scholarly journals Improving the nutrition of Merino ewes during pregnancy and lactation increases weaning weight and survival of progeny but does not affect their mature size

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (9) ◽  
pp. 784 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. N. Thompson ◽  
M. B. Ferguson ◽  
A. J. D. Campbell ◽  
D. J. Gordon ◽  
G. A. Kearney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rates ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Sheep Industry ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Australian Sheep ◽  
Mature Size ◽  
Lamb Growth

Lamb growth to weaning, and during the period immediately following weaning, influences post-weaning mortality and may affect mature size. The hypothesis tested in the experiments reported in this paper was that changes in the maternal liveweight of Merino ewes during pregnancy and lactation could predict the weight at weaning, post-weaning survival and mature size of their progeny. At two sites (Vic. and WA) in each of two years, a wide range in the liveweight profiles of ewes was generated during pregnancy and lactation by varying the amount of supplements fed and feed on offer grazed. Across the four experiments this resulted in progeny weights ranging from 13.8 to 28.3 kg just before weaning. Lamb growth was primarily related to the amount of feed on offer during lactation, but was also related to the liveweight change of the ewe during pregnancy. These relationships were consistent in both experiments at each site. Weaning weight was strongly associated with post-weaning survival at the Vic. site. Survival rates decreased significantly when weaning weights were below 20 kg. These results indicate that management of ewe and lamb nutrition to maximise growth of lambs before weaning and growing weaners at 30 g/day or more after weaning are important for optimal post-weaning survival. The findings also suggest that the mature size of offspring is unlikely to be adversely affected by pre-weaning nutrition within the range of nutritional scenarios during pregnancy and lactation that are likely to be experienced within the Australian sheep industry.

Ewe nutrition during pregnancy and birthweight of lambs has minimal impact on fat and eye muscle depth in Merino progeny

2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (6) ◽  
pp. 509 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. L. Paganoni ◽  
C. M. Oldham ◽  
M. B. Ferguson ◽  
A. N. Thompson ◽  
P. E. Vercoe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Minimal Impact ◽  
Sheep Industry ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Pregnancy And Lactation ◽  
Australian Sheep

The hypothesis tested in this experiment was that Merino lambs with lower birthweights, due to poor ewe nutrition during pregnancy, would have more fat and less muscle than Merino lambs with higher birthweights. At two sites (Victoria and Western Australia) in each of 2 years, a wide range in the liveweight profiles of ewes was generated during pregnancy and lactation by varying the amount of supplements fed and feed on offer grazed. Progeny had fat and muscle depth at the C-site measured at various ages from 8 to 28 months of age. Across the four experiments, there were differences of 0.5 kg in birthweights and 8 kg in weaning weights between extreme treatments. The effects on the depth of fat and muscle were very small with fat depth increasing by 0.1–0.2 mm (5–7%) and muscle depth increasing by 0.2–0.7 mm (1–3%) when birthweights decreased by 1 kg. The effects of birthweight on fat depth are consistent with our hypothesis whereas the effects of birthweight on muscle depth are in contrast to our hypothesis. Nevertheless, the impacts of birthweight on the depth of fat and muscle measured at the C-site of progeny from Merino ewes, is unlikely to be of any commercial significance within the range of nutritional scenarios during pregnancy and lactation that are likely to be experienced within the Australian sheep industry.

Selection for weaning weight in Merino sheep. 2. Correlated responses in other production characters

1965 ◽  
Vol 5 (19) ◽  
pp. 361 ◽  
Author(s):  
WA Pattie
Keyword(s):  
Milk Protein ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Selection For ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
Lamb Growth

The heritabilities of seven production characters of Merino Sheep and their phenotypic and genetic correlations with corrected weaning weight have been calculated using half-sib and dam-daughter correlations. Realized genetic correlations calculated from responses in Weight Plus and Weight Minus selection flocks, which showed broad agreement with these correlations, were : 17-month body weight, 0.72 ; yield, 0.22 ; clean fleece weight, 0.24 ; and staple length, 0.17. There was zero relationship with greasy fleece weight and crimps per inch, and a large negative relationship between folds and high weaning weight. There were strong phenotypic correlations between lamb growth and milk production through the total weight of milk protein produced. The lamb's genotype was the most important contributor to the difference in weaning weight between the flocks. There were no differences in reproductive performance or survival rates between the flocks but twice as many twin rams and 20 per cent more twin ewes were mated in the Weight Minus flock over the selection period.

Weaner survival is heritable in Australian Merinos and current breeding objectives are potentially leading to a decline in survival

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
S. F. Walkom ◽  
A. N. Thompson ◽  
E. Bowen ◽  
D. J. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Genetic Relationships ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Australian Sheep ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Fleece Weight ◽  
The Relationship

There is little evidence to show that mortality rates during the period after weaning are improving over time in Australian sheep. The average mortality rate of Merino lambs during the post-weaning period has been estimated to be 5.2%. The present study explored the potential for producers to breed for improved survival rates during the post-weaning period and the potential impact this would have on key production traits. A total of 122526 weaner survival (mortality) records were obtained from 18 Merino flocks, between 1989 and 2014, encompassing a wide variety of Australian Merino sheep types and production systems. The heritability of weaner survival from a sire model was estimated to be 0.07 ± 0.01 and was significantly greater than zero. The survival of lambs post-weaning was significantly influenced by weaning weight, with higher survival rates observed in the heavier lambs. The phenotypic relationship with weight indicates that selection for heavier weaning and post-weaning weights, and in turn larger growth rates, will improve survival rates. There is genetic variation in weaner survival not explained by the relationship with weaning weight. Weight-corrected weaner survival was antagonistically genetically correlated with fleece weight. Due to these antagonistic genetic relationships selection based on popular MERINOSELECT indexes is leading to a very small reduction in the survival rate of lambs after weaning through to the post-weaning stage. To prevent a decline in weaner survival, producers are advised to record weaner survival and include it in their breeding objective.

Effect of herbage allowance and concentrate feed level offered to ewes in late pregnancy on ewe and lamb performance

2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 ◽  
pp. 63-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.F. Carson ◽  
L.E.R. Dawson ◽  
A.S. Laidlaw
Keyword(s):  
Growth And Development ◽  
Lower Cost ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Sheep Industry ◽  
Concentrate Supplementation ◽  
Future Viability ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
Lamb Growth

Lower cost systems of sheep production, with reduced labour inputs, require examination for the future viability of the sheep industry. Carson and Dawson (2002) demonstrated that ewes lambing under grass-based systems had similar lamb outputs and survival rates to ewes lambing under labour intensive, indoor lambing systems. Although there is a significant amount of information is available on the effect of conserved forage on ewe performance in late pregnancy, there is a scarcity of information on the effect of grazed grass and concentrate supplementation at grass in late pregnancy on subsequent ewe performance. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of herbage allowance and concentrate feed level during late pregnancy on ewe live weight and body condition change and lamb growth and development.

Improving sheep production and welfare in extensive systems through precision sheep management

2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 665 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica E. Morris ◽  
Greg M. Cronin ◽  
Russell D. Bush
Keyword(s):  
Radio Frequency ◽  
Radio Frequency Identification ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Sheep Industry ◽  
Monitoring Frequency ◽  
Frequency Identification ◽  
Australian Sheep ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Improve Production Efficiency

This overview discusses how precision sheep management could be utilised in the Australian sheep industry to improve production efficiency and reduce animal welfare concerns due to low monitoring frequency by stockpeople. The concept of precision sheep management is described. This is a system in which sheep are managed as individuals or small groups rather than as a (whole) flock. Precision sheep management utilises the application of radio frequency identification technology, enabling producers to better monitor sheep in extensive situations, and contribute to improved efficiency of management and sheep welfare. Examples of combining radio frequency identification with other technologies such as walk-over-weighing and Pedigree Matchmaker are discussed. These technologies provide producers with tools to improve the cost effectiveness of, and labour efficiency associated with, collecting data on individual animals. The combined technologies should also improve consistency and reliability of information, enhancing decision-making by producers, for example, from regular monitoring of biometric variables such as liveweight, or calculating breeding values to enable superior genetic comparisons over time.

PATTERNS OF GROWTH IN HEIGHT AND WEIGHT FROM BIRTH TO EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1959 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 904-921
Author(s):  
Robert B. Reed ◽  
Harold C. Stuart
Keyword(s):  
Growth Curves ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Individual Growth ◽  
Growth Spurt ◽  
Adolescent Growth Spurt ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Basic Facts ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Rates Of Growth ◽  
Mature Size

In this report is displayed the range of variation observed in the growth curves of height and weight in a series of 134 children observed from birth to 18 years. For purposes of simplification the individuals have been classified on the basis of their rates of growth during three successive 6-year intervals. Even in terms of this crude classification several basic facts about individual growth patterns of height and weight are apparent. The wide range of differences between individuals applies not only to facts about size at specific ages but also to the pattern of change followed from age period to age period. The rate of growth during early childhood, i.e. before 6 years of age, is associated with, but not specifically predictive of, size at maturity and timing of the adolescent growth spurt. Individuals with rapid growth before 6 years of age tend to have large mature size and early adolescent growth spurt. It will be the objective of future reports from this research project to determine the manner in which the individual differences in growth demonstrated and classified here are related to aspects of physical development, to environmental influences such as dietary intake and to the level of health of the child.

The Australian sheep industry - undergoing transformation

2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (12) ◽  
pp. 991 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. B. Rowe
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Sheep Industry ◽  
Sheep Meat ◽  
Productivity Gain ◽  
Australian Sheep ◽  
Meat Market

Changes in the sheep industry over the last 20 years represent a trend that is unlikely to be reversed. The farm gate value of wool production has decreased from over $6 billion to ~$2.5 billion and the value of sheep meat has increased from $0.5 to $2.2 billion. Wool and meat are now on an equal footing in terms of the economic value of each sector of the industry. Future profitability of both wool and sheep meat production depends on achieving a high rate of productivity gain and improving quality attributes valued by consumers. Wool and sheep meat cannot compete on price or volume with synthetics and cotton in the textile market or with chicken and pork in the meat market. Differentiation based on quality and consistency needs to be measurable and clearly understood by consumers. The combination of genetic selection and good management can deliver improved productivity gain. Skills development and training will be essential for the industry to fully utilise available knowledge and new technologies.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Brentuximab Vedotin in Relapsed or Refractory High-CD30–Expressing Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas: Results of a Multicenter, Open-Labeled Phase II Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 374-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seok Jin Kim ◽  
Dok Hyun Yoon ◽  
Jin Seok Kim ◽  
Hye Jin Kang ◽  
Hye Won Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Outcome ◽  
Disease Control ◽  
Phase Ii ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Sensory Neuropathy ◽  
Large Cell ◽  
Brentuximab Vedotin ◽  
Disease Control Rate ◽  
Wide Range

PurposeThe treatment outcome of brentuximab vedotin (BV) has not been related with CD30 expression in previous studies enrolling patients with a wide range of CD30 expression level. Thus, this study explored the efficacy of BV in high-CD30–expressing non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients most likely to benefit.Materials and MethodsThis phase II study (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02280785) enrolled relapsed or refractory high-CD30–expressing NHL, with BV administered intravenously at 1.8 mg/kg every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was > 40% disease control rate, consisting of complete response (CR), partial response (PR), or stable disease. We defined high CD30 expression as ≥ 30% tumor cells positive for CD30 by immunohistochemistry.ResultsHigh-CD30-expressing NHL patients (n=33) were enrolled except anaplastic large cell lymphoma. The disease control rate was 48.5% (16/33) including six CR and six PR; six patients (4CR, 2PR) maintained their response over 16 completed cycles. Response to BV and survival were not associated with CD30 expression levels. Over a median of 29.2 months of follow-up, the median progression-free and overall survival rates were 1.9 months and 6.1 months, respectively. The most common adverse events were fever (39%), neutropenia (30%), fatigue (24%), and peripheral sensory neuropathy (27%). In a <i>post-hoc</i> analysis for the association of multiple myeloma oncogene 1 (MUM1) on treatment outcome, MUM1- negative patients showed a higher response (55.6%, 5/9) than MUM1-positive patients (13.3%, 2/15).ConclusionBV performance as a single agent was acceptable in terms of disease control rates and toxicity profiles, especially MUM1-negative patients.

What geckos are – an ecological-biogeographic perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 253-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shai Meiri
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rates ◽  
Large Degree ◽  
Body Temperatures ◽  
Similar Activity ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Low Latitudes ◽  
Preferred Temperatures ◽  
Biological Attributes ◽  
Globally Distributed ◽  
Activity Times

Geckos are a hyper-diverse, ancient, and globally distributed group. They have diverged early from other squamates and thus can be expected to differ from them along multiple ecological, life history, and biogeographic axes. I review a wide range of gecko traits, comparing them to those of other lizard taxa, to identify the unique, and unifying, attributes of geckos among lizards, based on comprehensive databases of lizard distributions and biological attributes. Few traits completely separate geckos from other lizard taxa, yet they differ to a large degree along many axes: they are more restricted to low latitudes and altitudes, are especially diverse on islands, but relatively scarce in America. They are small lizards, that lay small, fixed clutch sizes, for which they compensate only partially by laying frequently. Because they mature at relatively similar ages and have similar lifespans to other lizards, geckos produce fewer offspring over a year, and over their lifetimes, perhaps implying that they enjoy higher survival rates. While being the only large lizard clade of predominantly nocturnal lizards a large proportion of species is active by day. Gecko body temperatures and preferred temperatures are lower than those of other lizards –even when they are compared to lizards with similar activity times. Worryingly, most geckos have small ranges that often reside completely outside of protected areas – much more frequently than in other reptile and vertebrate taxa.

Escherichia coli O157 Diversity with Respect to Survival during Drying on Concrete

2003 ◽  
Vol 66 (5) ◽  
pp. 780-786 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. AVERY ◽  
S. BUNCIC
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Survival Rate ◽  
Phage Type ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Pfge Type ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Production Chain ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Wide Range

Shiga toxin (Stx)–producing Escherichia coli O157 isolates (n = 123) were divided into groups according to origin, genotype (pulsed-field gel electrophoresis [PFGE] type, or ribotype), type of Stx produced, or phage type (PT). The survival rate ([number of CFU after 24 h of drying/number of CFU before drying] × 100) for each isolate was determined in triplicate after drying on concrete for 24.0 h. The overall mean survival rate among the 123 E. coli O157 isolates studied was 22.9%, but there was a wide range of responses to drying on concrete, with a minimum of 1.2% and a maximum of 61.9% of the initial inocula being recovered after drying. Among the groups, those isolates that originated from cases of human disease were, on average, significantly more sensitive (P &lt; 0.001) to drying (with a mean survival rate of 15.3%) than isolates from the other three sources (with mean survival rates of 27.7, 26.0, and 22.9% for meats, bovine or ovine feces, and bovine hides, respectively). When the isolates were grouped by genotype, three of the PFGE types were, on average, significantly more resistant to drying than two other PFGE types were, and similarly, significant differences in average resistance to drying between groups of E. coli O157 with different ribotypes were seen. There were no differences between the abilities of isolates producing different Stxs (Stx 1 or Stx 1 and Stx 2) to survive drying. E. coli O157 isolates of PT4, PT21/28, and PT32 survived drying on concrete better than groups of other PTs did. Since the E. coli O157 isolates had various abilities to survive drying on concrete, drying could contribute to a kind of E. coli O157 natural selection along the meat chain. This possibility may have significant meat safety implications if a range of E. coli O157 isolates are simultaneously exposed to drying at any point along the meat production chain. Those E. coli O157 isolates that are more able to survive drying could be more likely to pass farther along the meat chain and ultimately reach consumers.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document