Danish Breeds Research Articles

The efficiency of pigs from different genetic origins under industrial conditions in Ukraine

The study investigated the dependence of the fattening qualities of pigs and the economic efficiency of their breeding on their genetic origin. Two groups of 28 sows of Danish and Canadian origin inseminated with semen from Durok boars served as research material. A control group consisted of F1 sows of the Landrace and Large White Danish breeds inseminated with semen from Danish Durok boars. The group II, on the other hand, consisted of F1 sows of similar breeds from Canadian selection inseminated with semen from Canadian Durok boars. The studies focused on the efficiency of the sows' reproductive function, the growth intensity of the hybrid piglets and the efficiency and profitability of their rearing and fattening. Methods of analogue pairs and statistical data analysis were used. It was found that piglets of Canadian origin had a 7.5% higher average head weight during the weaning period, which contributed to a 7.5% higher market value and at the same time to a 6.7% higher income from rearing a piglet during this period and to a 3% higher profitability of its rearing compared to analogues of Danish origin. It was shown that animals of Danish origin had a 9.6% higher gross growth of the piglet litter during the fattening period, which gave them a 7.6% higher weight at the end of the fattening period and contributed to a 7% higher cost price for this period, a 7.6% higher market value and a 10.1% higher feedlot income and a 0.77% better feedlot profitability compared to Canadian-bred counterparts. We recommend the use of sows of Danish origin if the farm intends to sell weaned piglets, in the industrial farms. If the farm intends to sell full-grown or (fattened) slaughter pigs, it is advisable to use pigs of Canadian origin.

Modelling the physiological, muscular, and sensory characteristics in relation to beef quality from 15 cattle breeds

Sensory beef quality is an important parameter for consumers, but it is difficult to understand what determines quality because of the large variation due to breed, type of animal, sex, and farm management. To address these challenges, meat samples from Longissimus thoracis (LT) were collected 24 h after slaughter from a total of 436 young bulls representing 15 cattle breeds. The samples were analysed for physiological, muscular, and sensory characteristics to evaluate beef quality. Ten groups of variables were identified by hierarchical cluster analysis of individual variables and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The variables described distinct characteristics, including Physiologicaltraits (animal maturity, growth rate, muscle mass), Sensorytraits (tenderness, juiciness, flavor, meat colour), and some Muscularcharacteristics such as lipid content, maturation enzymes and oxidative metabolism, which are likely to discriminate among breeds. The analyses showed that muscular characteristics are positively associated with beef sensory characteristics whereas physiological characteristics are negatively associated with sensory quality. Dairy breeds produced beef rich in lipids with a strong flavour, French breeds showed fast growth rate and highly flavoured meat, and Italian breeds were characterised by good muscular development. In contrast, British breeds have oxidative muscles and produce beef with a strong flavour. Danish breeds have an intermediate score for the sensorial and muscular characteristics.

Characteristics of childbirth in highly productive sows

The purpose of this work was to analyze the prevalence of normal and pathological births in highly productive sows and the impact of their course on further reproductive function. The research was carried out in an industrial complex on 260 highly productive Yorkshire Landrace sows of Danish breeding. It was found that in highly productive sows in 32.69% of cases, pathological labor is recorded, including weak contractions and attempts - in 20.0% and manual labor – in 12.69%. With the clinical manifestation of weak labor activity in women in labor and with the provision of manual labor, 16.32% and 15.20% more piglets were received from them than during normal childbirth. At the same time, there is an increase in the duration of labor by 31.09% (p<0.001) and by 43.15% (p< 0.001), respectively. In pathological childbirth, women in labor are observed to breed more stillborn and mummified piglets than in normal childbirth. Providing obstetric care during childbirth increases the risk of developing inflammatory diseases of the uterus and breast in animals in the early postpartum period. The most common postpartum pathology with primary weakness of labor and manual labor is inflammation of the uterine mucosa, and with manual labor it is supplemented by an increase in the number of sick animals with postpartum dysgalactia. In the next reproductive cycle, the sows, in which the physiological course of the birth process and weak contractions and attempts were recorded, had identical reproduction indicators. However, in animals that had a history of primary weakness of labor activity during the last birth, an increase in the unproductive period was recorded. In sows, after manual care, there is a violation and delay in the restoration of sexual cyclicity, a decrease in fertilization.

Breeding biology of Red-backed Shrikes (Lanius collurio): distribution, performance and post-fledging survival in Denmark

Agricultural intensification and habitat degradation across Europe have caused declines since the 20th century in populations of birds adapted to open landscapes, such as the Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio). Effective conservation strategies require knowledge on species’ breeding biology. To understand the status of the Danish breeding population better, we investigate which factors affect their breeding parameter (i.e. distribution, performance, post-fledging survival and behaviour). Our focus on the post-fledging period addresses present knowledge gaps due to the importance of this, yet under-studied, phase of passerines’ breeding cycle. We studied breeding pairs on different habitat types with Denmark-wide Citizen Science data, complemented by data of local projects in Northern Zealand and Northern Jutland (Denmark). Significantly fewer pairs were found in agricultural habitats and more in forests, semi-natural open habitats and synanthropic habitats. Pairs in forests had a significantly higher breeding productivity compared to agricultural or semi-natural open habitats for data from the years 2000 to 2021. Some project sites showed significantly higher number of fledglings compared to others, indicating that these sites are potential core areas for breeding productivity. Over the last two decades, the mean breeding productivity across Denmark was stable with 2.3 fledglings per successful pair. The survival rate of ringed fledglings increased during the post-fledging period, likely due to their increase in more active and independent behaviour. The relatively low breeding productivity found in this study calls for further studies including detailed data from potentially secondary habitats like agricultural areas to understand the effects of habitat on population fluctuations.

Large-scale association study on daily weight gain in pigs reveals overlap of genetic factors for growth in humans

BackgroundImputation from genotyping array to whole-genome sequence variants using resequencing of representative reference populations enhances our ability to map genetic factors affecting complex phenotypes in livestock species. The accumulation of knowledge about gene function in human and laboratory animals can provide substantial advantage for genomic research in livestock species.ResultsIn this study, 201,388 pigs from three commercial Danish breeds genotyped with low to medium (8.5k to 70k) SNP arrays were imputed to whole genome sequence variants using a two-step approach. Both imputation steps achieved high accuracies, and in total this yielded 26,447,434 markers on 18 autosomes. The average estimated imputation accuracy of markers with minor allele frequency ≥ 0.05 was 0.94. To overcome the memory consumption of running genome-wide association study (GWAS) for each breed, we performed within-breed subpopulation GWAS then within-breed meta-analysis for average daily weight gain (ADG), followed by a multi-breed meta-analysis of GWAS summary statistics. We identified 15 quantitative trait loci (QTL). Our post-GWAS analysis strategy to prioritize of candidate genes including information like gene ontology, mammalian phenotype database, differential expression gene analysis of high and low feed efficiency pig and human GWAS catalog for height, obesity, and body mass index, we proposed MRAP2, LEPROT, PMAIP1, ENSSSCG00000036234, BMP2, ELFN1, LIG4 and FAM155A as the candidate genes with biological support for ADG in pigs.ConclusionOur post-GWAS analysis strategy helped to identify candidate genes not just by distance to the lead SNP but also by multiple sources of biological evidence. Besides, the identified QTL overlap with genes which are known for their association with human growth-related traits. The GWAS with this large data set showed the power to map the genetic factors associated with ADG in pigs and have added to our understanding of the genetics of growth across mammalian species.

ПОЛНОЖИРНАЯ СОЯ В РАЦИОНЕ СУПОРОСНЫХ СВИНОМАТОК

In conditions of educational and production complex Pyatachok of Kuban State Agrarian University, reproductive qualities of Danish breeding sows of the DanBred company were studied in a comparative aspect during roasted full-fat soybeans were introduced into the diet. Studies were conducted to determine the possibility of using roasted full-fat soybeans as a source of feed protein and easily digestible fats in pregnant two-breed sows diet. It was found that the presence of highly nutritious vegetable protein of roasted and ground soybeans increases multiplicity of the sows compared to control group by 6,2%, piglets weight at birth by 9,8%.

ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТЬ СКРЕЩИВАНИЯ БЕСТУЖЕВСКИХ КОРОВ С БЫКАМИ КРАСНОЙ ДАТСКОЙ ПОРОДЫ

The article presents results of studies on milk productivity of crossbred first-calf heifers obtained by crossing Bestuzhev cows with red Danish bulls. Feeding of both groups (control and experimental) was carried out with proper and balanced ration. Total nutritional value of the ration was 14.07 energetic feed units (EFU). One EFU accounted for 85.15 g of digestible protein, dry matter per 100 kg of live weight - 3.6 kg, fiber from dry matter - 23%. Sugar - protein ratio of the diet was at the level of 0.8. As a result, crossbred first-calf heifers had higher parameters of milk yield (by 20.57%), fat content (by 0.23%) and protein (by 0.07%) in milk compared to pure-bred Bestuzhev peers; they had also higher milking capacity index (by 14.14%). In addition, crossbred first-calf heifers show better development, their live weight is 26 kg or 5.64% higher than the level of the breed minimum requirements. Consequently, the effect of heterosis is noted when crossing Bestuzhev cows with red Danish bulls, which has a positive effect on better development of crossbred heifers and on increase of their milk productivity. As a result, crossbred first-calf heifers meet the modern requirements of milk production technology on an industrial basis better than their Bestuzhev peers. Therefore, this method of crossing with the red Danish breed is advisable and should be used in selection and breeding work with the Bestuzhev breed.

The quality of the sperm of red breeds bulls of OAO Barnaulskoe breeding enterprise and its resistance to cryopreservation

The characteristic of bulls-producers of red breeds of OAO Barnaulskoe breeding enterprise on the quality of sperm and its resistance to cryopreservation are presented. The breeding enterprise has examined samples of water, soil, feed for the content of heavy metals. In the studied samples, no excess of the LOC was found. The research results were processed on a PC using population statistics methods. Angler bulls produced the largest amount of ejaculates unsuitable for cryopreservation. It is 20.6%. According to this indicator, they surpassed the producers of red Danish and red steppe breeds by 4.1-7.8%. The animals of the latter breed showed the smallest amount (1.7%) of ejaculates rejected after defrost. In Angler bulls, this indicator was 5.95%, in red Danish bulls it was 2.95%, which is 3.52 and 1.75 times higher than in red steppe breeders (P <0.01-0.001). Significant differences were established between individual bulls of the red steppe breed in the number of ejaculates rejected before cryopreservation (2.84-22.29%) and after defrost (0-7.09%). The differences between breeds in the frequency of rejected ejaculates before freezing and after cryopreservation indicate a certain role of heredity in the resistance of animals for these indicators. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient between these traits was 0.312. It indicates the possibility of preliminary assessment and selection of bulls according to the first indicator. But the final assessment of the bull-producers can be made by the frequency of rejected ejaculates after thawing. We propose to consider the issue of additional accounting in breeding programs for the resistance of the seed of bulls-producers to cryopreservation.

The analysis of pig carcass classification in Slovakia

In the last decade, the pig sector in Slovakia has been changing continuously, especially in regard to the proportion of pigs coming from foreign breeding programs. These changes lead to changes in carcass characteristics and to a change in the distribution of carcasses within the classes of the Union scale for the classification of pig carcasses. Therefore, this study was undertaken to analyse the actual state of pig carcass classification in the Slovak Republic and to investigate the needs of updating the equations for the classification methods and possible steps to improve the quality of pork produced within the country. Results showed that an increased number of pig carcasses originated from Danish breeding program, and also from the Czech Republic and Poland. When compared to carcasses in 2009, these changes resulted in lower backfat thickness and higher muscle thickness of the longissimus dorsi muscle and thus higher lean meat content of carcasses. This results in a higher number of carcasses classified in the S and E classes. Slight differences between two instrumental classification methods were calculated. The study showed the need for updating the equations for classification methods, and also suggested possible further steps in order to improve the quality of pork.

Quality control of pork used in the recipe for kebabs in a technogenic zone

The investigation purpose was to conduct a comparative control for the consumer qualities of the store pigs meat of the Landrace Danish breeding (LDB) and their cross-breeds of different pedigree on a large white breed (LWB) according to the scheme: control – well-bred Landrace (LDB) animals: 1-st check - 1/2 LDB 1/2 LWB yelts; 2-nd check - 3/4 LDB 1/4 LWB animals and 3-rd check - 7/8 LDB 1/8 LWB yelts, as well as dish samples No. 278 “Pork kebab”, for which the animals meat of the specified pedigree was used in the recipe. The “pork kebab” dish samples from the pork loin of the 3-rd check group distinguished by the best chemical composition. The dish sample of the 3-rd generation pork meat (7/8 LDB × 1/8 LWB) distinguished by the best ecology nutritious features, so that the 3-rd check sample contained lower level of zinc, lead and cadmium. By the total score of the 3-rd check sample of this 3-rd generation Landrace pork dish surpassed the control sample.

Genetic variations (eQTLs) in muscle transcriptome and mitochondrial genes, and trans-eQTL molecular pathways in feed efficiency from Danish breeding pigs.

Feed efficiency (FE) is a key trait in pig production, as improvement in FE has positive economic and environmental impact. FE is a complex phenotype and testing animals for FE is costly. Therefore, there has been a desire to find functionally relevant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as biomarkers, to improve our biological understanding of FE as well as accuracy of genomic prediction for FE. We have performed a cis- and trans- eQTL (expression quantitative trait loci) analysis, in a population of Danbred Durocs (N = 11) and Danbred Landrace (N = 27) using both a linear and ANOVA model based on muscle tissue RNA-seq. We analyzed a total of 1425x19179 or 2.7x107 Gene-SNP combinations in eQTL detection models for FE. The 1425 genes were from RNA-Seq based differential gene expression analyses using 25880 genes related to FE and additionally combined with mitochondrial genes. The 19179 SNPs were from applying stringent quality control and linkage disequilibrium filtering on genotype data using a GGP Porcine HD 70k SNP array. We applied 1000 fold bootstrapping and enrichment analysis to further validate and analyze our detected eQTLs. We identified 13 eQTLs with FDR < 0.1, affecting several genes found in previous studies of commercial pig breeds. Examples include MYO19, CPT1B, ACSL1, IER5L, CPT1A, SUCLA2, CSRNP1, PARK7 and MFF. The bootstrapping results showed statistically significant enrichment (p-value<2.2x10-16) of eQTLs with p-value < 0.01 in both cis and trans-eQTLs. Enrichment analysis of top trans-eQTLs revealed high enrichment for gene categories and gene ontologies associated with genomic context and expression regulation. This included transcription factors (p-value = 1.0x10-13), DNA-binding (GO:0003677, p-value = 8.9x10-14), DNA-binding transcription factor activity (GO:0003700,) nucleus gene (GO:0005634, p-value<2.2x10-16), negative regulation of expression (GO:0010629, p-value<2.2x10-16). These results would be useful for future genome assisted breeding of pigs to improve FE, and in the improved understanding of the functional mechanism of trans eQTLs.

Genomic assessment of suitability of pigs for inclusion in the Pied Danish Pig conservation program – A case study

ABSTRACTBreed assignment was performed for pigs putatively belonging to Pied Danish Pigs, an endangered Danish conservation breed. DNA array data were available for the candidates who had insufficient pedigree information. So were data for a reference population of animals from Danish conservation breeds as well as data from a range of Northern European pig breeds, and wild boar. Breed proportions were estimated using the program ADMIXTURE. Half the candidates were found to have at least 95% of their ancestry from Pied Danish Pigs. Several candidates showed varying degrees of admixture with other breeds, most notably Gloucester Old Spot. The same was observed for several of the Pied Danish Pig reference animals. The analyzes identified suitable breeding candidates and prevented unwanted recent admixture from spreading in the breeding population.

Genome-wide association study on Fourier transform infrared milk spectra for two Danish dairy cattle breeds

BackgroundInfrared spectral analysis of milk is cheap, fast, and accurate. Infrared light interacts with chemical bonds present inside the milk, which means that Fourier transform infrared milk spectra are a reflection of the chemical composition of milk. Heritability of Fourier transform infrared milk spectra has been analysed previously. Further genetic analysis of Fourier transform infrared milk spectra could give us a better insight in the genes underlying milk composition. Breed influences milk composition, yet not much is known about the effect of breed on Fourier transform infrared milk spectra. Improved understanding of the effect of breed on Fourier transform infrared milk spectra could enhance efficient application of Fourier transform infrared milk spectra. The aim of this study is to perform a genome wide association study on a selection of wavenumbers for Danish Holstein and Danish Jersey. This will improve our understanding of the genetics underlying milk composition in these two dairy cattle breeds.ResultsFor each breed separately, fifteen wavenumbers were analysed. Overall, more quantitative trait loci were observed for Danish Jersey compared to Danish Holstein. For both breeds, the majority of the wavenumbers was most strongly associated to a genomic region on BTA 14 harbouring DGAT1. Furthermore, for both breeds most quantitative trait loci were observed for wavenumbers that interact with the chemical bond C-O. For Danish Jersey, wavenumbers that interact with C-H were associated to genes that are involved in fatty acid synthesis, such as AGPAT3, AGPAT6, PPARGC1A, SREBF1, and FADS1. For wavenumbers which interact with –OH, associations were observed to genomic regions that have been linked to alpha-lactalbumin.ConclusionsThe current study identified many quantitative trait loci that underlie Fourier transform infrared milk spectra, and thus milk composition. Differences were observed between groups of wavenumbers that interact with different chemical bonds. Both overlapping and different QTL were observed for Danish Holstein and Danish Jersey.

Оценка экстерьера основных промеров телосложения телок в зависимости от их происхождения

The paper highlights the results of an analysis of the assessment of the main measurements of the heifers physique depending on their origin. Productive and breeding qualities of animals are determined by their exterior-constitutional type. Only well-developed, healthy animals are capable of high productivity and long-term use. And also constitutionally strong animals most fully correspond to the desired economic and biological indicators. Therefore, studies of the exterior of heifers of different breed combinations confirm that an increase in conditional blood count for the Red Danish and Angler breeds contributes to an improvement in the indicators of the exterior of the heifers towards a greater expression of the milky type of body structure, an increase in individual altitude and latitude measurements, the overall size and proportionality of the physique of animals. And the obtained results give grounds to assert that local heifers with 1/4 blood level in red Danish cattle significantly differ in the degree of development of linear measurements of the body structure from peers of the purebred and local group 3 / 4ES × 1/4 Ang. Keywords: exterior, body measurements, productive longevity, Angler breed, Danish red breed, conditional blood.

Иммунный статус животных датской селекции в процессе адаптации к условиям Ростовской области

Иммунный статус животных датской селекции в процессе адаптации к условиям Ростовской области

Промеры и индексы телосложения чистопородных бестужевских коров и их помесей, полученных от скрещивания с красной датской породой

Промеры и индексы телосложения чистопородных бестужевских коров и их помесей, полученных от скрещивания с красной датской породой

Population structure and genetic characterization of two native Danish sheep breeds

ABSTRACTGenetic diversity in livestock animals has become recognized as important genetic resource for future sustainable livestock production. Especially native breeds, adapted to their local environment, are of considerable interest. Here, we report a genome-wide characterization of two native Danish sheep breeds, the Danish Landrace sheep and the Danish White-Headed Marsh sheep. We investigated the genetic diversity both at national and European breed level using a European-derived reference panel. The native Danish breeds are genetically distinct from other Nordic breeds. Their closest relatives are Border Leicester, Galway, and Texel. Apart from gene flow between native Danish breeds, Texel admixture was most dominant. For Danish Landrace sheep, a population split into two genetically distinct sub-populations was detected. Compared to other livestock species, genomic inbreeding was moderate. However, among European-derived sheep the native Danish breeds were among the 10 most inbred investigated, illustrating the need for sustainable management strategies to preserve genetic diversity.

Молочная продуктивность и морфофункциональные признаки вымени первотелок бестужевской породы и их помесей с красной датской породой

Молочная продуктивность и морфофункциональные признаки вымени первотелок бестужевской породы и их помесей с красной датской породой

Якісний склад молока голштинських корів залежно від паратипових і генотипових факторів

Studied level of milk production and milk quality of Holstein breed depending on origin and linear conditioning animals. Found that the largest average daily milk production of cow enough adult Danish, German and Hungarian origin surpassed the requirements of the standard breed at 7.9; 8.8 and 6.9 kg or 32.5; 29.7 and 35.1%. Their daughter exceeded breed standard at 9.2; 8.8 and 11.1 kg or 36.1; 36.0 and 40.5%, respectively.On the content of fat in milk breed standard (3.6%) match only imported cows and their daughter of Danish and German breeding. However, the import of cows from the Danish, German and Hungarian origin protein content in milk was below the standard of the breed to 0.2; 0.4 and 0.2%; animals first generation on this indicator inferior requirement standard 0.1, respectively; 0.5 and 0.8%. The fat content in the milk turned out to be higher in imported cows and their daughters Starbuck line 352790.79 (3.6 and 3.7%). On the content of protein in milk cows imported lines have supremacy Bella 1667366.74 (3.1%). Moderately high content of this component in milk observed in cows patriotic line generation Eleveyshn 1491007.65 (3.2%). The most nutritious milk from cows imported turned out to line Cheef 1427381.62 (61.2 kcal/100 g). They also differed with significant content of nonfat milk solids (8.42%). Starbuck’s daughter 352790.79 surpassed their mothers on the content of the skimmed milk residue (8.45%) is water.High in lactose different imported cows lines Cheef 1427381.62 and Bella 1667366.74 (4.63%). in turn, the only daughter of the Starbuck 352790.79 line proved to be the best on the content of milk sugar.The data obtained is cut off the opportunity to conduct breeding work to improve desired traits.

The genesis of the ukrainian red dairy breed

For further improvement of livestock of the Ukrainian Red Dairy Breed it is important to study the genesis because this kind of cow is breed in many farms. Evaluation of the genesis of the breed was done step by step according to the results of crossing red steppe cattle with Angler’s bulls, Red Danish and Holstein breeds. For the research it has been used methods of retrospective analysis and variation statistics. It has been found that the breeding of the Ukrainian Red Diary Breed was done during five stages which have certain characteristics. During the first stage it was carried accumulation of breeding material using Angler breeders in herds of red steppe cattle. During the second phase of creating the breed it has been received a sufficient number of animals with different proportions of blood by Angler and Danish red breeds. According to the standard target average milk yield of cows of the Ukrainian Red dairy cattle is 4000 kg. The specialty of the third phase of breeding was the use of the gene pool of the Holstein breed as the most dairy productive caw. This helped to create intensive Holstein dairy type of the Ukrainian Red dairy breed. The average productivity of firstborn cows with different proportions of blood in Holstein red spoted breed is 5038–5638 kg of milk with fat in it up to 3.78–3.93%. The fourth step is completed with butterfat intrabreed and holshtynised types of Ukrainian dairy cattle and conducted their testing. At the fifth stage the work of heredity consolidation of newly formed breed is held and continues crossbreeding with Holstein breed bulls red spotted colour to increase milk production. Thus, animals of the Ukrainian Red Dairy Breed are characterized by a high level of productivity. At the farm «Colos 2011» in Mykolaiv region the milk yield of cows during 305 days and the third lactation is over 8565 kg of milk, the quantity of milk fat is 332 kg.