Data from two purebred swine lines A (n = 6,022) and B (n = 24,170), and their reciprocal, cross C (n = 6,135), were used to examine gains in reliability of combined purebred and crossbred evaluation over conventional within-line evaluations using crossbred and pureline models. Random effects in the pureline model included additive, parental dominance, and litter. In the crossbred model, effect...

AIM To compare the seminal attributes of neat, pre-freeze (at equilibration), and post-freeze (24 h after freezing) semen in pure and crossbred Jersey bulls. MATERIALS AND METHODS Total 36 ejaculates (3 ejaculates from each bull) were collected from 6 pure Jersey and 6 crossbred Jersey bulls and evaluated for various seminal attributes during neat, pre-freeze, and post-freeze semen. RESULTS...

A group of crossbred Dorset or Finnish Landrace ewes maintained under a synthetic light regimen (Light Treatment, 4 mo long days - 16 h light, 4 mo short days - 8 h light) and exposed to rams every 8 mo (January 1, September 1, May 1) was compared for lamb production over a period of 4.5 yr with two other comparable groups under natural daylight conditions, one exposed to rams once a year in th...

The present study was conducted to quantify and compare TLR2 (toll-like receptor 2) activity in monocyte-derived macrophages of zebu (Tharparkar) and crossbred (Holstein-Friesian × Jersey × Brown Swiss × Hariana) cattle. The cells were either induced with Pam3CSK4 or kept as control. The TLR2 activity was quantified in terms of IκB-α inhibitory subunit (NFKBIA) messenger RNA (mRNA) copies...

Because of low energy reserves at birth, piglets are dependent on the sow’s milk for survival. Breed differences can influence milk composition. The objective of this study was to examine litter characteristics, milk composition including calcium and the water holding capacity of casein, solvation, between the highly prolific Meishan breed and lean crossbred pigs. Samples were collected by hand...

Charolais bulls are selected for their crossbreed performance when mated to Montbéliard or Holstein dams. To implement genomic prediction, one could build a reference population for each crossbred population independently. An alternative could be to combine both crossbred populations into a single reference population to increase size and accuracy of prediction. The objective of this study was ...

Subcutaneous fat (SF) and Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle (LM) depths of growing lambs from six breeds were monitored. Ram ewe Dohne Merino, Dormer, Dorper, Meatmaster, South African Mutton Merino White Dorper reared together under optimal feedlot management conditions subjected to ultrasound scans every fortnight the point when attained 20 kg body weight up until 300 days age. Exponent...

A suspended-net technique was used to capture blackflies attracted to and engorging on Dorper and Merino sheep on irrigated pastures. Two bait animals of each breed were restrained individually in wire-mesh enclosures located within four larger pens, each containing nine more animals of the same breed. Nets were suspended partly over the restrained animals and blackflies were collected at the e...

Twenty-four Dorper × Pelibuey ewe lambs initially weighing 25.1 ± 0.6 kg were used in a 34-d feeding experiment and after slaughter to evaluate the effect of zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and wholesale cut yield. Ewe lambs were individually housed in pens, blocked by initial BW, and assigned randomly within BW blocks to 1 of 2 treatments: 1) cont...