Abstracted/indexed

Our results suggest that estrous cycles may be associated with clock gene expression in the Small-tailed Han sheep (STH sheep). This is the first study to systematically analyze the expression patterns of clock genes of different estrous cycles in ewes, which could form a basis for further studies to develop the relationship between clock genes and the estrous cycle.

The interaction between genotype and environment changes depending on the interaction of the sub-environments. The environments have a hierarchically structured impact. With regard to the growth of the chicks, nutrition seems to have a higher value than red mite infestation. While a clear interaction between genotypes and poultry red mite infestation was observed in ad libitum feeding, the genotypes reacted similarly to infestation under feed restrictions.

Packaging methods (vacuum packaging and modified atmosphere packaging) allow for maintaining high-quality meat during a long period of storage (30 d) under refrigeration conditions. An interaction between the storage time, packaging method, and mesophilic aerobic bacteria and coliform counts was observed. Storage time affected the number of aerobic psychrotrophic bacteria, redness, pH, shear force value, and desirability of the meat's aroma and taste.

This study investigated the interactive effects of weather conditions, transportation time and loading density on carcass damages and meat quality traits of pigs. Pigs exposed to short transportation at low space allocation during hot weather conditions produced the lowest pork quality. Pigs exposed to short transportation at high loading density during cold weather conditions produced the highest pork quality. Hence, weather and transport conditions are of great importance for the pork quality.

This study aimed to detect a potential association between GHR/AluI polymorphism and milk yield and milk composition traits in dairy cows raised in commercial herds using the PCR-RFLP assay. In conclusion, the GHR gene should be regarded as potential candidate genes in marker-assisted selection programs to improve the performance of milk and related traits in Turkey dairy cattle populations.

Goats are produced in extensive systems with low productive yields. Therefore, intensive systems improve productivity; however, in this system, diet is the most costly parameter. The cottonseed cake has the necessary nutritional characteristics to be able to substitute traditional ingredients (such as soybean meal) and to reduce the diet cost. Thus, it is necessary to determine the best level of inclusion of cottonseed cake in feedlot goats' diets to improve meat production and quality.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance, and performance of feedlot lambs fed diets containing crude glycerin. Although it did not affect the intake and digestibility of most nutrients, the inclusion of 100 and 200 g kg^-1 DM of crude glycerin in lambs' diets tended to worsen performance, indicating that the ideal level of inclusion should be below 100 g kg^-1 DM of crude glycerin.

In this study, we found that 21 mutation loci and 3 haplotypes were significantly associated with litter size in Nubian goat. This would allow breeders to take more precise selection decisions, leading to significantly higher productivity and profitability within the Nubian goat.

The study aimed to highlight the general trend of indigenous Lao pig utilization and the altered reproductive performance with special reference to location and rearing systems. Indigenous pigs are not only important for household consumption, but they also serve as household savings that the households use anytime, i.e. to support their children's education and traditional activity performance. Proper management is needed to improve reproductive performance of indigenous pigs in Laos.

The use of cull ewes has been an adopted practice to increase the profitability of the activity. The production of the ewes can be maximized with the adoption of feedlotting. However, feed is known to be the costliest factor in animal production. In this context, by-products such as cottonseed emerged as an alternative to replace the most commonly used ingredients without affecting animal productivity. Calcium lignosulfonate is a by-product that can be used to improve ruminal digestion.