Research opportunities in the field of animal genetic resources

Animal genetic resources are those animal species that are used, or may be used, for the production of food and agriculture, and the populations within each of them. The working unit of a database for farm animal genetic resources is the breed, a term taken in its widest possible sense to mean a population within the species, possessing a number of particular traits that permit the grouping of these animals under a common label and are associated to geographical areas and human groups. Research opportunities cover a wide range of thematic areas. The biggest gap in knowledge is animal breeding for local populations in harsh environments. There is also a lack of research in functional genetics and genomics of adaptation and disease resistance traits. By comparison, breed characterization, in particular molecular characterization, has been a more popular research subject. The same can be said for conservation, although some fundamental questions on genetic diversity and risk of its loss are still unanswered. Research is required to understand the socio-economic, infrastructural, technical and formal constraints that limit the operation of sustainable conservation programs in less developed countries. Information systems on animal genetic resources need input from research and data capture networks, in order to achieve a reasonable degree of completeness. Economic analysis and issues related to gene flow and access and benefit sharing should also profit from more research.     

Estimation of some productive and reproductive effects on longevity of beef cows using survival analysis

Longevity of beef cows defined as the length of productive life from first calving to culling was estimated in this study. Data from 1800 cows belonging to Hereford, Angus, Simmental, Charolais, Limousin and Blonde d' Aquitaine breeds were analysed using survival method. The results indicate effects of breed, calving season, and calving difficulty on longevity (P < 0.05); however, herd, age of the cow at first calving, sex and weaning weight of their calves did not affect (P > 0.05) the length of productive life. Hereford had significantly greater (10.3 years) estimated length of productive life than Angus (8.1 years), Simmental (7.9 years), and Charolais (7.1 years), which had similar estimated longevity. Limousin (5.9 years) and Blonde d' Aquitaine (5.2 years) were similar in estimated longevity, but less than the other breeds studied. Cows that calved first in spring or summer were estimated to have longer productive life (7.2 years and 9.9 years) and less risk of early culling than those calving in autumn (5.7 years) and in winter (5.1 years). Longer productive life (6.2 years) was estimated across breeds for cows calving without assistance or with a little assistance (6.9 years) compared to those needing veterinary assistance (2.8 years) or having stillbirth (4.6 years). The results highlight that breed, calving season and calving difficulty of beef cows may have important effects on length of productive life. Special attention should be devoted to these effects.     

Ileal and total tract digestibility in local (Mong Cai) and exotic (Landrace × Yorkshire) piglets fed low and high-fibre diets, with or without enzyme supplementation

Ileal and total tract digestibility of low and high-fibre diets (100 and 200 g/kg neutral detergent fibre), with or without enzyme supplementation (mixture of cellulase, β-glucanase, α-amylase and protease) was determined in piglets of two breeds weaned at 30 days of age. The breeds were local (pure-breed Mong Cai, MC) and exotic (Landrace × Yorkshire, LY). The experimental diets were based on maize meal, soybean meal, fish meal, cassava residue meal, and rice bran. Cassava residue meal and rice bran were the main fibrous feeds in the high-fibre diet. The experiment was arranged according to a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial, completely randomized design with 4 replications, and lasted for 30 days. The coefficient of ileal apparent digestibility (CIAD) was measured by analyzing ileal digesta collected from piglets killed at 60 days of age. The coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) was measured by analyzing faecal samples collected for 5 consecutive days immediately before the experiment finished. The CIAD and CTTAD of organic matter, crude protein, crude fibre, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and amino acids in the high-fibre diet were lower than in the low-fibre diet (P < 0.01). The CIAD of nutrients and amino acids was similar (P > 0.05) between MC and LY, while the CTTAD of nutrients was higher for the MC than for LY (P < 0.05). Enzyme supplementation of the high-fibre diet improved daily gain and the digestibility of all dietary components at the ileum and in the total tract (P < 0.05), but there was no effect of enzyme supplementation of the low-fibre diet (P > 0.05).     

婆罗门牛的引种及改良云南黄牛的效果

本文较详细地介绍了世界优良瘤牛品种－－波罗门牛的品种特征、繁殖性能、生长发育特点和产肉性能,以及其主要的生物学特性和适应性,对婆罗门牛成功引种做了切实可行的研究,分析了婆罗门牛疾病发生率,公牛精液品质等。系统地研究了婆罗门牛引入我国南方特别是西南低纬度、高海拔条件下与云南本地黄牛的杂交改良效果。     

牛鞭草资源农艺性状和育种研究

牛鞭草是热带、亚热带优良牧草种质资源,许多国家对其进行了开发利用。本文总结了不同国家对牛鞭草 农艺性状和育种的研究进展,表明牛鞭草是一种适应性广、产量高、抗逆性强的优良牧草。     

Genetics of fear in ruminant livestock

We provide first an overview of studies on ruminant livestock that emphasises an inter-individual variability and a relative intra-individual consistency in fear responsiveness. Then, we provide evidence that genetic factors underlie fear responsiveness. We discuss problems that may hinder the genetic evaluation and the application of fearfulness traits for genetic selection in livestock. These problems include the absence of validation in experimental designs, the complexity of fear-related responses, and the interaction between genetic factors and environmental influences that limit the consistency in fear-related responses. Some possible welfare consequences of current selection programs are also considered. Finally, we discuss the possibility for including fear criteria in current selection programs and consider how such approaches may have considerable promise in ruminant livestock. More particularly, we outline current knowledge about how genes control fearfulness. Even if fear-related responses in ruminant livestock are complex, the capacity to select on fear-related criteria or even perhaps on genes that confer fearfulness traits has the potential to significantly enhance our ability to optimise livestock for their production environment and reduce the potential for compromise to their welfare.     

湘研十一号辣椒的选育

湘研十一号是以９００４为母本、９００１为父本配制的一代杂种,极早熟,株型紧凑,果长中等,青熟果深绿色,座果率高,抗病性强,６６７ｍ＾２ 量２６５４ｋｇ,比对照组湘研一号平均增产１６％。     

Serum enzymes levels and influencing factors in three indigenous Ethiopian goat breeds

Serum enzymes were studied in 163 apparently healthy goats from three indigenous goat breeds of Ethiopia. The effect of breed, age, sex and season on alanine aminotransferase (ALT) / glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) / glutamic oxalacetic transaminases (GOT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (AcP) levels was assessed. The mean serum enzymes levels of the indigenous Arsi-Bale, Central Highland and Long-eared Somali goat breeds ranged from 14.0–20.2 iu L⁻¹ for ALT/GPT, from 43.2–49.3 iu L⁻¹ for AST/GOT, from 83.7–98.8 iu L⁻¹ for ALP, and from 2.99–4.23 iu L⁻¹ for AcP, were within the normal range for goats elsewhere. Breed had significant influence on AST/GOT values. Sex had significant effect on ALT/GPT for Arsi-Bale goats with higher values in males than females. Age was significant on all serum enzymes studied in the Arsi-Bale goats and on ALP in the Central Highland goats. Season had significant influence on all serum enzymes except for ALT/GPT in the Arsi-Bale goats. The serum enzyme levels of these indigenous goat breeds can be used as normal reference values for Ethiopian goat breeds adapted to similar agro-ecology and production system.     

The epidemiology of paramphistomosis of sheep (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ovis aries</Emphasis> L.) in the north west temperate Himalayan region of India

An epidemiological study with the objective to assess the prevalence of paramphistomosis in association with season, age, sex and breed was carried out in naturally infected sheep over a period of two years from February 2005 to January 2007. Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and faecal examination were conducted monthly to monitor the seasonal occurrence of paramphistomosis. 793 sheep were examined in the first year, out of which 7.06% were positive for Paramphistomum infection. In the second year, 740 animals were investigated and 7.7% were infected. The overall prevalence of paramphistomosis was 7.3% with a mean of 56.50 ± 0.50 and 95% confidence interval (CI) (lower bound: 50.1469; upper bound: 62.8531). The prevalence of paramphistomosis through GIT examination (P = 0.593) was 7.6% at 95% CI (lower bound: −19.1186; upper bound: 57.1186) and the prevalence through faecal examination (P = 0.884) was 7.2% at 95% CI (lower bound: 5.7345; upper bound: 69.2655). Generally, season and age were the factors found to have a significant influence on the risk of paramphistomosis in sheep. The highest infection was found in the summer season (P < 0.005); lower age groups (P < 0.005) in males and in migratory (Bhakarwal) breed (P ≥ 0.005). Winter, adult animals, females and local breed reported low infection. The present study will be of great significance to understand the epidemiology of gastrointestinal helminthes of sheep initially in the resource poor communities of Himalayan region and will definitely be helpful to devise appropriate control strategies for paramphistomosis.     

湘南地区辣椒冬播春育规模型育苗技术探讨

从辣椒品种选择、播种量确定、不同多效唑浓度调控等3个方面研究了湘南地区辣椒冬播春育规模型育苗技术,结果表明,湘研15号、丰泰21号2个品种在湘南地区苗期表现较好;规模化育苗以每1 m2播种8-10 g为宜;喷施200 mg/I,的多效唑能提高壮苗素质.