scholarly journals Evaluation of foetal growth, litter size and reproductive performance in rabbit after 18 generations of selection for growth rate using cryopreserved embryos

2021 ◽  
pp. 104702
Author(s):  
J.D. Juarez ◽  
F. Marco-Jiménez ◽  
J.S. Vicente
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Foetal Growth ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Cryopreserved Embryos

Reproductive performance of pigs selected for components of efficient lean growth

1995 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Kerr ◽  
N. D. Cameron
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Selection Line ◽  
Food Conversion ◽  
Daily Food Intake ◽  
Lean Growth ◽  
Daily Food ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Selection For

AbstractCorrelated responses in reproductive performance to five generations of divergent selection for daily food intake (DFI), lean food conversion (LFC), lean growth rate on ad–libitum feeding (LGA), and lean growth rate on scale feeding (LGS) were studied. Litter traits were measured on 1220 Large White gilts. Mean litter weights at birth and weaning were 12·9 kg and 63·5 kg, with average litter sizes of 10·3 and 7·9. Responses to selection in the high and low lines for litter size in the DFI and LFC selection groups were 1·9 and –1·5 (s.e.d. VI) at birth and 0·9 and –1·8 (s.e.d. 1·2) at weaning. Responses in litter birth weights were respectively positive and negative for DFI and LFC (3·0 and –2·8 (s.e.d. 1·4) kg) and the response in LGS (3 kg) was greater than in LGA (–0·1 kg). Selection line differences in litter weaning weight followed a similar pattern to birth weight for DFI and LFC (17·5 and –17·3 (s.e.d. 10·1) kg). Responses in litter weights were a result of selection line differences in both litter sizes and piglet weights. The relationships between litter size, litter weights and piglet weights at birth and weaning were essentially linear. An extra piglet at birth and weaning corresponded to an increase of 1·0 (s.e. 0·02) kg and 6·9 (s.e. 0·1) kg in litter weights. Piglet birth and weaning weights were decreased by 0·03 (s.e. 0·003) kg and 0·19 (s.e. 0·02) kg. A uterine constraint on piglet growth was implied, but there was no evidence for a limit to uterine capacity. Heritabilities for litter size, weight and piglet weight at birth of 0·06, 0·11 (s.e. 0·04) and 0·16 (s.e. 0·02) respectively were similar to those at weaning. Common environmental effects on piglet weights at birth and weaning were substantially higher than the heritabilities (0·38 and 0·45, s.e. 0·01). The study indicated that selection for lean growth on either an ad–libitum or restricted feeding regime did not significantly affect reproductive performance, but the high lean food conversion ratio and low daily food intake selection lines had impaired reproductive performance.

Effects of ova transfer on the birthcoats of lambs

1972 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marca Burns
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Transfer Experiment ◽  
Primary Follicle ◽  
Skin Expansion ◽  
Foetal Growth ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Size At Birth

SUMMARYBirthcoat samples from Lincoln and Welsh Mountain lambs born in an ova transfer experiment (Weiner & Slee, 1965) were examined to determine the fibre type arrays and any effect of ova transfer on manifestation of the prenatal check or the base (Dry, 1965).In the Lincoln breed arrays were Truncated Ravine or Truncated Valley thus showing central checking. Pre-curly tip fibres were mainly confined to central primary follicles. Post-natal medullation was plentiful, especially in peak curly-tips, but kemp was absent. In the Welsh lambs all identifiable arrays were either Plateau or Saddle, with the lateral primary fibres more checked than the centrals. Pre-curly tip fibres occupied almost all the primary follicles, with only a few curly-tips in primary laterals. Post-natal medullation was strongest in pre-curly tips and their successors.The effect of ova transfer was to decrease the manifestation of check in Lincoln-in-Welsh and increase it in Welsh-in-Lincoln, without affecting the base. Although this, in each case, changed the check of the lamb in the direction of that of the foster breed, it is suggested that this may not be due to any influence of maternal check on foetal check. The effect on pre-natal check may be due to foetal size, and in particular skin expansion, during a short period immediately following completion of primary follicle initiation. As compared to their respective controls, the Welsh transfer lambs had a higher S/P ratio at birth, whilst that of the transferred Lincolns was reduced.If increased prenatal fibre check is associated with increased foetal growth rate at the relevant period, it may also be correlated with increased lamb size at birth and therefore have been favoured in selection for meat production, at least in some breeds.

scholarly journals Effect of restricted feeding under rearing on reproduction, body condition and blood metabolites of rabbit does selected for growth rate

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 303 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Naturil-Alfonso ◽  
F. Marco-Jiménez ◽  
J.J. Pascual ◽  
J.S. Vicente
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Young Rabbit ◽  
Fat Thickness ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Perirenal Fat

Young rabbit females selected for growth rate can have nutritional needs which may not be met by the common practice of feed restriction during rearing in commercial rabbit production. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of two different feeding programmes: restricted and ad libitum feeding, applied in young rabbit females for one month at the end of rearing, on reproductive performance, body condition and circulating metabolic hormones and metabolites in a rabbit line selected by growth rate in 3 consecutive reproductive cycles. Thus, twenty-four 16-week-old does were randomly assigned to a group in which the daily recommended nutrient intakes were satisfied (fed restricted: 130 g/day, n=13) or a group fed to satiety (ad libitum: 235.5 g/day, n=11) during one month. Then, all does were inseminated in 3 consecutive cycles using a 42-day reproductive cycle. Measurements of does’ body weight, perirenal fat thickness and plasma leptin, non-esterified-fatty-acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BOHB) and fructosamine were performed at artificial insemination (AI), parturition and weaning time in 3 consecutive cycles. Reproductive performance of does was evaluated based on fertility, litter size at parturition, prolificacy and productivity. Differences in body weight were found only in the 1<sup>st</sup> cycle, ad libitum fed females being heavier than restricted ones. Nevertheless, body weight variances disappeared in later cycles. No differences were found in perirenal fat thickness. Finally, in ad libitum fed females slight differences were found in plasma levels of NEFAs (452 vs. 258 μekv/L and 527 vs. 306 μekv/L for 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> cycles) and BOHB (0.26 vs. 0.03 mM for 2<sup>nd</sup> cycle), but disappeared in the 3<sup>rd</sup> reproductive cycle. Fertility, prolificacy and productivity was not significantly affected by the feeding programme. Nevertheless, total litter size showed to be higher in ad libitum fed females at second parturition (8.7 vs. 5.9 kits). Therefore, the evaluated feeding programmes until first AI in females selected by growth rate had no effect on their reproductive outcomes, as the global reproductive performance was not affected.

scholarly journals The effect of litter size upon foetal growth rate and the placental transfer of calcium and phosphorus in superovulated Scottish half-bred ewes

1973 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 437-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Twardock ◽  
H. W. Symonds ◽  
B. F. Sansom ◽  
G. J. Rowlands
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Placental Transfer ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Foetal Growth ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Calcium And Phosphorus

1. The ovulation rate of forty-eight Scottish half-bred ewes was increased by using pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin thus inducing litters of one to four foetuses.2. The effects of increased litter size upon the foetal growth rate and upon the rate of transfer of calcium and phosphorus across the placenta were studied at 108–112, 122–126 and 136–140 d gestation.3. The number of foetuses had little effect upon foetal weight at 112 d, the mean weights of a singleton, twin, triplet or quadruplet being similar. However, by 140 d mean foetal weight decreased markedly as litter size increased.4. Failure of individual quadruplets to grow as fast as a singleton was associated with a limitation in the capacity of the placenta for transferring minerals. The maximum rates of transfer of Ca and P, whatever the number of foetuses, were approximately 2·8 and 1·4 g/d respectively. These rates were attained by 112 d when quadruplets were being carried, by 126 d for triplets, and by 140 d for twins.

scholarly journals Comparison of degrees of maturity of rabbit lines selected for different traits

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 155 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Pascual ◽  
E.W. Calle ◽  
A. Blasco
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Robustness Analysis ◽  
Maturity Stage ◽  
Maternal Line ◽  
Adult Weight ◽  
Paternal Line ◽  
Slaughter Age ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Degree Of Maturity

<p>The aim of this work was to study whether commercial nucleus lines of rabbits selected for different traits, and experimental lines having commercial purposes, have the same degree of maturity when compared at the same slaughter age. The study was carried out with 17897 rabbits from Universitat Politècnica de València. Rabbits came from the maternal lines A (3902 rabbits; 44<sup>th</sup> generation), V (4238 rabbits; 39<sup>th</sup> generation) and LP (6115 rabbits; 9<sup>th</sup> generation), selected for litter size at weaning; the paternal line R (2023 rabbits; 25<sup>th</sup> generation), selected for growth rate between 28 and 63 days of age; the maternal line OR (586 rabbits; 11<sup>th</sup> generation) selected for ovulation rate; and the lines High (503 rabbits; 5<sup>th</sup> generation) and Low (530 rabbits; 5<sup>th</sup>generation) lines, from a divergent selection for high and low intramuscular fat, respectively. Rabbits were weighted at 28 (W28) and 63 (W63) days of age. Rabbit does (42, 25, 39, 94, 14, 32 and 22 from lines A, V, R, LP, OR, High and Low, respectively) were weighed between 30 and 80 wk of age to determine adult weight (AW). Line R had higher W28 and W63, growth rate between 28 and 63 d of age and AW than lines A, V and LP (5802 g vs. 4410, 4222, and 4391 g for AW, respectively). No relevant differences between lines in degrees of maturity at 28 and 63 d of age and time to reach 40% of degree of maturity (percentage of weight compared to AW) were found between lines A, V, R and LP, but the degree of maturity at 2000 g and the time taken to reach that weight were lower in line R (34.7% and 55.2 d) than in lines A (45.5% and 71.1 d), V (47.4% and 69.6 d), and LP (45.8% and 68.0 d). No relevant differences were found between lines OR, High and Low in the traits analysed. A robustness analysis showed that results can be extrapolated to other commercial lines and other slaughter weights. In conclusion, comparison of lines at similar slaughter age could be considered a valid approach for comparisons at the same maturity stage.</p>

The effect on litter performance at birth of feeding gilts fermented liquid feed (FLF), non-fermented liquid feed (NFLF) or dry feed (DF) for 14 days pre-farrowing

2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 ◽  
pp. 68-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.A. Tsourgiannis ◽  
V. Demečková ◽  
J. Eddison ◽  
P.H. Brooks
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Foetal Growth ◽  
Liquid Feed ◽  
Reproductive Life

Feeding and management during gestation focuses on preparing the sow for parturition and lactation. Despite improvements in husbandry in recent years, mortality remains around 10% and may be increasing (Herpin et al., (1993). Cole, (1990) found that foetal growth rate in the last trimester of pregnancy increases dramatically compared with early and mid-gestation and Cromwell et al., (1989) reported that a 75% increase in feed intake during the last 23 days of gestation increased reproductive performance and also increased birth weight of piglets (1.48 vs. 1.44, P < 0.003). Results from previous studies have also shown that an increase in feed intake from 2.3 kg to 3.9 kg per day can reduce sow backfat loss during the reproductive cycle and increases reproductive life (Miller et al., 2000). The study reported here investigated the influence of three different diet forms fed to gestating gilts for 14 days pre-farrowing, on litter characteristics at birth.

Effect of selection for litter size and feeding programme on the performance of young rabbit females during rearing and first pregnancy

2005 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Quevedo ◽  
C. Cervera ◽  
E. Blas ◽  
M. Baselga ◽  
C. Costa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Intake ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Young Female ◽  
Low Energy ◽  
Young Rabbit ◽  
Foetal Growth ◽  
Litter Traits ◽  
Moderate Energy ◽  
Selection For

A total of 166 crossbred young female rabbits were used to study the effect of two types of crossbred does (H1 v. H2, old and current generations, respectively) from the cross of different generations of maternal lines selected for litter size, the use of a feeding programme based on a low energy rearing diet (F) and the presentation of a high-energy dietpre-partum(E) on the performance of young rabbit females until their first parturition and on the main litter traits at first kindling. Perirenal fat was thicker at the age of 3 months for H2 than for H1 does, but this difference disappeared at the first insemination (4·5 months). H2 does had a significantly larger total number and number of live pups at birth (+2·06 live pups) than H1, higher than expected (+1·06). As this greater foetal growth was obtained for a similar energy intake of does, possible differences may exist in partitioning and/or effficiencies of dietary and body energies in favour of foetal growth as the genetic propensity for litter size increased. The use of a low-energy diet significantly reduced the growth of does during the rearing period (−294 g), but they showed a greater compensatory growth during the first 4 weeks of gestation (+79 g) as a consequence of their higher energy intake, without any retardation in their reproductive development. Does receiving diet F until 28th day of gestation showed a significantly greaterpre-partumenergy intake and their number of pups born alive was lower (−1·3 pups). Finally, the litters of females receiving diet Epre-partumand during lactation had lower mortality during the 1st week (26·9 v. 42·9% dead pups) and throughout lactation than those receiving a moderate energy diet.

scholarly journals Testicular transcriptional signatures associated with high fertility

Reproduction ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 155 (2) ◽  
pp. 219-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marten Michaelis ◽  
Alexander Sobczak ◽  
Dirk Koczan ◽  
Martina Langhammer ◽  
Norbert Reinsch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
High Fertility ◽  
Control Line ◽  
Female Side ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Transcriptional Alterations ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Reproductive Phenotype

Abstract Factors of high fertility are poorly described. The majority of transgenic or knockout models with a reproductive phenotype are subfertile or infertile phenotypes. Few genotypes have been linked to improved reproductive performance (0.2%) or increased litter size (1%). In this study, we used a unique mouse model, fertility line FL1, selected for ‘high fertility’ for more than 170 generations. This strain has almost doubled the number of littermates as well as their total birth weight accompanied by an elevated ovulation rate and increased numbers of corpora lutea compared to a randomly mated and unselected control line (Ctrl). Here, we investigate whether the gonadal tissue of FL1 males are affected by ‘co-evolution’ after more than 40 years of female-focused selection. Using microarrays, we analysed the testicular transcriptome of the FL1 and Ctrl mice. These data were also compared with previously published female gonadal transcriptional alterations. We detected alterations in testicular gene expression, which are partly associated with female reproductive performance. Thus, female-focused selection for litter size has not only affected the female side, but also has been manifested in transcriptional alterations on the male gonadal organ. This suggests consequences for the entire mouse lines in the long run and emphasizes the perspective of inevitably considering both genders about mechanisms of high fertility.

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