Average Fat Percentage Research Articles

Exploring a Bayesian sparse factor model-based strategy for the genetic analysis of thousands of mid-infrared spectra traits for animal breeding

With the rapid development of animal phenomics and deep phenotyping, we can obtain thousands of traditional (but also molecular) phenotypes per individual. However, there is still a lack of exploration regarding how to handle this huge amount of data in the context of animal breeding, presenting a challenge that we are likely to encounter more and more in the future. This study aimed to (1) explore the use of the mega-scale linear mixed model (MegaLMM), a factor model-based approach that is able to simultaneously estimate (co)variance components and genetic parameters in the context of thousands of milk traits, hereafter called thousand-trait (TT) models; (2) compare the phenotype values and genomic breeding value (u) predictions for focal traits (i.e., traits that are targeted for prediction, compared with secondary traits that are helping to evaluate), from single-trait (ST) and TT models, respectively; (3) propose a new approximate method of GEBV (U) prediction with TT models and MegaLMM. We used a total of 3,421 milk mid-infrared (MIR) spectra wavepoints (called secondary traits) and 3 focal traits (average fat percentage [AFP], average methane production [ACH4], and average SCS [ASCS]) collected on 3,302 first-parity Holstein cows. The 3,421 milk MIR wavepoint traits were composed of 311 wavepoints in 11 classes (months in lactation). Genotyping information of 564,439 SNPs was available for all animals and was used to calculate the genomic relationship matrix. The MegaLMM was implemented in the framework of the Bayesian sparse factor model and solved through Gibbs sampling (Markov chain Monte Carlo). The heritabilities of the studied 3,421 milk MIR wavepoints gradually increased and then decreased in units of 311 wavepoints throughout the lactation. The genetic and phenotypic correlations between the first 311 wavepoints and the other 3,110 wavepoints were low. The accuracies of phenotype predictions from the ST model were lower than those from the TT model for AFP (0.51 vs. 0.93), ACH4 (0.30 vs. 0.86), and ASCS (0.14 vs. 0.33). The same trend was observed for the accuracies of u predictions for AFP (0.59 vs. 0.86), ACH4 (0.47 vs. 0.78), and ASCS (0.39 vs. 0.59). The average correlation between U predicted from the TT model and the new approximate method was 0.90. The new approximate method used for estimating U in MegaLMM will enhance the suitability of MegaLMM for applications in animal breeding. This study conducted an initial investigation into the application of thousands of traits in animal breeding and showed that the TT model is beneficial for the prediction of focal traits (phenotype and breeding values), especially for difficult-to-measure traits (e.g., ACH4).

Anthropometry and Physical Features of Bangladeshi Women National Level Kho-Kho and Football Players: A Frank Comparison

Introduction: In Bangladesh Football is the most popular ball game but Kho-Kho is not that popular like Football. Kho-Kho is a popular Game in India but day by day it is becoming popular in Bangladesh. Major muscle groups are used in these two games because both games involve running, driving, jumping, swinging, and hand motions. Methods: Forty national-level women Football players and forty national-level women Kho-Kho players were studied in the present study. The average age is between 14 to 21 years and the training age is between 2 to 6 years. All the anthropometric measurements and body mass were carried out with proper guidelines. Results: The average leg length for Female Kho-Kho players is 89.14 ( ±4.44 cm) and that of Female Football players is 86.92 ( ±8.91) cm. The average leg length of women Kho-Kho players is 2.22 cm higher than the average leg length of women Football players which is statistically significant. There is also a significant difference (p ≤0.05) when average BMI is compared. The average fat percentage of Women Footballers is slightly higher than the average Fat % of women Kho-Kho players where the average fat percentage of women football players is 22.09 % ±4.05 and that of Kho-Kho players is 22.01 ±4.01. Conclusion: The Bangladeshi national-level women Kho-Kho players have better physiques than the national women Football players whereas the body composition of both groups is very close.

Effect of some non-genetic factors on productive and reproductive traits of Mehsana buffaloes

The records of 7782 Mehsana buffaloes sired by 184 sires maintained at Dudhsagar Research and Development Association (DURDA), Dudhsagar Dairy, Mehsana, Gujarat born during 1989 to 2012 were collected and analysed to examine the effect of non-genetic factors viz. period and season of calving and age at first calving. The least squares analysis was used for estimation of various non-genetic factors on First Lactation Milk Yield (FLMY), First Lactation Fat Yield (FLFY), Average Fat Percentage (AFP) and Age at First Calving (AFC). The least squares mean with standard error of FLMY, FLMY, AFP and AFC were estimated to be 1900.68±7.65 lit., 135.04±0.57 kg, 7.11±0.11 percentage and 1407.18±4.36 days, respectively. Highly significant (P≤0.01) effect of all the non-genetic factors (period and season of calving and age at first alving group) under study was observed on FLMY, FLMY and AFP in Mehsana buffaloes. Further, highly significant (P≤0.01) effect of season and period of birth was recorded on AFC. It is worthy to note that in Mehsana breed evaluation programme these factors should be considered as they have great influence of them.

Factors affecting productive longevity of cows of Red-and-White breed

The duration of economic use of cows is one of the important economic indicators in dairy cattle breeding, which determines the total amount of dairy products received from the cow and the speed of herd repair. A short period of use of cows causes economic damage to dairy cattle breeding and leads to the loss of valuable genotypes. Productive longevity of cows is the potential to increase the efficiency of dairy cattle breeding; therefore it can be a priority direction of breeding. There are quite a lot of reasons for the culling of animals from the herd, and they have their own specifi cs in each farm. The purpose of the research was to study the factors aff ecting the productive longevity of cows of Red-and-White breed in pedigree farms. The research was carried out under the conditions of breeding ferms in the Voronezh region, which Red-and-White breed of cattle bred such as JSC “Troitskoye” and JSC “Mayak” of Liskinsky district, LLC “Agrotech-Garant” Nashchekino of Anninsky district. It was found that the average milk yield of cows in all farms was 7497±532 kg (the best result was obtained in LLC “Mayak” – 8034 kg), which signifi cantly exceeds the requirements of the breed standard. The average percentage of fat in milk was 3,79 ± 0,11 %, protein – 3,22± 0,07 %, which meets the requirements of the breed standard. Analysis of the duration of productive use of cows in the herd showed that the average age at calving was 2,73 ± 0,26. A slight excess was observed in JSC “Troitskoe” (by 0,47 calving or 17,1 %). It was revealed as a result of the research that the best productive longevity and the highest productivity over the period of life in farms were found in cows calved at the age of 26–28 months, with a live weight of 480 – 520 kg, with milk yield for the fi rst lactation to 5000–6000 kg of milk, having an open days period of 60–90 days. It was found, farms have significant reserves to increase the productive longevity of cows by improving breeding work and veterinary activates.

Investigating Psychic and Body Complications Caused by Inactivity Among Students of University During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective: The level of mobility and general health has decreased among students in virtual classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study aims to investigate the mental and physical complications caused by inactivity among the students of Farhangian University during virtual classes. Methods: This was survey research with a cross-sectional design. The statistical population included all male and female students studying at Farhangian University of Mazandaran Province, Iran. According to the determination of the sample size based on the Morgan table, 475 students, consisting of 214 females and 261 males, were randomly selected as the statistical sample of the study. The research instruments include the international physical activity questionnaire, Saehan Caliper (SH5020), the Coopersmith self-esteem scale (1967), the Beck depression questionnaire, and the Nordic skeletal and muscular disorders questionnaire. To analyze the data, we used the independent sample t test to compare the two groups. All analyses were conducted using the SPSS software, version 24. Results: The research findings showed that the average weekly activity level among women was 634±281 MET/min, and the average weekly activity level among men was 472 ±231 MET/min. In terms of fat percentage by gender, men’s average fat percentage was 21.47%±4.74%, and women’s average fat percentage was 31.55%±4.37%. Meanwhile, the self-esteem scores of male and female students were obtained at 29.72 and 29.43, respectively. The difference between the two was considered significant as P<0.05. In addition to these findings, the correlation between self-esteem and activity level was +0.41. On the other hand, 25(67%) female students and 12(32%) male students suffered from high depression. Conclusion: Concerning students’ skeletal-muscular disorders, findings proved that both genders suffered from physical complications during virtual classes. This study suggests increasing the level of physical activity to reduce body fat mass, increase mental health, and reduce skeletal disorders, which can be properly accomplished through university planning and prioritizing the health of male and female students.

Seasonal variation affects the quantity and composition of milk produced in water buffaloes - case study in Shatrah city of Iraq

This study was conducted at Thi-Qar Governorate, Al-Shatrah district, Al-Bidaah region, in Iraq during two seasons winter (from Dec-Feb, 01.12.2021 to 01.03.2022), and summer (Jun-Aug from 01.06 to 01.09. 2022). The quantity and composition of milk of water buffaloes for Fat, Solid-Not-Fat (SNF) Protein and Lactose) were studies. Seventy (70) dairy buffaloes of different ages, in second parity among two seasons were used, and their productivity was monitored for a full lactation (from birth to dryness). Milk samples were taken periodically, once every two weeks, at a rate of 100 ml for each sample. The results of the study showed a significant (P<0.05) superiority for the winter season in the amount of milk produced daily and monthly compared to the summer season, and the average daily and monthly milk quantity for winter and summer seasons were as 0.26±8.03, 7.75±240.36, 0.18±4.60, 5.44±137.5, respectively. As for the main components of milk (fat, SNF protein and lactose, a significant effect of the season appeared on the main components of milk, where the winter season was significantly superior (P < 0.05) in all studied traits compared to the summer season, and the average percentages of fat reached the SNF, protein and lactose in the winter and summer seasons were as follows: (0.47±5.92, 0.45±8.77, 0.013±3.21, 0.25±4.93) (0.49±4.31, 0.46±7.30, 0.017±2.70, 0.72±4.17), respectively. it can be concluded that season strongly affects milk yield, fat and also protein of water buffaloes in Iraqi climatic conditions

Mental and physical conditions associated with physical inactivity among Farhangian University students during virtual classes: A cross-sectional study.

The level of mobility and general health has decreased among students in virtual classes during COVID-19 pandemic. The present cross-sectional study aims to investigate the mental and physical conditions related to inactivity among the students of Farhangian University during the virtual classes. This is a cross-sectional study. 475 students (214 females and 261 males) were selected as the statistical sample of the study based on Morgan's Table from Farhangian University, Iran. The statistical population includes students studying at Farhangian University of Mazandaran province that using Convenience Sampling the sample size based on Morgan's Table, 475 students consisting of 214 females and 261 males were randomly selected as the statistical sample of the study. The research instruments of this study include International Physical Activity Questionnaire, Saehan Caliper (SH5020), Coopersmith Self-Esteem Scale, Beck Depression Questionnaire, and Nordic Skeletal and Muscular Disorders Questionnaire. For data analysis, independent sample t-test was employed to compare two groups. All analyses were conducted using spss24 software. With respect to students' skeletal-muscular disorders, findings proved that both genders suffered physical conditions during virtual classes. The research findings showed that the average weekly activity level among women is 634 Met/min with a standard deviation of ±281, and the average weekly activity level among men is 472 Met/min with a standard deviation of ±231. Fat percentage by gender, men's average fat percentage is 47.21% (S. D ± 4.74) and women's average fat percentage is 31.55% (S. D ± 4.37). Also, the self-esteem scores of male and female students were obtained 29.72 and 29.43, respectively, and the difference between the two was considered significant (p < 0.05). On the other hand, 67% (No. 25) of female students and 32% (No. 12) of male students suffered from high depression. Also, based on students' skeletal-muscular disorders, findings of our study showed that both genders suffered physical conditions during virtual classes. This study suggests increasing the level of physical activity to reduce body fat mass, increase mental health and reduce skeletal disorders, which can be properly accomplished through university planning and prioritizing the health of male and female students.

First-lactation milk fat-to-protein ratio in tropically-raised dairy cows: environmental and genetic influences

The objective of this research was to determine factors influencing to fat-to-protein ratio (FPR) in the first-lactation of dairy cows raised in tropical climate. The dataset included fat percentage, protein percentage, and FPR values from 160,506 records representing 23,201 first-lactation cows that calved between 1993 and 2017. These cows originated from 508 farms in all regions of Thailand. The data were analyzed using the general linear model procedure in the R program. The models included herd-year-season of records, and breed group as fixed effects, and age at calving and days in milk as covariates. The result showed that the average fat percentage, protein percentage, and FPR were 3.560±0.960, 3.130±0.390 and 1.150±0.330, respectively. Effects of herd-year-season of records, breed group, age at calving, and days in milk were highly significant for all traits (P&lt;0.05). Cows containing less than 87.50% Holstein Friesian (HF) blood gave fat percentage, protein percentage and FPR higher than 93.75%HF and 87.50-93.74%HF. The FPR was highest in the winter and lowest in the summer. In conclusion, present results indicated that fat percentage, protein percentage and FPR are clearly influenced by both genetic and non-genetic factors. Therefore, development of different breed, feeding systems, according to season and herd is needed to produce quality of fat and protein percentage.

Genetic analysis of semen from different origins and their impact on production traits: A single and multiple trait approach

This study aims to evaluate the genetics of imported semen and assess the genetic trend of production traits in Holstein cows during their first lactation in Iran. The data was collected from 28 different herds in Isfahan province between 2011 and 2020. Variance-covariance components were estimated by the restricted maximum likelihood method and the single and multi-trait animal model. The correlation between breeding values for bulls reported in catalogs and estimated in this was calculated. The mean of the least squares by countries shows that the daughters of Spanish bulls have the highest average for milk production, and the daughters of German, French, Spanish, and American bulls have the highest average percentage of fat and protein and the amount of fat and protein, respectively. Estimated heritability for milk production, fat, and protein percentage, and the amount of fat and protein were 0.34?0.011, 0.48?0.021, 0.41?0.016, 0.40?0.090, and 0.39?0.010 respectively. The mean genetic trend of milk production, fat percentage, protein percentage, fat content, and protein content were 92, 0.010, 0.004, 1.73, and 2.52, respectively. The correlation between the estimated and reported breeding value of bulls for milk production trait, percentage of fat and protein, and the amount of fat and protein was estimated at 0.48, 0.67, 0.69, 0.14, and 0.26, and all of the estimated correlations are statistically significant at the level of 0.05. Based on the results for the most critical production trait in Isfahan herds, milk production, American bulls have the best performance and genetic trend.

Genetic Study to Establish the Relationship between Sire Fertility and Daughter Performance Traits among Murrah Buffaloes

Background: Bull fertility assumes a vital part in bovine reproduction. Since selection intensity of bulls picked for breeding programs in dairy industry is high as they can sire extensively larger counts of offspring as compared to their female counterparts. Therefore the present study was designed to establish the relationship between the sire fertility and performance traits of the Murrah buffaloes. Methods: A total of 12898 observations were recorded with respect to routine seminal parameters from 130 Murrah breeding bulls spanning between 1995 and 2019 (25 years). Data consisted of 2161 records of 305 days milk yield (305 MY) and lactation length (LL), 2160 records of lactation milk yield (LMY), 2155 records of peak milk yield (PMY), 1905 records of average fat percentage (FP), 1542 records of service period (SP) and 1914 records of conception rate (CR) have been utilized for the current study. Breeding values with respect to 33 Murrah buffalo bulls were taken for the correlation studied and for further ranking of the sires. Result: Average mean values of seminal parameter viz. ejaculated volume (EV), colour (Col), consistency (Con), log sperm concentration (LSC), mass activity (MA), initial motility (IM) and Post-Thaw Motility (PTM) were as 3.25±0.01 (ml), 3.50±0.01 (0-5 scale), 2.52±0.04 (0-5 scale), 3.11±0.01, 2.25±0.01 (0-5 scale), 64.22±0.15 and 38.62±0.19 (%) respectively. The arithmetic means of LMY, 305 MY, PY, LL, FP, CR and SP were calculated to be 2343.33±17.77, 2142.13±13.77, 12.57±0.06, 328.41±2.11, 7.39±0.01, 0.52±0.09 and 166.36±2.75, respectively. The sire rank correlation between the seminal attributes and performance traits was ranged between -0.57±0.15 (ejaculate volume and lactation milk yield) and 0.49±0.16 (semen consistency and lactation milk yield). Association between the fertility using routine semen quality parameters would be helpful to assess the bull fertility which lead to the improvement in the herd fertility.

Exploiting genetic variability in the trajectory of lactation yield and somatic cell score with each progressing parity

The inclusion of reproductive performance in dairy cow breeding schemes has resulted in a cumulative improvement in genetic merit for reproductive performance; this improvement should manifest in longer productive lives through a reduced requirement for involuntary culling. Nonetheless, the average length of dairy cow productive life has not changed in most populations, suggesting that risk factors for culling, especially in older cows, are possibly more associated with lower yield or high somatic cell score (SCS) than compromised reproductive performance. The objective of the present study was to understand the dynamics of lactation yields and SCS in dairy cows across parities and, in doing so, quantify the potential to alter this trajectory through breeding. After edits, 3,470,520 305-d milk, fat, and protein yields, as well as milk fat and protein percentage and somatic cell count records from 1,162,473 dairy cows were available for analysis. Random regression animal models were used to identify the parity in which individual cows reached their maximum lactation yields, and highest average milk composition and SCS; also estimated from these models were the (co)variance components for yield, composition, and SCS per parity across parities. Estimated breeding values for all traits per parity were calculated for cows reaching ≥fifth parity. Of the cows included in the analyses, 91.0%, 92.2%, and 83.4% reached maximum milk, fat, and protein yield in fifth parity, respectively. Conversely, 95.9% of cows reached their highest average fat percentage in first parity and 62.9% of cows reached their highest average protein percentage in third parity. In contrast to both milk yield and composition traits, 98.4% of cows reached their highest average SCS in eighth parity. Individual parity estimates of heritability for milk yield traits, milk composition, and SCS ranged from 0.28 to 0.44, 0.47 to 0.69, and 0.13 to 0.23, respectively. The strength of the genetic correlations per trait among parities was inversely related to the interval between the parities compared; the weakest genetic correlation was 0.67 (standard error = 0.02) between milk yield in parities 1 and 8. Eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the additive genetic covariance matrices for all investigated traits revealed potential to alter the trajectory of parity profiles for milk yield, milk composition, and SCS. This was further demonstrated when evaluating the trajectories of animal estimated breeding values per parity.

Concordance between body fat percentage stablished by bio impedance and estimation formulas based in anthropometric measurements

Obesity is one of the most important health issues worldwide. According to the Mexican National Survey of Health and Nutrition 2018 “ENSANUT”, 76.8% of women and 73% of men who are 18 years or older are overweight or obese, and the majority are not well diagnosed. One of the greatest difficulties in order to diagnose this disease is the poor correlation between the BMI and the real fat percentage. There are different ways to estimate the fat percentage. Some of them are the formulas based on anthropometric measures. We conducted a retrolective, descriptive, transversal trial to analyze the correlation between the fat percentage measured by bioelectrical impedance with In Body 230 and the one calculated with the Deurenberg, Lean, and CUN BAE formulas in Mexican adults. We analyzed 319 people, 111 men, and 208 women. The average age was 43.8, and 44.13 years, respectively. The average BMI for each gender was 36.5 kg/m2 and 33.8 kg/m2, and the average fat percentage was 38.23 and 45.53 respectively. We calculated de Pearson correlation index between fat percentage mesure by bioelectrical impedance and the one calculated by the formulas enlisted before. We also calculated the W/H and the average between the three formulas. The Pearson correlation index for Deurenberg’s formula was 0.71, for men and 0.816 for women. For Lean’s formula was 0.622 for men and 0.701 for women, and for CUN BAE’s formula 0.77for men, and 0.856 for women. All of them with estatistical significance (p&lt;0.001). For the W/H was 0.702 (p&lt;0.001) for men and 0.681 (p&lt;0.001) for women, and for the average of the three formulas was 0.73 (p&lt;0.001) for men and 0.828 (p&lt;0.001) for women. In conclusion CUN BAE´s and Deurenberg’s formulas have a higher correlation with the fat percentage in both genders, and CUN BAE’s formula is the one with more correlation in women.

Obesity in postmenopausal women: causes, prevalence and specific risks: role of decreased

Obesity is one of the most important health issues worldwide. According to the Mexican National Survey of Health and Nutrition 2018 “ENSANUT”, 76.8% of women and 73% of men who are 18 years or older are overweight or obese, and the majority are not well diagnosed. One of the greatest difficulties in order to diagnose this disease is the poor correlation between the BMI and the real fat percentage. There are different ways to estimate the fat percentage. Some of them are the formulas based on anthropometric measures. We conducted a retrolective, descriptive, transversal trial to analyze the correlation between the fat percentage measured by bioelectrical impedance with In Body 230 and the one calculated with the Deurenberg, Lean, and CUN BAE formulas in Mexican adults. We analyzed 319 people, 111 men, and 208 women. The average age was 43.8, and 44.13 years, respectively. The average BMI for each gender was 36.5 kg/m2 and 33.8 kg/m2, and the average fat percentage was 38.23 and 45.53 respectively. We calculated de Pearson correlation index between fat percentage mesure by bioelectrical impedance and the one calculated by the formulas enlisted before. We also calculated the W/H and the average between the three formulas. The Pearson correlation index for Deurenberg’s formula was 0.71, for men and 0.816 for women. For Lean’s formula was 0.622 for men and 0.701 for women, and for CUN BAE’s formula 0.77for men, and 0.856 for women. All of them with estatistical significance (p&lt;0.001). For the W/H was 0.702 (p&lt;0.001) for men and 0.681 (p&lt;0.001) for women, and for the average of the three formulas was 0.73 (p&lt;0.001) for men and 0.828 (p&lt;0.001) for women. In conclusion CUN BAE´s and Deurenberg’s formulas have a higher correlation with the fat percentage in both genders, and CUN BAE’s formula is the one with more correlation in women.

Analysis of association between various fertility indicators and production traits in Mehsana buffaloes.

Female fertility in domestic animals in India has exhaustively suffered owing to indiscriminate breeding with single objective of increasing milk production. First lactation data on 7782 Mehsana buffaloes sired by 184 bulls maintained under field progeny testing programme at Dudhsagar Research and Development Association, Dudhsagar Dairy, Mehsana, over a period of 24years were used for study of fertility traits viz. days open, first to successful service period (FTSS) and daughter pregnancy rate (DPR) and production traits viz. first lactation milk yield (FLMY), first lactation fat yield (FLFY) and average fat percentage (AFP). The voluntary waiting period (VWP) was standardised based on the higher estimates for FLMY and FLMY per unit first calving interval. VWP for Mehsana buffaloes was standardised as 63days after first calving and consequently DPR of Mehsana buffalo was also estimated as 31%. Fertility traits were further evaluated in terms of production traits. Regression analysis revealed that the increase in 1kg FLFY and 100kg FLMY led to the increase of First Service Period by 0.013days and decrease in the DPR by 1.89%, respectively. Increase in milk yield led to increase in FTSS. However, for each 100kg increase in fat yield and 1% increase in AFP, there is increase in DPR by 0.08% and 0.051%, respectively. Based on the present findings, it may be recommended to have a breeding programme which give due weightage to both production and fertility traits.

Factors affecting milk yield, milk composition and physico-chemical parameters of ghee in Murrah buffaloes of Punjab region

The objective of this study was to find out the effects of season, stage of lactation, production status and parity on milk yield, milk composition and physico-chemical parameters of ghee in sixty Murrah buffaloes. Milk samples were collected from individual animal during morning in both summer (August 2016) and winter (February 2017) season. The results indicated that milk yield was significantly influenced by the stage of lactation, production status, and parity. The average fat percentage was significantly affected by season, stage of lactation, production status and parity. However, the protein percentage was affected by the production status and stage of lactation. The Reichert-meissl (RM) value of buffalo ghee was significantly influenced by the season, production status and lactation stage, however, Polenske value (PV) by the season, production status and parity. An effect of season, lactation stage, production status and parity on butyro-refractometer (BR) reading was significant.

Sire evaluation models for estimating breeding values of Mehsana buffaloes

First lactation data on 7,782 Mehsana buffaloes sired by 184 sires maintained at Dudhsagar Research and Development Association, Dudhsagar Dairy, Mehsana over a period of 24 years (1989–2012) were used to estimate least-squares means (LSM) and breeding value of the first lactation fat yield (FLFY) and average fat percentage (AFP) using univariate and bivariate models with the help of WOMBAT software. The effectiveness of different sire evaluation models using FLFY and AFP were compared on the basis of error variance, coefficient of determination (CV%), R2-value, AIC, BIC and Spearman’s rank correlation. The average estimate of FLFY and AFP was 135.04±0.57 kg and 7.11±0.11% in Mehsana buffaloes. These estimates were significantly affected by period and season of calving, and age at first calving group. The average expected breeding value of Mehsana buffalo bulls for FLFY and AFP were 133.24 kg and 7.14% using sire model (BLUP-SM), 135.71 kg and 7.22% using univariate animal model (BLUP-U-AM) and 133.23 kg and 7.14% from bivariate animal model (BLUP-B-AM), respectively for FLFY and AFP. The spearman’s rank correlation indicated similarity of rankings by BLUP-U-AM and BLUPB- AM. Animal model had a wider range of breeding values indicating the greater differentiating ability of the model. Based on error variance, AIC, BIC, R2 and CV; animal model was found to be superior in comparison to sire model.

Comparing DXA and Air Displacement Plethysmography to Assess Body Composition of Male Collegiate Hockey Players.

Delisle-Houde, P, Reid, RER, Insogna, JA, Prokop, NW, Buchan, TA, Fontaine, SL, and Andersen, RE. Comparing DXA and air-displacement-plethysmography to assess body composition of male collegiate hockey players. J Strength Cond Res 33(2): 474-478, 2019-Accurate assessment of body composition is an important consideration for athletes because it is a health/performance variable. However, little is known about the variability in values obtained across different assessment methods for specific athlete populations. The purpose of this study was to compare 2 common laboratory methods that assess body composition: air displacement plethysmography (BOD POD) and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Twenty-nine male collegiate hockey players, (Age = 24.07 ± 1.49, BMI = 26.5 ± 2.74) participated in this study. All participants underwent back-to-back BOD POD and DXA evaluations. Paired t-tests and Bland-Altman analyses were performed to compare differences in fat mass, fat percentage, and fat-free mass between methods. Average fat percentage reported by the DXA and BOD POD was 15.34 ± 3.53 and 11.66 ± 4.82 respectively, resulting in a bias score of 3.78 ± 2.33 kg (t(28) = 8.71, p ≤ 0.001). Average fat mass reported by the DXA and BOD POD was 13.42 ± 3.59 and 10.15 ± 4.54 kg respectively, resulting in a bias score of 3.27 ± 1.92 kg (t(28) = 9.18, p ≤ 0.001). Average fat-free mass reported by the DXA and BOD POD was 73.31 ± 5.30 and 76.25 ± 5.74 kg respectively, resulting in a bias score of -2.93 ± 2.06 kg (t(28) = -7.66, p ≤ 0.001). Our findings can help make more insightful comparisons between studies that use different body composition methodologies among athletic populations.

Long-term effect of neonatal calf diarrhoea on productive and reproductive performance: preliminary data

This paper analyses the long-term effects of Neonatal Calf Diarrhoea (NCD) on the first milk production. A total number of 41 dairy heifers, belonging to two commercial dairy farms were admitted to our Clinic for NCD between 2008 and 2015. Survived animals, once returned to their farm, were followed until the end of the first lactation. As a treatment for NCD, we administered fluids and sodium bicarbonate intravenously according to the dehydration score described by Boccardo et al. (2017) and blood-gas analysis results. The quantity of replacement fluid in liters was calculated as: replacement fluid (L)=dehydration (%) x bodyweight (kg). The required amount of sodium bicarbonate was calculated as: sodium bicarbonate (g) = body weight (kg) × base excess (mmol/L) × 0.6 (L/kg) × 0.084 (g/mmol). Calves with a history of anorexia received 5 mg/kg glucose added to the saline solution. Amoxicillin and clavulanic acid was administered SC at the dose of 10 + 2.5 mg/kg for 5 days to each calf. During lactation, we analyzed: milk production in a 305-day lactation, average fat percentage, average protein percentage, average somatic cell count and interval from birth to first calving.Furthermore, days of hospitalization and severity of diseasewere considered (average calves age = 8,09 days, average body weight = 41,66 kg, average hospitalization = 10,61 days, average duration of treatment = 5,24 days). As a control, we considered non-hospitalized heifers (n.=238) with the same age, from the same herd, without clinical history of NCD. Differences between the NCD group and control group were analyzed with general linear models. No statistic difference between the NCD group and control group was underlined (Table 1). These findings differ from previous literature results. In fact, Aghakeshmiriet al.(2017) found that the NCD increased the first calving age and heifer raising costs; Svensson and Hultgren (2008) showed that animals survived from NCD had a lower milk production. On the other hand, our results are similar to those reported by Warnicket al.(1994;1995), even if in these works no data regarding the type of treatment and severity of clinical sings were considered. This study, while preliminary, suggests that the timely treatment of NCD could prevent irreversible damages and ensure to reach a reproductive and productive standard during the first lactation. However the simple size needs to be increased.

Sarcopenia and body composition in diabetic Charcot osteoarthropathy

BackgroundTreatment of Charcot osteoarthropathy (COA) requires restricted walking and offloading for several months, which lead to fat re-distribution and increased sarcopenia. Objectives/AimTo investigate whether subjects with COA have an altered body composition compared to controls. MethodsCross-sectional case-control study of people with diabetes with acute or chronic Charcot osteoarthropathy, matched with otherwise healthy people with diabetes. A total of 49 subjects (distribution ~1:1) had a total body DXA-scanning, measuring appendicular lean mass, android/gynoid and truncal/total body fat distribution ratios. ResultsSarcopenia frequency was higher in the total population with diabetes overall (9–40%), compared to normal materials. Using two different models for correlating appendicular lean mass to sarcopenia, there were no differences in sarcopenia-rates between the groups (P=0.413 and 0.948 respectively). There was no significant difference in lean tissue mass between the affected and the unaffected leg in the immobilised subject group (P=0.830).The average fat percentage was (29.4–37.7%) in the population with diabetes, compared to a matching background population (24.5–31.9%), whereas there were no significant differences found between the groups (P=0.065). Neither truncal/total fat percent nor android/gynoid fat percent ratios showed differences between the groups. ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first published dataset investigating body composition in subjects with Charcot osteoarthropathy. The study population of diabetics were more fat and sarcopenic than normal subjects, whereas no statistically significant impact of Charcot osteoarthropathy was found.

Distribusi komponen karkas sapi Brahman Cross (BX) hasil penggemukan pada umur pemotongan yang berbeda

The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of beef carcass component from Brahman Cross cattle at different slaughtered age. The number of cattle was 99 head (49 steers and 50 heifers), the body weight 350 - 500 kg and age ranged PI 0 - PI 2 classess. The cattle were raised in PT. Widodo Makmur Perkasa and then slaughtered at slaughter house in Cianjur District, West Java. Accidental sampling method was applied to the research. A direct observation was done to obtain information about age, sex, body weight and carcass weight and its part (meat, bone and fat). The data were analyzed using independent t-test, correlation and linear regresion. The result showed that the average slaughtered weight and carcas weight of Brahman Cross heifers was higher than that of Brahman Cross steers at PI 0 sex-class (P 0.05). Average meat percentage of heifers and steers was also relatively similar (73.39% : 73.65%). Average bone percentage of steers was higher than that of heifers (14.82% : 14.33 %). Whereas, average fat percentage of heifers was higher than that of steers (11.00% : 10.21%). The research concluded that steers of Brahman Cross cattle at all age-classess had better distribution of carcass component than heifers in the same age-classess. Steers of Brahman Cross cattle at PI 2 slaughtered age-class had an optimal distribution of carcass components. Keyword : Brahman Cross, slaughtered age, sex-class, distribution, carcas component.