Fat depth, muscle depth, fat score and wool growth in Merino dams selected for high or low clean fleece weight and bodyweight

2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 479 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Refshauge ◽  
S. Hatcher ◽  
G. N. Hinch ◽  
D. L. Hopkins ◽  
S. Nielsen

Concerns exist that selection for increased clean fleece weight (CFW) is expected to reduce body fatness. Such an effect is likely to impact on reproduction; however, all previous studies have examined non-reproductive yearlings or hoggets. The present study, using adult reproductive dams examined the impact of phenotype [based on high or low phenotypic CFW and bodyweight (BWT) performance], stocking rate (high or low) and litter size on body composition and wool traits. High CFW dams were heavier (P < 0.01) with lower fat depth (P < 0.01) and muscle depth (P < 0.05). The high CFW twin-weaning dams had a lower fat score from lamb marking to pre-joining (P < 0.05), but tended to replete fat reserves faster (P < 0.1) between weaning and pre-joining. At these times of repletion these animals grew longer wool staples (P < 0.05). High BWT ewes had reduced staple length (P < 0.01), and when adjusted for maternal liveweight also reduced fat depth (P < 0.001) and muscle depth (P < 0.05). We conclude that the CFW phenotype impacts on fat reserves but that management of dams in groups according to their CFW performance is not warranted.

2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (8) ◽  
pp. 1076 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Refshauge ◽  
S. Hatcher ◽  
G. N. Hinch ◽  
S. Nielsen ◽  
D. L. Hopkins

The carcasses of 136 Merino wether lambs from a single bloodline were studied to determine the impact of phenotypic selection for clean fleece weight (CFW) and bodyweight (BWT) on meat quality characteristics. The lambs were the progeny of sires and dams that were selected for high or low CFW and high or low BWT using hogget phenotypic data, where the dams were managed at 10 or 15 dry sheep equivalent/ha during gestation and from marking to weaning. Maternal stocking rate was found to have no significant effect on any meat traits, except to reduce fatness in high BWT lambs. High CFW selection led to increased glycolytic activity in muscle reflected by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. Phenotypic BWT selection increased hot carcass weight and decreased fatness, lowered temperature at pH 6.0, and showed considerable variation in LDH activity and the ratio of LDH to isocitrate dehydrogenase. It is clear from this study that the stocking rate of the dam during gestation and lactation, and her selection on the basis of CFW or BWT phenotype had no large negative impact on the meat traits of her male progeny.


2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 1243 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. De Barbieri ◽  
R. S. Hegarty ◽  
V. H. Oddy ◽  
M. C. Barnett ◽  
L. Li ◽  
...  

Sheep selected for high wool growth were previously shown to exhibit higher microbial protein outflow from the rumen and higher uptake of amino nitrogen in portal blood than those selected for low wool growth. This suggests that genetic selection for wool growth may induce changes in foregut physiology. This study was undertaken to determine whether differences in digesta kinetics, especially mean retention mime (MRT), are associated with differences in fleece production between sheep with low or high estimated breeding values (EBVs) for fleece weight. Twenty mature Merino wethers with uniform EBVs for liveweight were allocated to two groups of 10 animals on the basis of high or low EBVs for yearling fleece weight. Five sheep with low-EBVs and five sheep with high-EBVs for fleece weight groups were allocated in a crossover design to low and high feeding-level treatments, which comprised a blended hay diet fed at maintenance or 1.5 times maintenance. All sheep were given single doses of chromium-mordanted fibre and cobalt-EDTA as inert, non-digestible markers. Digesta kinetics was determined by analysis of the faecal marker excretion patterns using a compartmental model. Higher feed intakes from animals fed 1.5 times maintenance were associated with higher rates of wool growth and higher masses of indigestible fibre in the gut, but reduced MRT of digesta. Although sheep with higher EBVs for fleece weight had higher wool growth rates, there was no indication that these wool growth differences were associated with differences in digesta kinetics. The lack of interaction between feeding level and genotype suggests that MRT did not contribute to genotype differences in wool growth in sheep fed restricted intakes. The differences in wool growth among commercial Merino sheep with divergent fleece weight EBVs achieved by multi-trait selection are not attributable to differences in digesta kinetics, at least when feed is not available ad libitum.


1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Wuliji ◽  
IL Weatherall ◽  
RN Andrews ◽  
KG Dodds ◽  
PR Turner ◽  
...  

Seasonal wool growth and associated wool characteristics were measured in a Romney line selected for high fleece weight and an unselected control line in 1990 and 1991. Both had a significant (P<0.01) decline in wool growth rate in winter compared with summer. The wool growth rate advantage (P<0.001) of the selected line over the control averaged 19 and 33% for ewes, and 24 and 36% for hoggets, in summer and winter, respectively. Staple strength, yield, and fibre diameter differences were closely associated with wool growth. Colour analysis showed no difference between lines in either brightness (Y) or yellowness (Y - Z). However, both the Y and Z values were lower in spring and summer, while Y - Z was highest in summer. The results suggest that selection for high fleece weight also improves major wool characteristics and reduces the relative winter wool growth decline in Romneys.


2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 698 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. F. Walkom ◽  
F. D. Brien ◽  
M. L. Hebart ◽  
W. S. Pitchford

In southern Australian grazing systems, energy availability typically exceeds energy requirements. Grazing systems are likely to have higher profitability if ewes can utilise this relatively cheap feed by gaining more condition (muscle and fat) and then mobilising it when feed is expensive. The present paper focusses on the importance of genetic merit for fat on the lifetime productivity of the ewe within a commercial operation. The analysis was carried out on a maternal composite stud flock in Holbrook, New South Wales. Ultrasound fat and muscle depth were measured on 2796 ewes as lambs at post-weaning and as adult ewes, to determine the genetic relationship between young and adult body composition. The hypothesis of the paper is that selection for increased fat at young age will improve body condition of adult ewes, which will lead to improved reproduction and potentially reduced requirements for supplementary feeding. Given that the difference in feed cost between times of abundance and shortage is likely to be larger, the system may become more profitable despite being less efficient (owing to increased feed intake). Our results indicated that selection for scanned post-weaning fat and muscle depth in lambs should lead to increased fat muscle and body condition in the breeding ewe because of strong genetic correlation estimates between the post-weaning and adult traits of 0.68–0.99. The influence of body composition traits on reproduction (number of lambs weaned) within the stud flock was weak. However, it is hypothesised that by genetically increasing post-weaning fat depth in ewes, producers could improve profitability by reducing the demands for supplementary feeding.


1972 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 117 ◽  
Author(s):  
DG Saville ◽  
GE Robards

Comparisons were made between Collinsville, Bungaree, and Peppin Merino ewes in efficiency of conversion of food to wool. The effect of selection for some characters on efficiency of conversion within the Peppin Merino was also investigated. The Collinsville ewes grew 14% more wool and had an 8% lower food intake at maintenance than did the Peppins. Differences in wool growth between the Peppin and Collinsville types fed ad lib. were mainly due to efficiency and body weight differences. Efficiency, intake, and body weight each had a similar influence on wool growth differences between Peppins and Bungarees. Peppin ewes selected for wool production, either alone or together with crimp frequency, had a higher gross efficiency than unselected sheep fed below maintenance (13 and 8%) or ad lib. (14 and 13%). The efficiency difference between selected and unselected sheep increased, then decreased, with increasing intake. The decrease in efficiency differences at higher intakes did not appear to influence the ranking of selected or unselected sheep. The response to selection for clean fleece weight was shown to develop a plateau after about one generation of selection. Selection had resulted in the elimination of a relationship between efficiency and wool growth. The present results indicate that further progress in fleece weight is unlikely to be made either by selecting for fleece weight with some control on fibre diameter or by selecting for increased surface area.


1997 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 515 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. Barnes ◽  
K. P. Croker ◽  
J. G. Allen ◽  
N. D. Costa

Summary. Lupinosis was induced in Merino ewes by subcutaneous injections of phomopsins. Liver damage and impairment of liver function was measured by increases in plasma activities of glutamate dehydrogenase and gamma glutamyl transferase, plasma concentrations of bilirubin, and plasma clearance of bromosulfthalein. The wool growth of the ewes during and after exposure to phomopsins at different periods relative to mating was measured, and the impact of lupinosis on annual wool production assessed. Phomopsin administration decreased the length of staple grown during, and for at least 6 weeks after, exposure to phomopsins. Mean fibre diameter of wool grown during this time was also reduced. Annual wool production of the ewes was affected by exposure to phomopsins, with effects noted on fleece weight, yield, fibre diameter, strength and position of break. These effects were minor and varied between experiments. The adverse effects of reproduction on annual wool production were more significant than those of phomopsins.


2007 ◽  
Vol 2007 ◽  
pp. 67-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.C. Fleming ◽  
C. Fisher ◽  
J. McAdam

Genetic selection has dramatically increased the potential for growth, feed efficiency and yield in meat type broilers. It is a widely held belief that these improvements in genetic potential have produced a broiler that is lower in fat content. However, some recent work has implied that the Modern broiler is actually fatter than its counterpart of 30 years ago (Wang et al., 2004). The objective of this study was to explore the impact that selection for growth rate and yield has had on broiler body composition.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josif Vidimce ◽  
Johara Pillay ◽  
Nirajan Shrestha ◽  
Lan-feng Dong ◽  
Jiri Neuzil ◽  
...  

Background: Circulating bilirubin is associated with reduced adiposity in human and animal studies. A possible explanation is provided by in vitro data that demonstrates that bilirubin inhibits mitochondrial function and decreases efficient energy production. However, it remains unclear whether hyperbilirubinemic animals have similar perturbed mitochondrial function and whether this is important for regulation of energy homeostasis.Aim: To investigate the impact of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia on body composition, and mitochondrial function in hepatic tissue and skeletal muscle.Materials and Methods: 1) Food intake and bodyweight gain of 14-week old hyperbilirubinemic Gunn (n = 19) and normobilirubinemic littermate (control; n = 19) rats were measured over a 17-day period. 2) Body composition was determined using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and by measuring organ and skeletal muscle masses. 3) Mitochondrial function was assessed using high-resolution respirometry of homogenized liver and intact permeabilized extensor digitorum longus and soleus fibers. 4) Liver tissue was flash frozen for later gene (qPCR), protein (Western Blot and citrate synthase activity) and lipid analysis.Results: Female hyperbilirubinemic rats had significantly reduced fat mass (Gunn: 9.94 ± 5.35 vs. Control: 16.6 ± 6.90 g, p &lt; 0.05) and hepatic triglyceride concentration (Gunn: 2.39 ± 0.92 vs. Control: 4.65 ± 1.67 mg g−1, p &lt; 0.01) compared to normobilirubinemic controls. Furthermore, hyperbilirubinemic rats consumed fewer calories daily (p &lt; 0.01) and were less energetically efficient (Gunn: 8.09 ± 5.75 vs. Control: 14.9 ± 5.10 g bodyweight kcal−1, p &lt; 0.05). Hepatic mitochondria of hyperbilirubinemic rats demonstrated increased flux control ratio (FCR) via complex I and II (CI+II) (Gunn: 0.78 ± 0.16 vs. Control: 0.62 ± 0.09, p &lt; 0.05). Similarly, exogenous addition of 31.3 or 62.5 μM unconjugated bilirubin to control liver homogenates significantly increased CI+II FCR (p &lt; 0.05). Hepatic PGC-1α gene expression was significantly increased in hyperbilirubinemic females while FGF21 and ACOX1 was significantly greater in male hyperbilirubinemic rats (p &lt; 0.05). Finally, hepatic mitochondrial complex IV subunit 1 protein expression was significantly increased in female hyperbilirubinemic rats (p &lt; 0.01).Conclusions: This is the first study to comprehensively assess body composition, fat metabolism, and mitochondrial function in hyperbilirubinemic rats. Our findings show that hyperbilirubinemia is associated with reduced fat mass, and increased hepatic mitochondrial biogenesis, specifically in female animals, suggesting a dual role of elevated bilirubin and reduced UGT1A1 function on adiposity and body composition.


Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 210
Author(s):  
Lise Vandevivere ◽  
Maxine Vangampelaere ◽  
Christoph Portier ◽  
Cedrine de Backere ◽  
Olaf Häusler ◽  
...  

The suitability of pharmaceutical binders for continuous twin-screw wet granulation was investigated as the pharmaceutical industry is undergoing a switch from batch to continuous manufacturing. Binder selection for twin-screw wet granulation should rely on a scientific approach to enable efficient formulation development. Therefore, the current study identified binder attributes affecting the binder effectiveness in a wet granulation process of a highly soluble model excipient (mannitol). For this formulation, higher binder effectiveness was linked to fast activation of the binder properties (i.e., fast binder dissolution kinetics combined with low viscosity attributes and good wetting properties by the binder). As the impact of binder attributes on the granulation process of a poorly soluble formulation (dicalcium phosphate) was previously investigated, this enabled a comprehensive comparison between both formulations in current research focusing on binder selection. This comparison revealed that binder attributes that are important to guide binder selection differ in function of the solubility of the formulation. The identification of critical binder attributes in the current study enables rational and efficient binder selection for twin-screw granulation of well soluble and poorly soluble formulations. Binder addition proved especially valuable for a poorly soluble formulation.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3758
Author(s):  
Joanna Smarkusz-Zarzecka ◽  
Lucyna Ostrowska ◽  
Joanna Leszczyńska ◽  
Karolina Orywal ◽  
Urszula Cwalina ◽  
...  

Use of probiotic supplements, the benefits of which have not been proven in sportspeople, is becoming more widespread among runners. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a multi-strain probiotic on body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness and inflammation in the body. The randomised, double-blind study included 66 long-distance runners. The intervention factor was a multi-strain probiotic or placebo. At the initial and final stages of the study, evaluation of body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness was performed and the presence of inflammation determined. In the group of men using the probiotic, an increase in lean body mass (p = 0.019) and skeletal muscle mass (p = 0.022) was demonstrated, while in the group of women taking the probiotic, a decrease in the content of total body fat (p = 0.600) and visceral fat (p = 0.247) was observed. Maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) increased in women (p = 0.140) and men (p = 0.017) using the probiotic. Concentration of tumour necrosis factor-alpha decreased in women (p = 0.003) and men (p = 0.001) using the probiotic and in women (p = 0.074) and men (p = 0.016) using the placebo. Probiotic therapy had a positive effect on selected parameters of body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness of study participants and showed a tendency to reduce inflammation.


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