European Association For Animal Production Research Articles

Genetic Variability in Polish Lowland Sheepdogs Assessed by Pedigree and Genomic Data.

Simple SummaryDogs are an important part of society. The Polish Lowland Sheepdog (PON) is one of 353 of the world’s largest cynological organization listed dog breeds. Breeds with small population sizes, like the PONs, are often characterized by high inbreeding rates and thus an increased risk of congenital diseases. To examine the endangerment of the PONs, measures for genetic diversity and inbreeding were calculated for the German PON population. The study showed that the PONs had to be classified as a minimally endangered population according to threshold values specified by the European Association for Animal Production. However, the very recent trend showed a slight improvement.Genetic variability of Polish Lowland Sheepdog (PON) population was evaluated using both pedigree and genomic data. The analyzed pedigree encompassed 8628 PONs, including 153 individuals genotyped on the Illumina CanineHD BeadChip. Runs of homozygosity (ROH) were defined for homozygous stretches extending over 60 to 4300 kb. The inbreeding coefficients FPed based on pedigree data and FROH50 based on ROHs were at 0.18 and 0.31. The correlation between both was 0.41 but 0.52 when excluding animals with less than seven complete generations. The realized effective population size () was 22.2 with an increasing trend over years. Five PONs explained 79% of the genetic diversity of the reference population. The effective population size derived from linkage disequilibrium measured by r² was 36. PANTHER analysis of genes in ROHs shared by ≥50% of the PONs revealed four highly over- or underrepresented biological processes. One among those is the 7.35 fold enriched “forelimb morphogenesis”. Candidate loci for hip dysplasia and patent ductus arteriosus were discovered in frequently shared ROHs. In conclusion, the inbreeding measures of the PONs were high and the genetic variability small compared to various dog breeds. Regarding , PON population was minimally endangered according to the European Association for Animal Production.

GWAS in practical cattle breeding in Czech Republic, single step method, genetic progress

Development of genetic evaluation of animals is permanent process. It was going from estimated breeding value (EBV) calculated by CC-test, across a BLUP – animal model and RR-TDM, to the genomic enhanced breeding value (GEBV) using genetic markers. Methods of genetic evaluation become a part of marketing strategies of insemination companies. Therefore all countries and association of breeders seek to be compatible with others. Now we are in a period of massive global implementation of genomic evaluation, which combines traditional BLUP with huge quantity of genetic SNP markers. Multi-step procedures are now usual in practice, which work with deregressed proofs. Development of methods attained to the single-step procedure (ssGBLUP) which overcomes some difficulties of previous methods, improves reliabilities of evaluation and compares all animals, genotyped and ungenotyped, in entire nation-wide population. Genomic evaluation influence above all young genotyped animals. In Czech Republic single-step procedure is routinely used for national evaluation of milk, linear type traits, reproduction and longevity. GEBVs are accompanied by genomic reliabilities. Genetic trends over last 20 years are in some traits different for genomic evaluation compared to traditional BLUP evaluation, although input data and genetic parameters (heritability) are the same and genotyped animals were only small proportion from entire evaluated population. Differences in genetic trends increase mainly in new batches of animals. Reason of it could be in the changed variability of breeding values and “genomic correction” of relationship between animals, which is expanded from genotyped animals to others individuals in a population. Keywords: genomic breeding value, single-step, genomic relationship, genetic trend, SNP References Bauer, J. et al. (2014) Approximation of the reliability of single-step genomic breeding values for dairy cattle in the Czech Republic. Anim. Sci. Papers and Reports, 32, pp. 301-306. Bauer, J., Přibyl, J. and Vostrý, L. (2015) Contribution of domestic production records and Interbull EBV on approximate reliabilities of single-step genomic breeding values in dairy cattle. Czech J. Anim. Sci., 60, 263-267. Candrak, J., Kadlecik O. and Schaeffer L.R. (1997) The use of test-day model for Slovak cattle populations. In: Proc. 48th Annual Meeting of the European Association for Animal Production, Vienna, Austria, August 25–28. Christensen, O.F. and Lund, M.S. (2010) Genomic prediction when some animals are not genotyped. Genet.Sel.Evol. 42, pp. 2. Fisher, R.A. (1918) The correlation between relatives in the supposition of Mendelian inheritance. Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinb. 52, pp. 399-433. Fragomeni, B.O. et al. (2015) Hot topic: Use of genomic recursions in single-step genomic best linear unbiased predictor (BLUP) with a large number of genotypes. J. Dairy Sci., 98, pp. 4090-4094. Gao, H. et al. (2012) Comparison on genomic predictions using three GBLUP methods and two single step blending methods in the Nordic Holstein population. Genet. Sel.Evol. 44, pp. 8. Legarra A., Aguilar I. and Misztal, I. (2009) A relationship matrix including full pedigree and genomic information. J. Dairy Sci., 92, pp. 4656-4663. Masuda, Y. et al. (2016) Implementation of genomic recursions in single-step genomic best linear unbiased predictor for US Holsteins with a large number of genotyped animals. J. Dairy Sci., 99, pp. 1968-1974. Mendel, G.J. (1866) Versuche uber Pflanzen-Hybriden. Verh. Naturforsch. Ver. Brunn 4, pp. 3–47 (1901, J. R. Hortic. Soc. 26, pp. 1–32). Meuwissen, T.H.E., Hayes, B.J. and Goddard, M.E. (2001) Prediction of total genetic value using genome-wide dense marker maps. Genetics, 157, pp. 1819–1829. Misztal, I., Legarra A. and Aguilar, I. (2009) Computing procedures for genetic evaluation including phenotypic, full pedigree, and genomic information. J. Dairy Sci., 92, pp. 4648–4655. Misztal, I. et al. (2013) Methods to approximate reliabilities in single-step genomic evaluation. J. Dairy Sci., 96, pp. 647-654. Pesek, P., Přibyl, J. and Vostrý, L . (2015) Genetic variances of SNP loci for milk yield in dairy cattle. J. Appl. Genet., 56, pp. 339-347. Přibyl, J. et al. (2014) Domestic and Interbull information in the single step genomic evaluation of Holstein milk production. Czech J. Anim. Sci., 59, pp. 409-415. Přibyl, J. et al. (2015) Domestic estimated breeding values and genomic enhanced breeding values of bulls in comparison with their foreign genomic enhanced breeding values. Animal, 9, pp. 1635-1642. VanRaden, P.M. (2008) Efficient methods to compute genomic predictions. J. Dairy Sci., 91, pp. 4414–4423. VanRaden, P.M. et al. (2011) Genomic evaluations with many more genotypes. Genet. Sel.Evol. 43, pp. 10. Wright, S. (1921) Systems of mating. Genetics. 6, pp. 111-178. Zavadilova, L. et al. (2014) Single-step genomic evaluation for linear type traits of Holstein cows in Czech Republic. Anim. Sci. Papers and Reports vol. 32, pp. 201-208.

Australian native shrubs: Delivering benefits to livestock, soil, plants and people

s / Journal of Nutrition & Intermediary Metabolism 1 (2014) 1e55 6 marine products, particularlyfishmeal andfish oil, to beingmainly based on terrestrial products. One of the most important on-going strategies for feeding aquaculture is continually refining feeds to ensure they remain sustainable. This is especially the case for intensive aquaculture systems that rely on formulated manufactured aquafeeds. Ingredient screening and development underpin this and sit alongside other strategies to improve animal performance and increase how efficiently feeds are used. Aquaculture has global reach and offers aquaculture systems that are appropriate in different regions depending on environmental, cultural and socio-economic factors. For Atlantic salmon, off-shore and land-based systems are being discussed. Location-specific integrated multi-trophic aquaculture provides one direction with great promise, it also reflects the 3000 year old history of aquaculture that achieved an elegant solution through integrated polyculture. Funding source(s): N/A.

Recent German Developments in the Formulation of Energy and Nutrient Requirements in Horses and the Resulting Feeding Recommendations

The recent review of the German feeding standards for horses results in a change in recommendations for protein and energy. Part of the new approach was presented by Zeyner and Kienzle at a recent conference in the United Kingdom (Ellis et al. 2010, The impact of Nutrition on Health and performance of horses, European Association of Animal Production (EAPP) publication 128) and illustrated the proposed new system for feed evaluation with respect to prececally digested protein and metabolizable energy. This in turn is linked with an updated formulation of requirements. The major areas identified for change were the energy and nutrient requirements for mares as well as the energy requirements for exercise. A new growth curve for the fetus and the inclusion of fetal oxygen consumption form the basis of the new structure for the description of requirements during gestation. The allometric model for lactation is still unsatisfactory because of the wide variation in published data related to milk yield. Although the new recommended model is a compromise, it seems to be reasonably adjusted to the actual needs of the foal. The accurate determination of energy requirements for exercise is a problem in practice. Using the heart rate as a predictor of energy expenditure enables an estimate of the demand for energy to be made by means of a direct signal from an individually exercising live horse. However, the proposed method to allow for the integration of anaerobic energy metabolism still needs experimental confirmation. Finally, aspects of behavior are intensively discussed as a non-nutrient part of requirements. The recommendation to limit starch intake per meal and to have a minimum recommended intake of roughage should help support the health of the digestive system and reduce the risk of nutrition-associated behavioral problems.

Breeds at risk: Definition and measurement of the factors which determine endangerment

The lack of harmonisation between the procedures used by organisations concerned with the conservation of animal genetic resources leads to confusion and an inability to compare results effectively. It inhibits constructive interaction between governmental bodies and NGOs as different systems have been developed independently by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), European Union (EU), Rare Breeds International (RBI), European Association of Animal Production (EAAP), Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) and other bodies. Most current systems consider only population size, and a model system is proposed which encompasses the other important factors of geographical concentration and genetic erosion. Its merits are discussed, and a standardised system is considered feasible, subject to minor refinements where necessary in some regions. The proposed system fulfils the fundamental requirements for endangered breeds, but is amenable to further refinement to assist effective monitoring of ongoing introgression, both official and illicit, which continues to threaten native breeds which are not classified as endangered. The inevitable lack of uniformity that arises from cultural and structural variations in different countries and regions will continue to present some discrepancies.

The Eighth International Workshop on the Biology of Lactation in Farm Animals: Introduction

This volume represents the span of invited papers presented at the Eighth International Workshop on the Biology of Lactation in Farm Animals (BOLFA) held in Pirassununga, Brazil, August 21 to 23, 2006. That meeting was the first BOLFA workshop not held as a companion to a European Association for Animal Production (EAAP) or American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) meeting, and the first outside of North America or Europe. Despite these venue departures from the norm, the workshop format of interactive discussion on topics related to milk production in farm animal species was unchanged. This volume begins with a paper from Antonella Baldi’s group (Baldi et al., 2008) that provides a historical perspective of previous BOLFA workshops with an emphasis on nutritional factors that influence mammary function. It sets the stage for the later papers that consider aspects of milking management and mastitis treatment to improve milk yield in farm animal species. The next series of contributions focus on environmental and management influences on mammary function. Dahl (2008) summarizes recent developments in the study of photoperiod exposure during the dry period and develops a hypothesis that prolactin-mediated events influence mammary cell turnover and metabolic gene expression in the liver. These findings lead to a discussion of similarities between photoperiodic and thermal influences on prolactin-related responses, and the potential for a common pathway for environmental effects. Without competent milk ejection, lactation fails. More thorough understanding of what stressors lead to disruptions in the milk ejection reflex, or inhibit it completely, will allow for the development of new meth-

Early warning system for loss of diversity in European livestock breeds

Abstract. Towards the end of the previous century the increasing erosion of biological diversity in livestock was recognized by the animal breeders as an area which needs monitoring and conservation measures. For that purpose various national, regional and global infrastructures was put in place by governmental and non-governmental organizations like European Association for Animal Production (EAAP), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and Rare Breeds International, etc. These organizations have developed a number of methods for estimation the risk status of the breed. However, the different systems use different parameters and thresholds and are hard to compare. Several attempts for uniform European criterion have been made, but still no consensus has been reached. In this study we continue the work of the Animal Genetic Resources group of EAAP towards the uniform criterion based on the effective population size, the expected number of breeding females and the global population. Our main contribution is the novel approach in handling the parameter global population, allowing its external parameterization. The criterion was applied to 21 pig breeds from 8 European countries and the results show clear not at risk status of the big international breeds.

Improving the monitoring of animal genetic resources on National and International level

Abstract. The Farm Animal Biodiversity Network (FABISnet) is a new biodiversity network for collecting domestic animal breeds data from the European countries. Data are collected on National, Regional and Global level and can be automatically transferred between the levels. As a successor of the Animal Genetic Data Bank of the European Association for Animal Production (EAAP-AGDB) and the Domestic Animal Diversity Information System (DAD-IS) of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), it has taken their historic data and integrated them in a network of databases. However, the data are incomplete. For example the general description of 57% of the registered European breeds are very sparse and for more than 3900 breeds the population size and structure statistics are outdated. A set of 13 management support reports and a methodology for their application has been developed. The reports present summarized information about the degree of completeness of the breeds descriptions by country, missing or incomplete population records, reminders for updating data and the status of data translation. Various monitoring/reporting tasks of the National and Regional Coordinators for management of animal genetic resources can be organized in a systematic manner using these reports. Such an organizational scheme can reduce the time spent in completing data and improve the content of each database in the network.

The conservation of animal genetic resources – a European perspective

AbstractThe paper provides an historical overview of conservation activities undertaken in Europe to maintain native livestock breeds, including the motivation and methods applied in conservation programmes and the contribution of various stakeholders. The current state of conservation activities is presented, based on reports provided by the National Coordinators on animal genetic resources (AnGR) during annual Workshops. These Workshops have been convened jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Association for Animal Production since 1995, and are conducted within the framework of the FAO Global Strategy for Management of Farm Animal Genetic Resources. Analysis includes policy and legislation development, state and mode of financial support, conservation approaches and public awareness and education initiatives. The paper describes the establishment of the European Regional Focal Point for AnGR, its terms of reference, and ongoing and future activities. Questions regarding a vision of future needs and developments in AnGR are raised in this paper, both from a technical and policy context.

Development of a Regional Focal Point for animal genetic resources: the European example

SummaryThis paper describes the process that lead to the creation of the European Regional Focal Point (ERFP). The action was suggested by the FAO Global Strategy (1995) aimed to assist countries to stop animal diversity erosion by helping them with a better use and preservation of their livestock resources.In 1997, France accepted the responsibility of developing an ERFP though its Bureau des Ressources Génétiques (BRG). During the first year, the ERFP held meaningful discussions with the different European countries with the objective of finding a general agreement for an organisational structure as well as a medium-term work programme. The following step was settled during the Annual Meeting of the European Association for Animal Production (EAAP) in Warsaw where it was agreed that the new body had to have a light structure and respect national sovereignty regarding the AnGR.In February 2000, following a difficult internal debate involving the establishment of a basic strategy and further steps, an enquiry was launched among the National Coordinators in order to have an overall picture and to evaluate the usefulness of the proposed organisation to be established. In 2000 during the 6th Workshop of the European NCs, the ERFP was created.The new structure is based ona) an Annual Meeting of National Focal Points;b) a Steering Committee; andc) a Secretariat to be elected among the National Focal Points to serve for a limited period.

Molecular genetic investigations for increasing the production results of farm animals

The author analysed the publications related to molecular genetics presented at the 51st annual meeting of the European Association for Animal Production. Her aim was to make the latest molecular genetic results known and to emphasise that this discipline plays an increasingly important role in research and the practical fields of animal breeding and production.

Book review: On the eve of the 3rd millennium, the European challenge for animal production. Proceedings of the joint symposium of all study commissions of the European Association for Animal Production, Toulouse, France, 11th July, 1990.

Book review: On the eve of the 3rd millennium, the European challenge for animal production. Proceedings of the joint symposium of all study commissions of the European Association for Animal Production, Toulouse, France, 11th July, 1990.

43rd Annual meeting of the European association for animal production (EAAP)

43rd Annual meeting of the European association for animal production (EAAP)

Announcement: 43rd annual meeting of the European Association for Animal Production (EAAP)

Announcement: 43rd annual meeting of the European Association for Animal Production (EAAP)

European association for animal production

European association for animal production

Standards and Procedures for International Genetic Evaluations of Dairy Cattle

Increased international trade with frozen semen and embryos has greatly underlined the necessity to extend evaluations of genetic material beyond their original areas of use. Problem areas in evaluations of sire proofs across countries are briefly discussed and include the effects of different ways of expressing genetic merit, level of production, choice of base for evaluation, data for analyses, and variable reliability of proofs.Recent results from conversion of North American Holstein sire proofs into European Friesian populations are reviewed. Generally agreement has been good between converted proofs and the original ones of the native countries provided these were reasonably accurately estimated. A simulation study performed within the framework of INTERBULL11INTERBULL is a joint venture between the International Dairy Federation, the European Association for Animal Production, and the International Committee for Recording Productivity in Milk Animals (ICRPMA). concluded that estimates of intercepts and regressions for a formula proposed by the International Dairy Federation for conversion of sire proofs were accurate when deregressed proofs of the importing country were used for analysis.Future considerations involve further studies on the methodology to convert proofs, analyses of more data to investigate possible heterosis, or genotype×environment interactions for more traits and breeds. So far, most investigations are limited to milk production traits in various Friesian populations.

Changes in muscle density in pigs during malignant hyperthermia syndrome measured by computerized tomography1

Zeitschrift für Tierzüchtung und ZüchtungsbiologieVolume 101, Issue 1-5 p. 198-204 Changes in muscle density in pigs during malignant hyperthermia syndrome measured by computerized tomography1 T. Frøystein, Corresponding Author T. Frøystein Norwegian Food Research Institute, Âs-NLH, NorwayNorwegian Food Research Institute, P.O. Box 50, N-1432 Âs-NLH, NorwaySearch for more papers by this authorK. Grønseth, K. Grønseth Norwegian Food Research Institute, Âs-NLH, NorwaySearch for more papers by this authorS. O. Nøstvold, S. O. Nøstvold Norwegian Food Research Institute, Âs-NLH, NorwaySearch for more papers by this authorN. Standal, N. Standal Norwegian Food Research Institute, Âs-NLH, NorwaySearch for more papers by this author T. Frøystein, Corresponding Author T. Frøystein Norwegian Food Research Institute, Âs-NLH, NorwayNorwegian Food Research Institute, P.O. Box 50, N-1432 Âs-NLH, NorwaySearch for more papers by this authorK. Grønseth, K. Grønseth Norwegian Food Research Institute, Âs-NLH, NorwaySearch for more papers by this authorS. O. Nøstvold, S. O. Nøstvold Norwegian Food Research Institute, Âs-NLH, NorwaySearch for more papers by this authorN. Standal, N. Standal Norwegian Food Research Institute, Âs-NLH, NorwaySearch for more papers by this author First published: January‐December 1984 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0388.1984.tb00037.xCitations: 2 1 A brief preliminary presentation was given at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the European Association for Animal Production (EAAP), Zagreb, 1981 AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume101, Issue1-5January‐December 1984Pages 198-204 RelatedInformation

A review of sheep recording and evaluation of breeding animals in European countries: a group report

The purpose of this paper is to summarise the work of two Working Parties of the European Association of Animal Production, the first of which surveyed the recording schemes for sheep which are operated in Europe, and the second which examined the selection strategies for sheep prevailing in European countries, and surveyed current procedures for estimation of breeding values. General details of recording schemes are presented for 20 countries. Information on selection and estimation of breeding value is presented for 17 countries. More detailed information is available on request.

Recommended procedures for cattle breed comparison trials; A guideline prepared by a Working Party of the Commission for Cattle Production of the E.A.A.P.

Recommended procedures for cattle breed comparison trials; A guideline prepared by a Working Party of the Commission for Cattle Production of the E.A.A.P.

Cattle breed comparison and crossbreeding trials in Europe; A survey prepared by a working party of the European association for animal production

A Working Party of the European Association for Animal Production surveyed the breed comparison and crossbreeding trials which were being carried out in Europe. The survey summarizes the experimental work in the different countries and gives details on 86 separate projects concerned with breed and strain evaluation in pure and crossbreeding situations. The paper gives a general summary of the survey and recommendations on the methodology for future experiments. More detailed abstracts of the individual trials included in the survey are obtainable on request.