Livestock Production

AH et at.: Life time traits, correlations, genetic, Nili Ravi buffaloes, Pakistan Table 1 : Phenotypic and genetic correlations of age at first calving and some lifetime performance traits. Traits correlated No. of No. of Phenotypic Sitres records correlation Genetic correlation Age at first calving ...

Journal of Cell and Animal Biology Vol. 1 (4), pp. 066-070, November, 2007 Available online at http://www.academicjournals.org/JCAB ISSN 1996-0867 © 2007 Academic Journals ... Within-herd phenotypic and genetic trend lines for milk ... Khalid Javed*, Masroor Ellahi ...

Data on 9080 records of Thalli sheep maintained at Livestock Experiment Station, Rakh Ghulaman Distt. Bhakkar during the period of 1975-2004 were utilized in the present study. Average values for 180, 270 days, yearling and post-weaning average daily gain were 22.37±4.21, 25.96±4.90, 28.93±5.20 and 0.028±0.02 kg, respectively. Effect of inbreeding on post weaning growth traits was studied by analysis of variance technique and by regression method. Level of inbreeding ranged from 10.15 to 37.50 percent with the mean value of 1.70 percent of population. Inbreeding significantly (P<0.05) affected weight at 270 days of age, yearling weight and postweaning average daily gain. Weight at 270 days of age, yearling weight and post-weaning average daily gain decreased 0.013, 0.019 and 0.098 kg as 1 percent increase in the level of inbreeding. Inbreeding had nonsignificant effect on weight at 180 days of age. Regression value for trait was 0.093. The net effect of inbreeding in a selection programme will depend on the magnitude of the selection response relative to the depression due to the accumulated inbreeding. Depending on whether genetic gain and inbreeding depression compensate for each other or the level of inbreeding of the animals, may need to be accounted for in the selection process.

A study was conducted to compare the performance of goats and sheep when they (1) grazed Lucerne for eight hours per day (extensive), (2) grazed lucerne for four hours per day and been pen fed lucerne for an additional four hours (semi intensive), and (3) been pen fed lucerne for eight hours per day (intensive). Forty five female Beetal goats (20 kg body weight) and 45 female Lohi sheep (22 kg body weight) were divided into three groups within each species. Feed intake and weight gain of animals were monitored over a three month period. In goats and sheep, dry matter and neutral detergent fiber intakes were highest (p<0.05) under the extensive management system compared to semi intensive or intensive systems. However, in each of the three systems sheep consumed more (p<0.05) dry matter and neutral detergent fiber than goats. Although crude protein intake did not differed (p>0.05) among systems within species, sheep presented a significant higher (144.43 g/d) crude protein intake compared to goats (127.92 g/d) under intensive feeding. The extensive system resulted in the highest (p<0.05) average daily gain, and the intensive system in the lowest (p<0.05) for both goats and sheep, with growth higher (p<0.05) in sheep than goats in the respective systems. With the lowest feed efficiency (gain per feed intake) found with intensive pen feeding of animals, it can be concluded from this study that extensive grazing of animals on lucerne would result in the cheapest and most effective system to raise either goats or sheep.

Data on 197 breeding records of 60 indigenous (Non-descript) cows maintained at Livestock Development Research Centre Raroo, Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan from 1989-1998 were analyzed to evaluate their performance with respect to some economically important reproductive traits. The least squares mean for age at first calving in present study was 1632.65+54.52 days with a C.V 13.04%. The analysis of variance revealed a significant (P<0.05) effect of season and year of birth on age at first calving. The least squares mean for post partum oestrus interval was 145.42+98.72 days with a C.V 89.43%. The analysis of variance revealed a non-significant effect of season and year of calving on post partum oestrus interval. The least squares mean for service period was l67.82+95.99 days with a C.V 76.42%. There was a non-significant effect of season of calving on service period but the effect of year of calving was significant (P<0.01). The least squares mean for calving interval in present study was 471.26+89.34 days with a C.V 23.84%. There was a non-significant effect of season of calving on calving interval, whereas the effect of year of calving was significant (P<0.01). Parity had a non-significant effect on post-partum oestrus interval, service period and calving interval in this study.

A genomic study was conducted on three buffalo breeds (Nili, Ravi and Nili-Ravi) by RAPD analyses using 25 random 10-mer primers to identify the genetic diversity among these breeds. Blood samples from forty seven true representative animals of three breeds were collected from their respective home tracts. Six genomic DNA samples from each breed were randomly selected and pooled for analysis. One hundred and forty six bands were observed from 20 primers with an average of 7.3 bands (2-12). Of these 146 DNA bands, 39 fragments (26.71%) showed polymorphism among three buffalo breeds, while the rest 107 bands (73.29%) were monomorphic. The level of DNA variation was observed low. The coefficient of genetic distance among these buffalo breeds of the Punjab province of Pakistan was very low (0.0748 to 0.1312). The maximum genetic distance was found between Nili and Nili-Ravi (0.1312), while, minimum genetic distance was found between Ravi and Nili-Ravi (0.0748). The genetic distance between Nili and Ravi was 0.1298. The survey during blood sampling showed that Nili and Ravi are two separate breeds still found in huge number in their respective home tracts, while the junctures have the new breed named Nili-Ravi. The results suggest that these three breeds must be maintained and improved with their own identity in their native areas.

A total of 376 Performance records of 109 Nili-Ravi buffaloes maintained at Livestock Development Research Centre, Raroo, Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, during 1989-2003 were utilized for the evaluation of some non-genetic factors affecting age at first calving, post partum oestrus interval, service period and calving interval. The Least squares means for age at first calving, post-partum oestrus interval, service period, and calving interval were 1644.87+36.31 days, 157.4+22.03 days, 208.35+24.03 days and 473.72+3.56 days respectively. A non-significant effect of season of birth on age at first calving was observed, while the effect of year of birth on age at first calving was significant (P<0.01). Postpartum oestrus interval was found to be significantly (P<0.01) influenced by season and year of calving, while a nonsignificant effect of both season and year of calving was observed on service period and calving interval. Parity had a significant (P<0.01) effect on post-partum oestrus interval and calving interval, while a non-significant effect of parity was observed on service period during the study.

This study was conducted to estimate heritabilities of milk yield traits (305-d milk yield, persistency, peak time & lactation curve shape parameters as per Wood model) and two latent variables from Factor Analysis on the basis of 10 test day (TD) milk yield records. Data on pedigree and 504 production records of 272 Brown Swiss cattle were analyzed to estimate genetic parameters with univariate and bivariate animal models. Factor analysis was fitted to 10 TD milk yield records (assumed as independent measures) in order to define lactation curve shapes and two latent variables (FC1 & FC2) were derived from Factor analysis. Kaiser-Meyer Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy (0.93) and Bartlett's test of Spherity (P<0.001) were used to determine whether the available data were appropriate for factor analysis. Results suggested that application of factor analysis was an accurate decision to analyze the data. Of the 10 TD milk yield records, first five TD milk records reflected the first part of lactation, FC1, on ascending in milk yield until peak, whereas 6 th to 10 th TD milk records represented lactation persistency, the second part of lactation, FC2, on descending in milk yield after peak. Heritabilities of 305-d milk yield, a, b, c (lactation shape parameters on Wood model) persistency, peak yield, peak time, FC1 and FC2 were 0.25, 0.14, 0.18, 0.15, 0.29, 0.23, 0.42, 0.13 and 0.15, respectively. Genetic correlations of 305-d milk yield with FC1 and FC2 were 0.66 and unity, respectively. The genetic association of persistency of lactation with peak yield time (0.95) and FC2 (0.23) was observed. Medium to high genetic correlations of FC1 with b parameter (0.33) and peak yield (0.48) were observed in the present study. High genetic correlations among different traits under the study suggested that the scores of two latent (FC1 & FC2) variables, defining lactation curve shape, could be used reliably for genetic improvement in milk yield and peak yield through selection.

The objective of this study was to determine the appropriate non-linear function describing growth of some testicular traits (testicular length, testicular diameter, scrotal circumference and scrotal length) in Norduz male lambs. Testicular characteristics at 90, 110, 130, 150, 170, and 190 days of age for all the lambs were measured. Four growth (Monomolecular, Logistic, Gompertz, and Richard's) models were used to explain relationship between each testicular trait-age. Growth models were based on averages of measurements on their testicular traits in each period of all the male lambs. As a result, appropriate growth models explaining growth at early age of testicular length, testicular diameter, scrotal circumference and scrotal length in Norduz male lambs were Logistic and Richard's non-linear model. Also, age and body weight had significant effect on these testicular traits.

Data on performance records on birth weight, weaning weight and yearling weight of Lohi sheep maintained at Livestock Production Research Institute (LPRI), Bahadurnagar, Okara during a period 1990-2008 were used in the present study. Birth, weaning and yearling weight (kg) averaged as 2.79±0.05, 18.44±0.31 and 36.70± 0.33, respectively. The effect of year and season of birth, sex, type of birth and age of dam was studied by least square analysis of variance using Harvey’s Mixed Model Least Square and Maximum Likelihood (LSMLMW) Computer Program. Birth weight varied significantly for all factors while significant effect of year of birth and season of birth was found on weaning weight. However, the differences due to sex, type of birth and age of the dam were non significant. Effects of year of birth, season of birth and age of dam on yearling weight were found significant. Heritability was estimated using Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) procedure under animal model. Low estimate...

The present study was carried out with the aim of karyotyping and identifying individual chromosome of Nili-Ravi buffalo to document the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities (if any) leading to infertility problems in buffalo. For this purpose blood sample were drawn from 5 normal reproductive buffalo and 30 reported repeat breeder and anestrus Nili-Ravi buffalo. Chromosomal preparations were done through standard whole blood cell culture and harvesting procedure with some modifications according to our lab conditions. After harvesting slides were prepared and stained with Giemsa. Present study revealed that Nili-Ravi buffalo have not numerical chromosomal abnormalities but have some structural abnormalities which may not lead to infertility. In this study we haven't found any sex chromosome abnormality which is major cause of infertility. It can be concluded that Nili-Ravi buffalo become non-cyclic or repeat breeder due to some other environmental or nutritional problems. Cytogenetic screening can help in early detection of chromosomal abnormalities which may cause infertility and avoid financial losses. All copyrights reserved to Nexus® academic publishers

| Genetic correlations between any two traits indicate that some of the same genes are controlling them and in case of positive genetic correlation, selection for improvement in one trait will result in improvement in the other trait as a correlated response. In case of absence of any milk recording system under field conditions, farmers generally select animals on the basis of phenotype. Information on genetic correlation of body measurements with milk yield can be used for indirect selection for improved milk yield. Objective of this study was to record different body measurements in Nili Ravi buffaloes and estimation of phenotypic and genetic correlations with milk yield. These correlations were estimated in 437 Nili Ravi buffaloes maintained at 5 Livestock Experiment Stations in Punjab and few private breeders. Data included 1180 records of milking buffaloes. Correlations were estimated using BLUP techniques. Age of the buffalo at scoring, stage of lactation, parity, herd and season of scoring were included in the model. Data were analysed using the mixed model procedure of the SAS. Fixed effects observed to be significant in the initial analysis were included in the model for estimation of genetic and phenotypic correlation of each trait with milk yield using bivariate analysis in ASREML computer program. Buffaloes in the data were the progeny of 88 sires and 303 dams with 119 base animals. The least squares means for height at withers, diagonal body length and heart girth were found as 132.04±4.56, 154.01±7.60 and 194.46±10.31cm, respectively. Phenotypic correlations of 305 days milk yield with body measurements were low. Positive genetic correlations were observed as 0.16±0.0003 for diagonal body length, 0.08±0.00 for height at withers and 0.14±0.0005 for heart girth. Diagonal body length has shown a low but positive genetic correlation with milk yield and this trait might be considered in the selection program for Nili Ravi buffaloes. Genetic correlation of heart girth with milk yield can be considered for indirect selection for milk yield.

Balochi sheep is more prolific than other breeds of sheep found in Pakistan. Fertility rate in Balochi is 70-75%. A study was carried out on BMP15 gene of Balochi sheep. Sequencing data analysis revealed an insertion of three nucleotides CTT at nucleotide position 171, 172,173, and a deletion of three nucleotides TGA at nucleotides position 3477, 3478, and 3479 of BMP15 gene. Two polymorphism in nucleotide positions 3296 C>T and 4851 T>G were also identified. This study could provide basic molecular data on the reproductive characteristics and a scientific basis for the conservation and utilization of sheep breeds.

Data were collected on 214 Kajli lambs (109 females and 105 males) of different age groups maintained at Livestock Experiment Station Khizrabad (Sargodha) Pakistan. The animals were divided into three age groups as 0-3, 4-6 and 7-9 months. Within each group, the data on male and female lambs were collected separately. To predict the weight of Kajli sheep three body measurements (wither height, body length and heart girth) were recorded on each animal. Body measurements varied with increasing age of animals. In male lambs, the highest correlation (r 2) was observed between body weight and heart girth at 0-3 (r 2 =0.86) and 4-6 (r 2 =0.91) months of age, while in females the highest relationships 0.79 and 0.80 were observed between body weight & heart girth at 0-3 months and body weight & body length at 4-6 months of age, respectively. These correlations between body weight and body measurements were positive and significant (P&lt;0.05). The regression analysis indicated that live wei...

The present study was conducted to investigate the growth performance in four varieties of native Aseel Chicken. For this purpose, 96 day - old Aseel chicks, 24 each of 4 different varieties viz. Peshawari, Mia nwali, Mushki and Lakha were maintained at Indigenous Chicken Genetic Resource Center, Department Poultry P roduction, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore Ravi Campus, Pattoki. The experimental birds we re kept in cages and placed in a well - ventilated open sided poultry house under similar management conditions up to 15 weeks of age. The birds had free access to clean and fresh drinking water through drinking nipples provide d natural day light and were fed a broiler ration ad libitum accordin g to NRC standards. Data were analyzed by ANOVA technique and means were compared by using DMR Test. The results showed that the average body weight (g) in four v arieties of Aseel differed significantly ( P &lt;0.05) at 4 th , 5 th , 6 th , 7 th , 10 th , 12 th , 13 ...