Using RNA sequencing technology, we identified SNPs in the NAT9 and MAP3K3 genes that are associated with litter size in Berkshire pigs. Our results suggest that selecting Berkshire pigs with the GG genotype of NAT9 and the CT genotype of MAP3K3 can produce more piglets. We suggest that these genetic markers would improve litter size in breeding programs.

Identification issues in livestock can be resolved by molecular identification tools that preserve and maintain pure breeds worldwide. In this study, 50 and 48 unrelated Cholistani and crossbred males, respectively, were sampled. Candidate genetic markers present in Cholistani but absent in crossbred and vice versa were detected using the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) method. This study generated molecular breed-specific markers to identify the purity of the Cholistani breed.

Fatty acid composition in the intramuscular fat of the musculus longissimus dorsi of Ile de France purebred lambs in two production systems (lambs and ewes were assigned to pasture and fed without concentrates vs. lambs and ewes were assigned to a stable and fed with hay/silage and concentrates) was evaluated using gas chromatography. An analysis of variance was used for comparison. No such comparison had previously been carried out in Slovakia. Meat from lambs assigned to pasture was better.

The micronucleus (MN) test is a common tool used to evaluate cellular genetic instability at the chromosomal level. To evaluate genetic material stability in selected Canidae species, the MN test was performed. The interspecific hybrids differed from the other fox species in MN percentage. The chromosome polymorphism had little effect on genetic material stability in the blue and silver fox cells and significantly increases chromosomal damages in interspecific hybrids somatic cells.

The objective of this study was to predict dairy cows' body weight from body size measurements. Body weight is an important trait for both management and breeding. Data were derived from 167 commercial Austrian dairy farms. To ensure high prediction accuracy, the use of a combination of both heart girth and belly girth is recommended if the use of scales is impossible. The large and heterogeneous data set supported a valid prediction.

Heat stress (HS) and high stocking density (HSD) can lower blood homeostasis and negatively influence the behavioral traits of animals. The objective of this study was to explore the influence of different stocking densities on the behavioral traits, blood parameters, immune responses, and stress hormones of meat ducks (Cherry valley, Anas platyrhynchos) exposed to HS. It was found that HS and HSD conditions negatively affected the behavioral traits and blood parameters of the animals.

Genetic markers are important tools for beef cattle breeding. Our work suggests that CAPN1 genetic markers have a positive effect on meat tenderness and marbling traits, the most important meat quality traits for consumers. The associations between the genotyped SNPs in this research and meat quality traits are of potential interest to the beef industry and could lay an important foundation for the expanding panel of functional variation relevant to meat quality.

Substitution of amino acids due to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in pattern recognition receptors leads to altered innate immunity to diseases. The present study shows extensive polymorphisms in coding sequences of TLR (TLR3, TLR1LA) and NLR (NOD1) genes compared to the RLR (MDA5, LGP2) gene. SNPs were higher in Indian chicken breeds (Ghagus and Nicobari) compared to the WLH breed. A computer simulation study revealed a neutral effect of most non-synonymous SNPs on protein function.

This study was conducted to estimate the live weight of Hair goats from biometric measurements and to select variables in order to reduce the model complexity by using penalised regression methods, LASSO and Adaptive LASSO, for γ = 0.5 and γ = 1. It was concluded that Adaptive LASSO (γ = 1) estimated the live weight with the highest accuracy for both male and female Hair goats when all the criteria were considered.

This study evaluated the effects of using frozen buck semen on reproductive performances of artificially inseminated Alpine goats relative to naturally mated goats. Reproductive performance, especially the pregnancy and mortality rates, was higher in the naturally bred goats than the artificially inseminated group. The oestrus synchronization followed by natural mating achieved better reproductive performance than the goats artificially inseminated using frozen semen.

The rabbit kit index (KI) combines the kindling rate (KR) and the average litter size (LS) per group of rabbit does per year or per farm and represents the number of total or live-born kits per 100 inseminated does. The KR is the percentage of does kindling from the total number of inseminated does. The KI characterizes the complex fertility situation on a given rabbit farm. The KI can be used to demonstrate and solve problems with artificial insemination and general insemination management.

The study aimed to genetically characterize Markhoz goat breed using specific microsatellite markers to investigate the genetic diversity within this population and to enhance future breeding strategies and conservation programmes. From findings, despite the decreasing population size, Markhoz goat genetic diversity seems still conserved and the breed seems to have a good level of genetic variability as well as a potential margin of adaptability to environment and future genetic improvement.

This study was conducted to identify the Ovar-DRB1 gene in the major histocompatibility (MHC) complex gene region by DNA sequencing in some native sheep breeds in Turkey. In total, 25 new alleles were revealed in Ovar-DRB1 in Turkish native sheep breeds, with 24 variable sites. The average pairwise genetic distance was 0.029 % for Ovar-DRB1. Two main groups were detected in Turkish sheep breeds. All Dağliç and Kivircik alleles and one allele from Karayaka, Malya and Sakiz are grouped together.

Genetic polymorphims in the growth hormone (GH) gene were studied in 410 Holstein dairy cows. Genotyping was carried out using PCR-RFLP. Data were analyzed by the MIXED procedure to reveal the effect of GH genotypes on reproductive traits. GH-AluI had a favorable effect on exanimate traits except for the age at the first calving. The homozygous LL genotype seemed to be advantageous for calving interval and days open. A significant effect of different GH-AluI–MspI combined genotypes was found.

Improved milk yield in dairy cows results in worsening health and reproduction. Some linear traits are genetically associated with health and reproduction and can be used to assist selection programs. The National Breeding Centre for Dairy and Forage of Indonesia has not included linear traits in the breeding program. This study estimates genetic parameters of linear traits. The traits under study were found to be heritable and can be included in the breeding program along with milk yield.

The effects of slaughter age and muscle type on meat quality properties of Eastern Anatolian Red (EAR) bulls (n = 46) were investigated in the present study. Forty-six EAR bulls were slaughtered at 15, 17, 19, 25, and 27 months. Meat samples were taken from longissimus dorsi (LD) and gluteus medius (GM) muscles obtained from the carcasses 24 h post-mortem.

This study was carried out to detect polymorphisms in the melatonin receptor 1A and arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase genes and their association with reproductive traits. Blood samples of 126 animals from three Egyptian sheep breeds were collected. DNA was extracted and subjected to PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis using the RsaI and SmaI enzymes. Two alleles (C and T) and three genotypes (CC, CT and TT) for MTNR1A and for AA-NAT (A and G; GG, GA and AA) were detected.