Influence of sorghum inclusion in fattening steers diets on health and fatty acids profile of Longissimus dorsi muscle

The study was conducted using 21 Romanian Black Spotted fattening steers to determine the effects of sorghum grains on health and fatty acid profile of Longissimus dorsi muscle. The animals were assigned uniformly to 3 groups of 7 steers each, which received different treatments: control (C) received a compound feed without sorghum grains, experimental group (E1) received 15% sorghum grains in the compound feed, while next experimental group (E2) received 25% sorghum grains in the compound feed. To determine the biochemical parameters, blood samples were collected from animals at the end of experimental period. The laboratory analyses conducted on samples of Longissimus dorsi muscle collected from the 3 experimental groups, showed changes in the fatty acid composition. The proportion of saturated fatty acids (SFA) decreased in favour of the unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) with 1.04% in group E2, while the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids increased from 53.00% in the control group to 54.19% in group E2

Using Spline Test-Day Model for Estimating the Genetic Parameters for Cow’s Milk Yield

Genetic parameters of Montbeliarde cows were estimated for test-day milk yield with a random regression spline model. The spline model has been considered as a good alternative to Legendre polynomials to direct interpretation of parameters. With this model the lactation curve is divided into sections by knots. The milk yield between any two knots is assumed to be changing linearly. The random regression was fitted with linear splines with five knots: 7, 54, 111, 246, 302. The herd-test-day is the fixed effect of the model. The heritability estimates for test-day milk yield ranged from 0.346 at 65th day in milk, to 0.422 at 35th day in milk. Genetic correlations between individual test days were positive and tended to decrease with an increase in days between when the yields were measured. Random regression models using linear splines were proved to be useful for genetic evaluations of cows

A Review Regarding the Evolution of Ultrasound Technique and the Impact on Selecting Animals for Carcass Meat Quality

This review come to underline the great potential of the ultrasound technique that developed year by year with the evolution of meat market industry and become more sensitive to the human consumers. In Romania the ultrasound technique was the first time used in vivo at sheep to improve meat evaluation. Classical method implies time consuming and complicated approach by cutting the carcasses to obtain commercial yield, slaughtering yield, dressing percentage and meat – bone ratio. Ultrasound parameters obtained at Longissimus Dorsi muscle in Romanian local breed Teleorman Black Had showed a great potential for meat production. High correlations were found between muscle depth with eye muscle area (0.71, 0.76) and eye muscle perimeter (0.90, 0.85), also with body weight at birth (0.40, 0.54) and at weaning age (0.55, 0.67). Eye muscle area at Romanian lambs was situated in the limits known for ultrasound meat carcass quality. The research investigations continued with a comparative study between non – invasive ultrasound with classical methods using linear regression models to estimate meat production without sacrifice the lambs and keeping them for reproduction. Ultrasound application were used with very good results at Romanian Carpatina goats with ultrasound measurements situated within the limits known by the scientific literature. For both species the ultrasounds measurements showed that one – measurement is enough to estimate meat quantity for a better carcass evaluation. That why ultrasound method is recommended to be an efficient and easy to use method to classify the individuals designed for carcass meat quality. Also, ultrasound show as the opportunities that must be embraced by the animal breeders and farmers to maximize the genetic progress in order to select the best individuals design for meat production. The ultimate goal of the livestock and meat industry is to have an accurate and objective measurement method for assessing the economically important traits of meat quality, and to determine the value and merit of the carcass while the animal is still alive

Using spline test-day model for estimating the genetic parameters for cows milk yield

Genetic parameters of Montbeliarde cows were estimated for test-day milk yield with a random regression spline model. The spline model has been considered as a good alternative to Legendre polynomials to direct interpretation of parameters. With this model the lactation curve is divided into sections by knots. The milk yield between any two knots is assumed to be changing linearly. The random regression was fitted with linear splines with five knots: 7, 54, 111, 246, 302. The herd-test-day is the fixed effect of the model. The heritability estimates for test-day milk yield ranged from 0.346 at 65th day in milk, to 0.422 at 35th day in milk. Genetic correlations between individual test days were positive and tended to decrease with an increase in days between when the yields were measured. Random regression models using linear splines were proved to be useful for genetic evaluations of cows

Identification of IGF-1 gene polymorphism using PCR-RFLP for improving goat meat evaluation in Carpatina breed

The objective of this study was to identify insulin growth factor (IGF-1) gene polymorphism using PCR RFLP technique in order to improve goat meat evaluation. Insulin like growth factor -1 play an important stimulator role in skeletal growth, cell differentiation and metabolism. Also it has an important role in control of hair cycles and it is involved in development of wool fiber. Therefore, it is considered as an appropriate candidate gene for meat quality evaluation. Blood samples were collected from 12 Carpatina kids and DNA was extracted using, Wizard Genomic DNA Purification Kit. Polymorphism of IGF-1 was determined by PCR amplification followed by RFLP method using restriction enzyme Hae III. In the present study homozygous individuals were identified by RFLP with enzyme Hae III which cuts the amplicon in two places obtaining genotype BC with three migration bands at 363, 264 and 99 bp. Restriction enzyme doesn’t cut the amplicon of the homozygous individuals for the genotype BB, and there is no restriction site, so amplified DNA fragment migration can be visualized in one band of 363 bp.  Based on results, two genotypes BB and BC were identified. It was identified homozygous genotype BB with 75% and heterozygous genotype BC with 25%. B allele frequency was 0.87 and for allele C was 0.13. Observed and expected values of IGF-1 genotypes were found in Hardy Weinberg equilibrium, after χ2 test was calculated. Further investigation are necessary to be carried out on a high number of animals in order to discover other mutations correlated with meat quality in Carpatina goat

Red Grape Pomace Rich in Polyphenols Diet Increases the Antioxidant Status in Key Organs—Kidneys, Liver, and Spleen of Piglets

The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of a diet containing 5% dried GP on the antioxidant status (total antioxidant status (TAS), antioxidant enzyme activity (catalase-CAT, superoxide dismutase-SOD, and gluthatione peroxidase-GPx), and lipid peroxidation) on the key organs of the liver, kidneys, and spleen in relation to health status as indicated by blood biochemical parameters and total polyphenol content in the blood, organs (liver, spleen, kidney, mesenteric lymph nodes, heart, and brain) and Longissimus dorsi muscle in piglets. The GP diet results in a significant increase of TAS in the liver, spleen, and kidneys, with increased CAT activity in the spleen and kidneys, increased SOD activity in the liver, kidneys, and spleen, and increased GPx activity in the kidneys, as well as a decrease in lipid peroxidation in the liver and kidneys. The GP included in the piglets’ feed contained polyphenols that showed antioxidant activity and were absorbed in the plasma, contributing to maintaining the good health of the animals. The inclusion of 5% GP inclusion in the diets of piglets is beneficial for overall normal blood constituent metabolism and helps to maintain piglet health by increasing the polyphenol content in blood plasma and antioxidant activity in the liver, spleen, and kidneys

Improvement of meat quality evaluation by ultrasound in Carpathian goat breed

In goat, the evaluation of carcass quality was mainly done by using the classical method of animal slaughtering. This paper proposes a non-invasive method for goat carcass estimation, very efficient and easy to use, without sacrificing and able to keep the animals for reproduction: ultrasound method. In the present study, the following parameters were measured by ultrasound method: fat layer, muscle depth, eye muscle area, eye muscle perimeter in Longissimus Dorssi, between two measurements point (12th rib and between 3rd and 4th lumbar vertebra). Young goats (33.65kg, BW), 9 months of age, and adult female goats (35.99 kg BW), were used. In young goat, fat layer (1.86, 1.94 mm), muscle depth (18.97, 17.34 mm), eye muscle area (8.18, 8.25 cm2) and eye muscle perimeter (123.93, 125.06 mm) was similar with those founded in other goat breeds. Very high correlations were found between body weight and ultrasound parameters for muscle depth (0.81, 0.61) and eye muscle area (0.74, 0.67) in young goats. In adults, the ultrasound measurements showed 1.99, 2.04 mm for fat, 19.96, 19.26 mm for muscle depth and 9.02 and 9.17 cm2 for eye muscle area. High correlations were found also for adult goats for the same parameters, body weight and ultrasound for muscle depth (0.61, 0.63) and eye muscle area (0.45, 0.41). In the second phase of this study correlations with carcass derived from slaughtered animals will be carried out

Identification of Myostatin gene polymorphism using PCR-RFLP for improving carcass meat evaluation of Teleorman Black Head lambs

The objective of this study was to identify Myostatin (MSTN) gene polymorphism using PCR RFLP technique in order to improve sheep meat evaluation. There are data which show that MSTN is an inhibitor of skeletal muscle growth and a mutation in gene leads to increased muscle mass. Therefore, it is considered as an appropriate candidate gene for carcass meat quality. Blood samples were collected from 105 Teleorman Black Head (TBH) lambs and DNA was extracted using, Wizard Genomic DNA Purification Kit. Polymorphism of MSTN was determined by PCR amplification followed by RFLP method using restriction enzyme Hae III. Based on results, two genotypes mm and Mm were identified. It was identified homozygous genotype mm which not carry this mutation with 16.67% and heterozygous genotype Mm with 83.33%. M allele frequency was 42% and for allele m was 58%. Observed and expected values of MSTN genotypes were found in Hardy Weinberg disequilibrium, after χ2 test was calculated. MM individuals who carry this mutation were not identified in the analysed herd. This may be due to an empirical selection of this breed leading to absence of this genotype. That is why further investigation on a high number of animals are necessary to discover this mutation correlated with meat quality in TBH sheep

Estimation of the genetic parameters for test-day milk yield in Holstein cattle

The objective of this study was to determine the genetic parameters represented by heritability for test-day milk yield, the genetic correlations between test-day milk yield and the breeding value for Holstein cows. The model used was random regression test-day animal model. the data set consist of 216 test day records from 30 cows. The average number of test day per lactation was seven. The heritability estimates for test-day milk yield ranged from 0.43 at 250 th day in milk to 0.60 at 10 th day in milk. Genetic correlations between individual test-days milk yield were high and positive

The Genetic Parameters for Milk, Fat and Protein Yields in Holstein Cows

The aim of this study was to analyse methodology of genetic parameters estimation and breeding value prediction for milk, fat and protein yield in the first lactation of Holstein cattle using Best Linear Unbiased Prediction procedure- Restricted Maximum Likelihood method with individual animal model. The cows with records in first lactation were from experimental farm of National Research-Development Institute for Animal Biology and Nutrition Balotesti. The genetic parameters were estimated with Restricted Maximum Likelihood method using Individual Animal Model. The estimated heritabilities were 0.249 for milk yield, 0.339 for fat yield and 0.315 for protein yield. The data were analysed with R software. The breeding values of the best Holstein cows for milk yield ranged from 21.13 to 176.97 l, for fat yield ranged from 5.178 to 35.34 kg and for protein yield ranged from 5.516 to 25.155 kg