Different studies have reported controversial results regarding the effects of c.963A>G polymorphism in the BMP15 gene on litter size in goats. We conducted a meta-analysis by using data of all published relevant studies to address this contradiction and found a significant association between c.963A>G polymorphism and litter size at birth under dominant and additive genetic models. The meta-analysis results revealed that the AA genotype could be positively connected with litter size in goats.

Here, we investigated the effect of sire line on growth performance and carcass traits of crossbred offspring under standardized environmental conditions. Pigs sired by a synthetic line showed benefits in fattening performance and Piétrain crossbreeds were characterized by a better carcass value. The synthetic line is preferable in terms of the number of fatting pigs per fattening place and year, while the Piétrain line provides increased leanness and carcass cuts.

Archaeol is a cell membrane lipid of methanogenic archaea excreted in feces. This study, based on respiration chamber measurements, revealed that fecal archaeol concentration offers some potential in serving as a proxy for individual methane emission but that it also cannot be implemented easily on a farm because diet composition, dry matter intake, and the time for fecal sampling have to be taken into account.