Measures of growth and feed efficiency and their relationships with body composition and carcass traits of growing pigs

2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (12) ◽  
pp. 1105 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. F. Arthur ◽  
L. R. Giles ◽  
G. J. Eamens ◽  
I. M. Barchia ◽  
K. J. James
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Standard Model ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
Carcass Traits ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
The Body ◽  
The Standard Model ◽  
Body Components

Data from 53 hybrid (mainly Large White × Landrace) pigs, comprising 18 males, 18 females and 17 castrates, were used to examine the relationships among growth and feed efficiency traits measured in the growing animal, and their relationships with body composition and carcass traits at two target liveweight (90 and 120 kg) endpoints. The data were from individually penned pigs involved in a longitudinal experiment that started when the pigs were 32.4 ± 3.2 kg liveweight and 70 ± 1 days of age (mean ± s.d.). Weekly feed intake and liveweight, and body components data measured at 60, 90 and 120 kg by computed tomography scanning were used. Growth traits studied were: start of test liveweight, average daily gain (ADG), Kleiber ratio and relative growth rate. The feed efficiency traits were daily feed intake (DFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and residual feed intake. Body components and carcass traits were the weight of the body components (lean, fat, bone and skin tissues) and their percentages relative to liveweight. Three models were used for residual feed intake. The standard model (RFIstd) had metabolic weight and ADG as explanatory variables for feed intake, RFIadg had only ADG as explanatory variable, and the other (RFIfat) had percentage fat at 60 kg target liveweight included in the standard model. The RFIadg model resulted in R2 values of 36.9, 72.1 and 19.1% for males, females and castrates, respectively. The corresponding R2 values for the RFIstd model were 63.7, 72.1 and 37.1%, and those for the RFIfat model were 86.1, 80.0 and 71.9%. These results indicate that RFIfat may be a better trait to use for efficiency of feed utilisation, especially in castrates. There were significant interrelationships among growth traits (r = –0.46 to 0.98), and also among feed efficiency traits (r = 0.44 to 0.76). Of the feed efficiency traits studied, only FCR was significantly correlated with all the growth traits (r = 0.33 to –0.61), and DFI was correlated with start liveweight (r = 0.43) and ADG (r = 0.57). Growth traits per se were not correlated with body composition and carcass traits at each of the weight-constant target endpoints; however, feed intake was. High DFI was associated with high percentage fat (r = 0.39 to 0.49) and low percentage lean (r = –0.40 to –0.52) at both 90 and 120 kg target liveweights. As with DFI, high FCR, RFIadg and RFIstd were associated with high percentage fat and low percentage lean at both 90 and 120 kg target liveweights. There were no significant correlations between RFIfat and the body components and carcass traits. These results will enable the development of programs aimed at reducing feed costs and improving the economic value of the pig carcass.

Genetic parameters and breed differences for feed efficiency, growth, and body composition traits of young beef bulls

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. S. Schenkel ◽  
S. P. Miller ◽  
J. W. Wilton
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Genetic Correlation ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Backfat Thickness ◽  
Daily Weight Gain ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Beef Bulls

Genetic associations between feed efficiency, growth, and live ultrasound measured body composition traits were studied in purebred beef bulls of six breeds in Ontario bull test stations from 1991 to 2000. Feed traits included average daily feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and residual feed intake [feed intake adjusted for production alone (RFIp) or production and backfat thickness (RFIb)]. Growth traits were average daily weight gain (ADG), mid-test metabolic weight (MW), hip height (HH), and scrotal circumference (SC). Body composition traits included ultrasound backfat thickness (BF), longissimus muscle area (LMA), and predicted percentage of intramuscular fat (IFAT). Bulls were measured every 28 d for weight and individual feed intake, and at the end of test for ultrasound body composition traits. Number of records per trait ranged from 2284 (FI) to 13 319 (ADG). Fixed effects of test group, breed and end of test age (within breed), and random effects of animal and herd of origin were modeled using REML bivariate analyses for all traits. Heritability estimates were moderate for all traits (0.30 to 0.55), except for IFAT (0.14). The genetic correlation between RFIp and RFIb was high (0.99) within breeds, but breeds ranked differently with respect to RFIp and RFIb. Genetic correlations of RFIb with ADG and backfat thickness were essentially zero, which indicate that selection on residual feed intake could be implemented to reduce feed intake and improve feed conversion without compromising growth or changing levels of subcutaneous fat. Key words: Central test, genetic correlation, heritability, residual feed intake

scholarly journals A 31-bp indel in the 5' UTR region of GNB1L is significantly associated with chicken body weight and carcass traits

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuanhui Ren ◽  
Ying Yang ◽  
Wujian Lin ◽  
Wangyu Li ◽  
Mingjian Xian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
Carcass Traits ◽  
The Body ◽  
Breast Muscle ◽  
Protein Subunit ◽  
Muscle Weight ◽  
High Feed

Abstract Background: G-protein subunit beta 1 like ( GNB1L ) encodes a G-protein beta-subunit-like polypeptide. Chicken GNB1L is upregulated in the breast muscle of high feed efficiency chickens, and its expression is 1.52-fold that in low feed efficiency chickens. However, no report has described the effects of GNB1L indels on the chicken carcass and growth traits.Results: This study identified a 31-bp indel in the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of GNB1L and elucidated the effect of this gene mutation on the carcass and growth traits in chickens. The 31-bp indel showed a highly significant association with the body weight at 8 different stages and was significantly correlated with daily gains at 0 to 4 weeks and 4 to 8 weeks. Similarly, the mutation was significantly associated with small intestine length, breast width, breast depth and breast muscle weight. Moreover, DD and ID were superior genotypes for chicken growth and carcass traits.Conclusions: These results show that the 31-bp indel of GNB1L significantly affects chicken body weight and carcass traits and can serve as a candidate molecular marker for chicken genetics and breeding programs.

scholarly journals A 31-bp indel in the 5' UTR region of GNB1L is significantly associated with chicken body weight and carcass traits

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuanhui Ren ◽  
Ying Yang ◽  
Wujian Lin ◽  
Wangyu Li ◽  
Mingjian Xian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
G Protein ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Growth Traits ◽  
Carcass Traits ◽  
The Body ◽  
Breast Muscle ◽  
Protein Subunit ◽  
Muscle Weight ◽  
High Feed

Abstract Background: G-protein subunit beta 1 like ( GNB1L ) encodes a G-protein beta-subunit-like polypeptide. Chicken GNB1L is upregulated in the breast muscle of high feed efficiency chickens, and its expression is 1.52-fold that in low feed efficiency chickens. However, no report has described the effects of GNB1L indels on the chicken carcass and growth traits. Results: This study identified a 31-bp indel in the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of GNB1L and elucidated the effect of this gene mutation on the carcass and growth traits in chickens. The 31-bp indel showed a highly significant association with the body weight at 8 different stages and was significantly correlated with daily gains at 0 to 4 weeks and 4 to 8 weeks. Similarly, the mutation was significantly associated with small intestine length, breast width, breast depth and breast muscle weight. Moreover, DD and ID were superior genotypes for chicken growth and carcass traits. Conclusions: These results show that the 31-bp indel of GNB1L significantly affects chicken body weight and carcass traits and can serve as a candidate molecular marker for chicken genetics and breeding programs.

Effects of early weaning on growth, feed efficiency and carcass traits in Shorthorn cattle

2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 315 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. Wolcott ◽  
H.-U. Graser ◽  
D. J. Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Carcass Traits ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
Early Weaning ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
The Impact

This study aimed to examine the impact of early weaning on residual feed intake, and other production and carcass traits, in a group of cattle subjected to early or conventional weaning treatments, but otherwise managed as contemporaries. Shorthorn (n = 140) calves were randomly allocated by sex and sire to early and conventional weaning treatments. Early weaned animals (n = 69) were weaned at an average of 123 days of age and 145 kg liveweight, while conventionally weaned steers and heifers (n = 71) were 259 days old at weaning and 273 kg. Following conventional weaning, animals were managed as contemporaries through backgrounding, and entered feedlot finishing at a mean age of 353 and 408 days for heifers and steers, respectively, for finishing and feed intake testing. At the conclusion of feed intake testing hip height was measured, and animals were ultrasound scanned to assess fat depth, eye muscle area and percent intramuscular fat. Early weaned animals were significantly lighter (P < 0.001) than their conventionally weaned contemporaries, when weighed at conventional weaning. The weight difference observed at conventional weaning of 19.4 kg between treatment groups persisted throughout the experiment, with significant (P < 0.05) differences of 17.1, 15.6 and 15.8 kg at feedlot entry, and the start and end of the feed intake test period, respectively. Weaning treatment also approached significance for daily feed intake (P = 0.06), with early weaned animals tending to eat less than their conventionally weaned contemporaries (daily feed intake = 11.6 and 12.0 kg, respectively). Weaning treat\ment did not significantly affect feed efficiency whether measured as residual feed intake (P = 0.64) or feed conversion ratio (P = 0.27). None of the other traits measured were significantly affected by weaning treatment. These data showed that early weaning, as implemented for this experiment, resulted in animals that were lighter than their conventionally weaned contemporaries through backgrounding and finishing. Weaning treatment did not, however, influence feed efficiency or the post-weaning growth and carcass composition traits measured for this experiment.

scholarly journals Genetic analysis of residual feed intake adjusted for fat and carcass and performance traits in a Nellore herd

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanna Faria de Moraes ◽  
Luiza Rodrigues Alves Abreu ◽  
Isabel Cristina Ferreira ◽  
Idalmo Garcia Pereira
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Carcass Traits ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Genetic Evaluation ◽  
Phenotypic Correlation ◽  
Performance Traits ◽  
Fat Thickness ◽  
Selection For ◽  
And Performance

ABSTRACT: The study of the genetic evaluation of residual feed intake adjusted for fat (RFIFat) is important for the appropriate use of feed efficiency in selection programs. The objective was to analyze the influence of selection for RFIF at on carcass and performance traits by estimating various genetic parameters. Data were analyzed from five tests of feed efficiency, which were conducted with 677 Nellore males. Genetic evaluation was performed by Bayesian inference using an animal model via single- and two-trait analyses. Variables analyzed were dry matter intake, average daily gain, RFIFat, rib eye area, back fat thickness, rump fat thickness, marbling score, and subcutaneous fat thickness. The posterior mean distributions estimated at each analysis were used to estimate heritability of the traits and to perform various correlations. The studied traits showed high heritability estimates, and they should respond well to selection. The RFIFat presented a phenotypic correlation with carcass traits (which was next to zero), and there was also a negative genetic correlation. Additive genetic variability for RFIFat showed that selection for this trait can promote genetic gains in future generations, resulting in animals that are efficient in terms of nutrient use, and according to the genetic and phenotypic correlations, with no significant negative changes to carcass traits.

Association of a single nucleotide polymorphism in the bovine leptin gene with feed intake, feed efficiency, growth, feeding behaviour, carcass quality and body composition

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 211-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Nkrumah ◽  
C. Li ◽  
J. B. Basarab ◽  
S. Guercio ◽  
Y. Meng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Carcass Quality ◽  
Exon 2 ◽  
Lean Meat

Leptin is a 16-kDa-hormone product of the obese gene synthesized and expressed predominantly by adipose tissues, which has been shown to play major roles in the regulation of body weight, feed intake, energy balance, fertility, and immune system functions. We report an investigation into the association of a previously identified cytosine to thymine missense mutation in exon 2 of the bovine leptin gene with feed intake, feed efficiency, growth, feeding behaviour, carcass quality and body composition in five genetic selection lines of a commercial population of beef cattle. Differences among genotypes in growth, feed intake and feed efficiency were not significant (P > 0.10) though steers homozygous for the thymine allele had positive residual feed intake (i.e., consumed more feed than expected) (+ 0.19 kg d-1) whilst steers homozygous for the cytosine allele had negative residual feed intake (-0.18 kg d-1). Steers carrying the thymine allele had a higher rate of gain in ultrasound backfat (P = 0.02), ultrasound backfat thickness (P = 0. 06), higher carcass grade fat (backfat) (P = 0.005), lower yield grade (P = 0.01) and lower lean meat yield (P = 0.007). The thymine allele also tended to be associated with higher loin subcutaneous fat (P = 0.07) and was associated with higher brisket subcutaneous fat (P = 0.01), and brisket body cavity fat (P = 0.0001). No associations were found among the different genotypes and real-time ultrasound marbling, ultrasound longissimus thoracis area, carcass marbling and carcass longissimus thoracis area (P > 0.10). Our results show that animals carrying the thymine allele versus the cytosine allele may produce carcasses with poorer grades and lower lean meat yields but do not differ in carcass marbling or other fat depots. Key words: Beef cattle, leptin, feed intake, carcass merit

scholarly journals RAPID COMMUNICATION: Residual feed intake in beef cattle is associated with differences in protein turnover and nutrient transporters in ruminal epithelium

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (5) ◽  
pp. 2181-2187
Author(s):  
Ahmed A Elolimy ◽  
Emad Abdel-Hamied ◽  
Liangyu Hu ◽  
Joshua C McCann ◽  
Daniel W Shike ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Protein Degradation ◽  
Insulin Signaling ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Protein Turnover ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome ◽  
Ruminal Epithelium

Abstract Residual feed intake (RFI) is a widely used measure of feed efficiency in cattle. Although the precise biologic mechanisms associated with improved feed efficiency are not well-known, most-efficient steers (i.e., with low RFI coefficient) downregulate abundance of proteins controlling protein degradation in skeletal muscle. Whether cellular mechanisms controlling protein turnover in ruminal tissue differ by RFI classification is unknown. The aim was to investigate associations between RFI and signaling through the mechanistic target of rapamycin (MTOR) and ubiquitin-proteasome pathways in ruminal epithelium. One hundred and forty-nine Red Angus cattle were allocated to 3 contemporary groups according to sex and herd origin. Animals were offered a finishing diet for 70 d to calculate the RFI coefficient for each. Within each group, the 2 most-efficient (n = 6) and least-efficient animals (n = 6) were selected. Compared with least-efficient animals, the most-efficient animals consumed less feed (P &lt; 0.05; 18.36 vs. 23.39 kg/d DMI). At day 70, plasma samples were collected for insulin concentration analysis. Ruminal epithelium was collected immediately after slaughter to determine abundance and phosphorylation status of 29 proteins associated with MTOR, ubiquitin-proteasome, insulin signaling, and glucose and amino acid transport. Among the proteins involved in cellular protein synthesis, most-efficient animals had lower (P ≤ 0.05) abundance of MTOR, p-MTOR, RPS6KB1, EIF2A, EEF2K, AKT1, and RPS6KB1, whereas MAPK3 tended (P = 0.07) to be lower. In contrast, abundance of p-EEF2K, p-EEF2K:EEF2K, and p-EIF2A:EIF2A in most-efficient animals was greater (P ≤ 0.05). Among proteins catalyzing steps required for protein degradation, the abundance of UBA1, NEDD4, and STUB1 was lower (P ≤ 0.05) and MDM2 tended (P = 0.06) to be lower in most-efficient cattle. Plasma insulin and ruminal epithelium insulin signaling proteins did not differ (P &gt; 0.05) between RFI groups. However, abundance of the insulin-responsive glucose transporter SLC2A4 and the amino acid transporters SLC1A3 and SLC1A5 also was lower (P ≤ 0.05) in most-efficient cattle. Overall, the data indicate that differences in signaling mechanisms controlling protein turnover and nutrient transport in ruminal epithelium are components of feed efficiency in beef cattle.

scholarly journals 146 Survey of residual feed intake in Katahdin and Texel lambs in a feedlot environment

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 75-76
Author(s):  
Camren l Maierle ◽  
Andrew R Weaver ◽  
Eugene Felton ◽  
Scott P Greiner ◽  
Scott A Bowdridge
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Meaningful Improvement ◽  
Average Intake ◽  
Test Population ◽  
Feeding Trials ◽  
Genetic Evaluations

Abstract Residual feed intake (RFI) is quickly becoming the preferred measurement of efficiency in many species due to its inherent independence of most other important production traits. Making meaningful improvement in feed efficiency of sheep will require a consistent methodology to accurately identify efficient individuals. Due to difficulty in measuring this trait efforts must be made to incorporate efficiency data in large-scale genetic evaluations. The aim of this study was to evaluate lambs in a feedlot with large-scale genetic evaluations for feed efficiency calculated by residual feed intake (RFI) utilizing a Growsafe™ system. RFI was calculated by subtracting expected intake from actual intake. Expected intake was determined by regressing metabolic body size of mid-test weight. Regression determined ADG on actual intake for individuals in the population. Texel (n = 58) and Katahdin (n = 118) lambs were placed in a feedlot and fed in separate feeding trials, a complete pellet ad libitum as the sole source of nutrition. In this environment Texel and Katahdin lambs had expected ADG values (0.27 kg/day, 0.32 kg/day respectively) and actual intake data (2154.17 g/day, 1909.33 g/day respectively. After a period of adaptation, Texel average intake was determined over a period of 27 consecutive days and used to calculate individual RFI within the test population. Observable ranges of RFI (-0.62 – +0.62) were seen in the Texel lambs. At the start of the Katahdin trial lambs were separated by sex and FEC treatment. After a period of adaptation, Katahdin average intake was determined over a period of 42 consecutive days and used to calculate individual RFI within the test population. Observable ranges of RFI (-0.53 – +0.50) were seen in the Katahdin lambs as well. In both feeding trials RFI appeared to be normally distributed. Use of this technology may be useful in identifying superior individuals for feed efficiency.

scholarly journals Claw health and feed efficiency as new selection criteria in the Czech Holstein cattle Krupová Z., Wolfová M., Krupa E., Přibyl J., Zavadilová L.

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (No. 10) ◽  
pp. 408-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Krupová ◽  
M. Wolfová ◽  
E. Krupa ◽  
J. Přibyl ◽  
L. Zavadilová
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Selection Index ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Selection Response ◽  
Holstein Cattle ◽  
Breeding Objective ◽  
Economic Weights ◽  
The Impact

The objective of this study was to calculate economic weights for ten current breeding objective traits and for four new traits characterising claw health and feed efficiency in Czech Holstein cattle and to investigate the impact of different selection indices on the genetic responses for these traits. Economic weights were estimated using a bio-economic model, while applying actual (2017) and predicted (2025) production and economic circumstances. For the actual situation, the economic weights of claw disease incidence were –100.1 € per case, and those of daily residual feed intake in cows, breeding heifers, and fattened animals were –79.37, –37.16, and –6.33 €/kg dry matter intake per day, respectively. In the predicted situation, the marginal economic weights for claw disease and feed efficiency traits increased on average by 38% and 20%, respectively. The new traits, claw disease incidence and daily residual feed intake, were gradually added to the 17 current Holstein selection index traits to improve the new traits. Constructing a comprehensive index with 21 traits and applying the general principles of the selection index theory, a favourable annual genetic selection response was obtained for the new traits (–0.008 cases of claw disease incidence and –0.006 kg of daily residual feed intake across all cattle categories), keeping the annual selection response of the most important current breeding objective traits at a satisfactory level (e.g., 73 kg of milk yield per lactation, 0.016% of milk fat). Claw health and feed efficiency should be defined as new breeding objectives and new selection index traits of local dairy population.

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