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Preckler-Quisquater S, Quinn CB, Sacks BN. Maintenance of a narrow hybrid zone between native and introduced red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) despite conspecificity and high dispersal capabilities. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17418. [PMID: 38847182 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Human-facilitated introductions of nonnative populations can lead to secondary contact between allopatric lineages, resulting in lineage homogenisation or the formation of stable hybrid zones maintained by reproductive barriers. We investigated patterns of gene flow between the native Sacramento Valley red fox (Vulpes vulpes patwin) and introduced conspecifics of captive-bred origin in California's Central Valley. Considering their recent divergence (20-70 kya), we hypothesised that any observed barriers to gene flow were primarily driven by pre-zygotic (e.g. behavioural differences) rather than post-zygotic (e.g. reduced hybrid fitness) barriers. We also explored whether nonnative genes could confer higher fitness in the human-dominated landscape resulting in selective introgression into the native population. Genetic analysis of red foxes (n = 682) at both mitochondrial (cytochrome b + D-loop) and nuclear (19,051 SNPs) loci revealed narrower cline widths than expected under a simulated model of unrestricted gene flow, consistent with the existence of reproductive barriers. We identified several loci with reduced introgression that were previously linked to behavioural divergence in captive-bred and domestic canids, supporting pre-zygotic, yet possibly hereditary, barriers as a mechanism driving the narrowness and stability of the hybrid zone. Several loci with elevated gene flow from the nonnative into the native population were linked to genes associated with domestication and adaptation to human-dominated landscapes. This study contributes to our understanding of hybridisation dynamics in vertebrates, particularly in the context of species introductions and landscape changes, underscoring the importance of considering how multiple mechanisms may be maintaining lineages at the species and subspecies level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Preckler-Quisquater
- Mammalian Ecology and Conservation Unit, Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Cate B Quinn
- Mammalian Ecology and Conservation Unit, Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
- USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, National Genomics Center for Wildlife and Fish Conservation, Missoula, Montana, USA
| | - Benjamin N Sacks
- Mammalian Ecology and Conservation Unit, Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
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2
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Novo LC, Parker Gaddis KL, Wu XL, McWhorter TM, Burchard J, Norman HD, Dürr J, Fourdraine R, Peñagaricano F. Genetic parameters and trends for Johne's disease in US Holsteins: An updated study. J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:4804-4821. [PMID: 38428495 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Johne's disease (JD) is an infectious enteric disease in ruminants, causing substantial economic loss annually worldwide. This work aimed to estimate JD's genetic parameters and the phenotypic and genetic trends by incorporating recent data. It also explores the feasibility of a national genetic evaluation for JD susceptibility in Holstein cattle in the United States. The data were extracted from a JD data repository, maintained at the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding, and initially supplied by 2 dairy record processing centers. The data comprised 365,980 Holstein cows from 1,048 herds participating in a voluntary control program for JD. Two protocol kits, IDEXX Paratuberculosis Screening Ab Test (IDX) and Parachek 2 (PCK), were used to analyze milk samples with the ELISA technique. Test results from the first 5 parities were considered. An animal was considered infected if it had at least one positive outcome. The overall average of JD incidence was 4.72% in these US Holstein cattle. Genotypes of 78,964 SNP markers were used for 25,000 animals randomly selected from the phenotyped population. Variance components and genetic parameters were estimated based on 3 models, namely, a pedigree-only threshold model (THR), a single-step threshold model (ssTHR), and a single-step linear model (ssLR). The posterior heritability estimates of JD susceptibility were low to moderate: 0.11 to 0.16 based on the 2 threshold models and 0.05 to 0.09 based on the linear model. The average reliability of EBVs of JD susceptibility using single-step analysis for animals with or without phenotypes varied from 0.18 (THR) to 0.22 (ssLR) for IDX and from 0.14 (THR) to 0.18 (ssTHR and ssLR) for PCK. Despite no prior direct genetic selection against JD, the estimated genetic trends of JD susceptibility were negative and highly significant. The correlations of bulls' PTA with economically important traits such as milk yield, milk protein, milk fat, somatic cell score, and mastitis were low, indicating a nonoverlapping genetic selection process with traits in current genetic evaluations. Our results suggest the feasibility of reducing the JD incidence rate by incorporating it into the national genetic evaluation programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa C Novo
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706; Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding, Bowie, MD 20716.
| | | | - Xiao-Lin Wu
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706; Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding, Bowie, MD 20716
| | | | | | | | - João Dürr
- Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding, Bowie, MD 20716
| | | | - Francisco Peñagaricano
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
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3
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Colditz IG, Campbell DLM, Ingham AB, Lee C. Review: Environmental enrichment builds functional capacity and improves resilience as an aspect of positive welfare in production animals. Animal 2024; 18:101173. [PMID: 38761442 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The success of the animal in coping with challenges, and in harnessing opportunities to thrive, is central to its welfare. Functional capacity describes the capacity of molecules, cells, organs, body systems, the whole animal, and its community to buffer against the impacts of environmental perturbations. This buffering capacity determines the ability of the animal to maintain or regain functions in the face of environmental perturbations, which is recognised as resilience. The accuracy of physiological regulation and the maintenance of homeostatic balance underwrite the dynamic stability of outcomes such as biorhythms, feed intake, growth, milk yield, and egg production justifying their assessment as indicators of resilience. This narrative review examines the influence of environmental enrichments, especially during developmental stages in young animals, in building functional capacity and in its subsequent expression as resilience. Experience of enriched environments can build skills and competencies across multiple functional domains including but not limited to behaviour, immunity, and metabolism thereby increasing functional capacity and facilitating resilience within the context of challenges such as husbandry practices, social change, and infection. A quantitative method for measuring the distributed property of functional capacity may improve its assessment. Methods for analysing embedded energy (emergy) in ecosystems may have utility for this goal. We suggest functional capacity provides the common thread that links environmental enrichments with an ability to express resilience and may provide a novel and useful framework for measuring and reporting resilience. We conclude that the development of functional capacity and its subsequent expression as resilience is an aspect of positive animal welfare. The emergence of resilience from system dynamics highlights a need to shift from the study of physical and mental states to the study of physical and mental dynamics to describe the positive dimension of animal welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- I G Colditz
- Agriculture and Food, CSIRO, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia.
| | - D L M Campbell
- Agriculture and Food, CSIRO, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
| | - A B Ingham
- Agriculture and Food, CSIRO, St. Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - C Lee
- Agriculture and Food, CSIRO, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
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4
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van der Laan S, Breeman G, Scherer L. Animal Lives Affected by Meat Consumption Trends in the G20 Countries. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1662. [PMID: 38891709 PMCID: PMC11171019 DOI: 10.3390/ani14111662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Trends in dietary habits have far-reaching implications, but their impact on animals remains insufficiently explored, as many people continue to dissociate meat from individual animal lives. This research study quantifies the temporal development of the number of animal lives affected by meat consumption within the G20 countries between 1961 and 2020 and forecasts for 2030. Production (including slaughter) and historical and projected food balance data were analyzed to explore these trends. The results indicate an increase in the number of animal lives affected due to increasing consumption, but discrepancies exist between different countries and animal categories. Increases are stronger in emerging countries, such as China, than in more industrialized countries, such as Germany. Overall, the number of animals affected grows 1.7 times as fast as meat consumption due to a shift towards poultry. Poultry birds are affected by far the most, and their dominance in number only slightly reduces when considering the differentiated moral values of the animals, reflecting their sentience. Until 2030, we can expect further increases in the number of animal lives affected. The findings highlight the need for progressive legislation to address the complex trade-offs and challenges in reversing the increasing trends in the number of animals affected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sytske van der Laan
- Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gerard Breeman
- Institute of Public Administration, Leiden University, P.O. Box 13228, 2501 EE Den Haag, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Scherer
- Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
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Capalbo A, de Wert G, Mertes H, Klausner L, Coonen E, Spinella F, Van de Velde H, Viville S, Sermon K, Vermeulen N, Lencz T, Carmi S. Screening embryos for polygenic disease risk: a review of epidemiological, clinical, and ethical considerations. Hum Reprod Update 2024:dmae012. [PMID: 38805697 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmae012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The genetic composition of embryos generated by in vitro fertilization (IVF) can be examined with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). Until recently, PGT was limited to detecting single-gene, high-risk pathogenic variants, large structural variants, and aneuploidy. Recent advances have made genome-wide genotyping of IVF embryos feasible and affordable, raising the possibility of screening embryos for their risk of polygenic diseases such as breast cancer, hypertension, diabetes, or schizophrenia. Despite a heated debate around this new technology, called polygenic embryo screening (PES; also PGT-P), it is already available to IVF patients in some countries. Several articles have studied epidemiological, clinical, and ethical perspectives on PES; however, a comprehensive, principled review of this emerging field is missing. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This review has four main goals. First, given the interdisciplinary nature of PES studies, we aim to provide a self-contained educational background about PES to reproductive specialists interested in the subject. Second, we provide a comprehensive and critical review of arguments for and against the introduction of PES, crystallizing and prioritizing the key issues. We also cover the attitudes of IVF patients, clinicians, and the public towards PES. Third, we distinguish between possible future groups of PES patients, highlighting the benefits and harms pertaining to each group. Finally, our review, which is supported by ESHRE, is intended to aid healthcare professionals and policymakers in decision-making regarding whether to introduce PES in the clinic, and if so, how, and to whom. SEARCH METHODS We searched for PubMed-indexed articles published between 1/1/2003 and 1/3/2024 using the terms 'polygenic embryo screening', 'polygenic preimplantation', and 'PGT-P'. We limited the review to primary research papers in English whose main focus was PES for medical conditions. We also included papers that did not appear in the search but were deemed relevant. OUTCOMES The main theoretical benefit of PES is a reduction in lifetime polygenic disease risk for children born after screening. The magnitude of the risk reduction has been predicted based on statistical modelling, simulations, and sibling pair analyses. Results based on all methods suggest that under the best-case scenario, large relative risk reductions are possible for one or more diseases. However, as these models abstract several practical limitations, the realized benefits may be smaller, particularly due to a limited number of embryos and unclear future accuracy of the risk estimates. PES may negatively impact patients and their future children, as well as society. The main personal harms are an unindicated IVF treatment, a possible reduction in IVF success rates, and patient confusion, incomplete counselling, and choice overload. The main possible societal harms include discarded embryos, an increasing demand for 'designer babies', overemphasis of the genetic determinants of disease, unequal access, and lower utility in people of non-European ancestries. Benefits and harms will vary across the main potential patient groups, comprising patients already requiring IVF, fertile people with a history of a severe polygenic disease, and fertile healthy people. In the United States, the attitudes of IVF patients and the public towards PES seem positive, while healthcare professionals are cautious, sceptical about clinical utility, and concerned about patient counselling. WIDER IMPLICATIONS The theoretical potential of PES to reduce risk across multiple polygenic diseases requires further research into its benefits and harms. Given the large number of practical limitations and possible harms, particularly unnecessary IVF treatments and discarded viable embryos, PES should be offered only within a research context before further clarity is achieved regarding its balance of benefits and harms. The gap in attitudes between healthcare professionals and the public needs to be narrowed by expanding public and patient education and providing resources for informative and unbiased genetic counselling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Capalbo
- Juno Genetics, Department of Reproductive Genetics, Rome, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), Department of Medical Genetics, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Guido de Wert
- Department of Health, Ethics & Society, CAPHRI-School for Public Health and Primary Care and GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Heidi Mertes
- Department of Philosophy and Moral Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Liraz Klausner
- Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Edith Coonen
- Departments of Clinical Genetics and Reproductive Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, GROW, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Francesca Spinella
- Eurofins GENOMA Group Srl, Molecular Genetics Laboratories, Department of Scientific Communication, Rome, Italy
| | - Hilde Van de Velde
- Research Group Genetics Reproduction and Development (GRAD), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
- Brussels IVF, UZ Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Stephane Viville
- Laboratoire de Génétique Médicale LGM, Institut de Génétique Médicale d'Alsace IGMA, INSERM UMR 1112, Université de Strasbourg, France
- Laboratoire de Diagnostic Génétique, Unité de Génétique de l'infertilité (UF3472), Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Karen Sermon
- Research Group Genetics Reproduction and Development (GRAD), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | | | - Todd Lencz
- Institute of Behavioral Science, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, USA
- Departments of Psychiatry and Molecular Medicine, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA
| | - Shai Carmi
- Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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6
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Maskal JM, Pedrosa VB, Rojas de Oliveira H, Brito LF. A comprehensive meta-analysis of genetic parameters for resilience and productivity indicator traits in Holstein cattle. J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:3062-3079. [PMID: 38056564 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Selection for resilience indicator (RIND) traits in Holstein cattle is becoming an important breeding objective as the worldwide population is expected to be exposed to increased environmental stressors due to both climate change and changing industry standards. However, genetic correlations between RIND and productivity indicator (PIND) traits, which are already being selected for and have the most economic value, are often unfavorable. As a result, it is necessary to fully understand these genetic relationships when incorporating novel traits into selection indices, so that informed decisions can be made to fully optimize selection for both groups of traits. In the past 2 decades, there have been many estimates of RIND traits published in the literature, albeit in small populations. To provide valuable pooled summary estimates, a random-effects meta-analysis was conducted for heritability and genetic correlation estimates for PIND and RIND traits in worldwide Holstein cattle. In total, 926 heritability estimates for 9 PIND and 27 RIND traits, along with 362 estimates of genetic correlation (PIND × RIND traits) were collected. Resilience indicator traits were grouped into the following subgroups: Metabolic Diseases, Hoof Health, Udder Health, Fertility, Heat Tolerance, Longevity, and Other. Pooled estimates of heritability for PIND traits ranged from 0.201 ± 0.05 (energy-corrected milk) to 0.377 ± 0.06 (protein content), while pooled estimates of heritability for RIND traits ranged from 0.032 ± 0.02 (incidence of lameness, incidence of milk fever) to 0.497 ± 0.05 (measures of body weight). Pooled estimates of genetic correlations ranged from -0.360 ± 0.25 (protein content vs. milk acetone concentration) to 0.535 ± 0.72 (measures of fat-to-protein ratio vs. milk acetone concentration). Additionally, out of 243 potential genetic correlations between PIND and RIND traits that could have been reported, only 40 had enough published estimates to implement the meta-analysis model. Our results confirmed that the interactions between PIND and RIND traits are complex, and all relationships should be evaluated when incorporating novel traits into selection indices. This study provides a valuable reference for breeders looking to incorporate RIND traits for Holstein cattle into selection indices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob M Maskal
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | - Victor B Pedrosa
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
| | | | - Luiz F Brito
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907.
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7
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Schneider H, Haas V, Krizanac AM, Falker-Gieske C, Heise J, Tetens J, Thaller G, Bennewitz J. Mendelian randomization analysis of 34,497 German Holstein cows to infer causal associations between milk production and health traits. Genet Sel Evol 2024; 56:27. [PMID: 38589805 PMCID: PMC11000328 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-024-00896-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Claw diseases and mastitis represent the most important health issues in dairy cattle with a frequently mentioned connection to milk production. Although many studies have aimed at investigating this connection in more detail by estimating genetic correlations, they do not provide information about causality. An alternative is to carry out Mendelian randomization (MR) studies using genetic variants to investigate the effect of an exposure on an outcome trait mediated by genetic variants. No study has yet investigated the causal association of milk yield (MY) with health traits in dairy cattle. Hence, we performed a MR analysis of MY and seven health traits using imputed whole-genome sequence data from 34,497 German Holstein cows. We applied a method that uses summary statistics and removes horizontal pleiotropic variants (having an effect on both traits), which improves the power and unbiasedness of MR studies. In addition, genetic correlations between MY and each health trait were estimated to compare them with the estimates of causal effects that we expected. RESULTS All genetic correlations between MY and each health trait were negative, ranging from - 0.303 (mastitis) to - 0.019 (digital dermatitis), which indicates a reduced health status as MY increases. The only non-significant correlation was between MY and digital dermatitis. In addition, each causal association was negative, ranging from - 0.131 (mastitis) to - 0.034 (laminitis), but the number of significant associations was reduced to five nominal and two experiment-wide significant results. The latter were between MY and mastitis and between MY and digital phlegmon. Horizontal pleiotropic variants were identified for mastitis, digital dermatitis and digital phlegmon. They were located within or nearby variants that were previously reported to have a horizontal pleiotropic effect, e.g., on milk production and somatic cell count. CONCLUSIONS Our results confirm the known negative genetic connection between health traits and MY in dairy cattle. In addition, they provide new information about causality, which for example points to the negative energy balance mediating the connection between these traits. This knowledge helps to better understand whether the negative genetic correlation is based on pleiotropy, linkage between causal variants for both trait complexes, or indeed on a causal association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Schneider
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Valentin Haas
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Ana-Marija Krizanac
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Johannes Heise
- Vereinigte Informationssysteme Tierhaltung w.V. (VIT), 27283, Verden, Germany
| | - Jens Tetens
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Göttingen, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Georg Thaller
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, 24098, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jörn Bennewitz
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
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Mancin E, Maltecca C, Huang YJ, Mantovani R, Tiezzi F. A first characterization of the microbiota-resilience link in swine. MICROBIOME 2024; 12:53. [PMID: 38486255 PMCID: PMC10941389 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-024-01771-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in understanding complex biological mechanisms, including host resilience to stressors. Investigating the microbiota-resilience link in animals and plants holds relevance in addressing challenges like adaptation of agricultural species to a warming environment. This study aims to characterize the microbiota-resilience connection in swine. As resilience is not directly observable, we estimated it using four distinct indicators based on daily feed consumption variability, assuming animals with greater intake variation may face challenges in maintaining stable physiological status. These indicators were analyzed both as linear and categorical variables. In our first set of analyses, we explored the microbiota-resilience link using PERMANOVA, α-diversity analysis, and discriminant analysis. Additionally, we quantified the ratio of estimated microbiota variance to total phenotypic variance (microbiability). Finally, we conducted a Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) to assess the classification performance of the microbiota with indicators expressed in classes. RESULTS This study offers four key insights. Firstly, among all indicators, two effectively captured resilience. Secondly, our analyses revealed robust relationship between microbial composition and resilience in terms of both composition and richness. We found decreased α-diversity in less-resilient animals, while specific amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) and KEGG pathways associated with inflammatory responses were negatively linked to resilience. Thirdly, considering resilience indicators in classes, we observed significant differences in microbial composition primarily in animals with lower resilience. Lastly, our study indicates that gut microbial composition can serve as a reliable biomarker for distinguishing individuals with lower resilience. CONCLUSION Our comprehensive analyses have highlighted the host-microbiota and resilience connection, contributing valuable insights to the existing scientific knowledge. The practical implications of PLS-DA and microbiability results are noteworthy. PLS-DA suggests that host-microbiota interactions could be utilized as biomarkers for monitoring resilience. Furthermore, the microbiability findings show that leveraging host-microbiota insights may improve the identification of resilient animals, supporting their adaptive capacity in response to changing environmental conditions. These practical implications offer promising avenues for enhancing animal well-being and adaptation strategies in the context of environmental challenges faced by livestock populations. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Mancin
- Department of Agronomy, Animals and Environment, (DAFNAE), Food, Natural Resources, University of Padova, Viale del Università 14, 35020, Legnaro (Padova), Italy
| | - Christian Maltecca
- Department of Animal Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Florence, Piazzale delle Cascine 18, 50144, Firenze, Italy
| | - Yi Jian Huang
- Smithfield Premium Genetics, Rose Hill, NC, 28458, USA
| | - Roberto Mantovani
- Department of Agronomy, Animals and Environment, (DAFNAE), Food, Natural Resources, University of Padova, Viale del Università 14, 35020, Legnaro (Padova), Italy
| | - Francesco Tiezzi
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry (DAGRI), University of Florence, Piazzale delle Cascine 18, 50144, Firenze, Italy.
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9
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Madsen O, Rikkers RSC, Wells JM, Bergsma R, Kar SK, Taverne N, Taverne-Thiele AJ, Ellen ED, Woelders H. Transcriptomic analysis of intestinal organoids, derived from pigs divergent in feed efficiency, and their response to Escherichia coli. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:173. [PMID: 38350904 PMCID: PMC10863143 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10064-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is increasing interest in using intestinal organoids to study complex traits like feed efficiency (FE) and host-microbe interactions. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in the molecular phenotype of organoids derived from pigs divergent for FE as well as their responses to challenge with adherent and invasive Escherichia coli (E. coli). RESULTS Colon and ileum tissue from low and high FE pigs was used to generate 3D organoids and two dimensional (2D) monolayers of organoid cells for E. coli challenge. Genome-wide gene expression was used to investigate molecular differences between pigs that were phenotypically divergent for FE and to study the difference in gene expression after challenge with E. coli. We showed, (1) minor differences in gene expression of colon organoids from pigs with low and high FE phenotypes, (2) that an E. coli challenge results in a strong innate immune gene response in both colon and ileum organoids, (3) that the immune response seems to be less pronounced in the colon organoids of high FE pigs and (4) a slightly stronger immune response was observed in ileum than in colon organoids. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate the potential for using organoids to gain insights into complex biological mechanisms such as FE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ole Madsen
- Animal Breeding & Genomics, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, Wageningen, 6700 AH, the Netherlands.
| | - Roxann S C Rikkers
- Animal Breeding & Genomics, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, Wageningen, 6700 AH, the Netherlands
| | - Jerry M Wells
- Host-Microbe Interactomics, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, Wageningen, 6700 AH, the Netherlands
| | - Rob Bergsma
- Topigs Norsvin, Schoenaker 6, 6641 SZ, Beuningen, the Netherlands
| | - Soumya K Kar
- Animal Nutrition, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, Wageningen, 6700 AH, the Netherlands
| | - Nico Taverne
- Host-Microbe Interactomics, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, Wageningen, 6700 AH, the Netherlands
| | - Anja J Taverne-Thiele
- Host-Microbe Interactomics, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, Wageningen, 6700 AH, the Netherlands
| | - Esther D Ellen
- Animal Breeding & Genomics, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, Wageningen, 6700 AH, the Netherlands
| | - Henri Woelders
- Animal Breeding & Genomics, Wageningen University & Research, PO Box 338, Wageningen, 6700 AH, the Netherlands
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10
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Niesen AM, Rossow HA. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell mitochondrial enzyme activity in calves is associated with average daily gain, reproductive outcomes, lactation performance, and survival. J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:1197-1210. [PMID: 37709028 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondria are central to metabolism and are the primary energy producers for all biosynthesis. The objective of this study was to determine if the mitochondrial enzyme activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in heifers was associated with average daily gain, reproductive outcomes, first-lactation milk production, and survival. Twenty-three Holstein and 23 Jersey heifer calves were enrolled, and blood and body weight data were collected at 1, 2, 8, 36, 52, and 110 wk of age. Respiratory and fecal scores were recorded daily for the first 30 d of life. Milk production data were collected from herd management software through first lactation and health events were tracked to the fourth lactation on surviving animals. Mitochondrial isolation and enzyme activities for citrate synthase, complex I, complex IV, and complex V were determined using kits from Abcam. Data were analyzed using GLM and the Logistic procedure of SAS (version 9.4, SAS Institute Inc.). Multivariate regression analyses were conducted to determine if calf mitochondrial enzymatic activity and covariate health indices (fecal and respiratory scores, number of treatments, hematology) were associated with average daily gain (8, 36, 52, and 110 wk), lactation performance (milk yield, fat yield, solids yield, energy-corrected milk, 305-d mature equivalent, and relative value), and reproduction (age at first service, age at first conception, age at first calving, and number of services). For Holsteins and Jerseys, mitochondrial enzyme activities and health indices were correlated with all average daily gain and milk production outcomes (R2 ≥ 0.63 and R2 ≥ 0.45, respectively). Reproduction outcomes were correlated with body weight gain, mitochondrial function, and red blood cell traits for Holsteins and Jerseys (R2 ≥ 0.47 and R2 ≥ 0.55, respectively). Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine if early-life enzymatic activity affected survival outcomes in the herd. Calves below the median for complex V enzyme activity at 1 wk were more likely to be removed from the herd compared with calves above the median by lactation 1, 2, 3, and 4 (odds ratio = 4.7, 7.7, 7.0, and 6.9, respectively). Calves below the median for the difference in hematocrit from 2 to 1 wk were more likely to be removed from the herd compared with calves above the median by lactation 1, 2, 3, and 4 (odds ratio = 13, 10, 5.2, and 4.7, respectively). These findings suggest that predictions of cow performance could be improved by considering the effect of early-life mitochondrial enzymatic activity and health indices.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Niesen
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616
| | - H A Rossow
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616.
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11
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Cavani L, Parker Gaddis KL, Baldwin RL, Santos JEP, Koltes JE, Tempelman RJ, VandeHaar MJ, White HM, Peñagaricano F, Weigel KA. Consistency of dry matter intake in Holstein cows: Heritability estimates and associations with feed efficiency. J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:1054-1067. [PMID: 37769947 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Resilience can be defined as the capacity to maintain performance or bounce back to normal functioning after a perturbation, and studying fluctuations in daily feed intake may be an effective way to identify resilient dairy cows. Our goal was to develop new phenotypes based on daily dry matter intake (DMI) consistency in Holstein cows, estimate genetic parameters and genetic correlations with feed efficiency and milk yield consistency, and evaluate their relationships with production, longevity, health, and reproduction traits. Data consisted of 397,334 daily DMI records of 6,238 lactating Holstein cows collected from 2007 to 2022 at 6 research stations across the United States. Consistency phenotypes were calculated based on the deviations from expected daily DMI for individual cows during their respective feeding trials, which ranged from 27 to 151 d in duration. Expected values were derived from different models, including simple average, quadratic and cubic quantile regression with a 0.5 quantile, and locally estimated scatterplot smoothing (LOESS) regression with span parameters 0.5 and 0.7. We then calculated the log of variance (log-Var-DMI) of daily deviations for each model as the consistency phenotype. Consistency of milk yield was also calculated, as a reference, using the same methods (log-Var-Milk). Genetic parameters were estimated using an animal model, including lactation, days in milk and cohort as fixed effects, and animal as random effect. Relationships between log-Var-DMI and traits currently considered in the US national genetic evaluation were evaluated using Spearman's rank correlations between sires' breeding values. Heritability estimates for log-Var-DMI ranged from 0.11 ± 0.02 to 0.14 ± 0.02 across models. Different methods (simple average, quantile regressions, and LOESS regressions) used to calculate log-Var-DMI yielded very similar results, with genetic correlations ranging from 0.94 to 0.99. Estimated genetic correlations between log-Var-DMI and log-Var-Milk ranged from 0.51 to 0.62. Estimated genetic correlations between log-Var-DMI and feed efficiency ranged from 0.55 to 0.60 with secreted milk energy, from 0.59 to 0.63 with metabolic body weight, and from 0.26 to 0.31 with residual feed intake (RFI). Relationships between log-Var-DMI and the traits in the national genetic evaluation were moderate and positive correlations with milk yield (0.20 to 0.21), moderate and negative correlations with female fertility (-0.07 to -0.20), no significant correlations with health and longevity, and favorable correlations with feed efficiency (-0.23 to -0.25 with feed saved and 0.21 to 0.26 with RFI). We concluded that DMI consistency is heritable and may be an indicator of resilience. Cows with lower variation in the difference between actual and expected daily DMI (more consistency) may be more effective in maintaining performance in the face of challenges or perturbations, whereas cows with greater variation in observed versus expected daily DMI (less consistency) are less feed efficient and may be less resilient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ligia Cavani
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706.
| | | | - Ransom L Baldwin
- Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory, ARS, USDA, Beltsville, MD 20705
| | - José E P Santos
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608
| | - James E Koltes
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
| | - Robert J Tempelman
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824
| | - Michael J VandeHaar
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824
| | - Heather M White
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Francisco Peñagaricano
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Kent A Weigel
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706
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12
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A V, Kumar A, Mahala S, Chandra Janga S, Chauhan A, Mehrotra A, Kumar De A, Ranjan Sahu A, Firdous Ahmad S, Vempadapu V, Dutt T. Revelation of genetic diversity and genomic footprints of adaptation in Indian pig breeds. Gene 2024; 893:147950. [PMID: 37918549 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, the genetic diversity measures among four Indian domestic breeds of pig namely Agonda Goan, Ghurrah, Ghungroo, and Nicobari, of different agro-climatic regions of country were explored and compared with European commercial breeds, European wild boar and Chinese domestic breeds. The double digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq) data of Indian pigs (102) and Landrace (10 animals) were generated and whole genome sequencing data of exotic pigs (60 animals) from public data repository were used in the study. The principal component analysis (PCA), admixture analysis and phylogenetic analysis revealed that Indian breeds were closer in ancestry to Chinese breeds than European breeds. European breeds exhibited highest genetic diversity measures among all the considered breeds. Among Indian breeds, Agonda Goan and Ghurrah were found to be more genetically diverse than Nicobari and Ghungroo. The selection signature regions in Indian pigs were explored using iHS and XP-EHH, and during iHS analysis, it was observed that genes related to growth, reproduction, health, meat quality, sensory perception and behavior were found to be under selection pressure in Indian pig breeds. Strong selection signatures were recorded in 24.25-25.25 Mb region of SSC18, 123.25-124 Mb region of SSC15 and 118.75-119.5 Mb region of SSC2 in most of the Indian breeds upon pairwise comparison with European commercial breeds using XP-EHH. These regions were harboring some important genes such as EPHA4 for thermotolerance, TAS2R16, FEZF1, CADPS2 and PTPRZ1 for adaptability to scavenging system of rearing, TRIM36 and PGGT1B for disease resistance and CCDC112, PIAS1, FEM1B and ITGA11 for reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vani A
- Division of Animal Genetics, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, UP, India
| | - Amit Kumar
- Division of Animal Genetics, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, UP, India.
| | - Sudarshan Mahala
- Division of Animal Genetics, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, UP, India
| | - Sarath Chandra Janga
- Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, Indiana University, IUPUI, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Anuj Chauhan
- Livestock Production and Management, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, UP, India
| | | | - Arun Kumar De
- Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
| | - Amiya Ranjan Sahu
- Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Old Goa, Goa, India
| | - Sheikh Firdous Ahmad
- Division of Animal Genetics, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, UP, India
| | - Varshini Vempadapu
- Division of Animal Genetics, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, UP, India
| | - Triveni Dutt
- Livestock Production and Management, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, UP, India
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13
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Misztal I, Lourenco D. Potential negative effects of genomic selection. J Anim Sci 2024; 102:skae155. [PMID: 38847068 PMCID: PMC11229339 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skae155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Initial findings on genomic selection (GS) indicated substantial improvement for major traits, such as performance, and even successful selection for antagonistic traits. However, recent unofficial reports indicate an increased frequency of deterioration of secondary traits. This phenomenon may arise due to the mismatch between the accelerated selection process and resource allocation. Traits explicitly or implicitly accounted for by a selection index move toward the desired direction, whereas neglected traits change according to the genetic correlations with selected traits. Historically, the first stage of commercial genetic selection focused on production traits. After long-term selection, production traits improved, whereas fitness traits deteriorated, although this deterioration was partially compensated for by constantly improving management. Adding these fitness traits to the breeding objective and the used selection index also helped offset their decline while promoting long-term gains. Subsequently, the trend in observed fitness traits was a combination of a negative response due to genetic antagonism, positive response from inclusion in the selection index, and a positive effect of improving management. Under GS, the genetic trends accelerate, especially for well-recorded higher heritability traits, magnifying the negatively correlated responses for fitness traits. Then, the observed trend for fitness traits can become negative, especially because management modifications do not accelerate under GS. Additional deterioration can occur due to the rapid turnover of GS, as heritabilities for production traits can decline and the genetic antagonism between production and fitness traits can intensify. If the genetic parameters are not updated, the selection index will be inaccurate, and the intended gains will not occur. While the deterioration can accelerate for unrecorded or sparsely recorded fitness traits, GS can lead to an improvement for widely recorded fitness traits. In the context of GS, it is crucial to look for unexpected changes in relevant traits and take rapid steps to prevent further declines, especially in secondary traits. Changes can be anticipated by investigating the temporal dynamics of genetic parameters, especially genetic correlations. However, new methods are needed to estimate genetic parameters for the last generation with large amounts of genomic data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacy Misztal
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Daniela Lourenco
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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14
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Blondeau Da Silva S, Mwacharo JM, Li M, Ahbara A, Muchadeyi FC, Dzomba EF, Lenstra JA, Da Silva A. IBD sharing patterns as intra-breed admixture indicators in small ruminants. Heredity (Edinb) 2024; 132:30-42. [PMID: 37919398 PMCID: PMC10799084 DOI: 10.1038/s41437-023-00658-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we investigated how IBD patterns shared between individuals of the same breed could be informative of its admixture level, with the underlying assumption that the most admixed breeds, i.e. the least genetically isolated, should have a much more fragmented genome. We considered 111 goat breeds (i.e. 2501 individuals) and 156 sheep breeds (i.e. 3304 individuals) from Europe, Africa and Asia, for which beadchip SNP genotypes had been performed. We inferred the breed's level of admixture from: (i) the proportion of the genome shared by breed's members (i.e. "genetic integrity level" assessed from ADMIXTURE software analyses), and (ii) the "AV index" (calculated from Reynolds' genetic distances), used as a proxy for the "genetic distinctiveness". In both goat and sheep datasets, the statistical analyses (comparison of means, Spearman correlations, LM and GAM models) revealed that the most genetically isolated breeds, also showed IBD profiles made up of more shared IBD segments, which were also longer. These results pave the way for further research that could lead to the development of admixture indicators, based on the characterization of intra-breed shared IBD segments, particularly effective as they would be independent of the knowledge of the whole genetic landscape in which the breeds evolve. Finally, by highlighting the fragmentation experienced by the genomes subjected to crossbreeding carried out over the last few generations, the study reminds us of the need to preserve local breeds and the integrity of their adaptive architectures that have been shaped over the centuries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joram M Mwacharo
- Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Scotlands Rural College (SRUC) and Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), The Roslin Institute Building, EH25 9RG, Midlothian, UK
- Small Ruminant Genomics, International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Menghua Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Abulgasim Ahbara
- Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Scotlands Rural College (SRUC) and Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), The Roslin Institute Building, EH25 9RG, Midlothian, UK
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, Misurata University, Misurata, Libya
| | | | - Edgar Farai Dzomba
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa
| | - Johannes A Lenstra
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Anne Da Silva
- Faculté des Sciences et Techniques de Limoges, E2LIM, 87000, Limoges, France.
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15
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Poklukar K, Mestre C, Škrlep M, Čandek-Potokar M, Ovilo C, Fontanesi L, Riquet J, Bovo S, Schiavo G, Ribani A, Muñoz M, Gallo M, Bozzi R, Charneca R, Quintanilla R, Kušec G, Mercat MJ, Zimmer C, Razmaite V, Araujo JP, Radović Č, Savić R, Karolyi D, Servin B. A meta-analysis of genetic and phenotypic diversity of European local pig breeds reveals genomic regions associated with breed differentiation for production traits. Genet Sel Evol 2023; 55:88. [PMID: 38062367 PMCID: PMC10704730 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-023-00858-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intense selection of modern pig breeds has resulted in genetic improvement of production traits while the performance of local pig breeds has remained lower. As local pig breeds have been bred in extensive systems, they have adapted to specific environmental conditions, resulting in a rich genotypic and phenotypic diversity. This study is based on European local pig breeds that have been genetically characterized using DNA-pool sequencing data and phenotypically characterized using breed level phenotypes related to stature, fatness, growth, and reproductive performance traits. These data were analyzed using a dedicated approach to detect signatures of selection linked to phenotypic traits in order to uncover potential candidate genes that may underlie adaptation to specific environments. RESULTS Analysis of the genetic data of European pig breeds revealed four main axes of genetic variation represented by the Iberian and three modern breeds (i.e. Large White, Landrace, and Duroc). In addition, breeds clustered according to their geographical origin, for example French Gascon and Basque breeds, Italian Apulo Calabrese and Casertana breeds, Spanish Iberian, and Portuguese Alentejano breeds. Principal component analysis of the phenotypic data distinguished the larger and leaner breeds with better growth potential and reproductive performance from the smaller and fatter breeds with low growth and reproductive efficiency. Linking the signatures of selection with phenotype identified 16 significant genomic regions associated with stature, 24 with fatness, 2 with growth, and 192 with reproduction. Among them, several regions contained candidate genes with possible biological effects on stature, fatness, growth, and reproductive performance traits. For example, strong associations were found for stature in two regions containing, respectively, the ANXA4 and ANTXR1 genes, for fatness in a region containing the DNMT3A and POMC genes and for reproductive performance in a region containing the HSD17B7 gene. CONCLUSIONS In this study on European local pig breeds, we used a dedicated approach for detecting signatures of selection that were supported by phenotypic data at the breed level to identify potential candidate genes that may have adapted to different living environments and production systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klavdija Poklukar
- Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova Ulica 17, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Camille Mestre
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, INP, ENVT, 31320, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Martin Škrlep
- Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova Ulica 17, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Cristina Ovilo
- Departamento Mejora Genética Animal, INIA-CSIC, Crta. de la Coruña Km. 7,5, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luca Fontanesi
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Division of Animal Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 46, 40127, Bologna, Italy
| | - Juliette Riquet
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, INP, ENVT, 31320, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Samuele Bovo
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Division of Animal Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 46, 40127, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Schiavo
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Division of Animal Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 46, 40127, Bologna, Italy
| | - Anisa Ribani
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Division of Animal Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 46, 40127, Bologna, Italy
| | - Maria Muñoz
- Departamento Mejora Genética Animal, INIA-CSIC, Crta. de la Coruña Km. 7,5, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maurizio Gallo
- Associazione Nazionale Allevatori Suini (ANAS), Via Nizza 53, 00198, Rome, Italy
| | - Ricardo Bozzi
- DAGRI-Animal Science Section, Università Di Firenze, Via Delle Cascine 5, 50144, Florence, Italy
| | - Rui Charneca
- MED- Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Apartado 94, 7006-554, Évora, Portugal
| | - Raquel Quintanilla
- Programa de Genética y Mejora Animal, IRTA, Torre Marimon, Caldes de Montbui, 08140, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Goran Kušec
- Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences, University of Osijek, Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Marie-José Mercat
- IFIP Institut du Porc, La Motte au Vicomte, BP 35104, 35651, Le Rheu Cedex, France
| | - Christoph Zimmer
- Bauerliche Erzeugergemeinschaft Schwäbisch Hall, Haller Str. 20, 74549, Wolpertshausen, Germany
| | - Violeta Razmaite
- Animal Science Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, 82317, Baisogala, Lithuania
| | - Jose P Araujo
- Centro de Investigação de Montanha (CIMO), Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Escola Superior Agrária, Refóios do Lima, 4990-706, Ponte de Lima, Portugal
| | - Čedomir Radović
- Department of Pig Breeding and Genetics, Institute for Animal Husbandry, 11080, Belgrade-Zemun, Serbia
| | - Radomir Savić
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Nemanjina 6, 11080, Belgrade-Zemun, Serbia
| | - Danijel Karolyi
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska c. 25, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Bertrand Servin
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, INP, ENVT, 31320, Castanet-Tolosan, France.
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16
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Rittweg N, Stock A, Jensen KC, Merle R, Stoll A, Feist M, Müller KE, Hoedemaker M, Oehm AW. Associations of cow and farm characteristics with cow-level lameness using data from an extensive cross-sectional study across 3 structurally different dairy regions in Germany. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:9287-9303. [PMID: 37641258 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-23195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the associations between milk recording data, body condition score (BCS), housing factors, management factors, and lameness in freestall-housed dairy cows in 3 structurally different regions in Germany. These regions substantially vary regarding herd size, breeds, access to pasture, farm management (family run or company owned), and percentage of organic farms. The data used was collected in a large cross-sectional study from 2016 to 2019. A total of 58,144 cows from 651 farms in 3 regions of Germany (North, East, and South) was scored for locomotion and body condition. Additionally, data on milk yield, milk composition, breed, age, as well as information on housing and management were retrieved. One mixed-logistic regression model was fitted per region to evaluate the association of the data with the target variable "lame" and to allow for a comprehensive reflection across different kinds of farming types. In all regions, undercondition (BCS lower than recommended for the lactation stage; North: odds ratio [OR] 2.15, CI 1.96-2.34; East: OR 2.66, CI 2.45-2.88; South: OR 2.45, CI 2.01-2.98) and mid-lactation stage (102-204 d in milk; North: OR 1.15, CI 1.05-1.27; East: OR 1.24, CI 1.17-1.32; South: OR 1.38, CI 1.18-1.62) were associated with higher odds for lameness, whereas overcondition (BCS higher than recommended for the lactation stage; North: OR 0.51, CI 0.44-0.60; East: OR 0.51, CI 0.48-0.54; South: OR 0.65, CI 0.54-0.77) and parity of 1 or 2 was associated with lower odds (parity 1 = North: OR 0.32, CI 0.29-0.35; East: OR 0.19, CI 0.18-0.20; South: OR 0.28, CI 0.24-0.33; parity 2 = North: OR 0.51, CI 0.47-0.46; East: OR 0.41, CI 0.39-0.44; South: OR 0.49, CI 0.42-0.57), irrespective of the regional production characteristics. Low energy-corrected milk yield was associated with higher odds for lameness in South and North (North: OR 1.16, CI 1.05-1.27; South: OR 1.43, CI 1.22-1.69). Further factors such as pasture access for cows (North: OR 0.64, CI 0.50-0.82; and South: OR 0.65, CI 0.47-0.88), milk protein content (high milk protein content = North: OR 1.34, CI 1.18-1.52; East: OR 1.17, CI 1.08-1.28; low milk protein content = North: OR 0.79, CI 0.71-0.88; East: OR 0.84, CI 0.79-0.90), and breed (lower odds for "other" [other breeds than German Simmental and German Holstein] in East [OR 0.47, CI 0.42-0.53] and lower odds both for German Holstein and "other" in South [German Holstein: OR 0.62, CI 0.43-0.90; other: OR 0.46, CI 0.34 - 0.62]) were associated with lameness in 2 regions, respectively. The risk of ketosis (higher odds in North: OR 1.11, CI 1.01-1.22) and somatic cell count (higher odds in East: increased (>39.9 cells × 1,000/mL): OR 1.10; CI 1.03-1.17; high (>198.5 cells × 1,000/mL): OR 1.08; CI 1.01-1.06) altered the odds for lameness in 1 region, respectively. Cows from organic farms had lower odds for lameness in all 3 regions (North: OR 0.18, CI 0.11-0.32; East: OR 0.39, CI 0.28-0.56; South: OR 0.45, CI 0.29-0.68). As the dairy production systems differed substantially between the different regions, the results of this study can be viewed as representative for a wide variety of loose-housed dairy systems in Europe and North America. The consistent association between low BCS and lameness in all regions aligns with the previous literature. Our study also suggests that risk factors for lameness can differ between geographically regions, potentially due to differences in which dairy production system is predominantly used and that region-specific characteristics should be taken into account in comparable future projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Rittweg
- Clinic for Ruminants with Ambulatory and Herd Health Services, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Annegret Stock
- Clinic for Ruminants and Swine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Free University Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - K Charlotte Jensen
- Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, 30173 Hannover, Germany; Institute for Veterinary Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Free University Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Roswitha Merle
- Institute for Veterinary Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Free University Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexander Stoll
- Clinic for Ruminants with Ambulatory and Herd Health Services, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Melanie Feist
- Clinic for Ruminants with Ambulatory and Herd Health Services, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Kerstin-Elisabeth Müller
- Clinic for Ruminants and Swine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Free University Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
| | - Martina Hoedemaker
- Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, 30173 Hannover, Germany
| | - Andreas W Oehm
- Clinic for Ruminants with Ambulatory and Herd Health Services, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany.
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17
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Stephansen RB, Martin P, Manzanilla-Pech CIV, Gredler-Grandl B, Sahana G, Madsen P, Weigel K, Tempelman RJ, Peñagaricano F, Parker Gaddis KL, White HM, Santos JEP, Koltes JE, Schenkel F, Hailemariam D, Plastow G, Abdalla E, VandeHaar M, Veerkamp RF, Baes C, Lassen J. Novel genetic parameters for genetic residual feed intake in dairy cattle using time series data from multiple parities and countries in North America and Europe. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:9078-9094. [PMID: 37678762 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Residual feed intake is viewed as an important trait in breeding programs that could be used to enhance genetic progress in feed efficiency. In particular, improving feed efficiency could improve both economic and environmental sustainability in the dairy cattle industry. However, data remain sparse, limiting the development of reliable genomic evaluations across lactation and parity for residual feed intake. Here, we estimated novel genetic parameters for genetic residual feed intake (gRFI) across the first, second, and third parity, using a random regression model. Research data on the measured feed intake, milk production, and body weight of 7,379 cows (271,080 records) from 6 countries in 2 continents were shared through the Horizon 2020 project Genomic Management Tools to Optimise Resilience and Efficiency, and the Resilient Dairy Genome Project. The countries included Canada (1,053 cows with 47,130 weekly records), Denmark (1,045 cows with 72,760 weekly records), France (329 cows with 16,888 weekly records), Germany (938 cows with 32,614 weekly records), the Netherlands (2,051 cows with 57,830 weekly records), and United States (1,963 cows with 43,858 weekly records). Each trait had variance components estimated from first to third parity, using a random regression model across countries. Genetic residual feed intake was found to be heritable in all 3 parities, with first parity being predominant (range: 22-34%). Genetic residual feed intake was highly correlated across parities for mid- to late lactation; however, genetic correlation across parities was lower during early lactation, especially when comparing first and third parity. We estimated a genetic correlation of 0.77 ± 0.37 between North America and Europe for dry matter intake at first parity. Published literature on genetic correlations between high input countries/continents for dry matter intake support a high genetic correlation for dry matter intake. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the feasibility of estimating variance components for gRFI across parities, and the value of sharing data on scarce phenotypes across countries. These results can potentially be implemented in genetic evaluations for gRFI in dairy cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- R B Stephansen
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, C. F. M⊘llers Allé 3, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - P Martin
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR GABI, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - C I V Manzanilla-Pech
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, C. F. M⊘llers Allé 3, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - B Gredler-Grandl
- Wageningen University & Research Animal Breeding and Genomics, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - G Sahana
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, C. F. M⊘llers Allé 3, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - P Madsen
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, C. F. M⊘llers Allé 3, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - K Weigel
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706
| | - R J Tempelman
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1226
| | - F Peñagaricano
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706
| | | | - H M White
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706
| | - J E P Santos
- Department of Animal Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608
| | - J E Koltes
- Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
| | - F Schenkel
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - D Hailemariam
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada
| | - G Plastow
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada
| | - E Abdalla
- Vereinigte Informationssysteme Tierhaltung w.V. (vit), Heideweg 1, 27283, Verden, Germany
| | - M VandeHaar
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1226
| | - R F Veerkamp
- Wageningen University & Research Animal Breeding and Genomics, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - C Baes
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1, Canada; Department of Clinical Research and Veterinary Public Health, University of Bern, Bern, 3001, Switzerland
| | - J Lassen
- Center for Quantitative Genetics and Genomics, Aarhus University, C. F. M⊘llers Allé 3, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark; Viking Genetics, Ebeltoftvej 16, Assentoft, 8960 Randers, Denmark
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18
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Oehm AW, Zablotski Y, Hoedemaker M, Campe A, Strube C, Jordan D, Springer A, Klawitter M, Knubben-Schweizer G. Associations of production characteristics with the on-farm presence of Fasciola hepatica in dairy cows vary across production levels and indicate differences between breeds. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0294601. [PMID: 37976265 PMCID: PMC10656002 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Fasciola hepatica is one of the economically most important endoparasites in cattle production. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the relevance of production level on the associations of on-farm presence of F. hepatica with farm-level milk yield, milk fat, and milk protein in Holstein cows, a specialised dairy breed, and in Simmental cows, a dual purpose breed. Furthermore, we investigated whether differential associations were present depending on breed. Data from 560 dairy farms across Germany housing 93,672 cows were analysed. The presence of F. hepatica antibodies was determined via ELISA on bulk tank milk samples. Quantile regression was applied to model the median difference in milk yield, milk fat, and milk protein depending on the interaction of breed and fluke occurrence. Whereas a reduction in milk yield (-1,206 kg, p < 0.001), milk fat (-22.9 kg, p = 0.001), and milk protein (-41.6 kg, p <0.001) was evident on F. hepatica positive German Holstein farms, only milk fat (-33.8 kg, p = 0.01) and milk protein (-22.6 kg, p = 0.03) were affected on F. hepatica positive German Simmental farms. Subsequently, production traits were modelled within each of the two breeds for low, medium, and high producing farms in the presence of F. hepatica antibodies and of confounders. On Holstein farms, the presence of F. hepatica seropositivity was associated with lower production, while on German Simmental farms such an association was less evident. This work demonstrates that production level is relevant when assessing the associations between the exposure to F. hepatica with production characteristics. Moreover, both models indicate a breed dependence. This could point towards a differential F. hepatica resilience of specialised dairy breeds in comparison with dual purpose breeds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas W. Oehm
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty of Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Clinic for Ruminants with Ambulatory and Herd Health Services, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Yury Zablotski
- Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Martina Hoedemaker
- Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Amely Campe
- Department of Biometry, Epidemiology and Information Processing, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Daniela Jordan
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Andrea Springer
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Markus Klawitter
- Clinic for Ruminants and Swine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gabriela Knubben-Schweizer
- Clinic for Ruminants with Ambulatory and Herd Health Services, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, Oberschleissheim, Germany
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19
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Lenoir G, Flatres-Grall L, Muñoz-Tamayo R, David I, Friggens NC. Disentangling the dynamics of energy allocation to develop a proxy for robustness of fattening pigs. Genet Sel Evol 2023; 55:77. [PMID: 37936078 PMCID: PMC10629156 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-023-00851-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a growing need to improve robustness of fattening pigs, but this trait is difficult to phenotype. Our first objective was to develop a proxy for robustness of fattening pigs by modelling the longitudinal energy allocation coefficient to growth, with the resulting environmental variance of this allocation coefficient considered as a proxy for robustness. The second objective was to estimate its genetic parameters and correlations with traits under selection and with phenotypes that are routinely collected. In total, 5848 pigs from a Pietrain NN paternal line were tested at the AXIOM boar testing station (Azay-sur-Indre, France) from 2015 to 2022. This farm is equipped with an automatic feeding system that records individual weight and feed intake at each visit. We used a dynamic linear regression model to characterize the evolution of the allocation coefficient between the available cumulative net energy, which was estimated from feed intake, and cumulative weight gain during the fattening period. Longitudinal energy allocation coefficients were analysed using a two-step approach to estimate both the genetic variance of the coefficients and the genetic variance in their residual variance, which will be referred to as the log-transformed squared residual (LSR). RESULTS The LSR trait, which could be interpreted as an indicator of the response of the animal to perturbations/stress, showed a low heritability (0.05 ± 0.01), a high favourable genetic correlation with average daily growth (- 0.71 ± 0.06), and unfavourable genetic correlations with feed conversion ratio (- 0.76 ± 0.06) and residual feed intake (- 0.83 ± 0.06). Segmentation of the population in four classes using estimated breeding values for LSR showed that animals with the lowest estimated breeding values were those with the worst values for phenotypic proxies of robustness, which were assessed using records routinely collected on farm. CONCLUSIONS Results of this study show that selection for robustness, based on estimated breeding values for environmental variance of the allocation coefficients to growth, can be considered in breeding programs for fattening pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Lenoir
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, 91120, Palaiseau, France.
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, 31320, Castanet Tolosan, France.
- AXIOM, 37310, Azay-Sur-Indre, France.
| | | | - Rafael Muñoz-Tamayo
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, 91120, Palaiseau, France
| | - Ingrid David
- GenPhySE, Université de Toulouse, INRAE, ENVT, 31320, Castanet Tolosan, France
| | - Nicolas C Friggens
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants, 91120, Palaiseau, France
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20
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Haile-Mariam M, Khansefid M, Axford M, Goddard ME, Pryce JE. Genetic parameters and evaluation of mortality and slaughter rate in Holstein and Jersey cows. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:7880-7892. [PMID: 37641312 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
The longevity of dairy cattle has economic, animal welfare, and health implications and is influenced by the frequency of mortality on the farm and sale for slaughter. In this study cows removed from the herd due to death or slaughter during the lactation were coded 1 and cows that were not terminated were coded 0. Genetic parameters for mortality rates (MR) and slaughter rates (SR) were estimated for Holstein (H) and Jersey (J) breeds by applying both linear (LM) and threshold (TM) sire models using about 1.2 million H and 286,000 J cows. Estimated breeding values (EBV) for MR and SR were predicted using animal models to assess the opportunity for selection and genetic trends. Cow termination data, recorded between 1990 and 2020 on a voluntary basis by Australian dairy farmers, were analyzed. Cow MR has increased from below 1% in the 1990s to 4.1% and 3.6% in recent years in H and J cows, respectively. Most dead cows (∼36%) left the herd before 120 d of lactation, while cows that were slaughtered left the herd toward the end of the lactation. Using the LM, heritability (h2) estimates for MR were lower (1%) than those for SR (2%-3.5%). When h2 were estimated using a TM, the estimates for both traits varied between 4% and 20%, suggesting that the difference in incidence level is one of the reasons for the difference in the h2 values between MR and SR. Early test-day milk yield (MY) and 305-d MY (305-d MY) have unfavorable genetic correlations (0.32-0.41) with MR in both breeds. The genetic correlations of calving interval with MR were stronger (0.54-0.68) than with SR (0.28-0.45) suggesting that poor fertility can serve as an early indicator of poor cow health that may lead to increased risk of death. High early test-day somatic cell count is genetically associated with increased likelihood of slaughter (0.24-0.46), but not with increased likelihood of death. In H, 305-d protein yield (PY) had the strongest genetic correlation (-0.34 to -0.40) with SR whereas in J, both 305-d PY and fat yield showed high genetic (-0.64 to -0.70) and moderate environmental (-0.35 to -0.37) correlations with SR. The genetic correlation of removal from the herd due to death and slaughter was negative (-0.3) in J and zero in H. Strong selection for improved fertility and survival and less selection emphasis for MY, has led to an improvement in the genetic trend for cow MR in H and the trend in J has stabilized. Although genetic evaluations for cow MR are feasible, the reliabilities of the EBV are low and the level of cow MR in Australia are relatively low compared with similar countries. Therefore, genetic evaluation for survival based on mortality and slaughter data could be sufficient in the current selection circumstances where breeding objectives are broadly defined. Nevertheless, all Australian farmers should be encouraged to continue recording mortality and slaughter data for monitoring of the trends and for future development of genetic evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Haile-Mariam
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia; School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia.
| | - M Khansefid
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia; School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia
| | - M Axford
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia; School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia; DataGene Ltd., Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia
| | - M E Goddard
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia; Faculty of Veterinary & Agricultural Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Jennie E Pryce
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia; School of Applied Systems Biology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia
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21
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Maugan LH, Rostellato R, Tribout T, Mattalia S, Ducrocq V. Combined single-step evaluation of functional longevity of dairy cows including correlated traits. Genet Sel Evol 2023; 55:75. [PMID: 37880580 PMCID: PMC10601146 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-023-00839-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND For years, multiple trait genetic evaluations have been used to increase the accuracy of estimated breeding values (EBV) using information from correlated traits. In France, accurate approximations of multiple trait evaluations were implemented for traits that are described by different models by combining the results of univariate best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) evaluations. Functional longevity (FL) is the trait that has most benefited from this approach. Currently, with many single-step (SS) evaluations, only univariate FL evaluations can be run. The aim of this study was to implement a "combined" SS (CSS) evaluation that extends the "combined" BLUP evaluation to obtain more accurate genomic (G) EBV for FL when information from five correlated traits (somatic cell score, clinical mastitis, conception rate for heifers and cows, and udder depth) is added. RESULTS GEBV obtained from univariate SS (USS) evaluations and from a CSS evaluation were compared. The correlations between these GEBV showed the benefits of including information from correlated traits. Indeed, a CSS evaluation run without any performances on FL showed that the indirect information from correlated traits to evaluate FL was substantial. USS and CSS evaluations that mimic SS evaluations with data available in 2016 were compared. For each evaluation separately, the GEBV were sorted and then split into 10 consecutive groups (deciles). Survival curves were calculated for each group, based on the observed productive life of these cows as known in 2021. Regardless of their genotyping status, the worst group of heifers based on their GEBV in 2016 was well identified in the CSS evaluation and they had a substantially shorter herd life, while those in the best heifer group had a longer herd life. The gaps between groups were more important for the genotyped than the ungenotyped heifers, which indicates better prediction of future survival. CONCLUSIONS A CSS evaluation is an efficient tool to improve FL. It allows a proper combination of information on functional traits that influence culling. In contrast, because of the strong selection intensity on young bulls for functional traits, the benefit of such a "combined" evaluation of functional traits is more modest for these males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laure-Hélène Maugan
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, GABI, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France.
| | | | - Thierry Tribout
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, GABI, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Sophie Mattalia
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, GABI, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
- Idele, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Vincent Ducrocq
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, GABI, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France
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22
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Martens H. Invited Review: Increasing Milk Yield and Negative Energy Balance: A Gordian Knot for Dairy Cows? Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3097. [PMID: 37835703 PMCID: PMC10571806 DOI: 10.3390/ani13193097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The continued increase in milk production during the last century has not been accompanied by an adequate dry matter intake (DMI) by cows, which therefore experience a negative energy balance (NEB). NEB is low and of minor importance at low milk yield (MY), such as for the nutrition of one calf, and under these circumstances is considered "natural". MY and low DMI around parturition are correlated and are the reason for the genetic correlation between increasing MY and increasing NEB up to 2000 MJ or more for 2-3 months postpartum in high-genetic-merit dairy cows. The extension and duration of NEB in high-producing cows cannot be judged as "natural" and are compensated by the mobilization of nutrients, particularly of fat. The released non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) overwhelm the metabolic capacity of the cow and lead to the ectopic deposition of NEFAs as triglycerides (TGs) in the liver. The subsequent lipidosis and the concomitant hampered liver functions cause subclinical and clinical ketosis, both of which are associated with "production diseases", including oxidative and endoplasmatic stress, inflammation and immunosuppression. These metabolic alterations are regulated by homeorhesis, with the priority of the physiological function of milk production. The prioritization of one function, namely, milk yield, possibly results in restrictions in other physiological (health) functions under conditions of limited resources (NEB). The hormonal framework for this metabolic environment is the high concentration of growth hormone (GH), the low concentration of insulin in connection with GH-dependent insulin resistance and the low concentration of IGF-1, the so-called GH-IGF-1 axis. The fine tuning of the GH-IGF-1 axis is uncoupled because the expression of the growth hormone receptor (GHR-1A) in the liver is reduced with increasing MY. The uncoupled GH-IGF-1 axis is a serious impairment for the GH-dependent stimulation of gluconeogenesis in the liver with continued increased lipolysis in fat tissue. It facilitates the pathogenesis of lipidosis with ketosis and, secondarily, "production diseases". Unfortunately, MY is still increasing at inadequate DMI with increasing NEB and elevated NEFA and beta-hydroxybutyric acid concentrations under conditions of low glucose, thereby adding health risks. The high incidences of diseases and of early culling and mortality in dairy cows are well documented and cause severe economic problems with a waste of resources and a challenge to the environment. Moreover, the growing public concerns about such production conditions in agriculture can no longer be ignored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger Martens
- Institute of Veterinary Physiology, Free University of Berlin, Oertzenweg 19b, 14163 Berlin, Germany
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23
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Marchioretto PV, Rabel RAC, Allen CA, Ole-Neselle MMB, Wheeler MB. Development of genetically improved tropical-adapted dairy cattle. Anim Front 2023; 13:7-15. [PMID: 37841756 PMCID: PMC10575304 DOI: 10.1093/af/vfad050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Paula V Marchioretto
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - R A Chanaka Rabel
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Crystal A Allen
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Moses M B Ole-Neselle
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Dodoma, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Matthew B Wheeler
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
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24
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Nel CL, van der Werf JHJ, Rauw WM, Cloete SWP. Challenges and strategies for genetic selection of sheep better adapted to harsh environments. Anim Front 2023; 13:43-52. [PMID: 37841765 PMCID: PMC10575306 DOI: 10.1093/af/vfad055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cornelius L Nel
- Directorate: Animal Sciences, Western Cape Department of Agriculture, Elsenburg 7607South Africa
| | | | - Wendy M Rauw
- Departamento de Mejora Genética Animal, INIA-CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Schalk W P Cloete
- Department of Animal Science, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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25
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Campos PM, Schreier LL, Proszkowiec-Weglarz M, Dridi S. Cecal microbiota composition differs under normal and high ambient temperatures in genetically distinct chicken lines. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16037. [PMID: 37749169 PMCID: PMC10519933 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43123-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Modern broilers, selected for high growth rate, are more susceptible to heat stress (HS) as compared to their ancestral jungle fowl (JF). HS affects epithelia barrier integrity, which is associated with gut microbiota. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of HS on the cecal luminal (CeL) and cecal mucosal (CeM) microbiota in JF and three broiler populations: Athens Canadian Random Bred (ACRB), 1995 Random Bred (L1995), and Modern Random Bred (L2015). Broiler chicks were subjected to thermoneutral TN (24 °C) or chronic cyclic HS (8 h/day, 36 °C) condition from day 29 until day 56. HS affected richness in CeL microbiota in a line-dependent manner, decreasing richness in slow-growing JF and ACRB lines, while increasing richness in faster-growing L1995 and L2015. Microbiota were distinct between HS and TN conditions in CeL microbiota of all four lines and in CeM microbiota of L2015. Certain bacterial genera were also affected in a line-dependent manner, with HS tending to increase relative abundance in CeL microbiota of slow-growing lines, while decreases were common in fast-growing lines. Predictive functional analysis suggested a greater impact of HS on metabolic pathways in L2015 compared to other lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip M Campos
- USDA-ARS Research Participation Program, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), 1299 Bethel Valley Rd, Oak Ridge, TN, 37830, USA
- USDA-ARS, NEA, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Biosciences and Biotechnology Laboratory, 10300 Baltimore Avenue, Bldg. 307, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
- USDA-ARS, NEA Bioinformatics, Statistics Group, 10300 Baltimore Ave, Bldg. 003, Rooms 229E, 330, 331; BARC-West, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
| | - Lori L Schreier
- USDA-ARS, NEA, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Biosciences and Biotechnology Laboratory, 10300 Baltimore Avenue, Bldg. 307, Room 304, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
| | - Monika Proszkowiec-Weglarz
- USDA-ARS, NEA, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Biosciences and Biotechnology Laboratory, 10300 Baltimore Avenue, Bldg. 307, Room 335, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA.
| | - Sami Dridi
- Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, 1260 W. Maple Street, Fayetteville, AR, 72701, USA
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26
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Moreno-Grua E, Pérez-Fuentes S, Viana D, Selva L, Martínez-Paredes E, Marín-García PJ, Pascual JJ, Corpa JM, Arnau-Bonachera A. Effect of selection for growth rate on the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) immune system and its response after experimental Staphylococcus aureus infection. Vet Res Commun 2023; 47:1547-1560. [PMID: 37002454 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10110-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the work was to evaluate if genetic selection for daily gain may affect the immune system. Two experiments were performed. The first one involved 80 rabbit females and their first two litters to explore the effect of selection on the ability of animals to maintain immune competence. Two generations from a line selected for average daily gain (ADG) were evaluated (VR19 generation 19th, n = 43; VR37 generation 37th, n = 37). In females, the effect of selection and its interaction with physiological state were not significant for any trait. In litters, the selection criterion increased the granulocyte to lymphocyte ratio. The second experiment involved 73 19-week-old females (VR19, n = 39; VR37, n = 34) to explore the effect of genetic selection on immune response after S. aureus infection. The VR37 rabbit females had lower counts for total lymphocytes, CD5+, CD4+, CD8+, CD25+, monocytes, the CD4+/CD8+ ratio and platelets than those of VR19 (-14, -21, -25, -15, -33, -18, -11 and -11%, respectively; P < 0.05). VR37 had less erythema (-8.4 percentage points; P < 0.05), fewer nodules (-6.5 percentage points; P < 0.05) and a smaller nodule size (-0.65 cm3 on 7 day post-inoculation; P < 0.05) compared to VR19. Our study suggests that genetic selection for average daily gain does not negatively affect the maintenance of a competent immune system or the ability to establish immune response. It seems that such selection may improve the response to S. aureus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Moreno-Grua
- Pathology Group, PASAPTA, Biomedical Research Institute, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, C/ Assegadors nº 2Alfara del Patriarca, 46115, Valencia, Spain
| | - Sara Pérez-Fuentes
- Pathology Group, PASAPTA, Biomedical Research Institute, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, C/ Assegadors nº 2Alfara del Patriarca, 46115, Valencia, Spain
| | - David Viana
- Pathology Group, PASAPTA, Biomedical Research Institute, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, C/ Assegadors nº 2Alfara del Patriarca, 46115, Valencia, Spain
| | - Laura Selva
- Pathology Group, PASAPTA, Biomedical Research Institute, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, C/ Assegadors nº 2Alfara del Patriarca, 46115, Valencia, Spain
| | - Eugenio Martínez-Paredes
- Institute for Animal Science and Technology, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera 14, 46071, Valencia, Spain
| | - Pablo Jesús Marín-García
- Departamento Producción Y Sanidad Animal, Salud Pública y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan José Pascual
- Institute for Animal Science and Technology, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera 14, 46071, Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan Manuel Corpa
- Pathology Group, PASAPTA, Biomedical Research Institute, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, C/ Assegadors nº 2Alfara del Patriarca, 46115, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Alberto Arnau-Bonachera
- Pathology Group, PASAPTA, Biomedical Research Institute, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, C/ Assegadors nº 2Alfara del Patriarca, 46115, Valencia, Spain.
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Maffezzini N, Turner SP, Bolhuis JE, Arnott G, Camerlink I. Third-party intervention and post-conflict behaviour in agonistic encounters of pigs (Sus scrofa). Front Zool 2023; 20:28. [PMID: 37592308 PMCID: PMC10433626 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-023-00508-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Third-party interference in agonistic contests entails a deliberate intervention in an ongoing fight by a bystanding individual (third party) and may be followed by post-conflict social behaviour to provide support to a specific individual. The mechanisms behind third-party intervention are, however, still largely understudied. The aim of this study was to investigate third-party interference, with the predictions that (1) the interferer derives benefits from its action by winning a fight, (2) that patterns of intervention depend on familiarity, (3) that dyadic fights last longer than triadic fights, and (4) that interferers engage in non-agonistic social behaviours afterwards. Pre-pubertal pigs (Sus scrofa) (n = 384) were grouped with one familiar and four unfamiliar conspecifics (all non-kin) to elicit contests for dominance rank. Third-party interference was analysed for the first 30 min after grouping, along with the behaviour (nosing or aggression), contest duration, contest outcome, and interferer behaviour after the fight (post-conflict social behaviour). RESULTS Three types of interference were observed: non-agonistic involvement (nose contact) by the interferer in a dyadic fight; a triadic fight with each of three contestants fighting one opponent at a time; and triadic fights with two opponents jointly attacking the third one (two-against-one fights). The likelihood of a third-party intervention to occur did not depend on the presence of a familiar animal in the fight. However, once intervention was triggered, interferers attacked unfamiliar fight initiators more than familiar ones. Two-against-one fights lasted longer than other triadic fights and occurred more often when both initial contestants were females. Results of 110 triadic fights (out of 585 fights in total) revealed that interferers were more likely to win compared to the initial opponents at equal body weight. The most common post-conflict behaviour displayed by the interferer was agonistic behaviour towards another group member, independently of familiarity. CONCLUSIONS The general lack of discrimination for familiarity suggests interference is not driven by support to familiar individuals in pigs. The results show that intervening in an ongoing fight gives the interferer a high chance of contest success and may be a strategy that is beneficial to the interferer to increase its dominance status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Maffezzini
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzębiec, Poland
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Animal and Veterinary Sciences Department, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), West Mains Rd., Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, UK
| | - Simon P Turner
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare, Animal and Veterinary Sciences Department, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), West Mains Rd., Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, UK
| | - J Elizabeth Bolhuis
- Adaptation Physiology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gareth Arnott
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK.
| | - Irene Camerlink
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzębiec, Poland
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Donnelly MR, Hazel AR, Hansen LB, Heins BJ. Health Treatment Cost of Holsteins in Eight High-Performance Herds. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2061. [PMID: 37443859 DOI: 10.3390/ani13132061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Health treatments of Holstein cows (n = 2214) were recorded by the owners of eight high-performance dairy herds in Minnesota. Cows calved from March 2008 to October 2015, and 14 types of health treatments were uniformly defined across the herds. Specific types of health treatment were subsequently assigned a cost based on the mean veterinary cost obtained from the veterinary clinics that serviced the eight herds. A fixed labor cost for time (USD 18/h) associated with specific types of health treatment was determined based on interviews with the herd owners and was added to the veterinary cost. Health treatment cost was then partitioned into five health categories: mastitis (including mastitis diagnostic test), reproduction (cystic ovary, retained placenta, and metritis), lameness (hoof treatments), metabolic (milk fever, displaced abomasum, ketosis, and digestive), and miscellaneous (respiratory, injury, and other). Lactations of cows were divided into six intervals that corresponded with stage of lactation based on days in milk. The first interval of lactation was 30 days in length, followed by four intervals of 60 days each, and the final interval started on day 271 and had variable length because it continued to the end of lactation and included the dry period. Health treatment cost was summed within each interval of lactation and subsequently across lactations by parity. Statistical analysis by parity included the fixed effects of herd, interval, and the interaction of herd and interval, with interval regarded as a repeated measure of cows. Health treatment cost was highest during the first interval for all five parities of cows and ranged from USD 22.87 for first parity to USD 38.50 for fifth parity. Reproduction treatment cost was about one-half of the total health treatment cost during the first interval in all five parities. Metabolic treatment cost during the first interval ranged from USD 3.92 (in first parity) to USD 12.34 (in third parity). Compared to the other health categories, mastitis treatment cost was most evenly distributed across intervals of lactation in all parities. Lameness treatment cost was highest during mid- or late-lactation across parities and reflected the time when cows received routine hoof trimming. Additionally, treatment cost across health categories was summed across intervals of lactation for each cow, and the total health cost of cows varied substantially from herd to herd and ranged from USD 23.38 to USD 74.60 for first parity and usually increased with parity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Donnelly
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Amy R Hazel
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Leslie B Hansen
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Bradley J Heins
- Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
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Perini F, Ceccobelli S, Crooijmans RPMA, Tiambo CK, Lasagna E. Editorial: Global green strategies and capacities to manage a sustainable animal biodiversity. Front Genet 2023; 14:1213080. [PMID: 37396045 PMCID: PMC10313107 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1213080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- F. Perini
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - S. Ceccobelli
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - R. P. M. A. Crooijmans
- Animal Breeding and Genomics, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - C. K. Tiambo
- Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health, International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - E. Lasagna
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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Korver DR. Review: Current challenges in poultry nutrition, health, and welfare. Animal 2023; 17 Suppl 2:100755. [PMID: 36966027 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The poultry industry has benefited greatly from advances in genetics, nutrition, housing and management strategies. Geneticists have made welfare and health traits important components of selection programs, and in general, modern, high-producing poultry are healthier than 30 years ago. However, increased productivity means that the birds are closer to their physiological limits, and nutrition, environment and management have become increasingly important. The move away from in-feed antibiotic growth promotors has resulted in challenges in maintaining gut health and consequently, bird performance. However, as the industry adapts to production without the use of antibiotic growth promotors, long-term benefits may be realized due to a reduction in antimicrobial resistance. Intensive selection for meat yield and efficiency are associated with an increased risk of muscle myopathies that affect bird health and meat quality. As genetic selection increased broiler production traits, it became necessary to restrict parent stock nutrient intake in order to prevent excessive muscle and fat deposition, reduce metabolic disease, and maintain ovarian control. With continued selection for broiler production traits, the degree of restriction implemented has become a welfare issue. Additionally, recent research suggests that highly efficient broiler lines may have limited fat deposition and therefore energy reserves to support sexual maturation and egg production, especially if typical broiler breeder BW targets are maintained. A re-examination of broiler breeder feeding programs is necessary to maintain productivity and welfare. Modern laying hens are capable of laying cycles in excess of 100 weeks of age. This has reduced the use of stress-inducing forced molting programs and reduces the total number of hens needed to meet the demand for egg production. The important role of the skeletal system in eggshell deposition demands that skeletal development during rearing be carefully managed to avoid shell and skeletal problems at the end of the production cycle. As the production potential of modern poultry continues to increase through genetic and genomic selection, even greater care must be paid in order to maintain bird health and welfare. The poultry industry has successfully faced many challenges in the past and is likely to overcome the existing challenges as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- D R Korver
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, 4-10 Agriculture Forestry Centre, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada.
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31
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Poullet N, Devarieux O, Beramice D, Dantec L, Félicité Y, Feuillet D, Gourdine JL, Bambou JC. Comparative analysis of whole blood transcriptomics between European and local Caribbean pigs in response to feed restriction in a tropical climate. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:292. [PMID: 37254043 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09381-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Feed restriction occurs frequently during pig growth, either due to economic reasons or stressful environmental conditions. Local breeds are suggested to have better tolerance to periods of feed restriction. However, the mechanisms underlying the response to feed restriction in different breeds is largely unknown. The aims of the present study were (1) to compare the blood transcriptome profile in response to feed restriction and refeeding of two contrasted breeds, Large White (LW), which has been selected for high performance, and Creole (CR), which is adapted to tropical conditions, and (2) to investigate the effect of a moderate feed restriction and refeeding on whole blood transcriptome. Analysis of blood transcriptome allows to study the response to feed restriction and refeeding in a dynamic way. RNAseq was performed on blood samples of growing LW and CR pigs at two time points: after 3 weeks of feed restriction and after 3 weeks of refeeding. The data was compared with samples from control animals offered the same diet on an ad libitum basis throughout the whole experiment. RESULTS In terms of performance (body weight and feed efficiency), CR pigs were less impacted by feed restriction than LW. The transcriptional response to feed restriction and refeeding between CR and LW was contrasted both in terms of number of DEGs and enriched pathways. CR demonstrated a stronger transcriptional response to feed restriction whereas LW had a stronger response to refeeding. Differences in the transcriptional response to feed restriction between CR and LW were related to cell stress response (Aldosterone Signalling, Protein ubiquitination, Unfolded Protein Signalling) whereas after refeeding, differences were linked to thermogenesis, metabolic pathways and cell proliferation (p38 MAPK, ERK/MAPK pathway). In both breeds, transcriptional changes related to the immune response were found after restriction and refeeding. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, the present study indicates that blood transcriptomics can be a useful tool to study differential genetic response to feed restriction in a dynamic way. The results indicate a differential response of blood gene expression to feed restriction and refeeding between breeds, affecting biological pathways that are in accordance with performance and thermoregulatory results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nausicaa Poullet
- ASSET, INRAE, Petit-Bourg (Guadeloupe), ²PTEA, INRAE, Petit-Bourg (Guadeloupe), 97170, France.
| | - Orianne Devarieux
- ASSET, INRAE, Petit-Bourg (Guadeloupe), ²PTEA, INRAE, Petit-Bourg (Guadeloupe), 97170, France
| | | | | | - Yoann Félicité
- ASSET, INRAE, Petit-Bourg (Guadeloupe), ²PTEA, INRAE, Petit-Bourg (Guadeloupe), 97170, France
| | - Dalila Feuillet
- ASSET, INRAE, Petit-Bourg (Guadeloupe), ²PTEA, INRAE, Petit-Bourg (Guadeloupe), 97170, France
| | - Jean-Luc Gourdine
- ASSET, INRAE, Petit-Bourg (Guadeloupe), ²PTEA, INRAE, Petit-Bourg (Guadeloupe), 97170, France
| | - Jean-Christophe Bambou
- ASSET, INRAE, Petit-Bourg (Guadeloupe), ²PTEA, INRAE, Petit-Bourg (Guadeloupe), 97170, France
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Mahmoudi Zarandi M, Faraji-Arough H, Rokouei M, Mehri M. Residual feed intake breeding value associated with growth, carcass traits, meat quality, bone properties and humoral immunity in Japanese quail. Trop Anim Health Prod 2023; 55:139. [PMID: 37000287 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-023-03527-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
Improved feed efficiency (FE) is one of the most important achievements in animal breeding programs. The present investigation aimed to determine the phenotypic correlations of residual feed intake (RFI) breeding value with some traits in growing Japanese quail. A total of 48 birds (24 males and 24 females) were selected from 220 quail chicks divided into three classes based on breeding values (BV) for RFI including low (LBV; n = 16), medium (MBV; n = 16), and high-BV (HBV; n = 16) were used to test FE. The effects of three groups of BV on the studied traits including carcass traits, meat quality, humoral immunity, and bone properties were evaluated. The BV for RFI was positively correlated with feed conversion ratio (FCR) and feed intake (FI) but not with metabolic BW (MBW0.75). Live body weight, carcass, breast, and thigh weight in the LBV-RFI group were significantly greater than those in the HBV-RFI group. The BV for RFI had a negative correlation with live body weight and thigh weight. Our findings suggested that the selection of LBV-RFI quails may be useful to increase live body weight without any adverse impact on meat quality and bone properties, and live body weight can be implemented in breeding programs as an indirect selection indicator for improvement of FE in quails.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hadi Faraji-Arough
- Department of Ostrich, Special Domestic Animals Institute, Research Institute of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
| | - Mohammad Rokouei
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
| | - Mehran Mehri
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
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Dairy Cows Are Limited in Their Ability to Increase Glucose Availability for Immune Function during Disease. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13061034. [PMID: 36978575 PMCID: PMC10044555 DOI: 10.3390/ani13061034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Shortages of energy and glucose have been hypothesized to play a key role in the development of and responses to production diseases in dairy cows during early lactation. Given the importance of glucose for immune functions, we used a recently established method for the estimation of glucose balance (GB) to evaluate glucose availability during disease phases. A dataset comprising ration analyses as well as individual daily milk yields (MY), dry matter intake (DMI), body weights, and health records of 417 lactations (298 cows) was used to calculate individual daily GB and energy balance (EB). The magnitude and dynamics of MY, DMI, GB, and EB were evaluated in the weeks before, at, and after diagnoses of inflammatory diseases in different stages of early lactation from week in milk 1 to 15. Diagnoses were categorized as mastitis, claw and leg diseases, and other inflammatory diseases. Mixed linear models with a random intercept and slope term for each lactation were used to evaluate the effect of diagnosis on MY, DMI, GB, and EB while accounting for the background effects of week in milk, parity, season, and year. When unaffected by disease, in general, the GB of cows was close to zero in the first weeks of lactation and increased as lactation progressed. Weekly means of EB were negative throughout all lactation stages investigated. Disease decreased both the input of glucose precursors due to a reduced DMI as well as the output of glucose via milk due to a reduced MY. On average, the decrease in DMI was −1.5 (−1.9 to −1.1) kg and was proportionally higher than the decrease in MY, which averaged −1.0 (−1.4 to −0.6) kg. Mastitis reduced yield less than claw and leg disease or other diseases. On average, GB and EB were reduced by −3.8 (−5.6 to −2.1) mol C and −7.5 (−10.2 to −4.9) MJ in the week of diagnosis. This indicates the need to investigate strategies to increase the availability of glucogenic carbon for immune function during disease in dairy cows.
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Landi V, Maggiolino A, Cecchinato A, Mota LFM, Bernabucci U, Rossoni A, De Palo P. Genotype by environment interaction due to heat stress in Brown Swiss cattle. J Dairy Sci 2023; 106:1889-1909. [PMID: 36586797 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-21551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Due to its geographical position and a highly variable orography, Italy is characterized by several climatic areas and thus, by many different dairy cow farming systems. Brown Swiss cattle, in this context, are a very appreciated genetic resource for their adaptability and low metabolic requirement. The significant heterogeneity in farming systems may consist of genotype by environment (G × E) interactions with neglected changes in animals' rank position. The objective of this study was to investigate G × E for heat tolerance in Brown Swiss cattle for several production traits (milk, fat, and protein yield in kilograms; fat, protein, and cheese yield in percentage) and 2 derivate traits (fat-corrected milk and energy-corrected milk). We used the daily maximum temperature-humidity index (THI) range, calculated according to weather stations' data from 2008 to 2018 in Italy, and 202,776 test-day records from 23,396 Brown Swiss cows from 639 herds. Two different methodologies were applied to estimate the effect of the environmental variable (THI) on genetic parameters: (1) the reaction norm model, which uses a continuous random covariate to estimate the animal additive effect, and (2) the multitrait model, which splits each production pattern as a distinct and correlated trait according to the first (a thermal comfort condition), third (a moderate heat stress condition), and fifth (a severe heat stress condition) mean THI value quintile. The results from the reaction norm model showed a descending trend of the additive genetic effect until THI reached the value of 80. Then we recorded an increase with high extreme THI values (THI 90). Permanent environmental variance at increasing THI values revealed an opposite trend: The plot of heritability and the ratio of animal permanent environmental variance to phenotypic variance showed that when the environmental condition worsens, the additive genetic and permanent environmental component for production traits play a growing role. The negative additive genetic correlation between slope and linear random coefficient indicates no linear relationship between the production traits or under heat stress conditions, except for milk yield and protein yield. In tridimensional wireframe plots, the extreme margin decreases until a minimum of ∼0.90 of genetic correlation in the ECM trait, showing that the magnitude of G × E interaction is greater than the other traits. Genetic correlation values in Brown Swiss suggest the possibility of moderate changes in animals' estimated breeding value in heat stress conditions. Results indicated a moderate G × E interaction but significant variability in sire response related to their production level.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Landi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari A. Moro, Valenzano 70010, Italy
| | - A Maggiolino
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari A. Moro, Valenzano 70010, Italy.
| | - A Cecchinato
- Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Agripolis, Legnaro (Padova) 35020, Italy
| | - L F M Mota
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari A. Moro, Valenzano 70010, Italy
| | - U Bernabucci
- Department of Agriculture and Forest Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo 01100, Italy
| | - A Rossoni
- Italian Brown Swiss Breeders Association, Località Ferlina 204, Bussolengo 37012, Italy
| | - Pasquale De Palo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari A. Moro, Valenzano 70010, Italy
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Höhne A, Petow S, Bessei W, Schrader L. Contrafreeloading and foraging-related behavior in hens differing in laying performance and phylogenetic origin. Poult Sci 2023; 102:102489. [PMID: 36764137 PMCID: PMC9929851 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.102489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Different breeds of domestic and junglefowl differ in foraging strategies indicating that domestication resulted in modified energy saving behavioral strategies. In the present study we investigated foraging strategies and foraging-related behavior in 4 lines of laying hens differing in phylogenetic origin and laying performance to analyze a possible relationship between foraging and the level of egg production. High performing brown and white pure bred lines were compared with their low performing brown and white counterparts. To control possible effects on behavior other than genetic effects, all hens were reared and kept in an identical environment. A total of 72 hens from each line were kept in 6 compartments with 12 hens per compartment, respectively. Observations were done for 3 times during one laying period. Foraging strategy was tested by a contrafreeloading (CFL) paradigm. CFL describes a behavior in which animals prefer food that requires effort to obtain, although at the same time food is freely available. The hens were offered a commercial standard diet in one trough and a mixture of wood shavings and commercial standard diet in another trough. The behavior of hens was video recorded and the activity level of individual hens in the litter area was recorded by an antenna-transponder system. The high performing layers showed less CFL and foraging-related behavior compared with their low performing counterparts in both the white and brown layers. Despite differences in CFL, all hens showed a preference for the commercial standard diet compared to the mixture of wood-shavings. Our results show an association between foraging strategy and level of egg production. This suggests that a high level of egg production is accompanied by behaviors enabling the hens to satisfy their higher energy demand more efficiently. Saving energy by reduced activity probably allows them to reallocate energy into reproduction, that is, laying performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Höhne
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Animal Welfare and Animal Husbandry, Celle, Germany,Corresponding author:
| | - S. Petow
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Animal Welfare and Animal Husbandry, Celle, Germany
| | - W. Bessei
- Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart-Hohenheim, Germany
| | - L. Schrader
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Animal Welfare and Animal Husbandry, Celle, Germany
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Wijesena HR, Nonneman DJ, Rohrer GA, Lents CA. Relationships of genomic estimated breeding values for age at puberty, birth weight, and growth during development in normal cyclic and acyclic gilts. J Anim Sci 2023; 101:skad258. [PMID: 37565572 PMCID: PMC10439706 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skad258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Managing replacement gilts to reach optimal body weight and growth rate for boar stimulation and first breeding is a key component for sow reproductive longevity and producer profitability. Failure to display pubertal estrus remains a major reason that gilts are culled from the herd. Puberty is metabolically gated so evaluating phenotypic and genetic relationships between birth weight and growth traits with age at puberty and acyclicity can provide valuable insight for efficient gilt development. Data on a litter of origin of the gilt, average daily gain at different stages of development, and age at puberty were available for age-matched cyclic (n = 4,861) and acyclic gilts (prepubertal anestrus, n = 578; behavioral anestrus, n = 428). Genomic estimated breeding values were predicted for each trait using genomic best linear unbiased prediction. Primiparous sows produced more acyclic gilts than multiparous sows (P < 0.05). Accounting for effects of parity and litter size, prepubertal anestrus gilts were heavier at birth and behaviorally anestrus gilts grew faster during the finisher period compared to cyclic gilts (P < 0.05), reflecting possible prenatal programming that negatively affects optimal pubertal development and antagonistic effects between adolescent growth and expression of estrus of gilts from first parity sows. Regression of phenotypic age at puberty with lifetime growth rate (birth to selection) showed a negative linear relationship whereas genomic estimated breeding values showed a negative quadratic relationship indicating that gilts with the least and greatest growth are less optimal as replacements. The slopes of these relationships are small with low negative phenotypic (r = -0.06) and genetic correlations (r = -0.13). The addition of data from acyclic gilts did not substantially change the estimates for genetic relationships between growth and pubertal onset. Although this study identified differences in birth weight and growth rate between cyclic and acyclic gilts the genetic relationships are weak, suggesting that genetic selection for these traits can be achieved separately. Avoiding the smallest and largest gilts in a cohort born to first parity sows could result in gilts with optimal development and reduce the proportion of replacement gilts that are acyclic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dan J Nonneman
- USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE
| | - Gary A Rohrer
- USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE
| | - Clay A Lents
- USDA, ARS, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE
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Genetic parameters of feather corticosterone and fault bars and correlations with production traits in turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo). Sci Rep 2023; 13:38. [PMID: 36593340 PMCID: PMC9807576 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26734-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Robustness can refer to an animal's ability to overcome perturbations. Intense selection for production traits in livestock has resulted in reduced robustness which has negative implications for livability as well as production. There is increasing emphasis on improving robustness through poultry breeding, which may involve identifying novel phenotypes that could be used in selection strategies. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and associated hormones (e.g., corticosterone) participate in many metabolic processes that are related to robustness. Corticosterone can be measured non-invasively in feathers (FCORT) and reflects the average HPA axis activity over the feather growing period, however measurement is expensive and time consuming. Fault bars are visible feather deformities that may be related to HPA axis activity and may be a more feasible indicator trait. In this study, we estimated variance components for FCORT and fault bars in a population of purebred turkeys as well as their genetic and partial phenotypic correlations with other economically relevant traits including growth and efficiency, carcass yield, and meat quality. The estimated heritability for FCORT was 0.21 ± 0.07 and for the fault bar traits (presence, incidence, severity, and index) estimates ranged from 0.09 to 0.24. The genetic correlation of FCORT with breast weight, breast meat yield, fillet weight, and ultimate pH were estimated at -0.34 ± 0.21, -0.45 ± 0.23, -0.33 ± 0.24, and 0.32 ± 0.24, respectively. The phenotypic correlations of FCORT with breast weight, breast meat yield, fillet weight, drum weight, and walking ability were -0.16, -0.23, -0.18, 0.17, and 0.21, respectively. Some fault bar traits showed similar genetic correlations with breast weight, breast meat yield, and walking ability but the magnitude was lower than those with FCORT. While the dataset is limited and results should be interpreted with caution, this study indicates that selection for traits related to HPA axis activity is possible in domestic turkeys. Further research should focus on investigating the association of these traits with other robustness-related traits and how to potentially implement these traits in turkey breeding.
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Manaig YJY, Criado-Mesas L, Esteve-Codina A, Mármol-Sánchez E, Castelló A, Sánchez A, Folch JM. Identifying miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks on extreme n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio expression profiles in porcine skeletal muscle. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0283231. [PMID: 37141193 PMCID: PMC10159129 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential fatty acids with antagonistic inflammatory functions that play vital roles in metabolic health and immune response. Current commercial swine diets tend to over-supplement with n-6 PUFAs, which may increase the likelihood of developing inflammatory diseases and affect the overall well-being of the animals. However, it is still poorly understood how n-6/n-3 PUFA ratios affect the porcine transcriptome expression and how messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) might regulate biological processes related to PUFA metabolism. On account of this, we selected a total of 20 Iberian × Duroc crossbred pigs with extreme values for n-6/n-3 FA ratio (10 high vs 10 low), and longissimus dorsi muscle samples were used to identify differentially expressed mRNAs and miRNAs. The observed differentially expressed mRNAs were associated to biological pathways related to muscle growth and immunomodulation, while the differentially expressed microRNAs (ssc-miR-30a-3p, ssc-miR-30e-3p, ssc-miR-15b and ssc-miR-7142-3p) were correlated to adipogenesis and immunity. Relevant miRNA-to-mRNA regulatory networks were also predicted (i.e., mir15b to ARRDC3; mir-7142-3p to METTL21C), and linked to lipolysis, obesity, myogenesis, and protein degradation. The n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio differences in pig skeletal muscle revealed genes, miRNAs and enriched pathways involved in lipid metabolism, cell proliferation and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yron Joseph Yabut Manaig
- Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Plant and Animal Genomics, Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB Consortium, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Lodi, Italy
| | - Lourdes Criado-Mesas
- Plant and Animal Genomics, Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB Consortium, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Esteve-Codina
- CNAG-CRG, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Emilio Mármol-Sánchez
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Science for Life Laboratory, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Castelló
- Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Plant and Animal Genomics, Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB Consortium, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Armand Sánchez
- Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Plant and Animal Genomics, Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB Consortium, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep M Folch
- Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Plant and Animal Genomics, Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB Consortium, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
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Behavioural characteristics of fatal piglet crushing events under outdoor conditions. Livest Sci 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2023.105164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Ragab M, Valdés-Hernández J, Vicente JS, Marco-Jiménez F. Recipient maternal genotypes improved the litter size components of a paternal line involved in a MOET programme in rabbits. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/1828051x.2022.2142167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Ragab
- Poultry Production Department, Kafer El-Sheikh University, Kafer El-Sheikh, Egypt
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jesús Valdés-Hernández
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
- Genómica Vegetal y Animal, Centro de Investigación en Agrigenómica (CRAG), CSIC-IRTA-UAB-UB, Bellaterra, Spain
- Departament de Ciència Animal i dels Aliments, Facultat de Veterinària, UAB, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - José S. Vicente
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Francisco Marco-Jiménez
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
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Quéméner A, Perruchot MH, Dessauge F, Vincent A, Merlot E, Le Floch N, Louveau I. Hygiene of housing conditions and proinflammatory signals alter gene expressions in porcine adipose tissues and blood cells. PeerJ 2022; 10:e14405. [PMID: 36530394 PMCID: PMC9756862 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Adipose tissue is an organ with metabolic, endocrine and immune functions. In this tissue, the expressions of genes associated with several metabolic pathways, including lipid metabolism, have been shown to be affected by genetic selection for feed efficiency, an important trait to consider in livestock. We hypothesized that the stimulation of immune system caused by poor hygiene conditions of housing impacts the molecular and cellular features of adipose tissue and that the impact may differ between pigs that diverge in feed efficiency. At the age of 12 weeks, Large White pigs from two genetic lines divergent for residual feed intake (RFI) were housed in two contrasting hygiene conditions (good vs poor). After six weeks of exposure, pigs were slaughtered (n = 36). Samples of blood, subcutaneous (SCAT) and perirenal (PRAT) adipose tissues were collected for cell response and gene expression investigations. The decrease in the relative weight of PRAT was associated with a decline in mRNA levels of FASN, ME, LCN2 and TLR4 (P < 0.05) in pigs housed in poor conditions compared with pigs housed in good conditions for both RFI lines. In SCAT, the expressions of only two key genes (PPARG and TLR4) were significantly affected by the hygiene of housing conditions. Besides, the mRNA levels of both LCN2 and GPX3 were influenced by the RFI line (P < 0.05). Because we suspected an effect of poor hygiene at the cellular levels, we investigated the differentiation of stromal vascular cells isolated from SCAT in vitro in the absence or presence of a pro-inflammatory cytokine, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α). The ability of these cells to differentiate in the absence or presence of TNF-α did not differ among the four groups of animals (P > 0.05). We also investigated the expressions of genes involved in the immune response and lipid metabolism in whole blood cells cultured in the absence and presence of LPS. The hygiene conditions had no effect but, the relative expression of the GPX3 gene was higher (P < 0.001) in high RFI than in low RFI pigs while the expressions of IL-10 (P = 0.027), TGFβ1 (P = 0.023) and ADIPOR2 (P = 0.05) genes were lower in high RFI than in low RFI pigs. Overall, the current study indicates that the hygiene of housing had similar effects on both RFI lines on the expression of genes in adipose tissues and on the features of SCAT adipose cells and whole blood cells in response to TNF-α and LPS. It further demonstrates that the number of genes with expression impacted by housing conditions was higher in PRAT than in SCAT. It suggests a depot-specific response of adipose tissue to the current challenge.
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Hayward AD. Genetic parameters for resistance to gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep: a meta-analysis. Int J Parasitol 2022; 52:843-853. [PMID: 36244427 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2022.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) are damaging parasites of global sheep populations. The key weapons in fighting GINs have been anthelmintic drugs, but the emergence of drug-resistant parasites has meant that alternative control methods are needed. One of these alternatives is to breed for enhanced host resistance to GINs, and decades of research have estimated the genetic contribution to different measures of resistance to GINs and their genetic correlations with other desirable performance traits. It is clear that parasite resistance is a heritable trait that can be selected for. Despite this consensus, estimates of both heritability of resistance and genetic correlations with other traits vary widely between studies, and the reasons for this variation have not been examined. This study provides a comprehensive and quantitative meta-analysis of genetic parameters for resistance to GINs in sheep, including measures of worm burden (faecal egg counts, FECs), anti-parasite immunity (GIN-specific antibodies), and parasite-induced pathology (FAMACHA© scores). Analysis of 591 heritability estimates from 121 studies revealed a global heritability estimate for resistance to GINs of 0.25 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.22-0.27) that was stable across breeds, ages, geographical location and analytical methods. Meanwhile, analysis of 559 genetic correlations from 54 studies revealed that resistance to GINs overall has a positive genetic correlation of +0.10 (95% CI = 0.02-0.19) with performance traits, and that this was consistent across breeds, ages, sexes and analytical methods. Importantly, the direction of the genetic correlation varied with the resistance trait measured: while FECs and FAMACHA© scores were favourably correlated with performance traits, adaptive immune markers were unfavourably correlated, suggesting that selection for enhanced immune responses to GINs could reduce animal performance. Overall, the results suggest that breeding for resistance to GINs should continue to form part of integrated management programs to reduce the impact of parasites on health and performance, but that selection for enhanced immune responses should be avoided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam D Hayward
- Moredun Research Institute, Pentland Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0PZ, UK.
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43
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Jones HE, Wilson PB. Progress and opportunities through use of genomics in animal production. Trends Genet 2022; 38:1228-1252. [PMID: 35945076 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2022.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The rearing of farmed animals is a vital component of global food production systems, but its impact on the environment, human health, animal welfare, and biodiversity is being increasingly challenged. Developments in genetic and genomic technologies have had a key role in improving the productivity of farmed animals for decades. Advances in genome sequencing, annotation, and editing offer a means not only to continue that trend, but also, when combined with advanced data collection, analytics, cloud computing, appropriate infrastructure, and regulation, to take precision livestock farming (PLF) and conservation to an advanced level. Such an approach could generate substantial additional benefits in terms of reducing use of resources, health treatments, and environmental impact, while also improving animal health and welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huw E Jones
- UK Genetics for Livestock and Equines (UKGLE) Committee, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR, UK; Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst Campus, Brackenhurst Lane, Southwell, NG25 0QF, UK.
| | - Philippe B Wilson
- UK Genetics for Livestock and Equines (UKGLE) Committee, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3JR, UK; Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst Campus, Brackenhurst Lane, Southwell, NG25 0QF, UK
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Langkabel N, Oswaldi V, Merle R, Fleischhauer C, Heinke C, Alter T, Ellerboek L, Fries R, Meemken D. The microbiological and sensory status of dual-purpose chickens (Lohmann Dual), male Lohmann Brown Plus chickens, and conventional laying hens slaughtered in a laying hen abattoir compared to conventional broilers slaughtered in a broiler abattoir. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277609. [PMID: 36374923 PMCID: PMC9662725 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternatives to conventional chicken meat and egg production are increasingly under discussion, especially because of the common practice of killing male day-old chicks from laying lines which has been banned from the beginning of 2022 in Germany and is planned to be banned during 2022 in other countries. Production of dual-purpose chicken lines is one possible solution, as such lines combine moderate laying and growth performance. The microbiological status of products from such breeds must be comparable to existing products on the market for food safety purposes. Additionally, the production of such products will take longer because of the feeding regimes required, and again, comparability should be safeguarded for the best consumer protection. The dual-purpose chicken line, Lohmann Dual (males), was compared to males from the laying line Lohmann Brown Plus, conventional laying hens (all slaughtered and processed in the same conventional laying hen abattoir), and conventional broilers (slaughtered in a conventional broiler abattoir). Neck skin samples were taken before chilling at the end of each slaughter line to determine the microbial status of the carcasses. Additionally, fresh and cooked meat sensory analysis was performed on meat from broilers and male and female Lohmann Dual and Lohmann Brown Plus chickens (for three carcasses of each group) at the German Agricultural Society Test Center in Kassel. The focus was on the performance of male Lohmann Dual compared to the other lines. There was no difference in the Enterobacteriaceae count of the dual-purpose chicken line compared to conventional broilers, whereas laying hens had a significantly higher microbial load before chilling, as based on neck skin examinations (p<0.001). According to sensory test results, the meat from dual-purpose chickens was the best (as no defects were found) among the five chicken meat types examined. In conclusion, based on their microbial status and sensory analysis of fresh and cooked meat, Lohmann Dual males slaughtered in a laying hen abattoir can be considered as an alternative to conventionally kept broilers slaughtered in a broiler abattoir.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Langkabel
- Institute of Food Safety and Food Hygiene, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Verena Oswaldi
- Institute of Food Safety and Food Hygiene, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Roswitha Merle
- Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Cathleen Heinke
- Institute of Food Safety and Food Hygiene, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Alter
- Institute of Food Safety and Food Hygiene, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Reinhard Fries
- Institute of Food Safety and Food Hygiene, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Diana Meemken
- Institute of Food Safety and Food Hygiene, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Becker V, Stamer E, Spiekers H, Thaller G. Genetic parameters for dry matter intake, energy balance, residual energy intake, and liability to diseases in German Holstein and Fleckvieh dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:9738-9750. [DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-22083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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A “Good Life” for Dairy Cattle: Developing and Piloting a Framework for Assessing Positive Welfare Opportunities Based on Scientific Evidence and Farmer Expertise. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12192540. [PMID: 36230281 PMCID: PMC9559654 DOI: 10.3390/ani12192540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary There is increasing appetite to understand how we can provide quality of life to farm animals. A framework to evaluate positive welfare opportunities for dairy cattle was developed using a participatory approach where farmer’s recommendations were integrated into a scientific framework and piloted on farm by vets. When provided with the opportunity to collaborate, farmers and scientists broadly agree on what constitutes “a good life” for dairy cattle and worked together to develop an assessment framework. Farmers did not agree equally on the value of each positive welfare opportunity. However, farmers supported positive welfare assessment as a means of recognition and reward for higher animal welfare, within existing farm assurance schemes, and to justify national and global marketing claims of higher animal welfare. Abstract On-farm welfare assessment tends to focus on minimising negative welfare, but providing positive welfare is important in order to give animals a good life. This study developed a positive welfare framework for dairy cows based on the existing scientific literature which has focused on developing positive welfare indicators, and trialled a participatory approach with farmers; refining the framework based on their recommendations, followed by a vet pilot phase on farm. The results revealed that farmers and scientists agree on what constitutes “a good life” for dairy cattle. Farmers value positive welfare because they value their cows’ quality of life, and want to be proud of their work, improve their own wellbeing as well as receive business benefits. For each good life resource, the proportion of farmers going above and beyond legislation ranged from 27 to 84%. Furthermore, barriers to achieving positive welfare opportunities, including monetary and time costs, were not apparently insurmountable if implementation costs were remunerated (by the government). However, the intrinsic value in providing such opportunities also incentivises farmers. Overall, most farmers appeared to support positive welfare assessment, with the largest proportion (50%) supporting its use within existing farm assurance schemes, or to justify national and global marketing claims. Collaborating with farmers to co-create policy is crucial to showcase and quantify the UK’s high welfare standards, and to maximise engagement, relevance and uptake of animal welfare policy, to ensure continuous improvement and leadership in the quality of lives for farm animals.
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Mandel R, Bracke MBM, Nicol CJ, Webster JA, Gygax L. Dairy vs beef production - expert views on welfare of cattle in common food production systems. Animal 2022; 16:100622. [PMID: 36109300 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2022.100622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Consumers' views and concerns about the welfare of farm animals may play an important role in their decision to consume dairy, meat and/or plants as their primary protein source. As animals are killed prematurely in both dairy and beef industries, it is important to quantify and compare welfare compromises in these two sectors before the point of death. Seventy world-leading bovine welfare experts based in 23 countries were asked to evaluate the likelihood of a bovine to experience 12 states of potential welfare concern, inspired by the Welfare Quality® protocol. The evaluation focused on the most common beef and dairy production systems in the experts' country and was carried out separately for dairy/beef calves raised for red meat, dairy/beef calves raised for veal, dairy/beef calves raised as a replacement, and for dairy/beef cows. The results show experts rated the overall likelihood of a negative welfare state (i.e. welfare risk) to be higher in animals from dairy herds than from beef herds, for all animal categories, regardless of whether they were used to produce milk, red meat or veal. These findings suggest that consuming food products derived from common dairy production systems (dairy or meat) may be more harmful to the welfare of animals than consuming products derived from common beef production systems (i.e. from animals solely raised for their meat). Raising awareness about the linkage between dairy and meat production, and the toll of milk production on the welfare state of animals in the dairy industry, may encourage a more sustainable and responsible food consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roi Mandel
- Section of Animal Welfare and Disease Control, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark; Behavioural Ecology Group, Section for Ecology & Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marc B M Bracke
- Wageningen Livestock Research, Wageningen University and Research, 6708 WD Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - John A Webster
- Professor Emeritus at the University of Bristol and Former Head of the Bristol Vet School, BS40 5DU Langford, United Kingdom
| | - Lorenz Gygax
- Animal Husbandry & Ethology, Albrecht Daniel Thaer-Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Humboldt-University of Berlin, 10099 Berlin. Germany
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Arndt SS, Goerlich VC, van der Staay FJ. A dynamic concept of animal welfare: The role of appetitive and adverse internal and external factors and the animal’s ability to adapt to them. FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2022.908513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal welfare is a multifaceted issue that can be approached from different viewpoints, depending on human interests, ethical assumptions, and culture. To properly assess, safeguard and promote animal welfare, concepts are needed to serve as guidelines in any context the animal is kept in. Several different welfare concepts have been developed during the last half decade. The Five Freedoms concept has provided the basis for developing animal welfare assessment to date, and the Five Domains concept has guided those responsible for safeguarding animal welfare, while the Quality of Life concept focuses on how the individual perceives its own welfare state. This study proposes a modified and extended version of an earlier animal welfare concept - the Dynamic Animal Welfare Concept (DAWCon). Based on the adaptability of the animal, and taking the importance of positive emotional states and the dynamic nature of animal welfare into account, an individual animal is likely in a positive welfare state when it is mentally and physically capable and possesses the ability and opportunity to react adequately to sporadic or lasting appetitive and adverse internal and external stimuli, events, and conditions. Adequate reactions are elements of an animal’s normal behavior. They allow the animal to cope with and adapt to the demands of the (prevailing) environmental circumstances, enabling it to reach a state that it perceives as positive, i.e., that evokes positive emotions. This paper describes the role of internal as well as external factors in influencing welfare, each of which exerts their effects in a sporadic or lasting manner. Behavior is highlighted as a crucial read-out parameter. As most animals under human care are selected for certain traits that may affect their behavioral repertoire it is crucial to have thorough ethograms, i.e., a catalogue of specific behaviors of the species/strain/breed under study. DAWCon highlights aspects that need to be addressed when assessing welfare and may stimulate future research questions.
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Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Canali E, Drewe JA, Garin‐Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Schmidt G, Herskin M, Michel V, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Mosbach‐Schulz O, Padalino B, Roberts HC, Stahl K, Velarde A, Viltrop A, Winckler C, Edwards S, Ivanova S, Leeb C, Wechsler B, Fabris C, Lima E, Mosbach‐Schulz O, Van der Stede Y, Vitali M, Spoolder H. Welfare of pigs on farm. EFSA J 2022; 20:e07421. [PMID: 36034323 PMCID: PMC9405538 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2022.7421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This scientific opinion focuses on the welfare of pigs on farm, and is based on literature and expert opinion. All pig categories were assessed: gilts and dry sows, farrowing and lactating sows, suckling piglets, weaners, rearing pigs and boars. The most relevant husbandry systems used in Europe are described. For each system, highly relevant welfare consequences were identified, as well as related animal-based measures (ABMs), and hazards leading to the welfare consequences. Moreover, measures to prevent or correct the hazards and/or mitigate the welfare consequences are recommended. Recommendations are also provided on quantitative or qualitative criteria to answer specific questions on the welfare of pigs related to tail biting and related to the European Citizen's Initiative 'End the Cage Age'. For example, the AHAW Panel recommends how to mitigate group stress when dry sows and gilts are grouped immediately after weaning or in early pregnancy. Results of a comparative qualitative assessment suggested that long-stemmed or long-cut straw, hay or haylage is the most suitable material for nest-building. A period of time will be needed for staff and animals to adapt to housing lactating sows and their piglets in farrowing pens (as opposed to crates) before achieving stable welfare outcomes. The panel recommends a minimum available space to the lactating sow to ensure piglet welfare (measured by live-born piglet mortality). Among the main risk factors for tail biting are space allowance, types of flooring, air quality, health status and diet composition, while weaning age was not associated directly with tail biting in later life. The relationship between the availability of space and growth rate, lying behaviour and tail biting in rearing pigs is quantified and presented. Finally, the panel suggests a set of ABMs to use at slaughter for monitoring on-farm welfare of cull sows and rearing pigs.
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Application of a Bio-Economic Model to Demonstrate the Importance of Health Traits in Herd Management of Lithuanian Dairy Breeds. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12151926. [PMID: 35953915 PMCID: PMC9367354 DOI: 10.3390/ani12151926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The aims of dairy cattle breeding are more often associated with direct health evidence in relation to the net financial gain and the weighting factors are usually economic values that are retrieved from a model of a dairy herd production system. In our study we used a stochastic bio-economic model SimHerd, which allows us to derive economic values for production, fertility, calving, the survival of cows and calves and assign the importance of health traits to the economic values. Special emphasis was placed on the economics values of health traits and their importance for Lithuanian dairy cattle. Abstract Assessing the economic importance of traits is crucial for delivering appropriate breeding goals in dairy cattle breeding. The aim of the present study was to calculate economic values (EV) and assign the importance of health traits for three dairy cattle breeds: Lithuanian Black-and-White open population (LBW), Lithuanian Red open population (LR) and Lithuanian Red old genotype (LROG). The EV estimation was carried out using a stochastic bio-economic model SimHerd, which allows the simulation of the expected monetary gain of dairy herds. The simulation model was calibrated for LBW, LR and LROG breeds, taking into account breed-specific phenotypic and economic data. For each trait, two scenarios were simulated with a respective trait at different phenotypic levels. To obtain the EVs, the scenarios were compared with each other in terms of their economic outcomes. In order to avoid the double counting of the effects, the output results were corrected using a multiple regression analysis with mediator variables. The EVs were derived for the traits related to production ECM (energy-corrected milk), fertility, calving traits, calf survival, cow survival and direct health. To demonstrate the importance of health traits in herd management, we provided reliable EVs estimates for functional traits related to herd health. The highest EV for direct health traits, caused by an increase in of 1 percentage point, were those found for mastitis (EUR 1.73 to EUR 1.82 per cow-year) and lameness (EUR 1.07 to EUR 1.27 per cow-year). The total costs per case of ketosis, milk fever and metritis ranged from EUR 1.01 to EUR 1.30, EUR 1.14 to EUR 1.26 and EUR 0.95 to EUR 1.0, respectively. The highest economic values of dystocia were estimated for LROG (EUR −1.32), slightly lower for LBW (EUR −1.31) and LR (EUR −1.23). The results of this study show the importance of health traits to the economic features of cattle herd selection of new breeding goal and this would improve the herd health. The economic evaluation of the functional traits analyzed in this study indicated the significant economic importance of the functional traits in Lithuanian dairy cattle breeds.
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