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The studies were performed in pigs obtained by commercial cross-breeding under conditions of pig-breeding complex of Agricultural Open Joint-Stock Company Agrokombinat Kalyta. 115 crossbred breeding sows (Big White x Landras) - of similar age and development - were selected for the study; they were mated with purebred Big White boars. Three groups by five animals were selected from these breeding sows by pregnancy duration. The first one (control group, the pregnancy duration was the farm average) - 112-116 days; the second one (study group, reduced pregnancy duration) - 103-111 days; the third one (study group, extended pregnancy duration) - 117-120 days. The authors studied the growth duration and hematological parameters of these breeding sows' offsprings a􀅌er ablactation until the end of fatiening. The piglets were ablactated at the age of 26 days. The young stock were fed with dry feed stuff according to the conventional technology. The feed level for the pigs of all groups was the same. The pigs were weighted upon birth at 1, 2, 4, 6 months, and the relative weight gain and actual growth rate of the pigs were determined by Shmalgauzen and Brody formula. Hematological tests were performed at the age of 2, 4 and 6 months in four animals from each group (two gilts and two boars). Blood for tests was collected from auricular veins before feeding. Red blood cell count and hemoglobin concentration were measured by hemascope, total protein, albumin and globulins were measured refractometrically. It has been established that the piglets obtained from the breeding sows with reduced pregnancy duration had the lowest body weight at birth, and the piglets obtained from the extended pregnancy had the highest body weight. From the age of two months, the young stock with the reduced embryonic growth duration were superior to the age-mates with the average and extended pregnancy in terms of body weight. The animals with reduced embryonic growth duration had higher relative weight gain and the actual growth rate factor, which characterizes their high growth intensity. The pigs obtained at commercial cross-breeding with different embryonic development duration had different blood composition. Thus, the piglets with reduced and average embryonic growth duration, had higher red blood cells count, hemoglobin and total protein content. Higher hematological indicators in pigs with reduced embryonic period coincide with the period of their higher growth energy which indicates the interrelation between the intensity of the animals' growth and the red blood cell count, hemoglobin and total protein in blood. Therefore, the embryonic development period reduction positively affects the growth energy, that is associated with improved hematological indicators, which is advisable to consider in pigs selection program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sows in large pig farms are transferred to the far rowing sector on the 111-112 day of pregnancy; therefore, some of them with a shorter duration of pregnancy arrow in the section of pregnant animals in group pens, which sometimes leads to crushing and eating of sows' piglets. Sows, the duration of pregnancy of which is more than 115 days, are disadvantageous in that they require additional costs for transfers from sector to sector before far rowing. Studies have been held using the breeding records of the Agricultural Open Joint-Stock Company "Agro- Plant" Kalitain Kyiv region. We have investigated into the duration of pregnancy of sows of large white breed and its changes with the age of sows, the repeatability and heritability ratios are determined in 128 randomly selected pigs with different lengths of the pregnancy period. All experimental sows were given the same feeding and keeping conditions. The experimental animals received wet feed. It has been established that the duration of pregnancy (from 106 to 122 days) is not constant and has significant fluctuations, which should be considered when developing technologies for the industrial production of pork. The sows in which during several far rowing the duration of pregnancy was shortened and averaged 112.3 days and the second group with extended pregnancy duration of 116.86 days have been identified. The duration of pregnancy of sows has rather high rates of heritability (from 0.47 to 0.72) and repeatability (from 0.17 to 0.74) which increase with their age. It is possible to select sows with a shortened and stable duration of pregnancy, the use of which will shorten the reproduction cycle, as well as increase the safety of piglets and reduce the costs related to additional transfers of pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides the history of Zootechnical Faculty (now Faculty of Livestock Raising and Water Bioresources) of National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine. They are analyzed structural changes of Zootechnical Faculty in the prewar period and from 1957 to present. They are provided the names of the deans, who headed the department at various times, famous scientists who have worked and are working at the Faculty, and alumni, known in Ukraine and abroad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides results of investigations of linear growth of mixed bred pigs (large white x Landrace) with different duration of embryonic development. It was established, that mixed bred pigs with different duration of the embryonic period have differences in terms of linear growth. Thus, newborn pigs with reduced duration of embryonic development had a greater chest girth, when compared to control ones, indicating a high rate of growth of their axial skeleton. Animals with reduced and average period of embryonic development had higher blockiness index, when compared to those with longer period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results of research of linear growth parameters of pigs of the Large White breed with various length of embryonic development. It has been proved that newborn piglets with shortened duration of embryonic period had larger body length and heart girth as compared to the control, which indicates on higher growth intensity of their axial skeleton. Experimental piglets with shortened and medium duration of embryonic development had higher longevity index, whereas pigs with prolonged duration of embryonic period had higher index of body blockiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]