• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.61 no.5
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• pp.285-293
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• 2019

The objective of this study was to verify the best mating age of gilts at the first parity. Gilts (n = 86) were divided into nine groups in a factorial arrangement with three Ages (AG1, ${\leq}220d$; AG2, 220 to 240 d; AG3, $240{\leq}d$), and three weights (WT1 ${\leq}140kg$; WT2, 140 to 149 kg; WT3, $150{\leq}kg$). A higher body weight gain in AG2 sows during gestation. Sows in AG2 group showed a higher body weight gain at first parity and backfat gain in the parity 2 and 3 during gestation. A greater insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was observed in AG1 sows compared with AG3 sows at weaning in the second parity. Sows in WT1 group showed a significant positive effect on the plasma IGF-1 at breeding and weaning time in parity 2. Sows in AG3 group showed a higher plasma leptin at breeding, farrowing, and weaning in the parity 1, and at farrowing in parity 2. Sows in WT3 group showed a higher plasma leptin at breeding, farrowing, and weaning in the parities 1 and 2. Considering the insignificant longevity results, the most efficient time for gilts insemination can be at 220 d when their body weight is 140 kg or lower.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.407-410
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• 1992

Changes in the concentrations of six low-molecular-weight organic acids extracted from hydrolysates of plant residues undergoing decomposition for 90 days under the laboratory condition were investigated. 1. Litters of deciduous and coniferous trees and wild grass cuttings were sampled for the study and concentrations of formic, acetic, succinic, tartaric, malic and citric acids were determined. The concentration of malic acid were negligible. 2. In the wild grass cuttings, the total concentration of low-molecular-weight organic acids decreased with the passage of decomposition. Monocarboxylic acids, I. e., formic and acetic acids, predominated over dicarboxylic and tricarboxylic acids. Formic and acetic acids appeared to be compensatory for each other. Concentration of citric acid increased at a remarkable rate. 3. The total concentration of organic acids in the hydrolysates of deciduous litter was shown to increase. The concentration of monocarboxylic acids was significantly higher in the end of the period of decomposition. Here again a compensatory relationship was observed between concentrations of formic and acetic acids. 4. There was comparatively little change exhibited during the period of experiment concerning the concentrations of organic acids from hydrolysates of decomposing coniferous litter. In contrast with the others, however, the concentration of succinic acid, a dicarboxylic acid, maintained the highest level.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1222-1228
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• 2016

The objective of this research was to estimate genetic parameters and trends for length of productive life (LPL), lifetime number of piglets born alive (LBA), lifetime number of piglets weaned (LPW), lifetime litter birth weight (LBW), and lifetime litter weaning weight (LWW) in a commercial swine farm in Northern Thailand. Data were gathered during a 24-year period from July 1989 to August 2013. A total of 3,109 phenotypic records from 2,271 Landrace (L) and 838 Yorkshire sows (Y) were analyzed. Variance and covariance components, heritabilities and correlations were estimated using an Average Information Restricted Maximum Likelihood (AIREML) procedure. The 5-trait animal model contained the fixed effects of first farrowing year-season, breed group, and age at first farrowing. Random effects were sow and residual. Estimates of heritabilities were medium for all five traits ($0.17{\pm}0.04$ for LPL and LBA to $0.20{\pm}0.04$ for LPW). Genetic correlations among these traits were high, positive, and favorable (p<0.05), ranging from $0.93{\pm}0.02$ (LPL-LWW) to $0.99{\pm}0.02$ (LPL-LPW). Sow genetic trends were non-significant for LPL and all lifetime production traits. Sire genetic trends were negative and significant for LPL ($-2.54{\pm}0.65d/yr$; p = 0.0007), LBA ($-0.12{\pm}0.04piglets/yr$; p = 0.0073), LPW ($-0.14{\pm}0.04piglets/yr$; p = 0.0037), LBW ($-0.13{\pm}0.06kg/yr$; p = 0.0487), and LWW ($-0.69{\pm}0.31kg/yr$; p = 0.0365). Dam genetic trends were positive, small and significant for all traits ($1.04{\pm}0.42d/yr$ for LPL, p = 0.0217; $0.16{\pm}0.03piglets/yr$ for LBA, p<0.0001; $0.12{\pm}0.03piglets/yr$ for LPW, p = 0.0002; $0.29{\pm}0.04kg/yr$ for LBW, p<0.0001 and $1.23{\pm}0.19kg/yr$ for LWW, p<0.0001). Thus, the selection program in this commercial herd managed to improve both LPL and lifetime productive traits in sires and dams. It was ineffective to improve LPL and lifetime productive traits in sows.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.132-138
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• 2020

Objective: To investigate the effects of low-dose trace mineral proteinates on reproductive performance, mineral status, milk immunoglobulin contents and fecal mineral excretion of sows. Methods: Eighty crossbred sows (Landrace×Large White) were randomly allocated to two groups in a 135-day trail, from breeding through 21 d postpartum. The two treatments were inorganic trace minerals (ITM): a basal diet+inorganic iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) at 90, 15, 25 and 90 mg/kg, respectively and organic trace minerals (OTM): a basal diet+proteinates of Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn at 72, 12, 20, and 72 mg/kg, respectively. Results: Compared with ITM, OTM significantly increased (p<0.05) the number of piglets with birthweight >1 kg, the litter weaning weight, and milk Fe, Cu contents. No significant differences (p>0.05) were observed on sow hair mineral contents or immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgG, and IgA contents in colostrum and milk. In comparsion to ITM, OTM decreased fecal Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn contents of gestating sows (p<0.01) and Fe, Mn, and Zn in lactating sows (p<0.01). Conclusion: These results indicate that low-dose mineral proteinates can increase the number of piglets with birthweight >1 kg, the litter weaning weight and certain milk mineral concentrations while reducing fecal mineral excretion.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.139-146
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• 2009

This study was carried out to investigate the reproductive and weaned performances in sow farms, which located in Boryeong city, Chungnam. Data surveyed a total of 10,394 litters of sow recorded from April, 2007 to March, 2008 were collected and analyzed. The results obtained were as follows; 1. The average of number of sow and farrowing rate were 314.10 sows and 78.77%, respectively. And then, there was not significant difference among seasons in number of sows, but significant difference among season was found in farrowing rate (p<0.05). 2. The average of litter size at farrowing and at initial sucking were 11.04 and 10.22 pigs, respectively. The significant differences were not all found in litter size among seasons. 3. The number of pigs, age and growth rate at weaning were 9.23 pigs, 25.77 days and 91.48%, respectively. The significant differences among seasons were not found in number of pigs and age at weaning. However, there was significant difference in growth rate at weaning (P<0.05). 4. The average of farrowing rate of sows per year, pigs from sow per year (PSY), and body weight at marketing were 2.25 times, 20.75 pigs, and 110.46 kg, respectively. The significant differences among seasons were not found in farrowing rate per year and weight at marketing, but that was found only in PSY (p<0.05), respectively.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.1223-1226
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• 2004

Previously candidate gene approach revealed estrogen receptor (ESR) locus was associated with increased litter size. In this study, PvuII polymorphisms of ESR gene was detected by PCR-RFLP, and ESR locus was evaluated for its association with reproductive tracts components in the Large $White{\times}Meishan$ ($LW{\times}M$) F2 offspring. Ninety seven gilts with reproductive tracts components records and 136 offspring with performance traits records were genotyped and the results were used to estimate allele substitution effects. The results showed that two alleles (A and B) were identified, and 121 bp fragments were observed for the AA genotype and 65 bp and 56 bp fragments for the BB genotype; the length of uterine body (LUB) of BB gilts were significantly shorter than AA gilts', the additive effect was -1.762 cm; the uterine weight (UW) of AB gilts were significantly lighter than AA gilts' with the additive effect -18.058 g; no significant associations of ESR alleles with ovulation rate (OR), length of uterine horn (LUH), length of uterine cervix (LUC), weight of two ovaries (OW), volume of uterine lumen (VUL), length of oviduct (LO) were observed. BB genotypes gilts need significantly less days to 100 kg ($D_{100kg}$) than AA genotypes (p<0.01), the additive effect was per copy of B allele. Allele B is also favorable for average daily gain (ADG), with additive effect 0.015 kg/d (p<0.05). There was no difference between genotypes for backfat thickness at the 13th rib (SF13), loin meat height (ELMH), and loin meat percentage was estimated (ELMP), individual birth weight (IBW) and teat number (TN).

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.59 no.12
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• pp.25.1-25.7
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• 2017

Background: Rabbit breeding with high performance imported ones would be of benefit for genetic diversity and improvement of performance in domestic rabbit breeds. The rearing of more productive rabbit breeds could be pathway to improve the productivity and reduce the production cost. Maternal nutritional status exert a great influence on reproductive functions of does, which may expand from conception, through gestation and parturition and development of kits to puberty. Methods: Four breeds of rabbit were evaluated for their parturition, weaning and pubertal differences among the rabbit population in Ibadan, Nigeria. The breed consist of Fauve De Bourgogne (FDB), Chinchilla (CHA), British Spot (BS) and New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits. A total of 60 bucks and 360 does consisting of 15 bucks and 90 does per breed were mated in 6 mating cycles, three each of natural mating and artificial insemination. All does were synchronized for estrus with 20 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin 48 h prior to mating. The does after parturition were assessed for milk yield (g) and kit survival rate (%) till weaning, weight changes of kits from birth to puberty. At puberty, the pubertal age (days) and weight (g) of the offspring were assessed. Result: Results obtained reveals that British Spot doe had highest milk yield among the breeds which significantly increased growth of kit and weight at weaning in British Spot rabbits. Survival rates of Chinchilla kits were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than Fauve de Bourgogne, British Spot and New Zealand White kits. Puberty attainment of the rabbits indicates that British spot does and Fauve de Bourgogne bucks are early maturing. Conclusion: Chinchilla shows high kit survivability and British spot has highest milk yield among the four breeds of rabbit.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.1421-1424
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• 2005

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two diets different in crude fibre content and ingredients on performance and on caecal characteristics of rabbits around weaning. Thirty litters from thirty New Zealand White does were divided at Day 18 in two groups fed, respectively, a low fibre concentrate (LFC, consisting mainly of soybean meal, delactated whey, barley) from Day 18-28 followed by a creep feed (CF, consisting mainly in alfalfa meal, barley and wheat bran) from Day 29-32, and a CF from Day 18-32. After weaning (32 days) both groups were fed the CF ad libitum for two weeks. During the pre-weaning period, mortality, milk intake and solid feed intake (from Day 20) were recorded daily, while the live weight of kits was recorded twice, at 18 and 32 days. At day 28, one rabbit/litter was slaughtered in order to obtain data on caecal content characteristics. After weaning, the rabbits were located in collective cages, feeding ad libitum CF; feed intake, live weight and mortality were recorded weekly for two weeks. During the preweaning period, there were no differences between the groups in milk and solid feed intake and, by consequence, in live weight at weaning; instead, the mortality was higher (12.5 vs 4.5%) for the group (A) that changed diet at 28 days. Group A showed also a higher caecal pH (6.12 vs. 5.72), propionate to butyrate ratio (0.73 vs. 0.46), ammonia content (9.3 vs. 7.1 mmol/l), but a lower total volatile fatty acid content (66.8 vs. 82.1 mmol/l) than B Group, probably due to the dried milk whey in the concentrate. After weaning, there were no significant differences between the two groups. The authors concluded that the use of a low fibre concentrate for suckling rabbits is not recommended.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.657-666
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• 2003

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the potential adverse effects of 2-BP on pregnant dams and embryo-fetal development after maternal exposure during the gestational days (GD) 6 through 19 in Sprague-Dawley rats. The test chemical was administered subcutaneously to pregnant rats at dose levels of 0, 375, 750 and 1250 mg/kg/day. During the test period, clinical signs, mortality, body weights and food consumption were examined. All dams were subjected to caesarean section on GD 20 and their fetuses were examined for external, visceral and skeletal abnormalities. At above 750 mg/kg, toxic effects including signs of toxicity, suppressed body weight, decreased gravid uterine weight and reduced food intake were observed in pregnant dams. An increase in the fetal deaths, a decrease in the litter size, a reduction in the fetal body weight and an increase in the incidence of fetal morphological alterations were also found. There were no adverse effects on either pregnant dams or embryo-fetal development at a dose level of 375 mg/kg. These results suggest that a 14-day subcutaneous dose of 2-BP is embryolethal and teratogenic at above 750 mg/kg/day in pregnant rats. In the present experimental condition, the no-observed-adverse-effect level of 2-BP is considered to be 375 mg/kg/day for dams and embryo-fetuses, respectively.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.10
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• pp.1453-1457
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• 2002

The experiment was conducted to find out the effect of 4 feeding systems on growth, feed intake, eating behavior, lactation performance, gestation period, post-partum heat period, conception rate and parasitic infestation of Black Bengal goat. Twenty four does of approximately 1 year of age were randomly selected for 4 treatment (feeding systems) groups having 6 replications in each. Treatments were stall feeding ($T_1$), tethering ($T_2$), restricted grazing ($T_3$) and grazing ($T_4$). $T_1$ group was housed continuously and adequate amounts of natural grass were supplied for ad libitum feeding. $T_2$ group was tethered for grazing natural grass from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. being moved at one hour intervals. Goats of $T_3$ group were allowed grazing from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. $T_4$ group was grazed from 8 a. m. to 4 p.m. Concentrate supplement was given at the rate of 150 g per day per goat for all of the treatment groups. Duration of experiment was 219 days. Daily live weight gain was significantly (p<0.05) higher in case of stall fed goats than that of others. DM intake also significantly (p<0.05) differed among the treatment groups and was 3.40 3.95, 3.76 and 4.05 per cent of their live weight for stall feeding, tethering, restricted grazing and grazing groups, respectively. Rate of rumination was significantly (p<0.05) higher in case of tethering group of goats than that of others. Birth weight of kids, milk yield, lactation period and post-partum heat period were significantly higher in case of stall fed goats than others. Tethering group showed significantly (p<0.05) higher litter size than others. Infestation rate of Fasciola was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the grazing group. In conclusion, it may be stated that among these feeding groups overall performance of stall fed goats was more satisfactory, and that the tethering group showed better performance than the others.