In blood, there are many kinds of adipogenic or antiadipogenic factors such as hormones and vitamins. In this study, adipogenic activity in sera of fattened beef cattle was evaluated using cultured mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. After the preadipocytes were grown to reach confluence, serum of fattened beef cattle was added into the culture medium (10%, vol/vol)for 3 days, and thereafter cellular sn-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity was determined as an index ofadipocyte differentiation. Sera were collected from 19 beef cattle (Wagyu and Wagyu × Holstein cross cattle) from three different farms at slaughter. Cellular GPDH activity was significantly different among the farms, and was affected by sex difference (i.e. sera from fattened heifers induced higher GPDH activity than those from steers). There was a positive correlation between GPDH activity and beef marbling performance (T = 0·62, P < 0·02), suggesting that serum factor(s) play a role in development of intramuscular fat deposition. Adipogenic activity was negatively correlated with serum retinol concentration (r = −0·73, P < 0·001). Neither serum cholesterol, triacylglycerol nor non-esterified fatty acid was related to adipogenic activity.

Furthermore, serum retinol concentration was negatively correlated with beef marbling performance. These data imply that retinol level in blood during the fattening period may influence intramuscular fat deposition of beef cattle through its antiadipogenic action on preadipocytes present in muscle tissues.

Development of all follicles with antral diameter ≥2 mm during the oestrous cycle was characterized in goats of the Murciana-Granadina dairy breed by daily transrectal ultrasonography. Of nine does initially synchronized in oestrus, six returned to oestrus and three did not. In the first six does, mean cycle length was 21·2 (s.e. 2-3) days. There were mean total numbers of 6·2 (s.e. 0·6) small (2 to 3 mm), 1·9 (s.e. 0·3) medium (4 to 5 mm), and 1·0 (s.e. 0·2) large follicles (≥6 mm) each day but only numbers of large follicles differed with day of cycle (P < 0·01). The diameters of the largest follicle (LF1), the second largest (LF2) and the remaining follicles (RF) varied with day of cycle (P < 0·01). The LF1 and LF2 varied with day in similar patterns but the difference in diameter between them (P < 0·05) was greatest on days 7 and 9 (2·3 mm) and days 19 to 23 (2·2 to 3·8 mm), and least on days 2, 15, 16 and 18 (0·5 to 0·8 mm). The relationship between the LF1 and LF2 to the RF differed only early or late in the cycle when concentrations of progesterone were low (P < 0.05). There was some evidence to support follicular growth in waves. Although the number of apparently new follicles detected (4·8 (s.e. 0·4) per day) did not vary with day of cycle, follicles emerging at 3 mm over a 48-h period that grew to a diameter of ≥6 mm were distributed non-randomly in three of six cyclic does. The three cystic does that did not return to oestrus by day 25 had large follicles (16 to 28 mm), fewer new follicles (3·3 (s.e. 1-1) per day; P < 0·01) than cyclic does (4·8 (s.e. 0·4) per day) and fewer follicles that became largest (4·0 v. 8·8 in cyclic does; P < 0·01).

Breeding leaner pigs during the last decades may have changed pig’s empty body (EB) composition, a key trait for elaborating feeding recommendations. This research aimed to provide new experimental data on changes in the chemical composition of the EB of pigs from 20 to 140 kg BW. In addition, the impact of a reduction in the dietary CP associated with lower lysine, methionine+cystine, threonine and tryptophan levels was determined. In total, 48 males, castrates and females weighing 20 kg BW were allocated either to a control grower–finisher diet formulated according to current Swiss feeding recommendations, or a low CP grower–finisher diet (80% of control). Feed intake was monitored and pigs were weighed weekly. The chemical composition of EB (blood, hairs and hoofs, offals, bile, carcass) was determined at 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120 and 140 kg BW on four pigs per gender and diet (eight pigs per gender at 20 kg). The five fractions were weighed and samples were analysed for dry matter, protein, fat and energy. Nutrient deposition rates and N efficiency were calculated by using the 20 kg BW category as reference. Analysis revealed an accurate feed optimisation for the aforementioned essential amino acids (EAA), whereas digestible isoleucine content in the low CP diet was at 70% of the control diet. Despite similar feed intake, daily gain and feed efficiency were impaired (P<0.01) from 20 to 100 kg BW in the low CP compared with the control pigs. In the same growth period, castrates had the greatest feed intake but, together with females, displayed the lowest (P<0.01) feed efficiency. Protein deposition was reduced (P<0.01) by up to 31% with low CP diet and was lower (P<0.01) in castrates and females than males at 100 kg BW. The greatest fat deposition rates were found with low CP diet and castrates. N efficiency improved (P<0.05) by 10% with the low CP diet from 100 to 140 kg. The males displayed the greatest (P<0.05) N efficiency. These findings suggest that the CP content of finisher II diets could be reduced to 102, 102 and 104 g/kg for females, castrates and males, respectively, without a negative impact on protein deposition or growth. It remains unclear whether the negative effects found in the BW range from 20 to 100 kg on the EB deposition were due to the 20% reduction of the dietary CP and the five limiting EAA or to other EAA via an unbalanced EAA profile.

Computerized food intake recording systems of various designs are used by research, centres and breeding companies to monitor the individual food intake of pigs kept in groups. In the present experiment, three feeder designs are compared in order to estimate the effect on performance and feeding behaviour. Ninety entire male pigs (34 (s.e. 0·6) kg) were allocated in three replicates to pens of 10 pigs; each pen containing one of three different feeder entrance designs: low (head-guard), medium (full-length standard race), and high (enclosed pneumatic race) protection against disturbance of the feeding pig. No significant differences were found between treatments in daily food intake, daily live-weight gain, food conversion ratio, number of visits per day and daily feeder occupation. Pigs with access to an enclosed race had longer visits than pigs on the two other treatments, and they also ate more per visit (4·8, 4·8 and 6·2 (s.e.d. = 0·37) min per visit; 172, 157, and 202 (s.e.d. = 11·1) g per visit; means of low, medium and high protection, respectively). The enclosed race was not only the most protective, it was also the most difficult to enter, and this decreased accessibility of the food may have given rise to the changed feeding pattern displayed by pigs using this type of race. Access to a feeder with low protection resulted in a faster rate of eating (36·9, 33·2, and 32·8 (s.e.d. = 0·82) g/min; means of low, medium and high protection, respectively) indicative of a more forced feeding behaviour.

In mammals, maternal food restriction around conception and during pregnancy results in low birth weight and an adjusted growth trajectory of offspring. If, subsequently, the offspring are born into a food-abundant environment, they are at increased risk of developing obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and renal dysfunction. Here, we show similar effects of maternal undernutrition on hatch weight, growth and fat deposition in offspring of birds (domestic chicken). Both mothers and offspring were fed either ad libitum or restricted in a two-by-two factorial design, resulting in two matched and two mismatched maternal–offspring nutritional environments. Offspring of ad libitum mothers grew heavier than those of restricted mothers, possibly due to the larger muscle mass. Ad libitum-fed offspring, especially females, of restricted mothers were lighter at hatch, and were heavier and had more abdominal fat at 6 weeks of age than daughters of ad libitum-fed mothers. These results suggest a common mechanism in mammals and birds in response to a mismatch in the maternal–offspring nutritional environment. They also indicate that the common practice of restrictive feeding of the broiler breeders and subsequent ad libitum feeding of the broilers may result in reduced growth and increased abdominal fat as compared to broilers of less restricted broiler breeders.

The objective of the study was to determine genetic parameters for growth and carcass traits in Mukota pigs, maintained on a fibrous diet. Records (n = 1961) were obtained from a population housed at the University of Zimbabwe Farm (Harare, Zimbabwe) between January 1998 and August 2003. Backfat thickness was measured at 50 and 75 mm (K5 and K7.5), respectively. Carcass length (CL) was measured from the anterior edge of the first rib to the pubic bone using a measuring tape. Variance components were estimated using a model that accounted for direct, common environmental litter and maternal genetic effects, using average information restricted maximum likelihood. Heritability estimates for average daily gain from birth to weaning (ADGW) and average daily gain from weaning to 12 weeks (ADG1) were 0.15 and 0.27, respectively. Maternal genetic effects accounted for 2.6% of variation for ADG1. Heritability for average daily gain from 12 weeks to slaughter (ADG2) was 0.20. Common environmental litter effects accounted for 18% of phenotypic variance for cold dressed mass (CDM). Heritability estimates for CDM and CL were 0.32 and 0.62, respectively. Maternal genetic effects accounted for 10.5% of variance in CL. Heritability estimates for K5 and K7.5 were 0.64 and 0.40, respectively. The CDM was positively genetically correlated to K5, but negative to K7.5. The K5 and K7.5 had a high genetic correlation (0.88). Genetic correlations between ADGW and K5, K7.5 and CL were 0.30, 0.05 and 0.35, respectively. The existence of sufficient genetic variation makes genetic improvement for many growth and carcass traits in the Mukota breed possible through effective selection methods.

Pigs were fed either ad libitum or given 300 g/day of the same food (digestible energy 15·4M)/kg; crude protein 208 g/kg fresh food) from 6 to 12 kg live weight (LW). Four pigs were killed at 6 kg LWand eight (equal numbers from the two sexes) from each treatment at 12 kg LW. Eight pigs (three males and five females; AL) were continued on ad libitum feeding to 24 kg LW when they were killed. Ten (four males and six females; R) of the pigs which had been restricted to 12 kg LW, were fed ad libitum to 24 kg LW, when they were killed. The entire empty bodies of the pigs killed were chemically analysed and the weights of organs determined. The empty body was considered as three fractions: the entire skin, including the subcutaneous fat (SK); the internal organs and the empty gastrointestinal tract (INT) and the remainder (CARC). The distributions of the chemical components between these three fractions were determined.

The R pigs took 19 days longer and 2·6 kg more food to go from 6 to 12 kg LW. At 12 kg LWthey had less gut fill, lighter organs concerned with food processing and less lipid, more protein and heavier CARC weights than the AL pigs. The R pigs took 5·5 days less and 2·4 kg less food to go from 12 to 24 kg than the AL pigs. At 24 kg LW they had more gut fill, similar weights of the organs concerned with food processing, and slightly less lipid and protein. Over the 12 to 24 kg weight interval the R pigs gained lipid and protein at faster rates than the AL pigs. None of the increase in protein growth rate was in the CARC fraction.

It is concluded that pigs given a low intake of food adjust their organ weights to be sufficient to process the allowance. On being given ad libitum food they rapidly increase the weights of their organs to process the increased rate of intake, and increase their gut fill. These effects are seen as a short lived, greatly increased rate of LW gain. During rehabilitation lipid stores return to their normal level but carcass protein does not show an increased rate of growth.

The intakes and in vivo apparent digestibilities (AD) of four forages: hay (H), haylage (HY), big-bale silage (BB) and clamp silage (CS), were investigated in Welsh cross pony geldings (live weight (LW) ca. 330 kg). The trial was a 4 ✕ 4 Latin-square design with diets offered at 1•65 g/kg dry matter (DM) per100 kg LW per day, in two equal meals. Food and faecal samples were analysed for DM, organic matter, crude protein (CP), gross energy, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg) and non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) composition and content. Significant differences (P < 0·05) in DM intakes (DMI) g/kg M0·75 were recorded between foods, where HY = BB = H > CS. For all measurements AD was significantly (P < 0·05) higher for BB and CS than for H, with HY being intermediate in all but digestibilities of Ca and Mg. Digestibility of NSP of BB and CS were significantly (P < 0·05) greater than for H and HY. The digestible energy (DE) of H, HY, BB and CS were 5·75, 9·09, 9·83 and 11·98 MJ/kg DM respectively, which coupled with the corresponding DMI resulted in all foods but H meeting the theoretical daily DE requirements of the ponies. Similarly, theoretical digestible CP requirements were met on all diets except H. NSP fractions accounted for 0·5 of daily DE in both H and BB, which were significantly (P < 0·05) higher than for CS and HY at 0·4 and 0·2 respectively. These results indicate that CS, BB and HY are readily digested by ponies and thus offer suitable high-energy alternatives to hay in horse rations.

The changes in chemical and dissectible body composition from birth to maturity were examined in rams and ewes from flocks of Merino sheep selected for high (weight-plus) and low (weight-minus) weaning weight and from a randomly bred control flock. Body composition was examined in 34 mature animals and the maturing patterns for body components calculated using mean values from the mature animals and individual data from 106 immature animals.

In the 34 mature animals, strain had no effect on the proportions of chemical and dissected fat, protein and muscle in the body. The weight-plus had greater proportions of ash and carcass bone in the body than the weight-minus animals. Mature rams had lower proportions of chemical and dissected fat and greater proportions of protein, muscle, ash and carcass bone in the body than mature ewes.

The weight-minus animals had later maturing patterns for both chemical and dissected fat than the weight-plus animals. Strain had no effect on the maturing patterns for protein and muscle, although both ash and carcass bone were later maturing in the weight-plus, than in the weight-minus animals. Chemical and dissected fat were later maturing in the ewes than in the rams, whereas protein, muscle, ash and carcass bone were earlier maturing in the ewes than in the rams.

The weight-minus animals were fatter at the heavier body weights, although there was a trend for the weight-plus animals to be slightly fatter at the lighter body weights. When compared at the same stage of maturity of body weight, strain differences in the proportion of fat in the body declined as the animals matured. Compositional differences between the rams and ewes varied according to the body weight or stage of maturity of body weight at which they were compared.

Delivering beef of consistent quality to the consumer is vital for consumer satisfaction and will help to ensure demand and therefore profitability within the beef industry. In Australia, this is being tackled with Meat Standards Australia (MSA), which uses carcass traits and processing factors to deliver an individual eating quality guarantee to the consumer for 135 different ‘cut by cooking methods’ from each carcass. The carcass traits used in the MSA model, such as ossification score, carcass weight and marbling explain the majority of the differences between breeds and sexes. Therefore, it was expected that the model would predict with eating quality of bulls and dairy breeds with good accuracy. In total, 8128 muscle samples from 482 carcasses from France, Poland, Ireland and Northern Ireland were MSA graded at slaughter then evaluated for tenderness, juiciness, flavour liking and overall liking by untrained consumers, according to MSA protocols. The scores were weighted (0.3, 0.1, 0.3, 0.3) and combined to form a global eating quality (meat quality (MQ4)) score. The carcasses were grouped into one of the three breed categories: beef breeds, dairy breeds and crosses. The difference between the actual and the MSA-predicted MQ4 scores were analysed using a linear mixed effects model including fixed effects for carcass hang method, cook type, muscle type, sex, country, breed category and postmortem ageing period, and random terms for animal identification, consumer country and kill group. Bulls had lower MQ4 scores than steers and females and were predicted less accurately by the MSA model. Beef breeds had lower eating quality scores than dairy breeds and crosses for five out of the 16 muscles tested. Beef breeds were also over predicted in comparison with the cross and dairy breeds for six out of the 16 muscles tested. Therefore, even after accounting for differences in carcass traits, bulls still differ in eating quality when compared with females and steers. Breed also influenced eating quality beyond differences in carcass traits. However, in this case, it was only for certain muscles. This should be taken into account when estimating the eating quality of meat. In addition, the coefficients used by the Australian MSA model for some muscles, marbling score and ultimate pH do not exactly reflect the influence of these factors on eating quality in this data set, and if this system was to be applied to Europe then the coefficients for these muscles and covariates would need further investigation.

Tear staining or chromodacryorrhea refers to a dark stain below the inner corner of the eye, caused by porphyrin-pigmented secretion from the Harderian gland. It has been shown to be a consistent indicator of stress in rats and to correlate with social stress and a barren environment in pigs. The current study was, to our knowledge, the first to test it on commercial pig farms as a potential welfare indicator. The study was carried out on three commercial farms in Finland, in connection to a larger study on the effects of different types of manipulable objects on tail and ear biting and other behavioural parameters. Farm A was a fattening farm, on which 768 growing-finishing pigs were studied in 73 pens. Farm B had a fattening unit, in which 656 growing-finishing pigs were studied in 44 pens, and a farrowing unit, in which 29 sows and their litters totalling 303 piglets were studied in 29 pens. Farm C was a piglet-producing farm, on which 167 breeder gilts were studied in 24 pens. Data collection included individual-level scoring of tear staining; scoring of tail and ear damage in the growing-finishing pigs and breeder gilts; a novel object test for the piglets; and a novel person test for the growing-finishing pigs on Farm B and the breeder gilts on Farm C. On Farm A, tear staining was found to correlate with tail damage scores (n=768, rs=0.14, P<0.001) and ear damage scores (n=768, rs=0.16, P<0.001). In the growing-finishing pigs on Farm B, tear staining of the left eye correlated with tail damage (n=656, rs=0.12, P<0.01) and that of the right eye correlated with ear damage (n=656, rs=0.10, P<0.01). On Farm A, tear-staining sores were lower in the treatment with three different types of manipulable objects as compared with controls (mean scores 3.3 and 3.9, respectively, n=31, F29=4.2, P<0.05). In the suckling piglets on Farm B, tear staining correlated with the latency to approach a novel object (n=29, rp=0.41, P<0.05). Although correlations with tail and ear damage were low, it was concluded that tear staining has promising potential as a new, additional welfare indicator for commercial pig farming. Further research is needed on the mechanisms of tear staining.

The objective of our study was to determine the antioxidative potential of a plant extract (PE) mixture composed of carvacrol, capsicum oleoresin and cinnamaldehyde against high n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-induced oxidative stress in young pigs. Thirty-two weaned castrated male crossbred pigs (BW 10.9 kg; n = 32) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments (n = 8). The negative control diet (Cont) contained 17.2% energy from fat. Oxidative stress was induced in three of the four experimental groups with the inclusion of n-3 PUFA rich linseed oil. Linseed oil substituted wheat starch in the diet to elevate the amount of energy from fat to 34.1%. One of these diets served as a positive control (Oil), one was additionally supplemented with 271.2 mg/kg of PE mixture and one with 90.4 mg/kg α-tocopheryl acetate (Vit E). After 14 days of treatment, blood and urine were collected for the determination of lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. Lipid peroxidation was studied by plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, 24 h urinary MDA and F2-isoprostane (iPF2α-VI) excretion, total antioxidant status of plasma and glutathione peroxidase assays. Lymphocyte DNA fragmentation and 24 h urinary 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine excretion were measured to determine DNA damage. Consumption of n-3 PUFA rich linseed oil increased the amount of MDA in plasma and urine, and induced DNA damage in lymphocytes, but did not elevate the amount of iPF2α-VI excreted in the urine. The supplementation with PE and with Vit E did not reduce MDA levels in plasma and urine, but it decreased the percentage of DNA damage in lymphocytes (P < 0.001). The PE reduced the urinary iPF2α-VI excretion in comparison to the Cont diet. The results show that PE and Vit E supplemented to pigs in concentrations of 271.2 mg/kg and 90.4 mg/kg, respectively, can effectively protect pig’s blood lymphocytes against oxidative DNA damage, thus suggesting their potentially beneficial effects on the immune system under dietary-induced oxidative stress.

Mineral composition and relative deposition rates in the pig’s body are used to assess the mineral net requirements for growth and input–output balances. The study aimed to examine the dynamics of changes in mineral composition and deposition rates in the empty body (EB) from birth to 140 kg BW depending on dietary protein supply. In the experiment, 66 entire male, 58 castrated and 66 female Swiss Large White pigs were used to determine body composition at birth, 10, 20 kg and at 20 kg intervals from 40 to 140 kg BW. From 20 kg BW, they had either ad libitum access to a control grower and finisher diet or a grower and finisher diet containing 80% CP, lysine, methione+cystine, threonine and tryptophan of the control diet. Each EB fraction (carcass, organs and empty intestines, blood and bile) was weighed and analyzed for water, ash, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium, sodium, copper, iron, manganese and zinc contents. Allometric relationships between the amount of each mineral in the EB and the EB weight (EBW) were fitted. The R2 of the allometric equations was above 0.92, except for copper and manganese (below 0.33), revealing the EBW as an excellent explanatory variable of the analyzed amounts. The copper and manganese composition in the EB were extremely low and variable which explain the low R2. Except for zinc, all mineral relative deposition rates decreased with increasing EBW. The amount of ash, calcium and phosphorus in the EB was not affected by the diet, but when expressed relative to body protein these minerals were increased when pigs were fed the low protein diet. This suggests an independent protein deposition and bone mineralization when animals are fed diets limiting in protein content. The diet also affected the amount of potassium in the EB which was greater when the low protein diet was fed. The gender only affected the amounts of potassium and sodium in the EB which were greater in entire males. Entire males had also greater amounts of water in the EB, which may explain the observed effect of gender on these two electrolytes. Finally, gender and dietary protein did not affect to a sufficient relevant way the body mineral composition and deposition rates in the EB, suggesting that their distinction may not be necessary to assess, on BW basis, the mineral net requirements for growth and the exported amount of minerals in input–output balances.

Accurate measures of effective population sizes (Ne) in livestock require good quality data and specialized skills for their computation and analysis. Ne can be estimated by Wright’s equation Ne=4MF/(M+F) (M, F being sires and dams, respectively), but this requires assumptions which are often not met. Total census sizes Nc of livestock breeds are collated globally. This paper investigates whether estimates of Ne can be made from Nc; this would facilitate conservation monitoring. Some Ne methodologies avoid the assumptions of Wright’s equation and permit measurement, rather than estimation, of Ne. Those considered here employ, respectively, linkage disequilibrium (LD) of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (yielding Ne(LD)), and genealogical analysis (rate of increase of inbreeding, DF), yielding Ne(DF). Considering breeds of cattle, sheep, horses, pigs and goats for which Nc and either Ne(LD) or Ne(DF) are known (totals of 203 breeds and 321 breeds, respectively), proportionality has been investigated between Nc and these measures of Ne. Ne(LD) was found to increase with Nc, significantly in sheep and horses, less so in cattle, but not at all in pigs. Ne(DF) was correlated with log10(Nc) in cattle, sheep and horses (53, 56, 43 breeds, respectively). Ne(LD) was correlated in cattle (73 breeds) and pigs (31 breeds) with the log10 transformation of Ne as calculated by Wright’s equation. Further verification and refinement are needed, particularly of census data, but credible predictions of Ne are obtainable by applying the following multipliers to log10(Nc): cattle 17.61, sheep 97.72, horse 70.78. For cattle and pigs, multiplying log10(Ne(Wright)) by, respectively, 40.69 and 60.09, also gives credible predictions. Such census-based estimates of Ne could in principle be generated by non-specialists and are likely to be suited to audits of conservation activity when financial resources or availability of data are limiting. The ratio Ne/Nc varied among species with an overall median value of 0.03, less than a tenth of that typically observed in wild mammals. Characteristics were also investigated of a distinct herdbook-based methodology, namely the development of Wright’s equation to take into account variances of progeny numbers to yield what has been termed here Ne (Hill). Comparison of these values with Ne (Wright) could help to identify breeds with breeding structures conducive or inimical to genetic conservation. However, Ne(Hill) requires breed-specific values for these variances, and this restricts its applicability.

The Maremmano is an autochthonous Italian horse breed, which probably descended from the native horses of the Etruscans (VI century B.C.); the Studbook was acknowledged in 1980, and it includes 12 368 horses born from that year up to 2015. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the selection program on the genetic variability of the Maremmano population; the analysis was performed using both the ‘Endog v 4.8’ program available at http://webs.ucm.es/info/prodanim/html/JP_Web.htm and in-house software on official pedigree data. Four Reference Populations were considered, and the most important one was the population of the 12 368 Maremmano horses officially registered in the National Studbook. The pedigree completeness of this population was very good because it was more than 90% at the third parental generation and more than 70% at the fifth generation; the pedigree traced back to a maximum of 10.50 generations with an average of 3.30 complete generations and 5.70 equivalent complete generations. The average generation interval was 10.65±4.72 years, with stallions used for longer periods than mares. The intervals ranged from 10.15±4.45 (mother–daughter) to 10.99±4.93 (father–daughter). The effective number of founders (fe) was 74 and the effective number of ancestors (fa) was 30 so that the ratio fe/fa was 2.47. The founder genome equivalents (fg) was 13.72 with a ratio fg/fe equal to 0.18. The mean of the genetic conservation index was 5.55±3.37, and it ranged from 0.81 to 21.32. The average inbreeding coefficient was 2.94%, with an increase of 0.1%/year, and the average relatedness coefficient was 5.52%. The effective population size (Ne) computed by an individual increase in inbreeding was 68.1±13.00; the Ne on equivalent generations was 42.00, and this value slightly increased to 42.20 when computed by Log regression on equivalent generations. The analysis confirmed the presence of seven traditional male lines. The percentage of Thoroughbred blood in the foals born in 2015 was 20.30% and has increased 0.21%/year since 1980; in particular, it increased more than twice (0.51%/year) until 1993 and afterwards slightly fluctuated. The pedigree analysis confirmed the completeness of genealogical information and the traditional importance that breeders gave to the male lines; although the genetic diversity of Maremmano seemed to be not endangered by the selection program, some effects on the population structure were found and a more scientific approach to genetic conservation should be incorporated in the selection plans.

Light-emitting diode (LED) light bulbs are becoming more prevalent in broiler production as they are dimmable and more energy efficient than compact fluorescent lamps. Although there is some research on how spectrum of light can affect production, little has been conducted on how it may affect stress, and behavior. To determine how different spectrum of light produced by LED lights could affect production, stress and behavior we raised broilers under either 2700 K (WARM) or 5000 K (COOL) color temperature LED bulbs. To determine stress susceptibility bilateral asymmetry (ASYM, n=128), plasma corticosterone concentrations (CORT, n=40) and heterophil/lymphocyte ratios (HL, n=80) were measured. Fear was measured using tonic immobility (TI, n=128), inversion (INV, n=128) and isolation (ISO, n=128). Weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were also determined. The COOL birds had lower ASYM (1.65±0.08 mm, P=0.001), CORT (5.8±1.2 ng/dl, P=0.01) and HL (0.16±0.01, P=0.03) than the WARM birds (2.38±0.14 mm, 13.4±2.7 ng/dl and 0.21±0.02, respectively). The COOL birds righted faster during TI (136.2±11.1 s, P=0.001), flapped less intensely during INV (4.1±0.1 flaps/s, P<0.001) and vocalized less during ISO (45.3±2.8 vocalizations, P=0.005) when compared with WARM birds (207.2±15.8 s, 4.9±0.1 flaps/s and 56.5±2.9 vocalizations). The COOL birds (2.89±0.03 kg, P=0.02) grew to a heavier weight at the end of 42 day then WARM birds (2.79±0.03 kg). The COOL birds (1.54±0.03) had better FCR (P=0.02) than WARM birds (1.61±0.01). These results demonstrate that raising broilers under 5000 K LED lights can reduce their stress, fear and increase weight gain when compared with 2700 K. These results indicate that the spectrum of light used for rearing of broilers is not only important for production, but also for welfare of the birds.

Friesian steer calves born in August were reared from 3 to 7 months of age on either a low (OL) or high (OH) plane of nutrition. A further group born in October (YH) was also reared on a high plane. At grazing, the performance of calves of the same age but different weights (OL v. OH) or the same weight but different ages (OL v. YH) were compared at two levels of herbage allowance, either 30 or 60 kg dry matter per kg live weight. During the winter, the H groups received silage and concentrate and the L group was given silage only. The OL group had a higher concentration of fat and a lower concentration of water in the empty body at the end of the winter than did the OH and YH groups respectively.

Compensatory growth was exhibited by the OL group at both herbage allowances. Differences in the live-weight and empty body-weight gains of OL and OH cattle could be explained almost entirely by differences in the energy content of the gains whereas this was only partially so when the OL and YH groups were compared. The results indicate that YH cattle had lower herbage intakes even though they were of similar weight to OL cattle.

It was concluded that silage nitrogen is used less efficiently by cattle than is generally assumed and that the levels of gut fill and energy content of the live-weight gains in this experiment were not consistent with the general values suggested by the Agricultural Research Council (1980).

Carcass composition and quality and eating quality of the m. longissimus dorsi (LD) were compared in 15 entire male (ram) and 15 female (ewe) pure bred Dorset Down lambs (carcass weight range 12 to 23 kg).

Rams grew 28 g/day faster than ewes, taking on average 2 weeks less to achieve 35 kg live weight. At the mean carcass weight of 16-8 kg, ram carcasses contained more lean (42 g/kg carcass weight) and bone (19 g/kg) and less fat (subcutaneous, 33 g/kg; intermuscular, 28 g/kg; perirenal-retroperitoneal, 14 g/kg) than ewe carcasses.

At the same level of fat cover in the commercially prepared side, ewe carcasses required more trimming of subcutaneous fat than rams. However, there was more intermuscular fat (which is not removed by conventional cutting) in the ewes; consequently their saleable meat contained 51 g/kg more fat and 37 g/kg less lean than that from rams.

The roast LD was invariably tender and the eating quality of LD from rams was as desirable as that from ewes, while overall eating quality compared favourably with that of animals studied previously. There was no evidence of an undesirable sexual odour or flavour in ram meat.

With early maturing breeds, which can be finished off grass, non-castration of entire males offers the opportunity of improving the efficiency of lean meat production whilst retaining good carcass and eating quality.

Barley straw constitutes up to half of the dry-matter intake of Awassi sheep in areas of Syria where the rainfall is 200 to 350 mm. The genotype of barley planted could therefore, through the nutritive value of its straw, significantly affect flock production levels. Selection of suitable barley genotypes may have greater economic potential as a means of improving roughage feeding quality in these areas than chemical or physical processing.

The voluntary intake and digestibility of the unsupplemented straw of three genotypes of barley was evaluated with Awassi castrated male sheep. The voluntary organic-matter (OM) intakes of handharvested Beecher, Arabic Abied and ER/Apam straw were 22·2, 34·7 and 27·0 g/kg M0·75 per day and OM digestibility coefficients were 0·39, 0·44 and 0·42. The factors affecting voluntary intake and digestibility appeared to be the proportions of leaf and stem. Beecher straw had less leaf and more stem than the other two genotypes. The chemical composition and in vitro cellulase digestibility of the leaf indicated that it had a higher potential feeding value than stem.

ER/Apam appears to be an example of a genotype which under dry environmental conditions combines higher barley grain yields with more acceptable straw feeding value than several other genotypes evaluated.

Secretion of saliva as well as absorptive and secretory processes across forestomach epithelia ensures an optimal environment for microbial digestion in the forestomachs. Daily salivary secretion of sodium (Na+) exceeds the amount found in plasma by a factor of 2 to 3, while the secretion of bicarbonate (HCO3−) is 6 to 8 times higher than the amount of HCO3− in the total extracellular space. This implies a need for efficient absorptive mechanisms across forestomach epithelia to allow for an early recycling. While Na+ is absorbed from all forestomachs via Na+/H+ exchange and a non-selective cation channel that shows increased conductance at low concentrations of Mg2+, Ca2+ or H+ in the luminal microclima and at low intracellular Mg2+, HCO3− is secreted by the rumen for the buffering of ingesta but absorbed by the omasum to prevent liberation of CO2 in the abomasum. Fermentation provides short chain fatty acids and ammonia (NH3) that have to be absorbed both to meet nutrient requirements and maintain ruminal homeostasis of pH and osmolarity. The rumen is an important location for the absorption of essential minerals such as Mg2+ from the diet. Other ions can be absorbed, if delivered in sufficient amounts (Ca2+, Pi, K+, Cl− and NH4+). Although the presence of transport mechanisms for these electrolytes has been described earlier, our knowledge about their nature, regulation and crosstalk has increased greatly in the last years. New transport pathways have recently been added to our picture of epithelial transport across rumen and omasum, including an apical non-selective cation conductance, a basolateral anion conductance, an apical H+-ATPase, differently expressed anion exchangers and monocarboxylate transporters.