Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Lucile Montagne, Helene Gilbert, Nelly Muller, Nathalie Le Floc'h
Summary: The physiological responses to weaning differed between pig lines selected for different levels of feed efficiency. Pigs from the more efficient line were more sensitive to the weaning stress initially, but ultimately adapted and showed similar performance as pigs from the less efficient line.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND ANIMAL NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Raphael Gauthier, Christine Largouet, Laurence Roze, Jean-Yves Dourmad
Summary: A novel approach combining online forecasting and offline learning procedures was proposed to predict daily feed intake in lactating sows, aiming to improve the efficiency of livestock feeding. Analysis of data from different farms resulted in the identification of two consistent trajectory curves, which can effectively predict variations in feed intake.
COMPUTERS AND ELECTRONICS IN AGRICULTURE
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Kerry Houlahan, Flavio S. Schenkel, Dagnachew Hailemariam, Jan Lassen, Morten Kargo, John B. Cole, Erin E. Connor, Silvia Wegmann, Oliveira Junior, Filippo Miglior, Allison Fleming, Tatiane C. S. Chud, Christine F. Baes
Summary: This study demonstrates that direct selection on residual feed intake can improve feed efficiency in dairy cattle, leading to higher economic response and more favorable selection responses for production and feed efficiency. As selection pressure on residual feed intake increases over time, the selection responses for production, health, and fertility traits may become less favorable.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Laura Vargovic, Susanne Hermesch, Rebecca Z. Athorn, Kim L. Bunter
Summary: Electronic sow feeding (ESF) systems are used to monitor feed intake and behavior in group-housed sows, with the study finding moderate to high heritability and repeatability for time-related traits, indicating genetic variation among individuals in their feeding behaviors. Individual phenotypes derived from ESF data could be valuable for genetic evaluations, but differences in the capabilities of ESF systems hindered comparison between farms.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Pekka Huhtanen, Alireza Bayat, Peter Lund, Abdulai Guinguina
Summary: The study evaluated the potential of using RCO2 as an index of feed efficiency, finding that RCO2 can help rank individual cows based on feed efficiency. By adjusting the RMSE, heat production and feed intake were more accurately predicted, providing insights for genetic improvement in dairy herds.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
M. M. Fathi, A. Galal, I. Al-Homidan, O. K. Abou-Emera, G. N. Rayan
Summary: Recent breeding programs aim to reduce production costs by genetically improving birds with negative residual feed intake, which require less feed to reach similar body weight and production performance. Birds with positive residual feed intake should be avoided in effective selection programs for breeders.
ANNALS OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Laura Vargovic, Susanne Hermesch, Rebecca Z. Athorn, Kim L. Bunter
Summary: This study found that feed intake and feeding behavior traits were associated with reproductive performance in sows, with lower feed intake being linked to undesirable outcomes. There were some genetic differences between farms in terms of these relationships, and some genetic correlations were observed between feeding traits and various reproductive outcomes.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Shuang Li, Jie Zheng, Jiaqi He, Hao Liu, Yingyan Huang, Liansu Huang, Ke Wang, Xilun Zhao, Bin Feng, Lianqiang Che, Zhengfeng Fang, Jian Li, Shengyu Xu, Yan Lin, Xuemei Jiang, Lun Hua, Yong Zhuo, De Wu
Summary: This study found that a high-fiber diet can increase the feed intake of sows during lactation. The mechanism behind this effect is believed to be the modulation of gut microbiota. Adding high-fiber feed to the gestation diet can improve the lactational feed intake of sows by increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Kai Wang, Shujie Wang, Xiang Ji, Dong Chen, Qi Shen, Yang Yu, Weihang Xiao, Pingxian Wu, Jun Yuan, Yiren Gu, Guoqing Tang
Summary: This study conducted a genome-wide association study for feed conversion ratio (FCR) and residual feed intake (RFI) in Yorkshire pigs using whole-genome sequencing data. They identified novel SNPs associated with FCR and RFI and identified candidate genes related to these traits.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
J. Kecman, J. Neu, N. Goeres, B. Voss, F. Rosner, N. Kemper, H. H. Swalve
Summary: Ensuring work safety for stockpersons is gaining importance with the keeping of lactating sows in loose housing systems. The present study developed tests characterising the behaviour of lactating sows in farrowing environments with more freedom to move and examined their behaviour towards humans in different management procedures. The developed tests are suitable for assessing the behaviour of sows towards humans, and the derived behavioural traits could be used for the genetic selection of gentle and easy-to-handle sows.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Hadi Esfandyari, Just Jensen
Summary: The study aimed to develop a procedure for simultaneous analysis of basic records and derive linear traits related to feed efficiency without approximation. A bivariate longitudinal random regression model was used to analyze individual longitudinal records of weight and feed intake from a large group of beef bulls, estimating genetic and permanent environmental covariance functions.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Tobias Threadgold, Emma Catharine Greenwood, William Van Wettere
Summary: This review examines the effects of specific dietary supplements on piglet survival, highlighting the key parameters affecting piglet survival and discussing the potential benefits of different supplements on these parameters.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Andrew L. Makalani, Tomoyuki Kawashima, Yasuyuki Ishii, Toshihiro Takahashi
Summary: This study examined the impact of supplementing Italian ryegrass silage (IRS) on the behavior and stress levels of pregnant sows, as well as the effect on feeding costs. The results showed that replacing a portion of the commercial diet with IRS had no significant effect on sow behavior and stress levels, while also reducing feeding costs.
ANIMAL SCIENCE JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
K. T. Williams, K. A. Weigel, W. K. Coblentz, N. M. Esser, H. Schlesser, P. C. Hoffman, R. Ogden, H. Su, M. S. Akins
Summary: The objective of this study was to compare the growth, feed intake, and feed efficiency of postbred dairy heifers with different genomic RFI when offered diets with different energy densities. Results showed that heifers with low RFI had higher daily gains and feed efficiencies when fed a low energy diet.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Carlos Arce-Recinos, Nadia Florencia Ojeda-Robertos, Ricardo Alfonso Garcia-Herrera, Jesus Alberto Ramos-Juarez, Angel Trinidad Pineiro-Vazquez, Jorge Rodolfo Canul-Solis, Luis Enrique Castillo-Sanchez, Fernando Casanova-Lugo, Einar Vargas-Bello-Perez, Alfonso Juventino Chay-Canul
Summary: This study investigated residual feed intake, volatile fatty acid production, and enteric methane emissions in growing Pelibuey sheep. The results showed that low residual feed intake lambs had lower intake of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber, resulting in lower methane emissions.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
B. L. Hollema, S. Zwiers, S. Hermesch
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Wendy M. Rauw, Lotta Rydhmer, Ilias Kyriazakis, Margareth overland, Helene Gilbert, Jack C. M. Dekkers, Susanne Hermesch, Alban Bouquet, Emilio Gomez Izquierdo, Isabelle Louveau, Luis Gomez-Raya
JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
(2020)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
S. Tongsiri, J. H. J. van der Werf, L. Li, M. G. Jeyaruban, M. L. Wolcott, S. Hermesch, T. Chormai
BRITISH POULTRY SCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Vanille Deru, Alban Bouquet, Etienne Labussiere, Philippe Ganier, Benoit Blanchet, Celine Carillier-Jacquin, Helene Gilbert
Summary: The study investigated the impact of alternative HF diets on pig digestibility, showing that pigs fed the HF diet had lower digestibility coefficients. Digestibility coefficients were moderately to highly heritable in both CO and HF diets, with favorable genetic correlations with feed conversion ratio but unfavorable correlations with average daily gain and carcass yield.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Laura Vargovic, Susanne Hermesch, Rebecca Z. Athorn, Kim L. Bunter
Summary: Electronic sow feeding (ESF) systems are used to monitor feed intake and behavior in group-housed sows, with the study finding moderate to high heritability and repeatability for time-related traits, indicating genetic variation among individuals in their feeding behaviors. Individual phenotypes derived from ESF data could be valuable for genetic evaluations, but differences in the capabilities of ESF systems hindered comparison between farms.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Amir Aliakbari, Olivier Zemb, Yvon Billon, Celine Barilly, Ingrid Ahn, Juliette Riquet, Helene Gilbert
Summary: This study found genetic variations in the gut microbial community are associated with feed efficiency and production traits in pigs, suggesting potential for selection for feed efficiency using gut microbiome composition.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Tara Soleimani, Susanne Hermesch, Helene Gilbert
Summary: By selecting for pig feed efficiency and optimizing diets, sustainable farm feed efficiency can be improved, leading to increased profitability and reduced environmental impact in pig production systems. The study highlights the importance of feed efficiency in improving sustainability and reducing environmental footprints in pig production.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Laura Vargovic, Susanne Hermesch, Rebecca Z. Athorn, Kim L. Bunter
Summary: This study found that feed intake and feeding behavior traits were associated with reproductive performance in sows, with lower feed intake being linked to undesirable outcomes. There were some genetic differences between farms in terms of these relationships, and some genetic correlations were observed between feeding traits and various reproductive outcomes.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Frederic Douhard, Mathieu Douhard, Helene Gilbert, Philippe Monget, Jean-Michel Gaillard, Jean-Francois Lemaitre
Summary: Trade-offs between life history traits are influenced by limited resources in organisms, with less impact in nutrient-rich or benign environments. Despite strong selection for higher productivity in domestic animals, negative genetic correlations between productivity and health/fertility traits suggest trade-offs exist, particularly in nonlimiting resource contexts. Time constraints and trade-offs may play a more significant role than feed availability in limiting genetic changes and predicting selection outcomes in livestock.
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
V Deru, A. Bouquet, O. Zemb, B. Blanchet, M. L. De Almeida, L. Cauquil, C. Carillier-Jacquin, H. Gilbert
Summary: The composition of gut microbiota in pigs is influenced by diet and plays an important role in digestion. This study investigated the genetic correlations between microbiota traits and feed efficiency and digestive efficiency traits in pigs fed conventional or high-fiber diets. The results showed limited genetic by diet interactions on gut microbiota composition, suggesting that microbiota-based traits could be used as proxies to improve feed and digestive efficiency in pigs.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Raphaelle Duclos, Elsa Delanoue, Anne-Charlotte Dockes, Laurent Journaux, Michel Sourdioux, Jean-Pierre Bidanel
Summary: This article examines the controversies surrounding the application of genetic tools to farm animals and argues that this subject has the potential to become a public debate. It reviews the uncertainties and legal framework debates related to this topic, explores possible approaches for discussing the subject, and provides an overview of the actors involved in the discussion. The article suggests that the topic remains confined to the scientific and professional environment, but a few positions have emerged with regards to animal welfare.
INRA PRODUCTIONS ANIMALES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
David Wragg, Sonia E. Eynard, Benjamin Basso, Kamila Canale-Tabet, Emmanuelle Labarthe, Olivier Bouchez, Kaspar Bienefeld, Malgorzata Bienkowska, Cecilia Costa, Ales Gregorc, Per Kryger, Melanie Parejo, M. Alice Pinto, Jean-Pierre Bidanel, Bertrand Servin, Yves Le Conte, Alain Vignal
Summary: Honey bee subspecies originate from specific geographical areas and have been imported to different regions. To better understand Western European honey bee populations, researchers conducted a genome sequence and SNP genotype analysis.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Vanille Deru, Francesco Tiezzi, Celine Carillier-Jacquin, Benoit Blanchet, Laurent Cauquil, Olivier Zemb, Alban Bouquet, Christian Maltecca, Helene Gilbert
Summary: The study found that the gut microbiota significantly influenced the phenotypic variability of digestive efficiency traits, even more than host genetics. The use of microbiota information could enhance the selection of digestive efficiency traits, and to a lesser extent, growth and feed efficiency traits. Filtering OTU is an important step that influences microbiability.
GENETICS SELECTION EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Fany Blanc, Tatiana Maroilley, Manuel Revilla, Gaetan Lemonnier, Jean-Jacques Leplat, Yvon Billon, Laure Ravon, Olivier Bouchez, Jean-Pierre Bidanel, Bertrand Bed'Hom, Marie-Helene Pinard-van der Laan, Jordi Estelle, Claire Rogel-Gaillard
Summary: The study highlights the impact of individual genetic and genomic variations on vaccine effectiveness, as well as the correlation between pre-vaccination blood transcriptome and antibody responses. Analyses revealed associations between blood biomarkers and genomic regions with variations in M. hyo antibody levels at different time points.
GENETICS SELECTION EVOLUTION
(2021)