Interactions between the associations of parity, lactation length, and weaning-to-conception interval with subsequent litter size in swine herds using early weaning

Sixteen farms having an average lactation length between 14.9 and 18.9 days were selected based upon producers' willingness to keep records of production and lactation feed intake. Data contained 9162 subsequent litter-size records abstracted from computerized production information-system files and lactation feed-intake records. Two-way interactions between the associations of parity and lactation length, and parity and weaning-to-conception interval with subsequent litter size were found in the same statistical model. Subsequent litter size did not increase in parities 1 and 2 as lactation length increased – but subsequent litter size in sows of parities 3–6 increased. In only parity 1, sows with weaning-to-conception interval 6–12 days produced 0.5 fewer pigs at subsequent farrowing than those with weaning-to-conception interval 1–5 days. However, in multiparous sows, no difference in subsequent litter size was found between weaning-to-conception intervals 1–5 and 6–12 days.     

中国荷斯坦牛原料乳脂肪酸组成及变化规律的研究

[目的]为了分析测定季节、泌乳阶段、胎次及乳房炎对脂肪酸的影响。[方法]147头中国荷斯坦牛作为研究对象,采用气相色谱对原料乳脂肪酸进行测定,采用一般线性模型统计分析。[结果]冬季原料乳脂肪酸处于最优质水平;随着泌乳时间的延续,脂肪酸含量逐渐减少,但比例逐渐优化;随着胎次的提高,脂肪酸含量逐渐减少,但比例逐渐优化;乳房...     

牛奶中脂肪酸与常规营养成分含量的影响因素分析

本试验旨在研究季节对牛奶中脂肪酸含量的影响以及不同地区、泌乳期、季节和胎次对牛奶常规营养成分的影响。对来自DHI中心的9872份牛奶样本中的脂肪酸含量数据和3430份牛奶样本中的乳脂、蛋白质、乳糖与总固形物含量数据,按季节、地区、泌乳期、胎次进行分组,然后进行单因素方差分析。结果如下:(1)季节对牛奶中脂肪酸含量产生极显著影响(P<0.01):夏季乳脂中饱和脂肪酸极显著高于其他季节(P<0.01),不饱和脂肪酸极显著低于其他季节(P<0.01)。游离脂肪酸春季最高且极显著高于其他季节(P<0.01)。(2)不同地区对乳脂、乳糖、总固形物产生极显著影响(P<0.01):宁夏蛋白质含量最高,且显著高于河南、湖北与内蒙古(P<0.05)。而宁夏与内蒙古之间乳脂、乳蛋白、总固形物无显著差异(P>0.05)。湖北与宁夏牛奶总成分含量较高。(3)泌乳期对牛奶成分含量产生极显著影响(P<0.01):泌乳前期乳脂、蛋白质、总固形物含量最低,且显著低于泌乳中期、泌乳晚期、泌乳延长期(>305d)(P<0.05)。泌乳前期与泌乳中期乳糖含量较高,且极显著高于泌乳晚期、泌乳延长期(P<0.01)。(4)不同季节对乳常规营养成分含量产生极显著影响(P<0.01):夏季各项指标最低,且极显著低于春季、秋季、冬季(P<0.01)。(5)不同胎次对乳蛋白、乳糖、总固形物含量产生极显著影响(P<0.01),一胎牛乳中各种成分含量最高,且极显著高于三胎次奶牛(P<0.01)。     

荷斯坦牛Leptin基因外显子2多态性与繁殖力性状的相关性研究

以94头荷斯坦牛为试验材料,应用PCR-SSCP技术研究Leptin基因外显子2多态性与繁殖力的相关性。在Leptin基因外显子2的E2FB区上,经分析存在影响奶牛繁殖的多态位点,测序首次发现102nt处T突变为C。在平均产犊间隔上,AA与AT差异极显著（P〈0.01）;AT与TT差异极显著（P〈0.01）;A为优势等位基因,可作为荷斯坦牛育种中繁殖力的分子辅助标记。     

产犊月份、胎次和热应激对乳牛产奶量的影响

根据南京一个牧场乳牛群1977～1987年的生产记录和该地的气象资料,采用最小二乘法分析产犊月份和胎次对各泌乳阶段产奶量的影响;采用逐步回归法等统计方法分析热应激对产奶量的影响。结果表明:泌乳前期、中期、后期实际产奶量和305天校正产奶量最高的产犊月份分别是4,10～12,4和4月;产奶量最低的产犊月份分别是5～7,5,11～1和5日;第3胎的305天校正产奶量达最高水平;急性热应激对泌乳中期牛和高产牛的影响较大;平均气温和温湿度指标显著影响夏季日产奶量,而其影响程度与泌乳阶段和生产水平相关。     

产犊季节和胎次对荷斯坦牛部分繁殖指标的影响

为了研究不同产犊季节和胎次对荷斯坦牛部分繁殖指标的影响,为长江中下游地区荷斯坦牛合理安排配种时间提供科学依据.本试验利用海丰奶牛场引进的澳系荷斯坦牛的繁殖指标数据,分析了产犊季节和不同胎次对部分繁殖指标的影响.结果显示,产犊季节对产后第一次发情泌乳天数、配种指数、产后受孕天数以及产犊间隔等繁殖指标的影响达到极显著水平(P＜0.01).胎次对发情泌乳天数、产后受孕天数以及产犊间隔等繁殖指标的影响也达到极显著水平(P＜0.01).在本研究中,秋季产犊的奶牛繁殖指标最佳.此外,头胎产犊奶牛的繁殖性能在各胎次中最好,该结果对同类地区荷斯坦牛繁殖管理有很好的指导作用.     

Low Incidence of an Altered Endometrial Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) Profile in Repeat Breeder Holstein Heifers and Differential Effect of Parity on the EGF Profile Between Fertile Holstein (Dairy) and Japanese Black (Beef) Cattle

A high incidence (about 70%) of alteration in endometrial epidermal growth factor (EGF) profile, i.e., loss of 2 peaks on days 2–4 and 13–14, has been linked to a reduced fertility in multiparous repeat breeder Holstein cows. However, the EGF profile in Holstein heifers and other breeds (types) of cattle has not been investigated. In study 1, EGF concentrations were determined using endometrial tissues obtained by biopsy on days 3, 7 and 14 from 84 fertile Holstein heifers to obtain a normal range and 53 repeat breeder Holstein heifers to estimate incidence of alterations in the EGF profile. In repeat breeder heifers, EGF concentrations were similar to fertile controls on 3 days and five animals (9.4%) had an altered EGF profile with EGF concentrations below the normal range on days 3 and 14. In study 2, EGF concentrations on day 3 were repeatedly examined from the nulliparous period to the third postpartum period in 28 Holstein (dairy) and 47 Japanese Black (beef) cattle. The effect of parity on EGF concentrations on day 3 was different between Holstein and Japanese Black cattle. In Japanese Black cows, the EGF concentrations were consistently high throughout the study period, while in Holstein cows, the EGF concentrations decreased after the second calving. In conclusion, unlike multiparous repeat breeder Holstein cows, an altered EGF profile may not be a major cause of repeat breeding in Holstein heifers, and the peak EGF concentrations around day 3 may decrease even in fertile populations of multiparous dairy cows, but not in beef cows.     

A survey of bone integrity from cull sows in Ireland

The objective of this study was to examine the differences in sow metacarpal properties through various parities and to compare the incidence of locomotory problems between stalled and loose-housed sows. Metacarpals (n = 110) of sows from six farms were collected at slaughter and stored at -20°C. Bones from one forelimb of sows in stalls (n = 36) and loose-housed (n = 20) were collected and their articular surfaces examined for Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD), these sows were also scored for lameness pre-slaughter. Metacarpals were CT scanned for cross sectional area and moment of inertia. Cylindrical sections from the diaphysis were used for mechanical testing and calculating bone strength indices. The results show there was little change in bone mineral status throughout the range of parities examined and overall metacarpal integrity was not compromised by multiple production cycles. There were no differences detected in the incidence of lameness or joint pathology between housing systems.     

Risk factors for stillbirth and foetal mummification in four Brazilian swine herds

The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors of stillbirth and foetal mummification in 565 farrowings of four commercial pig farms in Brazil. Stillborn piglets were observed in 31.3% of the litters and the stillborn risk was 5.6%. Mummified foetuses occurred in 42.1% of the litters and the mummification risk was 3.4%. The potential risk factors were included in multivariable logistic regression models as categories: herd (1–4); parity (1, 2–5 and >5); litter size (<10, 10–12 and >12 piglets); farrowing length (≤3 or >3 h); presence of mummified foetuses (yes or no); farrowing induction (yes or no); use of oxytocin (yes or no); use of vaginal palpation (yes or no); body condition score (<3, 3 and ≥4), and placental production index (PPI) (≤5 or >5) which was measured as the ratio of total foetal weight to total placental weight. Duration of farrowing and use of farrowing induction, oxytocin or vaginal palpation were not included in the model that investigated the risk factors of foetal mummification. Two models were used to investigate the risk factors of stillbirth, one with and the other without the inclusion of farrowing length. When compared to sows of parity 2–5, sows of parity >5 had 1.7- and 1.6-times higher odds (P < 0.05) for stillbirth in the models with and without the inclusion of farrowing length, respectively. In both models, sows with more than 12 piglets/litter had 3.6-times higher odds of stillbirth occurrence compared to sows with less than 10 piglets (P < 0.05). Sows with prolonged farrowing (>3 h) had 2.0-times higher odds of stillbirth occurrence than sows with short farrowing (P < 0.05). Sows with more than 12 piglets/litter had 14.5-times higher odds of mummification compared to sows with less than 10 piglets (P < 0.05). Sows of parities 1 and >5 had 3.5- and 2.0-times, respectively, higher odds of mummification in comparison to sows of parity 2–5 (P < 0.05). Sows with low PPI had 1.7-times higher odds of mummification compared to those with high PPI (P < 0.05). A large litter, a high-parity and a prolonged farrowing increased the risk of stillbirth. The probability of having a mummified foetus was increased in very young and older sows, when having a large litter and a litter with a less efficient placenta.     

新疆褐牛产奶性状变化规律的研究

本研究通过对2017年478头新疆褐牛累计8879条产奶性能数据进行分析,研究了不同月份、胎次下新疆褐牛产奶性状的变化规律。结果表明,新疆褐牛不同胎次和月份间的平均日产奶量有差异,第2胎次的平均日产奶量最高,夏季(6、7、8月份)平均日产奶量在一年中最高,冬季(1、2、12月份)最低。胎次对乳成分影响不显著(P>0.05),不同测定月份乳成分间存在显著差异(P<0.05)。7月份乳脂率、干物质比例和尿素氮含量最低,但是体细胞评分在四个测定月份中最高。本研究结果表明管理水平对新疆褐牛产奶性能有很大影响,建议加强管理,夏季提高营养水平,冬季注意改善畜舍环境。