Multi-Trait Single-Step Genomic Prediction for Milk Yield and Milk Components for Polish Holstein Population.

The objective of our study was to evaluate the predictive ability of a multi-trait genomic prediction model that accounts for interactions between marker effects to estimate heritability and genetic correlations of traits including 305-day milk yield, milk fat percentage, milk protein percentage, milk lactose percentage, and milk dry matter percentage in the Polish Holstein Friesian cow population. For this aim, 14,742 SNP genotype records for 586 Polish Holstein Friesian dairy cows from Poland were used. Single-Trait-ssGBLUP (ST) and Multi-Trait-ssGBLUP (MT) methods were used for estimation. We examined 305-day milk yield (MY, kg), milk fat percentage (MF, %), milk protein percentage (MP, %), milk lactose percentage (ML, %), and milk dry matter percentage (MDM, %). The results showed that the highest marker effect rank correlation was found between milk fat percentage and milk dry matter. The weakest marker effect rank correlation was found between ML and all other traits. Obtained accuracies of this study were between 0.770 and 0.882, and 0.773 and 0.876 for MT and ST, respectively, which were acceptable values. All estimated bias values were positive, which is proof of underestimation. The highest heritability value was obtained for MP (0.3029) and the lowest heritability value was calculated for ML (0.2171). Estimated heritability values were low for milk yield and milk composition as expected. The strongest genetic correlation was estimated between MDM and MF (0.4990) and the weakest genetic correlation was estimated between MY and ML (0.001). The genetic relations with milk yield were negative and can be ignored as they were not significant. In conclusion, multi-trait genomic prediction can be more beneficial than single-trait genomic prediction.

Comparison of the data mining and machine learning algorithms for predicting the final body weight for Romane sheep breed.

The current study aimed to predict final body weight (weight of fourth months of age to select the future reproducers) by using birth weight, birth type, sex, suckling weight, age at suckling weight, weaning weight, age at weaning weight, and age of final body weight for the Romane sheep breed. For this purpose, classification and regression tree (CART), multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), and support vector machine regression (SVR) algorithms were used for training (80%) and testing (20%) sets. Different data mining and machine learning algorithms were used to predict final body weight of 393 Romane sheep (238 female and 155 male animals) were used with different artificial intelligence algorithms. The best prediction model was obtained by CART model, both training and testing set. Constructed CART models indicated that sex, suckling weight, weaning weight, age of weaning weight, and age of final weight could be used as an indirect selection measure to get a superior sheep flock on the final body weight of Romane sheep. If genetically established, the Romane sheep whose sex is female, age of final weight is over 142 days, and weaning weight is over 28 kg could be chosen for affording genetic improvement in final body weight. In conclusion, the usage of CART procedure may be worthy of reflection for identifying breed standards and choosing superior sheep for meat yield in France.

Usage of the XGBoost and MARS algorithms for predicting body weight in Kajli sheep breed.

This study aimed to utilize the XGBoost and MARS algorithms to predict present weight from body measurements. The algorithms have the potential to model nonlinear relationships between body measurements and weight, and this study attempted to find a model that provided the most accurate predictions of present weight. The current study was conducted with 152 animals in order to achieve a certain goal. To compare the model performances, goodness-of-fit criteria such as R2, r, RMSE, CV, SDratio, PI, MAPE, AIC were used. According to the results of this study, the XGBoost algorithm was the most reliable model for predicting present weight from body measurement. Even if the XGBoost algorithm was the most accurate model, the MARS algorithm was the reliable model for the same aim. In addition, it is hoped that the results of this study will help researchers and breeders better understand the relationship between body measurements and weight and ultimately be able to help individuals better manage their weight. As a conclusion, in the current study, the XGBoost algorithm is an effective, efficient, and reliable tool for accurately estimating present weight from body measurements. This makes it an invaluable tool in rural areas, where traditional weighing scales may not be available or reliable.

Estimation of Body Weight Based on Biometric Measurements by Using Random Forest Regression, Support Vector Regression and CART Algorithms.

The study's main goal was to compare several data mining and machine learning algorithms to estimate body weight based on body measurements at a different share of Polish Merino in the genotype of crossbreds (share of Suffolk and Polish Merino genotypes). The study estimated the capabilities of CART, support vector regression and random forest regression algorithms. To compare the estimation performances of the evaluated algorithms and determine the best model for estimating body weight, various body measurements and sex and birth type characteristics were assessed. Data from 344 sheep were used to estimate the body weights. The root means square error, standard deviation ratio, Pearson's correlation coefficient, mean absolute percentage error, coefficient of determination and Akaike's information criterion were used to assess the algorithms. A random forest regression algorithm may help breeders obtain a unique Polish Merino Suffolk cross population that would increase meat production.

Use of Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines Algorithm to Predict Body Weight from Body Measurements of Anatolian buffaloes in Türkiye.

Anatolian buffalo is an important breed reared for meat and milk in various regions of Türkiye. The present study was performed to estimate body weight (BW) from several body measurements, such as tail length (TL), shoulder height (SH), withers height (WH), body length (BL), chest circumference (CC), shank diameter (SD) and birth weight (BiW). The data set was taken from Mus Province of Türkiye. In this respect, 171 Anatolian buffaloes were used. To estimate the BW, different proportions of the training and test sets were used with the MARS algorithm. The optimal MARS was determined at a proportion of 70-30%. The MARS model displays the heaviest BW that can be produced by Anatolian buffalo according to tail length, body length, chest circumference and shoulder height. In conclusion, it could be suggested that the MARS algorithm may allow animal breeders to obtain an elite population and to determine the body measurements affecting BW as indirect selection criteria for describing the breed description of Anatolian buffalo and aiding sustainable meat production and rural development in Türkiye.

Macromolecules Influence Cellular Competence and Expression Level of IGFs Genes in Bovine Oocytes In Vitro.

In vitro maturation (IVM) of mammalian oocytes, which influences subsequent in vitro development of embryos, is affected by the macromolecule content in culture media for the success of oocyte maturation competence, in which the cytoplasmic and nuclear reprogramming events occur. The insulin-like growth factor family (IGFs) promotes the maturation of bovine oocytes and the expansion of cumulus cells and also inhibits apoptosis. This study was, therefore, designed to examine the effects of macromolecules (bovine serum albumin, BSA; fetal calf serum, FCS; and polyvinyl alcohol, PVA) on in vitro nuclear maturation, total cellular protein, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzyme activity, and the gene expression level of IGF1, IGF2, and their receptor in bovine oocytes. Oocytes obtained from bovine ovaries were cultured in bicarbonate-buffered medium 199 supplemented with 4 mg/mL BSA, 10% FCS, 1 mg/mL PVA, and without macromolecule supplement (control) during 22 h in the air with a humidified atmosphere and 5% CO2 at 38.5 °C temperature. Supplementation of BSA and FCS increased (χ2 = 9.84; p < 0.05) the percentages of oocytes that reached metaphase II compared to the control and PVA. The amount of protein per ml of cell extracts of oocytes matured in FCS supplemented culture media was higher (p < 0.05) than the oocytes in the PVA and control. The levels of GPx enzyme activity in cell extracts isolated from oocytes in each experimental group did not change over time, but the GPx enzyme activity in oocytes matured in PVA-supplemented culture media was lower (p < 0.05) than in oocytes in the other experimental groups. Transcript for the IGF1 gene was not detected in all experimental groups, but the supplementation of BSA and FCS significantly elevated the transcript level of the IGF2 gene. In addition, the maturation of oocytes with BSA-supplemented media increased the transcript level of the IGF1R gene, whereas the transcript level of the IGF2R gene was similar among macromolecule supplementation groups. The current study concluded that BSA and FCS could improve in vitro bovine oocyte development due to supporting nuclear maturation and increasing the total cellular protein content, GPx enzyme, and transcript activity.

Comparison of Random Regression Models with Different Order Legendre Polynomials for Genetic Parameter Estimation on Race Completion Speed of Arabian Horses.

This work aimed to compare the fitting performance of the random regression models applied to the different order orthogonal Legendre polynomials on the race completion speed (m/s) of Arabian racing horses. Legendre polynomial function for additive genetic, permanent environmental variances and heritability values with the L(2,2), L(2,3), L(3,2) and L(3,3) models (where L(i,j) means L(order of fit for additive genetic effects, order of fit for permanent environmental effects)) was estimated. A total of 233,491 race speed records (m/s) of Arabian horses were taken from the Jockey Club of Turkey between 2005 and 2016. The mean and standard deviation of heritability values were estimated as 0.294 ± 0.0746, 0.285 ± 0.0620, 0.302 ± 0.0767 and 0.290 ± 0.1018 for L(2,2), L(2,3), L(3,2), and L(3,3), respectively. The steady decreasing trend of permanent environmental variances for L(2,2) provided stationery for heritability values. According to Akaike information criterion (AIC) and Bayesian information criterion (BIC) values, the L(2,2) model could be reliably used to estimate heritability values for the racing speed of Arabian horses in the presence of repeated observations.

Comparison of farm-level greenhouse gas emissions in transhumance and semi-intensive sheep production systems in continental rangelands.

Despite their predominance worldwide, few studies have been conducted to look at the impact of sheep production systems relying on transhumance practices in arid and continental conditions, on farm-level greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Using Turkey as an example, this paper examines on farm-level GHG emissions calculated for two contrasting sheep production systems under arid and continental climate conditions. Production and management data were obtained through face-to-face interviews carried out on 10 transhumance and 15 semi-intensive meat sheep farms in Turkey. A total of seven GHG emission estimates were then calculated for each farm with the Agricultural Resource Efficiency Calculator (AgRECalc©) tool; i) total Carbon Dioxide (CO2) from energy use (kg CO2e), ii) total Carbon Dioxide equivalent (CO2e) from methane (kg CO2e), iii) total CO2e from nitrous oxide (kg CO2e), iv) whole farm and enterprise CO2e emissions (kg CO2e), v) net emission from land use (kg CO2e), vi) whole farm CO2e emissions per kg of farm output (kg CO2e/kg output), vii) product CO2e emissions (meat): kg CO2e / kg live weight, and viii) farm output (kg of sheep). Multivariate analyses (using R software) were carried out to compare both farm types and their respective carbon emissions. The total farm output per ewe was lower in the transhumance farms (7.4 kg/ewe) than in the semi-intensive farms (7.7 kg/ewe). The kg CO2e per kg of output was also lower for the transhumance farms (46.2 kg CO2e) than for the semi-intensive ones (56.5 kg CO2e). This trend was similar for the amount of CO2e per kg of live weight produced (20.8 kg and 25.4 kg for the transhumance and the semi-intensive farms, respectively). Despite overall net emissions from land use being greater on average for the transhumance farms, once measured per hectare, they were found to be lower than those for the semi-intensive farms. This study provides a reference point for different sheep production systems' GHG emission impact in continental rangelands in Turkey.

Farmers' Risk Perception on Climate Change: Transhumance vs. Semi-Intensive Sheep Production Systems in Türkiye.

Sheep farmers' perceptions of climate change and its impacts and the adaptation strategies they consider to address these risks are of great importance in ensuring the resilience of farming practice. This study focused on sheep farmers' perception of climate change and the risks and actions taken to mitigate these impacts. A total of 68 surveys were carried out among sheep farmers (39 transhumance and 29 semi-intensive farmers) by two different representative production systems in Türkiye. Variables regarding the socio-economic profile, climate change impacts, and adaptation strategies were identified and analyzed. Principal component analysis and a Pearson Chi-square test were used to evaluate the data. Both farmers' groups accepted and perceived climate change, showing good awareness and perception. The farmers' attitudes towards adaptation to climate change were associated with production systems. Transhumance farmers had limited adaptation and coping strategies compared to semi-intensive farmers. Transhumance farmers focused mainly on selling livestock (mostly to cope with degraded natural grassland/feed deficiency) as an adaptive strategy. In contrast, semi-intensive farmers focused on modifying their farm management and feed operations, such as changing the feed ratio and supplement use, improving water and feed storage, and considering crop feed production. The knowledge obtained from this study could be helpful for farmers and policymakers who develop long-term small ruminant production strategies that consider the effects of climate change and adapt them to different farming systems in the Türkiye.

Forecasting Milking Efficiency of Dairy Cows Milked in an Automatic Milking System Using the Decision Tree Technique.

In barns equipped with an automatic milking system, the profitability of production depends primarily on the milking efficiency of a cow (ME; kg/min) defined as cow milk yield per minute of box time. This study was carried out on 1823 Polish Holstein−Friesian cows milked by the automatic milking system (AMS) in 20 herds. Selected milking parameters recorded by the AMS were analyzed in the research. The aim of the study was to forecast ME using two statistical techniques (analysis of variance and decision trees). The results of the analysis of variance showed that the average ME was 1.67 kg/min. ME was associated with: year of AMS operation (being the highest in the first year), number of cows per robot (the highest in robots with 61−75 cows), lactation number (highest for multiparas), season of calving (the highest in spring), age at first calving (>36 months), days in milk (151−250 days) and finally, rear quarter to total milk yield ratio (the highest between 51% and 55%). The decision tree predicted that the highest ME (2.01 kg/min) corresponded with cows that produced more than 45 kg of milk per day, were milked less than four times/day, had a short teatcup attachment time (<7.65 s) and were milked in robots that had an occupancy lower than 56 cows.

Growth and Slaughter Characteristics of Weaning Male Kids of Turkish Native Goat Breeds.

There is little knowledge about the carcass potential of Turkish native goat breeds raised under different rearing conditions. It is necessary to compare the carcass characteristics of these breeds to minimize the effect of the rearing conditions. Therefore, this study aims to compare the growth, slaughter, and carcass characteristics of male kids at weaning age to eliminate the impact of rearing conditions. Kids born to Angora (n = 6), Hair (n = 6), Honamli (n = 6), and Kilis (n = 6) Turkish native goat breeds, ranging in age from 2-3 years, were slaughtered at 90 days of weaning age and carcass characteristics were determined immediately. There were differences (p < 0.05) among breeds in terms of birth weight (BW) and daily weight gain (DWG) from birth to weaning age. Honamli kids had higher BW and DWG than those of other breeds (p < 0.05). Similarly, carcass weights (hot-cold) and yields (hot-cold) of Honamli kids were higher compared to kids born to other breeds (p < 0.05). Additionally, Honamli and Hair kids had higher longissimus-dorsi (LD), and semitendinosus (ST) muscle weights compared to Kilis and Angora kids. Interestingly, Kilis kids had lower BW and DWG than those of other breeds (p < 0.05). There were significant differences (p < 0.05) among breeds in terms of non-carcass parts and organ weights. Positive correlations were calculated between cross-sectional area and weight (r = 0.793; p < 0.01), length and weight (r = 0.723; p < 0.01), and depth and weight (r = 0.698; p < 0.01) in LD muscle of all kids. A similar correlation trend was calculated for the ST muscle (cross-sectional area and weight; r = 0.699; p < 0.01, length and weight; r = 0.751; p < 0.01, and depth and weight; r = 0.528; p < 0.05) in all kids. In conclusion, the present study results showed that Honamli kids could be used for fattening material due to their good carcass quality compared to other native breeds.

Genetic Parameters Estimation of Milking Traits in Polish Holstein-Friesians Based on Automatic Milking System Data.

The automatic milking system (AMS) provides a large amount of information characterizing the course of each milking cow, which is not available in the conventional system. The aim of our study was to estimate heritability and genetic correlations for milk yield (MY), milking frequency (MF), and speed (MS) for 1713 Polish Holstein-Friesian primiparous cows milked in barns with an AMS. Daily heritability indicators estimated using second-order Legendre polynomials and Random Regression Models showed high variation during lactation, ranging 0.131-0.345 for MY, 0.153-0.322 for MF, and 0.336-0.493 for MS. The rates of genetic correlation between traits ranged: 0.561-0.929 for MY-MF, (-0.255)-0.090 for MF-MS, (-0.174)-0.020 for MY-MS. It is possible to carry out effective selection for milking speed, which provides an opportunity to increase the number of cows per milking robot, and thus increase the profitability of production in the herd. The results proved that selection for milk yield and daily milking frequency is also feasible. The research showed a high, positive genetic correlation between milking frequency and milk yield, which allows us to conclude that preferring breeding cows with a natural tendency to frequent visits to the milking robot should indirectly improve the genetic basis of milking.

Placental Characteristics Classification of Various Native Turkish Sheep Breeds.

The aim of this study was to classify placental characteristics of Akkaraman, Morkaraman, Karayaka, Awassi, Malya, and Bafra sheep breeds using the hierarchical clustering method. In total, 240 individual data records were used as experimental material. Placental characteristics such as total cotyledon surface area, small and large cotyledon length, small cotyledon depth, etc. were used as explanatory variables to classify the breeds' characteristics. Hierarchical clustering was used with the nearest neighbour method with Euclidean distance in order to classify the sheep breeds' variations. As a result, six breeds were separated into three clusters: the first cluster consisted of Bafra, Karayaka, and Awassi breeds; the second consisted of Akkaraman and Malya breeds; and the third cluster included only the Morkaraman breed. Bafra and Karayaka were pointed as the nearest breeds, with a similarity of 98.7% in terms of placental characteristics. The similarity rate of the Akkaraman and Malya breeds was at a level of 97.5%, whereas it was 96.8% for Bafra, Karayaka, and Awassi breeds. The similarity of Akkaraman, Karayaka, Awassi, Malya, and Bafra sheep breeds was estimated as 95.7%. The overall similarity was found to be at a level of 93.2% among sheep breeds. The outcomes of the study might be useful as a selection tool for reproductivity and can be used to select the breed to be reared.

Effects of Feeding Honey Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) With Industrial Sugars Produced by Plants Using Different Photosynthetic Cycles (Carbon C3 and C4) on the Colony Wintering Ability, Lifespan, and Forage Behavior.

In the study, 130 honey bee colonies fed with different levels (5, 20, and 100 liters/colony) of various industrial commercial sugars, including High-Fructose Corn 85 (Fructose-85), High-Fructose Corn 55 (Fructose-55), Glucose Monohydrate (Glucose), Bee feed, and Sucrose syrups, for 2 mo were compared with colonies fed with no sugar (control) in terms of their colony development of worker bee population, hive weight, wax production, wintering ability, foraging behavior, and lifespan of worker bee. Utilization of industrial sugars by honey bee colonies showed differences in terms of colony performance and behavior parameters. Honey bees did not use Glucose heavily, resulting in 4% increase in worker bee loss in winter and 46% decrease in marked worker bee numbers over time when compared to the control. Sucrose syrup had a positive effect on wintering ability, wax production, and hive weight. While Sucrose had a positive effect (3-4%) on wintering ability, the 100 liters/colony sugar syrups of all other sugars had negative effects (6-15%). Sugars containing high levels of monosaccharide were not used effectively by honey bee colonies, whereas the sugars containing fructose and glucose at rates of 40 and 30% (Bee feed and Fructose-55), were utilized effectively. The lifespan of worker bees decreased over time in the 100 liters/colony of all sugars syrup. In conclusion, except Glucose, other industrial sugars can be used for promoting colonies at the beginning of the season (in spring). Industrial sugars except sucrose should not be used in order to meet carbohydrate needs of the colonies in winter.

A Comparative Study of Oral Health Parameters in Molar Incisor Hypomineralization and High-Caries-Risk Children Aged 8-11 Years.

OBJECTIVE: To compare oral health parameters: decayed missing filled teeth (dmft, DMFT), gingival index and plaque index in high-caries-risk children and children with molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A study group of 81 children affected by MIH (49 girls, 32 boys) aged 8-11 years (mean 9.4 ± 1.1) was race-, age- and sex-matched with 81 high-caries-risk children not affected by MIH (controls). The MIH and control groups were divided into four subgroups according to age. The oral health parameters of both groups were recorded under clinical conditions. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare the differences in the number of MIH-affected teeth between the groups. Other traits were evaluated with the ANOVA test, and Duncan's multiple comparison tests were used for comparing means. Linear and ordinal regression analyses were used to model the variables. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 9.4 ± 1.1 years, and the mean number of affected teeth was 7.7 (range 3-12) in the MIH group. The number of affected teeth and severity of MIH did not change significantly with age and sex (p > 0.05). A comparison of the oral health parameters of MIH-affected and control children according to groups did not show any statistically significant differences between the groups for all parameters for all groups (p > 0.05) with the exception of DMFT values at 10 years of age (p < 0.05). In a comparison of the total scores without taking age into account, the children with MIH showed a significantly higher DMFT value than the children without MIH (p < 0.05), but there were no significant differences between the dmft, GI and PI values of the study groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The children in the MIH group had higher DMFT than those without MIH. Hence, the presence of MIH could have a detrimental effect on oral health parameters, especially on DMFT values.

Detection of adulterated honey produced by honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies fed with different levels of commercial industrial sugar (C3 and C4 plants) syrups by the carbon isotope ratio analysis.

In the present study, one hundred pure and adulterated honey samples obtained from feeding honeybee colonies with different levels (5, 20 and 100 L/colony) of various commercial sugar syrups including High Fructose Corn Syrup 85 (HFCS-85), High Fructose Corn Syrup 55 (HFCS-55), Bee Feeding Syrup (BFS), Glucose Monohydrate Sugar (GMS) and Sucrose Sugar (SS) were evaluated in terms of the δ(13)C value of honey and its protein, difference between the δ(13)C value of protein and honey (Δδ(13)C), and C4% sugar ratio. Sugar type, sugar level and the sugar type*sugar level interaction were found to be significant (P<0.001) regarding the evaluated characteristics. Adulterations could not be detected in the 5L/colony syrup level of all sugar types when the δ(13)C value of honey, Δδ(13)C (protein-honey), and C4% sugar ratio were used as criteria according to the AOAC standards. However, it was possible to detect the adulteration by using the same criteria in the honeys taken from the 20 and 100 L/colony of HFCS-85 and the 100L/colony of HFCS-55. Adulteration at low syrup level (20 L/colony) was more easily detected when the fructose content of HFCS syrup increased. As a result, the official methods (AOAC, 978.17, 1995; AOAC, 991.41, 1995; AOAC 998.12, 2005) and Internal Standard Carbon Isotope Ratio Analysis could not efficiently detect the indirect adulteration of honey obtained by feeding the bee colonies with the syrups produced from C3 plants such as sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) and wheat (Triticium vulgare). For this reason, it is strongly needed to develop novel methods and standards that can detect the presence and the level of indirect adulterations.

Knowledge of medical hospital emergency physicians about the first-aid management of traumatic tooth avulsion.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of emergency medical physicians employed in hospital emergency rooms as to their potential role in the treatment for traumatic teeth avulsion injuries (TTAI). METHODS: A 15-item questionnaire was distributed to the emergency rooms of one university and 10 public hospitals. The questionnaire gathered data on the respondents' professional profiles and self-assessed perceived knowledge and actual knowledge of the emergency management of TTAIs. RESULTS: The study was implemented with 69 emergency physicians present at their workplaces during the time of data collection. Of these, 55 (79.7%) were employed at public hospitals and 14 (20.3%) at a university hospital. The professional profiles indicated that 47 (68.1%) of the participants were general practitioners and the remaining 22 (31.9%) were distributed among various other medical specialties. Overall, 28 respondents (40.6%) assessed their knowledge regarding medical treatment for TTAI as insufficient, and the majority (78.3%) stated that they would like further education. Importantly, a large majority of practitioners could not provide correct answers to questions related to the emergency management of TTAI. CONCLUSION: There is a need to improve the knowledge of emergency medical physicians regarding the emergency treatment for TTAI.