Earticle

The present study was undertaken to investigate the reproductive performance of the female breeding pigs after artificial insemination (AI) using the frozen boar semen imported from Canada, thereby finding insights into improving the efficiency of AI using the frozen semen (FSAI). Analyzed in the present study were the records of a total of 626 FSAI in a great grandparent (GGP) farm beginning from May through November of the year of 2016 (Farm A) and 2,024 FSAI beginning from 2015 through 2017 from a second GGP farm (Farm B). Both the total number of piglets born (TNB) and the number born alive (NBA) were greater during May than during September within FSAI (p<0.05) in Farm A (p<0.01 for the effect of the month). In Farm B, no difference was detected between the years in any of the farrowing rate, TNB, and NBA. When the records from Farm A and Farm B were pooled, the farrowing rate was greater for Farm A vs. Farm B (p<0.01), with no difference between the two farms in TNB and NBA. Moreover, TNB and NBA were less for FSAI than for AI using the liquid semen (LSAI; 10.9±0.3 vs. 13.4±0.1 and 10.0±0.3 vs. 12.0±0.1 piglets, respectively, for FSAI vs. LSAI in TNB and NBA, respectively; p<0.01). In conclusion, these results suggest that the reproduction efficiency for FSAI, which is lower than that for LSAI, could be improved by selecting an optimal period of the year for the use of the former.

The objective of the current pilot study was to evaluate the reproductive performance and health indicators in Dorper, White Dorper, and Tsigai breed ewes managed semi-intensively under European temperate conditions. A total of 544 ewe-year units were observed, with ewes (ranging from 1.5 to 8 years of age) managed under identical rearing conditions for a period of two consecutive production cycles (2012 through 2013 and 2013 through 2014). In general, significant ($p{\leq}0.001$) genotype-related disparities were found in occurrence rates for all health parameters taken into study. Clinical mastitis incidence was significantly lower ($p{\leq}0.05$) in Dorper (9.4%) and White Dorper (10.8%) breeds compared to that of Tsigai ewes (17.4%). Significant differences ($p{\leq}0.05$) for lameness were found between Dorper and Tsigai breeds, with occurrence rates of 8.0% and 2.9%, respectively. Incidence for pneumonia and abortion was not influenced (p>0.05) by the ewes' genotype. Litter size was significantly lower ($p{\leq}0.05$) in White Dorper breed than for Dorper and Tsigai ewes, of 1.21, 1.40, and 1.45, respectively. Conception rates and lambs survival were not affected (p>0.05) by genotype. Results suggest that South African Dorper and White Dorper sheep breeds have adapted well to the specific rearing conditions.

An investigation was conducted on 729 Hariana cows maintained at Government Livestock Farm, Hisar, from 1973 to 1999, with an objective to compare the efficiency of various selection indices for attaining desired genetic gains in the index traits. The various traits included were age at first calving (AFC), service period (SP), calving interval (CI), days to first service (DFS), number of services per conception (NSPC), lactation milk yield (LY), peak yield (PY), dry period (DP). Except for LY, PY and AFC the heritabilities of all other traits were low. Desirable associations among reproductive traits are supportive of the fact that any one of these traits incorporated in simultaneous selection is expected to cause correlated response in other traits. Production traits (LY and PY) were positively correlated, while DP had low negative genetic correlation with LY, and high genetic correlation with PY. Thus, DP can be taken as additional criteria in selection index for better over all improvement. Almost all production traits except DP had low negative correlation with AFC, SP, DFS and CI meaning that reduction in reproduction traits up to certain level may increase production performance. While, the correlation of NSPC with LY and PY was moderate positive. Among four trait indices I23: incorporating PY, AFC, SP and NSPC and among three trait indices I1: incorporating LY, AFC and SP were the best as these required least number of generations (4.87 and 1.35, respectively) to attain desired goals. Next in order of preference were PY or LY along with DP and SP as the best indices (I20 and I16) of which, index with PY may be preferred instead of LY as it produced considerably high correlated response in LY and reduction in NSPC as well.

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the breeding efficiency in Thoroughbred mare. A total of 106 mares were investigated for the status of follicle (462 cases), ovulation (179 cases) and pregnancy (346 cases). Of total examination, 46.8% was follicle measure to determine breeding time, and mating rate per cases examined was 39.9%. There was no correlation between reproductive results and size of follicles or endometrial edema or degrees of teasing alone. 143 cases were ovulated among 179 cases which were performed ovulation examination, and ovulation rate and fertilization rate per mating times were 79.9% and 39.0%, respectively. The use of hCG(human chorionic gonadotropin), to facilitate ovulation, presented to increase occurrence of double ovulations and twin fertilizations In conclusion, though more examination to estimate the optimal breeding time and higher mating rate was performed, fertilization rate per mating times was lower and then reproductive efficiency also became decreased. Therefore, it seemed that accurate examination of reproductive tracks, appropriate teasing programme and hCG administration before ovulation were of help to improve ovulation rate and fertilization rate.