Morphometric characterization and estimating body weight of two Algerian camel breeds using morphometric measurements

This study was carried out in order to identify the body measurements of two different Dromedary camel breeds raised in Algeria. The animal material of the study consisted of a total of 115 animals belong to Steppe (n?=?55) and Sahraoui (n?=?60) camel breeds. Eye and coat colors along with body measurements such as head length, neck length, neck girth, tail length, distance between eyes, distance between ears, body length, withers height, chest girth, and live weight were determined. Least squares means for head length, neck length, neck girth, tail length, distance between eyes, distance between ears, body length, withers height, chest girth, and live weight are found 48.2, 116.9, 65.7, 55.6, 24.1, 22.5, 152.2, 184.5, 141.2 cm, and 217.2 kg for Steppe and 48.1, 101.2, 56.2, 51.2, 23.4, 18.3, 135.6, 167.3, 176.8 cm, and 298.9 kg for Sahraoui camel breeds, respectively. The distribution of brown and black eye colors for the Steppe camel breed is as 58.2% and 41.8%, respectively, while all of the Sahraoui camels studied had a brown eye color. The proportional distribution in terms of body color included are coffee, dark coffee, and red colors for 1.8%, 83.6%, and 14.6% in the Steppe camel and 98.3%, 1.7%, and 0.0% for the Sahraoui camel, respectively. As a result, this study concluded that the withers height and chest girth could estimate the body weight in the two breeds of camels with different ages.

     

A Study on the Productivity and Diseases of Camels in Eastern Ethiopia

A study concerning performance traits of the Ethiopian camel indicated that, in the camel herds examined, there was one active bull camel for 25 females. The bull camel was 5 years old at puberty; it reached rutting vigour at the age of 9 years, the number of mountings per day was 8 during the breeding season, and the reproduction span was 10 years. The female camel reached puberty at 4 years of age; the age at first calving was 5 years, and the lactation period was one year; the calving interval was 2 years, the calving rate was 50%, and the reproduction span was 10–15 years. The survival rate of the newborn calves was 50%. The average milk yield was 2.5 L per day; the price of camel's milk was higher than that of cow's milk at US$0.5. Adult camels weighed around 500 kg; the dressing-out percentage was 52%. Mutton was preferred to camel meat, which came second in popularity, costing US$2/kg. Owing to their poor reproductive performance, camels are not efficient for producing meat. The camels worked for 16 h per day, covering 60 km. Animal health problems encountered were trypanosomosis, camel pox, camel pustular dermatitis, camel cephalopsis, dermatomycosis, mange mite, tick infestation and balantidiosis, most of which mainly affected the young animals.     

不同杂交组合优质冷鲜鸡屠宰性能和肉品质比较

培育适合屠宰加工的早熟、青脚、优质肉鸡新品系,通过比较63日龄ABC、ABD和AEB杂交组合鸡群的屠宰性能和肉品质,初步筛选最优杂交组合。结果表明:3个杂交组合63日龄母鸡体重均超过1.8 kg,公鸡体重均超过2.2 kg;公母鸡的屠宰率均超过86%,全净膛率均超过68%;ABC母鸡的全净膛率、胸肌率均显著高于其他杂交组合(P0.05);ABC组合母鸡的腹脂率显著低于其他2个组合(P0.05);ABC和ABD组合公母鸡胸肌肌苷酸含量显著高于AEB母鸡肌苷酸含量(P0.05);ABC公母鸡肌内脂肪含量显著高于ABD母鸡、AEB公鸡(P0.05);3个杂交组合组合间、组合内及公母间屠宰性能(失水率、剪切力和p H)均差异不显著。ABC公母鸡胸肌肉色L值显著高于其他2个杂交组合(P0.05);ABC母鸡肉色a值显著低于AEB(P0.05)。通过对3个杂交组合屠宰性能和肉品质的比较,发现ABC组合的屠宰率、全净膛率、胸肌率、肌苷酸含量、肌内脂肪含量和肉色相对较好,初步确定ABC组合最佳,为下一步优质冷鲜鸡的新品系培育奠定基础。     

Serological survey of Brucella abortus antibody prevalence in the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) from eastern Sudan

A five year investigation of Brucella antibody prevalence in camel sera was conducted in 1502 one-humped camels of both sexes and different ages. The average (mean +/- SD) incidence rate of positive results was 6.95 +/- 1.55%. Among adult one-humped camels, the rate was 4.94 +/- 2.51% in males and 13.76 +/- 4.41% in females. Juvenile one-humped camel calves showed a 0% incidence rate in males and a 1.82 +/- 3.64% in females. Antibodies against Brucella abortus were prevalent in one-humped camel sera throughout the five years of the survey with incidence rates of 6.54, 5.79, 9.32, 5.03 and 8.06%, respectively from 1985 to 1989.     

Prevalence of Linguatula serrata nymphs in one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) in Najaf-Abad, Iran

The prevalence of Linguatula serrata nymphs in livers and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) of 400 camels of different sex and age groups was investigated. The lymph nodes and livers were examined macroscopically. A digestion method was also applied for investigation of liver samples. The MLNs in 84 camels out of 400 (21.0%) and the livers of 18 camels out of 400 (4.5%) were infected by L. serrata nymphs. The infection rate increased with age (p<0.01). No significant difference was observed between the prevalence in males and females (p>0.1). It is concluded that consumption of raw or under-cooked camel liver may result in nasopharyngeal linguatulosis in humans.     

Human–Dromedary Camel Interactions and the Risk of Acquiring Zoonotic Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) cases without documented contact with another human MERS‐CoV case make up 61% (517/853) of all reported cases. These primary cases are of particular interest for understanding the source(s) and route(s) of transmission and for designing long‐term disease control measures. Dromedary camels are the only animal species for which there is convincing evidence that it is a host species for MERS‐CoV and hence a potential source of human infections. However, only a small proportion of the primary cases have reported contact with camels. Other possible sources and vehicles of infection include food‐borne transmission through consumption of unpasteurized camel milk and raw meat, medicinal use of camel urine and zoonotic transmission from other species. There are critical knowledge gaps around this new disease which can only be closed through traditional field epidemiological investigations and studies designed to test hypothesis regarding sources of infection and risk factors for disease. Since the 1960s, there has been a radical change in dromedary camel farming practices in the Arabian Peninsula with an intensification of the production and a concentration of the production around cities. It is possible that the recent intensification of camel herding in the Arabian Peninsula has increased the virus' reproductive number and attack rate in camel herds while the ‘urbanization’ of camel herding increased the frequency of zoonotic ‘spillover’ infections from camels to humans. It is reasonable to assume, although difficult to measure, that the sensitivity of public health surveillance to detect previously unknown diseases is lower in East Africa than in Saudi Arabia and that sporadic human cases may have gone undetected there.     

不同屠宰活重豫西黑猪的营养成分及肉质特性分析

【目的】探讨豫西黑猪营养成分及肉质性状在不同体重阶段的发育性变化规律。【方法】选取平均体重约为60、75、90、105、120 kg 5个体重阶段的豫西黑猪,每组5头,共25头,每组随机选取3头进行屠宰,公母随机。屠宰后取背最长肌测定眼肌面积、背膘厚、脂肪率、失水率、脂肪酸、氨基酸和胆固醇等指标,测定肌内脂肪含量、脂滴直径和脂滴数目,采集100 g腰大肌测定熟肉率。【结果】豫西黑猪在体重达到120 kg之前,随着屠宰活重的增加,眼肌面积、背膘厚、脂肪率、熟肉率、肌内脂肪含量、肉色、剪切力、脂滴数目和脂滴直径均随之增加。眼肌面积在105、120 kg时均极显著高于60、75 kg(P<0.01),显著高于90 kg(P<0.05);背膘厚在90、105、120 kg时均极显著高于60 kg(P<0.01);肌内脂肪含量在90、105、120 kg时均显著高于60、75 kg(P<0.05);脂滴直径和脂滴数目在75、90、105、120 kg时均显著高于60 kg(P<0.05);脂肪酸中饱和脂肪酸以肉豆蔻酸、棕榈酸、硬脂酸等为主,不饱和脂肪酸以棕榈油酸、油...     

张掖市骆驼产业发展优势及建议

骆驼养殖既是历史悠久古老产业,又是随着多元消费和草原旅游而兴起的现代的产业。张掖北部荒漠草原区群众发展骆业积极性高涨发展势头正旺,自然条件适宜,以驼毛、驼绒、驼奶、驼肉等为产品的养骆产业链正在形成。本文对张掖市骆驼产业发展优势和存在的问题进行了分析,提出了出符合本地实际情况发展的建议。     

波杂肉羊屠宰性能及肉品质研究

选取同等饲养条件下的6月龄、周岁及成年波杂肉羊各8只(公母各半),对其屠宰性能及肉品质进行系统的研究。结果表明:年龄和性别对波杂肉羊的宰前活重、胴体重、净肉重和眼肌面积均有显著或极显著的影响;周岁羊和成年羊胴体产肉率、肉骨比相当,显著高于6月龄羊(P<0.05),屠宰率在3个年龄组间差异不显著(P>0.05);性别对屠宰率、胴体产肉率和肉骨比均无明显影响(P>0.05)。肉质方面,成年羊的肉色、嫩度极显著高于6月龄羔羊(P<0.01),但周岁内无显著性变化(P>0.05);失水率在周岁内变化很大,随年龄的增加显著减少,但周岁羊与成年羊间无显著性差异(P>0.05);粗脂肪含量随年龄的增长,呈明显的增加趋势(P<0.01);其它理化指标在3个年龄组中差异均不显著(P>0.05);除母羊肌肉脂肪含量显著高于公羊、周岁内公羊熟肉率显著高于母羊外,其它指标在性别间均无显著差异(P>0.05)。     

2. Aspects of the husbandry and management of the genus Camelus

The genus Camelus comprises two species, the one-humped camel or dromedary and the two-humped or Bactrian camel. Both are found in arid areas of the Old World and the habitats of the two species overlap. Hybrids can be produced, and these can be useful working animals. Camels were probably domesticated at a later date than sheep and cattle, and it appears that the primary centres of domestication of the two species were far removed from each other. These remarkable animals are very well adapted to their environment, and some of the physiological and anatomical characteristics that enable them to live and work in harsh surroundings are mentioned.Camels are employed for many functions—to carry loads, as a mount, in agriculture, as a draught animal and also to power simple mills. Formerly they were used in the armed forces of a number of nations. They have the ability to produce a volume of milk well beyond the capacity of other domestic animals in the same arid zones. Camel meat is eaten in countries where they are reared and camels are exported to other countries for slaughter. Wool, hair and hides are also of importance.The dromedary is primarily a browser although grass and other ground vegetation is eaten. Camels can be fed on fodder and grain. Some deficiency conditions have been identified but knowledge, generally, on this subject is sparse. Because of their capability of working and producing milk in arid and often waterless zones camels make life possible for a very large number of people in such areas in Africa and Asia.     

血浆极低密度脂蛋白浓度的双向选择对肉鸡腹脂、肝脂和产肉性能的影响

对零世代８周龄血浆极低密度脂蛋白（ＶＬＤＬ）浓度进行降低腹脂的间接选择，一世代取得了明显效果：腹脂和肝脂向两极分化，其中肌胃脂和肝脂选择反应较大。低血浆ＶＬＤＬ的选择使腹脂降低，肝脂增加，对产肉性状未产生不利影响。９周龄腹脂率、板油率和肌胃脂率在高ＶＬＤＬ系分别高于低ＶＬＤＬ系２１％，１６％和５１％；肌胃脂率品系间差异极显著（Ｐ＜０．００１）。品系与性别互作对肌胃脂率有明显影响（Ｐ＜０．０５）。腹脂、肌胃脂存在性别差异，腹脂率雌性略高于雄性，而肌胃脂率雄性高于雌性。９周龄肝脂率，高ＶＬＤＬ系显著低于低ＶＬＤＬ系（Ｐ＜０．０１），雌性高于雄性。一世代８周龄血浆ＶＬＤＬ产生了直接选择反应，血浆ＶＬＤＬ浓度，高ＶＬＤＬ系高于低ＶＬＤＬ系。血浆ＶＬＤＬ存在性别差异，雄性高于雌性。一世代高、低ＶＬＤＬ系血浆ＶＬＤＬ和腹脂的变异系数仍然很大，继续对其选择仍然有效。由于血浆ＶＬＤＬ属中等遗传力，并且家系间差异显著，因此，在世代选育中应采取家系结合个体选择法     

Danish investigations concerning body composition of pigs in relation to nutrition,sex and slaughter weight

Several Danish investigations were carried out in order to elucidate the influence of nutrition, sex and slaughter weight on the body composition in pigs. In this paper we discuss whether selection of breeding animals should be based mainly on: (1) per cent meat in the carcass, (2) a combination of per cent meat, daily gain and feed consumption per kg live weight gain, or maybe better, (3) a combination of per cent meat and feed consumption per kg meat produced.Investigations comprising five different energy and protein levels and 1100 pigs slaughtered at live weights varying from 80 to 120 kg showed that both feeding intensity and slaughter weight influenced the carcass composition. Increasing feeding intensity and increasing slaughter weight caused a deterioration in the ratio between meat and subcutaneous fat. The feeding intensity had only little influence on kg meat produced whereas increasing feeding intensity caused an increase in kg subcutaneous fat produced.The females contained more meat than did the male castrates. Besides, the deterioration in carcass composition due to increasing slaughter weight and feeding intensity were lower in the females than in the male castrates. Daily gain increased with increasing feeding intensity. The investigations indicate maximal protein synthesis to take place within the live weight area of 90–100 kg.High correlations were found between the chemical composition of the different anatomical fractions in 90-kg pigs. The empty pigs (live weight minus the content of the digestive tract) weighed on average 80.8 kg, of which 42.0% was dry matter. The dry matter contained 41.1% protein, 51.1% chemical fat, 7.7% ash and 7080 kcal per kg. The meat fraction contained 55% of the protein, 30% of the chemical fat and 38% of the energy in the empty pigs.     

白羽番鸭产肉性能与肌肉品质分析

以200只70日龄白羽番鸭为素材,测定其产肉性能和肌肉品质。结果显示,公番鸭的生长速度比母鸭快,母鸭沉积脂肪的能力高于公鸭,同时白羽番鸭的体脂含量较低。综合产肉性能等多项指标,说明白羽番鸭具有较好的肉用性能,值得推广应用。     

Growth and sensory characteristics of organically reared broilers differing in strain,sex and age at slaughter

Abstract

The effects of strain, sex and age on live weight, slaughter weight and sensory characteristics of organically reared broilers in orchards are presented. A total of 450 broilers of three different strains (I 657, Light Sussex, New Hampshire) were reared in an organic research orchard. Half of each strain was slaughtered at 91 days and the other half at 120 days. All broilers were weighed and a clinical welfare assessment was made at slaughter. A trained sensory panel evaluated the breast meat in relation to flavour, smell and texture characteristics defined by the panel. At both 91 and 120 days of age the commercial breed I 657 was significantly heavier than the slower growing strains. Males were significantly heavier than the females across strains. Weight ratios between males and females were nearly the same at both slaughter ages in I 657, whereas weight ratios increased significantly at 120 days in Light Sussex and New Hampshire. No overall effect of strain was found on the flavour and smell of the breast meat. However, the age-related changes in tenderness and toughness differed significantly between strains, since the commercial strain tended towards a tougher and less tender consistency with age, whereas the opposite was the case for the slower growing pure breeds. The positive flavour of salt was significantly improved at 120 days across strains with females having a saltier flavour than the males with age. The positive flavour of sweet corn was improved in the meat from the males, whereas the positive smell of sweet corn was significantly improved in both males and females. No negative effects of age were found.

In conclusion, broilers were tastier when slaughtered at 120 days compared with 91 days. The development in meat tenderness was related to strain, and weights at slaughter were related to both strain and sex.     

Pathology and molecular diagnosis of paratuberculosis of camels

Camels are the prime source of meat and milk in many desert regions of the world including Saudi Arabia. Paratuberculosis of camels, locally called Silag, is a serious and invariably fatal disease in the Arabian camel. Six camels were used in this study. Five camels with clinical paratuberculosis were used to study the pathology of the disease and confirm its aetiology. The sixth camel was clinically healthy and used as a control. The camels were examined clinically and bled for haematological and blood chemistry analysis. They were then humanely killed with a high intravenous dose of thiopental sodium (10 mg/kg) for pathological studies as well as obtaining tissues for microbiological and molecular studies. The clinical signs of the disease were emaciation, diarrhoea, alopecia, wry neck and pale mucous membranes. Laboratory diagnosis showed reduced haemoglobin concentration, low haematocrit and high activity of the serum enzyme alanine aminotransferase. Serum creatinine concentration was normal. These results indicated the infected camels were anaemic and the function of their livers was affected. Postmortem examination showed thickened and corrugated intestinal mucosa, enlarged granulomatous mesenteric lymph nodes, miliary and diffuse granulomas in the liver (in four camels), generalized lymph node granulomas (in one camel), splenic granuloma (in one camel) and mediastinal lymph node granuloma (in two camels). Histopathological examination showed diffuse infiltration of macrophages in all organs showing lesions. Ziehl–Neelsen staining of tissue scraping and tissue sections showed masses of acid fast bacilli, except for the spleen. Infection with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis was confirmed by PCR by targeting the IS900 gene.     

Prevalence of sarcocysts in one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) from southern Ethiopia

A survey of sarcocystis was made in camels from southern Ethiopia during a part of 1998-99. A total of 605 haematoxylin and eosin-stained tissue samples from cardiac, diaphragm, shoulder, masseter and oesophagus muscles of 121 adult camels and 20 tissue samples from four foetuses were examined for sarcocysts. Sarcocysts were detected in 55 of 121 (45.45%) camels examined. The infestation rate of oesophagus, diaphragm, shoulder, masseter and cardiac musculatures were 19.83, 11.57, 12.4, 8.26 and 9.17%, respectively. There was no significant (P > 0.05) variation between males (48.6%) and females (40.82%), nor between the two sites studied (Dollo Addo, 40.00% versus Neghelle Borana 47.25%). None of the 20 tissue samples from the four foetuses examined harboured sarcocysts. The possible impact of sarcocysts on camel production is indicated. This is the first report of the presence of sarcocysts in camels from Ethiopia.     

持续高温对不同性别北京油鸡生长性能、肉质性状及脂肪沉积的影响

本研究旨在考察持续高温对不同性别北京油鸡生长性能、肉质性状及脂肪沉积的影响.选择健康、体况相近的49日龄北京油鸡公母各72只(公鸡平均体质量(608.58±13.07)g;母鸡平均体质量(518.50±8.33)g)随机分在2个处理中:(1)高温组,(35±0.37)℃;(2)适温组,(25±0.38)℃,分别在2个人工环境气候舱中饲养.每个处理设6个重复,每个重复6只鸡.试验持续23 d.测定试验第1～11、12～22和1～22天的生产性能指标及第12和23天时的胴体性状、肉质性状及脂肪沉积率.结果表明;1)热暴露1～11 d,公母鸡的日增体质量都显著降低(P＜0.01),料重比无明显变化(P＞0.05).热暴露12～22 d,公鸡的日增体质量显著降低(P＜0.01),而母鸡无明显变化(P＞0.05),同时,公鸡的料重比显著提高(P＜0.01);2)与适温组相比,高温组各性别北京油鸡的肉质性状均无明显变化(P＞0.05);3)对公鸡而言,热暴露12 d时腹脂、肌间脂肪和皮下脂肪沉积率及胴体率、腿比率与适温组相比均无显著差异(P＞0.05).热暴露23 d时各部位脂肪沉积率均显著降低(P＜0.01),而胴体率和腿比率显著提高(P＜0.05);对母鸡而言,热暴露12d时腹脂、肌间脂肪沉积率显著降低(P＜0.05),热暴露23 d时皮下脂肪率显著降低(P＜0.05),腹脂、肌间脂肪沉积率及胴体率、腿比率与适温组相比均无显著差异(P＞0.05).结果提示,热暴露12 d,各性别油鸡的日增体质量均显著降低,随着热暴露进一步延续,公鸡日增体质量的降低幅度加大,而母鸡的已无明显变化;随着热暴露时间的延长,公鸡的脂肪沉积逐渐下降,而母鸡的脂肪沉积下降程度有所缓解.     

Body growth of captive eland Taurotragus oryx in Natal

Post-natal growth in live mass and in body dimensions with age is described in a captive herd of eland Taurotragus oryx, using the von Bertalanffy growth equations. Asymptotic live mass of males (575 kg) was 45% higher than the value for females (316 kg). Asymptotic body dimensions were also higher in males, girth by 27%, height at withers by 13% and body length by 9%, these data illustrating the sexually dimorphic nature of growth in eland. In winter, body growth rates were significantly lower than in the summer, but these variations are not apparent from theoretical von Bertalanffy growth curves. A combination of linear measurements is described for the prediction of live mass.     

Indigenous Muscovy Ducks in Congo Brazzaville. 2. Preliminary observations on indigenous Muscovy ducks reared under moderate inputs in Congolese conditions

To evaluate the potential of the native Muscovy ducks in Congo, a trial was conducted with closed housing, commercial feeding and veterinary care. The characterization included reproductive performance, daily weight gain, live body weight, feed conversion ratio, body live weight productivity, and meat productivity. The experimental genetic stock was bred under natural mating and natural incubation. The number of eggs recorded per female and per clutch was 14.6 ± 3 eggs with 2 clutches per year. The average (±SD) hatchability was 75% ± 3% and the average egg weight was 72 ± 8 g. The sexual dimorphism for body weight appeared after 3 weeks (p < 0.05). The maximum daily weight gain in males reached 55 ± 8 g/day and occurred at 5 weeks, whereas in females it occurred at 4 weeks and reached 35 ± 5 g/day. The carcass yield was 70% ± 5% and 51 ± 8% in males and females, respectively. The meat productivity was 26.7 and 11.5 kg/m² per year in males and females, respectively. From these findings, it can be concluded that the incubation by mother duck is preferred in the small farming duck and that males should be raised for meat and females for egg production. Further studies including local poultry-related issues are needed to optimize the performance of the native Muscovy duck in Congo Brazzaville.     

Prevalence of Sarcocysts in One‐humped Camel (Camelus dromedarius) from Southern Ethiopia

A survey of sarcocystis was made in camels from southern Ethiopia during a part of 1998–99. A total of 605 haematoxylin and eosin‐stained tissue samples from cardiac, diaphragm, shoulder, masseter and oesophagus muscles of 121 adult camels and 20 tissue samples from four foetuses were examined for sarcocysts. Sarcocysts were detected in 55 of 121 (45.45%) camels examined. The infestation rate of oesophagus, diaphragm, shoulder, masseter and cardiac musculatures were 19.83, 11.57, 12.4, 8.26 and 9.17%, respectively. There was no significant (P > 0.05) variation between males (48.6%) and females (40.82%), nor between the two sites studied (Dollo Addo, 40.00% versus Neghelle Borana 47.25%). None of the 20 tissue samples from the four foetuses examined harboured sarcocysts. The possible impact of sarcocysts on camel production is indicated. This is the first report of the presence of sarcocysts in camels from Ethiopia.