Efficiency of Utilizing Bulls with High Immune Response (HIR) in Terms of Reproductive Traits of PHF Cows.

Reproductive traits in dairy cattle are crucial for herd productivity and profitability. This study investigates the influence of relatedness to high immune response (HIR) Immunity+ sires on reproductive performance indicators in Polish Holstein-Friesian cows. A total of 5094 cows were analyzed, categorized based on their relatedness to HIR Immunity+ sires, and assessed for various reproductive parameters, including age at first insemination, gestation length, days open, calving interval, and calving ease. The results showed that the level of relatedness to HIR Immunity+ sires influenced certain reproductive traits, such as service period, gestation length, and age at first and second calving. Additionally, cows related to HIR Immunity+ sires exhibited a higher frequency of twin pregnancies and more complicated births. While some benefits were observed in certain reproductive traits among cows related to HIR Immunity+ sires, such as reduced age at first insemination and shortened gestation length, the overall impact on reproductive efficiency remains inconclusive. Further studies are needed to fully elucidate the effects of using semen from HIR Immunity+ sires on reproductive performance in dairy cattle.

Multi-Trait Single-Step Genomic Prediction for Milk Yield and Milk Components for Polish Holstein Population.

The objective of our study was to evaluate the predictive ability of a multi-trait genomic prediction model that accounts for interactions between marker effects to estimate heritability and genetic correlations of traits including 305-day milk yield, milk fat percentage, milk protein percentage, milk lactose percentage, and milk dry matter percentage in the Polish Holstein Friesian cow population. For this aim, 14,742 SNP genotype records for 586 Polish Holstein Friesian dairy cows from Poland were used. Single-Trait-ssGBLUP (ST) and Multi-Trait-ssGBLUP (MT) methods were used for estimation. We examined 305-day milk yield (MY, kg), milk fat percentage (MF, %), milk protein percentage (MP, %), milk lactose percentage (ML, %), and milk dry matter percentage (MDM, %). The results showed that the highest marker effect rank correlation was found between milk fat percentage and milk dry matter. The weakest marker effect rank correlation was found between ML and all other traits. Obtained accuracies of this study were between 0.770 and 0.882, and 0.773 and 0.876 for MT and ST, respectively, which were acceptable values. All estimated bias values were positive, which is proof of underestimation. The highest heritability value was obtained for MP (0.3029) and the lowest heritability value was calculated for ML (0.2171). Estimated heritability values were low for milk yield and milk composition as expected. The strongest genetic correlation was estimated between MDM and MF (0.4990) and the weakest genetic correlation was estimated between MY and ML (0.001). The genetic relations with milk yield were negative and can be ignored as they were not significant. In conclusion, multi-trait genomic prediction can be more beneficial than single-trait genomic prediction.

Estimation of Body Weight Based on Biometric Measurements by Using Random Forest Regression, Support Vector Regression and CART Algorithms.

The study's main goal was to compare several data mining and machine learning algorithms to estimate body weight based on body measurements at a different share of Polish Merino in the genotype of crossbreds (share of Suffolk and Polish Merino genotypes). The study estimated the capabilities of CART, support vector regression and random forest regression algorithms. To compare the estimation performances of the evaluated algorithms and determine the best model for estimating body weight, various body measurements and sex and birth type characteristics were assessed. Data from 344 sheep were used to estimate the body weights. The root means square error, standard deviation ratio, Pearson's correlation coefficient, mean absolute percentage error, coefficient of determination and Akaike's information criterion were used to assess the algorithms. A random forest regression algorithm may help breeders obtain a unique Polish Merino Suffolk cross population that would increase meat production.

Macromolecules Influence Cellular Competence and Expression Level of IGFs Genes in Bovine Oocytes In Vitro.

In vitro maturation (IVM) of mammalian oocytes, which influences subsequent in vitro development of embryos, is affected by the macromolecule content in culture media for the success of oocyte maturation competence, in which the cytoplasmic and nuclear reprogramming events occur. The insulin-like growth factor family (IGFs) promotes the maturation of bovine oocytes and the expansion of cumulus cells and also inhibits apoptosis. This study was, therefore, designed to examine the effects of macromolecules (bovine serum albumin, BSA; fetal calf serum, FCS; and polyvinyl alcohol, PVA) on in vitro nuclear maturation, total cellular protein, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzyme activity, and the gene expression level of IGF1, IGF2, and their receptor in bovine oocytes. Oocytes obtained from bovine ovaries were cultured in bicarbonate-buffered medium 199 supplemented with 4 mg/mL BSA, 10% FCS, 1 mg/mL PVA, and without macromolecule supplement (control) during 22 h in the air with a humidified atmosphere and 5% CO2 at 38.5 °C temperature. Supplementation of BSA and FCS increased (χ2 = 9.84; p < 0.05) the percentages of oocytes that reached metaphase II compared to the control and PVA. The amount of protein per ml of cell extracts of oocytes matured in FCS supplemented culture media was higher (p < 0.05) than the oocytes in the PVA and control. The levels of GPx enzyme activity in cell extracts isolated from oocytes in each experimental group did not change over time, but the GPx enzyme activity in oocytes matured in PVA-supplemented culture media was lower (p < 0.05) than in oocytes in the other experimental groups. Transcript for the IGF1 gene was not detected in all experimental groups, but the supplementation of BSA and FCS significantly elevated the transcript level of the IGF2 gene. In addition, the maturation of oocytes with BSA-supplemented media increased the transcript level of the IGF1R gene, whereas the transcript level of the IGF2R gene was similar among macromolecule supplementation groups. The current study concluded that BSA and FCS could improve in vitro bovine oocyte development due to supporting nuclear maturation and increasing the total cellular protein content, GPx enzyme, and transcript activity.

Comparison of Random Regression Models with Different Order Legendre Polynomials for Genetic Parameter Estimation on Race Completion Speed of Arabian Horses.

This work aimed to compare the fitting performance of the random regression models applied to the different order orthogonal Legendre polynomials on the race completion speed (m/s) of Arabian racing horses. Legendre polynomial function for additive genetic, permanent environmental variances and heritability values with the L(2,2), L(2,3), L(3,2) and L(3,3) models (where L(i,j) means L(order of fit for additive genetic effects, order of fit for permanent environmental effects)) was estimated. A total of 233,491 race speed records (m/s) of Arabian horses were taken from the Jockey Club of Turkey between 2005 and 2016. The mean and standard deviation of heritability values were estimated as 0.294 ± 0.0746, 0.285 ± 0.0620, 0.302 ± 0.0767 and 0.290 ± 0.1018 for L(2,2), L(2,3), L(3,2), and L(3,3), respectively. The steady decreasing trend of permanent environmental variances for L(2,2) provided stationery for heritability values. According to Akaike information criterion (AIC) and Bayesian information criterion (BIC) values, the L(2,2) model could be reliably used to estimate heritability values for the racing speed of Arabian horses in the presence of repeated observations.

Farmers' Risk Perception on Climate Change: Transhumance vs. Semi-Intensive Sheep Production Systems in Türkiye.

Sheep farmers' perceptions of climate change and its impacts and the adaptation strategies they consider to address these risks are of great importance in ensuring the resilience of farming practice. This study focused on sheep farmers' perception of climate change and the risks and actions taken to mitigate these impacts. A total of 68 surveys were carried out among sheep farmers (39 transhumance and 29 semi-intensive farmers) by two different representative production systems in Türkiye. Variables regarding the socio-economic profile, climate change impacts, and adaptation strategies were identified and analyzed. Principal component analysis and a Pearson Chi-square test were used to evaluate the data. Both farmers' groups accepted and perceived climate change, showing good awareness and perception. The farmers' attitudes towards adaptation to climate change were associated with production systems. Transhumance farmers had limited adaptation and coping strategies compared to semi-intensive farmers. Transhumance farmers focused mainly on selling livestock (mostly to cope with degraded natural grassland/feed deficiency) as an adaptive strategy. In contrast, semi-intensive farmers focused on modifying their farm management and feed operations, such as changing the feed ratio and supplement use, improving water and feed storage, and considering crop feed production. The knowledge obtained from this study could be helpful for farmers and policymakers who develop long-term small ruminant production strategies that consider the effects of climate change and adapt them to different farming systems in the Türkiye.

Genetic Parameters for Methane Emissions Using Indirect Prediction of Methane and Its Association with Milk and Milk Composition Traits.

The study covers milk yield and composition data for 17,468 Polish Holstein-Friesian cows. Methane production (g/lactation per cow, MP) for dairy cow were predicted using three methane production equations (MPE) that took into account: milk yield (MPE1), energy corrected milk (MPE2) and both milk protein concentration (%), and energy-corrected milk (MPE3). The average amounts of methane produced for each cow per lactation were 31,089 g, 46,487 g, and 51,768 g for MPE1, MPE2, and MPE3, respectively. Repeatability models were used to estimate genetic parameters for MP. The estimated heritabilities for MPE1, MPE2, and MPE3 were 0.30, 0.24, and 0.24, respectively, with a standard error of 0.01. High genetic correlations (>0.76) were obtained between methane and milk yield, protein, fat, lactose and dry matter contents in milk for MPE1, MPE2 and MPE3. Still, a moderate genetic correlation (0.34) was obtained between methane and fat content (MPE1); the standard error of the estimated genetic correlation was less than 0.05. The results of the current study indicate that genetic selection aimed to reduce MP in dairy cows is possible. However, such direct genetic selection could cause a negative genetic response in milk yield and composition due to negative genetic correlations between MP and milk yield and composition.

Forecasting Milking Efficiency of Dairy Cows Milked in an Automatic Milking System Using the Decision Tree Technique.

In barns equipped with an automatic milking system, the profitability of production depends primarily on the milking efficiency of a cow (ME; kg/min) defined as cow milk yield per minute of box time. This study was carried out on 1823 Polish Holstein−Friesian cows milked by the automatic milking system (AMS) in 20 herds. Selected milking parameters recorded by the AMS were analyzed in the research. The aim of the study was to forecast ME using two statistical techniques (analysis of variance and decision trees). The results of the analysis of variance showed that the average ME was 1.67 kg/min. ME was associated with: year of AMS operation (being the highest in the first year), number of cows per robot (the highest in robots with 61−75 cows), lactation number (highest for multiparas), season of calving (the highest in spring), age at first calving (>36 months), days in milk (151−250 days) and finally, rear quarter to total milk yield ratio (the highest between 51% and 55%). The decision tree predicted that the highest ME (2.01 kg/min) corresponded with cows that produced more than 45 kg of milk per day, were milked less than four times/day, had a short teatcup attachment time (<7.65 s) and were milked in robots that had an occupancy lower than 56 cows.

Growth and Slaughter Characteristics of Weaning Male Kids of Turkish Native Goat Breeds.

There is little knowledge about the carcass potential of Turkish native goat breeds raised under different rearing conditions. It is necessary to compare the carcass characteristics of these breeds to minimize the effect of the rearing conditions. Therefore, this study aims to compare the growth, slaughter, and carcass characteristics of male kids at weaning age to eliminate the impact of rearing conditions. Kids born to Angora (n = 6), Hair (n = 6), Honamli (n = 6), and Kilis (n = 6) Turkish native goat breeds, ranging in age from 2-3 years, were slaughtered at 90 days of weaning age and carcass characteristics were determined immediately. There were differences (p < 0.05) among breeds in terms of birth weight (BW) and daily weight gain (DWG) from birth to weaning age. Honamli kids had higher BW and DWG than those of other breeds (p < 0.05). Similarly, carcass weights (hot-cold) and yields (hot-cold) of Honamli kids were higher compared to kids born to other breeds (p < 0.05). Additionally, Honamli and Hair kids had higher longissimus-dorsi (LD), and semitendinosus (ST) muscle weights compared to Kilis and Angora kids. Interestingly, Kilis kids had lower BW and DWG than those of other breeds (p < 0.05). There were significant differences (p < 0.05) among breeds in terms of non-carcass parts and organ weights. Positive correlations were calculated between cross-sectional area and weight (r = 0.793; p < 0.01), length and weight (r = 0.723; p < 0.01), and depth and weight (r = 0.698; p < 0.01) in LD muscle of all kids. A similar correlation trend was calculated for the ST muscle (cross-sectional area and weight; r = 0.699; p < 0.01, length and weight; r = 0.751; p < 0.01, and depth and weight; r = 0.528; p < 0.05) in all kids. In conclusion, the present study results showed that Honamli kids could be used for fattening material due to their good carcass quality compared to other native breeds.

Genetic Parameters Estimation of Milking Traits in Polish Holstein-Friesians Based on Automatic Milking System Data.

The automatic milking system (AMS) provides a large amount of information characterizing the course of each milking cow, which is not available in the conventional system. The aim of our study was to estimate heritability and genetic correlations for milk yield (MY), milking frequency (MF), and speed (MS) for 1713 Polish Holstein-Friesian primiparous cows milked in barns with an AMS. Daily heritability indicators estimated using second-order Legendre polynomials and Random Regression Models showed high variation during lactation, ranging 0.131-0.345 for MY, 0.153-0.322 for MF, and 0.336-0.493 for MS. The rates of genetic correlation between traits ranged: 0.561-0.929 for MY-MF, (-0.255)-0.090 for MF-MS, (-0.174)-0.020 for MY-MS. It is possible to carry out effective selection for milking speed, which provides an opportunity to increase the number of cows per milking robot, and thus increase the profitability of production in the herd. The results proved that selection for milk yield and daily milking frequency is also feasible. The research showed a high, positive genetic correlation between milking frequency and milk yield, which allows us to conclude that preferring breeding cows with a natural tendency to frequent visits to the milking robot should indirectly improve the genetic basis of milking.

Placental Characteristics Classification of Various Native Turkish Sheep Breeds.

The aim of this study was to classify placental characteristics of Akkaraman, Morkaraman, Karayaka, Awassi, Malya, and Bafra sheep breeds using the hierarchical clustering method. In total, 240 individual data records were used as experimental material. Placental characteristics such as total cotyledon surface area, small and large cotyledon length, small cotyledon depth, etc. were used as explanatory variables to classify the breeds' characteristics. Hierarchical clustering was used with the nearest neighbour method with Euclidean distance in order to classify the sheep breeds' variations. As a result, six breeds were separated into three clusters: the first cluster consisted of Bafra, Karayaka, and Awassi breeds; the second consisted of Akkaraman and Malya breeds; and the third cluster included only the Morkaraman breed. Bafra and Karayaka were pointed as the nearest breeds, with a similarity of 98.7% in terms of placental characteristics. The similarity rate of the Akkaraman and Malya breeds was at a level of 97.5%, whereas it was 96.8% for Bafra, Karayaka, and Awassi breeds. The similarity of Akkaraman, Karayaka, Awassi, Malya, and Bafra sheep breeds was estimated as 95.7%. The overall similarity was found to be at a level of 93.2% among sheep breeds. The outcomes of the study might be useful as a selection tool for reproductivity and can be used to select the breed to be reared.

Composite genotypes of progestogen-associated endometrial protein gene and their association with composition and quality of dairy cattle milk.

OBJECTIVE: The progestogen-associated endometrial protein (PAEP) gene encodes the main whey protein in milk, ß-lactoglobulin. The aim of the study was to investigate polymorphism in the PAEP gene and its association with milk yield, composition, and quality. METHODS: Test-day records for 782 dairy cows were analysed. A total of 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) within the PAEP gene were investigated. The following parameters were recorded: milk yield (MY, kg/d), percent milk fat (%), protein (PP, %), dry matter (DMP, %) and lactose (LP, %), urea content (UC, mg/L) as well as natural logarithm for somatic cell count (LnSCC, ln). Effect on genomic estimated breeding values accuracy was evaluated with pedigree and single step model. RESULTS: Results show that only three SNPs were polymorphic, creating 5 composite genotypes: P1 to P5. Differences in MY between composite genotypes were noted in the two tested herds. Cows with P5 composite genotypes were characterised by the highest PP and LnSCC and the lowest LP and UC (p<0.05). P4 was linked to an increased DMP and UC, while P3 to an increase in LP and decrease in PP and LnSCC. Both factors are important markers in herd management and have high influences on the herds economics. For 5 out of 7 traits the accuracy of prediction was improved by including the haplotype as a fixed effect. CONCLUSION: Presented results may suggest a new way to optimise breeding programmes and demonstrate the impact of using genomic data during that process.

The Polymorphism in Various Milk Protein Genes in Polish Holstein-Friesian Dairy Cattle.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the genotype and allele frequencies of 24 polymorphisms in casein alpha S1 (CSN1S1), casein alpha S2 (CSN1S2), beta-casein (CSN2), kappa-casein (CSN3), and progestagen-associated endometrial protein (PAEP) genes. The study included 1900 Polish Black and White Holstein-Friesian dairy cows that were subjected to genotyping via microarrays. A total of 24 SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) within tested genes were investigated. Two CSN1S1 SNPs were monomorphic, while allele CSN1S1_3*G in CSN1S1_3 SNP dominated with a frequency of 99.39%. Out of seven CSN2 SNPs, four were polymorphic; however, only for CSN2_3 all three genotypes were detected. Only three out of nine SNPs within CSN3 were monomorphic. Three PAEP SNPs were also found to be polymorphic with heterozygotes being most frequent. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) was observed for eight variants. It was shown that only CSN3_6 was not in HWE. The fact that many of investigated SNPs were monomorphic may suggest that in the past the reproduction program favored one of these genotypes. SNPs that are included in commercially available microarrays should be monitored in relation to changes in their frequencies. If a SNP has turned monomorphic, maybe it should be considered for removal from the microarray.

Forecasting the milk yield of cows on farms equipped with automatic milking system with the use of decision trees.

The purpose of this paper was to utilize the decision trees technique to determine the factors responsible for high monthly milk yield in Polish Holstein-Friesian cows from 27 herds equipped with milking robots. The applied statistical method-the decision tree technique-showed that the most important factors responsible for monthly milk yield of dairy cows using robots were, in descending order of importance: milking frequency, lactation number, month of milking, and type of lying stall. At the same time, it has been ascertained that the highest monthly milk yield (47.24 kg) can be expected from multiparous cows kept in barns with a deep bedding that were milked more frequently than three times per day. On the other hand, the lowest milk production (13.56 kg) was observed among dairy cows milked less frequently than two times a day, with an average number of milked quarters lower than 3.97. The application of the decision trees technique allows a breeder to select appropriate levels of environmental factors and parameters that will help to ensure maximized milk production.

The impact of installation of automatic milking system on production and reproduction traits of dairy cows.

The objective of the research was the evaluation of change in the traditional milking system using automatic milking system in the scope of the selected reproduction features of dairy cows of the Polish Holstein-Friesian breed. Animal material consisted of 2,818 cows used on nine farms equipped with the automatic milking system Astronaut A4 made by Lely. The cows were controlled in the scope of services per conception, service period, length of pregnancy, calving interval and calving to conception period, milk yield, protein and fat content obtained in lactations of 305 days. The selected traits were observed between 2005 and 2015. In this period, the milking system was changed from the conventional to automated one. The collected data material was statistically processed, using the multifactorial analysis of variance. The period between the first calving and the second effective insemination was reduced by 11.8 days, and the period between the second calving and the third effective insemination was shortened by 4 days after the installation of the automatic milking system. The increase in milk yield by 466 kg during 305-day lactation was observed among primiparous cows. The percentage of protein and fat content in the researched groups decreased; moreover, the fall of intergroup variability was noticeable, which may be a sign of the levelling of the yield within the herd.

Selection of lactic acid bacteria strains for the hydrolysis of allergenic proteins of wheat flour.

BACKGROUND: Wheat flour is one of the most common causative agents of food allergy. The study presents the selection and characterization of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains capable of hydrolyzing/modifying allergenic proteins of wheat flour. Hydrolysis of wheat proteins was determined with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting with sera from patients with food allergy to gluten. RESULTS: The analysis of electrophoretic profiles of protein extracted from sourdough shows the capability of selected LAB strains for proteolytic degradation of wheat proteins that belong to two factions: albumin/globulin (hydrolysis of 13 polypeptides with a molecular weight between 103 and 22 kDa); and gliadin (seven polypeptides with a molecular weight between 39 and 24 kDa). All analyzed strains were capable of hydrolyzing some IgE-binding epitopes of wheat allergens. The lack of such changes in control samples indicates that they were induced rather by the proteolytic activity of bacterial strains than endogenous enzymes of wheat flour. The gluten proteins were susceptible to hydrolysis by sequential digestion with pepsin and trypsin. CONCLUSION: The selected strains exhibit proteolytic activity, which leads to a reduction in allergenicity of wheat sourdoughs. These strains may be applied as specific starter cultures to prepare bakery products of special nutritional use. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.