scholarly journals Performance of rabbit does housed in collective pens and individual cages

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 227
Author(s):  
L.C. Machado ◽  
E. Martínez-Paredes ◽  
C. Cervera
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Individual Housing ◽  
Individual Cage ◽  
Similar Weight ◽  
Fat Thickness ◽  
Society Today ◽  
Size At Birth ◽  
Perirenal Fat

<p>In society today, there is increasing concern for the welfare of farm animals. New models of rabbit breeding are proposed, such as group housing of rabbit does in a semi-group system or environmental enrichment of individual housing. This work aimed to evaluate the reproductive performance and metabolic aspects of rabbit does housed in collective pens, comparing them to individual cages provided with a platform. Forty-eight animals were distributed in 24 individual cages (40×98×57 cm; width, length and height) and four collective pens (six does per pen; 240×100×65 cm) and remained during four cycles. The does previously housed in collective pens gained less weight and reached lighter weights by the first insemination day (3669 <em>vs.</em> 3872 g; <em>P</em>&lt;0.01), but regained weight over the cycles and had a similar weight during the experiment (4306 <em>vs.</em> 4329 g). It was observed that there was a lower feed intake in the period before delivery in collective pens, which contributed to the lower kit birth weights (57.2 <em>vs.</em> 60.1 g/kit for collective pens and individual cage respectively, <em>P</em>&lt;0.05). There were no differences in perirenal fat thickness, litter size at birth and milk yield, although does housed in collective pens had a lower feed intake (499 <em>vs.</em> 526 g dry matter/d for collective pens and individual cage, respectively; <em>P</em>&lt;0.001) and lost more perirenal fat after grouping (–0.05 <em>vs.</em> +0.15 mm for collective pens and individual cage, respectively; <em>P</em>&lt;0.05), and produced less milk the day after grouping (221 <em>vs.</em> 283 g for collective pens and individual cage, respectively; <em>P</em>&lt;0.05). In collective pens, a higher number of inseminations to reach a pregnancy (1.43 <em>vs.</em> 1.24 for collective pens and individual cage, respectively; <em>P</em>&lt;0.05) and lower number of weaned (56 vs. 66 for collective pens and individual cage, respectively; <em>P</em>&lt;0.05) kits per doe per year were revealed for does in individual cages. Overall, the use of collective pens prejudiced some parameters and needs to be economically evaluated for adoption on commercial rabbit farms.</p>

scholarly journals Leptin, a palatability molecule ? – A Review

1999 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-200
Author(s):  
C. Xie ◽  
E. Albrecht ◽  
J. Wegner ◽  
G. A. Brockmann ◽  
C. Kazala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Regulatory Network ◽  
Fat Distribution ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Adipocyte Size ◽  
Metabolizing Enzymes ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Regional Fat Distribution ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. Leptin is a hormone involved in the regulation of feed intake and energy balance in animals. The expression and secretion of leptin is highly correlated with body fat mass and adipocyte size. The regulation of leptin is integrated into a broad regulatory network including other hormones and cytokines. Leptin's effects on food intake and energy expenditure is thought to be mediated centrally via various neurotransmitters. Peripheral hormones, including insulin and glucocorticoids, stimulate the expression of leptin. While leptin action has been well studied in rodents and humans, its role in farm animals remains to be determined in relation to feed intake and energy metabolism. Leptin may play a role in the regulation of regional fat distribution. The deposition of intramuscular fat (marbling) is positively correlated with the palatability of beef and, therefore, investigations into the mechanisms underlying fat aecretion in this depot are underway. Studying the relationship between leptin and lipid metabolizing enzymes may provide us with clues on the mechanisms governing site-specific fat aecretion in farm animals.

scholarly journals Blood cell and metabolic profile of Nellore bulls and their correlations with residual feed intake and feed conversion ratio

2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 527-537 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Henrique de Almeida Santana ◽  
Paulo Rossi Junior ◽  
Rodrigo de Almeida ◽  
Amanda Massaneira de Souza Schuntzemberger
Keyword(s):  
Blood Cell ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Degradation Process ◽  
Conversion Ratio ◽  
Feed Conversion Ratio ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Fat Thickness ◽  
Blood Urea Level ◽  
Synthesis And Degradation

Due to the potential metabolic changes related to the residual feed intake (RFI), this study investigated the correlation of traditional RFI (RFI1), RFI adjusted for final rump fat thickness (RFI2) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) with the metabolic and blood profiles, as well as determined the possible different classes of RFI1 and RFI2. For this purpose, 46 Nellore bulls, 22 month-old and 411kg of weight at the beginning of the study were used. The animals were fed with the same diet for 84 days, and blood samples were collected every 21 days for evaluation of serum metabolites and blood cell profiles. No significant correlations were found between FCR and metabolic or blood traits, although there was a significant correlation between RFI1 and urea serum concentration. There were also differences between the RFI classes for creatinine, in which more efficient animals showed higher values. The RFI2 did not correlate with any metabolic and blood cell variable, but young bulls with smaller RFI2 had a smaller number of eosinophils when compared to animals with higher RFI2. These results suggest that animals with a high RFI can have greater energy expenditure due to protein synthesis and degradation process, resulting in a larger blood urea level.

Enrichment strategy of object combination on the behaviour of growing pigs

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 9-15
Author(s):  
A. A. Famakinwa ◽  
O. A. Adebiyi ◽  
T. O. Bankole ◽  
P. O. Idahosa
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Growing Pigs ◽  
Performance Data ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Large White ◽  
Average Weight Gain

This study was carried out to determine the effect of object combination as environmental enrichment on behaviour of growing pigs. Thirty-six (36) crossbreed (Large White X Landrace) growing pigs with average weight of 34-36Kg were allotted randomly into four treatments, replicated three times in a completely randomized design. The four treatments were; Control (without enrichment), PRope (2 pieces of polyester rope), treatment SWood (2 pieces of soft wood) and treatment PRope+SWood (1 piece of soft wood and 1 piece of polyester rope). Behavioural observations were monitored by CCTV and recordings were made for 6 hours/day and 3days/week. At the end of the experiment, data collected includes average feed intake and average weight gain while feed conversion ratio was calculated. Likewise, behavioural observations; enrichment use, general activities, pen manipulation and pen-mate manipulation were observed. Behavioural data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) while performance data were analysed using one-way ANOVA. Performance data were significantly influenced (P<0.05) by enrichments for all the parameters measured. PRope+SWood had the highest value for the final weight (50.63kg), average weight gain (15.95kg) and average feed intake (56.61kg) while PRope had the highest FCR 4.18). Penmate manipulation (10.48%), pen manipulation (19.02%) and general activities (14.62%) were lower and significantly better for PRope+SWood compared to PRope and SWood and the highest interaction with enrichment objects was observed in the PRope+SWood (55.88%). It can be concluded that the use of combination of enrichment objects enhanced the performance and behaviour of pigs.

Bromocriptine-induced reduction of body fat in pigs

1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 931-936 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. L. Southern ◽  
A. H. Cincotta ◽  
A. H. Meier ◽  
T. D. Bidner ◽  
K. L. Watkins
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Feed Utilization ◽  
Finishing Pigs ◽  
Initial Weight ◽  
Intact Female ◽  
Urea Nitrogen ◽  
Plasma Urea ◽  
Fat Thickness

Abstract An experiment was conducted with 36 crossbred finishing pigs (18 male castrates and 18 females) to evaluate the effect of bromocriptine implants on growth, feed intake, feed efficiency, plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) and carcass characteristics. Three levels of bromocriptine (0, 5 and 10 mg/[pig·d]) were administered, via implants at the base of the ear, to six (two replicates of three) male castrates or to six (two replicates of three) intact female pigs (2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments). Average initial weight of pigs at the time of implantation was 89.7 kg, and the implants remained in the pigs for 28 (replicate 1) or 30 (replicate 2) d prior to slaughter. Gain, feed intake and efficiency of feed utilization were not affected (P > .10) by bromocriptine. Plasma urea nitrogen was lower in female pigs administered 10 mg bromocriptine; bromocriptine did not affect PUN of male pigs (gender × bromocriptine, P < .08). Tenth rib fat thickness and average backfat thickness were lower (P < .06) and percentage of muscling was higher (P < .06) in pigs implanted with bromocriptine. Female pigs had less 10th rib fat but larger loin eye areas and a greater percentage of muscling than male pigs.

scholarly journals The Relationship between Perirenal Fat Thickness and Reduced Glomerular Filtration Rate in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Yuan Fang ◽  
Yuechao Xu ◽  
Yuxian Yang ◽  
Chang Liu ◽  
Dong Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Glomerular Filtration Rate ◽  
Glomerular Filtration ◽  
Filtration Rate ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Fat Thickness ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Perirenal Fat

Background. Obesity has been considered as an important factor in the development and progression of chronic kidney diseases (CKD). Perirenal fat, which is surrounding the kidneys, has been reported to be unique in anatomy and biological functions. This study is aimed at assessing the relationship between perirenal fat thickness (PrFT) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Methods. A total of 171 patients with T2DM were recruited in the study. The basic and clinical characteristics including sex, age, diabetes duration, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), visceral fat area (VFA), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum uric acid (UA), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) were collected. PrFT was measured via ultrasound. eGFR was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula. Results. Patients were divided into three groups according to PrFT, and we found patients with higher PrFT had lower eGFR. PrFT was significantly correlated with eGFR in all patients r=−0.181,P<0.05. Subgroup analysis by sex showed that PrFT still significantly and negatively related to eGFR in men r=−0.264,P<0.05, but not in women (r=−0.199, P=0.062). The association also existed in multivariate analysis after correction for the confounding factors β=−0.203,P=0.017. Conclusions. This study confirmed a negative independent relationship between PrFT and eGFR in patients with T2DM, especially in men, suggesting a possible role of perirenal fat in kidney dysfunction in T2DM patients.

scholarly journals Relationships between residual feed intake and feedlot performance, profitability, and carcass traits in Brahman cattle

2018 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 525-534 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Favero ◽  
I.Y. Mizubuti ◽  
R.C. Gomes ◽  
E.L.A. Ribeiro ◽  
E.S. Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Traits ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Biceps Femoris ◽  
Feedlot Performance ◽  
Brahman Cattle ◽  
Fat Thickness

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to evaluate the feedlot performance, profitability and carcass traits of Brahman bulls classified according to the residual feed intake (RFI). Twenty-four bulls (19-month old, 370±34kg live weight) were housed in individual pens for 54 days and had the daily feed intake (observed dry matter intake, DMIobs; DMI % live weight, LW) and average daily gain (ADG) measured. Ultrasound carcass evaluations were performed at the initial and final weighings, when measurements were taken of Longissimus dorsi area, ratio, Longissimus and Biceps femoris fat thickness. The animals were ranked and divided into high (>+0.5 standard deviation; SD), medium (between ±0.5 SD from the mean), and low (<-0.5 SD) RFI groups. Low-RFI animals had lower DMIobs (P<0.10) and DMI % LW (P<0.05). No significant differences in initial and final weight or ADG were noticed (P>0.05). Low-RFI animals showed lower weight gain cost and higher daily profit (P<0.05). Carcass traits were similar between groups, regardless of evaluation date (P>0.05). Selection for RFI lead to animals with lower feed intake without affecting weight gain or carcass traits, thereby providing increased profitability for beef cattle farming.

TRITICALE IN DIETS FOR YOUNG DAIRY CALVES

1970 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 199-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. INGALLS ◽  
T. J. DEVLIN ◽  
J. A. McKIRDY
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Free Choice ◽  
Isobutyric Acid ◽  
Dairy Calves ◽  
Experimental Diet ◽  
Similar Weight ◽  
Meal Effect ◽  
Low Levels

A study was conducted to compare feed intake and growth rate of young dairy calves receiving two levels of triticale (27.5 and 55% of a complete ration) with calves receiving barley diets supplemented with urea or soybean meal. Effect of pelleting the 55% triticale diet was also examined. Each experimental diet was fed to 10 dairy calves (five bulls and five heifers) from birth. Experimental diets were fed free choice throughout. Triticale (1967 crop) at both levels reduced weight gain and feed intake relative to the control diets; however, there was little effect on feed efficiency. Low levels of ergot contamination of the triticale may have played a role in feed intake depression. Pelleting the 55% triticale diet resulted in reduced feed intake, similar weight gain and increased feed efficiency. Rations containing urea resulted in reduced rumen levels of isobutyric acid.

The use of ultrasound measurement of perirenal fat thickness to estimate changes in body condition of young female rabbits

2000 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 435-442 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Pascual ◽  
F. Castella ◽  
C. Cervera ◽  
E. Blas ◽  
J. Fernández-Carmona
Keyword(s):  
Body Condition ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Young Female ◽  
Ultrasound Measurement ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Ultrasound Measurements ◽  
Fat Thickness ◽  
Total Fat ◽  
Perirenal Fat

AbstractForty-two New-Zealand x Californian young female rabbits of 4·5 months of age were used to evaluate the use o f a computerized ultrasound system in estimating changes in body condition. In order to get a wide range of fatness, animals were randomly subjected to four food restriction regimes for 2 weeks. Female rabbits were scanned at six different back sites to estimate perirenal fat thickness, using a real-time ultrasound unit equipped with a 5·0-MHz sector probe. After scanning, all animals were weighed and slaughtered. The weights of hot carcass, cold carcass, perirenal fat, scapular fat, liver and kidneys were recorded. There was a large variation in the weight of the main fat deposits, especially for the perirenal fat (CV = 0·632), indicating its suitability for estimating changes in body condition. Ultrasound measurements of perirenal fat thickness correlated strongly with all carcass fat weight values (r= 0·692 to 0·959;P< 0·001) and the estimated carcass energy content (r= 0·777 to 0·866;P< 0·001) and seem to be more precise predictors than live weight measurements. Multiple regression equations for estimating the main fat deposit weight and estimated carcass energy content using only the live weight as an independent variable hadR2values ranging from 0·47 to 0·59. The accuracy of estimates was improved when ultrasound measurements were used in the regression model (R2values ranging from 0·81 to 0·95). Ultrasound measurement of mean perirenal fat deposit thickness at 3 cm ahead of the 2ndto 3rdlumbar vertebrae was the best predictor for perirenal fat weight (R2= 0·95;P< 0·001), total fat weight (R2= 0·93;P< 0·001) and estimated carcass energy content (R2= 0·90;P< 0·001). A validation group of 11 rabbit does was used to validate the ultrasound regression equations, showing that their mean accuracy was approximately 0·895 and 0·967 for total fat weight and estimated carcass energy content, respectively. Results suggest that ultrasound measurements of perirenal fat thickness may be an accurate method for studying changes in body condition of young female rabbits at different times.

Relationships between progeny residual feed intake and dam productivity traits

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 489-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Basarab ◽  
D. McCartney ◽  
E. K. Okine ◽  
V. S. Baron
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Backfat Thickness ◽  
Second Trimester ◽  
Gain Ratio ◽  
Weight Growth ◽  
Production Cycles ◽  
Fat Thickness

Two hundred and twenty-two yearling calves and their dams were used to examine the phenotypic (rp) relationships between progeny residual feed intake (RFI) and maternal productivity across 10 production cycles. Progeny RFI ranged from -3.95 to +2.72 kg as fed d-1 (SD = 0.94), while RFI adjusted for off-test backfat thickness (RFIadj), ranged from -2.48 to +1.53 kg as fed d-1 (SD = 0.88). Progeny RFI and RFIadj were unrelated to on-test age, body weight, growth rate, and ultrasound longissimus thoracis area and positively related to feed intake (rp = 0.51 to 0.53; P < 0.001), feed to gain ratio (rp = 0.44 to 0.46; P < 0.001), feeding behaviour traits (rp = 0.29 to 0.36; P < 0.001) and cow RFI (rp = 0.30, P < 0.05). Progeny RFI was positively related to measures of body fat (rp = 0.21 to 0.27; P < 0.05), but these relationships disappeared when RFI was adjusted for off-test backfat thickness. Cows that had produced LOW (≤ 0.5 SD), MEDIUM (± 0.5 SD) or HIGH (≥ 0.5 SD) RFIadj progeny were similar in pregnancy (95.6 vs. 95.3 vs. 96.0%, P = 0.90), calving (84.9 vs. 83.4 vs. 86.3%, P = 0.62) and weaning (81.5 vs. 80.2 vs. 82.3%, P = 0.79) rates. However, cows that produced HIGH RFIadj progeny had a higher twinning rate (3.77 vs. 0.35 vs. 0.00%, P < 0.001) and an increased calf death loss (8.06 vs. 4.24 vs. 4.02%, P = 0.10) compared with cows that produced MEDIUM or LOW RFIadj progeny. Cow body weight over 10 production cycles was similar at weaning, pre-calving and pre-breeding for dams that had produced LOW, MEDIUM and HIGH RFIadj progeny, and dams that produced LOW RFIadj progeny consistently averaged 2–3 mm more back fat thickness than dams that produced HIGH RFIadj progeny. Calf birth weight, pre-weaning ADG and 200-d weight, and cow production efficiency and calving interval were similar among dams that produced LOW, MEDIUM and HIGH RFIadj progeny. In addition, dams that produced LOW RFIadj progeny consumed less feed during their second trimester of pregnancy (10.9 vs. 11.6 vs. 12.2 kg DM d-1, P < 0.05), had lower RFI values (-0.05 vs. 0.44 vs. 1.88 kg as fed d-1, P = 0.018) and calved later in the year (96 vs. 90 vs. 91 d Julian, P < 0.001) than dams that produced MEDIUM and HIGH RFIadj progeny. These results showed that efficient RFI progeny and dams consumed less feed, had improved feed to gain ratio and spent less time in feed activity than inefficient cows and calves. In addition, cows that produced efficient calves were fatter, had fewer twins, less calf death loss and produced the same weight of calf weaned per cow exposed to breeding compared with cows that produced inefficient progeny. However, cows that produced efficient or low RFI progeny calved 5–6 d later in the year than cows that produced inefficient or high RFI progeny, indicating a need to monitor reproductive fitness in low RFI replacement heifers and breeding bulls. Key words: Residual feed intake, cow reproduction, lifetime production efficiency

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