Including an additional systematic environmental effect within a generation in an evaluation model improves accuracy of prediction of breeding values in a closed herd of pigs

The present study evaluated the advantage of mixed‐model techniques over a selection index under different magnitudes of an additional systematic environmental effect (ASEE) in terms of accuracy of prediction and expected genetic gain. The data attempted to simulate a closed herd in a pig breeding program. The base population (G₀) consisted of 10 males and 50 females. Six generations (G₀ to G₅) were selected by using a selection index of three traits without overlapping. Additional systematic environmental constants with four levels in a generation were assigned from a uniform distribution at different ranges. Breeding values of animals in the last generation (G₅) were estimated on the basis of an index of individual phenotype (SI‐U), SI‐U adjusted for ASEE using a least‐squares mean (SI‐A), best linear unbiased prediction using an animal model excluding ASEE (AM‐E), and an animal model including ASEE (AM‐I). Accuracy of prediction and expected genetic gain were larger by the animal model than by the selection index, even if heritability of the traits selected was high and ASEE was set to zero. When ASEE was zero, the accuracy of prediction and expected genetic gain given by SI‐U and AM‐I were similar to those given by SI‐A and AM‐E, respectively. However, the differences in accuracy and expected gain between SI‐U and AI‐A and between AM‐I and AM‐E increased as the range of ASEE increased. It was concluded that selection based on an animal model was more effective than index selection, even if the herd environment was uniform and traits with high heritability were selected, and that it should be always included in an evaluation model, however slight any systematic environmental effect may be in a closed herd.     

Breeding objectives of Brangus cattle in Brazil

Our goal was to define a breeding objective for Brangus beef cattle in Brazil. Bioeconomic models were produced and used to estimate economic values (EVs). The scenarios simulated were typical full-cycle beef production systems that are used in tropical and subtropical regions. The breeding objective contained pregnancy rate (PR), warm carcass weight (WCW), mature cow weight (MCW), number of nematode eggs per gram of faeces (EPG) and tick count (TICK). Two models were used in series to estimate the EV. A deterministic model was used to simulate effects of PR, WCW and MCW on profitability with a constant parasite load. Subsequently, stochastic models were used to estimate economic values for TICK and EPG as consequences of their environmental effects on weight gains, mortality and health costs. The EV of PR, WCW, MCW, EPG and TICK, was US$1.59, US$2.11, −US$0.24, −US$5.35 and −US$20.88, respectively. Results indicate positive emphasis should be placed on PR (12.49%) and WCW (65.07%) with negative emphasis on MCW (13.92%), EPG (2.77%) and TICK (5.75%). In comparison with the indexes usually used, these results suggest a reformulation in the selection indexes of the beef production system in tropical and subtropical regions in order to obtain greater profitability.     

山黧豆低毒品种的筛选及栽培利用技术研究

对国内外引进的６５个山黧豆品种，经３年观察和农艺性状的测定以及β－草酰氨基丙酸（ＢＯＡＡ）、营养成分的分析，筛选出产量，蛋白质含量高，毒素含量低，经毒理学实验为安全饲用的黑龙江山黧豆－１，黑龙江山黧豆－２，西德山黧豆３个品种供生产中应用，还针对山黧豆作为饲草（料）推广应用中的播种量，磷肥施用量，压青及根茬肥效等栽培利用措施进行了探讨。     

Study on the association of BoLA-DRB3.2 alleles with clinical mastitis in Norwegian Red cows

Genotyping of bovine leucocyte antigen DRB3.2 (BoLA-DRB3.2) in a total of 523 Norwegian Red (NR) cows from two groups selected for high protein yield and low clinical mastitis, respectively, identified 27 previously reported BoLA-DRB3.2 alleles across the groups. Significant differences in BoLA-DRB3.2 allele frequencies were found between the selection groups. Alleles *13, *18, *22 and *27 had a significantly higher frequency in cows selected for low clinical mastitis, while alleles *3, *9, *11 and *26 had a higher frequency in cows selected for high protein yield. Associations between BoLA-DRB3.2 alleles and clinical mastitis were analysed based on mastitis data from 741,072 first-lactation NR cows, of which 452 were genotyped. Alleles *22 and *26 were found to be associated with increased clinical mastitis, while alleles *7, *11, *18 and *24 had a favourable effect on mastitis resistance. Contradictory results from different studies investigating associations between BoLA-DRB3.2 alleles and mastitis indicate that future studies should focus on associations of mastitis with BoLA haplotypes rather than with single BoLA genes.     

北方牧区奶牛饲养品种的选择

作者主要从北方牧区的自然气候条件、生态类型、饲养管理水平出发，结合牛品种特点以及经济效益对比分析，得出北方牧区奶牛最佳饲养品种为对北方牧区的自然条件和饲养方式有较强适应性的地方培育兼用型品种中国西门塔尔牛和三河牛，并初步探讨了我国奶牛业的发展战略。     

优选高校教材的探讨

教材选用是高校教材建设的一项基础性工作，是提高教学质量的关键。本文结合高校教材选用工作的实践，探讨如何提高教材选用质量。     

Responses in carcass lean pH at 24 hours post-mortem in lines of Large White pigs selected for growth rate on a fixed ration over a set time

A restricted maximum likelihood analysis applied to an animal model showed no significant differences (P > 0.05) in pH value of the longissimus dorsi measured at 24 h post-mortem (pH24) between high and low lines of Large White pigs selected over 4 years for post-weaning growth rate on restricted feeding. Genetic and phenotypic correlations between pH24 and production and carcass traits were estimated using all performance testing records combined with the pH24 measurements (5.05–7.02) on slaughtered animals. The estimate of heritability for pH24 was moderate (0.29 ± 0.18). Genetic correlations between pH24 and production or carcass composition traits, except for ultrasonic backfat (UBF), were not significantly different from zero. UBF had a moderate, positive genetic correlation with pH24 (0.24 ± 0.33). These estimates of genetic correlations affirmed that selection for increased growth rate on restricted feeding is likely to result in limited changes in pH24 and pork quality since the selection does not put a high emphasis on reduced fatness.     

冷季型草坪草混播配方优化组合筛选研究

在贵州气候条件下,通过对草地早熟禾、高羊茅、多年生黑麦草3种冷季型草坪草不同品种的19种混播配方进行了适应性和成坪品质的详细观察测定,筛选出了适应当地气候条件下的优化组合配方3种。     

中俄猪16个遗传标记基因位点的多态与繁殖性状的相关研究

检测了俄罗斯大白猪及萍乡华中二头乌猪１６个遗传标记基因位点的多态性,分析了二个猪种群体间在上述１６个基因位点上的遗传变异,探讨了所测遗传标记基因位点与种猪繁殖性状的相关性。同时,对两个猪种母猪体内抗红细胞抗原“天然抗体”的存在种类及效价与其繁殖性状的相关性进行了研究;     

Adaptive evolutionary expansion of the ribonuclease 6 in Rodentia

Ribonuclease 6 (RNase6 or RNase K6) is a protein that belongs to a superfamily thought to be the sole verte‐brate‐specific enzyme known for a wide range of physiological functions, including digestion, cytotoxicity, angiogenesis, male reproduction and host defense. In our study, 51 functional genes and 11 pseudogenes were identified from 27 Rodentia species. Intriguingly, in the 3 main lineages of rodents there were multiple RNase6s identified in all species of Ctenohystrica, whereas only a single RNase6 was observed in other Rodentia species examined except for 2 species in the mouse‐related clade. The evolutionary scenario of “birth (gene duplication) and death (gene deactivation)” and gene sorting have been demonstrated in Ctenohystrica. In addition, bursts of positive selection, diversification of isoelectric point and positive net charge have been identified in Ctenohystrica, especially at two key sites that are involved in antimicrobial function. Site Trp30 has undergone positive selection and Ile45 has changed into other residues in Group B and Group C of the Ctenohystrica. Our results demonstrated a complex and intriguing evolutionary pattern of rodent RNase6, and indicated that functional modification may have occurred, which establishes an important theoretical foundation for future functional assays in rodent RNase6.