Genetic association between sexual maturity and weekly live-weights in laying-type Japanese quail

This study focused on the estimation of genetic relationships between weekly live weights and sexual maturity of male and female Japanese quail. The live body weight data of a laying-type quail line over time were collected from hatching to six weeks of age. Sexual maturity was determined as the day of production of cloacal gland foam for males, and the day of laying the first egg for females. (Co)Variance components and genetic parameters were estimated, using MTDFREML, a restricted maximum likelihood (REML) procedure using a model with direct and maternal genetic effects. Heritability estimates of weekly live weights ranged from moderate to high (0.20 - 0.60), and were higher for males than for females. The variance due to maternal effects disappeared gradually for males but rapidly for females as the chicks grew older. Heritability of age of sexual maturation was 0.24 ± 0.008 and 033 ± 0.136 for males and females, respectively. Genetic correlations between ages of reaching sexual maturity and live weights (except hatchling weight) were favourable for males (-0.16 to –0.45) and unfavourable for females (0.14 to 0.22). Genetic correlations between males and females ranged from moderate (0.46 ± 0.083) to high (0.98 ± 0.139) for weekly live weights, and were 0.71 ± 0.24 for age of reaching sexual maturity. Sexual size dimorphism can be explained by the differences in pattern of heritability and correlation estimates between reaching sexual maturity and live weights for males and females. South African Journal of Animal Science Vol. 36(2) 2006: 142-14

Changes in some physico-chemical content of Anatolian buffalo milk according to the some environmental factors

The aim of this study was to determine the some physico-chemical content of raw milk from Anatolian water buffaloes raised under different village conditions in the Tokat province of Northern Turkey. The study materials included 1272 milk samples from 149 water buffaloes raised at 12 separate villages of the Erbaa, Turhal, and Pazar counties in the Tokat Province. Milk samples were collected during the morning milking between the months of February and May 2012 to 2014. The density, freezing point degree, dry matter, nonfat dry matter (or solid non fat), fat, protein, lactose, milk urea nitrogen and casein content of the milk samples were determined. The study results demonstrated that the mean dry matter, nonfat dry matter, fat, protein, lactose, casein content, density, milk urea nitrogen (MUN) and freezing point degree (FPD) of the raw milk samples were 16.99±0.108%, 10.88±0.036%, 5.98±0.107%, 4.85±0.043%, 5.17±0.021%, 3.61±0.036%, 1029±0.056, 21, 22 mg/dl and 0.55°C, respectively. The study data were evaluated according to the water buffaloes’ lactation stage, parity, and season by using the SPSS statistical program. It was concluded that the sampling time, parity, village conditions, stage of lactation and calving age had a significant effect (P<0.05) on the density, freezing point degree, dry matter, nonfat dry matter, fat, protein, lactose, and casein content of raw milk from the Anatolian water buffalo. © 2016, Kasetsart University. All rights reserved.TAGEM/60MANDA2011-01 --This investigation was supported by Republic of Turkey Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies for financial support (TAGEM/60MANDA2011-01). -

The Acute Phase Protein Ceruloplasmin as a Non-Invasive Marker of Pseudopregnancy, Pregnancy, and Pregnancy Loss in the Giant Panda

After ovulation, non-pregnant female giant pandas experience pseudopregnancy. During pseudopregnancy, non-pregnant females exhibit physiological and behavioral changes similar to pregnancy. Monitoring hormonal patterns that are usually different in pregnant mammals are not effective at determining pregnancy status in many animals that undergo pseudopregnancy, including the giant panda. Therefore, a physiological test to distinguish between pregnancy and pseudopregnancy in pandas has eluded scientists for decades. We examined other potential markers of pregnancy and found that activity of the acute phase protein ceruloplasmin increases in urine of giant pandas in response to pregnancy. Results indicate that in term pregnancies, levels of active urinary ceruloplasmin were elevated the first week of pregnancy and remain elevated until 20–24 days prior to parturition, while no increase was observed during the luteal phase in known pseudopregnancies. Active ceruloplasmin also increased during ultrasound-confirmed lost pregnancies; however, the pattern was different compared to term pregnancies, particularly during the late luteal phase. In four out of the five additional reproductive cycles included in the current study where females were bred but no birth occurred, active ceruloplasmin in urine increased during the luteal phase. Similar to the known lost pregnancies, the temporal pattern of change in urinary ceruloplasmin during the luteal phase deviated from the term pregnancies suggesting that these cycles may have also been lost pregnancies. Among giant pandas in captivity, it has been presumed that there is a high rate of pregnancy loss and our results are the first to provide evidence supporting this notion

Production traits and market values of Welsh black cattle

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:DXN019982 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

SOME PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF RAW MILK OF ANATOLIAN BUFFALOES

WOS: 000346068600007This research was carried out to determine some constituents and properties of raw milk samples of Anatolian buffaloes. Raw milk samples were collected from the different areas of the Tokat province of Turkey and analyzed for density, acidity, urea, free fatty acids (FFA), citric acid, freezing point (FPD), and pH. Milk samples were collected in February, March, and April 2012. Results of the research showed that the averages of raw milk density, acidity, urea, free fatty acids, citric acid, freezing point degree, and pH were determined as 1029.66 g/ cm(3), 8.26 degrees SH, 0.047%, 4.78 mmol/ 10L, 0.13%, -0.56 degrees C, and 6.56, respectively. As a result, the effects of lactation number, calving age, village, herd, sampling time, and stage of lactation on the determined parameters were found to be statistically significant (P<0.01).Research Fund of Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat, TurkeyGaziosmanpasa University [2011/13]The present study was supported by the Research Fund of Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat, Turkey (Project No. 2011/13)

MEAT PRODUCTION TRAITS OF LOCAL KARAYAKA SHEEP IN TURKEY 1. THE MEAT QUALITY CHARACTERISTIC OF LAMBS

WOS: 000371930800016This study is an investigation into the meat quality parameters of Karayaka lambs at different slaughter weights (SWs). The single-born Karayaka male lambs (n=30) selected for this study were an average live-weight of 20 kg and weaned at 2.5-3 months of age. The animals with pre-specified SWs were divided into slaughter weight (SW) groups (30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 kg) using a fully randomized design. To determine the M. longissimus dorsi et thoracis (LD) muscle meat quality characteristics, six lambs from each weight group were slaughtered. Results revealed significant differences among the slaughter groups with regard to pH, color parameters (L*-lightness, a*-redness, b*-yellowness), cooking loss (CL), drip loss (DL), moisture (M), crude protein (CP) and intramuscular fat (IF) ratios. Increasing water holding capacities (WHCs) and hardness values were observed with increasing SW. Significant differences were also observed among the slaughter groups with regard to total monounsaturated fatty acid + total polyunsaturated fatty acid/total saturated fatty acid ratios and total cholesterol content.TUBITAK [TOVAG-111O848]; General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policy (Public Small-Head Animal Breeding "Karayaka Sheep Breeding II - University Nucleus Herd) [60KYK2005-01]The present research was derived from the Ph.D. thesis entitled: The Determination of carcass and meat quality characteristics of Karayaka lambs with different slaughter weights. The authors wish to thank TUBITAK (Project no: TOVAG-111O848) and General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policy (Public Small-Head Animal Breeding "Karayaka Sheep Breeding II - University Nucleus Herd (Project no: 60KYK2005-01" for their financial support the present research

Meat production traits of local Karayaka sheep in Turkey 1. The meat quality characteristic of lambs

This study is an investigation into the meat quality parameters of Karayaka lambs at differentslaughter weights (SWs). The single-born Karayaka male lambs (n=30) selected for this study were an average live-weight of 20 kg and weaned at 2.5-3 months of age. The animals with pre-specifiedSWs were divided into slaughter weight (SW) groups (30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 kg) using a fully randomized design. To determine the M. longissimus dorsi et thoracis (LD) muscle meat qualitycharacteristics, six lambs from each weight group were slaughtered. Results revealed significant differences among the slaughter groups with regard to pH, color parameters (L*-lightness,a*-redness, b* -yellowness), cooking loss (CL), drip loss (DL), moisture (M), crude protein (CP) and intramuscular fat (IF) ratios. Increasing water holding capacities (WHCs) and hardness valueswere observed with increasing SW. Significant differences were also observed among the slaughter groups with regard to total monounsaturated fatty acid + total polyunsaturated fatty acid/totalsaturated fatty acid ratios and total cholesterol content

CHANGES IN SOME PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CONTENT OF ANATOLIAN BUFFALO MILK ACCORDING TO THE SOME ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

WOS: 000390885900018The aim of this study was to determine the some physico-chemical content of raw milk from Anatolian water buffaloes raised under different village conditions in the Tokat province of Northern Turkey. The study materials included 1272 milk samples from 149 water buffaloes raised at 12 separate villages of the Erbaa, Turhal, and Pazar counties in the Tokat Province. Milk samples were collected during the morning milking between the months of February and May 2012 to 2014. The density, freezing point degree, dry matter, nonfat dry matter (or solid non fat), fat, protein, lactose, milk urea nitrogen and casein content of the milk samples were determined. The study results demonstrated that the mean dry matter, nonfat dry matter, fat, protein, lactose, casein content, density, milk urea nitrogen (MUN) and freezing point degree (FPD) of the raw milk samples were 16.99+/-0.108%, 10.88+/-0.036%, 5.98+/-0.107%, 4.85+/-0.043%, 5.17+/-0.021%, 3.61+/-0.036%, 1029+/-0.056, 21, 22 mg/dl and 0.55 degrees C, respectively. The study data were evaluated according to the water buffaloes' lactation stage, parity, and season by using the SPSS statistical program. It was concluded that the sampling time, parity, village conditions, stage of lactation and calving age had a significant effect (P<0.05) on the density, freezing point degree, dry matter, nonfat dry matter, fat, protein, lactose, and casein content of raw milk from the Anatolian water buffalo.Republic of Turkey Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies [TAGEM/60MANDA2011-01]This investigation was supported by Republic of Turkey Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies for financial support (TAGEM/60MANDA2011-01). We would like to thank Tokat Buffalo Breeders' Association for technical assistance