A study in 192 entire male pigs examined the effects of breed, diet and muscle on growth, fatness, sensory traits and fatty acid composition. There were four breeds: two modern breeds, Duroc and ...Large White and two traditional breeds, Berkshire and Tamworth. The diets differed in energy:protein ratio, being conventional (C) and low protein (LP) diets, respectively. Muscles investigated were the `white'
longissimus dorsi (LD) and the `red'
psoas major (PS). Breed influenced growth rate and fatness, the modern breeds being faster-growing with leaner carcasses. However, the concentrations of neutral lipid fatty acids and marbling fat (neutral lipid
+
phosopholipid fatty acids) were higher in Berkshire and Duroc, in both LD and PS. Relationships between marbling fat and P2 fat thickness showed clear breed effects, with Duroc having high marbling fat at low P2 and Tamworth low marbling fat at high P2. Breed effects on sensory scores given by the trained taste panel to griddled LD and PS steaks were relatively small. Breed affected the fatty acid composition of intramuscular neutral lipid, with high % values for the saturated fatty acids, 14:0 and 16:0 in Berkshire and Tamworth (fat carcasses) and high values for polyunsaturated fatty acids in Duroc and Large White (lean carcasses). Duroc had particularly high concentrations of the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, 20:5
n−3 and 22:6
n−3 in phospholipid of both muscles. Diet influenced growth rate and fatness, the LP diet slowing growth and producing fatter meat, more so in the two modern breeds, and particularly in intramuscular rather than subcutaneous fat. This diet produced more tender and juicy meat, although pork flavour and flavour liking were reduced. The PS muscle had higher tenderness, juiciness, pork flavour, flavour liking and overall liking scores than LD. The concentration of phospholipid fatty acids was higher in PS than LD but neutral lipid fatty acid content and marbling fat were higher in LD.
As part of an evaluation of Dutch breed specific legislation, data were collected from dog bite victims (1078) and dog owners (6139) using Internet surveys. The incidence rate of dog bites and ...details of incidents (victims, injuries, circumstances and aggressors) are reported and the justification for using breed specific measurements to deal with dog bites are considered. For aggressors, attack records for breed groups and popular breeds were established by calculating breed risk indices using a reference population. Several breeds and breed groups were over- and under-represented in the biting population and there was a mismatch between risk indices and the then-current legislation. Mitigation strategies should not be based on attack records (since this would lead to the rejection of a significant proportion of the canine population) but on the circumstances of the incidents. Preventative measures must focus on a better understanding of how to handle dogs.
Little effort has been made so far on morphometry and conservation studies in horses of the creole biotype in Ecuador due to preferences toward other breeds or crossbreeds. This research aims to ...analyze zoometric measures and indexes and the manifestations of sexual dimorphism in Ecuadorian Creole horses. One hundred and one animals were evaluated in 24 de Mayo (29 mares and 81 horses) and 118 in Pichincha (47 mares and 71 horses) in Manabí, all aged over 5 years. Zoometric variables were measured, such as head length and head width; height at the withers and croup; diameters: longitudinal, dorsum-sternal, and bicoastal; width and length of the crou; thoracic and cane perimeters. The measurements presented variations between 3.55% and 10.15% and a highly significant difference (p < 0.01) except for the length of the rump (p = 0.025) and longitudinal diameter (p = 0.102). Zoometric indexes such as cephalic, body, thoracic, the relative depth of the thorax, metacarpop-thoracic, and pelvic were evaluated, and proportionality variations between 2.41% and 8.92% were observed. They presented highly significant differences (p < 0.01) except for the indexes depth relative to chest (p = 0.202) and proportionality (p = 0.014). No sexual dimorphism was observed in general except for the head and body indexes on 24 de Mayo. The zoometric categorization of the animals cannot be concluded due to the marked variation of the data for each sex within and between the cantons due to the existence of high morphometric heterogeneity between them, for which it is necessary to develop selection and cross-breeding criteria.
Keywords: local breeds, equine, morphometrics, linear measurements.
Resumen
Se ha realizado poco esfuerzo hasta el momento sobre estudios de morfometría y conservación en caballos de biotipo criollo en Ecuador por preferencias hacia otras razas o mestizajes. El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar medidas e índices zoométricos y manifestación de dimorfismo sexual en caballos criollos ecuatorianos. Fueron evaluados 110 animales en 24 de Mayo (29 yeguas y 81 caballos) y 118 en Pichincha (47 yeguas y 71 caballos) en Manabí, todos con edades mayor a 5 años. Se midieron variables zoométricas: longitud de cabeza y ancho de cabeza, alzadas a la cruz y grupa, diámetros longitudinal, dorso esternal y bicostal, ancho y largo de grupa, perímetros torácico y de caña; la medidas presentaron variaciones entre 3.55% y 10.15% y diferencia altamente significativa (p<0.01). a excepción del largo de grupa (p=0.025) y diámetro longitudinal (p=0.102). Se evaluaron índices zoométricos: cefálico, corporal, torácico, profundidad relativa del tórax, metacarpo-torácico, pelviano y de proporcionalidad, se observó variaciones entre 2.41% y 8.92% presentaron diferencia altamente significativa (p<0.01) a excepción de los índices de profundidad relativa del tórax (p=0.202) y de proporcionalidad (p=0.014). No se observó dimorfismo sexual en general a excepción de los índices cefálico y corporal en 24 de Mayo. No se puede concluir la categorización zoométrica de los animales por la marcada variación de los datos para cada sexo dentro y entre los cantones por la existencia de alta heterogeneidad morfométrica entre estos por lo que se hace necesario desarrollar criterios de selección y de cruzamientos.
Palabras Clave: razas autóctonas, equino, morfometría, medidas lineales.
A cross sectional study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence and associations with potential risk factors of brucellosis in indigenous cattle breeds of Western Tigray zone, North West ...Ethiopia. A total of 1968 cattle were examined between October 2007 and April 2008. Of these, 1120 cattle were from semi-intensive production system composed mainly of
barka breed while 848 cattle were from extensive system with
arado breed being predominant. Sera were screened using Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) and positive samples were then confirmed by Complement Fixation Test (CFT). The overall individual animal-level prevalence was 4.9%. Brucellosis seroprevalence was higher in herds reared under semi-intensive production systems. 7.7% and 63.6% prevalence were found at individual- and herd-level in the semi-intensive system, respectively. 1.2% and 3.3% were the figures for the extensive system. Both individual- and herd-level seroprevalence were higher in Mykadra and Bereket towns among all investigated towns. Though the odds ratio for Humera was more than two, seroprevalences across the three districts in the extensive production system were comparable. Herd size, age, sex, and husbandry practices were significantly associated with seropositivity and brucellosis increased the calving interval. Higher risk to infection was found in
barka breed than
arado in the semi-intensive production system but not in the extensive production system. Breed management systems, but not breed caused breed susceptibility variation. A high prevalence of brucellosis in
barka breed in the study area indicates that it might serve as source of infection for others in the region. Hence, screening tests aiming at culling seropositive
barka was recommended before distribution to other poverty-prone areas of the region.
•Different silage-based diets in Holstein and Nordic Red dairy bulls were studied.•Increasing silage proportion in the diet led to a higher meat shear force value.•Increasing silage proportion in the ...diet decreased meat redness and yellowness values.•Marbling score of meat was higher in Nordic Red compared to Holstein bulls.•Drip loss was higher in Holstein compared to Nordic Red bulls.
The objective of the present experiment was to study the effects of different silage-based diets on beef quality of Holstein (HO) and Nordic Red (NR) bulls. Moderate concentrate diet (MC) included grass silage (GS), barley grain and mineral-vitamin mixture in proportions of 600:385:15 on dry matter basis while the respective proportions on low concentrate diet (LC) were 850:135:15. No concentrate diet (NC) included GS, whole-crop barley silage and mineral-vitamin mixture (685:300:15). Thirty-five HO and 30 NR bulls (21–22 bulls per feeding treatment) were randomly selected for the meat quality research. One day post-slaughter, the muscle longissimus lumborum (LL) from the right side of each carcass was cut at the level of the first lumbar vertebra. The pH value of LL muscle was highest in LC, intermediate in MC and lowest in NC diet but did not differ between the breeds. For meat lightness a significant (P < 0.05) breed × diet interaction was observed. The NR bulls had lighter meat compared to the HO bulls especially with MC, but not with LC. Meat redness and yellowness were higher in MC compared to LC or NC fed bulls (P < 0.001). The breed did not affect meat redness, but yellowness was higher in HO compared to NR bulls (P < 0.05). Drip loss was higher in LL of HO than NR bulls (P < 0.01). The diets had no effects on marbling score but it was higher in NR than HO bulls (P < 0.05). Shear force was lowest in MC but no difference was found between the LC and NC and between the breeds. No differences between the treatments were found in sensory tenderness, juiciness, and flavour. Overall, the observed diet effects on meat eating quality were minor. This demonstrated the ability of finishing dairy bulls to adapt to different feedings without major effects on meat quality.
Alternatives to conventional chicken meat and egg production are increasingly under discussion, especially because of the common practice of killing male day-old chicks from laying lines which has ...been banned from the beginning of 2022 in Germany and is planned to be banned during 2022 in other countries. Production of dual-purpose chicken lines is one possible solution, as such lines combine moderate laying and growth performance. The microbiological status of products from such breeds must be comparable to existing products on the market for food safety purposes. Additionally, the production of such products will take longer because of the feeding regimes required, and again, comparability should be safeguarded for the best consumer protection. The dual-purpose chicken line, Lohmann Dual (males), was compared to males from the laying line Lohmann Brown Plus, conventional laying hens (all slaughtered and processed in the same conventional laying hen abattoir), and conventional broilers (slaughtered in a conventional broiler abattoir). Neck skin samples were taken before chilling at the end of each slaughter line to determine the microbial status of the carcasses. Additionally, fresh and cooked meat sensory analysis was performed on meat from broilers and male and female Lohmann Dual and Lohmann Brown Plus chickens (for three carcasses of each group) at the German Agricultural Society Test Center in Kassel. The focus was on the performance of male Lohmann Dual compared to the other lines. There was no difference in the Enterobacteriaceae count of the dual-purpose chicken line compared to conventional broilers, whereas laying hens had a significantly higher microbial load before chilling, as based on neck skin examinations (p<0.001). According to sensory test results, the meat from dual-purpose chickens was the best (as no defects were found) among the five chicken meat types examined. In conclusion, based on their microbial status and sensory analysis of fresh and cooked meat, Lohmann Dual males slaughtered in a laying hen abattoir can be considered as an alternative to conventionally kept broilers slaughtered in a broiler abattoir.
In this article the results of rearing purebred meat breeds of cattle in the system without commercial milk production on a private farm situated at the foot of the mountains in South Bohemia are ...shown. The herd of dams consisted of 149 pcs. of the breed Charolaise (CH), Meat Simmental (MS), Blonde d´Aquitaine (BA), Limousine (LI) and Belgian Blue (BM). The average age at first calving was the lowest in the breed MS (941 days) and the highest in the breed CH (1087 days). The average length of the Between-calving interval of the herd was 442.6 days. The highest birth weight was achieved by the calves of the breed BA (51.2 kg) and the lowest by the breed MS (42.4 kg at P≤0.001). At the age of 120 and 210 days the highest live weight was proved in the breed CH (193.8 kg resp. 316.5 kg). The calves of the breed ET showed a significantly higher live weight only in the age of 120 days (difference of 12.8 kg at P≤0.01). The influence of bulls on the growth parameters of calves was proved within the breed CH in live weight at the age of 210 days.
The research was done on carcasses from the slaughter of young male sheep intensively fattened belonging to the local Tsigai race of mountain ecotype and its half-breeds with Suffolk and German ...blackface (GCCN). The purpose of the research was to determine Logissimus dorsi (LD) and leg of moutton area, because these parts provide information on Ist meat quality. Research results have noted that lots of half-breeds achieved higher Longissimus dorsi (LD) and leg of moutton area, compared with the pure breed batch. Compared with Tsigai breed, Longissimus dorsi (LD) area deterrmined was higher with 10,75% to Suffolk x Tsigai half-breeds, and 0,07% respectively to German Blackface x Tsigai half-breeds. Leg of moutton area was higher with 17,27% to Suffolk x Tsigai half-breeds, and 2,75% respectively to German Blackface x Tsigai half-breeds. Research carried out special information on Ist meat quality on carcass.
Transylvania and the Banat are two historical regions that gave birth to several domestic animal breeds. Over the last 15 years, number have sunken dramatically, because these local breeds have been ...greatly replaced by imported ones. Although very many so- called agrotouristic pensions are now on the market, only about 1% of them promote real traditional food products obtained from local animal breeds. Only few people, especially old people, know traditional recipes older than two or three hundred years and the youth totally ignore them. On the one hand, a large variety of names for different products have appeared on the market, but they are manufactured by big firms and do not have the quality of the traditional products. On the other hand, small producers often have hygiene problems. The reinforcement of traditional products can only occur if people know the quality and the value of the products obtained from the local animal breeds, many of them being endangered species
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), with the ability to differentiate into osteoblasts, adipocytes, or chondrocytes, show evidence that the donor cell's metabolic type influences the osteogenic process. ...Limited knowledge exists on DNA methylation changes during osteogenic differentiation and the impact of diverse donor genetic backgrounds on MSC differentiation. In this study, synovial membrane mesenchymal stem cells (SMSCs) from two pig breeds (Angeln Saddleback, AS; German Landrace, DL) with distinct metabolic phenotypes were isolated, and the methylation pattern of SMSCs during osteogenic induction was investigated. Results showed that most differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were hypomethylated in osteogenic-induced SMSC group. These DMRs were enriched with genes of different osteogenic signalling pathways at different time points including Wnt, ECM, TGFB and BMP signalling pathways. AS pigs consistently exhibited a higher number of hypermethylated DMRs than DL pigs, particularly during the peak of osteogenesis (day 21). Predicting transcription factor motifs in regions of DMRs linked to osteogenic processes and donor breeds revealed influential motifs, including KLF1, NFATC3, ZNF148, ASCL1, FOXI1, and KLF5. These findings contribute to understanding the pattern of methylation changes promoting osteogenic differentiation, emphasizing the substantial role of donor the metabolic type and epigenetic memory of different donors on SMSC differentiation.Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), with the ability to differentiate into osteoblasts, adipocytes, or chondrocytes, show evidence that the donor cell's metabolic type influences the osteogenic process. Limited knowledge exists on DNA methylation changes during osteogenic differentiation and the impact of diverse donor genetic backgrounds on MSC differentiation. In this study, synovial membrane mesenchymal stem cells (SMSCs) from two pig breeds (Angeln Saddleback, AS; German Landrace, DL) with distinct metabolic phenotypes were isolated, and the methylation pattern of SMSCs during osteogenic induction was investigated. Results showed that most differentially methylated regions (DMRs) were hypomethylated in osteogenic-induced SMSC group. These DMRs were enriched with genes of different osteogenic signalling pathways at different time points including Wnt, ECM, TGFB and BMP signalling pathways. AS pigs consistently exhibited a higher number of hypermethylated DMRs than DL pigs, particularly during the peak of osteogenesis (day 21). Predicting transcription factor motifs in regions of DMRs linked to osteogenic processes and donor breeds revealed influential motifs, including KLF1, NFATC3, ZNF148, ASCL1, FOXI1, and KLF5. These findings contribute to understanding the pattern of methylation changes promoting osteogenic differentiation, emphasizing the substantial role of donor the metabolic type and epigenetic memory of different donors on SMSC differentiation.
