White Breed Research Articles

Influence of microbial additive on the number of dominant intestinal microorganisms of piggies under action of stress weaning

The article presents the results of the study of the number of dominant intestinal microorganisms in piglets during weaning for 28 days of life (under stress), as well as in different periods of resistance (20 and 60 days after weaning) and the inclusion in the diet of microbial supplements “Biovir”. The experiments were performed on clinically healthy piglets 5–90 days of the age of the Poltava white breed. On the 28th day of life, the piglets were weaned from the sow, which served as industrial stress for the animals. Piglets of the experimental group were additionally fed from 5 to 45 days of age feed supplement “Biovir,” the use and doses of which are agreed following the instructions and offered by the manufacturer – biotechnology company “Ariadna” in Odessa. The analysis of the obtained results indicates that during weaning (28 days of life) in the intestines of piglets that did not receive supplements of microbial origin “Biovir,” the number of dominant microorganisms is within the specified age of animals, which is a sign of microorganisms, healthy animals and indicates a sufficient level of adaptive responses of their body. It was found that under stress in the ileum and colon of piglets that did not receive supplements, the number of dominant intestinal microorganisms is characterized by a decrease in bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, as well as the growth of Escherichia coli by an average of two orders of magnitude (P < 0.05), resistance 20 days after weaning. There was no stabilization of the number of groups of microorganisms studied in the intestines of piglets 60 days after weaning. The use of “Biovir” supplements in piglets from 5 to 45 days of age has a positive effect on the number of dominant intestinal microorganisms before and after exposure to weaning stress (at the stage of resistance) due to a stable and probably higher number of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli on average, by 15.8 % (P < 0.05), as well as redistribution of Escherichia coli even after cessation of feeding (60 days after weaning). The results show that the components of “Biovir” supplements – products of lactic acid and bifidobacteria metabolism – affect the function of the intestinal mucosa and help restore normal microflora.

Modeling of bleeding from varicose vein of esophagus in a laboratory animal

Objective. To develop an accessible, easily reproducible, functional method for modeling bleeding from varicose veins of the esophagus based on the body of a laboratory animal.
 Materials and methods. The work is based on an experiment carried out in the operating room of the vivarium of Ryazan State Medical University using laboratory animals 12 domestic pigs of the Large White breed.
 Results. In 10 cases out of 12, it was possible to successfully form changes in the animal's body, allowing to provoke bleeding from the dilated veins of the esophagus, damaging them with biopsy forceps during fibroesophagoscopy.
 Conclusions. Creation of an experimental model of bleeding from varicose veins of the esophagus in the body of a domestic pig by dosed clamping of the hepato-duodenal ligament with a plastic clamp, which was followed by subsequent damage of the esophageal veins with biopsy forceps during fibroesophagoscopy, is technically feasible, reliable, and the model itself is quite functional.

Dynamics of T-lymphocyte lymphokine production from piglets with bronchopneumonia in response to non -specific mitogens <em>in vitro</em>

The aim of the study was to evaluate the production of lymphokines by piglets' T-lymphocytes during the disease of acute nonspecific bronchopneumonia, in response to nonspecific mitogens in vitro. Blood from 3.5-month–old piglets of a large white breed was used as a model for the study (group 1 - patients with clinical signs of lung disease - underwent antibiotic and vitamin therapy in appropriate doses, group 2 - clinically healthy - intact were under observation). The functional activity of T-lymphocytes was evaluated in vitro, the level of lymphokine production in the reaction of inhibition of leukocyte migration (RTML) with nonspecific mitogens of T-lifmocytes - concanavalin A (Con A) and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was taken into account before treatment and 7, 14 and 21 days after its initiation. In the first days of the disease, it was found that lymphocytes isolated from sick animals react differently to the introduction of concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin cells into the culture – the reaction in response to PHA is more pronounced. The percentage of inhibition of leukocyte migration in response to the introduction of PHA and KonA was the lowest for the entire study period on the 7th day of treatment, which characterized the highest production of lymphokines in response to both mitogens. From the 14th day, the production of lymphokines in both cases was not as active. This is due to the fact that at the beginning of the inflammatory process, T-lymphocytes actively produced lymphokines that inhibit the migration of leukocytes, which should contribute to the formation of a focus of inflammation and limit secondary alterations. After antibiotic treatment and relief of the inflammatory process, chemotactic stimuli acquire the opposite orientation, this contributes to the dispersion of immunocompetent cells from the focus of inflammation and is necessary for the adequate course of proliferative processes in the lung tissue.

Breed differentiation of domestic pigs using SNP – extended bioinformatical analysis

Using the methods of bioinformatics, the analysis of data on sequencing of the genomes of individuals of the species Sus scrofa domesticus, which are located in the Sequence Read Archive (NCBI-SRA) database, was carried out. Genotypes were determined in silico for five breeds of domestic pigs – Duroc, Landrace, Pietrain, Large White and Yorkshire using an algorithm developed in the Python programming language. Based on a two-stage bioinformatics analysis, a wide range of SNPs with a high potential for differentiation was identified. The results obtained will be used to create express methods for determining the purity of pigs of these breeds. Extended bioinformatics analysis, which included genotyping by 7451 SNPs for 248 Sus scrofa domesticus genomes, revealed a total of 393 SNPs for all breeds for which there is a significant difference in the frequency of alternative alleles in Duroc, Landrace, Pietrain, Large White and Yorkshire pig breeds. Clusters within chromosomes are indicated, in which the density of SNPs with a high differentiating potential is the highest. For Duroc pigs, we identified 184 SNPs with differentiating potential, 24 of which showed a high differentiating potential, for Landrace pigs – 52 SNPs and 7, for Pietrain pigs – 39 and 9, for Large White pigs – 104 and 22, for Yorkshire pigs – 14 and 5, respectively.

Phospholipid profiling, cholesterol, and tocopherols: Comparison of sow milk fats from two lactation stages and five breeds

Effects of five different breeds (Landrace × Large White, Landrace, Large White, Duroc and Pietrain) and two lactation stages (colostrum and milk) on phospholipids and their fatty acids compositions, cholesterol, and tocopherols in sow milks (n = 100) were investigated in the present study. Six classes of phospholipids were identified using 31P NMR spectroscopy, with the total phospholipid levels ranging from 56.84 to 151.02 μmol/100 mL. Sphingomyelin (SM) was the most abundant phospholipids (33.57%–48.00%) in both colostrum and milk. Colostrum contained higher percentages of SM, phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylinositol (PI), and ethanolamine plasmalogen (EPLAS) than those in milk, while milk contained higher percentages of phosphatidylcholine (PC), and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). C16:0 and C18:0, accounting for more than 80% of the saturated fatty acids of phospholipids in both colostrum and milk, decreased throughout the lactation. The average cholesterol concentration in colostrum was 430.60 mg/100 g fat, which was significantly lower than that in milk (646.44 mg/100 g fat). α-Tocopherol levels in Landrace × Large White breed were 38.35 and 15.91 mg/100 g fat in colostrum and milk, respectively, which were significantly higher than other breeds; while no significant variations in β-, γ-, and δ-tocopherols were noted among different breeds. The results demonstrated that lactation stages and breeds were mainly responsible for the significant differences of phospholipids, cholesterol, and tocopherols, providing a theoretical guidance for the manufacture of commercial formula of piglets.

Reproductive qualities of sows of different breeding levels.

Reproductive qualities of sows of different breeding levels.

Formation of economically useful traits in cows of ukrainian black-and-white dairy breed of different genotypes by kappa-casein

The influence of kappa casein genotype on the formation of economically useful traits of Ukrainian black-and-white dairy cattle has been studied. Genotyping of 25 heads of cattle of the Ukrainian black-and white dairy breed belonging to the Breeding Plant of the State Enterprise "Research Farm of the Institute of Agriculture of Northern East of NAAS" was carried out. Determination of polymorphism of the kappa-casein gene was performed in the genetic laboratory of the Bogomolets Institute of Physiology of NAS using molecular biological analysis of allele recognition by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in real time. To assess the economically useful features used an electronic database of SUMS "Orsek". The content of milk components was determined in the laboratory of Sumy National Agrarian University on the equipment Ultrasonic milk analyzer Master Classic. It was found that the animals met the breed standard in almost all indicators of milk productivity. Between animals of different genotypes the difference on separate economically useful signs is revealed. However, in different periods and on different grounds, it varied greatly, and in some cases it was statistically significant. The genotype for kappa-casein did not have a significant effect on live weight in all study periods. Animals with the AA genotype predominated on this trait of animals of other genotypes. At the same time, animals of all studied genotypes in almost all age periods exceeded the breed standard. According to the results of the assessment of the reproductive capacity of animals, it was found that the youngest age of the first insemination is characteristic of animals with genotype AA, and the highest - with genotype BB. The age of first insemination in animals with genotype AA was less than the average for the herd. The live weight of these animals was the largest and was higher than the average for the herd. The average duration of the service period for the herd was 130 days. It was lowest in animals with homozygous BB genotype (P <0.05). Accordingly, the duration of the period between calving and the value of the reproductive capacity were the lowest in homozygous (BB) animals (P <0.05). The level of average milk yield of an animal with the desired genotype (BB) was lower than the average yield of animals with other studied genotypes. They were also inferior to the average indicator of the herd. The level of milk yield of animals of all genotypes was higher than the breed standard. It was found that the average fat content in the milk of animals of homozygous genotypes AA and BB slightly prevailed over animals with heterozygous genotype AB. Animals with the BB genotype (p <0.05) were statistically significantly superior in protein content. Compliance with the breed standard in terms of fat content in milk is positive, and only homozygous (BB) animals met the standard in terms of protein content. In terms of dry matter content, dry nonfat milk residue, casein, animals with homozygous BB genotype were preferred. In terms of lactose content, animals with the AA genotype were preferred. It is proved that the formation of herds with BB genotype for kappa-casein will not have a negative impact on the economically useful characteristics of animals. Key words: genotype, kappa-casein, live weight, reproductive capacity, milk productivity.

Productivity and slaughter rates of pigs when using a probiotic preparation

Probiotic feed additives in pig diets can be an alternative and highly effective way to solve a number of problems in industrial pig production. In the course of the studies, it was revealed that different conditions for the use of a probiotic preparation for suckling piglets cause changes in the productivity of young animals in their further cultivation. The probiotic preparation "Probiol ENZIM Feeds" was studied in two ways of feeding suckling piglets: soluble (125 g/ m3) and loose (250 g/t) in summer and winter periods. It was found that in the summer period the best growth rates were in animals treated with the probiotic preparation "Probiol ENZIM Feeds" in electrolyte-soluble form, and in winter - with feed in the amount of 0,25 kg/t. The best fattening properties during the growing period were found in pigs that received a probiotic preparation in loose form during the suckling period. In particular, when using a new feeding factor in a soluble form in the summer period, it is possible to achieve an increase in the live weight of piglets at weaning by 6,8%, gross gain - by 7,4%, average daily - by 10,6%. In winter, the best results were obtained when using a probiotic in loose form, where an increase in live weight occurred by 11,1%, gross growth - by 12,6% and average daily growth - by 17,7%. During the growing period, young pigs of the first experimental group had 6,8 g greater average daily gains; in the winter period of our research, pigs that received a probiotic preparation with feed during the suckling period reached slaughter conditions 3 days faster. The carcasses of pigs that received a probiotic preparation with feed during the lactation period were 2,07% heavier, the slaughter yield was 1,3% higher, and the fat thickness was 3,37 mm more. When using the loose method of feeding a new feeding factor for suckling piglets, it is possible to increase the yield of fat from the carcass and increase the meatiness of the carcass by 2,41%. Calculations have proved that when using Probiol ENZIM Feeds with feeding for suckling piglets, it is possible to achieve an increase in the profitability of pork production by 2,86 hryvnia / hryvnia. expenses. Key words: probiotic preparation, feeding, young pigs, large white breed, productivity, economic efficiency.

Effects of genotype, gestation length and litter size on the birth weight, litter weight, pre- and post-weaning weight of crossbred kits

BackgroundPerformance of rabbit is hinged on many factors of which the birth weights, gestation length and the litter size are most important. Linear body traits provide vital information on the performance, productivity and carcass characteristics which could be useful tool for the improvement in genetic potentials of rabbits. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of genotype, gestation length and litter size on the birth weight, pre- and post-weaning weight of crossbred kits.ResultsFive breeds: Rex (RX), Dutch-belted (DBT), New Zealand white (NZW), Californian white (CFW) and local breed (LAB) of rabbit were used for the study. A foundation stock of 40 growing rabbits consisting of six does and two bucks were used for the crossing experiment. Genotype exerted significant influence (P < 0.01) on the litter weight at birth as well as on the body weight of the kits at 21st and 35th days. The kit kindled from mating CFWxDBT breeds had the highest mean body weight from birth (91.90 ± 9.84 g) to 35th days (368.25 ± 17.36 g), while the crosses of DBTxCFW recorded the least mean body weight from birth (74.25 ± 1.78 g) to 35th days (332.60 ± 12.54 g). Gestation length significantly (P < 0.05) influenced individual and litter birth weights, pre- and post-weaning weights of kits. Does with short gestation length (29 days) had kits with light body weight compared to those with longer period of gestation (34 days). More so, kits belonging to large litter size (7) had the lowest body weight at birth as well as 21st and 35th day (69.93 ± 1.63 g, 209.57 ± 3.70 g, 319.11 ± 9.22 g) compared to kits that belonged to small litter group size. Highly significant (P < 0.01) and the strongest phenotypic relationships were recorded between body weight at day 21 and day 35 for all crosses, while weak and negative genetic correlation (r = − 0.19) was observed between litter birth weight and individual birth weight of crossbred kits.ConclusionCrossbreeding produces offspring with better performances. Birth weight of kits is a prediction tool for the overall performance of rabbits provided the environment is uninterrupted.

КАЧЕСТВО ПРОСТОКВАШИ В ЗАВИСИМОСТИ ОТ ПОРОДЫ КРУПНОГО РОГАТОГО СКОТА

The aim of the work was to conduct a comparative assessment of the quality of yogurt made from milk of cows of different breeds. The milk of the black-and-white breed of cows was more acidic, less fatty and with a lower content of skimmed milk residue and was fermented longer than the milk of the Simmental breed cows. The curdled milk from the black-and–white breed was more liquid, and the Simmental milk was thicker. When the enzyme was added, the milk of the Sim-mental breed had the densest clot. In the curdled milk of a black-and-white breed with the addition of an enzyme, the clot was looser. Curdled milk from the Simmental breed of cows was the dens-est when using the enzyme. Curdled milk from the black-and-white breed contained more organic acids in terms of lactic acid. The content of organic acids without the use of the enzyme increased faster in the curdled milk of the black-and-white breed. The breed of cows has proved to be one of the main factors influencing the technological properties of milk and the quality of fermented milk products produced from it.

The effect of dietary supplemented dried fennel and rosemary on the performance and caecal microflora of growing rabbits

The objective of this study is to evaluate the possible effect of fennel and rosemary dietary supplements on the performance of rabbits. Therefore fifty-six weaned rabbits (40 days old) from white New Zealand breed were divided into two groups and submitted to the following dietary treatments: A) control diet and B) FR diet consisted of 2.5% Foeniculum vulgare seeds (fennel) and Rosmarinus officinalis leaves (Rosmary) as powder mixed by control diet for thirty days. The growth rate, feed conversion ratio, carcass yield, and mortality were not influenced by dietary fennel and rosemary supplementation. The antimicrobial effect of fennel and rosemary (2.5%) was not observed against E. coli in the caecum of the rabbit treated. The essential oils of Foeniculum vulgare and Rosmarinus officinalis are predominantly composed by Trans Anethole and 1-8 cineole successively. Low antibacterial activity was observed with two essential oils against the strain tested in this study. The addition of the 2.5% combination of fennel and rosemary in rabbit feed did not influence the zootechnical parameters of the rabbits

Using comparative genomics to detect mutations regulating plumage variations in graylag (A. anser) and swan geese (A. cygnoides)

Although graylag geese (A. anser) showed similar plumages of white, grey, and white with grey patches compared to those in swan geese (A. cygnoides), it was believed the substantial molecular mechanism for plumage variations were different. To date, studies on genes responsible for diverse plumages among graylag geese were limited and causal mutations remain unknown. In this study, genomes from 57 individuals belonging to six breeds showing different plumages were sequenced at ∼10X depth. Firstly, the allele frequency differences (AFD) of variants on the scaffold394 (NW_013185915.1) between grey and white goose breeds (A. anser) was calculated and a genomic region between 768,290–779,889 bp was detected to carry candidate variants associated with plumages, including one SNP (g. 775,151G > T, ∼18.6 kb upstream of EDNRB2) found to be fixed in white geese. This region was overlapped with the one detected by the haplotype-based sweep analysis, in which significant signals defined a candidate region of 736,610–820,622 bp on the same scaffold. Results from the transcriptomic data showed that expression levels of EDNRB2 and many other melanogenesis-related genes were significantly decreased among white geese compared to that in grey geese, especially at late embryonic stages (>E15). Modifications at transcriptional levels might result in abnormal melanocyte developments and thus the white plumages when they grow up. In addition, a frameshift mutation (C > -) in exon4 of MLANA gene on scaffold176 (NW_013185876.1) was suggested as the causal mutation for sex-linked dilution phenotype in graylag geese although this requires more demonstration experiments. Together with observed white plumages caused by EDNRB2 mutations in coding regions among swan geese and chicken, our study provided new examples to study the parallel evolution.

Reproductive characteristics of pigs of Irish selection and manifestation of different forms of heterosis by different methods of breeding in modern conditions of industrial pork production

The manifestation of different forms of heterosis and its effect on the reproductive capacity of pigs of modern genotypes of Irish selection by different methods of breeding in domestic industrial production on breeding and commercial breeders LLC “SPE “Globinsky pig farm.” To compare the reproductive capacity of animals in purebred breeding, crossbreeding, and hybridization and their dependence on the manifestation of various forms of heterosis of potential and actual multiplicity, high fertility, and nest weight of piglets at birth and weaning, the number of weaned piglets per nest and their safety. A comprehensive assessment of the reproductive qualities of sows was determined using an evaluation index with a limited number of traits, and the selection index of reproductive qualities of sows was determined according to the proposed method. Heterosis indices were determined by V. T. Gorin and I. M. Nikitchenko and modified by O. M. Tserenyuk. Biometric processing of the obtained data was performed by using variation statistics using a personal computer software Microsoft Excel. It was found that the indicators of reproductive traits of sows of all experimental groups and combinations studied were characterized by high reproductive performance, except for purebred sows of the synthetic line Max Gro. Sows of large white and landrace breeds in their direct and reverse cross outperformed their purebred counterparts in birth by 2.8 % in terms of fertility, 2.2 % in terms of nest weight of piglets at birth, and 1.7 % in terms of high fertility. They weighed 4.1 % more piglets, weighed 1.3 % more weight, and 4.6 % the weight of the nest, while the preservation of piglets before weaning was not significantly different between animals of these groups. According to a comprehensive assessment of reproductive indicators, they were 2.8–3.3 % higher when crossing parent breeds than their purebred breeding. At the final stage of hybridization, the advantages of hybrid nests over purebreds (maternal form) during farrowing were established – by potential and actual fertility by 3.9 % and 2.2 %, respectively, by nest weight of piglets at birth and high fertility by 6.3%, and 6.8 %. When weaned, their preferences were – for the safety of piglets – 1.7–2.0 %, for the number of piglets, the weight of their nest, and the weight of one head when weaned by 5.7–6.5 % and 8.5 % and 4.2 %, respectively. According to a comprehensive assessment of sows using the SIVYAS index and the index of reproductive qualities of sows with a limited number of traits, an advantage of 3.9 % and 3.3 % of hybrid nests over purebreds was established. At the same time, sows in hybridization outperformed purebred analogs of the synthetic line Max Gro at the time of farrowing by potential and actual multiplicity by 34.2 % and 59.1 %, nest weight by nest weight of piglets at birth by 27.8 % but had a lower by 25.8, 8.0 % high fertility. At the time of weaning in hybrid nests, there were 54.1 % more piglets, 11.8 % higher live weight of 1 head, and 8.5 % live weight of nests of piglets, according to a comprehensive assessment of sows for SIVYAS and IVYa by 25.9 and 31.8 %, respectively, but they have a 4.6 % worse safety of piglets compared to analogs of the synthetic line Max Gro. There was a more pronounced effect of heterosis on such features as the number of piglets at weaning, live weight of the nest at weaning, SIVYAS and evaluation index, and moderate level of heterosis effect on the average weight of 1 head at weaning at 28 days and average daily gain of young for suckling period. Under the conditions of two-breed crossbreeding, an increase in reproductive indicators was found to a greater extent due to the manifestation of hypothetical and general forms of heterosis, while in hybridization, in most cases, specific and authentic heterosis was manifested.

Innovative methods of evaluation of sows by indicators of reproductive qualities and criteria for their selection by some multicomponent mathematical models

The article presents the results of research on the reproductive qualities of sows of large white breeds of different interbreeding differentiation according to some evaluation indices, determines the criteria for selection of highly productive animals, and the economic efficiency of their use. Based on experimental data, Annex 10 to the Guidelines for Pig Breeding has been modified (Correction factors for piglet nest weight at weaning at 60 days of age), and a new method for estimating sows by “sowing nest uniformity” at weaning piglet weight was developed (IVG60). The research was conducted in the research farm and laboratory of animal husbandry and feed production of the Institute of Agriculture of the North-East NAAS Ukraine and the laboratory of animal husbandry of the State Institution “Institute of Cereals NAAS of Ukraine” (2019–2021). The work was performed following the IPA NAAS № 30 “Innovative technologies of breeding, industrial and organic production of pig products” (“Pig breeding”). Evaluation of sows of large white breed on the indicators of reproductive qualities was carried out taking into account the following characteristics: fertility, ch.; high fertility, kg; milk yield, kg, nest weight at the time of weaning at the age of 32 days (actual), kg; nest weight at weaning time of 60 days (estimated), kg; safety of piglets before weaning, %. The index of uniformity (homogeneity) of the sow's nest by live weight of piglets at the time of birth (Ik2) was calculated according to the method of Kovalenko (2011) at the time of weaning – Halak (2020). A comprehensive evaluation of sows based on reproductive qualities was performed according to the sows' reproductive qualities selection index, M. D. Berezovsky's index and biometric processing of research results – according to the methods of Kovalenko and others (2010). It was found that 26.47 % of sows in the controlled population-based on reproductive qualities (multiplicity, head, nest weight at the time of weaning, kg) belong to the elite class, 65.44 – I, 7.35 – II class. According to the average score belonging to the category of “extracurricular”, the number of animals is 0.74 %. The sows of class M + according to the selection index of reproductive qualities of the sow and the index of M. D. Berezovsky is characterized by the leading indicators of diversity, milk yield, nest weight at the time of weaning at the age of 32 days (actual), and nest weight at the time of weaning at the age of 60 days (estimated). Compared with class M0 and M - peers, the difference according to these indicators is 4.6–4.2 kg, 23.3–23.6 kg, 24.6–25.0 kg, 60.1–58.1 kg, respectively, and is statistically significant. Sows characterize more balanced nests with a minimum number of piglets at the time of birth and weaning (distribution class according to the selection index of reproductive qualities of sows and the index of M. D. Berezovsky M -). The number of reliable correlations between the index “alignment (homogeneity) of the sow's nest by live weight of piglets at birth” (Ik2), the index of alignment (homogeneity) of the sow's nest by live weight of piglets at the time of weaning at 60 days of age (IVG60), the selection index of reproductive qualities of sows, the index of M. D. Berezovsky (I) and the signs of reproductive qualities of sows is 85.00 %. This indicates the effectiveness of using these multicomponent mathematical models in pig breeding. The use of sows of class M+ according to the selection index of reproductive qualities of sows and the index of M. D. Berezovsky provides an increase in additional production at 16.49–16.68 %, and its value is +438.90 and 443.96 UAH/head./farrowing, respectively.

Estimates of repeatability for reproductive traits in Large White sows

The main aim of this paper was to analyze the effect of parity number on the litter size and other reproductive traits in Large White sows during successive farrowings to determine the repeatability estimates. The population used for the present study is from a pig farm managed by the Limited Liability Company (LLC) “Tavriys’ki svyni” located in Skadovsky district (Kherson region, Ukraine). The experimental materials used for this study consisted of 100 inds. of productive parent sows of the Large White breed. The estimation of reproductive performance was conducted for each animal included in this study. The total number of piglets born (TNB), number piglets born alive (NBA), number weaned piglets (NW), number of stillborn piglets (NSB) and frequency of stillborn piglets (FSB) per litter, number of piglets that died between birth and weaning (NPWM) and frequency of piglets that died between birth and weaning (FPWM) per litter were monitored in the first eight parities in the period of eleven years (2007–2017). For TNB, of the 28 correlations between different parities, 19 (i.e., 68 %) were statistically significant (P &lt; 0.001…0.05). The correlation between TNB values at repeated farrowings was, as expected, positive and in most cases moderate, from 0.197 (between 1st and 4th parity) to 0.365 (between 6th and 7th parity). Highest significant correlation was determined between TNB values in four latest farrowings (5th–8th parities). For NBA, only 7 (i.e., 25 %) phenotypic correlations were statistically significant (P &lt; 0.002…0.025) and varied from 0.230 (between 1st and 8th parity) to 0.303 (between 6th and 7th parity). Finally, for NW only 5 (i.e., 18 %) phenotypic correlations were statistically significant (P &lt; 0.005…0.05) and varied from 0.200 (between 3th and 7th parity) to 0.281 (between 4th and 6th parity). Thus, while observing the phenotypic correlations for the same studied traits between different parities (P1–P8), it can be seen that the correlations for TNB are positive and stronger compared to the phenotypic correlations for NBA and NW. For all studied litter size traits, the weakest relationship was found between the first four farrowings (1st–4th parity) and more stronger correlation was found between the latest four farrowings (5th–8th parity). The repeatability estimates for the LW sow’ litter size traits were generally low, 0.217 ± 0.037, 0.141 ± 0.032 and 0.073 ± 0.027 for TNB, NBA and NW, respectively, indicating that most of the phenotypic variance is explained by other factors than sows’ variance (primarily, by environmental factors). In addition these results indicate that the repeatability estimates for TNB were higher than for NBA, and the repeatability estimates for NBA were higher than for NW. This may be due in part to the gain of the permanent environmental effect on the number of stillborn piglets and the high rate of pre-weaning mortality for later parities.

Role and significance of Belarusian Large White breed pigs in pig breeding in Belarus

The Belarusian Large White breed of pigs is characterized by high maternal performance, resistance, livability of young animals, their fattening and meat productivity. The breed is effectively used for commercial cross breeding with Yorkshire and Landrace pigs. The article contains the results of a comprehensive assessment of the Belarusian Large White breed pigs in terms of development and productivity. The subject of research was the active part of purebred herds of pigs of this breed raised at the following breeding enterprises: agricultural branch “SGC “Zadneprovsky” of JSC “Orsha bread products company”, JSC “SGC “Zarechye”, JSC “Breeding plant “Timonovo”, JSC “Krasnaya Buda”. The main method of working with the breed was the purebred line breeding. Individual selection of animals was carried out according to the main indicators of productivity, development and conformation. The group matching of boars and sows of the breed by reproductive performance was carried out on the basis of the valuation data of breeding enterprises. A comprehensive assessment of development and productivity of the Belarusian Large White pigs showed that on average, intrabreed adult boars aged 36 months had a live weight of 313.0 kg, a body length of 182.0 cm, and sows had a body length of 250.0 kg and 164.0 cm, respectively. Productivity indicators of sows from all controlled breeding herds were as follows: prolificacy – 10.2 heads, milkability (litter weight on the 21st day) – 52.1 kg, number of piglets at weaning – 9.5 heads. Based on a set of indicators, the progeny of boars of Drachun 90685 and Smyk 46706 lines (“SGC “Zadneprovsky”) have the best fattening and meat quality traits. On the basis of the research results obtained, the schemes of interlinear group matching of sows and boars of the Belarusian Large White breed at the breeding enterprises of the Republic were developed.

Dietary effects of substituting maize for yellow cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) as energy source for weaner pigs

Due to consistent increases in the prices of conventional feeds, researchers have started looking for alternative sources of feeds. The research was conducted to investigate the dietary effect of substituting maize for cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) as energy source for weaner pigs. The experiment was conducted at the Swine Unit of the Teaching and Research Farm, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The cocoyam was collected and processed by sun-drying to form a cocoyam corn meal (CCM). A total of 16 weaner pigs of large white breeds were used for the study. The pigs were divided into 4 groups based on average initial body weights (20-25 kg) and each group of weaner pigs were respectively allotted to each of the four treatment diets using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Each treatment group contained two replicates of four pigs, two males and two females). These pigs were fed twice daily and water supplied ad-libitium. Four diets were formulated to contain 0, 20, 40 and 60% of CCM. Data were collected on growth performance and blood profile. Result revealed that there was significant (p&lt;0.05) differences in all the growth performance parameters measured. No significant differences (p&gt;0.05) were observed on all blood profile parameters measured except the albumin and creatinine. The albumin and creatinine values ranged from 2.63-3.52 g/dl and 0.90- 1.50 mg/dl respectively. It was concluded that weaner pigs fed 20% CCM based diet has significant effect on the growth performance of pigs. This implies that CCM at 20% showed more effect on the growth performance of pigs compared to other levels of diet. It was therefore recommended that cocoyam corn meal should be encouraged in the feeding of pigs to reduce over dependence of maize feeds by our farmers which has led to the high cost of raising monogastric specifically pigs thereby discouraging farmers from investing in the swine business.

Level of phenotypic manifestation of feeding and meat qualities of young pigs of different intrabreed differentiation according to some multi-component evaluation indexes

The paper deals with the results of the search for fattening and meat qualities of young pigs of Large White breeds of different interbreeding differentiation according to some integrated indicators, the level of correlations between traits, and the economic efficiency of research results is calculated. The experimental part of the work was performed in agricultural formations of the Dnipropetrovsk region and the laboratory of animal husbandry of the State Establishment Institution “Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS of Ukraine”. Evaluation of young pigs for fattening and meat qualities was carried out taking into account the following indicators: average daily gain of live weight during the period of control fattening, kg, age achievement of live weight 100 kg, days, the thickness of the lard at the level of 6–7 thoracic vertebrae, mm, the length of the chilled carcass, cm. A comprehensive evaluation of young pigs for fattening and meat qualities was performed according to the Tyler and Sazer-Fredin indices. Economic efficiency of research results and biometric processing of the obtained data were carried out according to generally accepted methods. It was found that young pigs of the Large White breed of the controlled population at the age of 100 kg exceeded the minimum requirements of the elite class by 6.13%, the thickness of the lard at the level of 6-7 thoracic vertebrae – 32.25 % and the length of the chilled carcass – 3.92 %. A significant difference between animals of different interbreeding differentiation according to the Tyler index (groups I and III) was set up by the average daily gain of live weight during the control period of fattening (91.7 g), age of 100 kg live weight (7.3 days), lard thickness at the level of 6–7 thoracic vertebrae (3.4 mm), length of the chilled carcass (1.7 cm), length of bacon half of chilled carcass (2.7 cm). Taking into account the interbreed differentiation according to the Sazer-Fredin index, it is found that young pigs of the II group prevailed over their peers of I in terms of average daily increase in live weight during the period of control fattening by 4.03 %, age of achievement of live weight of 100 kg – 3.67 % and length of the chilled carcass – 0.2 %. The pairwise correlation coefficient between fattening and meat qualities of young pigs and evaluation indices ranges from -0.710 (tr = 10.24) to +0.844 (tr = 20.98). The maximum increase in additional products was obtained from young pigs of the first experimental group according to the Tyler index (+5.03 %) and the second experimental group according to the Sazer-Fredin index (+1.12 %). The cost of additional products got from the young pigs of these groups, provided that the selling price per 1 kg of live weight of young pigs at the time of the search was 47.5 UAH is +247.51 and +55.42 UAH/head, respectively.

Ways to improve the quality of livestock products by feeding natural BUMVD

Relevance. More protein is required for the formation of meat than for obtaining high weight gain of pigs, many scientific papers and experimental studies have been devoted to optimizing metabolism and increasing animal productivity through the use of nontraditional sources of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, but there are poorly studied feed products. Soy okara is of scientific interest as a multicomponent proteincarbohydrate-mineral-vitamin supplement (BUMVD). It is of natural origin, non-toxic, urease is not active in it, that is, it does not require special treatment for feeding pigs. In comparison with soy, which contains anti-nutritional substances — toxic substances, trypsin inhibitor and urease, which reduce the use of protein by all kinds of animals, and in monogastric animals can even cause poisoning.Methods. Production tests were carried out for 180 days in the pig farm of the Ulyanovsk region on 1560 pigs. The object of the study was pigs of a large white breed, of different ages and physiological conditions. For physiological experiments, 5 animals per group were selected according to the method of analogues. Single sows were inseminated and the supplement was fed 30 days before the piglets were born. Piglets and suckling sows were kept in individual cages. Weaning was carried out in 45 days. Piglets on cultivation and fattening were kept in a group way. Two groups of animals were formed: the 1st (control) received the main ration (OR), the 2nd (experience) — with BUMVD. The conditions of keeping pigs in the control and experimental groups were the same, the difference between the groups was in feeding, the additive was fed at a dose of 100 to 500 g/head/day according to the scheme.Results. The introduction of natural BUMVD (soy okara) into the diet of pigs contributes to an increase in the level of their productivity: suckling of sows; large-fruited piglets; the intensity of growth of young pigs; improving the meat-sucking qualities of carcasses; reducing feed costs, improving the quality of pork, its energy value.

Efficiency of meat-fattening rabbits farmed by different keeping technologies

In Russia, different technologies are used for keeping commercial young animals in the production of rabbit meat. The main ones are in rooms with a controlled microclimate (imported young rabbits) and sheds (domestic breeds). The aim of the study was to establish the dominant factors that determine efficiency of rabbit meat production under different keeping technologies and dry feeding. Experimental studies were conducted according to classical zootechnical methods. The experiment in the room with controlled conditions was carried out on crossbred young animals - f rom Californian and New Zealand white breeds, which were imported from France in 2010; the experiment on domestic breed - Soviet chinchilla - was carried out under shed keeping technology. During the fattening period all rabbits were fed with complete granulated compound feed with an identical ratio of nutrients: 16.0 % protein and 17.5 % fiber for crossbred rabbits; 16.4 % protein and 17.9 % fiber for Soviet chinchilla rabbits. Slaughter of Soviet chinchilla rabbits and crossbred rabbits for meat was carried out at the age of 90 and 77 days, respectively. Analysis of the dynamics of live weight showed that at the age of 45 days and at the time of slaughter crossbred young rabbits exceeded Soviet chinchilla rabbits by 204.5 g and 240.0 g, respectively. Meanwhile, the relative growth of crossbred rabbits was not much higher than this indicator in Soviet chinchilla rabbits (by 3.4 and 4.1 %, respectively). The pre-slaughter weight was also significantly higher in crossbred animals, and the carcass weight was significantly higher in Soviet chinchilla rabbits. Accordingly, in the Soviet chinchilla the slaughter yield was 9.2 % higher than that of the crossbred rabbits, that is in meat production in the Soviet chinchilla more organic matter goes into products and less to waste. This testifies to the fact that by the age of 77 days the crossbred rabbits did not realize their full meat potential. Thus, considering the increased energy costs in buildings with a controlled microclimate, both technologies for keeping commercial young rabbits have the same chances in the production of rabbit meat.