Effect of temperament and behavioural reactions to the presence of a human during the pre-mating period on reproductive performance in farmed mink (Mustela vison)

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. T. Korhonen ◽  
L. Jauhiainen ◽  
T. Rekil&auml
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Mating Behaviour ◽  
Mustela Vison ◽  
Gestation Period ◽  
Mating Period ◽  
Walking Test ◽  
Pooled Data ◽  
Walking Tests ◽  
The Relationship

The present study sought to evaluate the relationship between temperament, pre-mating behaviour and reproductive performance in farmed female mink (Mustela vison). Temperament was measured by using a stick test and behavioural reactions to the presence of a human during pre-mating period by a walking test. The experimental animals comprised 100 confident and 100 fearful scanblack female mink. In each temperament group, 58% of female mink were primiparous and 42% were multiparous. The length and timing of mating periods and the length of the gestation period were similar in all groups. Pooled data showed that the length of the gestation period correlated negatively with litter size (r = -0.17, P = 0.03). The whelping proportions for confident and fearful primiparous female mink were 81% and 74% (P = 0.37), respectively, and for multiparous females 83% and 81% (P = 0.78), respectively. The number of kits per mated and whelped female at parturition (P < 0.01 and P = 0.04, respectively) and at weaning (P < 0.01 and P = 0.07, respectively) was significantly higher in confident than in fearful females. A significant correlation between kit losses and litter size was found only in primiparous and multiparous confident females (r = 0.35, P = 0.02; r = 0.32, P = 0.07). Postnatal kit mortality was higher in primiparous confident females than fearful females. During walking tests, fearful animals, irrespective of age, remained in side the nest box more frequently than did confident ones. Stationary behaviour outside the cage (lying, sitting, standing, etc.) was more common in confident than in fearful animals (P < 0.001). Significant differences in locomotor activity or stereotypies were not found between the groups. In multiparous fearful females, the whelping result declined significantly with the increasing incidence of stereotypies (r = -0.37, P = 0.04). In primiparous fearful female mink, the relationship was the reverse (r = 0.37; P = 0.01). We conclude that the significant temperament dichotomy (confident vs. fearful) found in farmed mink stock has a marked effect on the reproductive performance of this species. Key words: Farm-bred mink, personality trait, temperament, reproductive performance, domestication

scholarly journals Effect of Animal Welfare Quality on the Reproductive Performance of Extensive Pasture-Based Beef Cows in New Zealand

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Baby Kaurivi ◽  
Richard Laven ◽  
Tim Parkinson ◽  
Rebecca Hickson ◽  
Kevin Stafford
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Mating Period ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Components Analysis ◽  
Welfare Measures ◽  
The Relationship

One key area where animal welfare may relate to productivity is through reproductive performance. Welfare was assessed on 25 extensively managed pastoral New Zealand beef farms and the relationship between welfare and reproductive performance was explored. Relationships between welfare measures and key reproductive performance indicators (pregnancy rate, weaning rate, mating period and bull: cow ratio) were investigated using an exploratory Principal Components Analysis and linear regression model. Seven welfare measures (thinness, poor rumen fill, dirtiness, blindness, mortality, health checks of pregnant cows and yarding frequency/year) showed potential influence on reproductive performance, and lameness was retained individually as a potential measure. Mean pregnancy rates in both 2018 (PD18) and 2017 (PD17) were ~91% and mean weaning rate was 84%. Of the welfare measures, only lameness had a direct association with pregnancy rate, as well as confounding effect on the association between mating period and pregnancy rate. The bull: cow ration (mean 1:31) and reproductive conditions (dystocia, abortion, vaginal prolapse) did not influence pregnancy and weaning rates. In the study population there was no clear association between welfare and reproductive performance, except for the confounding effects of lameness.

Studies in sow reproduction. 2. The effect of lactation length on the subsequent reproductive performance of the sow

1975 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. A. Cole ◽  
M. A. Varley ◽  
P. E. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Curvilinear Relationship ◽  
Large White ◽  
Lactation Length ◽  
Average Litter Size ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Sow Reproduction

SUMMARYForty litters were weaned from their Landrace × Landrace × Large White dams at 2-day intervals to give a range of lactation lengths from 4 to 42 days. A significant (P<0·001) negative curvilinear relationship was observed between lactation length and the interval from weaning to first oestrus. This period was increased by 4·2 days with the reduction of lactation from 42 to 4 days. The relationship between lactation length and the interval from farrowing to remating was significant (P<0·001) and positively linear over the whole range of observations. A decrease of 1 day in lactation length reduced this interval by 0·91 days. Very short lactations were associated with reduced litter size at the following farrowing; sows weaned after lactation lengths between 4 and 21 days had an average litter size of 9–6 piglets born per litter in the next parity, whereas sows weaned following lactation lengths between 21 and 42 days had an average of 12·7 piglets born in the next parity (P<0·01).

CROSSBREEDING SWINE: REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF SEVEN BREEDS OF SOWS BRED TO PRODUCE CROSSBRED PROGENY

1971 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 361-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. H. FAHMY ◽  
C. S. BERNARD ◽  
W. B. HOLTMANN
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Gestation Period ◽  
Suckling Period ◽  
Weaned Pigs ◽  
Mating Design ◽  
Litter Weight ◽  
Length Of Gestation

Data were obtained from 57 Yorkshire (Y), 44 Landrace (LD), 39 Lacombe (LC), 34 Hampshire (H), 21 Duroc (D), 19 Berkshire (B), and 7 Large Black (LB) gilts farrowing crossbred litters by LD, LC, H, D, B, LB and Tamworth (T) boars in a half polyallel mating design. The traits studied were weight at puberty, number of normal teats, number of services per conception, gestation period, litter size and weight at birth, 21 days and weaning (35 days), average pig weight, mortality rate at birth and during suckling, and change in dam’s weight during nursing. The effect of breed of dam was significant (P < 0.01) on all traits studied except weight at puberty, number of services per conception and mortality rates at birth and during suckling. Gestation period was significantly longer for B, LB and Y than for sows of other breeds. LB sows had the smallest and B the lightest litters, while the largest and heaviest litters at birth, 21 days and weaning were those from LC and Y sows. LC, LD and Y sows had more teats and lost more weight during nursing than other sows. The effect of breed of sire was nonsignificant for all the characters studied. Length of gestation was 0.08 days shorter, weaned litters 0.32 larger and 5.9 kg heavier, and weaned pigs 0.51 kg heavier for sows farrowing their second litter than for gilts. The partial regressions on age of dam at farrowing were not significant except for mortality rate during the suckling period, litter size, litter weight and average pig weight at birth. The crosses with the heaviest litters at weaning were T × LC, T × Y, LB × LD and D × Y, in that order.

The effect of implantation of lowland ewes with melatonin on the time of mating and reproductive performance

1992 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Haresign
Keyword(s):  
Dose Level ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Melatonin Treatment ◽  
Mating Period ◽  
Mating Patterns ◽  
Lower Dose Level ◽  
The Mean

AbstractTwo trials, involving a total of 1006 Mule ewes and 1862 Suffolk-× ewes, were conducted to investigate the ability of implantation with melatonin to induce early breeding in lowland sheep flocks. Dates of implantation ranged from mid May to late June for Suffolk-× flocks and mid May to early July for Mule flocks.From the mating patterns obtained it is suggested that the optimum implantation date is mid May to mid June for Suffolk-× ewes and mid June to mid July for Mule-type ewes.Melatonin treatment also significantly increased the mean litter size per ewe exposed to the ram (resulting from a 6-week mating period) when the data were pooled across flocks, but the magnitude of this effect varied across flocks. Part of this overall mean increase in Mule ewes (+0·84 and +0·50 extra lambs per ewe in trials 1 and 2 respectively) was due to an increase in the proportion of ewes mating and lambing and part of it (+0·13 and +0·17 extra lambs per ewe, respectively) was due to an increase in litter size per ewe pregnant. In the Suffolk-× ewes there was evidence that the overall mean benefit following implantation with two implants (+0·31 extra lambs per ewe) was greater than that following implantation with one implant (+0·14 extra lambs per ewe), with all of the increase at the lower dose level and +0·21 extra lambs per ewe at the higher dose being due to an increase in litter size per ewe pregnant.

scholarly journals Temperament and reproductive performance in farmed sable

2001 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. KORHOHEN ◽  
P. NIEMELÄ ◽  
P. SIIRILÄ
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Gestation Period ◽  
Martes Zibellina ◽  
The Relationship

The present study sought to evaluate the relationship between temperament and reproductive success in farmed sable (Martes zibellina). Experimental material comprised altogether 58 males and 236 females. Temperament was measured by using a stick test. About 85% of matings occurred in July. Most whelpings were in April. Over 80% of young and old males were classified as curious. Number of fearful and aggressive males was small. Among females, the amount of curious animals was much lower compared to males. Every third female was fearful. Temperament did not affect length of the gestation period which averaged 268 ± 14 days. Gestation period was longer for early breeding females (r = -0.629

scholarly journals The feeding and breeding of laboratory animals. VI. The breeding of mice

1947 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 420-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. M. Bruce
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Statistical Analyses ◽  
Gestation Period ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
One Year ◽  
Intensive Breeding

1. The total reproductive performance of two groups each of twenty-four mice over a period of one year under two different systems of mating has been recorded.2. In the first system (monogamous pairs) the male was kept continuously with the female; in 78% of cases the females became pregnant again at post-partum oestrus and were thus subjected for the most part to unbroken intensive breeding.3. In the second system (polygynous groups) several females were kept with one male and were removed to individual cages for the birth and rearing of the litters and were returned to the male again only after the litter had been weaned.4. Under the first system 1149 young were successfully reared to weaning in one year by the twenty-four females; under the second system 559 young were weaned during the same period.5. Mortality of breeding females, litter size, weight of young at weaning, the effect of parity, loss of litters and of young between birth and weaning and the sex-ratio of the young weaned were alike for both methods of mating.6. The interaction of concurrent gestation and lactation upon the length of the gestation period is discussed, and regression lines showing the relation between the number of young suckled, the number of young in the uterus and the length of the gestation period are given.My best thanks are due to Dr A. S. Parkes, F.R.S., for advice during the course of the work and for help in the preparation of the manuscript. I should also like to thank Dr C. W. Emmens for the statistical analyses and the calculation of the regression lines.

The relationship between heterozygosity and heterosis in reproductive traits in mice

1980 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia McGloughlin
Keyword(s):  
Linear Relationship ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Reproductive Traits ◽  
Total Weight ◽  
Positive Linear Relationship ◽  
Livestock Breeding ◽  
Distinct Strain ◽  
Outbred Mice ◽  
The Relationship

ABSTRACTContinuous reciprocal backcrossing results in individuals which are 67% heterozygous, and which, assuming a linear relationship between heterozygosity and heterosis, would be expected to exhibit 67% of the heterosis found in Fi hybrids. An experiment was undertaken to investigate this relationship in the reproductive traits of mice. By crossing and repeated backcrossing in both directions using two unrelated strains of outbred mice, females were produced which were 25, 50, 75 and 100% heterozygous. The crossbred females and the two purebred strains (922 females in all) were mated to a sire line of a genetically distinct strain to standardize foetal heterosis. The reproductive performance of females with different percentage heterozygosity gave estimates of maternal heterosis. A significant positive linear relationship was found between heterozy-gosity and heterosis in litter size, total weight of litter and individual weight of progeny both at birth and at weaning. The relevance of these results for livestock breeding is discussed.

Interactive effects of selection for lower backfat and dietary pyridoxine levels on reproduction, and nutrient metabolism during the gestation period in Yorkshire and Hampshire sows

1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. E. N. Knights ◽  
R. R. Grandhi ◽  
S. K. Baidoo
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Nitrogen Metabolism ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Gestation Period ◽  
Nutrient Metabolism ◽  
Selection For

Two experiments were conducted to determine the interactive effects of selection for lower backfat over six generations, and two dietary supplemental pyridoxine levels (1.0 vs. 15.0 ppm) on sow reproductive performance and nutrient metabolism in second-parity Yorkshire and Hampshire sows. Feeding increased pyridoxine at 16.0 vs. 2.6 ppm from day of weaning through gestation did not improve (P > 0.05) the sow reproductive performance in experiment 1 (N = 32) or 2 (N = 66). In exp. 2, feeding increased pyridoxine reduced the weaning to estrus interval (4.6 vs. 5.7 d, P = 0.11). It also increased the average daily apparent retention of nitrogen during gestation in both experiments 1 (17.2 vs. 7.8 g, P = 0.11) and 2 (10.5 vs. 5.0 g, P = 0.10). Sows fed increased pyridoxine had higher (P < 0.01) plasma pyridoxal and pyridoxic acid levels throughout the gestation period. The overall results indicate that increased dietary pyridoxine tended to have a positive influence on sow weaning to estrus interval and nitrogen metabolism, and it also tended to have a positive influence on litter size only in Yorkshire select line of sows. Key words: Breed, line, sows, pyridoxine, reproduction, metabolism

scholarly journals The relationship between subclinical mastitis and reproductive performance of etawa crossbreed (PE) goat in Kokap, Kulonprogo, Yogyakarta

2021 ◽  
Vol 888 (1) ◽  
pp. 012007
Author(s):  
D M Nuraini ◽  
M Andityas ◽  
C A Artdita ◽  
N I Prihanani ◽  
M R Ridlo
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Subclinical Mastitis ◽  
Performance Data ◽  
Calving Interval ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
California Mastitis Test ◽  
Goat Farm ◽  
Days Open ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Etawa crossbreed (PE) goat farm has been well developed in Kokap, Kulonprogo, and Yogyakarta. The important aspects that support it are doe’s health and reproductive performance. This study aimed to determine the relationship between subclinical mastitis incidence and reproductive performance of the does. This study used 84 does from four different farms, which tested using California Mastitis Test (CMT) to determine the mastitis status. The reproductive performance data gained through a questionnaire and the relation to the mastitis status was analyzed using Chi-square. The result showed that the prevalence of subclinical mastitis was 16.67 % (14 does). In the non-mastitis does, 75.71% had long calving interval (CI), 88.57% had long days open (DO), 44.29% had Litter size (LS) 1, and 12.86% had service per conception (S/C) more than 2. Meanwhile, in the mastitis group, the does with long CI was 71.43%, long DO was 85.71%, LS 1 was 28.57%, and S/C > 2 was 14.29%. The chi-square analyses showed no relationship between subclinical mastitis cases with long CI (X2=0.22), long DO (X2=0.09), LS 1 (X2=1.19), and high S/C (X2=0.02). It can be concluded that there was no relation of mastitis cases to reproductive performance of PE does in Kokap, Kuloprogo, and Yogyakarta.

The litter size and fertility of Finnish Landrace and Tasmanian Merino sheep and their reciprocal crosses

1974 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. B. Land ◽  
W. S. Russell ◽  
H. P. Donald
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Direct Effect ◽  
Adult Female ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Mating Period ◽  
Reciprocal Crosses ◽  
Merino Sheep ◽  
Size Number

SUMMARYLitter size (number of lambs born per female lambing) of adult female Finnish Landrace and Tasmanian Merino sheep mated to males of either breed was 2·9 and 1·0 respectively. Breed of ram had a direct effect on the conception rate of the ewes to which they were mated—22% of ewes mated to Merino rams returned to oestrus but only 10% of those mated to Finn rams—but not on their litter size.A comparison of the reproductive performance of crossbred females with that of purebred contemporaries indicated that there was very little or no heterosis for litter size, the crossbreds being almost exactly intermediate between the parents. The proportion of females showing oestrus during the mating period, however, was lower in the Merinos than in the Finns and crossbreds. This was particularly noticeable in females put to the ram at around 6 months of age. Whereas 35 of 36 Finnish Landrace females and 46 of 49 crossbreds showed oestrus, only one of the 20 Merinos did so. At about 6 months of age therefore the crossbred females showed heterosis in the incidence of oestrus.

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