurements of 50 intensively managed female grass cutters aged 5 months were fitted into linear, quadratic and cubic regression models. Highly significant (p?<?0.01) R ² values ranging from 74 to 98 % were obtained indicating that all body measurements were good predictors of body weight. Although quadratic and cubic models gave slightly higher R ² values than linear models, it is recommended that farmers should use a simple linear equation based on tail length or heart girth to predict the body weight of their grass cutters. The recommended equations are (weight in kg)?=?0.47?+?0.08 (tail length in cm) and (weight in kg)?=?0.32?+?0.07 (heart girth in cm).     

Prediction of empty body components in steers by urea dilution

Empty body composition of 68 mixed-breed and 50 Angus steers was determined by chemical analysis of the right half-carcass and entire noncarcass fraction of each steer. Chemical composition was used to develop prediction equations for empty body protein (EBPRO) and fat (EBFAT) in steers using urea space (US) and body weight measurements. Previous research showed a significant positive correlation between empty body water (EBH2O) and urea space in these steers. For all steers studied, the percentage of EBH2O ranged from 44.8 to 69.2 (mean = 56.0), the percentage of EBPRO ranged from 14.1 to 19.8 (mean = 17.0) and the percentage of EBFAT ranged from 6.1 to 38.1 (mean = 22.1). The best predictions obtained were multiple regression equations with actual weight of body components as dependent variables and US and empty body weight (EB) as independent variables. Urea space alone was a poor predictor of EBFAT, but US improved predictions based on live weight (LW) or EB alone. Coefficients of determination for the best predictions of percentage of composition were not as high as coefficients of determination for the best predictions of actual weight of body components. These data suggest that US measurements can be used to predict empty body composition of live steers, but this may require repeated measurements and an independent estimate of EB from LW for greatest accuracy.     

Estimation in vivo of the body and carcass chemical composition of growing lambs by real-time ultrasonography

The relationship between ultrasound measurements and empty body and carcass chemical composition was investigated. A 500-V real-time ultrasound with a 7.5-MHz probe combined with image analysis was used to make in vivo measurements to predict the empty body and carcass chemical composition of 31 female lambs of two genotypes, ranging in BW from 18.2 to 48.9 kg. Eleven ultrasound measurements of s.c. fat, muscle, and tissue depth were taken at four different sites (over the 13th thoracic vertebra, between the 3rd and 4th lumbar vertebrae, at the 3rd sternebra of the sternum, and over the 11th rib, 16 cm from the dorsal midline). The single best predictor of empty body fat quantity and energy value was the s.c. fat depth over the 13th thoracic vertebra (r(2) = 0.904 and 0.912; P <0.01, respectively). Body weight was used with ultrasound measurements in multiple regression equations to establish the best independent variables combination for predicting chemical composition. Results showed that BW and two of the three ultrasound measurements (s.c. fat depth over the 13th thoracic vertebra, between the 3rd and 4th lumbar vertebrae, and tissue depth over the 11th rib, 16 cm from the dorsal midline), explained 94.7 to 98.7% (P < 0.01) of the quantity of water and fat and the energy value variation in the empty body and carcass. Body weight per se was the best predictor of the quantity of protein, accounting for 97.5 and 96.8% (P < 0.01) of the variation observed in the empty body and carcass, respectively. The results of this study suggest that BW and some ultrasound measurements combined with image analysis, particularly subcutaneous fat depth over the 13th thoracic vertebra, allow accurate prediction of empty body and carcass chemical composition in lambs.     

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。     

12月龄短角牛体重与主要体尺指标的相关性分析

本文旨在探究12月龄短角牛体重与主要体尺指标之间的相关性,构建多元回归方程,研究影响短角牛的主要体尺指标及月龄。选取12月龄公牛163头,母牛261头,共424头短角牛体重、体高、十字部高、体斜长、胸围的体尺数据,使用最小二乘法对已知数据进行最佳线性拟合,构建多元回归方程并分析其相关性。结果显示,12月龄短角公牛的体重与各体尺指标的平均值均高于母牛;且体重与各体尺指标的回归关系达到极显著水平（p﹤0.01）,多元线性回归方程拟合度较高。12月龄短角牛无论公母,其体重与各体尺指标之间均呈现不同程度的相关性, 其中公牛的体高、十字部高、体斜长、胸围与体重的相关性高于母牛。12月龄短角公牛体重与体高、十字部高、体斜长、胸围呈极显著正相关（p﹤0.01）,其中体重与胸围的相关性最大(r=0.902)。12月龄短角母牛的体重与体高、十字部高、体斜长、胸围之间均呈极显著正相关（p﹤0.01）,其中与胸围相关性最大(r=0.823)。12月龄短角牛的体重与体高、十字部高、体斜长、胸围之间均呈极显著正相关（p﹤0.01）,其中与胸围相关性最大(r=0.873)。     

A live weight–heart girth relationship for accurate dosing of east African shorthorn zebu cattle

The accurate estimation of livestock weights is important for many aspects of livestock management including nutrition, production and appropriate dosing of pharmaceuticals. Subtherapeutic dosing has been shown to accelerate pathogen resistance which can have subsequent widespread impacts. There are a number of published models for the prediction of live weight from morphometric measurements of cattle, but many of these models use measurements difficult to gather and include complicated age, size and gender stratification. In this paper, we use data from the Infectious Diseases of East Africa calf cohort study and additional data collected at local markets in western Kenya to develop a simple model based on heart girth circumference to predict live weight of east African shorthorn zebu (SHZ) cattle. SHZ cattle are widespread throughout eastern and southern Africa and are economically important multipurpose animals. We demonstrate model accuracy by splitting the data into training and validation subsets and comparing fitted and predicted values. The final model is weight^0.262?=?0.95?+?0.022 × girth which has an R ² value of 0.98 and 95 % prediction intervals that fall within the ±20 % body weight error band regarded as acceptable when dosing livestock. This model provides a highly reliable and accurate method for predicting weights of SHZ cattle using a single heart girth measurement which can be easily obtained with a tape measure in the field setting.