Growth Curve Characteristics in Morkaraman and Awassi Sheep : II. Genetic and Environmental Aspects

Omer Cevdet Bilgin1*, Nurinisa Esenbuga2, Muhlis Macit3, Mevlut Karaoglu3

1Biometry and Genetics
2Animal Husbandry
3Feed and Animal Nutrition
Atatürk University, College of Agriculture
Erzurum-Turkey

(Received January 29, 2004; accepted May 25, 2004)

Abstract

Bilgin, O.C., Esenbuga, N., Macit, M. and Karaoglu, M. 2004. Growth curve characteristics in Morkaraman and Awassi sheep : II. Genetic and environmental aspects. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 26: 7-12.

To examine effects of environmental factors such as year of birth, type of birth and age of dam on the growth curve parameters estimated by the Brody model using weight-age data from 54 Morkaraman and 79 Awassi sheep, least squares means, standard errors of growth curve parameters and weight at specified ages were estimated. Estimates of heritability along with genetic and environmental correlations between growth curve parameters were evaluated. The results indicated that selection for 12-month weight or later will result in a correlated response in mature weight.

Arginase Status in Ram Reproductive System

N. Razmi*1, G.A. Jelodar2, S. Nazifi3, A. Dehghani1

1Department of Biochemistry
School of Veterinary Medicine
Shiraz University
Shiraz-71345, Iran

(Received September 23, 2003; accepted June 08, 2004)

Abstract

Razmi, N., Jelodar, G.A., Nazifi, S. and Dehghani, A. 2004. Arginase status in ram reproductive system. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 26: 57-59.

To assess the arginase status in reproductive system, seven healthy and sexually adult rams were slaughtered. Immediately different tissues including testes, epidydimis, vas deferans, ampulla, accessory sex glands (seminal vesicle, prostate and bulbourethral gland), muscular and mucosal layer of pelvic and penile urethra and urethral process were carefully separated, arginase specific activity (ASA) was determined and compared. The mucosal layer of the penile urethra had the maximum (>60 IU/mg protein) arginase activity, the seminal vesicle and bulbo urethral gland had the least (9-10 IU/mg protein) activity, whereas, the remaining had the intermediate (20-31 IU/mg protein) activity. The result of this study indicate that this enzyme is present at different levels in all parts of ram reproductive system.

Laying Performance and Egg Quality of Hens Supplemented with Humate and Sodium Bicarbonate during the Late Laying Period

M.A. Yörük1*, M. Gül1, A. Hayirli1, E. Laçin2

1Department of Animal Nutrition and Nutritional Diseases
2Department of Animal Husbandry
School of Veterinary Medicine
Atatürk University, Erzurum 25700, Turkey

(Received August 14, 2003; accepted May 27, 2004)

Abstract

Yörük, M.A., Gül, M., Hayirli, A. and Laçin, E. 2004. Laying performance and egg quality of hens supplemented with humate and sodium bicarbonate during the late laying period. J. Appl. Anim. Res.,
26: 17-21.

To determine whether supplementation of humate plus NaHCO3 amplifies the effects of their individual supplementation on egg production and quality during the late laying period, two hundred and forty Hisex Brown layers were assigned randomly to receive one of four diets containing no humate and NaHCO3, humate (0.1%), NaHCO3 (0.1%) or humate (0.1%) plus NaHCO3 (0.1%) from week 54 to 66. The experimental diets did not affect the mortality rate. As compared to control (un-supplemented) humate improved egg production, egg weight and feed conversion efficiency, whereas NaHCO3 alone or with humate increased feed intake and egg production. Egg quality parameters (specific gravity, shape index, shell stiffness, shell thickness, yolk colour, albumen index, yolk index and Haugh unit) were generally not affected by diet treatments except that NaHCO3 alone decreased albumen index and Haugh unit. It is concluded that supplementation of humate or NaHCO3 improved laying performance at similar magnitude. However, their combination did not amplify their individual effects.

Relationships among Richards Growth Curve Parameters, Reproductive and Milk Production Traits in Brown Swiss Cattle

Bahri Bayram, Mete Yanar*, Ömer Akbulut

Department of Animal Science
College of Agriculture
Atatürk University
25240, Erzurum, Turkey

(Received October 18, 2003; accepted May 20, 2004)

Abstract

Bayram, B., Yanar, M. and Akbulut, Ö. 2004. Relationships among Richards growth curve parameters, reproductive and milk production traits in Brown Swiss cattle. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 26: 29-32.

Weight-age data from 207 Brown Swiss cows from birth to 72 months of age located in the eastern region of Turkey were fitted to Richards function to determine the relationship between growth curve parameters and reproduction as well as milk production traits. Parameter estimates from Richards growth model were perfectly correlated to each other. Additionally, mature weight (A) estimated from Richards function was significantly related with body weight at first calving (r=0.301), first calving age (r =0.171) and birth weight of calves (r=0.348). Maturation rate (k) was also significantly associated with first calving age (r=0.358) and calving interval (r=0.202). However, parameters of Richards growth model were not significantly correlated with milk production characteristics. There was only a positive phenotypic correlation (r=0.249) between A value and lactation length.

Functional Integrity of Boar Spermatozoa and Sow Fertility Using Raphia (Raphia hookeri) Palmwine plus ‘Nche’ (Saccoglotis gabonensis) Urban Extender

D.O. Umesiobi

School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Central University of Technology
Free State, P. Bag X20539
Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa

(Received January 29, 2004; accepted June 30, 2004)

Abstract

Umesiobi, D.O. 2004. Functional integrity of boar spermatozoa and sow fertility using raphia (Raphia hookeri) palmwine plus ‘nche’ (Saccoglotis gabonensis) urban extender. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 26: 53-56.

Ninety-six (2.5 year) cycling, non-lactating Large White sows and twelve (2 years) Large White boars were used in an AI programme to study the effects of raphia (Raphia hookeri) palmwine alone (RP) or with ‘Nche’ (Saccoglotis gabonensis) Urban (RPS) semen extender as compared with a conventional Cornell University extender (CUE) on boar semen viability and fertility of inseminated sows. RPS semen extender gave the highest sperm motility, live sperm per cent, sperm concentration and normal apical ridge with least abnormal sperm per cent, damaged and missing apical ridge and loose acrosomal cap. CUE, RP and no extender followed in that order for these characteristics. Same pattern was observed in sows’ farrowing rate and total and live piglets born per sow. Thus RPS is recommended for boar semen dilution programme.

Determination of Qualities of Corn, Sorghum, Sudangrass and Sorghum x Sudangrass Hybrid Silages

Yunus Bakici, Murat Demirel*

Yüzüncü Yil University
Agricultural Faculty, Animal Science Department
65080 Van Turkey

(Received January 27, 2004; accepted June 12, 2004)

Abstract

Bakici, Y. and Demirel, M. 2004. Determination of qualities of corn, sorghum, sudangrass and sorghum x sudangrass hybrid silages. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 26: 45-48.

To determine the silage qualities plants of corn (C), sorghum (S), sudangrass (SU) and sorghum x sudangrass hybrid (SSUH) were harvested at milk stage and incubated in concrete silos for 70 days. The corn silage was superior to the other three silages in terms of lactic and butyric acid contents, digestibilities of proximate principles except CP, the other three generally not differing among themselves. All the four silages were of high quality in terms of physical properties and flieg points and these crops are recommended for silage making.

Influence of Zilpaterol Hydrochloride on Growth and Carcass Characteristics of Pelibuey Lambs

J. Salinas-Chavira*, R.G. Ramirez1, M. Domínguez-Muñoz, R. Palomo-Cruz, V.H. López-Acuña

Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Apartado Postal 263
Carretera Cd. Victoria-Cd. Mante km 6.5, Cd. Victoria
Tam. 87000, México

1Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas
Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Apartado Postal 142
Sucursal F. San Nicolás de los Garza, N.L. 66450, México

(Received September 23, 2003; accepted July 4, 2004)

Abstract

Salinas-Chavira, J., Ramirez, R.G., Domínguez-Muñoz, M., Palomo-Cruz, R. and López-Acuña, V.H. 2004. Influence of zilpaterol hydrochloride on growth and carcass characteristics of lambs. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 26: 13-16.

To evaluate the effect of different doses of the feed additive ß-agonist, zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) on performance and carcass characteristics of lambs, twelve intact male Pelibuey lambs (28.7±2.7 kg) were kept in individual pens and randomly assigned to three treatment (T) diets (four lambs per diet); lambs on T1 were fed the diet without additive, on T2 and T3 were fed the same diet and 4.35 and 6.0 µg ZH/g DM, respectively, for a second feeding trial. Lambs on T2 and T3 had the same (P<0.05) daily dry matter intake (1460.0 and 1375.0 g, respectively), average daily gain (365.0 and 347.0 g) and feed efficiency (4.0 and 4.0, respectively); however, both were significantly higher than those lambs on T1 (1175.0 g, 140.0 g and 9.0, respectively). All lambs deposited the same (>0.05) subcutaneous fat. Lambs on T1 and T2 had similar (P>0.05) Longissimus dorsi area (9.8 and 11.2 cm2, respectively), but both were lower (P<0.05) than lambs on T3 (14.2 cm2). It is concluded that addition of ZH to a high concentrate diet fed to Pelibuey lambs showed improved performance.

Efficacy of Dietary Natural Zeolite and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in Counteracting Aflatoxicosis in Broiler Chicks

M. Modirsanei1*, A.R. Khosravi2, S.M.M. Kiaei1, M.H. Bozorgmehri Fard3,
M.J. Gharagozloo4, P. Khazraeinia3

1Department of Animal and Poultry Health and Nutrition
2Department of Mycology
3Department of Clinical Science
4Department of Pathology
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

(Received December 10, 2003; accepted June 20, 2004)

Abstract

Modirsanei, M., Khosravi, A.R., Kiaei, S.M.M., Bozorgmehri Fard, M.H., Gharagozloo, M.J. and Khazraeinia, P. 2004. Efficacy of dietary natural zeolite and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in counteracting aflatoxicosis in broiler chicks. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 26: 39-44.

Six hundred male day-old broiler chicks were assigned to a completely randomized design arrangement of treatments to evaluate the efficacy of Saccharomyces crervisiae (SC) or a natural zeolite (NZ) at the level of 0.5 and 0.75 per cent, respectively, to reduce toxic effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) at the level of 1.0 mg/kg of diet in broiler chicks in a 35d experiment. Feeding diets containing AFB1 significantly and adversely affected body weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency, total serum protein, prothrombin time and weight of thymus but not that of bursa of Fabricius, liver or spleen and caused histopathological changes in liver, bursa of Fabricius and thymus. Addition of 0.75 per cent NZ to diet did not reduce any of the adverse effects, whereas, supplementation of 0.5% SC partially ameliorated these adverse effects in respect of weight gain, feed efficiency, total serum protein and prothrombin time.

Characterization of a Mycoplasma agalactiae Strain, Candidate to an Attenuated Vaccine

Patrícia Assunção1*, Christian de la Fe1, Ana S. Ramírez1,
Javier E. Sarradell2, Jose B. Poveda1

1Unit of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine
Veterinary Faculty, University of Las Palmas, Trasmontaña s/n. 35416 Arucas
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain

2Department of General Pathology
Veterinary Faculty
National University of Rosario, Argentina

(Revised received June 24, 2004; accepted July 1, 2004)

Abstract

Assunção, P., Fe, C. de la, Ramírez, A.S., Sarradell, J.E. and Poveda, J.B. 2004. Characterization of a Mycoplasma agalactiae strain, candidate to an attenuated vaccine. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 26: 1-5.

The aim of this work was to study the stability of a M. agalactiae attenuated strain after lyophilization and its characterization by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunoblotting. Immunoblot against homologous antisera showed that the attenuated M. agalactiae strain had 2 characteristic antigenic bands of 32 and 21 kDa. The assays related to strain lyophilization showed that the CFUs were decreased lesser than 2log10 after 1 year storage at 4C with the exception of one vial, which lost all its viability. The subcutaneous inoculation dose (105 CFU), did not produce any symptom or sign of disease during the 45 days of the experiment. However, a local reaction was observed on the day after the inoculation. At necropsy, no macroscopic lesions were found which related to contagious agalactia or other disease. These results suggest that this attenuated strain has good possibilities as a live attenuated vaccine.

Assessment of Storage Stability of Cooked Low-fat Buffalo Meat Balls in Low- Fat Gravy

Lokendra Kumar, B.D. Sharma

Division of Livestock Products Technology
Indian Veterinary Research Institute
Izatnagar-243 122, India

(Received February 9, 2004; accepted August 6, 2004)

Abstract

Kumar, L. and Sharma, B.D. 2004. Assessment of storage stability of cooked low- fat buffalo meat balls in low-fat gravy. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 26: 49-51.

Low-fat buffalo meat balls were packaged in LDPE pouches along with low-fat gravy and stored for 15 days at refrigerated temperature. Total plate count, psychrophilic count and TBA values showed an increase but remained within the acceptable limits during the entire period of storage. Coliforms were not detected. The sensory rating for flavour, juiciness, texture and overall acceptability remained between good to very good. These findings indicate that low-fat buffalo meat balls stored in low-fat gravy had very good acceptability during 15 days of storage in refrigeration in LDPE pouches.

Effect of Body Condition at Calving and its Changes During Early Lactation on Postpartum Reproductive Performance of Zebu Cows in a Tropical Environment

R. Delgado1, J.G. Magaña1*, C. Galina2, J.C. Segura1

1Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia
Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán. Km 15.5 Carretera Mérida-Xmatkuil
Mérida, Yucatán, México. AP 4-116, CP 97100, México

2Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México

(Received August 14, 2003; accepted June 01, 2004)

Abstract

Delgado, R., Magaña, J.G., Galina, C. and Segura, J.C. 2004. Effect of body condition at calving and its changes during early lactation on postpartum reproductive performance of Zebu cows in a tropical environment. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 26: 23-28.

A herd was monitored for two years in order to determine the effect of body condition score on the reproductive performance of Zebu cows managed under continuous mating in the tropics of México. Overall cyclicity and pregnancy rates were 60.5% and 37.1% at four months pospartum, respectively. 62.9 percent of the cows were non-pregnant and of these more than 60% were in true anoestrus. Body condition score (BCS) at calving and 60 days postpartum, BCS changes, season and parity had significant effects (P<0.05) on cyclicity and pregnancy at 120 days postpartum. The odds of a cycling or pregnant cow at 120 days postpartum improved with increasing BCS grades. Cows calving in the dry or rainy season had lower odds (0.5 and 0.7, respectively) than those calving during the windy and rainy season. First calving cows had the worst performance, no differences being observed among multiparous cows.

Utilization of Sorghum and Finger Millet With or Without Feed Enzyme in Broiler Chickens

A.V. Elangovan*, A.B. Mandal, Pramod K. Tyagi,
Praveen K. Tyagi, S. Toppo, T. S. Johri

Central Avian Research Institute
Izatnagar- 243 122, India

(Received November 15, 2003; accepted June 6, 2004)

Abstract

Elangovan, A.V., Mandal, A.B., Tyagi, Pramod K., Tyagi, Praveen K., Toppo, S. and Johri, T.S. 2004. Utilization of sorghum and finger millet with or without feed enzyme in broiler chickens. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 26: 33-38.

A 4x2 factorial experiment of seven weeks duration was conducted on day-old broiler chicks (n=240) to study the efficacy of commercial feed enzyme preparation added @ 50g/quintal in four experimental diets containing either maize, sorghum, finger millet as sole cereal source or a combination of maize, sorghum, finger millet and pearl millet in equal proportions on performance, nutrient utilization, carcass traits and feed cost of production. The body weight gain and feed efficiency were significantly lower (P<0.01) in finger millet based diet, which were improved (P<0.01) upon enzyme addition. However, addition of enzyme in diets based on other cereals did not improve the performance of broilers. The enzyme addition significantly (P<0.05) improved the dry matter and gross energy metabolizability with higher nitrogen retention from diet containing finger millet. The carcass traits remained unaltered (P>0.05) by various dietary treatments. Feed cost of broiler production was higher (P<0.05) in finger millet based diet. It is concluded that diet containing finger millet, a poor quality grain, can be improved by adding commercial feed enzyme preparation.