• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.353-358
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• 2003

Regarding the fattening of younger cattle that the Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) recommends in Japan, this study looked at vitamin A control in feed and blood and its effect on performance of production and carcass composition of Wagyu steers. Five sets from 10 Wagyu artificial identical twins were divided to into 2 groups, a restricted group (Test) and a supplied group (Control). The body weight at the finishing time of the Test was significantly lower than that of the Control (p<0.05). The daily gain from 13 to 21 months old, as the animals in the Test were fed the concentrated feed without Vitamin A, was significantly different (p<0.05) between the Test and the Control. The total daily gains for the Test and the Control for the fattening period were 0.82 kg/day and 0.93 kg/day, respectively, which showed a significant difference (p<0.01). Regarding the rib thickness, the Test was thinner than the Control. The Beef Marbling Scores of the Test and Control were 3.60 and 2.80, respectively. The muscle weight of the Test was significantly smaller than that of the Control (p<0.01). However, regarding the ratio to the carcass, the Test was significantly higher than the Control (p<0.05). For the fat weight, the Test was smaller by about 15 kg than the Control (p<0.01). Furthermore, for the fat ratio to the carcass, the Test was significantly lower than the Control (p<0.05). The bone weights of the two groups were approximately the same. Regarding the ratio of bone to carcass, the Test was higher than the Control (p<0.01). For the younger fattening method, the low level vitamin A in the serum had the effect that the muscle ratio to the carcass weight was greater and the fat was less, but the carcass and muscle weight were less.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.1283-1289
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• 2021

Objective: The progestogen-associated endometrial protein (PAEP) gene encodes the main whey protein in milk, β-lactoglobulin. The aim of the study was to investigate polymorphism in the PAEP gene and its association with milk yield, composition, and quality. Methods: Test-day records for 782 dairy cows were analysed. A total of 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) within the PAEP gene were investigated. The following parameters were recorded: milk yield (MY, kg/d), percent milk fat (%), protein (PP, %), dry matter (DMP, %) and lactose (LP, %), urea content (UC, mg/L) as well as natural logarithm for somatic cell count (LnSCC, ln). Effect on genomic estimated breeding values accuracy was evaluated with pedigree and single step model. Results: Results show that only three SNPs were polymorphic, creating 5 composite genotypes: P1 to P5. Differences in MY between composite genotypes were noted in the two tested herds. Cows with P5 composite genotypes were characterised by the highest PP and LnSCC and the lowest LP and UC (p<0.05). P4 was linked to an increased DMP and UC, while P3 to an increase in LP and decrease in PP and LnSCC. Both factors are important markers in herd management and have high influences on the herds economics. For 5 out of 7 traits the accuracy of prediction was improved by including the haplotype as a fixed effect. Conclusion: Presented results may suggest a new way to optimise breeding programmes and demonstrate the impact of using genomic data during that process.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.215-224
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• 2023

Background: Reproductive management practices play crucial roles to maximize the reproductive performance of cows, and thus contribute to farm profitability. We aimed to assess the reproductive management of cows currently practiced in the dairy farms in an urban farming system. Methods: A total of 62 dairy farms were randomly selected considering all size of farms such as small (1-5 cattle), medium (6-20 cattle) and large farms (> 20 cattle) from selected areas of Dhaka city in Bangladesh. The reproductive management-related parameters viz. estrus detection, breeding method, pregnancy diagnosis, dry cow and parturition management, vaccination and treatment of reproductive problems etc. were obtained in a pre-defined questionnaire during the farm visit. Results: The visual observation method was only used (100.0%; 62/62) for estrus detection irrespective of size of the farms; while farmers observed cows for estrus 4-5 times a day, but only for 20-60 seconds each time. Regardless of farm size, 89.0% (55/62) farms used artificial insemination (AI) for breeding the cows. Intriguingly, all farms (100.0%) routinely checked the cows for pregnancy at 35-40 days post-breeding using rectal palpation technique by registered veterinarian. However, only 6.5% (4/62) farms practiced dry cow management. Notably, all farms (100.0%) provided nutritional supplements (Vit D, Ca and P) during late gestation. However, proper hygiene and cleanliness during parturition was not practiced in 77.4% (48/62) farms; even though 96.7% (60/62) farms treated cows by registered veterinarian for parturition-related problems. Conclusions: While farmers used AI service for breeding and timely check their cows for pregnancy; however, they need to increase observation time (30 minutes/ observation, twice in a day: early morning and early night) for estrus detection, consider dry cow management and ensure hygienic parturition for maximizing production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2004

The 490 and 380 performance records of Karan Fries and Karan Swiss cows developed through crossbreeding followed by inter-se mating were evaluated for production, reproduction performance and disposal rate. Duration of study (1982-92) was grouped into five periods (1982-83; 1984-85; 1986-87; 1988-89; 1990-92) and each year was divided into four seasons (Winter: Dec.-Jan.; Spring: Feb.-March; Summer: April-June; Rainy: July-Sept.; Autumn: Oct.-Nov). Data were also classified according to sire and level of inbreeding. The least squares means of FLY (first lactation yield -305 days), FLL (first lactation length), FSP (first service period), FDP (first dry period), FCI (first calving interval ), MY/FLL (milk yield per day of first lactation length), MY/FCI (milk yield per day of first calving interval), EBV (expected breeding value) and EBE (expected breeding efficiency) were $3,173{\pm}82$ kg, $34611{\pm}$days, $143{\pm}11$ days, $75{\pm}6$ days, $423{\pm}11$ days, $10.6{\pm}0.2$ kg, $8.9{\pm}0.2$ kg, $3,380{\pm}26$ kg, and $88.2{\pm}1.3$% respectively in Karan Fries. Corresponding estimates in Karan Swiss cows were $2,616{\pm}82$ kg, $328{\pm}8$ days, $148{\pm}12$ days, $103{\pm}9$ days, $435{\pm}13$ days, $8.9{\pm}0.2$ kg, $7.2{\pm}0.3$ kg, $2,924{\pm38}$ kg and $86.0{\pm}3.8$% respectively. The effect of sire was significant on FLY, MY/FLL, MY/FCI and EBV in both the herd (p<0.01). The 10 and 15% sires showed superiority (FLY) over herd average of 11 and 7% in Karan Fries and 32 and 21% in Karan Swiss cattle respectively. Inbreeding has adversely and significantly (p<0.05) affected the FLY, MY/FLL, MY/FCI and survivability of Karan Fries females; FDP and disposal through culling of Karan Swiss heifers. The Karan Fries heifers with inbreeding above 12.5% performed 16% lower FLY to herd average. The effect of season of calving was significant on FLL, FSP and FCI (p<0.05) in Karan Fries. Summer calvers ($361{\pm}12$) were have higher lactation length and autumn calvers ($329{\pm}14$) had minimum. Period of calving significantly influenced the FSP, FCI, MY/FLL and MY/FCI in Karan Fries and FLY, MY/FLL and MY/FCI in Karan Swiss. Production efficiency traits in Karan Fries herd witnessed higher yield in the last two periods whereas, Karan Swiss heifers showed fluctuating performance. The findings suggested judicious use of available genetic variability, keeping of inbreeding under safer level and managemental interventions for the consistent improvement of both herds.

• International Journal of Fuzzy Logic and Intelligent Systems
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.108-113
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• 2005

This paper suggests a control method for an efficient topology/parameter evolution in a bond graph-based GP design framework that automatically synthesizes designs for multi-domain, lumped parameter dynamic systems. We adopt a hierarchical breeding control mechanism with fitness-level-dependent differences to obtain better balancing of topology/parameter search - biased toward topological changes at low fitness levels, and toward parameter changes at high fitness levels. As a testbed for this approach in bond graph synthesis, an eigenvalue assignment problem, which is to find bond graph models exhibiting minimal distance errors from target sets of eigenvalues, was tested and showed improved performance for various sets of eigenvalues.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.239-243
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• 2011

Thirty five bivoltine breeds were acclimatized under controlled condition for three years during two seasons to evaluate their efficiency in Seri industry of tropical region. Out of thirty five ten breeds had been short listed based on ranking for individual trait. Three breeds out of those ten selected breeds viz. SK6, NB18 and B.Con.4 ranked top in respect of overall performance. The ten breeds based on average Evaluation Index value > 50 considering twelve economically important traits are the resource material for future course of breeding program in West Bengal.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.161-170
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• 1993

Prospects are briefly reviewed for further advances in current poultry industry technology in the foreseeable future. It is concluded that in the most advanced industries progress should continue at a similar rate to the recent past in conventional genetics and breeding, nutrition and disease control. Significant benefits will also follow in the short-term from the application of molecular biotechnology to disease diagnosis and vaccine production. Technical advances now make it possible to produce transgenic chickens at acceptable success rates but applications of this technology to poultry breeding will not become significant till we have sufficient knowledge of the poultry genome, and especially the genes involved in production performance. For the undeveloped and less advanced industries it is argued that the level of advanced technologies to be implemented in those countries should be decided largely on market forces, informed by objective assessment of the diverse options available. The need for urgent international action on conservation of poultry genetic resources is also stressed.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.99-103
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• 2021

In the present study, twelve bivoltine silkworm races were evaluated for its performance based on quantitative and qualitative traits. Seven oval and five peanut cocoon shaped races were reared in different seasons of the year. By using evaluation index method, the results showed that six races were identified as potential parental races. Among oval races, 75xin, KoC, KoZ and among peanut races An 902, 7532 and QD7 were selected as base material. The identified high yielding races will be used in various breeding programs as initial parents for the production of superior bivoltine breeds/hybrids in Vietnam

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.540-554
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• 2023

Heat stress is a major challenge to animal production in tropical and subtropical climates. Rabbits suffer from heat stress more than farm animals because they have few sweat glands, and their bodies are covered with thick fur. Intensive farming relies on antibiotics as antimicrobials or growth promoters to increase animals' productivity and health. However, the European Union and many countries have banned or restricted the use of antibiotics in animal feed for human health concerns. Several studies have found that replacing antibiotics in rabbit feed with natural plants or feed additives increases productivity and improves immune capacity, especially under heat stress conditions. Growth performance, immune response, gut microflora, and carcass yield may be increased in rabbits fed a diet supplemented with some natural plants and/or propolis. In this review article, we discuss and summarize the effects of some herbs and plant extracts as alternative feed additives on rabbit productivity, especially for those raised under hot ambient temperatures.

• Korean Journal of Breeding Science
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.196-200
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• 2008

A new spary chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflorum) cultivar 'Pinky' was bred from a cross between 'Rima' and 'Yen'. Progenies were investigated from 2004 to 2006 under shading culture in spring and retarding culture in autumn and the promising line was selected based on the performance of year-round production, white rust resistance and vase life. Pinky flowered around 20 October, and year-round production was possible by shading and lighting. Its flower was 3.1 cm in diameter, and had 38.4 petals and 26.8 flowers per stem in autumn. Its petal was narrow (0.4 cm) and pink with green in color at the flower center. Days to flower from short-day start for 'Pinky' was about 47 in spring. 'Pinky' showed a vase life of 20.9 days in autumn. This cultivar was commercially registered in 2007. 'Pinky' would be suitable for culture under the greenhouse and rain shelter condition in Korea.