EVALUATION OF A VITAMIN AND MINERAL REPLACER FOR LIVER IN DIETS FOR MINK (Mustela vison)

1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 1245-1247
Author(s):  
R. J. BELZILE
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Mustela Vison ◽  
Trace Minerals

Mink were fed diets containing 10% fresh liver or 1% of a replacer formulated to provide the same amount of vitamins and trace minerals as liver. Compared with a liver-free diet, more growth was obtained among kits fed the replacer diet. But, compared to liver added to a breeder diet, the replacer did not support normal litter size. Key words: Vitamin-mineral replacer, liver, mink growth, mink reproduction

THE ACCUMULATIVE EFFECT OF FINNSHEEP BREEDING IN CROSSBREEDING SCHEMES: REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
MOHAMED H. FAHMY ◽  
JACQUES J. DUFOUR
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Genetic Groups ◽  
Linear Regressions ◽  
Size At Birth

Reproductive performance and body weight were studied on 361 ewes, representing Finnsheep (F), DLS (a population of 1/2 Dorset, 1/4 Leicester, 1/4 Suffolk) and seven combinations ranging from 1/8 to 7/8 Finnsheep breeding. Conception rate in yearlings was 61.5% for DLS compared to 89.0% for F with the crosses being intermediate. Conception rate in older ewes was similar in the different genetic groups (avg. 94%). Ovulation rate and litter size at birth of DLS ewes were 1.72 and 1.44 lambs, which was less than half those of F ewes (3.51 and 2.86 lambs, respectively). Both traits increased progressively with an increase in F breeding in crosses and with advances in age. DLS ewes weaned 1.22 lambs compared to 2.03 lambs for F ewes and 1.84 lambs for 4/8 F ewes. The heaviest litters at weaning (31.7 kg) were raised by 4/8 F ewes, followed by 7/8 F (30.8 kg) while those raised by DLS ewes weighed 23.0 kg and F ewes 29.1 kg. Percentage of ova lost per ewe mated averaged 24% and ranged between 18% (DLS and 1/8 F) and 29% (6/8 F). About 3.6% of lambs were born dead and a further 13.8% died before weaning. Preweaning mortality rate was highest in F (22.9%) and lowest in 3/8 F (9.4%). Average kilograms of lambs weaned per ewe exposed was highest in 4/8 F (27.6 kg) followed by F (26.0 kg), whereas that of DLS was the lowest at 18.1 kg. The 4/8 F cross showed 25% heterosis in kg of lambs weaned per ewe exposed and 52.5% increase over DLS. Significant positive linear regressions were calculated for ovulation rate, litter size and preweaning mortality rate on proportion of Finnsheep breeding in crosses. The relation was quadratic for percent ova lost and lamb mortality at weaning. Yearling DLS females weighted 36 kg compared to 44 kg for F yearlings. However, at 5 yr of age DLS ewes weighed 62 kg, 5 kg heavier than F ewes. The heaviest ewes at all ages were the 4/8 F (45 kg at 1 yr, 65 kg at 5 yr). Key words: Reproduction, DLS sheep, Finnsheep, crossbreeding, heterosis, repeatabilities

scholarly journals The influence of adding estradiol to semen on reproductive performance of sows

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 589-591 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. N. Kirkwood ◽  
P. A. Thacker
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
And Control ◽  
Estradiol 17Β

One hundred gilts and one hundred mixed-parity sows of Yorkshire and Landrace breeding were inseminated with semen with or without an additional 10 μg estradiol-17β. Pregnancy rates of gilts receiving estradiol-supplemented and control semen were 90 and 79%, respectively (P < 0.09). The estradiol supplementation of semen did not improve the pregnancy rates or litter size in sows. Key words: Swine, artificial insemination, estradiol

The influence of purified porcine relaxin on the reproductive performance of sows following artificial insemination with fresh or frozen semen

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 237-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Thacker ◽  
A. D. Gooneratne ◽  
R. N. Kirkwood
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Frozen Semen

Pregnancy rates and litter sizes following insemination of sows with fresh-extended and frozen-thawed semen averaged 71 vs. 53% and 10.6 vs. 4.4, respectively, and was not affected by the addition of 12.5 μg relaxin to semen. These results indicate no relaxin mediated effect on either pregnancy rate or litter size when sows are artificially inseminated with relaxin-supplemented semen. Key words: Artificial insemination, relaxin, sows

INFLUENCE OF BREED, BIRTH DATE, AGE AND BODY WEIGHT ON LINEAR BODY MEASUREMENTS OF GROWING RAMS MAINTAINED IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT

1984 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. N. B. SHRESTHA ◽  
D. P. HEANEY ◽  
P. S. FISER ◽  
G. A. LANGFORD
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Birth Date ◽  
Controlled Environment ◽  
Body Measurements ◽  
Leg Length ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Linear Body

Heart girth (HG), body length (BL), leg length (LL), metacarpal circumference (MC), withers height (WH) and hook width (HW) of 233 growing rams of three synthetic strains, Suffolk and Finnsheep breeds were measured at 6, 8 and 10 mo of age. Thereafter, subsequent measurements were taken at 11–13 mo, 18–21 mo and 23–25 mo of age. Breed, birth period (hysterectomy derived birth date), age of ram and body weight (BW) had important effects (P < 0.05) on linear body measurements, whereas age of dam did not (P > 0.05). Significant effects of litter size on HG and BL were observed at 6 and 8 mo of age, respectively. All linear body measurements increased from 6 to 21 mo of age, whereas BL, WH and HW continued to increase to 25 mo. Rams of Strain 1, developed as a synthetic sire strain, with a large proportion of Suffolk background were generally similar to the Suffolk rams in all body measurements except for HG which was significantly larger than in Suffolk rams. The Finnsheep rams had smaller HG, BL, MC and HW than the synthetic strains and Suffolk rams, whereas LL and WH of the Finnsheep and Suffolk rams were similar. Rams of Strains 2 and 3, developed as synthetic dam strains with 50 percent Finnsheep background, were similar in body measurements. The synthetic dam strains did not differ from Strain 1 and/or Suffolk with respect to HG, BL, WH and HW. However, Suffolk rams had larger MC and shorter LL compared to those of the Strain 2 and 3 rams. Birth period had a significant effect on HG, BL, LL and MC, but no consistent trend with age of ram was apparent. Linear body measurements were positively correlated with each other and with body weight; however, the relationship varied as rams progressed in age. The importance of breed, birth date, age of ram and body weight on body measurements and the requirements for appropriate adjustments is emphasized. Key words: Sheep, body measurements, breed, birth date, age of ram

FAILURE OF A 16 h L:8 h D or AN 8 h L:16 h D PHOTOPERIOD TO INFLUENCE LACTATION OR REPRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY IN SOWS

1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. G. GREENBERG ◽  
J. P. MAHONE
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Light Treatment ◽  
Short Photoperiod ◽  
Reproductive Efficiency ◽  
Natural Lighting ◽  
Long Photoperiod ◽  
Size At Birth

Forty-one sows were divided into two groups where animals were either exposed to a long photoperiod (16 h L:8 h D) or a short photoperiod (8 h L:16 h D) 1 mo before parturition. One month prior to the following parturition, sows were switched to the opposite light treatment and maintained on this treatment until the following estrus. Birth weight and litter size at birth of piglets conceived under natural lighting (15.4 h L) did not significantly differ from piglets conceived under a 16 h L or 8 h L photoperiod. Litter size at weaning and weight of piglets did not significantly differ for receiving a 16 h L or an 8 h L regime followed by the opposite treatment. The length of time to return to heat from weaning to next estrus was unaffected by photoperiod. The results from this experiment indicate that photoperiods of 16 h L:8 h D or 8 h L:16 h D have no influence on reproductive efficiency or lactation in sows. Key words: Light, photoperiod, production, swine, sows

Behaviour of mink kits and dams (Mustela vison) in the lactation period

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. -L. Brink ◽  
L. L. Jeppesen
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Causal Relationship ◽  
Time Budget ◽  
Mustela Vison ◽  
Lactation Period ◽  
Agonistic Behaviour ◽  
Key Words Animal ◽  
Mink Kits

This study describes the development of the behaviour of mink kits and dams from the fourth to the eighth respectively seventh week after delivery. The study is based on scan observations of 72 mink dams and their kits at a conventional Danish mink farm. The kits started eating when they were about 30 d old. Drinking started almost 2 wk later. During these 2 wk there was a peak in the licking of saliva from the dam and of the inter-litter agonistic behaviour. A causal relationship between experienced thirst and agonistic behaviour is suggested. The kits’ sucking declined to only 5% of the time budget in the seventh week and the stereotypy frequency of the dams increased to about 4% of the time budget. It is suggested that some dams are frustrated by the forced cohabitation with their nutritionally independent kits already in the seventh week and that this should be taken into account when deciding time of weaning. Key words: Animal welfare, behaviour, mink dam, mink kit, Mustela vison, weaning

Selection for litter size, body weight, and pelt quality in mink (Mustela vison): correlated responses

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (5) ◽  
pp. 1126-1137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabrielle Lagerkvist ◽  
K. Johansson ◽  
N. Lundeheim
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Mustela Vison ◽  
Correlated Responses ◽  
Selection For

Effect of premating injections of insulin on fertility and prolificacy of ewes

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 241-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. N. Kirkwood ◽  
P. A. Thacker ◽  
R. S. Korchinski ◽  
B. Laarveld ◽  
A. Gonzalez
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Lh Surge ◽  
Basal Serum ◽  
Acting Insulin ◽  
Serum Lh ◽  
Key Words Insulin ◽  
Long Acting

Ninety-six Suffolk ewes received daily injections of either long-acting insulin (1.0 IU kg−1) or saline for 3 consecutive days after introduction of rams. Basal serum LH concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) in insulin-treated ewes (P < 0.05) but concentrations of estradiol-17B and the magnitude of the preovulatory LH surge were unaffected. Interval to breeding, pregnancy rate and subsequent litter size were not influenced by treatment (66.6 vs. 63.3 h, 69 vs. 74% and 1.65 vs. 1.69 for insulin and saline-injected ewes, respectively). Key words: Insulin, sheep, fertility, prolificacy

DEVELOPMENT OF DLS BREED OF SHEEP: GENETIC AND PHENOTYPIC PARAMETERS OF DATE OF LAMBING AND LITTER SIZE

1990 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 771-778 ◽  
Author(s):  
MOHAMED H. FAHMY
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Genetic Correlation ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Phenotypic Correlation ◽  
Phenotypic Correlations ◽  
Genetic And Phenotypic Correlations

Least square means, heritabilities, repeatabilities, genetic and phenotypic correlations of date of lambing and litter size in a population of DLS sheep selected for extended breeding season were estimated by different methods. Mean date of lambing for first, second and third parities was 20 Jan., 6 Jan., 31 Dec. and mean litter size was 1.20, 1.25 and 1.41 lambs, respectively. Heritabilities for date of lambing were 0.37 (sire component, 0.25 (sire and dam component), 0.52 (correlation between full sisters) and 0.17 (regression of daughter on dam). For litter size these methods gave the following estimates: 0.17, 0.14, 0.22 and 0.04, respectively. Repeatability estimates averaged 0.21 for date of lambing and 0.24 for litter size. Genetic correlation between the two traits was calculated at −0.38 (sire component), −0.25 (full sisters) and −0.07 (regression of daughter on dam) while the phenotypic correlation was estimated at −0.19 (P < 0.01). Key words: DLS sheep, heritability, repeatability, genetic correlation, phenotypic correlation, date of lambing, litter size

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