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The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters for age at first calving in Charolais and Limousine cattle breeds using animal model. The reproduction traits are influenced by genetic factors and environmental factors. The genetic factors are breed, individual and environmental factors are: climate condition and nutrition. The data consisted on 239 records for Charolais breed and 309 records for age at the first calving for Limousine breed. The data were from Romanian Breeding Association for Beef cattle. The age at the first calving was 792.92±6.77 days for Charolais breed and 813.83±6.09 days for Limousine breed. The heritability value for age at the first calving was 0.273 for Charolais and for Limousine breed was 0.275. The breeding values of cows with records for age at first calving were between −30.697 and 40.929 for Limousine breed were between −46.64 and 42.65. For improvement the reproduction traits it is necessary to improve the environmental conditions and supervision of reproduction activity in the farms and the selection of the best cows. The selection based on the breeding values of the cows determined the improvement of age at first calving. Improvement the reproduction traits increase the profitability of farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters for reproductive traits in Romanian Spotted, Simmental type cattle breed using animal model. The data of reproduction traits were from Romanian Breeding Association Romanian Spotted, Simmental type. The age at the first calving was 889.82±2.79 days and first calving interval was 391.55±2.08. The heritability value for age at the first calving was 0.25 and for calving interval was 0.14. The breeding values of cows with records for age at first calving were between -77.52 and 62.60 and for first calving interval between -31.149 and 44.55. Improvement the reproduction traits increase the profitability of farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to estimate the breeding value and heritability for calving score using an animal model for population from Aberdeen Angus breed. Data consisted of records of 1297 calves of Aberdeen Angus breed from Aberdeen Angus Association Romania. The mean for calving score was 1.007±0.002. The breeding values for calving score for calves were between -0.013 and 0.075. The heritability for calving score was low 0.08 in Aberdeen Angus breed. The animal model was adequate due it is simpler than threshold model for calculate the genetic parameters for calving score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Romania, the livestock is very scattered on the diverse environmental conditions. Due to difficulties regarding data collection, with the help of genomic selection, the paradigm of genetic improvement of economical traits in Romanian cattle breeds can be changed. Population studied in this paper consist in animals genotyped using 60k SNP panel. Association studies were performed for estimate the effect of SNP polymorphism on milk yield at 305 days. Genetic evaluation was compared under four statistical methodologies were compared under six scenarios 5k, 10k, 15k, 20k, 25k and 37k SNP panels. High association with phenotypes were displayed by 38 SNP's. Generally, accuracy of the studied models, tend to increase with complexity (informational input). The model with the lowest accuracy was Sire-Model (36.6% accuracy). Adding information in Animal Model increase accuracy of estimation and finally, adding genomic information the accuracy was maximized to 69.9%. For each lactation all the statistical models return highly correlated breeding values. The highest (97.2%) and the lowest (79.2%) rank correlation are registered between Test-Day and Animal Model for the first and second lactation. Genomic evaluation is a more feasible methodology than classical breeding value estimation, in term of accuracy of selection and the quality of the parentage information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Having in mind the demographic explosion and the pressing need to ensure food supplies for the entire world, this review came with a synthetic presentation of the most modern non-invasive technique of investigation used in meat quality evaluation for livestock that has evolved and developed in the last 60 years. These modern techniques such as ultrasound, Computer Tomography (CT) and Video Image Analyses (VIA) were first introduced in human medicine and afterwards were adopted by animal research and implemented gradually as a tool to predict meat at an early age. Ultrasound, CT and VIA developed very quickly and helped considerably the meat industry focusing on assurance of human health. These techniques became popular as they were able to accurately predict meat quality in vivo avoiding the need to slaughter the animals, which assisted in the evaluation of meat quality in breeding candidates. One of the evaluation methods presented above was adopted by Romania for the first -time to improve meat quality evaluation in sheep, and as a result some disadvantages regarding the classical procedure for evaluating sheep for meat production have been removed. The classical procedure for sheep meat evaluation used in Romania until 2012 was to slaughter the animal in order to obtain meat carcass measurements (commercial yield, slaughtering yield, dressing percentage and meat to bone ratio), a method which involves hard and expensive work and sacrificing the animal, which otherwise may have been used in reproduction. The ultrasound method was chosen as an option in sheep meat quality evaluation thanks to its efficiency with providing fast and accurate results, particularly since non-invasive ultrasound measurements very well correlated with meat traits. Ultrasound parameters were measured in vivo in two points on the Longissimus Dorsi muscle, which in Teleorman Black Head sheep is a muscle very well correlated with carcass meat amount. Very soon the ultrasound evaluation was used in goats of the Carpatina breed with similar ultrasound parameters recognized for meat quality. Consequently, the use of ultrasound measurements in genetic evaluation systems has been recommended to increase the rate of genetic improvement for carcass yield and quality traits. That is why the ultrasound method is recommended in meat quality evaluation to facilitate classification of animals specialized for meat quality. Animal breeders and farmers use ultrasound in vivo evaluation to maximize genetic gain for meat traits by selecting the best individuals. The application of this non-invasive technique provides prospects for livestock breeders and the meat industry for an accurate in vivo meat evaluation for quality carcass classification, very important in maximizing economically important traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters for productive life in Romanian Spotted, Simmental type cattle breed using a survival model. The Weibull proportional hazard model was used in this study. The data of productive life of cattle were obtained from Romanian Breeding Association Romanian Spotted, Simmental type. The data consisted of records of 1064 Romanian Spotted, Simmental cows. The average productive longevity was 1020.9 days for Romanian Spotted, Simmental type cattle breed. The heritability values for productive longevity in this population was 0.097. The breeding values for productive longevity of cattle ranged from -0.827 to 0.478 months. Longevity is an important trait in breeding program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meat quality is relatively important for consumers and is accomplished by improving carcass quality in animals designated for meat production. The purpose of this study was to estimate carcass meat quantity by ultrasound and non-linear multiple regression equations. The measurements were conducted on 22 Carpatina kids aged 5.5 months, in two points (P1 - 5 cm from the spine, in line with the 12th rib; P2 - between the 3rd and 4th lumbar vertebra) of the Longisimus dorsi muscle to obtain subcutaneous fat layer thickness (2.02, 1.93 mm), muscle depth (21.05, 20.19 mm), muscle eye area (9.99, 9.71 cm²) and muscle perimeter (130.45; 130. 02 mm). Meat quantity was estimated with coefficients of determination by non-linear multiple regression equations, using four ultrasound parameters, measured in P2 for live weight, semi carcass and carcass weight (0.93), and also in commercial cuts, leg and rack (0.91; 0.90), followed by loin and shoulder (0.86, 0.85). The meat amounts obtained by ultrasound measurements were established in P2 with the best estimation for commercial cuts, loin and shoulder (0.94, 0.94), followed by leg and rack (0.92, 0.90). Very good meat estimation was obtained using four ultrasound parameters in P1 for live weight (0.93), semi carcass (0.92) and carcass weight (0.91) and in commercial cuts, leg and rack (0.91, 0.90), followed by loin and shoulder (0.86; 0.85). The non-linear multiple regression equations developed in this study by ultrasounds showed very high precision coefficients, by estimating meat production and by improving the evaluation of Carpatina goats selected for meat quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to analyse methodology of genetic parameters estimation and breeding value prediction for milk, fat and protein yield in the first lactation of Holstein cattle using Best Linear Unbiased Prediction procedure- Restricted Maximum Likelihood method with individual animal model. The cows with records in first lactation were from experimental farm of National Research-Development Institute for Animal Biology and Nutrition Balotesti. The genetic parameters were estimated with Restricted Maximum Likelihood method using Individual Animal Model. The estimated heritabilities were 0.249 for milk yield, 0.339 for fat yield and 0.315 for protein yield. The data were analysed with R software. The breeding values of the best Holstein cows for milk yield ranged from 21.13 to 176.97 l, for fat yield ranged from 5.178 to 35.34 kg and for protein yield ranged from 5.516 to 25.155 kg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper was to study the breeding values and genetic parameters estimation methodology applied on Teleorman Black Head Sheep breed genetic improvement programs. Throughout study were estimated heritability using test-day milk yield and the genetic correlation between test-days milk yield for Teleorman Black Head Sheep from Dobroteşti Teleorman area. The genetic parameters of daily milk yield during one lactation of Teleorman Black Head ewes were estimated with random regression test-day animal model. Data consisted of 1032 test-day records from 344 ewes. The breeding values for test day milk yield for the best ewes were ranged between 14.57 g milk and 28.48 g milk. The heritability estimates for three test-day milk yield of ewes were: 0.105 for first test day record, 0.270 for second test day record and 0.250 for third test day record. Genetic correlations between individual test days milk yield records were positive and of medium magnitude. Once again during the present research we observed that the test-day is the most appropriate methodology for milk production genetic evaluation in sheep, who offer the best improvement of the performances by genetic progress. That why random regression model was used the most in different countries, giving a better accuracy for breeding value, and ranking better the best ewes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine the genetic parameters represented by heritability for test-day milk yield and the genetic correlation between test-days milk yield and the breeding value for Teleorman Black Head sheep. The genetic parameters of daily milk yield during the first three lactations of Teleorman Black Head ewes were estimated with the random regression test-day animal model. Data consisted of 631 test-day records of 81 ewes at first lactation, 351 test-day records of 58 ewes at second lactation and 229 test-day records of 33 ewes at third lactation from experimental farm of INCDBNA Balotesti. Lactations were analysed separately. The heritability estimates for test-day milk yield of ewes at first lactation ranged from 0.015 at 200 day in milk to 0.19 at 10 day in milk. For the ewes at second lactation the heritability estimates ranged from 0.016 at 180th in milk to 0.246 at 10 day in milk. For the ewes at third lactation the heritability estimates for test day milk yield ranged from 0.018 at 180th in milk to 0.249 at 10th day in milk. Genetic correlations between individual test days milk yield were high and positive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a non-invasive method for goat carcass estimation, efficient and easy to use, without sacrificing and able to keep the animals for reproduction: ultrasound method. In the present study, the following parameters were measured by ultrasound method: fat layer, muscle depth, eye muscle area, eye muscle perimeter in Longissimus Dorsi, between two measurements point (12 th rib and between 3 rd and 4 th lumbar vertebra). Young goats (33.65kg, BW), 9 months of age, and adult female goats (35.99 kg BW), were used. In young goat, fat layer (1.86, 1.94 mm), muscle depth (18.97, 17.34 mm), eye muscle area (8.18, 8.25 cm 2 ) and eye muscle perimeter (123.93, 125.06 mm) was similar with those founded in other goat breeds. High correlations were found between body weight and ultrasound parameters for muscle depth (0.81, 0.61) and eye muscle area (0.74, 0.67) in young goats. In adults, the ultrasound measurements showed 1.99, 2.04 mm for fat, 19.96, 19.26 mm for muscle depth and 9.02 and 9.17 cm 2 for muscle eye area. High correlations were found also for adult for the same parameters, body weight and ultrasound for muscle depth (0.61, 0.63) and eye muscle area (0.45, 0.41). In the second phase of this study correlations with carcass derived from slaughtered animals will be carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide were developed animal selection programs assisted by molecular markers at many local breeds, targeting biodiversity and intrinsic value preservation. Until now, were considered molecular markers associated with milk (beta-lactoglobulin, caseins) and meat production (calpastatin, miostatin etc.). Another important marker for milk production is prolactin. Previous studies prove that prolactin depletion is associated with milk secretion decrease, making codifying gene for prolactin a candidate gene for milk production variation. Correlation of this marker effect with meat quality parameters was not studied yet. Objective of this study is estimation of prolactin gene polymorphism effect over two traits types (for milk and meat quality) with a view to simultaneous use of both types in selection programs. Using genomic DNA isolated from blood, we evaluate prolactin genetic polymorphism of 50 Transylvanian Merino sheep through PCR-RFLP method. The effect of prl polymorphism over production traits was estimated using animal model. The research results reveal an important effect of prl gene over productive quality traits. The alleles effect is similar between those types; this fact sustain common selection program development in the same population. In conclusion, our study proved that prl gene can be an important marker for selection programs in local sheep breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to compare four methods for estimating the breeding value of sheep, for the milk production. The research was conducted at the National Institute of Research and Development for Biology and Animal Nutrition Balotesti, Ilfov. The biological material is represented by a flock of Palas Milk line, consisting of 805 animals: 344 downward, 121 rams and 340 sheep. The character analyzed was the amount of milk in the weaning lamb period to the end of the lactation. Lactation length was between 51 and 230 days. To estimate heritability (h2) and breeding value, BLUP methodology applied to an animal model was used. The heritability value was estimated by the method of single factor analysis of variance, and was 0.73. By the animal model, the heritability was stabilized at 19 1iterations, the value being 0.235. The breeding value was estimated in four ways: a) Performance (PP); b) Average performance of paternal half-sisters (PSS); c) LUSHIndex(IL); d) Individual Animal model (IAM). The best work option was comparatively analyzed through Spearman rank correlation and selection accuracy. The highest rank correlation was obtained with the combination IL -IAM, 0.82 respectively, due to the fact that the methods used commonly a high sources and amount of information. The opposite is the combination of IAM-PSS, where rank correlation is -0.0071. In terms of selection accuracy, the highest value was recorded for the IAM (0.52) and the lowest inbreeding value estimation based on PP (0.48), which indicates a superiority of IAM of 8.33%. In conclusion, to achieve a more precise evaluation of animal breeding, all available sources of information should be use in calculations. Also, the combination of these sources is recommended to be performed by using BLUP methodology, applied to an animal model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine the genetic parameters represented by heritability for test-day milk yield, the genetic correlations between test-days milk yield and the breeding value for Holstein cows. The model used was random regression test-day animal model. The data set consists of 216 test day records from 30 cows. The average number of test day per lactation was seven. The heritability estimates for test-day milk yield ranged from 0.43 at 250th day in milk, to 0.60 at 10th day in milk. Genetic correlations between individual test days milk yield were high and positive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The absorption and antioxidant activity of polyphenols from grape pomace (GP) are important aspects of its valorization as a feed additive in the diet of weaned piglets. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of polyphenols from GP both in vitro in IPEC cells and in vivo in the duodenum and colon of piglets fed with diets containing or not 5% GP and also to compare and correlate the aspects of their in vitro and in vivo absorption. Total polyphenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant status (TAS, CAT, SOD and GPx enzyme activity, and lipid peroxidation-TBARS level) were assessed in duodenum and colon of piglets fed or not a diet with 5% GP. The results of UV-Vis spectroscopy demonstrated that in cellular and extracellular medium the GP polyphenols were oxidized (between λmax = 276 nm and λmax = 627.0 nm) with the formation of o-quinones and dimers. LC-MS analysis indicated a procyanidin trimer possibly C2, and a procyanidin dimer as the major polyphenols identified in GP, 12.8% of the procyanidin trimer and 23% of the procyanidin dimer respectively being also found in the compound feed. Procyanidin trimer C2 is the compound accumulated in duodenum, 73% of it being found in the colon of control piglets, and 62.5% in the colon of GP piglets. Correlations exist between the in vitro and in vivo investigations regarding the qualitative evaluation of GP polyphenols in the cells (λmax at 287.1 nm) and in the gut (λmax at 287.5 nm), as oxidated metabolic products. Beside the presence of polyphenols metabolites this study shows also the presence of the unmetabolized procyanidin trimers in duodenum and colon tissue, an important point in evaluating the benefic actions of these molecules at intestinal level. Moreover the in vivo study shows that a 5% GP in piglet’s diet increased the total antioxidant status (TAS) and decreased lipid peroxidantion (TBARS) in both duodenum and colon, and increased SOD activity in duodenum and CAT and GPx activity in colon. These parameters are modulated by the different polyphenols absorbed, mainly by the procyanidin trimers and catechin on one side and the polyphenols metabolites on the other side. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]