Effects of growth curve parameters on cow efficiency.

Weight-age data from 50 Retinta beef cows from 8 to 97 mo of age located in southwestern Spain were fitted to von Bertalanffy, Brody, and Richards functions to determine the relationship between growth curve parameters and cow efficiency. Only cows having at least 31 weights were included in the analysis. Von Bertalanffy, Brody, and Richards functions were fitted to weights of each cow. Relevant parameters of the three functions are A and K, associated with the asymptotic mature weight and rate of maturing, respectively. Criteria for comparisons among the three functions were computing difficulty, goodness of fit, and lack of bias of A. Productivity indicators were number of calves weaned during the first five calving seasons (NC), average birth weight (BWT), average weaning weight (WW), and average weaning weight per cow per year (WWY). The von Bertalanffy function was selected as the most appropriate. Least squares means for A and K were 650 +/- 8.17 kg and .038 +/- .001 mo-1, respectively. The values of NC, BWT, WW, and WWY were 4.0 +/- .11 calves, 38.2 +/- .4 kg, 218 +/- 5 kg, and 172 +/- 5 kg, respectively. Regression analysis for A indicated a decrease in NC when mature weight increased (P less than .05). There was a nonsignificant trend for heavier cows (higher A) to have calves with heavier BWT or WW. The value of WWY increased (P less than .05) with increased maturing rate (K) of cows. No significant associations were found between K and BWT or WW.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Characteristics of the cumulus-oocyte complex during the preovulatory period in superovulated heifers]

The nature of cumulus--oocyte complexes was examined in PMSG (group 1, n = 18) and FSH (group 2, n = 30) stimulated heifers. Laparoscopy was performed 65 h after cloprostenol application. The number of follicles was 13.67 +/- 0.75 and 12.67 +/- 0.81 (P greater than 0.05) in group 1 and 2, respectively (Tab. I). The recovery rate of oocytes was 56% in the first and 67% in the second group (Tab. I). The cumulus oophorus was divided into three groups: compact, expanded and partial (Tab. II). Most oocytes (65 and 75% in the first and second group, respectively) exhibited an expanded cumulus (P greater than 0.05). In the first and second group 11 and 26% (P less than 0.01) of oocytes with the extruded first polar body were aspirated (Tab. III). As judged from the pool of visible follicles, the superovulation response to stimulatory treatment and recovery rate of oocytes in the present experiment were not different from the results published earlier. The degree of the cumulus oophorus expansion is an indicator for the evaluation of cumulus--oocyte complexes. After the preovulatory LH peak the disintegration of cumulus oophorus proceeds from glycosaminoglycan accumulation. In our experiment this effect resulted in a significantly higher number of oocytes with expanded cumulus in both treatments. The enlargement of perivitelline space is related to a subsequent release of the first polar body in the preovulatory period. It can be seen from our results that after FSH treatment it is possible to reach the high number of oocytes with the extruded polar body.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The effect of zeranol on muscle structure and the development of the testes in bulls

The effect was investigated of the Ralgro preparation with the active substance zeranol on histological and histochemical properties of bull muscles. The anabolic effect was displayed by a trend toward greater thickness of muscle fibres in m. longissimus thoracis, m. semitendinosus and m. triceps brachii, whilst differences between the muscles of experimental and control animals were not statistically significant. The bulls administered zeranol had the higher proportions as well as the higher relative volumes of white (aW) muscle fibres, but neither were these differences statistically significant in comparison with the control. The growth and development of testicles are inhibited by zeranol. The inhibition is significant and persists during 30 days after the last administration. Later on, the rate of development and growth are increased with the testicles reaching the weight of the sexual glands of control animals in 90 days after the last administration; the coiled seminiferous tubules grow and spermiogenesis occurs.     

Comparative study of embryonal development in 2 oviparous and 1 ovoviviparous species (Gallus gallus, Coturnix c. japonica and Liolaemus tenuis t.)

In a study of the development of two oviparous species (domestic chicken and Japanese quail) and one ovoviviparous species (a common lizard), the relationship to alterations in egg size and weight during incubation was examined. It was observed, as reported by others that the avian egg diminishes in size during incubation, but that the lizard egg increases in size and weight. This investigation examines these relationships and suggests that the increase in the size and weight of the lizard egg is a result of an increase of liquid content. The mechanism is discussed.     

The effect of blood-sucking diptera on the weight of grazing heifers

It was demonstrated experimentally that bloodsucking dipterans (gad-flies, gnats, midges, black flies) influenced negatively weight increments of grazing heifers and that it was suitable to treat the heifers with repellents; 10% water emulsion of the repellent diethyltoluamide was used for heifer spraying in the intervals of 48 hours. Over the 66 days of the experiment, the total live weight of one heifer from the test group increased by 5.00 kg, in comparison with the controls. The coefficient of loss per untreated animal was 105.00 Kcs., the returns of investments per 1.00 Kcs of investment costs were 1.90 Kcs. Owing to worse climatic conditions in the experimental years which significantly differed from meteorological conditions in the previous four years, which ensued from mathematico-statistical evaluation, differences in weight increments over the period of study were statistically insignificant.     

Growth strategy of trees related to successional status II. Leaf dynamics

The leaf dynamics of two early (Alnus nepalensis and Schima khasiana) and three late (Machilus kingii, Quercus dealbata and Q. griffithii) successional tree species of a subtropical humid, evergreen, montane forest at Upper Shillong (1900 m) in north-eastern India has been studied using demographic techniques. The open-grown early successional species show greater leaf production and higher turnover rate than the open-grown late successional species. The latter, under forest situations, have still slower turnover rates but with leaves of several age groups. It is suggested that the early successional species are attuned to environments of temporary resource availability while the late successional species are adapted to the relatively predictable but highly competitive environments of closed forests.     

Plasma ferritin of sows during pregnancy and lactation

We studied a set of indicators of iron metabolism in sows and new-born piglets: hemoglobin, plasma iron, total iron binding capacity and plasma ferritin. Iron status of seventy-two sows was studied throughout pregnancy and lactation. The results point to mobilization of iron from its storage sites up to the second month of gestation, but no appreciable decrease during the second half of pregnancy. No appreciable mobilization of the iron stores of sows was observed during the lactation period. Nine sows and their 78 piglets were used to compare the status of iron in the sows and the end of gestation with the iron status of the piglets at birth; there was a positive correlation between the mean values of plasma ferritin concentration in the piglets and the levels of plasma ferritin in their mothers.