Aspects of semen production in boars

1984 ◽  
Vol 1984 ◽  
pp. 86-86
Author(s):  
J.R. Walters ◽  
C.G. Green ◽  
J. Gray ◽  
Sally Goodman ◽  
P. N. Hooper
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
Breeding Herd ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Production Characteristics

Efficient reproductive performance in the pig breeding herd depends on many different factors including the behaviour and semen production characteristics of the boar. The latter are difficult to measure under on-farm conditions but results are accumulating from experimental and A.I. units (e.g. Du Mesnil du Buisson, Paquignon and Courot,1978; Fent, Wettermann and Johnson, 1983). The preliminary results presented here investigated semen production traits in a large commercial A. I. stud.

scholarly journals High Heritabilities for Antibiotic Usage Show Potential to Breed for Disease Resistance in Finishing Pigs

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 829
Author(s):  
Wim Gorssen ◽  
Dominiek Maes ◽  
Roel Meyermans ◽  
Jürgen Depuydt ◽  
Steven Janssens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Antibiotic Usage ◽  
Finishing Pigs ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Parenteral Antibiotic ◽  
On Farm

The use of antimicrobials in animal production is under public debate, mainly due to the risk of transfer of resistance to pathogenic bacteria in humans. Therefore, measures have been taken during the last few decades to reduce antibiotic usage in animals, for instance, by national monitoring programmes and by improving animal health management. Although some initiatives exist in molecular genetic selection, quantitative genetic selection of animals towards decreased antibiotic usage is an underexplored area to reduce antibiotic usage. However, this strategy could yield cumulative effects. In this study, we derived new phenotypes from on-farm parenteral antibiotic records from commercially grown crossbred finishing pigs used in the progeny test of Piétrain terminal sires to investigate the heritability of antibiotics usage. Parenteral antibiotic records, production parameters and pedigree records of 2238 full-sib pens from two experimental farms in Belgium between 2014 and 2020 were analysed. Heritability estimates were moderate (18–44%) for phenotypes derived from all antibiotic treatments, and low (1–15%) for phenotypes derived from treatments against respiratory diseases only. Moreover, genetic correlations between these new phenotypes and mortality were low to moderate (0.08–0.60) and no strong adverse genetic correlations with production traits were found. The high heritabilities and favourable genetic correlations suggest these new phenotypes, derived from on-farm antibiotics records, to be promising for inclusion in future pig breeding programs to breed for a decrease in antibiotics usage.

scholarly journals Performance Evaluation of Kuroiler and Sasso Chicken Breeds Reared under On-farm and On-station Management Conditions in Tanzania

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 53-59
Author(s):  
Fadhili S. Guni ◽  
Said H. Mbaga ◽  
Andalwisye M. Katule
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Farm Management ◽  
General Effect ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Gxe Interaction ◽  
Live Body Weight ◽  
Egg Production Rate ◽  
On Farm

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of management, breed, and their interaction on growth performance, egg production, and survivability under on-station and on-farm management conditions in Tanzania. A total of 1200 chicks, 600 for each breed, Kuroiler, and Sasso of mixed sexes were used. Birds under on-station management were confined and fed commercial ration throughout the experiment while those under on-farm management were allowed to semi-scavenge and supplemented with available feeds in the household. Brooding was carried out on-station for six weeks. Thereafter, birds were sub-divided for on-station and on-farm evaluation where data on body weight, egg production traits, and survival rate were taken at different ages from week 6 up to 52. The General Linear Models procedure fitting management, breed, and interaction between management and breed was used to analyze the data. Results show that management conditions had a significant influence on the performance of the breeds. Birds reared on-station performed better in all traits measured than those reared on-farm. The general effect of the breed was significant only for hen-day egg production (HDEP %) and hen-housed egg production (HHEP) in favour of Sasso chickens. Similarly, Sasso was more efficient at converting feed to live body weight. Interactions between management and breed were observed for all traits except peak egg production rate and mortality rate. While Sasso performance was better than that of Kuroiler on body weight, age at first egg, HDEP, age at peak egg production, and HHEP under the on-station management system, their performance in these traits were similar under the on-farm management except for body weight and age at first egg where Kuroiler was superior to Sasso. The survivability was also higher for Kuroiler than for Sasso under both management systems. It is concluded that genotype by environment (GxE) interaction had significant effects on the performance of the two breeds thus, a need to consider such effect when promoting them for either on-station or on-farm rearing.

scholarly journals High heritabilities for antibiotic usage show potential to breed for disease resistance in finishing pigs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wim Gorssen ◽  
Dominiek Maes ◽  
Roel Meyermans ◽  
Jurgen Depuydt ◽  
Steven Janssens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Antibiotic Usage ◽  
Finishing Pigs ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Parenteral Antibiotic ◽  
On Farm

The use of antimicrobials in animal production is under public debate, mainly due to the risk of transfer of resistance to pathogenic bacteria in humans. Therefore, measures have been taken during the last decades to reduce antibiotic usage in animals, for instance by national monitoring programmes and by improving animal health management. Although some initiatives exist in molecular genetic selection, quantitative genetic selection of animals towards decreased antibiotic usage is an underexplored area to reduce antibiotic usage. However, this strategy could yield cumulative effects. In this study we derived new phenotypes from on-farm parenteral antibiotic records from commercially grown crossbred finishing pigs used in the progeny test of Pietrain terminal sires to investigate the heritability of antibiotics usage. Parenteral antibiotic records, production parameters and pedigree records of 2238 full-sib pens from two experimental farms in Belgium between 2014 and 2020 were analysed. Heritability estimates were moderate (18-44%) for phenotypes derived from all antibiotic treatments, and low (1-15%) for phenotypes derived from treatments against respiratory diseases only. Moreover, genetic correlations between these new phenotypes and mortality were low to moderate (0.08-0.60) and no strong adverse genetic correlations with production traits were found. The high heritabilities and favourable genetic correlations suggest these new phenotypes derived from on-farm antibiotics records to be promising for inclusion in future pig breeding programs to breed for a decrease in antibiotics usage.

scholarly journals FIELD EVALUATION OF ESTRUS SYNCHRONIZATION AND PREGNANCY DETECTION USING ULTRASONOGRAPHY TO THE LOCAL AWASSI EWES FOR SHEEP OWNERS IN KANAAN DISTRICT- DIYALA PROVINCE

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Al-Jubouri & Hobi
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Field Evaluation ◽  
High Accuracy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Estrus Synchronization ◽  
Transabdominal Ultrasonography ◽  
Training Courses ◽  
Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Unconventional Methods

 The objective of this study was to carry out an on-farm experiment in sheep owner farms in Kanaan district for the period from 7th Feb. 2015 to 27th Mar. 2015 and to identify the unconventional methods in controlling the reproduction in sheep and increase their productivity using 45 local Awassi ewes, randomly selected from three sheep owners (15 ewes / owner). Treatment group (10 ewes/ owner) were treated with a vaginal sponges containing 20 mg fluorogestone acetate (FGA) inserted for 10 days, followed by I.M. injection of 500 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), while 5 ewes / owner were regarded as control group without any treatment. Estrus was observed for all ewes for 5 days post withdrawal of sponges. Ewes that showed estrus were mated by rams in their flocks, thereafter, pregnancy detection was conducted at days 35-37 post- mating using transabdominal ultrasonography. A questionnaire involved 20 sheep owners and a demonstrative field day was conducted for owners contributed in the experiment, and others from the region of study to explain the importance and results of the experiment. The results showed the appearance of estrus in all ewes 100% within three days after the withdrawal of sponges. Pregnancy rate of  85.71% at days 35-37 of mating. The questionnaire showed there is an urgent need of knowledge for owners to find out the importance of controlling the reproductive cycle in sheep using vaginal sponges. Also, there were a correlation between the need of knowledge for sheep owners with (educational level for most of them, herd sizes, income from breeding, training courses and other activities in the fields of breeding and reproduction of sheep). In conclusion, the technology of estrus synchronization has an important role to improve reproductive performance of sheep and pregnancy could be detected through transabdominal ultrasonography at 35-37 days with high accuracy as well as there is great desire for the most owner to conduct estrus synchronization technique and to take care their birth of herds simultaneously.

The sex ratio of a gilt’s birth litter can affect her fitness as a breeding female

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (9) ◽  
pp. 1567 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Seyfang ◽  
R. N. Kirkwood ◽  
A. J. Tilbrook ◽  
C. R. Ralph
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Reproductive Potential ◽  
Group Housing ◽  
Pork Industry ◽  
Welfare Issue ◽  
Breeding Herd ◽  
Uterine Environment ◽  
Animal Welfare Issue ◽  
Selection Of

Lifetime reproductive performance and behaviour are established in utero driven by genetics and the steroidal milieu of the uterine environment. Developing males synthesise androgens that can be absorbed by females in the litter. Consequently, the proportion of males in a litter has the potential to affect both lifetime reproductive performance and behaviour of female littermates. Although reproductive potential is understandably important for gilt selection, behaviour is becoming progressively more important as group housing of sows increases. Aggression can be a cause for removal from the breeding herd, and can also negatively affect reproductive performance and herd longevity. This review covers existing evidence of masculinisation in rodents and sheep, the mechanism causing masculinisation, and the knowledge gaps surrounding masculinisation in pigs. Premature culling of gilts is an economic and animal welfare issue in the pork industry resulting in low retention of gilts and reduced productivity. The selection of gilts needs to be improved to incorporate both lifetime reproductive potential and behaviour. We determined that there is cause to investigate the effect of the birth litter sex ratio of a gilt on her suitability for selection into the breeding herd.

Improved Image Analysis Based System to Reliably Predict the Live Weight of Pigs on Farm: Preliminary Results

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.M. Banhazi ◽  
M. Tscharke ◽  
W.M. Ferdous ◽  
C. Saunders ◽  
S.H. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Image Analysis ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
On Farm

Production characteristics of the Jamaica Hope breed of dairy cattle

1970 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 463-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. E. Wellington ◽  
P. Mahadevan ◽  
K. L. Roache
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Tropical Environment ◽  
Calving Interval ◽  
Considerable Potential ◽  
Production Characteristics

SUMMARYThis study is the first comprehensive estimation of breed parameters for the Jamaica Hope breed of dairy cattle. It has shown that the breed has considerable potential for milk production undser good husbendry in a tropical environment. Improvements in reproductive performance may be achieved, without prejudice to production performance, by using milk yield per day of calving interval (which has a moderatoly high repestability) as a criterion for selection.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document