276 research outputs found
Direct Evidence on the Contribution of a Missense Mutation in GDF9 to Variation in Ovulation Rate of Finnsheep
peer-reviewedThe Finnish Landrace (Finnsheep) is a well known high-prolificacy sheep breed and has been used in many countries as a source of genetic material to increase fecundity of local breeds. Analyses to date have indicated that mutations with a large effect on ovulation rate are not responsible for the exceptional prolificacy of Finnsheep. The objectives of this study were to ascertain if: 1) any of 12 known mutations with large effects on ovulation rate in sheep, or 2) any other DNA sequence variants within the candidate genes GDF9 and BMP15 are implicated in the high prolificacy of the Finnish Landrace breed; using material from lines developed by divergent selection on ovulation rate. Genotyping results showed that none of 12 known mutations (FecBB, FecXB, FecXG, FecXGR, FecXH, FecXI, FecXL, FecXO, FecXR, FecGE, FecGH, or FecGT) were present in a sample of 108 Finnsheep and, thus, do not contribute to the exceptional prolificacy of the breed. However, DNA sequence analysis of GDF9 identified a previously known mutation, V371M, whose frequency differed significantly (P<0.001) between High and Low ovulation rate lines. While analysis of ovulation rate data for Finnsheep failed to establish a significant association between this trait and V371M, analysis of data on Belclare sheep revealed a significant association between V371M and ovulation rate (P<0.01). Ewes that were heterozygous for V371M exhibited increased ovulation rate (+0.17, s.e. 0.080; P<0.05) compared to wild type and the effect was non-additive (ovulation rate of heterozygotes was significantly lower (P<0.01) than the mean of the homozygotes). This finding brings to 13 the number of mutations that have large effects on ovulation rate in sheep and to 5, including FecBB, FecGE, FecXO and FecXGR, the number of mutations within the TGFβ superfamily with a positive effect on prolificacy in the homozygous state
Effects of extended grazing during mid, late or throughout pregnancy, and winter shearing of housed ewes, on ewe and lamb performance
peer-reviewedA flock of March-lambing ewes was used to evaluate the effects of (i) extended (deferred, winter) grazing of pasture during mid, late or throughout pregnancy, and (ii) winter shearing of ewes housed during mid and late pregnancy, on lamb birth weight and subsequent growth to weaning. Ewes (n = 265) were allocated at random to five treatments for the period from 7 December (~ day 47 of pregnancy) to lambing. The treatments were: housed shorn (HS), housed unshorn (HU), grazing throughout
(EG), grazing to 20 January followed by housing (EGH), housed to 20 January followed by grazing (HEG). From 1 March to lambing the HEG and EG ewes were dispersed on the paddocks intended for grazing post lambing. All ewes were offered a concentrate supplement during the final 6 weeks of pregnancy. Housed ewes were offered grass silage while ewes on extended grazing were allocated 1.3 kg herbage dry matter per head per day from swards that had been closed for approximately 10 weeks. Ewes plus lambs (except triplet-rearing ewes which were grazed separately) from all treatments were grazed together post lambing, grouped according to lambing date. For treatments HS, HU, EGH, HEG and EG gestation lengths were 147.0, 145.6, 146.3, 146.6 and 146.9 (s.e. 0.34, P < 0.001) days, lamb birth weights were 4.9, 4.3, 4.4, 4.6 and 5.0 (s.e. 0.10, P < 0.001) kg, and lamb weaning weights were 34.6, 32.1, 33.3, 33.8 and 34.9 (s.e. 0.66, P < 0.001) kg, respectively. Extended grazing in mid and late pregnancy resulted in 35% and 65%, respectively, of the increase in lamb birth weight associated with extended grazing throughout. Treatment effects on lamb birth weight were associated with those on weaning weight (P < 0.01, R2 = 0.93). It is concluded that extended grazing or shearing of housed ewes increased lamb birth weight and subsequent weaning weight. The increased lamb birth weight from deferred grazing in mid pregnancy was probably due to improved protein utilisation from the grazed herbage. Meanwhile, the increase
An evaluation of two grassland-based systems of mid-season prime lamb production using prolific ewes of two genotypes
peer-reviewedA 4-year study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of two contrasting management
systems [year-round grazing (YRG) and normal seasonal grazing followed by indoor
feeding during winter (GWF)] on performance of mid-season lambing ewes. On the
GWF system, the annual stocking rate was 14.4 ewes/ha, grass silage was conserved
for winter feeding indoors, and the ewes were lambed indoors and were then turned
out to pasture. The YRG system was stocked at 10.5 ewes/ha, was grazed during the
winter, had outdoor lambing and the animals had access to all the farmlet for summer
grazing. The ewes were Belclare and Cheviot × Belclare which were balanced
across systems. Mean lambing dates and fertiliser N application rates were 20 and 30
March, and 85 and 92 kg/ha, for the GWF and YRG systems, respectively. Concentrate
supplementation during late pregnancy was similar on both systems. For the GWF and
YRG systems, litter size, lamb mortality, number of lambs reared, birth weight (kg),
weaning weight (kg) and lamb carcass output (kg/ha) were 2.17 and 2.24 (s.e. 0.038),
10.1 and 13.8% (P = 0.05), 1.77 and 1.78 (s.e. 0.042), 4.0 and 4.7 (s.e. 0.05, P < 0.001),
27.9 and 30.8 (s.e. 0.25, P < 0.001) and 469 and 348, respectively. Belclare ewes had a
higher litter size (2.34 v 2.07; s.e. 0.038, P < 0.001) and number of lambs reared per
ewe joined (1.86 v 1.69; s.e. 0.048, P < 0.01) than the Cheviot × Belclare ewes. There
were no significant interactions between system and ewe breed type. It is concluded that
the YRG system of prime lamb production was sustainable using prolific ewes but at
a reduced stocking rate (−26%) and with greater lamb mortality relative to the GWF
system. Ewe genotypes with a mean litter size of up to 2.34 lambs are suitable for both
systems. Lamb carcass output of 501 kg/ha was achieved from a primarily grass-based
system of mid-season prime lamb production using prolific ewes (Belclare)
Genetic and non-genetic factors affecting lamb growth and carcass quality.
End of Project ReportsThe work undertaken under this project concerned the effects of genetic and
non-genetic factors on lamb growth, both pre and post-weaning, and carcass
traits. The principal objective of the genetic studies was to estimate the
performance effects of selecting terminal sires on the basis of the lean meat
index (LMI) which is produced for pedigree lambs in flocks that participate
in the national Breed Improvement Programme operated by the Department
of Agriculture and Food. The merits of the Beltex breed, recently
introduced to this country, were also evaluated on comparisons with Texel
and Suffolk sires. Estimates of within-breed genetic variation for growth
and carcass traits were obtained.European Union Structural Funds (EAGGF
Local authority sustainable planning for tourism: lessons from Ireland
Purpose – Sustainability is an essential word in the vocabulary of modern planning; it is the key principle
that underpins the Irish planning process. Yet, despite decades of academic and practical debate on
sustainable planning and its application to tourism, there still exist many gaps, especially when it comes
to its implementation. The purpose of this paper is to highlight, over a 10-year period, how Local
Authorities in Ireland have responded to the increasing tourism arrivals, which is having major
implications for tourism planning.
Design/methodology/approach – This study used a multi-method approach to determine the level of
sustainable planning for tourism as evident from all legally required Local Authority County Development
Plans (CDPs) in Ireland.
Findings – While findings have identified a slight increase in the provision for sustainable planning for
tourism over the decade, there continues to be poor levels of policy provision in key areas. Despite the
responsibilities placed on Local Authorities to sustainably plan for tourism, findings continue to question
the ability of Local Authorities in Ireland to plan sustainably for tourism and protect the tourism product.
Originality/value – This research provides the first longitudinal study on the level of sustainable planning
for tourism by Local Authorities in Ireland. It provides an assessment of the current state of sustainable
planning as evident from CDPs in 2016 compared to the original study of 2006, while developing new
knowledge on Local Authority sustainable planning for tourism and the incorporation of tourism
indicators
James Gozzard Interview
Transcript of oral history interview with James Gozzard by John Hanrahan on his experiences during the Vietnam War on February 29, 1984
A note on the use of FTA™ technology for storage of blood samples for DNA analysis and removal of PCR inhibitors
peer-reviewedFTA™ technology is widely used across many molecular disciplines for sample
capture, storage and analysis. The use of this technology for the long-term storage
of blood samples for DNA analysis was examined as well as its potential to remove
inhibitors from DNA samples previously extracted from blood with PCR inhibitors
remaining. It was found that blood spots stored on FTA™ cards for 8 years at
room temperature gave successful PCR products and that FTA™ cards are a useful
tool for removing substances in samples which interfere with or inhibit, the PCR
reaction
Investigation of Prolific Sheep from UK and Ireland for Evidence on Origin of the Mutations in BMP15 (FecXG, FecXB) and GDF9 (FecGH) in Belclare and Cambridge Sheep
peer-reviewedThis paper concerns the likely origin of three mutations with large effects on ovulation rate identified in the Belclare and Cambridge sheep breeds; two in the BMP15 gene (FecXG and FecXB) and the third (FecGH) in GDF9. All three mutations segregate in Belclare sheep while one, FecXB, has not been found in the Cambridge. Both Belclare and Cambridge breeds are relatively recently developed composites that have common ancestry through the use of genetic material from the Finnish Landrace and Lleyn breeds. The development of both composites also involved major contributions from exceptionally prolific ewes screened from flocks in Ireland (Belclare) and Britain (Cambridge) during the 1960s. The objective of the current study was to establish the likely origin of the mutations (FecXG, FecXB and FecGH) through analysis of DNA from Finnish Landrace and Lleyn sheep, and Galway and Texel breeds which contributed to the development of the Belclare breed. Ewes with exceptionally high prolificacy (hyper-prolific ewes) in current flocks on Irish farms were identified to simulate the screening of ewes from Irish flocks in the 1960s. DNA was obtained from: prolific ewes in extant flocks of Lleyn sheep (n = 44) on the Lleyn peninsula in Wales; hyper-prolific ewes (n = 41); prolific Galway (n = 41) ewes; Finnish Landrace (n = 124) and Texel (n = 19) ewes. The FecXG mutation was identified in Lleyn but not in Finnish Landrace, Galway or Texel sheep; FecXB was only found among the hyper-prolific ewes. The FecGH mutation was identified in the sample of Lleyn sheep. It was concluded from these findings that the Lleyn breed was the most likely source of the FecXG and FecGH mutations in Belclare and Cambridge sheep and that the FecXB mutation came from the High Fertility line that was developed using prolific ewes selected from commercial flocks in Ireland in the 1960′s and subsequently used in the genesis of the Belclare.Financial support through the Teagasc Walsh Fellowship Scheme, Genesis Faraday SPARK award (Lleyn survey) and Science Foundation Ireland (07/SRC/B1156) is gratefully acknowledged
Profiling Tourism Entrepreneurs and their Enterprises along the Wild Atlantic Way
This paper discusses the profile of tourism entrepreneurs and their enterprises along the WAW (Wild Atlantic Way). Ireland had witnessed less numbers of some holidaymakers in particular the British market visiting over the past five years, resulting in a significant loss of market share from GB. This research undertook a proactive approach to investigating regional qualitative stakeholders profiles while identifying factors that impact on the management of tourism Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) to develop the International market. The research provides the industry with a snapshot of a current typology of successful tourism entrepreneurs. Furthermore, the research develops a profile of their tourism enterprises and the factors that impact on the management of these businesses in order to identify what contributes to their success. Many Irish tourism SMEs are developing an innovative approach in order to grow their tourist market. This may provide valuable insight and guidance to the tourism enterprises, local and regional authorities. The communication of these findings may facilitate multi-sector intercollaboration regarding best practice solutions with the evolving tourism industry
- …