• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.543-555
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• 2010

The objectives of this research were the estimation of genetic parameters and trends for weaning-to-first service interval (WSI), and litter traits in a commercial swine population composed of Landrace (L), Large White (T), LT, and TL animals in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand. The dataset contained 4,399 records of WSI, number of piglets born alive (NBA), litter weight of live piglets at birth (LBW), number of piglets at weaning (NPW), and litter weight at weaning (LWW). Variance and covariance components were estimated with REML using 2-trait analyses. An animal model was used for WSI and a sire-dam model for litter traits. Fixed effects were farrowing year-season, breed group of sow, breed group of boar (litter traits), parity, heterosis (litter traits), sow age, and lactation length (NPW and LWW). Random effects were boar (litter traits), sow, permanent environment, and residual. Heritabilities for direct genetic effects were low for WSI (0.04${\pm}$0.02) and litter traits (0.05${\pm}$0.02 to 0.06${\pm}$0.02). Most heritabilities for maternal litter trait effects were 20% to 50% lower than their direct counterparts. Repeatability for WSI was similar to its heritability. Repeatabilities for litter traits ranged from 0.15${\pm}$0.02 to 0.18${\pm}$F0.02. Direct genetic, permanent environment, and phenotypic correlations between WSI and litter traits were near zero. Direct genetic correlations among litter traits ranged from 0.56${\pm}$0.20 to 0.95${\pm}$0.05, except for near zero estimates between NBA and LWW, and LBW and LWW. Maternal, permanent environment, and phenotypic correlations among litter traits had similar patterns of values to direct genetic correlations. Boar genetic trends were small and significant only for NBA (-0.015${\pm}$0.005 piglets/yr, p<0.004). Sow genetic trends were small, negative, and significant (-0.036${\pm}$0.013 d/yr, p<0.01 for WSI; -0.017${\pm}$0.005 piglets/yr, p<0.007, for NBA; -0.015${\pm}$0.005 kg/yr, p<0.01, for LBW; -0.019${\pm}$0.008 piglets/yr, p<0.02, for NPW; and -0.022${\pm}$0.006 kg/yr, p<0.003, for LWW). Permanent environmental correlations were small, negative, and significant only for WSI (-0.028${\pm}$0.011 d/yr, p<0.02). Environmental trends were positive and significant only for litter traits (p<0.01 to p<0.0003). Selection based on predicted genetic values rather than phenotypes could be advantageous in this population. A single trait analysis could be used for WSI and a multiple trait analysis could be implemented for litter traits.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.1158-1161
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• 2004

This study chiefly aims to ascertain the effect of birth weight and litter size on productive performance in rabbits. After delivery kits were removed from their mothers for individual weighing and randomly assigned to one of the following three experimental treatments: Group (KT 6) with six tiny kits (about 45 g) per litter (21 litters); Group (KT 8) with eight tiny kits (about 45 g) per litter (17 litters); Group (KN8) with eight normal kits (about 70 g) per litter (20 litters). The litters, separated from their mothers by putting them in a closed cage, suckled one time a day for 15 minutes. Daily milk production was measured by weighing the does immediately before and after suckling; body weight of kits was measured on a weekly basis. At weaning 60 rabbits per group were raised for six weeks to ascertain post-weaning performance and health. Compared with the two other groups, the kits of group KT8 ingested smaller quantities of milk both during the first 3 weeks (497.7 vs. 520.0 vs. 544.3 g, respectively for groups KT8, KN8, KT6) and the following period (261.3 vs. 285.0 vs. 302.7 g, respectively for KT8, KN8, KT6). The differences between groups KT8 and KT6 were statistically significant (p<0.01) in the first period while in the second period also KN8 group showed milk intake different in respect of KT8 (p<0.01) and KT6 (p<0.05) groups. Solid feed intake was significantly (p<0.05) lower in group KT6 (23.1 vs. 26.2 vs. 26.8 g/d, respectively for groups KT6, KN8, KT8). At weaning the kits of group KN8 always weighed more (966 vs. 894 vs. 888 g; p<0.01, respectively for groups KN8, KT6, KT8). After weaning, no parameter considered (daily weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, mortality and risk sanitary index) was affected by birth weight and litter size.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.113-118
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• 2003

In this study, broilers were raised up to 6 weeks of age in a single room to determine if different levels of dietary protein or addition of aluminum sulfate[alum, $Al_2$(SO$_4$)$_3$ㆍ14$H_2O$] to the litter affected growth performance, production of ammonia(NH$_3$) and soluble phosphorus(SP) content of the litter.The experimental treatments consisted of six treatments in a 2x3 factorial arrangements: T$_1$＝23% protein ＋ 0.2% alum to litter; T$_2$＝21% protein ＋ 0.2% alum to litter; T$_3$＝19% protein ＋ 0.2% alum to litter; T$_4$＝23% protein ＋ no alum; T$_{5}$＝21% protein ＋ no alum; T$_{6}$＝19% protein ＋ no alum. For broiler performance, there was no effect of alum addition to the litter, but the dietary protein levels significantly affected feed intake from days 22 to 42(P<0.05) and day 0 to 42(P< 0.05), weight gain during all periods(P<0.05 or 0.01), and feed:gain from day 0 to 21(P<0.05) and day 0 to 42(P<0.05). Alum addition to the litter did not affect body weight at 21 and 42 days, but dietary protein levels has a significant effect on it at both 21(P<0.0l) and 42 days(P<0.05). Alum addition only affected ammonia production at weeks 3(P

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.289-296
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• 1990

This experiment was carried out to investigate the recovery period of estrus cycle, the pseudopregnancy period, weights of ovary, placenta and fetus, and number of litter of female rats after unilateral ovariectomy(ULO). The results obtained are as follows : 1. The estrus cycle was inclined to become normal from the second time. 2. The pseudopregnancy period of rats in unilaterally ovariectomized group and control group, and no significant difference in pseudopregnancy period was shown between the two groups. 3. The ovarian weights of each ULO group were significantly(P<0.01) heavier than that of the control group throughout the observation periods of pregnancy. 4. The placental weights of ULO group were not different from that of the control group in 10 and 15 days of pregnancy. But they became significantly (P<0.05) heavier in 20 days. 5. The weights of fetus in ULO at 10 days of pregnancy was not different from that ofthe control group, but the weights in ULO group at 15 and 20 days of pregnancy were significantly(P<0.01) heavier. 6. The number of litter in ULO was smaller than that of the control groups.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 1999

This experiment was conducted to determine the influence of litter type on growing performance of broiler and litter characteristics. Sawdust, wood chips and solid part of cattle manure was used as a litter from 7 to 42 days of broiler age. The body weight was significantly (p<.05) higher in manure solid than those of sawdust and wood chips. The litter production was 2,134, 2,246 and 1,785g per bird on the sawdust, the wood chip and the manure solid during 35 days, respectively. Although the initial moisture contents of the litter materials were different 23.5% for sawdust, 16.26% for wood chips and 61.57% for cattle manure solids, the moisture were different 23.5% for sawdust, 16.26% for wood chips and 61.57% for cattle manure solid, the moisture contents became similar after 28 days of the experimental period. The nitrogen content of manure solid was higher than those of sawdust and wood chips. It was concluded that solid part of cattle manure and wood chips were potentially useful source of litter materials for broiler.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.179-182
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• 2004

The polymorphism of the locus FSHRB in intron6-Exon7 of FSHR gene was investigated by PCR-RFLPs in Erhualian, Large White and Landrace${\times}$Large White; The association of polymorphism and litter size was analyzed by using SAS. The results showed that 1) the polymorphism of the locus FSHRB was significantly associated with litter size; 2) the total born number (TBN) and number born alive (NBA) of the sows with BB genotype were increased (p<0.05) with additive effects of 1.02-1.42 and 1.04-1.27 pigs per litter, respectively; 3) among the sows with genotype AA, AB or BB, there was an insignificant difference in born weight and weaning weight. This gene may be an effective potential tool used in conjunction with traditional selection methods.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.812-820
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• 2002

An experiment was conducted on 190 progeny (winter -74; summer -59; rainy -57) of 12 Grey Giant rabbits (10 female +2 males), to assess the effect of different seasons in a year, on their reproductive, growth and productive performances along with feed efficiency, under sub-temperate Himalayan conditions. The daily meteorological attributes recorded during winter (October to March), summer (April to June) and rainy (July to September) seasons, and analysed were minimum and maximum temperature, relative humidity and rainfall. Various biological parameters recorded were doe weights at mating and kindling, litter size at birth, litter weight at birth, kit mortality, litter size at weaning, litter weight at weaning, weekly body weight up to 98 d and weaner mortality. Individual weight gains, dressing percentages, meat weights, liver weights, raw-pelt weights, processed pelt weights and processed pelt areas at slaughter on d 84 and 98, respectively were also recorded. The feed and fodder compositions and their nutritive values during different seasons were also analysed. Average ambient temperature during winter, summer and rainy seasons were $13.2{\pm}2.8$, $22.4{\pm}3.7$ and $24.8{\pm}2.3^{\circ}C$, respectively. The average relative humidity and total rainfall for winter, summer and rainy seasons were $68.9{\pm}1.5$% and $48{\pm}26.6$mm, $66.3{\pm}4.8$% and $125.6{\pm}56.8$ mm, and $77.3{\pm}1.3$% and $116.3{\pm}90.4$ mm, respectively. The weight of doe at mating and kindling, litter size at birth, litter weight at birth and litter size at weaning were comparatively higher whereas litter weight at weaning was significantly (p<0.05) higher during winter as compared to summer and rainy seasons. The kit mortality was significantly (p<0.05) higher during winter while the weaner mortality was significantly (p<0.05) higher during rainy season. At 84 d, the live weight per doe, slaughter weight, dressing percentage and liver weight were significantly (p<0.05) higher during winter than summer and rainy. Similarly, the gain in weight and meat weight at 84 and 98 d were significantly (p<0.05) higher during winter. The weight of raw pelt and processed pelt were recorded significantly (p<0.05) higher during winter while no difference in the area of processed pelts during different seasons could be observed. No difference in the biological performance could be observed between sexes in any of the seasons. Roughage analysis revealed comparatively higher crude protein percent and lower crude fibre percent during summer and rainy seasons than in winter. The roughage dry matter intake was comparatively higher during summer and rainy seasons vis-a-vis constant amount of concentrate supplied during all the three seasons. The digestibilities of dry matter was significantly (p<0.05) lower, whereas that of crude fiber, acid detergent fibre and cellulose were negative during winter. Interestingly, the feed:gain was exceedingly well during winter than in other seasons and it is concluded that it was the best season for production of rabbits under sub-temperate Himalayan conditions.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 1999

Data from 22837 lambings of Lohi and Kajli ewes from 1962 through 1994 were used to analyse productive and reproductive traits and wool production, Overall litter size at birth averaged 1.33 being 1.45 for Lohi and 1.21 for Kajli ewes. The corresponding values at weaning were 1.23, 1.32 and 1.14, respectively. Litter size was consistently lowest for one year old, with a substantial increase at two, three and four years of ewe age and marginal increase thereafter, Ewes lambing in spring weaned 0.08 more lambs per parturition than ewes lambed in Autumn (p<0,01). Lamb birth weights were affected by ewe breed (p<0.01) and increased with ewe age. Overall lamb weaning weight (120 d) of 17993 lambs was 20.3 kg. Weaning weight was affected by breed, sire, year of birth, sex, rearing rank and weaning age (p<0.01). The highest mean weaning weight was 21.9 kg for Lohi lambs followed by Kajli lambs (18.8 kg), Lambs from Kajli ewes were 9% heavier at birth but 14% lighter at weaning. Twin born lambs were 18% lighter at birth and 13% at weaning than single born lambs. Male lambs were 3% heavier at birth and 4.5% heavier at weaning than female lambs. Overall annual mean wool production was 2,64 kg, Kajli ewes were heavier at breeding than Lohi ewes (i.e. 46.2 vs 44.8 kg). Lohi ewes being 3% less body weight produced 38% more wool and 18% more litter weaning weight than Kajli ewes, When average weight of lamb weaned per ewe weaning lambs was adjusted for ewe average metabolic body size, Lohi ewes were most efficient (i.e. arbitrary assigned value of 100) compared to Kajli ewes achieving only 83% of Lohi level.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.645-653
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• 2018

Twenty-five sows and 265 piglets (Landrace ${\times}$ Yorkshire) were used to evaluate the effects of dietary energy level on the pre-weaning and post-weaning performance of piglets and first parity sows. Sows with an average initial B.W. of $217.54{\pm}25.47kg$ were randomly assigned to 2 treatments. The treatments consisted of a T1 diet containing 3,100 kcal, and the T2 diet contained 3400 kcal of metabolizable energy (ME)/kg, respectively. Data were analyzed using Duncan statements to test the effect of the dietary energy levels on growth performance in lactating sows and piglets. In this study, Dietary T2 sows had a greater number of weaned piglets per litter (p < 0.05). Dietary T2 had a higher (p < 0.05) body weight than that of T1 in the weanlings, meanwhile it had a higher total average daily gain (p < 0.05) than that of T1. Dietary T1 had a higher average feed intake than that of T2 in gestation and lactation. There were no significant differences on the litter size or litter birth weight. No differences (p > 0.05) were noted in the survival of the piglets as well as in the backfat thickness and body weight loss in sows. In conclusion, these results show that high-energy diets had no effect on the body weight and backfat thickness of sows during gestation and lactation but influenced the body weight and average daily gain of weanling pigs during the lactation period.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2010

The present study was conducted to quantify wood and leaf litter decomposition and nutrient release of a dominant tree species, Tectona grandis Linn. F. in a tropical dry deciduous forest of Rajasthan, Western India. The mean relative decomposition rate was maximum in the wet summer and minimum during dry summer. Rainfall and its associated variables exhibited greater control over litter decomposition than temperature. The concentrations of N and P increased in decomposing litter with increasing retrieval days. Mass loss was negatively correlated with N and P concentrations. The monthly weight loss was significantly correlated (P < 0.05) with soil moisture and rainfall in both wood and leaf litter. Tectona grandis was found to be most suitable tree species for plantation programmes in dry tropical regions as it has high litter deposition and decomposition rates and thus it has advantages in degraded soil restoration and sustainable land management.