Data werfe analysed of litters from Large White and Landrace herds which were tested at central stations in Great Britain for growth and carcass traits. Information on reproductive performance of young females was combined with data on their relatives at central stations in order to calculate genetic relationships of reproduction with growth and with carcass traits. Progeny testing of boars for both sets of traits was the most efficient of the methods considered for this analysis.

In general, the estimated genetic correlations of reproductive performance with growth and with carcass traits were alike in sign for the two breeds, and the signs of the matrix of values were internally consistent. For example, combining data for litter sizes in the Large White breed, genetic correlations were −0·15 (food conversion ratio), 0·06 (daily gain), −0·18 (average backfat depth), −0·63 (killing-out percentage) and −0·41 (hind quarter percentage). When the growth and carcass traits were combined as total points score in a selection index, the genetic correlation between this score and reproductive performance was very small, with a range from −0·04 to 0·02. Calculations showed that inclusion of reproductive performance in the index would increase the rate of genetic improvement by only 0·55%.

A simple non-surgical technique was used to recover embryos from lactating dairy cattle, given 3000 IU PMSG to induce superovulation and the results obtained were compared with the ovulation rate and recovery of embryos from slaughtered cows.

In the slaughtered cows, which were treated late in lactation, mean ovulation rate was only 8·3 ± 1·24 or 9·8 ± 1·26 excluding cows that failed to ovulate. A mean of 6·1 ± 0·63 eggs was recovered but only 4·2 ± 0·63 were normally developed embryos. In the cows treated in mid-lactation for non-surgical embryo recovery, 25/92 had fewer than three ovulations. A mean of 3·5 ± 0·45 eggs was obtained non-surgically from 58 cows that were flushed, and 3·1 ± 0·44 were normal embryos. The estimated recovery rate of normal embryos non-surgically was 38 % of those ovulated compared with 43 % from slaughtered animals.

It appears that the lactating dairy cow has a rather low ovulatory response to PMSG but by the repeated use of the non-surgical embryo recovery method described, sufficient numbers of embryos may be obtained on a yearly basis to justify the use of the procedure for the improvement and dissemination of dairy breeds.

Seventy-five enzootic pneumonia-free female pigs (sows) were allocated at random to one of five treatment groups. Four of these groups were weaned following a 10-day lactation period and were fed either 2 or 4 kg per day in lactation and either 2 or 4 kg per day from weaning to remating, such that the patterns of feeding for the four groups in the two periods were: 4 kg, 4 kg (HH); 4 kg, 2 kg (HL); 2 kg, 4 kg (LH) and 2 kg, 2 kg (LL). A fifth treatment group (control) was weaned following a 42-day lactation period and was fed up to 6·3 kg/day, depending on litter size and 2·7 kg/day from weaning to remating. Level of feeding for the four early-weaned groups in both lactation and in the interval from weaning to remating significantly (P < 0·001) affected the weight changes of the sows during these periods. The interval from weaning to oestrus for the early-weaned sows (8·2 days) was significantly (P < 0·001) greater than for the control sows (4·5 days), but this interval was not affected by level of feeding either in lactation or in the remating period for the early-weaned sows. Litter size at the subsequent farrowing for the early-weaned sows (9·3 piglets) was significantly (P < 0·001) less than litter size for the control sows (12·0 piglets). Level of feeding in lactation or in the weaning to remating period had no effect on subsequent litter size of the early-weaned sows.

The aim of this study was to test the effect of various dietary protein contents (CP) on the carcass traits and the meat quality of Cinta Senese pigs. A total of 60 Cinta Senese pigs were equally distributed in four dietary groups that were balanced for sex (barrows and gilts) and live weight. The animals in the groups were fed one of four diets (80CP, 100CP, 130CP and 160CP) containing different CP contents (80, 100, 130 and 160 g/kg, respectively). The diets were administered to the pigs during the entire growing–fattening period in a controlled dose of 90 g/kg W0.75, to a maximum of 2.5 kg/day per animal. The duration of the trial was ~250 days, ending when the animals reached the target slaughter weight of 145 kg. The 80CP diet produced fatter carcasses than did the other diets; no differences in carcass composition were found among the animals fed the other three diets (total lean cuts: 57.4%, 61.4%, 60.8% and 61.3% for 80CP, 100CP, 130CP and 160CP diet, respectively). The sample joint composition confirmed the highest fatness and the lowest meatiness of pigs fed 80CP. This same pattern was evident for the composition of the muscle (Longissimus lumborum) containing the largest amount of i.m. fat, and the lowest protein content in the 80CP group. Moreover, the 80CP diet resulted in the lightest and yellowest meat with the highest cooking loss. A principal component analysis of the physical and chemical traits of the meat revealed three first factors that explained 56% of the total variance. Among them, only the intersection of Factor1, which combined mainly lower pH at 24 h postmortem and higher drip loss, cooking loss, lightness and yellowness, with Factor2, which associated higher toughness, higher protein and lower fat content, graphically appeared to discriminate the 80CP diet from the other ones. In conclusion, a diet with 80 g/kg of CP content was inadequate for this local breed, while, in consideration of the cost of protein feed and the need to reduce N pollution, the 100CP diet would be an optimal compromise for the growth–fattening of Cinta Senese pigs.

Grape seed procyanidins (GSPs), widely known for their beneficial health properties, fail to bring about the expected improvement in piglets’ growth performance. The effects of dietary supplementation with GSPs on nutrient utilisation may be a critical influencing factor. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with GSPs on nutrient utilisation and gut function in weaned piglets. One hundred and twenty crossbred piglets were allocated randomly to four treatment groups, with three replicate pens per treatment and 10 piglets per pen. Each group was given one of the four dietary treatments: the basal diet (control group) or the basal diet with the addition of 50-, 100- or 150-mg/kg GSPs. The trial lasted 28 days. Faeces were collected from d 12 to 14 and from d 26 to 28 for measuring the coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of the nutrients. Blood samples were collected on d 14 and 28 for detecting the blood biochemical parameters. Two piglets per pen were slaughtered to collect the pancreas and intestinal digesta for evaluating the digestive enzyme activity and the coefficient of ileal apparent digestibility (CIAD) of the nutrients. On d 14 and 28, supplementation with 150-mg/kg GSPs significantly decreased the CTTAD of DM and CP in piglets. On d 14, GSPs supplementation at a concentration of 150 mg/kg led to a remarkable decrease in the CIAD of CP and gross energy (GE). On d 28, GSPs supplementation at a dose of 150 mg/kg generated a marked decline in the CIAD of DM, GE, CP and ether extract. Grape seed procyanidins supplementation at concentrations of 100 or 150 mg/kg inhibited the activities of lipase and amylase. In contrast, the jejunum mucosa maltase and sucrase activities increased due to the inclusion of GSPs at a concentration of 100 mg/kg in the piglet diet. Compared with the levels of the control group, the serum glucose and total protein levels were enhanced significantly by supplementation with GSPs at 100 mg/kg and reduced dramatically at 150 mg/kg. The serum diamine oxidase activity and endotoxin levels were decreased by GSPs supplementation in piglet diets. In conclusion, higher concentrations of GSPs in weaned piglet diets attenuated nutrient digestion and inhibited digestive enzyme activity; however, suitable concentrations of GSPs could promote brush-border enzyme activity, enhance serum glucose and total protein concentrations and decrease epithelial permeability.

The aim of this experiment was to quantify the relationship between autumn grass supply and concentrate supplementation level on grass intake and animal performance. One hundred and ten continental steers (567 kg) were assigned to 10 treatments. The experimental design was a three grass allowances (6, 12 and 18 kg dry matter (DM) per head daily) by three concentrate levels: (0, 2·5 and 5 kg per head daily) factorial with a positive control group offered concentrates ad libitum and no grass. Grass allowance was offered daily and concentrates were given individually. The experiment began on 22 August and all animals were slaughtered after a mean experimental period of 95 days. Grass intake was calculated using the n-alkane technique and diet digestibility using ytterbium acetate as an indigestible marker. There was an interaction (P < 0·05) between grass allowance and concentrate level for grass intake. At the low grass allowance there was no effect of offering animals supplementary concentrates on grass intake, at the medium and high grass allowances, supplementary concentrates reduced grass intake by 0·43 and 0·81 kg DM respectively per kg DM concentrate offered. Increasing grass allowance increased (P < 0·001) complete diet organic matter (OM) digestibility at all concentrate levels and supplementary concentrates increased (P < 0·001) complete diet OM digestibility only at the low grass allowance. Both offering animals supplementary concentrates (P < 0·001) and increasing daily grass allowance (P < 0·001) increased their carcass growth rate. Relative to the animals offered the low grass allowance and no concentrate, supplementing with concentrate increased carcass growth by 116 g/kg concentrate DM eaten whereas increasing the grass allowance, increased carcass growth by 38 g/kg DM grass eaten. As a strategy for increasing the performance of cattle grazing autumn grass, offering supplementary concentrates offers more scope than altering grass allowance.

Maternal behaviour and lamb vigour are both considered major variables affecting lamb survival, but there are few data to describe their relative importance. To investigate the relationship between lamb vigour and maternal behaviour this study compared the behaviour of pure Scottish Blackface lambs with Mule (Bluefaced Leicester ♀. × Scottish Blackface ♂) lambs, all born indoors. Anecdotal accounts suggested a significant reduction in lamb vigour in Mule lambs, a matter also of significant practical importance given the current incease in Mule numbers. Observations on the grooming behaviour of 32 single or twin-bearing ewes, and on the general activity and udder-seeking behaviour of their lambs were made at parturition. In this study, neither ewe grooming behaviour nor general lamb activity were directly related to lamb sucking success. It was shown that, although Mule lambs had high birth weights and stood as quickly as Blackface lambs, they showed significantly fewer sucking attempts (P < 0·01) and took longer to suck successfully (28 min for Blackface v. 55 min for Mules). The inability of Mule lambs to suck successfully was due to their failure to show proper udder-directed behaviour. These results indicate the importance of considering the behaviour of both ewes and lambs as it would seem that it is not ‘poor’ maternal behaviour but inappropriate lamb behaviour that is a limiting factor in lamb survival in the Mule breed.

The development of digestive organs and the establishment of gut microbiota in pullets play an important role throughout life. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Bacillus subtilis (BS) on growth performance, intestinal function and gut microbiota in pullets from 0 to 6 weeks of age. Hy-line Brown laying hens (1-day-old, n = 504) were randomly allotted into four diets with a 2 × 2 factorial design: (1) basal diet group (control); (2) antibiotics group (AGP), the basal diet supplemented with 20 mg/kg Bacitracin Zinc and 4 mg/kg Colistin Sulphate; (3) BS group, the basal diet supplemented with 500 mg/kg BS and (4) mixed group, the basal diet supplemented with both AGP and BS. As a result, when BS was considered the main effect, BS addition (1) reduced the feed conversion ratio at 4 to 6 weeks (P < 0.05); (2) decreased duodenal and jejunal crypt depth at 3 weeks; (3) increased the villus height : crypt depth (V : C) ratio in the duodenum at 3 weeks and jejunal villus height at 6 weeks and (4) increased sucrase mRNA expression in the duodenum at 3 weeks as well as the jejunum at 6 weeks, and jejunal maltase and aminopeptidase expression at 3 weeks. When AGP was considered the main effect, AGP supplementation (1) increased the V : C ratio in the ileum at 3 weeks of age; (2) increased sucrase mRNA expression in the duodenum at 3 weeks as well as the ileum at 6 weeks, and increased maltase expression in the ileum. The BS × AGP interaction was observed to affect average daily feed intake at 4 to 6 weeks, and duodenal sucrase and jejunal maltase expression at 3 weeks. Furthermore, dietary BS or AGP addition improved caecal microbial diversity at 3 weeks, and a BS × AGP interaction was observed (P < 0.05) for the Shannon and Simpson indexes. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus was found to be higher in the mixed group at 3 weeks and in the BS group at 6 weeks. Moreover, Anaerostipes, Dehalobacterium and Oscillospira were also found to be dominant genera in pullets with dietary BS addition. In conclusion, BS could improve intestinal morphology and change digestive enzyme relative expression and caecum microbiota, thereby increasing the efficiency of nutrient utilization. Our findings suggested that BS might have more beneficial effects than AGP in the study, which would provide theoretical evidence and new insight into BS application in layer pullets.

The effects of different sequences of food restriction and fattening have been studied on plasma metabolites and hormones in double-muscled Belgian Blue bulls. Twenty animals were divided into five groups. The first group (control, CG) was given, ad libitum, a fattening diet based on sugar-beet pulp. In G2 and G3, fattening was interrupted after 103 and 187 days, respectively, by a period of food restriction lasting about 2 months during which the animals received a maintenance ration. They were finished with the same diet as CG. The last two groups, G4 and G5, received a limited amount of the restriction diet to support 0·5 and 0 kg gain per day, respectively, for 4 months, before being fattened as CG. Plasma glucose, alpha-amino nitrogen, non-esterified fatty acids, urea, creatinine, thyroxine (T4), 3, 3’, 5’-tri-iodothyroxine (T3), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were measured in blood samples taken every 2 weeks. Plasma GH and insulin profiles were measured in serial blood samples obtained at three different times during growth. Animals that showed compensatory growth had lower plasma urea, associated with high levels of T3, T4 and IGF–1. Animals from G2 and G3 failed to show compensatory growth. In Belgian Blue bulls, compensatory growth is markedly affected when food restriction is severe or fattening interrupted.

Isobutyrate supplements could improve rumen development by increasing ruminal fermentation products, especially butyrate, and then promote the growth performance of calves. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of isobutyrate supplementation on growth performance, rumen development, blood metabolites and hormone secretion in pre- and post-weaned dairy calves. In total, 56 Chinese Holstein male calves with 30 days of age and 72.9±1.43 kg of BW, blocked by days of age and BW, were assigned to four groups in a randomized block design. The treatments were as follows: control, low-isobutyrate, moderate-isobutyrate and high-isobutyrate with 0, 0.03, 0.06 and 0.09 g isobutyrate/kg BW per calf per day, respectively. Supplemental isobutyrate was hand-mixed into milk of pre-weaned calves and the concentrate portion of post-weaned calves. The study consisted of 10 days of an adaptation period and a 50-day sampling period. Calves were weaned at 60 days of age. Seven calves were chosen from each treatment at random and slaughtered at 45 and 90 days of age. BW, dry matter (DM) intake and stomach weight were measured, samples of ruminal tissues and blood were determined. For pre- and post-weaned calves, DM intake and average daily gain increased linearly (P<0.05), but feed conversion ratio decreased linearly (P<0.05) with increasing isobutyrate supplementation. Total stomach weight and the ratio of rumen weight to total stomach weight tended to increase (P=0.073) for pre-weaned calves and increased linearly (P=0.021) for post-weaned calves, whereas the ratio of abomasum weight to total stomach weight was not affected for pre-weaned calves and decreased linearly (P<0.05) for post-weaned calves with increasing isobutyrate supplementation. Both length and width of rumen papillae tended to increase linearly for pre-weaned calves, but increased linearly (P<0.05) for post-weaned calves with increasing isobutyrate supplementation. The relative expression of messenger RNA for growth hormone (GH) receptor and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase 1 in rumen mucosa increased linearly (P<0.05) for pre- and post-weaned calves with increasing isobutyrate supplementation. Blood concentrations of glucose, acetoacetate, β-hydroxybutyrate, GH and IGF-1 increased linearly (P<0.05) for pre- and post-weaned calves, whereas blood concentration of insulin decreased linearly with increasing isobutyrate supplementation. The present results indicated that isobutyrate promoted growth of calves by improving rumen development and its ketogenesis in a dose-dependent manner.

The value of cloning in MOET nucleus breeding schemes has to be considered within the constraint of fixed resources. Under this constraint cloning was found to add to genetic progress only when (i) the heritability is low and (ii) it is used at the expense of a reduction in the number of bull families. This course would exacerbate inbreeding and other potential problems with MOET. All other options for using clones lead to a reduction in genetic progress due to a loss of selection intensity that is not made up for by gains in selection accuracy.

Ewe live iveights were recorded 4 weeks prior to mating, at the beginning of mating and 22 to 23 days later over a period of 3 years in a flock of some 300 breeding ewes comprising approximately equal numbers of Australian Merino, Ideal (Polwarth), Merilin and Corriedale breeds in a pastorally based grazing system in Uruguay. Multiple-bearing ewes were generally heavier than single-bearing ewes which in turn were heavier than ewes which did not conceive, these differences being greatest in 3- and 4-year-old ewes (i.e. in their second and third breeding seasons). Body condition scores of non-pregnant ewes were lower than those of pregnant ewes, particularly in the 3-and 4-year-old age groups. Ewe live weights achieved prior to, during and at the end of the mating period and the body condition score achieved 4 weeks prior to mating all had significant influences on the number of lambs born (P < 0·01) but there were no significant effects of changes in either live weight or body condition over the 4 weeks prior to mating or during the mating period. The effect of body condition score over the range from 2·0 to 4·0 was to increase the proportions of single- and multiple-bearing ewes and to decrease the proportion of non-pregnant ewes such that the number of lambs born per ewe mated increased from 0·94 to 1·38. Fleece weights differed significantly between breeds, Corriedales having the heaviest fleeces and Merilins the lightest (4·26 and 3·22 kg respectively). Wool production was also significantly and positively affected by age (P < 0·01) and by ewe weight at mating (P < 0·01). The results demonstrate the importance of giving preferential nutritional treatment to younger ewes to ensure a satisfactory subsequent lambing performance and improved wool production.

Crib-biting in horses is a stereotypic oral behaviour. Genetic susceptibility has been suggested on a causal basis, together with environmental factors such as stress, gastric discomfort and frustration caused by stall restrictions. This study aimed to test the associations of known or suspected stereotypic genes with equine crib-biting, including Ghrelin, Ghrelin receptor, Leptin, Dopamine receptor, μ-opioid receptor, N-cadherin, Serotonin receptor and Semaphorin. We conducted a candidate gene study with a case–control design, including 98 crib-biting and 135 control horses of two breeds, Finnhorses and half-breds. Detailed phenotypic information on crib-biting behaviour was surveyed through an owner-completed questionnaire. Control horses were more than 10 years old and without a history of crib-biting. Single nucleotide polymorphisms flanking the candidate genes were genotyped using either Sanger sequencing or Taqman assays. According to the survey, the affected horses started crib-biting at a young age, had exhibited crib-biting for more than a year, and expressed the behaviour after feeding or when stressed. Comparison of allele frequencies between the cases and controls for each breed separately did not provide evidence of an association at any of the tested loci. These results suggest that the previously known stereotypic genes are not major risk factors for crib-biting in horses, and further genome-wide studies are warranted on larger sample cohorts.

Aggression at regrouping is a common issue in pig farming. Skin lesions are genetically and phenotypically correlated with aggression and have been shown to have a significant heritable component. This study predicts the magnitude of reduction in complex aggressive behavioural traits when using lesion numbers on different body regions at two different time points as selection criteria, to identify the optimum skin lesion trait for selection purposes. In total, 1146 pigs were mixed into new social groups, and skin lesions were counted 24 h (SL24h) and 3 weeks (SL3wk) post-mixing, on the anterior, centre and posterior regions of the body. An animal model was used to estimate genetic parameters for skin lesion traits and 14 aggressive behavioural traits. Estimated breeding values (EBVs) and phenotypic values were scaled and standardised to allow direct comparison across multiple traits. Individuals with SL24h and SL3wk EBVs in the least aggressive 10% of the population were compared with the population mean to predict the expected genetic and phenotypic response in aggressive behaviour to selection. At mixing, selection for low anterior lesions was predicted to affect substantially more behavioural traits of aggressiveness than lesions obtained on other body parts, with EBVs between −0.21 and −1.17 SD below the population mean. Individuals with low central SL24h EBVs also had low EBVs for aggressive traits (−0.33 to −0.55). Individuals with high SL3wk EBVs had low EBVs for aggression at mixing (between −0.24 and −0.53 SD below the population mean), although this was predicted to affect fewer traits than selection against SL24h. These results suggest that selection against anterior SL24h would result in the greatest genetic and phenotypic reduction in aggressive behaviour recorded at mixing. Selection for increased SL3wk was predicted to reduce aggression at mixing; however, current understanding about aggressive behaviour under stable social conditions is insufficient to recommend using this trait for selection purposes.

In a comparative slaughter trial which covered growth from about 16 kg to 40 kg live weight, five groups of six Romney × Swaledale lambs were offered ad libitum five pelleted diets (A to E) in which rolled barley was gradually replaced by an 80 : 20 mixture of rolled oats : oat husks to the extent that the calculated metabolizable energy (ME) concentration fell from approximately 2–9 (A) to 2·5 (E) Mcal/kg DM.

Although daily live-weight gains did not differ significantly between treatments, the daily carcass gain fell from 143 g/day on A to 105 g/day on E (P<0·05) whereas gut contents increased from 9·9% of live weight to 16·1% (P< 0·001) from A to E. Differences in efficiency of utilization of ME above maintenance were variable but for gross efficiency (i.e. retention/total ME intake), there was a significant decline from A to E.

Dry-matter intakes for the whole experimental period were similar for all five diets, but initially intake was lower for diet E than for A (780 v. 927 g/day) and ultimately it was higher for E (1410 v. 1150 g/day). In a second experiment, involving diets A and E and a third diet of chopped dried grass, the pattern of intake and growth changed with live weight in a similar manner to that described above, except that appetite and growth on dried grass were consistently poorer. Daily variation in intake and rumen pH tended to be greater on the concentrate diets.

It is suggested that, amongst other factors, the stage of maturity of an animal may influence the point at which the digestible energy content of the diet restricts dietary intake in preference to physical limitations.

Leaves of Leucaena leucocephala, Sesbania sesban and Calliandra callothyrsus were harvested in Rwanda from young shoots at 8 weeks after the first cutting. They were dried, ground and incubated at the same time in polyester bags in three non-lactating Holstein-Friesian cows each fitted with a ruminal cannula. The bags were removed at 0, 2, 4, 8, 24, 48, 72 and 144 h after the start of incubations. The different parameters characterizing extent and rate of ruminal degradation of organic matter (OM), neutral-detergent fibre (NDF), and crude protein (CP) were calculated. In vitro digestibility of residual protein after 24 h and 48 h incubation was also determined. Sesbania sesban had lowest cell wall contents and gave highest ruminal degradability for OM, NDF and CP. Leucaena leucocephala was degraded to a lesser extent, but its undegraded protein had a somewhat higher in vitro digestibility. In contrast, protein of Calliandra callothyrsus was poorly degraded and digested. The proportion and composition of cell wall could not explain these differences in digestion characteristics and other measurements, such as tannins, were incriminated. Increased ruminal incubation time augmented the extent of ruminal degradation and reduced in vitro digestibility of undegraded protein but did not affect the undigestible protein fraction.

Somatic cell counting by the Coulter Counter method, California mastitis test and bacteriological examination were performed on milk samples taken at fortnightly intervals throughout lactation from healthy primiparous and iniiltiparous ewes of the Chios and Karagouniki breeds and from healthy ewes in five grazing flocks in northern Greece.

The proportion of the bacteriologically positive milk samples was 0·22. The prevalence of subclinical mastitis ranged, between the flocks, from 29 to 43% of the ewes. Subclinical mastitis occurred more frequently in Karagouniki than in Chios eives and in multiparous than in primiparous ewes of both breeds. Coagulase-negative staphylococci and S. aureus were isolated in 44 and 33% of the bacteriologically postive samples, respectively. No parity, breed or flock differences in normal somatic cell count were noticed, but stage of lactation influenced normal somatic cell count both in primiparous and multiparous ewes. The results of this investigation also suggest that (a) ovine milk samples with somatic cell count more than 1000 × 103 cells per ml, should be tested bacteriologically, (b) somatic cell count values between 1000 and 2000 × 103 cells per ml should cause suspicion about the presence of coagulase-negative staphylococci in the milk, and (c) the presence of S. aureus in ewe's milk results in a significant increase in somatic cell count, but the wide range of the values does not permit us to suggest any threshold value. The significant correlation between the results of the Coulter Counter somatic cell count method and the Califortiia mastitis test, indicates that the latter can be used for the determination of somatic cell count in ewe's milk.

MicroRNAs are endogenous ~22nt RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level via binding to the 3′-untranslated region (3′UTR) of target mRNAs. The microRNA miR-27a was reported to depress the expression of myostatin, a critical inhibitor of skeletal myogenesis, by binding to its 3′UTR in mouse. In this study, we cloned the full-length 3′UTR of porcine myostatin by rapid amplification of 3′-cDNA ends (3′-RACE) and demonstrated that the 3′UTR of porcine myostatin is targeted by miR-27a. The phenomenon that the level of myostatin inversely correlated with miR-27a was observed in fat and heart of pigs and also in proliferating porcine myoblasts. Besides, overexpression of miR-27a in porcine myoblasts promoted cell proliferation by reducing the expression of myostatin. Our data suggest that miR-27a positive regulates porcine myoblast proliferation via targeting myostatin.

The ‘flight distance’ of Merino sheep was examined in three experiments. In experiment 1 a man moved towards flocks of sheep confined at the end of a 2-m wide laneway, and the speed of approach, flock density and flock size were varied. In experiment 2, single sheep were tested and, in experiment 3, the width of the laneway was doubled.

The critical distance at which sheep started moving past the man was proportional to the width of the laneway. In the 2-m wide laneway the flight distance was 5·7 (s.e. 0·3) m compared with 11·4 (s.e. 0·6) m in the 4-m laneway. Flight distance was not affected by flock size, density or speed of approach, except for individual sheep, who had a greater flight distance than flocks, but this was reduced at fast approach speeds.

Analysis of head orientation showed that the proportion of the flock facing towards or away from the handler could be a useful predictor of the flight distance of confined flocks. On the edge of the flight zone approximately half the flock was facing towards the handler and half was facing to either side or away from him.

Milk fat composition can be modulated by the inclusion of lipid supplements in ruminant diets. An interaction between the lipid supplement and the forage to concentrate ratio or the type of forage in the rations may affect milk fat composition. However, little is known about the effects of the starch-to-non-forage NDF ratio in the concentrate and lipid supplementation of goat diets. The aim of this work was to determine the role of dietary carbohydrates in goats rations supplemented with linseed oil on animal performance and milk fatty acid (FA) profile. A total of 16 dairy goats were allocated to two simultaneous experiments (two treatments each), in a crossover design with four animals per treatment and two experimental periods of 25 days. In both experiments alfalfa hay was the sole forage and the forage to concentrate ratio (33:67) remained constant. The concentrate in experiment 1 consisted of barley, maize and soybean meal (concentrate rich in starch), whereas it included soybean hulls replacing 25% of barley and 25% maize in experiment 2 (concentrate rich in NDF). As a result, the starch-to-non-forage NDF ratio was 3.1 in experiment 1 and it decreased to 0.8 in experiment 2. Both concentrates were administered either alone or in combination with 30 g/day of linseed oil. Animal performance parameters were not affected by experimental treatments. In contrast, major changes were observed in milk FA profile due to lipid supplementation and the type of concentrate. Linseed oil significantly raised vaccenic and rumenic acids as well as α-linolenic acid and its biohydrogenation intermediates while decreased medium-chain saturated FA (12:0 to 16:0) in milk fat. Milk fat contents of odd and branched-chain FA and trans-10 18:1 responded differently to linseed oil supplementation according to the concentrate fed.