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 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 Corrigendum to: Consequences of genetic selection for environmental impact traits on economically important traits in dairy cows

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (10) ◽  
pp. 1966
Author(s):  
Purna Kandel ◽  
Sylvie Vanderick ◽  
Marie-Laure Vanrobays ◽  
Hélène Soyeurt ◽  
Nicolas Gengler
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Selection Response ◽  
Direct Selection ◽  
Correlated Response ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Ch4 Emissions ◽  
Natural Logarithm

Methane (CH4) emission is an important environmental trait in dairy cows. Breeding aiming to mitigate CH4 emissions require the estimation of genetic correlations with other economically important traits and the prediction of their selection response. In this study, test-day CH4 emissions were predicted from milk mid-infrared spectra of Holstein cows. Predicted CH4 emissions (PME) and log-transformed CH4 intensity (LMI) computed as the natural logarithm of PME divided by milk yield (MY). Genetic correlations of PME and LMI with traits used currently were approximated from correlations between estimated breeding values of sires. Values were for PME with MY 0.06, fat yield (FY) 0.09, protein yield (PY) 0.13, fertility 0.17; body condition score (BCS) –0.02; udder health (UDH) 0.22; and longevity 0.22. As expected by its definition, values were negative for LMI with production traits (MY –0.61; FY –0.15 and PY –0.40) and positive with fertility (0.36); BCS (0.20); UDH (0.08) and longevity (0.06). The genetic correlations of 33 type traits with PME ranged from –0.12 to 0.25 and for LMI ranged from –0.22 to 0.18. Without selecting PME and LMI (status quo) the relative genetic change through correlated responses of other traits were in PME by 2% and in LMI by –15%, but only due to the correlated response to MY. Results showed for PME that direct selection of this environmental trait would reduce milk carbon foot print but would also affect negatively fertility. Therefore, more profound changes in current indexes will be required than simply adding environmental traits as these traits also affect the expected progress of other traits.

169 Comparison of pregnancy outcomes in dairy heifers artificially inseminated with sexed semen deposited in the uterine horns versus the uterine body

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 211
Author(s):  
S. Kirks ◽  
R. Palomares ◽  
P. Melendez ◽  
M. Ferrer ◽  
A. Hoyos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Damage ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Prostaglandin F2α ◽  
Freezing Process ◽  
Dairy Heifers ◽  
Normal Ranges ◽  
Sexed Semen ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Uterine Body

The use of sexed semen (SS) for AI of cattle has resulted in lower pregnancy per timed AI (P/TAI) compared with conventional semen. This has been attributed to lower sperm dose and cell damage during the cell sorting-freezing process. Horn AI is a common practice in equines and canines to improve pregnancy rate when using low sperm doses. The objective was to compare P/TAI and pregnancy loss (PL) in dairy heifers inseminated with SS deposited in the uterine horn (UH) ipsilateral to the ovary containing the preovulatory follicle (POF) versus TAI in the uterine body (UB). This study was performed on two dairy farms in Georgia (A and B). On farm A, 74 Holstein heifers (12 months old) received a 5-day Cosynch + controlled internal drug release (CIDR) protocol including an intravaginal insert (Eazi-Breed CIDR, Zoetis Animal Health) containing 1.38g of progesterone for 5 days and a dose of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) intramuscularly (100µg, 2mL of Factrel, Zoetis Animal Health). At CIDR removal, heifers received a dose of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) intramuscularly (25mg, 5mL of Lutalyse, Zoetis Animal Health) and again 24h later; 72h after CIDR removal, heifers received 100µg of GnRH intramuscularly and TAI with frozen-thawed SS. On farm B, 237 Holstein×Jersey heifers (12 months old) received a modified 5-day Cosynch + CIDR. This protocol was similar to that on farm A but did not include GnRH at the time of CIDR insertion or a second dose of PGF2α 24h after CIDR removal. Immediately before TAI, heifers were examined using transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) to determine on which ovary the POF was present. Each heifer was randomly assigned to TAI using SS in either the UH ipsilateral to the ovary containing the POF (n=150; farm A, n=32; farm B, n=118) or the UB regardless of where the POF was identified (n=161; farm A, n=42; farm B, n=119). Pregnancy was diagnosed 32 days after TAI using TRUS to determine P/TAI. Heifers diagnosed pregnant were re-examined using TRUS at 60 days of gestation to assess PL. Data were analysed using PROC LOGISTIC and the chi-square test of SAS (SAS Institute Inc.). Heifers that received SS in the UH had adequate P/TAI (50.6% (76/150); farm A: 50.0% (16/32); farm B: 50.8% (60/118)), which tended to be numerically greater (P=0.12) than that observed in heifers receiving SS in the UB (43.4% (70/161); farm A: 40.5% (17/42); farm B: 44.5% (53/119)). In addition, PL was not different between groups and was within normal ranges for dairy heifers (10.0 and 9.4% for UH and UB, respectively). In conclusion, TAI of dairy heifers with SS deposited in the UH ipsilateral to the ovary containing the POF resulted in adequate P/TAI, which was 7.2% greater than TAI in the UB. Horn AI with SS might become a valuable tool for optimising reproductive efficiency and genetic selection of dairy herds.

scholarly journals Consequences of genetic selection for environmental impact traits on economically important traits in dairy cows

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (10) ◽  
pp. 1779
Author(s):  
Purna Kandel ◽  
Sylvie Vanderick ◽  
Marie-Laure Vanrobays ◽  
Hélène Soyeurt ◽  
Nicolas Gengler
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Selection Response ◽  
Direct Selection ◽  
Correlated Response ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Ch4 Emissions ◽  
Natural Logarithm

Methane (CH4) emission is an important environmental trait in dairy cows. Breeding aiming to mitigate CH4 emissions require the estimation of genetic correlations with other economically important traits and the prediction of their selection response. In this study, test-day CH4 emissions were predicted from milk mid-infrared spectra of Holstein cows. Predicted CH4 emissions (PME) and log-transformed CH4 intensity (LMI) computed as the natural logarithm of PME divided by milk yield (MY). Genetic correlations of PME and LMI with traits used currently were approximated from correlations between estimated breeding values of sires. Values were for PME with MY 0.06, fat yield (FY) 0.09, protein yield (PY) 0.13, fertility 0.17; body condition score (BCS) –0.02; udder health (UDH) 0.22; and longevity 0.22. As expected by its definition, values were negative for LMI with production traits (MY –0.61; FY –0.15 and PY –0.40) and positive with fertility (0.36); BCS (0.20); UDH (0.08) and longevity (0.06). The genetic correlations of 33 type traits with PME ranged from –0.12 to 0.25 and for LMI ranged from –0.22 to 0.18. Without selecting PME and LMI (status quo) the relative genetic change through correlated responses of other traits were in PME by 2% and in LMI by –15%, but only due to the correlated response to MY. Results showed for PME that direct selection of this environmental trait would reduce milk carbon foot print but would also affect negatively fertility. Therefore, more profound changes in current indexes will be required than simply adding environmental traits as these traits also affect the expected progress of other traits.

scholarly journals Immune competence traits assessed during the stress of weaning are heritable and favorably genetically correlated with temperament traits in Angus cattle1

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (10) ◽  
pp. 4053-4065 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brad C Hine ◽  
Amy M Bell ◽  
Dominic D O Niemeyer ◽  
Christian J Duff ◽  
Nick M Butcher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Immune Competence ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Vaccination History ◽  
Health Related ◽  
History Of ◽  
Beef Herds

Abstract Selection for production traits with little or no emphasis on health-related traits has the potential to increase susceptibility to disease in food-producing animals. A possible genetic strategy to mitigate such effects is to include both production and health traits in the breeding objective when selecting animals. For this to occur, reliable methodologies are required to assess beneficial health traits, such as the immune capacity of animals. We describe here a methodology to assess the immune competence of beef cattle which is both practical to apply on farm and does not restrict the future sale of tested animals. The methodology also accommodates variation in prior vaccination history of cohorts of animals being tested. In the present study, the immune competence phenotype of 1,100 Angus calves was assessed during yard weaning. Genetic parameters associated with immune competence traits were estimated and associations between immune competence, temperament, and stress-coping ability traits were investigated. Results suggested that immune competence traits, related to an animal’s ability to mount both antibody and cell-mediated immune responses, are moderately heritable (h2 = 0.32 ± 0.09 and 0.27 ± 0.08, respectively) and favorably genetically correlated with the temperament trait, flight time (r = 0.63 ± 0.31 and 0.60 ± 0.29 with antibody and cell-mediated immune responses, respectively). Development of methodologies to assess the immune competence phenotype of beef cattle is a critical first step in the establishment of genetic selection strategies aimed at improving the general disease resistance of beef herds. Strategies aimed at reducing the incidence of disease in beef cattle are expected to significantly improve animal health and welfare, reduce reliance on the use of antibiotics to treat disease, and reduce disease-associated costs incurred by producers.

scholarly journals The Next Step to Further Decrease Veterinary Antibiotic Applications: Phytogenic Alternatives and Effective Monitoring; the Dutch Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria J. Groot ◽  
Bjorn J. A. Berendsen ◽  
Natalie B. Cleton
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Antibiotic Usage ◽  
Effective Selection ◽  
Natural Remedies ◽  
Production Animals ◽  
Veterinary Antibiotic ◽  
On Farm

Antibiotics are used to control infectious diseases in both animals and humans. They can be life-saving compounds but excessive use in animal husbandry leads to the development of antibiotic resistance which can impact the public health. Since similar antibiotics are used in both animal and human healthcare, it is important to reduce the use of antibiotics in production animals. In the Netherlands policies have been developed aiming for a decrease of antibiotic usage in animals, and alternatives to antibiotics are investigated. Currently, a one-on-one relationship between farmer and veterinarian is successfully implemented and (national) registration of antibiotic usage is mandatory. Unfortunately, after a 70% decrease in antibiotic usage since 2009, this decrease is now stagnating in most sectors. Innovative strategies are required to facilitate a further reduction. One promising option is a focus on farm management and natural alternatives to antibiotics. The Dutch government has invested in the spread of knowledge of natural remedies and good animal management to support animal health via so called Barnbooks for farmers and veterinarians. Another option is the analysis of on-farm antibiotic use to prevent unregistered applications. New (bio)analytical strategies to monitor the correct and complete registration of antibiotic usage have been developed and trial-tested in the Netherlands. Such strategies support a risk-based monitoring and allow effective selection of high-risk (high antibiotic use or illegal antibiotic) users. Both effective monitoring and the availability and knowledge of alternatives is a prerequisite to achieve a further significant decrease in antibiotic veterinary usage.

scholarly journals Prediction of meat quality traits in the abattoir using portable near-infrared spectrometers: heritability of predicted traits and genetic correlations with laboratory-measured traits

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Savoia ◽  
Andrea Albera ◽  
Alberto Brugiapaglia ◽  
Liliana Di Stasio ◽  
Alessio Cecchinato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Meat Quality ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
External Validation ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Quality Traits ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Meat Quality Traits ◽  
Color Traits ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract Background The possibility of assessing meat quality traits over the meat chain is strongly limited, especially in the context of selective breeding which requires a large number of phenotypes. The main objective of this study was to investigate the suitability of portable infrared spectrometers for phenotyping beef cattle aiming to genetically improving the quality of their meat. Meat quality traits (pH, color, water holding capacity, tenderness) were appraised on rib eye muscle samples of 1,327 Piemontese young bulls using traditional (i.e., reference/gold standard) laboratory analyses; the same traits were also predicted from spectra acquired at the abattoir on the intact muscle surface of the same animals 1 d after slaughtering. Genetic parameters were estimated for both laboratory measures of meat quality traits and their spectra-based predictions. Results The prediction performances of the calibration equations, assessed through external validation, were satisfactory for color traits (R2 from 0.52 to 0.80), low for pH and purge losses (R2 around 0.30), and very poor for cooking losses and tenderness (R2 below 0.20). Except for lightness and purge losses, the heritability estimates of most of the predicted traits were lower than those of the measured traits while the genetic correlations between measured and predicted traits were high (average value 0.81). Conclusions Results showed that NIRS predictions of color traits, pH, and purge losses could be used as indicator traits for the indirect genetic selection of the reference quality phenotypes. Results for cooking losses were less effective, while the NIR predictions of tenderness were affected by a relatively high uncertainty of estimate. Overall, genetic selection of some meat quality traits, whose direct phenotyping is difficult, can benefit of the application of infrared spectrometers technology.

scholarly journals Recent genetic advances on boar taint reduction as an alternative to castration: a review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darlene Ana Souza Duarte ◽  
Martine Schroyen ◽  
Rodrigo Reis Mota ◽  
Sylvie Vanderick ◽  
Nicolas Gengler
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Boar Taint ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Fat Tissue ◽  
Reproduction Traits ◽  
Unpleasant Odor ◽  
High Heritability ◽  
Pig Meat ◽  
Or Genes ◽  
Synthesis And Degradation

AbstractBoar taint is an unpleasant odor in male pig meat, mainly caused by androstenone, skatole, and indole, which are deposited in the fat tissue. Piglet castration is the most common practice to prevent boar taint. However, castration is likely to be banished in a few years due to animal welfare concerns. Alternatives to castration, such as genetic selection, have been assessed. Androstenone and skatole have moderate to high heritability, which makes it feasible to select against these compounds. This review presents the latest results obtained on genetic selection against boar taint, on correlation with other traits, on differences in breeds, and on candidate genes related to boar taint. QTLs for androstenone and skatole have been reported mainly on chromosomes 6, 7, and 14. These chromosomes were reported to contain genes responsible for synthesis and degradation of androstenone and skatole. A myriad of work has been done to find markers or genes that can be used to select animals with lower boar taint. The selection against boar taint could decrease performance of some reproduction traits. However, a favorable response on production traits has been observed by selecting against boar taint. Selection results have shown that it is possible to reduce boar taint in few generations. In addition, modifications in diet and environment conditions could be associated with genetic selection to reduce boar taint. Nevertheless, costs to measure and select against boar taint should be rewarded with incentives from the market; otherwise, it would be difficult to implement genetic selection.

Genetic analysis of docility score of Australian Angus and Limousin cattle

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 213 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. F. Walkom ◽  
M. G. Jeyaruban ◽  
B. Tier ◽  
D. J. Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effect ◽  
Animal Model ◽  
Genetic Analysis ◽  
Genetic Parameters ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Breeding Value ◽  
Maternal Behaviour ◽  
Production Traits ◽  
Subjective Score

The temperament of cattle is believed to affect the profitability of the herd through impacting production costs, meat quality, reproduction, maternal behaviour and the welfare of the animals and their handlers. As part of the national beef cattle genetic evaluation in Australia by BREEDPLAN, 50 935 Angus and 50 930 Limousin calves were scored by seedstock producers for temperament using docility score. Docility score is a subjective score of the animal’s response to being restrained and isolated within a crush, at weaning, and is scored on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 representing the quiet and 5 the extremely nervous or anxious calves. Genetic parameters for docility score were estimated using a threshold animal model with four thresholds (five categories) from a Bayesian analysis carried out using Gibbs sampling in THRGIBBS1F90 with post-Gibbs analysis in POSTGIBBSF90. The heritability of docility score on the observed scale was 0.21 and 0.39 in Angus and Limousin, respectively. Since the release of the docility breeding value to the Australian Limousin population there has been a favourable trend within the national herd towards more docile cattle. Weak but favourable genetic correlations between docility score and the production traits indicates that docility score is largely independent of these traits and that selection to improve temperament can occur without having an adverse effect on growth, fat, muscle and reproduction.

Strategie e strumenti per la valorizzazione delle produzioni nella filiera bovina: il fattore genoma

2012 ◽  
pp. 63-83
Author(s):  
Francesco Zecca ◽  
Elisabetta Capocchi
Keyword(s):  
Bovine Genome ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Genetic Selection ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Cattle Industry ◽  
Cattle Feed ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Representative Species ◽  
Working Set ◽  
Target Characteristics

The aim of the project was to examine the features involved in product quality and animal health for the purposes of genetic selection in order to achieve the best quality in each of the species and/or breeds under consideration. Among the tasks carried out the working group had to verify the socio-economic development of the most satisfactory end results as determined by the working set of genetic selections in the light of continuous advances in knowledge regarding the bovine genome. The analysis was limited to cattle as they were considered the most representative species for the purpose of the study. The study started with an analysis of the sector to investigate the proactive dynamics concerning the use of technology in the cattle industry The approach used is one which has become customary in studies examining issues in this sector related to the system of farming/livestock and which allows us to detect not only the most crucial quantitative but also qualitative aspects that exist and have been established among the various components of the system, with particular reference to the types of productive performance which are determined by the use of different technical patterns, especially those related to improvement and genetic selection. The study's aim was to follow the analytical framework of the supply chain in order to highlight important conditions that contribute to an interpretation of the key economic characteristics for the selective breeding industry under analysis. All this is due to the gradual revelation of the genetic basis of biodiversity by means of genome sequencing. Thanks to genomics, subjects to be used for propagation can be selected in terms of the target characteristics to be achieved, such as greater energy efficiency, resulting in the ability to produce better cattle feed, more resistance to disease, or a reduction in environmental impact by reducing emissions of methane gas. Regarding the methodology adopted, an examination of the context is followed by an evaluation of the most suitable production factors for the enhancement of the cattle population and the article concludes with some suggestions for possible future interventions.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document