Economic values of reproductive, growth, feed efficiency and carcass traits in Nellore cattle.

A bioeconomic model was developed to calculate the economic value (ev) of reproductive and growth performance, feed efficiency and carcass traits of a seedstock Nellore herd. Data from a full-cycle cattle operation (1,436 dams) located in the Brazilian Cerrado were assessed. The ev was calculated by the difference in profit before and after one-unit improvement in the trait, with others remaining unchanged. The ev was standardized by the phenotypic standard deviation of each trait. Preweaning average daily gain (ADG) was the most economically important trait evaluated (R$ 58.04/animal/year), followed by age at first calving (R$ 44.35), postweaning ADG (R$ 31.43), weight at 450 days (R$ 25.36), accumulated productivity (R$ 21.43), ribeye area (R$ 21.35), calving interval (R$ 19.97), feed efficiency (R$ 15.24), carcass dressing per cent (R$ 8.27), weight at 120 days (R$ 6.22), weight at 365 days (R$ 6.06), weight at weaning (210 days, R$ 5.82), stayability (R$ 5.70) and the probability of early calving (R$ 0.32). The effects of all traits on profits are evidence that their selection may result in the economic and genetic progress of the herd if there is genetic variability.

Possibilities of Using Chia Oil As an Omega-3 Source in Laying Quail Diets Chia Oil Supplementation on Quails

This study aims to investigate the effects of different levels of chia (Salvia Hispanica L.) seed oil supplementation as omega-3 source to the diets of laying quails on yield performance, egg quality, and egg yolk fatty acid profiles. The study was conducted including 4 treatment groups as follows: C0 (0 g/kg diet), C1 (1 g/kg diet), C2 (2 g/kg diet), and C3 (3 g/kg diet). In the study, 96 female quails at the age of 18 weeks were used and the trial was carried out for 4 weeks. As a result, it was determined that chia seed oil supplementation to the diet was not effective on feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, egg yield, or egg weight of quails, but it was effective on the yolk index of egg quality characteristics (p<0.05). The most important effect of chia seed oil supplementation to the diet was determined to be on the omega-3/omega-6 ratio of egg yolk. Dietary chia seed oil increased the omega-3/omega-6 ratio (p<0.01). It can be stated that increasing the level of omega-3 in the diets, positively affects the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)/saturated fatty acid (SFA) ratio.(AU)

Suitability of different levels of sunflower cake from biodiesel production as feed ingredient for lamb production

The objective of this study was to evaluate performance traits, intake, nutrient apparent digestibility, and economic analysis of lambs fed diets containing different levels of sunflower cake (SFC) with a certain chemical composition. Thirty-six Santa Inês × Dorper lambs (n = 9 per treatment diet) with an average body weight (BW) of 19.5±2.19 kg at the beginning of the study were randomly allocated to four isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets for 63 days. A control diet without SFC was compared with diets containing 5, 10, and 15% of dietary dry matter (DM) of SFC replacing soybean meal and corn. Growth performance and economic indicators were calculated. Moreover, individual faeces were collected using canvas bags to evaluate the apparent digestibility of nutrients between days 30 and 45 of study. The total BW gain linearly decreased with the inclusion of SFC in the lamb diet. However, no differences among treatments were observed for final BW, average daily gain, average daily feed intake, or feed conversion ratio. The inclusion of different levels of SFC in the diet reduced the intakes of DM as g/kg BW and non-fibre carbohydrates on DM basis. The apparent digestibility of all nutrients studied improved with the inclusion of 5% SFC but decreased with diets containing 10 or 15% of SFC. Moreover, the higher benefit:cost ratio was obtained for diet containing 5% SFC. Therefore, SFC from biodiesel production could be used at levels of 5% in lamb rations, reducing feeding costs without worsening productive performance, nutrient intake, and digestibility at the ages studied.(AU)

Unraveling genomic associations with feed efficiency and body weight traits in chickens through an integrative approach.

BACKGROUND: Feed efficiency and growth rate have been targets for selection to improve chicken production. The incorporation of genomic tools may help to accelerate selection. We genotyped 529 individuals using a high-density SNP chip (600 K, Affymetrix®) to estimate genomic heritability of performance traits and to identify genomic regions and their positional candidate genes associated with performance traits in a Brazilian F2 Chicken Resource population. Regions exhibiting selection signatures and a SNP dataset from resequencing were integrated with the genomic regions identified using the chip to refine the list of positional candidate genes and identify potential causative mutations. RESULTS: Feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FC), feed efficiency (FE) and weight gain (WG) exhibited low genomic heritability values (i.e. from 0.0002 to 0.13), while body weight at hatch (BW1), 35 days-of-age (BW35), and 41 days-of-age (BW41) exhibited high genomic heritability values (i.e. from 0.60 to 0.73) in this F2 population. Twenty unique 1-Mb genomic windows were associated with BW1, BW35 or BW41, located on GGA1-4, 6-7, 10, 14, 24, 27 and 28. Thirty-eight positional candidate genes were identified within these windows, and three of them overlapped with selection signature regions. Thirteen predicted deleterious and three high impact sequence SNPs in these QTL regions were annotated in 11 positional candidate genes related to osteogenesis, skeletal muscle development, growth, energy metabolism and lipid metabolism, which may be associated with body weight in chickens. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a high-density SNP array to identify QTL which were integrated with whole genome sequence signatures of selection allowed the identification of candidate genes and candidate causal variants. One novel QTL was detected providing additional information to understand the genetic architecture of body weight traits. We identified QTL for body weight traits, which were also associated with fatness in the same population. Our findings form a basis for further functional studies to elucidate the role of specific genes in regulating body weight and fat deposition in chickens, generating useful information for poultry breeding programs.

Sistema de cama profunda en la producción porcina a pequeña escala / Deep bedding system in the swine production at small scale

Con el objetivo de evaluar el sistema de cama profunda para la crianza porcina a pequeña escala en Cuba, se realizó un experimento en el que se utilizaron 72 cerdos (machos castrados y hembras) de la raza YL (Camborough) de aproximadamente 21 kg de peso vivo y 75 días de edad distribuidos en un diseño de experimentos en bloques al azar en dos tratamientos (T1, cama profunda basada en heno de gramíneas y T2, piso de concreto) con cuatro repeticiones por tratamiento. Los animales de ambos tratamientos consumieron un alimento balanceado de mediana calidad basado en harina de soya y maíz y un 30 por ciento del subproducto cubano del trigo (subproducto de la molinería del trigo en la industria alimenticia cubana), con miel enriquecida de caña de azúcar. Se midieron los rasgos de comportamiento animal hasta el peso de sacrificio (100 kg). Hubo diferencias significativas en el consumo y la conversión alimentaria (P<0,05) entre los cerdos alojados en cama profunda y piso de concreto: 2,53; 2,74; 3,42 y 3,63, respectivamente. Se observaron diferencias significativas (P<0,01) para el nitrógeno y fósforo en el material de la cama al final de la experiencia en comparación al inicio: 1,79 y 0,58, respectivamente. No hubo presencia de Salmonella spp ni huevos de helmintos, por lo que la calidad sanitaria de la cama al final del estudio permitió continuar con el segundo ciclo de crianza. Se ahorraron 177 m³ de agua con este sistema. Se concluye que el sistema de crianza porcina en cama profunda evaluado genera un impacto económico y ambiental importante con respecto al sistema de crianza convencional que sienta las bases para la generalización de esta tecnología a pequeña y mediana escala en Cuba.

To evaluate the deep bedding system for the swine production in Cuba at small scale, it was carried out this experiment. Seventy two pigs (castrated males and females), YL (Camborough) cross, of approximately 21 Kg live weight and 75 days average age were used. The pigs were distributed into a random block design with two treatments (T1, deep bedding based on gramineous hay and T2, concrete floor). The animal performance traits (up to approximately 100 kg live weight) were studied. The animals of both treatments consumed a balanced feed based on soybean and corn meal and 30 percent of the wheat Cuban byproduct (byproduct of the wheat milling in the Cuban feeding industry), with enriched sugar cane molasses. There were significant differences for the consumption and the alimentary conversion (P<0.05) to the pigs housed in deep bedding system respecting to the pigs housed in concrete floor: 2.53, 2.74; 3.42 and 3.63, respectively. Significant differences were obtained (P<0.01) for the nitrogen and the phosphorous in the bedding material at the end of the experience: 1.79 and 0.58, respectively. There was not presence of Salmonella spp. neither helmints eggs. The sanitary quality of the bedding material, at the end of the study guaranteed to continue with a second production cycle. It was saved 177 m³ of water with this system. It was conclude that the evaluated deep bedding system for the swine production generates an important economic and environmental impact respecting to the conventional housing system and offers the main aspects to generalize this technology to the small and medium scale in Cuba.

Reproductive rates and performance traits in females beef cattle showing serum reaction to Neospora caninum / Coeficientes reprodutivos e características de desempenho em matrizes bovinas de corte sororeagentes para Neospora caninum

Reproductive rates and performance traits in females beef cattle showing serum reaction to Neospora caninum were evaluated in a farm at São Paulo State, Brazil. Guzerá and Nelore purebred animals were bred under extensive management and the breeding season lasted three months, during the summer. The clinical evaluation of the reproductive tract of bulls and spermiogram were performed before the breading season. Body condition score and weight were evaluated at the end of the breeding season. Pregnancy diagnosis were performed 60 days after the end of the breeding season by rectal palpation. Serological tests (ELISA) were performed in females at the end of the breeding season and after the calving season. Neospora caninum did not interfere in the pregnancy rates of both serum reaction (83.3%) and non serum reaction (73.9%) females (p>0.05). It did not reduce the parturition rate of both serum reaction (85.0%) and non serum reaction (83.3%) females (p>0.05). Neospora caninum did not affect body condition score and weight of pregnant and non-pregnant and calved and uncalved females (p>0.05). It was concluded that, in the herd studied, raised in the climatic conditions and management described, there was no association between serum reactivity and pregnancy rates, parturition rates and performance traits.

Foram avaliados os índices reprodutivos e características de desempenho de vacas bovinas de corte, soro reagentes para Neospora caninum, criadas em manejo extensivo, com monta natural, em fazenda da região norte do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Os animais das raças Guzerá e Nelore tiveram um ciclo reprodutivo completo avaliado desde a cobertura até a parição. Somente foram utilizados touros aprovados em exame andrológico. A estação de monta foi realizada no verão e teve três meses de duração. O diagnóstico de gestação foi realizado por palpação retal, 60 dias após o término da estação de monta. O sorodiagnóstico do Neospora caninum (teste ELISA) foi executado no final da estação de monta e após a estação de nascimentos. A condição corporal e peso das matrizes foram avaliados no final da estação de monta. A sororeatividade para Neospora caninum não apresentou associação com os índices de prenhez de reagentes (83,3%) e não reagentes (73,9%) (p>0,05) e tampouco de parição de reagentes (85,0%) e não reagentes (83,3%) (p>0,05). Também não foram afetados a condição corporal e o peso de vacas prenhas ou vazias e paridas ou não paridas (p>0,05). Concluiu-se que no rebanho estudado, nas condições climáticas e de manejo adotadas, os índices de prenhez e parição, bem como as características de desempenho não apresentaram associação com a sororeatividade para Neospora caninum.

Reproductive rates and performance traits in females beef cattle showing serum reaction to Neospora caninum / Coeficientes reprodutivos e características de desempenho em matrizes bovinas de corte sororeagentes para Neospora caninum

Reproductive rates and performance traits in females beef cattle showing serum reaction to Neospora caninum were evaluated in a farm at São Paulo State, Brazil. Guzerá and Nelore purebred animals were bred under extensive management and the breeding season lasted three months, during the summer. The clinical evaluation of the reproductive tract of bulls and spermiogram were performed before the breading season. Body condition score and weight were evaluated at the end of the breeding season. Pregnancy diagnosis were performed 60 days after the end of the breeding season by rectal palpation. Serological tests (ELISA) were performed in females at the end of the breeding season and after the calving season. Neospora caninum did not interfere in the pregnancy rates of both serum reaction (83.3%) and non serum reaction (73.9%) females (p>0.05). It did not reduce the parturition rate of both serum reaction (85.0%) and non serum reaction (83.3%) females (p>0.05). Neospora caninum did not affect body condition score and weight of pregnant and non-pregnant and calved and uncalved females (p>0.05). It was concluded that, in the herd studied, raised in the climatic conditions and management described, there was no association between serum reactivity and pregnancy rates, parturition rates and performance traits.

Foram avaliados os índices reprodutivos e características de desempenho de vacas bovinas de corte, soro reagentes para Neospora caninum, criadas em manejo extensivo, com monta natural, em fazenda da região norte do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Os animais das raças Guzerá e Nelore tiveram um ciclo reprodutivo completo avaliado desde a cobertura até a parição. Somente foram utilizados touros aprovados em exame andrológico. A estação de monta foi realizada no verão e teve três meses de duração. O diagnóstico de gestação foi realizado por palpação retal, 60 dias após o término da estação de monta. O sorodiagnóstico do Neospora caninum (teste ELISA) foi executado no final da estação de monta e após a estação de nascimentos. A condição corporal e peso das matrizes foram avaliados no final da estação de monta. A sororeatividade para Neospora caninum não apresentou associação com os índices de prenhez de reagentes (83,3%) e não reagentes (73,9%) (p>0,05) e tampouco de parição de reagentes (85,0%) e não reagentes (83,3%) (p>0,05). Também não foram afetados a condição corporal e o peso de vacas prenhas ou vazias e paridas ou não paridas (p>0,05). Concluiu-se que no rebanho estudado, nas condições climáticas e de manejo adotadas, os índices de prenhez e parição, bem como as características de desempenho não apresentaram associação com a sororeatividade para Neospora caninum.

Reproductive rates and performance traits in beef cattle infected by Bovine Herpesvirus / Índices reprodutivos e características de desempenho em bovinos decorte infectados pelo Herpevírus Bovino 1

Reproductive rates and performance traits in beef cattle females infected by Herpesvirus Bovine-1 (BoHV-1) were evaluated in a farm at São Paulo state, Brazil. Gir, Guzerá, Nelore and Caracu purebred animals were examinated to BoHV-1 (ELISA) at the beginning of the breeding season and the occurrence of reactors was 54.2% (386/712). BoHV-1 did not interfere in the pregnancy rates of both reagent 80.3% (310/386) and non-reagent - 74.5% (243/326) females. It did not reduce the parturition rate of both reagent - 97.7% (300/307) and non-reagent - 93.8% (225/240) females. Total rate of stillbirths in BoHV-1 reagent females - 1.3% (4/300) did not differ from non-reagent females - 2.2% (5/225). BoHV-1 did not affect performance traits for reagent and non-reagent females, respectivelly, to daily weight gain during the breeding season (459.90 ± 2.82g and 466.63 ± 2.87g), body condition score at the beginning of the breeding season (6.89 ± 0.08 and 6.99 ± 0.08), body condition score at the end of the breeding season (7.73 ± 0.06 and 7.71 ± 0.06), weight at parturition (419.17 ± 3.34kg and 425.97 ± 3.22kg). It was concluded that non-vaccinated beef cattle females infected by BoHV-1 and bred under adequate extensive management, with body condition scare over 5 and gain of weight during the breeding season presented good pregnancy, parturition and birth rates, no matter the breed, genetic group, age and seroconvertion. (AU)

Avaliou-se índices reprodutivos e características de desempenho em fêmeas bovinas de corte, infectadas pelo Herpesvírus Bovino-l (BoHV-1), em um rebanho no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Animais das raças Gir, Guzerá, Nelore e Caracu foram monitorados no início da estação de monta e a sororeatividade ao BoHV-1 pelo teste ELISA foi 54,2% (386/712). O BoHV-1 não interferiu no índice de prenhez de matrizes reagentes - 80,3% (310/386) e não reagentes - 74,5% (243/326) e nem reduziu a taxa de parição de matrizes reagentes - 97,7% (300/307) e não reagentes - 93,8% (225/240). O coeficiente de natimortalidade de matrizes reagentes ao BoHV-1 - 1,3% (4/300) não diferiu da encontrada para as não reagentes - 2,2% (5/225). O BoHV-1 não afetou a média de algumas características de desempenho de fêmeas reagentes e não reagentes, respectivamente, como ganho de peso médio diário durante a estação de monta (459,90 ± 2,82g e 466,63 ± 2,87g), condição corporal na entrada da estação de monta (6,89 ± 0,08 e 6,99 ± 0,08), condição corporal na saída da estação de monta (7,73 ± 0,06 e 7,71 ± 0,06) e peso à parição (419,17 ± 3,34kg e 425,97 ± 3,22kg). Concluiu-se que matrizes de corte infectadas pelo BoHV-1 e não vacinadas, criadas sob condições adequadas de manejo zootécnico extensivo e nutricional, como escore corporal acima de 5 e ganho de peso durante a estação de monta, apresentaram bons índices de prenhez, parição e natalidade, independente da raça, grupo genético, faixa etária e soroconversão.(AU)

Estudo da divergência genética entre linhas de suínos utilizando técnicas de análise multivariada / Genetic divergence study of swine lines by multivariate analysis techniques

A divergência genética entre duas linhas de suínos da raça Large White foi avaliada utilizando-se técnicas de análise multivariada. Foram incluídas no estudo três características de desempenho - conversão alimentar, espessura de toucinho corrigida para 100kg e ganho de peso médio diário para machos - e cinco reprodutivas - idade da porca ao primeiro parto, número de leitões nascidos vivos, número de leitões aos 21 dias e pesos da leitegada ao nascimento e aos 21 dias. Os dados foram agrupados em três arquivos. O primeiro constituiu-se de informações das características de desempenho avaliadas nos machos, o segundo continha informações reprodutivas, considerando parições até a quarta ordem e o último foi formado por informações de desempenho e reprodutivas das matrizes referentes ao primeiro parto. A análise de variância indicou a existência de divergência genética entre as duas linhas. Os resultados dos testes de união-interseção de Roy evidenciaram superioridade das linhas para características distintas, indicando a possibilidade de explorar a complementaridade em cruzamentos envolvendo as duas linhas. Foi encontrada diferença significativa pelo teste F para os escores obtidos pela aplicação da função discriminante linear de Fisher obtida na análise de cada arquivo que mostra, também, a existência da divergência genética entre as linhas de suínos.(AU)

The genetic divergence between two Large White swine lines was evaluated by multivariate analysis techniques. Three performance traits (feed conversion, back fat thickness adjusted for 100kg and average daily weight gain for males) and five reproductive traits (age at first farrowing, total number of piglets born alive, total number of piglets at 21 days, litter birth weight and at 21 days) were evaluated in this study. Data were grouped in three files. The first file consisted of male performance traits, the second of reproductive traits and the last of female performance and reproductive traits concerning the first farrowing. Multivariate analysis results showed a significant genetic divergence between lines. The Roy union-intersection test showed superiority of lines for different traits, suggesting that complementarity could be explored in crosses of the lines. Significant difference for the scores of Fisher linear discriminate function, in the analysis of each file also showed genetic divergence between the swine lines.(AU)