Sexual dimorphism for growth-related traits in Afshari lambs was studied. Greater estimates of residual and maternal variances in male lambs together with interactions between sex of lamb with effects of birth year and birth type suggested greater environmental sensitivity of male lambs compared to female lambs. However, cross-sex genetic correlations were positively high, suggesting no need or opportunity for sex-specific selection to create or modify sexual-size dimorphism in sheep.

In this study, broilers were raised in standard pens versus in pens equipped with perches to study effects of perching on growth performance, carcass characteristics and footpad lesion (FPL) in broiler chickens. Perch availability did not change growth performance, carcass yield and proportions of carcass parts, but affected certain meat properties and had a positive effect on FPL. Potential effects of perch use with respect to health, meat quality and performance should be further investigated.

A comparative life cycle assessment of pork with different feed scenarios substituting soybean products has been performed. Alternative scenarios used legumes, a protein crop mix, and amino acids. Results expressed per kilogram of feed depended greatly on the method used and the impact category considered. The inclusion of land use change increased global warming potential by up to 43 %. Results per kilogram of pork showed the amino acid scenario to have the least overall environmental impacts.

Stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 is a critical enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the level of mRNA of SCD1 gene in three different ovine tissues strongly associated with lipid homeostasis. The significant correlation between SCD1 transcript abundance and fattening and slaughtering traits (fatness traits) indicates the ability to improve important production traits in sheep via modification of expression of SCD1 gene.

Our studies evaluated the effects of parity and season on pregnancy rates of repeat-breeder (RB) Japanese black beef cattle after embryo transfer. Our findings indicate that the parity of the recipients does not have an apparent effect on the pregnancy rates following the transfer of fresh and frozen embryos. However, season may affect reproductive performance in RB multiparous cows.

Since changes in metabolic requirements during pregnancy might produce a nutritional imbalance predisposing the mare to pathological conditions, we examined changes in serum macromineral profile and the statistical correlations between electrolytes in mares during the last 3 months of pregnancy and the first 3 weeks after foaling. The changes found in mares' macromineral profiles over the peripartum provide enhanced knowledge about mineral interrelations and their modifications in mares.

Estimated breeding values (EBVs), relative breeding values (RBVs), and daughter yield deviations of Holstein cows with exceptional longevity (more than nine lactations completed) and the RBVs of their sires were analyzed. Exceptional cows had on average significantly lower EBVs for yield traits but significantly higher RBVs for somatic cell score (RZS) and functional longevity (RZN). Correlations among the proportion of exceptional cows per sire and RZN, RZS as well as fitness were positive.

In this research, the effects of two indel loci of the visfatin gene on mRNA expression levels were studied. The results imply that the expression levels of bovine visfatin vary with age and its indels might be putative variants mediating the expression of the bovine visfatin gene. This study provides useful information for further functional studies of bovine visfatin.

In present study, effects of peripheral administration of ghrelin antagonist [D-Lys³] GHRP-6 on chicken performance, thyroid hormone level and serum biochemical parameters were investigated. The results indicate that ghrelin antagonist [D-Lys3] GHRP-6 reduces feed intake and body weight. With regard to increase in T4 level, it can be inferred that [D-Lys³] GHRP-6 may increase metabolic rate, lipolysis and weight loss, which is similar to results obtained in mammalian species.

The results of this study indicate that the feeding system (concentrate vs. pasture) affected meat quality and fatty acid composition in lambs. Both rearing systems have advantages and disadvantages. Feeding with concentrate rations led to a better fattening performance and meat quality, whereas omega-3 content was high in pasture-reared lambs. Further research is necessary to explore the optimum combination of these feeding systems.

This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of the litter amendment (Micropan complex), the straw size, pH, and moisture levels on ammonia emission from litter and on footpad dermatitis in broilers. Broilers reared on chopped straw had significantly better leg condition as expressed by a smaller incidence and occurrence of FPD. The pH value of litter was decreased and footpad quality was significantly improved by Micropan application in broilers kept on straw.

SMAD3 plays essential roles in myogenesis and osteogenesis and may relate to the regulation of body weight. In this study, a 17 bp indel in intron3 of the SMAD3 gene was detected in four Chinese cattle breeds (Qinchuan, Jiaxian, Nanyang and Caoyuan) by using DNA pool sequencing, and it was significantly associated with gene expression and growth traits of Qinchuan and Caoyuan cattle. This indel could be could be a promising marker for beef cattle breeding.

We examined the differences in the colour of meat during 6 days of storage between commercial (Swedish Landrace) and traditional (Swallow-bellied Mangalitsa) pig breeds. In conclusion, the meat from the free-range Swallow-bellied Mangalitsa pigs had better colour stability for 6 days of refrigerator vacuum storage compared to the meat from the modern pig breed, and our recommendation is to age this meat if it is intended to be marketed as high-quality pork.