• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.191-199
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• 2023

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and genes associated with nine reproduction and morphological traits in three breed populations of Chinese goats. Methods: The genome-wide association of nine reproduction and morphological traits (litter size, nipple number, wattle, skin color, coat color, black dorsal line, beard, beard length, and hind leg hair) were analyzed in three Chinese native goat breeds (n = 336) using an Illumina Goat SNP50 Beadchip. Results: A total of 17 genome-wide or chromosome-wide significant SNPs associated with one reproduction trait (litter size) and six morphological traits (wattle, coat color, black dorsal line, beard, beard length, and hind leg hair) were identified in three Chinese native goat breeds, and the candidate genes were annotated. The significant SNPs and corresponding putative candidate genes for each trait are as follows: two SNPs located on chromosomes 6 (CSN3) and 24 (TCF4) for litter size trait; two SNPs located on chromosome 9 (KATNA1) and 1 (UBASH3A) for wattle trait; three SNPs located on chromosome 26 (SORCS3), 24 (DYM), and 20 (PDE4D) for coat color trait; two SNPs located on chromosome 18 (TCF25) and 15 (CLMP) for black dorsal line trait; four SNPs located on chromosome 8, 2 (PAX3), 5 (PIK3C2G), and 28 (PLA2G12B and OIT3) for beard trait; one SNP located on chromosome 18 (KCNG4) for beard length trait; three SNPs located on chromosome 17 (GLRB and GRIA2), 28 (PGBD5), and 4 for hind leg hair trait. In contrast, there were no SNPs identified for nipple number and skin color. Conclusion: The significant SNPs or genes identified in this study provided novel insights into the genetic mechanism underlying important reproduction and morphological traits of three local goat breeds in Southern China as well as further potential applications for breeding goats.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.39-49
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• 2024

Objective: The present study was performed to determine risk factors associated with the frequency of farrowing assistance in hyperprolific sows in a tropical environment and to investigate the impacts of farrowing assistance on piglet colostrum consumption and sow colostrum yield. Methods: Farrowing data from 352 Landrace×Yorkshire crossbred sows and 5,554 piglets in five commercial swine herds in Thailand were investigated. The sows were classified according to parity numbers: 1 (n = 72), 2 to 4 (n = 128), 5 to 6 (n = 84), and ≥7 (n = 68) and the total number of piglets born per litter (TB): 10 to 13 (n = 90), 14 to 16 (n = 117), and ≥17 (n = 145). The incidence of farrowing assistance and associated parameters were investigated. Results: The TB and farrowing duration averaged 15.8±0.2 and 279.9±11.2 min, respectively. The percentage of sows that required farrowing assistance was 29.8% and varied among herds from 5.7% to 53.3% (p<0.001). The percentage of piglets born after birth assistance using manual intervention was 8.4%. Sows with parity numbers 1 and 2 to 4 had a lower frequency of farrowing assistance than sows with parity numbers ≥7 (p<0.01). The colostrum yield of sows that required farrowing assistance did not differ from sows that farrowed without assistance (5.3±0.2 and 5.1±0.1 kg; p = 0.288); however, the colostrum consumption of piglets born from sows that required farrowing assistance was lower than those born from sows that farrowed without assistance (302.2±15.7 and 354.2±5.6 g; p<0.001). Blood oxygen saturation of the piglets born after birth assistance tended to be lower than the piglets that farrowed without birth assistance (87.8%±1.3% vs 90.4%±0.4%; p = 0.054). Conclusion: The frequency of farrowing assistance in sows varied among herds and was influenced by parity number. The piglets born after receiving birth assistance should receive special care to improve their blood oxygen saturation and enhance colostrum intake.

• Journal of applied mathematics & informatics
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• v.31 no.5_6
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• pp.747-767
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• 2013

In this paper we have constructed a mathematical model of alcohol abuse which consists of four compartments corresponding to four population classes, namely, moderate and occasional drinkers, heavy drinkers, drinkers in treatment and temporarily recovered class. Basic reproduction number $R_0$ has been determined and sensitivity analysis of $R_0$ indicates that ${\beta}1$ (the transmission coefficient from moderate and occasional drinker to heavy drinker) is the most useful parameter for preventing drinking habit. Stability analysis of the model is made using the basic reproduction number. The model is locally asymptotically stable at disease free or problem free equilibrium (DFE) $E_0$ when $R_0&lt;1$. It is found that, when $R_0=1$, a backward bifurcation can occur and when $R_0&gt;1$, the endemic equilibrium $E^*$ becomes stable. Further analysis gives the global asymptotic stability of DFE under some conditions. Our important analytical findings are illustrated through computer simulation. Epidemiological implications of our analytical findings are addressed critically.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.1093-1101
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• 2003

Reproductive data, such as numbers of days to the first estrus and A.I. service postpartum, number of days to conception, number of A.I. services required for conception, interval between the first estrus and first A.I. service and the average interval of A.I. service in Thai native-Friesian crossbred and pure Friesian dairy cows, were compiled in the National Dairy Training and Applied Research Institute in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The data were analyzed statistically and the effect of milk production on these reproductive traits was investigated. The reproductive efficiency of purebred cows was obviously inferior when compared with crossbred animals, in spite of special care being given to the purebred only in order to alleviate the effect of a tropical climate and provide better feeding. However, the regression analysis between reproductive and lactational parameters revealed a definite antagonistic effect of lactation on reproduction, especially in the purebred cows, which had a larger amount of milk production and longer lactation period. If these effects of lactation were eliminated, there would be no evident difference in reproductive efficiency between purebred and crossbred cows in the conditions of this study. Among the reproductive parameters examined, the number of days to the first estrus and interval between the first estrus and first A.I. service were less affected by breed difference and the magnitude of lactation than other reasons.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.320-327
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• 2017

Objective: The objective of this research was to estimate genetic correlations between number of piglets born alive in the first parity (NBA1), litter birth weight in the first parity (LTBW1), number of piglets weaned in the first parity (NPW1), litter weaning weight in the first parity (LTWW1), number of piglets born alive from second to last parity (NBA2+), litter birth weight from second to last parity (LTBW2+), number of piglets weaned from second to last parity (NPW2+) and litter weaning weight from second to last parity (LTWW2+), and to identify the percentages of animals (the top 10%, 25%, and 50%) for first parity and sums of second and later parity traits. Methods: The 9,830 records consisted of 2,124 Landrace (L), 724 Yorkshire (Y), 2,650 LY, and 4,332 YL that had their first farrowing between July 1989 and December 2013. The 8-trait animal model included the fixed effects of first farrowing year-season, additive genetic group, heterosis of the sow and the litter, age at first farrowing, and days to weaning (NPW1, LTWW1, NPW2+, and LTWW2+). Random effects were animal and residual. Results: Heritability estimates ranged from $0.08{\pm}0.02$ (NBA1 and NPW1) to $0.29{\pm}0.02$ (NPW2+). Genetic correlations between reproduction traits in the first parity and from second to last parity ranged from $0.17{\pm}0.08$ (LTBW1 and LTBW2+) to $0.67{\pm}0.06$ (LTWW1 and LTWW2+). Phenotypic correlations between reproduction traits in the first parity and from second to last parity were close to zero. Rank correlations between LTWW1 and LTWW2+ estimated breeding value tended to be higher than for other pairs of traits across all replacement percentages. Conclusion: These rank correlations indicated that selecting boars and sows using genetic predictions for first parity reproduction traits would help improve reproduction traits in the second and later parities as well as lifetime productivity in this swine population.

• Journal of Species Research
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 2014

The number of features related to morphology, distribution of habitats, biotopical distribution, and biology of species reproduction (within the territory described) of the Mongolian toad (Bufo raddei) which inhabits western shore of Lake Baikal were described. In this paper on the basis of the results of field studies in 1997, 2001, 2005, 2012 the original data on reproduction and chemical composition of the spawning ponds, used by frogs for reproduction, is presented. It was found that reproduction of species occurs in the salty steppe (14-45 g/L) lakes in the west part of the Baikal basin.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.265-270
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• 2015

Growth rate during rearing, which varies depending on provided nutrition, has been related with age at $1^{st}$ calving (AFC). This study investigated the effect of upgrowth parameters during the rearing period on the reproduction of nulliparous Holstein heifers. The study comprised 77 successively born heifers from the same herd. Growth rate and fertility traits were measured during rearing and fertility parameters were recorded in lactations 1. Growth parameters (body weight, height, heart girth and body length) were measured at the approximate birth time, 270 and 450 d of age. Reproduction data collected included age at $1^{st}$ breeding, number of services per conception (S/C), pregnancy rate to $1^{st}$ artificial insemination, AFC. Animals were subsequently divided into 4 AFC groups for analysis: <23 mo, 23~25 mo, 26~30 mo and >30 mo. The AFC reflected both upgrowth rate and heifer reproduction, with later calving heifers smaller. Increased skeletal growth (at 270 and 450 d) was related with a reduced AFC (p<0.05). Early calving animals (<23 mo) had the best reproduction as nulliparous heifers, with most conceiving at first service (87.5%). Fertility in the first lactation was the worst in the oldest AFC group (>30 mo). In the 1st lactation period, a number of services per conception ($3.1{\pm}0.3$) increased with increasing AFC (>30 mo). Sub-optimal upgrowth related with an increased AFC could be mitigated by improved monitoring of replacement heifers during the rearing period.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.188-191
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• 1986

This experiment was carried out to examine the correlation among the semen characteristics of Holstein bulls. Seventy-two samples of semen were collected from 6 Holstein bulls, 2 to 10 years old. The characteristics of the semen were estimated by ordinary methods. The results obtained in this experiment were summarized as follows: 1. Semen characteristics on an average were 6.0 ml of volume, 16${\times}$108/ml of concentration, 92.4${\times}$108 of total sperm number(TSN), 72.1% of motility and 4.6% of abnormality. 2. Semen volume was positively high correlated (P<0.01) with total sperm number, but negative correlation was observed with the sperm motility (P<0.05) and semen concentration. 3. In relation to their age, older bulls semen volume and total sperm number were increased (P<0.01), but semen concentration and motility were decreased (P<0.01).

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 1997

These studies were carried out to establish an effective and practical system for commercialization of embryo production techniques by analyzing several factors influencing in vivo embryo production in Korean native cattle. In vivo embryos were flushed 226 times from 128 donors. The results obtained in studies on the factors influencing in vivo embryo production were as follows : 1. There were no significant differences in the number of total recovered, fertilized, transferable and freezable embryos among the hormone doses(FSH-P, 28∼34mg; SUPER-OV, 75IU) used for superovulation. However, over 30mg doses of FSH-P showed a slightly higher effect than others. 2. There were slight decrease in the number of fertilized, transferable and freezable embryos in 3 times repeated superovulation. But there were no significant differences among 1, 2 and 3 times repeated superovulations. 3. Age of donors did not affect the number of transferable and freezable embryos, but the number of fertilzed embryos were highest in 2∼3 years old donors and were lowest in 8∼9 years old donors(P<0.05). 4. Season had a significant effect on the production of embryos(P<0.05). the embryo production, and the number of fertilized, transferable and freezable embryos were most effective in summer and follow by spring, autumn and winter. 5. The number of transferable and freezable embryos was highest in donors flushed at 7∼8 days after estrus(P<0.05).

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.310-315
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• 2015

Certain bacterial species associate with plant roots in soil. The plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) stimulate plant growth and yield in greenhouse and field. Here, we examined whether application of known bacilli PGPR strains stimulated growth and asexual reproduction in the succulent plant Kalanchoe daigremontiana. Four PGPR strains B. amyloliquefaciens IN937a, B. cereus BS107, B. pumilus INR7, and B. subtilis GB03 were applied to young plantlets by soil-drenching, and plant growth and development was monitored for three months. Aerial growth was significantly stimulated in PGPR-inoculated plants, which was observed as increases in plant height, shoot weight, and stem width. The stimulated growth influenced plant development by increasing the total number of leaves per plant. Treatment with bacilli also increased the total root biomass compared with that of control plants, and led to a 2-fold increase in asexual reproduction and plantlet formation on the leaf. Collectively, our results firstly demonstrate that Bacillus spp. promote vegetative development of K. daigremontiana, and the enhanced growth stimulates asexual reproduction and plantlet formation.