Abstracted/indexed

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) is one of the important endocrine hormones that plays a role in regulating growth and development of animals. In this study, we found two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the exon3 region of IGF1 in the Shitou goose. IGF1 mRNA was extensively expressed in various tissues, with high abundant expression in the liver, breast muscle and leg muscle at three growth stages. This provides a foundation for regulatory mechanisms of IGF1 in geese.

In this study, the meat quality traits and fatty acid composition of Hair Goat and Saanen × Hair Goat (G₁) crossbred kids fattened under intensive, semi-intensive and extensive conditions were determined. The conjugate linoleic acid contents of Hair Goat kids were respectively measured as 0.48 %, 0.55 % and 0.65 %. The conjugate linoleic acid contents of Saanen × Hair Goat (G₁) kids were respectively measured as 0.52 %, 0.58 % and 0.73 %.

As part of the development of a breeding programme for dairy goats to support sustainable production, we aimed to identify selection traits measured in regular milk recording. In summary, the length of the animal's productive life, lifetime efficiency, and the milk yield efficiency with respect the total number of lactating days are suitable traits to indicate lifetime productivity in dairy goats. Breeding associations must now decide which traits to implement in the breeding programme.

Tibetan pigs are well adapted to high-altitude environments with a set of physiological features for more efficient blood flow for oxygen delivery under hypobaric hypoxia. We established the anatomy, physiology and molecular characteristics of the lung adaptive intelligence. Our finding suggest that the lung genetic mechanism of hypoxic adaptation in Tibetan pigs is valuable to understand.

Few studies have addressed the application of forage palm bran (FPB) in horse nutrition. The results of this study demonstrated that the inclusion of up to 15 % FPB as a substitute for commercial concentrate in the diet of horses did not negatively influence feed intake or nutrient digestibility. Finally, this study emphasizes that forage palm is potentially an outstanding animal fodder due to its ability to withstand the harsh physical–chemical limitations of poor soils.

This study aimed to compare the quality of frozen–thawed spermatozoa from microminipig boars. We also evaluated the effects of caffeine and heparin as well as the sperm–oocyte co-incubation length on the fertilization and embryonic development. We found that the presence of caffeine in the in vitro fertilization (IVF) medium and the appropriate length of sperm–oocyte co-incubation may have beneficial effects for improving IVF results when using microminipig spermatozoa with low quality.

We evaluated the effects of supplementing cattle feed with difructose anhydride III (DFA III) by measuring urinary sterigmatocystin (STC) concentrations. DFA III was supplemented for 2 weeks to 10 animals, and non-treated animals served as controls. Our findings demonstrate the effect of DFA III on reducing the urinary concentration of STC in Japanese Black cattle.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) coupled with single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis was used to reveal variation in bovine leptin gene (LEP) in New Zealand (NZ) Holstein Friesian × Jersey (HF × J) dairy cows. This is the first report of findings of this kind in NZ HF × J cows, and they suggest that variation in exon 3 of bovine leptin gene could be explored as a means of decreasing the concentration of saturated fatty acids in milk.

The purpose of our study was to investigate whether glutamine and L-carnitine could be used as anti-cold stress nutrients to alleviate the adverse effects of cold stress on newborn broilers. Broilers were respectively fed with different levels of glutamine and L-carnitine according to the L₁₆ (4⁵) orthogonal experimental design for 3 weeks. Their interaction occurred and improved the growth performance, nutritional status and cold stress response of broilers at low temperature.

Associations of different regions of BMPR1B, BMP15, and GDF9 genes with litter size were analyzed in Ramlıç and Dağlıç sheep. A total of 51 SNPs in Ramlıç and 54 in Dağlıç sheep were detected. The slopes of significant regression coefficients in four SNPs for Ramlıç and two for Dağlıç in the BMPR1B gene as well as one deletion mutation in the BMP15 gene of Ramlıç were in the direction of the rare allele. Candidate QTNs determined in this study could be used to produce more prolific sheep.

The expression and polymorphism of the BMPR1B gene associated with litter size in small-tail Han (STH) sheep were determined. We found that BMPR1B was mainly expressed in reproduction-related tissues and was more highly expressed in the hypothalamus of polytocous than in monotocous ewes in the follicular and luteal phases. A new molecular marker was found and was negatively correlated with litter size in STH sheep. These results can provide a reference for selective sheep breeding.

The effect of wild boars' age and sex on the quality of the carcass composition and meat quality was studied. The highest percentage of lean meat in the carcass and a moderate fat and bone content were found in male boars (1–3 yr). Higher fat content was found in females from all age groups, and a lower bone content was noted in yearlings (1–2 yr) and adult (2–3 yr) females. The chemical composition of the loin was most desirable in adults (2–3 yr) and least desirable in piglets (< 1 yr).

For local breeds kept in small herds, consideration of classical herd effects implies imprecise genetic evaluations. In consequence, the present study aimed to evaluate different herd clustering strategies, considering social–ecological and herd characteristics. The similarities of herds within created herd clusters and improved reliabilities of estimated breeding values suggest the application of herd clusters in statistical models for genetic evaluations in local breeds.

Selection for increased production in intensive and extensive livestock production systems caused animal health and welfare to deteriorate. This is observed in reduced fertility, lameness and claw health in dairy cattle and pigs, resulting in unnecessary culling. In addition, inbreeding has resulted in a number of genetic defects in cows, sheep and pigs. Accurate recording and an increased awareness of welfare traits are necessary to find sustainable solutions.