STRESS-RESISTANT OF PUREBRED AND CROSSBRED PIGS OF DIFFERENT BRED COMBINATIONS

The authors presented the results of experimental studies on the stress-resistant of pigs. The first group is a breed created in Sapphire Ltd. This breed is a breeding group (BG) in purebred breeding and their mixtures in two- and three-breed combinations with Landrace (L) and Duroc (D) boars under conditions of industrial farm technology in Siberia. Two methods assessed stress-resistant of piglets of different breed groups. The first method is “weaning crisis”. The second method is a com-parison of cortisol levels in the blood. Three-breed weanling piglets (SGxL)xD turned out to be the most stress-sensitive. Stress-resistant piglets had an effect on their growth during the rearing period. During this period, stress-resistant animals of all breed combinations had higher average daily gain than stress-sensitive animals (P < 0.001). Stress-resistant animals of the breeding group (SG) showed an average daily growth of 547.5 g during the fattening period. Also, the stress-resistant animals of the breeding group reliably surpassed the stress-sensitive pigs by 461.4 g (P < 0.01), the two-breed pigs by 455.9 g and 404.7 g and the three-breed pigs 451.8 g and 419.2 g, respectively. There was a statistically significant advantage in the indices of the average daily gain among the purebred young-sters of the breeding group (SG) (543 g) compared to the two-breed pigs (447g) and the three-breed pigs (402g), i. e., by 17.8 % and 26 % at P < 0.001. The authors found that the EAAcr/- genotype in stress-sensitive pigs was more common than EAA-/(0.71 ± 0.07 vs 0.48 ± 0.09). Stress-resistant pigs of the breeding group (SG) with EAE edg/edf blood group genotypes were characterized by increased growth intensity and reliable superiority over stress-sensitive pigs. The authors believe that these genotypes can be accepted as preliminary candidates for genetic markers of stress resistant. Blood cortisol levels appeared to be unrelated to stress-resistant compared to the “weaning crisis” method. This relationship (blood cortisol level with stress-resistant) applies to all studied breed combinations, both individually and as a whole.

Unusual congenital polydactyly in mini-pigs from the breeding group of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics (Novosibirsk, Russia)

The article describes a new phenomenon in the breeding group of mini-pigs at the Institute of Cytology and Genetics (ICG, Novosibirsk): polydactyly (extra digits), which is unusual because the additional digits are situated at the lateral surface of legs or at the lateral and medial ones. This anomaly was first found here in 2017 in adult animals intended for culling due to incorrect positioning of the legs caused by flexor tendon laxity and resulting in weight-bearing on the palmar surface of the proximal phalanges (“bear’s paw”). Therefore, the polydactyly of mini-pigs has a pronounced negative selection effect. A visual survey of the livestock was conducted, and a description of the detected anomaly was compiled. The polydactyly in mini-pigs is a stand-alone trait and is not part of any syndromes. Individuals with polydactyly may have extra digits either on pectoral or on pectoral and pelvic limbs. On thoracic limbs, there may be either one lateral digit or a lateral digit and a medially located rudimentary hooflet. On pelvic limbs, only lateral extra digits can occur. Anatomical and morphological analyses showed that the lateral extra digit is an anatomically complete (“mature”) structure, whereas the medial rudimentary digit consists of only a hooflet without other structures characteristic of normal digits. Cytological examination revealed no specific karyotypic features, except for Robertsonian translocation Rb 16;17 previously reported for the mini-pigs of the same livestock. Cytological findings indicated that the polydactyly and Robertsonian translocation are not linked genetically. Genealogical analysis and results of crosses are consistent with a working hypothesis of recessive inheritance of the trait. Overall, the study shows that this type of polydactyly is anatomically and morphologically unique and not typical of Sus scrofa. In this species, only polydactyly types with medial accessory toes have been described and are usually inherited as a dominant trait with incomplete penetrance. In our case, the results of test crosses indicate recessive inheritance of the trait with varying expression and incomplete penetrance, because of which poorly expressed phenotypes are not visually detectable.

Exceptional variation in the appearance of Common Murre eggs reveals their potential as identity signals

We studied the ground colors and maculations of 161 Common Murre (Uria aalge) eggs laid by 43 females in 3 small breeding groups on the cliffs of Skomer Island, Wales, in 2016–2018. Both the colors and maculations varied much more among than within females, providing quantitative evidence for the egg traits that might facilitate the parents’ ability to identify their own eggs on the crowded breeding ledges where the density is typically ~20 eggs m–2. Ground colors had a trimodal distribution of hue values (whitish to pale brown, pale blue, or vivid blue-green) and maculations ranged from none to complex squiggles and blotches. The eggs laid by each female in different years were similar to one another, and replacement eggs laid by females within years were also more similar to their first egg than to other eggs in the same breeding group. Egg appearance did not differ among the 3 breeding groups that we studied. Our findings thus support anecdotal observations that, within and between years, female Common Murres lay eggs that have similar ground colors and maculations. We do not, however, find evidence that there is much difference among the eggs laid in different parts of a colony.

Evaluation of breeding groups by living weight of over-age cows depending on breeding

The assessment of cattle of black-and-white, red steppe, Simmental breeds, differentiated by live weight, was carried out. Three groups were formed: selection, production, and marriage. The selection parameters are calculated using the standard deviation. The calculated parameters of selection of animals of breeding groups by live weight in full-aged cows of the black-and-white breed are 527–472 kg, red steppe-595–514, Simmental breed from the Novosibirsk region – 555–447, the Republic of Khakassia – 610–475, Hereford – 570–462 kg. The animals of the breeding group of the black-and – white breed have an average live weight of 552.5 kg, the red steppe – 641.1 kg, the Simmental Novosibirsk region – 576.7 kg, the Republic of Khakassia – 648 kg, and the Hereford Region-591.1 kg. The analysis of interbreed differences of cows of breeding groups shows that animals of Simmental and Red steppe breeds surpass their peers in most measurements. Animals of the black-and-white breed are the leaders in milk yield and milk content index, Red steppe-in milk fat content and milk fat, Simmental cows bred in the Republic of Khakassia – in live weight. The assessment of production groups of animals by live weight allows us to note that the black-and-white breed surpasses its peers in milk productivity and is characterized by broadness; the red steppe breed – by live weight and fat content of milk and is characterized by elongation; the Simmental breed has a greater development of high-altitude measurements. Evaluation of breeding groups of animals by live weight allows us to note its relationship with other productive traits. The formation of a breeding group with a high live weight allows you to create a tall and stretched array of cattle.

Perspectives of intrauterine artificial insemination applicability in gilts

ABSTRACT: The application of the intrauterine artificial insemination (IUAI) technique allows optimization of a swine production system due to the reductions in volume and number of sperm cells in the insemination dose, and by reducing the time taken to perform the insemination. However, IUAI is not recommended for gilts due to the difficulty of intrauterine cannula passage through the cervix. This difficulty is associated mainly with the fact that the reproductive tract is smaller in gilts than in pluriparous females. However, few studies have evaluated the application of IUAI in gilts. In these studies, there are variations in approach concerning the definition of the success rate for cannula passage through the cervix, the type of cannula and the body characteristics of the gilts used, making it difficult to extrapolate the recommendation for the use of IUAI in gilts. Considering the evidence that such characteristics influence or even determine the success of the application of IUAI, there is a necessity for an understanding of the influence of these factors in the improvement and later application of the technique. Gilts represent about 15-20% of the breeding group, and the use of IUAI could optimize the processes of insemination on farms. The approach used in this review highlights the aspects that could aid in structuring further studies for improving IUAI in gilts, allowing its use on commercial farms.

Assessment of selection groups of mature cows of various breeds, differentiated by milk fat

The assessment of black-and-white, red steppe, and Simmental cattle, differentiated by milk fat was carried out. Three groups were formed: selection, production and marriage. The selection parameters are calculated using the standard deviation. The calculated parameters of selection of animals of the breeding group for milk fat in adult black-and-white cows are at least 179 kg, red steppe - 186, Simmental breed from the Novosibirsk region - 143, the Republic of Khakassia - 176 kg. Cows of the red steppe breeding group are leading in productivity. Their milk fat index is 216.8 kg (P ≥ 0.95). In animals of the black-and-white breed, the milk fat productivity is 193.2 kg. In the Simmental Republic of Khakassia it is 193.8, in the Novosibirsk region - 163.5 kg. Analysis of interbreed differences in cows of breeding groups shows that animals of the black-and-white breed surpass their peers in chest width behind the shoulder blades, milk yield and milk production index. Animals of the red steppe breed are the best in milk fat, live weight, width in shanks, oblique body length, oblique rear length, chest girth, milk fat content. Simmental cows bred in the Novosibirsk region lead over their peers in height at the withers, and Simmental cows in Khakassia - in height at the sacrum, chest depth, cannon girth, assessment of the exterior. Evaluation of the production groups of animals for milk fat allows to note that the selection group of the black-and-white breed, despite the superiority in milk yield, is inferior to the peers of the red steppe and Simmental in terms of the evaluated character. However, the cows of the black-and-white breed of the production group surpass their peers in milk fat and most other signs. The formation of breeding groups for milk fat enables to note the consolidation of the black-and-white breed in terms of productive and exterior characteristics. The Red Steppe and Simmental breeds have a high potential for improvement. These breeding groups are worthy of competing with the contemporaries of the black-andwhite breed in milk fat productivity.

LARGE-COPIOUS MINIPIGS OF ICG SB RAS: POTENTIAL OF UNREALIZABLE OPPORTUNITIES

This publication presents the results of the analysis of the dynamics of changes in the largefruited indicators of the breeding group of minipigs of the ICG SB RAS. The analysis showed that the four large-copious indicators are divided into two pairs. The first pair is made up of sample values of the characteristic: average and maximum. These indicators are characterized by stability throughout the studied period. The second pair includes the sample minimum values and standard deviations of the trait. These two indicators are dynamic: the sample minimum values are characterized by a decrease, and the sample standard deviations are characterized by a uniform increase, described by linear regression equations. It is shown that the dynamic characteristics are related to each other. It is determined that in this complex, the leader is the minimum value, and the follower is the standard deviation. This is explained by the fact that an increase in the standard deviation is associated with a decrease in the minimum value and the stability of the maximum in the studied period of time. The result of this process is the growth of the genetic potential in the breeding group, which is responsible for the high weight of the newborn individual. However, due to the small size of sows in comparison with commercial breeds (60-70 kg), this potential cannot be realized. Nevertheless, its redundancy ensures the stabilization of the maximum and average values of the trait - the mass of a newborn individual in minipigs of the ICG SB RAS. A possible way to increase the realization of the potential of large-copious breeding group is to reduce the multiple fertility of sows, which is quite solvable, but hardly advisable. Thus there is natural selection directed against individuals with a low birth weight in the herd. Natural and artificial selection for live weight of piglets at birth of 700 g or more, both help to stabilize the average value of the trait at the level optimal for the broodstock.

BREEDING AND INDUSTRIAL GROUPS OF FULL-AGING COWS OF RED STEP BREED

An assessment of the population of red steppe breed cows by exterior and productive characteristics in the formation of production groups allocated for the degree of development of live weight, assessment of the exterior, milk yield, milk fat, milk fat, kg. The following selection parameters were calculated: for live weight - selection group X≥595 kg, production 595> X≥514 kg, marriage X<514; assessment of the exterior – selection group X≥9,46, production 9,46> X≥7,78, marriage X<7,78; for a milk yield for 305 days of lactation, a selection group X≥4481 kg, production 4481> X≥2829 kg, marriage X <2829 kg; milk fat content – selection group X≥4,35 kg, production 4,35> X≥3,99 kg, marriage X<3,99; milk fat - selection group X≥186 kg, production group 186> X≥118kg, marriage X<118 kg. Comparative assessment of the herd shows that animals of the breeding group in live weight by 18,7% exceed the breed standard, in milk yield by 8,7%, in milk fat 20,7%. Evaluation of animal grouping by milk yield shows that cows of a selection group exceed the breed standard by live weight by 6,1%, milk yield by 38,5%, milk fat by 54,3% Animals of the breeding group for milk fat exceed the breed standard by 6,1% in live weight, 36%, in milk yield, in milk fat 53,8%. The selection of the breeding group by body weight contributes to the formation of an array of animals of tall, stretched type with increased milk yield and milk fat. Cows with high milk yield differ from their peers in their greater body weight, milk yield index and milk fat productivity, and have a stretched and wide-grip physique. Uterus with high productivity in milk fat differ from their peers in greater body weight, milk yield, milk yield index, and have a more stretched constitution. For most of the identified dependencies, a significant difference was noted between the traits of different breeding groups. It should be noted that, regardless of the choice of the main feature, there is a tendency to form an array of animals that are distinguished by tall and stretched physique.

PRODUCTIVE QUALITIES OF COWS OF DIFFERENT BREEDING GROUPS OF THE BUKOVINSKY FACTORY OF THE UKRAINIAN RED-AND-WHITE DAIRY BREED

The studies were conducted on the materials of the breeding record of the breeding plant of JSC "Mirne" of Chernivtsi region - the basic farm of the Bukovyna factory type of the Ukrainian red-speckled dairy breed. 360 cows were selected for analysis, based on live weight, yields, fat and protein content of milk, total milk fat and protein content. The intensification of dairy cattle breeding necessitates the systematic evaluation of animals in herds and populations on the basis of economically useful traits. Analysis of the productive qualities of the cows of the different breeding groups showed that, by live weight, milk yield, milk fat and protein content, the two-breed (II breeding group) animals were better than the three-breed (I breeding group). The difference for the first lactation was 11.2; 32.9; 1.5; 1.0 kg respectively. In cows with the second lactation, the pattern remained, the difference was 22.2; 395.8; 15.8; 13.1 kg respectively, and for the third lactation – 31.4; 124.3; 4.8; 4.2 kg. The fat and protein content of milk varied between 3.88–3.89% and 3.33–3.34%, respectively. It should be noted that in cows of both groups there was a decrease in milk milk yield with increasing number of lactations.An evaluation of the productive qualities of the first-born cows of the different lines showed that Marshall's first-borns were better in live weight, milk yield, milk fat and protein, although they were inferior to other lines in terms of fat and protein content. In the firstborn of the Hanover Red line, the estimated values were lower than in animals of other lines, in particular – by live weight by 11.4 kg, milk yield by 1115.2 kg, milk fat by 44.1 kg, milk protein by 37.2 kg (Chif line), by 5.4; 1336.5; 52.7; 45.2 kg (Starbuck line) and 14.7; 1465; 55.1; 48.3 kg (Marshall Line).The effectiveness of breeding for increasing dairy productivity of cows depends on the efficiency of selection and selection of animals, taking into account the phenotypic and genetic correlation between economically beneficial traits. It was found that the highest positive values of correlation coefficients were observed in the cows of the studied groups between milk yield and protein content in the context of all lactations – 1st breeding group (r = 0,12–0,25), 2 nd breeding group (r = 0.19–0.3). In the cows of the first breeding group for the first and second lactations revealed not high but positive correlation of milk yield with live weight (r = 0.33–0.49). In the cows of the second breeding group for the first and second lactation positive correlation with milk fat content was found.The first positive cows of different lines showed the highest positive values of the correlation coefficients between milking and protein content (r = 0.19–0.43). There was also a low positive correlation of milk yield with live weight in the firstborn of all evaluated lines (r = 0.03–0.09), as well as milk fat content in cows of Starbuck and Marshall lines.Conclusions. 1. By live weight, milk yield, milk fat and protein content, two-bovine cows of the Bukovyna factory type of Ukrainian red-speckled dairy breed were better than three-born. The fat and protein content of milk varied between 3.88–3.89% and 3.33–3.34%, respectively. In cows of both groups there was a decrease in milk yield with increasing number of lactations.2. By live weight, milk yield, milk fat and protein content, Marshall Line firsts were better, although they were inferior to other lines in terms of fat and protein content. In the firstborn of the Hanover Red line, the estimates were lower than in other line animals.3. The highest positive values of correlation coefficients were observed between milk yield and protein content in the context of all lactations in the cows of Bukovyna factory type of Ukrainian red-rippled dairy breed. In two breeds of cows for the first and second lactation revealed not high but positive correlation of milk yield with live weight, and in three breeds for the first and second lactation positive correlation of milk yield with fat content.