In this study, a novel 12 bp indel within the LHX4 gene first intron was firstly found. Meanwhile, the association analysis indicated that the 12 bp indel was significantly associated with litter size in 1149 Shaanbei cashmere goats (P < 0.05). The litter sizes of genotype DD and ID individuals were superior to those of genotype II, implying that the 12 bp indel might affect litter size. These results could provide a new insight into implementing marker-assisted selection in goat breeding.

This research was conducted to establish whether flooring systems, i.e., plastic, could be good alternatives to deep litter. What we have found is that in terms of some animal welfare parameters, such as footpad dermatitis and hock joint dermatitis, slatted floor housing can be a good alternative. However, as the birds get heavier, some other welfare problems occur, such as lesions on the breast and shoulder.

Dairy cattle breeders have exploited technological advances in regard to reproduction and genomics. The implementation of such technologies in routine breeding programs has permitted genetic gains in traditional milk production traits as well as, more recently, in low heritability traits like health and fertility. Here we review a number of technologies that have helped shape dairy breeding programs in the past and present, along with those potentially forthcoming.

ACOX1 is vital for fatty acid oxidation and deposition. The alternative splicing events of ACOX1 have not been reported in goats. Here, we found a novel splice variant (ACOX1-SV1) and a complete isoform (ACOX1). ACOX1 and ACOX1-SV1 were expressed at high levels in the liver, spleen, brain and fat in kid and adult goats. In both groups, the mRNA level of ACOX1 was high in fat and that of ACOX1-SV1 was high in liver. These findings should provide new insights on the function of ACOX1.

The androgen receptor (AR) plays the vital role of a bridge on the function of the androgen and has sexual size dimorphism. For this reason, the objective of this study was to explore the novel indel variants within the cattle AR gene and to detect a novel 24 bp indel within the AR gene. It significantly affected growth traits, suggesting that this indel may be a useful DNA marker for the elimination or selection of excellent individuals for cattle breeding.

In this study we analysed the genetic contribution of the Arabian horse to the Lipizzan gene pool and its association with the overall type via shape regression analysis in 158 Lipizzan horses from the Austrian stud farm of Piber. Although crossbreeding with Arabian horses took place more than 100 years ago, we found a significant association of Lipizzan body shape (p < 0.003) with individual coefficients of Arabian gene proportion.

In this invited review we discuss the value of mice in improving livestock breeding. This review gives an overview of currently available databases for mice that can be used in livestock genetics research. Furthermore, this paper describes how different mouse models have contributed to livestock research in the past.

In recent years, there has been a current trend in the pork market to create products based on traditional specialities, where technology such as drying, smoking and fermentation of products is used. For this reason the aim of study was to compare the genotypes from Slovakia and Poland. Genotypes from Poland are more suitable than those from Slovakia for the breeding and production of special meat products due to acceptable fattening and carcass parameters as well as the meat quality.

ACADSB is a member of the acyl-CoA dehydrogenase family, which can catalyze the dehydrogenation of acyl-CoA derivatives in lipometabolism. Our previous transcriptome analysis results identified it as a differentially expressed gene in mammary tissue between low and high milk fat cattle. Current results showed that ACADSB expression level was positively correlated with cellular triglycerides content, and it was actively involved in fatty acid metabolism pathway in BME cell of dairy cattle.

Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of total substitution of soybean meal and corn with triticale and faba bean or field pea on rumen fermentation, protozoa counts, and gas production of lactating ewes. According to the present results, this substitution might maintain rumen parameters of dairy ewes.

Compared with worldwide normal sheep with reddish muscle, the Nanping black-boned sheep is the only mammal similar to silky fowl with black muscles. The effects of mutations of the gene for tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1) on the black muscles and coat color in Nanping black-boned sheep were investigated.

The complex balance between innovation and conservation regarding animal genetic resources makes it difficult to find mutually accepted improvement pathways between breeders, government agencies, and research and education institutions. This study maps stakeholder viewpoints on cattle genetic improvement in Niger using the Q method, which appears effective in identifying the concerns of stakeholders on complex agricultural innovation topics.

Birth of twins is partly controlled by genetic factors. Here, we genotyped ewes with triplet births, twin births, and single births as well as two infertile ewes from Iranian sheep breeds for the BMP15 gene. A new mutation was detected in two sterile ewes and all ewes with triplet-birth lambing. There is a relationship between the mutation and higher litter numbers. However, this mutation is not responsible for sterility or triplet births in Iranian sheep.