Investigation of the Effects of Silage Type, Silage Consumption, Birth Type and Birth Weight on Live Weight in Kıvırcık Lambs With MARS and Bagging MARS Algorithms.

This study was carried out to determine the effect of silage type, silage consumption, birth type (single or twin) and birth weight on live weight at the end of fattening in Kıvırcık lambs. In the experiment, 40 male Kıvırcık lambs aged 2.5-3 months were used and the animals were fattened for 56 days. During the fattening period, the lambs fed with 5 different types of silage (100% sunflower silage, 75% sunflower + 25% corn silage, 50% sunflower + 50% corn silage, 25% sunflower + 75% corn silage, 100% corn silage) pure and mixed in different proportions and concentrate feed. Data on fattening results were analyzed with MARS and Bagging MARS algorithms. The main objective of this research is to predict live weight of lambs using Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS) and Bagging MARS algorithms as a nonparametric regression technique. Live weight value was modeled based on factors such as birth type, birth weight, silage type and silage consumption. Correlation coefficient (r), determination coefficient (R2), Adjust R2, Root-mean-square error (RMSE), standard deviation ratio (SD ratio), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), mean absolute deviation (MAD), and Akaike Information Criteria (AIC) values of MARS algorithm predicting live weight were as follows: 0.9986, 0.997, 0.977, 0.142, 0.052, 0.2389, 0.086 and -88 respectively. Like statistics for Bagging MARS algorithm were 0.754, 0.556, 0.453, 1.8, 0.666, 3.96, 1.47 and 115 respectively. It was observed that MARS and Bagging MARS algorithms have revealed correct results according to goodness of fit statistics. However, it has been revealed that MARS algorithm gives better results in live weight modeling.

Dam effect confirmation on weaning weight of Boer Goat crosses in Indonesia

This study aimed to confirm the present of dam effect on weaning weight trait of Boer goat crosses. A total of 1081 weaning weight records (standardized to 77 days) from 527 does and 16 bucks were analyzed. Data were derived from Boer, Boerja F1 (Boer 3 × Jawarandu ?), and Boerja F2 (Boer 3 × Boerja F1 ?). Two statistic models namely Model 1 and Model 2 were compared using F-test for overall significance. Model 1 is Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) which consist only fixed effect as factor, while Model 2 is mixed model which includes fixed effect as factor and dam as a random effect. The fixed effects in both models are buck, doe type, parity of the dam, sex of kid, birth type, and year of observation. Results showed that buck, doe type, sex, birth type, and observation year affect significantly (P<0.05) to weaning weight, while parity had no effect (P=0.53). Based on the model’s comparison, there was a significant difference (P<0.05) between Model 1 and Model 2. Therefore, it is confirmed the present of dam effect on the weaning weight trait of Boer goat crosses in the studied population.

Weaning rate, birth weight, and weaning weight of Jawarandu and Boer crossbreed goat from naturally serviced and artificially inseminated does

Two types of mating had been practiced in the crossbreed of Jawarandu does and Boer buck that produced Boerja goat, the natural service and artificial insemination. This study aimed to compare the weaning rate, birth weight, and weaning weight of offspring from both mating methods and analyze the different birth and weaning weights on different sex and birth type. A total of 271 kids were born from naturally serviced (NS) and artificially inseminated (AI) does (221 and 50, respectively). All kids were managed in the same condition. The number of kid died pre-weaning, birth weight, and weaning weight were recorded and analyzed. The result showed that the weaning rate of AI kids was significantly higher than NS kids. The birth and weaning weights of kids from both groups were not significantly different. Male and single kids had heavier birth and weaning weights than female and twin kids. Overall, the survival rate of AI kids until weaning is better than NS kids. The birth and weaning weight in NS and AI are not different but male and single kids are heavier than female and twin kids in both groups.

Growth Performance of Purgi Goats under Field Conditions in Kargil District (Ladakh)

Background: Purgi goats are native to Ladakh. They are used for fibre production and are known for the quality chevon. A study was, therefore, undertaken to study the effect of non-genetic factors on growth traits of Purgi Goats in its breeding tract. Methods: Flocks of 80 farmers from 8 villages of district Kargil were monitored to collect the data pertaining to growth traits during 2017 and 2018. The data so collected were suitably classified to study the major fixed effects like birth year, kid, parity of dam, season of birth and type of birth. Result: The averages were1.21±0.02, 3.62±0.02, 5.82±0.02, 8.73±0.03, 10.71±0.04 and 13.49±0.09 for BW, WW, 6MW, 9MW, 12MW and 18MW, respectively. The coefficients of variations of all the traits were low. Highest variability of 13.49 was observed for 18MW. The values of least squares means (LSM’s) of 0.96±0.05, 3.74±0.03, 5.80±0.05, 8.74±0.06, 10.87±0.08 and 13.91±0.19 for birthweight (BW), weaning weight (WW), six months body weight (6MW), nine months weight (9MW), yearling body weight (12MW) and eighteen months (18MW) weight were observed in the present study. The effects of sex of kids, season of birth and year of birth were significant (p less than 0.05) on all traits under study, whereas effect of birth-type was significant (p less than 0.05) on BW and WW and effect of parity was non-significant on all traits under study. All the traits BW, WW and 6MW were positively correlated among themselves. The correlations ranged from low (between BW and WW ) to high (WW with 9MW and 12MW).

PSXII-29 Evaluation of Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix sheep under accelerated lambing using purebred and terminal sire mating: Lamb survival and body weight

Objectives were to evaluate lamb survival and body weight (BW) under an accelerated, pasture-lambing system. Lambs were born to Barbados Blackbelly (BB) or St. Croix dams (SC) mated within breed (purebred) or to Dorset (terminal) in single sire mating groups. Lambs were born in April (2013 and 2015), December (2013 and 2015), and August (2014 and 2016) and weaned at 9 weeks of age. Traits considered were BW at birth (BW0; n = 959), 65-d adjusted weaning BW (BW65; n = 788), and survival to weaning (n = 959). Data were analyzed with fixed effects of dam age, sex, birth type, dam breed (BB vs SC), dam mating system (purebred vs terminal), birth month-year, and significant two-way interactions and a random dam effect. Dam breed did not impact BW65 (P = 0.09). While BW0 was greater for lambs born to SC than BB dams (3.44 vs 3.23 kg; P &lt; 0.01), survival to weaning was greater for lambs born to BB than SC dams (0.93 vs. 0.87; P = 0.02). The dam mating system x birth month-year interaction was significant for both BW traits (P ≤ 0.01). Within birth month-year, BW0 was 18 to 24% greater and BW65 was 12 to 24% greater for terminal than purebred lambs (P &lt; 0.01). However, BW0 differences between dam mating systems were greatest for August born lambs whereas BW65 differences were greatest for April born lambs. Lamb survival was not affected by dam mating system or birth month-year (P ≥ 0.27). Using a terminal sire improved BW without affecting survival of lambs reared by landrace hair sheep dams, making this a viable management tool to increase productivity of forage-based production systems.

The Number of Offspring Weaned from Ewe Lambs Is Affected Differently by Liveweight and Age at Breeding

In this paper, we tested the hypothesis that ewe lambs that are heavier and older at breeding will wean more offspring, due to increased reproductive rate and offspring survival and lower maternal mortality. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed data from more than 11,500 maternal composite ewe lambs collected over eight years. The ewe lambs had full pedigree records including birth type, age and liveweight at breeding plus records of the birthweight and survival of their offspring and the dam. The average liveweight and age at breeding was 40.2 kg and 228 days. The reproductive rate and weaning rate responses to liveweight at breeding were curvilinear (p < 0.001), and if ewe lambs achieved 45 kg by the start of breeding, their reproductive rate and weaning rate were within 5% of their maximum. By contrast, the effects of age at breeding on weaning rate was linear and increased by 0.4% per day, despite a quadratic (p < 0.01) effect of age at breeding on reproductive rate which increased only marginally when ewe lambs were older than 8 months at breeding. Increasing liveweight (p < 0.05) or age (p < 0.001) at breeding increased survival of their offspring, however an extra 10 kg of liveweight or 30 days of age at breeding increased offspring survival by less than 5%. Both liveweight (p < 0.001) and age (p < 0.01) at breeding also influenced survival of the ewe lamb dam but survival rates exceeded 95% across the range in liveweights from 30 to 55 kg and ages from 6 to 9 months. This understanding of the trade-off between age and liveweight at breeding will assist farmers to optimize the management of their ewe lambs, given the earlier they can be bred successfully the easier they can be integrated with the breeding of the adult ewe flock the following year.

Predictive Factors for Velopharyngeal Insufficiency Following Primary Cleft Palate Repair

Objective: Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) remains a known complication of primary palatoplasty. We sought to identify factors associated with the incidence of VPI and create a predictive model for VPI development in our population. Design: A single-institution, retrospective review. Setting: Multidisciplinary clinic in a tertiary academic institution. Patients: A total of 453 consecutive patients undergoing primary palatoplasty from 1999 to 2016 were reviewed. Inclusion required follow-up past age 5. Patients who were non-verbal, and thus unable to undergo speech evaluation, were excluded. Main Outcome Measures: Primary outcome was VPI, defined as revision palatoplasty or recommendation by speech-language pathology. Results: Of 318 patients included, 179 (56%) were male. Median age at primary repair was 1.0 years (0.9-1.1) with a median age of 8.8 years at last follow-up. One hundred nineteen (37%) patients developed VPI at a median age of 5.0 years (3.8-6.5). Higher rates were seen with posterior fistula (65% vs 14%, P <.01) and straight-line repair (41% vs 9%, P <.01), with lower rates in patients with Veau I clefts (22% vs 39%, P <.05). Patients with VPI were older at last follow-up. Following multivariate regression, factors remaining significant were posterior fistula (odds ratio [OR]: 11.3, 95% CI: 6.1-22.0), primary Furlow repair (OR: 0.18, 95% CI: 0.03-0.68), genetic diagnoses (OR: 2.92, 95% CI: 1.1-7.9), and age at last follow-up (OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.01-1.2). Conclusions: Length of follow-up, posterior fistulae, and genetic diagnoses are associated with VPI formation. Furlow repair may protect against formation of VPI. Use of allograft, Veau class, birth type, birth weight, and race are not independently associated with VPI formation.

Comparative survival analyses among captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in America and Japan

Detailed, long-term datasets on the life histories of long-lived species such as great apes are necessary to understand their survival patterns but are relatively rare. Such information requires prolonged and consistent record-keeping over many generations, so for chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), this equates to many decades of input. As life history variables can be altered by differences in environmental influences (whether natural or artificial), there is substantial value to being able to compare across populations. Here, we present the first comparative analysis of life history data for two ex situ chimpanzee populations residing in North America (1975–2020; n = 730) and Japan (1980–2020; n = 660). Overall, survival patterns were similar between regions, and the median life expectancy from birth is estimated at 35.7 (95% CI = [32.4–40.0]) years for females and 30.1 (27.3–34.3) years for males across both populations. Females who survive to their first birthday are estimated to survive 42.4 (40.0–46.3) years and males 35.5 (32.6–38.0) years. We found that birth type (wild-born or captive-born) did not influence survival patterns in either population, but there were differential effects of sex on longevity. In the America population, males had higher mortality rates than females, whereas in the Japan population we found no differences between the sexes. First year mortality did not differ between populations for males (18–20%), but for females it was lower in America (15%) compared to Japan (25%). Survival patterns of chimpanzees in the present study will be useful for future investigation into potential causes of regional differences and cross-species comparisons.