The main aim of the diploma work is to evaluation the reproduction level and the milk performance level of the concrete herd of cattle Holstein breed. The evaluation took place in family farm of Vladimír Pešta. The farm manages 73 hectares of soil and keeps 40 cows with closed herd turnover. Collection of input data took place in the years 2004 - 2007. There were monitored basic indicators of milk performance, indicators of reproduction and the development of body condition score (BCS) during the lactation period. The increasing milk production of the groups with performance to 7000 kg, 7000 {--} 8000 kg and over 8000 kg of milk affected negatively indicators of reproduction and there were the statistically demonstrable differences between groups. The duration of service period (SP) of groups by performance was 154, 165 and 175 days. Order of lactation period had no effect on reproduction. The milk production was by 1st lactation period 6 909 kg, by 2nd lactation period 8 435 kg and by 3rd lactation period 7 894 kg. There was the higher milk production by the dairy cows, which were calved in spring and in autumn, and it was 7 822kg and 7 898 kg. The dairy cows, which were calved in winter and in summer, had the performance lower by 400 kg. There were reached the better reproduction results by the dairy cows calved in winter and in spring, SP 164 and 153 days. The dairy cows calved in summer and in autumn had SP 174 and 182 days. The differences between the groups by season of year were not statistically demonstrable, neither at reproduction nor at milk production. The size of body framework of cattle had no effect on the milk production. The average value of body condition score on the beginning of lactation period was 3.59 points. The value of BCS was decreasing until 6th month of lactation period on 2.43 points. In the next months the BCS was slowly improving. The values of BCS oscillated during different phases of lactation period in range of 2 points. In the days of gestation the value of BCS was 2.65 points. The rate of the milk component fat/protein was on the beginning of lactation period 1.75, until 4th month of lactation period decreased on 1.35 and in the next months the rate was oscillated between 1.3 and 1.4. The average age by first calving was 834 days (27.4 months). By increasing age by first calving the subsequent performance sloped down. But this relationship was not statistically demonstrable. The average tallness in the small of the back amounted by cows, which are calving for the first time, to 149.8 cm. The attained milk performance was satisfactory. The reproduction results were less favourableness. From recognized relationships we can draw conclusions, that on the production and reproduction of the monitored herd the breeding conditions, the nutrition, the health state and the herd management have an mainly influence. By improvement of these factors we can achieve the better reproduction results. The influences like the season of year or the body framework of cattle are not too important.

Oceanic uptake of anthropogenic CO2 emissions is causing wholesale shifts seawater carbonate chemistry towards a state of decreased carbonate ion concentration and reduced ocean pH. This change in water chemistry has potentially dire implications for marine organisms, especially those that build and maintain calcium carbonate structures. Our understanding of how ocean acidification may affect marine organisms is limited, as most studies have been short-term laboratory experiments. The CO2 flux from hydrothermal vent fluids on NW Eifuku submarine volcano (Mariana Volcanic Arc) provides a natural setting to investigate the effects of acidification. Here, the vent mussel, Bathymodiolus septemdierum, lives in water with pH as low as 5.22. This study was designed to examine the consequences of a low pH environment on reproduction, calcification and somatic growth in B. septemdierum, since the presumed elevated cost of acid-base regulation may diminish available energy for these processes. Histological analysis reveals both females and males display synchronous gametogenesis across collection sites with spawning occurring between late winter and early spring. Mussels are functionally dioecious, although evidence of protogynous hermaphroditism was found– a first record for the genus. In comparison with mussels at near normal pH, we find no evidence that the pattern of gametogenesis is affected by low pH conditions. However, calcification is compromised: at a given shell volume, shells from NW Eifuku weigh about half those from sites with near normal pH mussels. The condition index (CI = body ash free dry weight/ shell volume) was assessed in mussels collected from four low pH sites on Northwest Eifuku and two control sites from Lau Basin and Nifonea Ridge; we show that low pH conditions negatively affect CI, especially when energy availability is limited. Bathymodiolus septemdierum acquires energy from chemoautotrophic symbionts in the specialized gill epithelial cells. Using a gill condition index (GCI = gill ash free dry weight/ shell volume) and transmission electron microscopy to determine symbiont abundances in gill tissues, we show that NW Eifuku mussels with healthy gills and abundant symbionts have a higher CI than mussels from NW Eifuku with unhealthy gills. Optimal environmental sulphide concentrations appear to sustain higher symbiont abundances. While the survival of mussels on NW Eifuku is remarkable, it can come at a considerable cost to body and shell condition when during periods of energy limitation. Bathymodiolus septemdierum shows substantial resilience to low pH conditions when energy availability is sufficient due to energy budget adjustments that maximize fitness. / Graduate / 0329, 0472, 0416

No description available.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Tortoises appear to be successful in arid ecosystems, where they depend on primary production for their predominantly herbivorous diets. The low primary production of arid regions is exacerbated by priodic droughts, so that iteroparous species such as chelonians require mechanisms to overcome resource shortages. The smallest of all tortoises, Homopus signatus signatus, occurs in a dry winter rainfall area in northwestern South Africa that is threatened with aridification due to regional climate change. The overall aim of this study is to understand the ecology of H. s. signatus, particularly in reference to the importance of rainfall.

The objectives of the present research were to study the factors that influence postpartum reproductive characteristics of suckling beef cows in extensive production systems in Mozambique and to develop new management strategies to improve their reproductive efficiency. The effects and interactions between post-partum BW, BCS, age and parity number on plasma concentrations of estradiol, progesterone, creatinine, urea and cortisol around oestrus and the related conception rates of Bos indicus cows in extensive production system were analysed as well as the minimum BCS at the beginning of breeding to maximise the subsequent conception rates. Thirty-five days prior to the breeding season cows were synchronised using Crestar. During the second oestrus after synchronisation, 18 blood samples were collected per animal for hormonal analysis, from 24 hr before oestrus to 24 hr after oestrus. The hormonal pattern of estradiol and progesterone around oestrus were similar to that observed in Bos taurus cows under intensive conditions. Conception rates of cows in the experimental group were 90.5%. Better results on estradiol pattern and conception rates were related to a BCS of ≥ 2.5 and it was thus concluded that the post-partum management of extensive Bos inducus cows should aim to achieve at least a BCS of 2.5 at the beginning of the breeding season. Twelve-hour and 48-hr calf removal were conducted separately to evaluate their effects on conception rates of Bos indicus beef cows in extensive production systems and to quantify the related effects on calf-weaning weights. The 12-hr calf removal was performed from 45 days post-partum to the beginning of the breeding season, and the 48-hr calf removal was performed preceding the onset of the breeding season. It was concluded that 12-hr calf separation at night enhance the energy balance (3%), increases the conception rates (80%) and improves the calf-weaning weights, whereas 48-hr calf removal increases conception rates (76%) and does not affect calf weaning weights. Both calf removal management strategies concentrate conceptions in the early part of the breeding season and stress the importance of the effect of BCS and estradiol on conception rates in Bos indicus beef cows in extensive production systems. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

L’écosystème pélagique du Golfe du Lion a subi un changement très marqué de la dynamique de population des poissons petits pélagiques depuis 2008. L'anchois (Engraulis encrasicolus) et la sardine (Sardina pilchardus), exploités économiquement, sont devenus plus petits et plus maigres tandis que le sprat (Sprattus sprattus), non exploité car de faible valeur commerciale a fortement augmenté en abondance et en biomasse. Cette thèse analyse les changements observés en se basant sur la condition corporelle, i.e. les réserves énergétiques des individus, et les causes et conséquences de ses variations. La condition corporelle était optimale, en 2005 et 2006 pour l’anchois et la sardine, puis s’est dégradée depuis 2008 pour rester à de faibles niveaux depuis 2010. Les principaux paramètres expliquant les changements de condition corporelle sont la concentration zooplanctonique pour les deux espèces ainsi que la température de surface pour la sardine et le débit du Rhône pour l’anchois. Depuis 2008, les sardines les plus âgées semblent être les plus touchées par cette chute de condition. Le chapitre suivant a permis d'identifier des changements temporels des niches isotopiques qui sont aujourd’hui partagées par l’anchois et la sardine avec le sprat alors qu’elles ne l’étaient pas en 2004-2005. En plus de cette compétition potentielle, les proies aujourd’hui consommées sont de plus petite taille et probablement moins énergétiques. Ces deux résultats peuvent expliquer la plus faible condition actuellement observée par un apport nutritif actuellement réduit. Malgré les plus faibles réserves disponibles, les deux espèces investissent toujours autant dans la reproduction, voire même plus pour la sardine, comme suggéré par plusieurs proxys que sont l’indice gonado-somatique ou la durée de la période de reproduction. L’investissement énergétique semble donc se faire vers la reproduction au détriment de la survie, ce qui explique la disparition des sardines les plus âgées (celles en âge de se reproduire). Des effets maternels ont aussi été montrés, les plus grands individus pondant plus d’œufs et ceux en meilleure condition produisant des œufs de meilleure qualité. Le stock de sardine produit ainsi moins d’œufs depuis 2010 alors que l’anchois en produit plus, ce qui pourrait venir de l’augmentation du nombre d’individus et de l’abaissement de la taille et de l’âge à maturité. Dans une étude à large échelle, nous avons mis en évidence que la baisse de la condition est également perceptible dans d’autres zones de Méditerranée. Néanmoins, les variations de condition ne sont pas régies de façon synchrone en Méditerranée, pointant l’importance des facteurs locaux dans cette mer quasi-fermée. De plus, les anchois présentent une meilleure condition corporelle dans les zones de convergence des masses d’eaux (e.g. fronts, upwellings locaux) alors que les sardines préfèrent les zones de forte production primaire. Ces différences pourraient être liées aux différences dans le cycle de reproduction et dans le comportement alimentaire. Ces travaux de thèse complètent les précédents travaux faits sur les mécanismes top-down et soulignent ici le rôle que joue la ressource alimentaire (contrôle 'bottom-up') dans les variations de condition corporelle dans le Golfe du Lion et en Méditerranée. L’étude de la condition corporelle a aussi permis de comprendre les raisons de la troncation démographique observée chez la sardine. Malgré cela, il est toujours nécessaire d’estimer si un seuil létal de la condition corporelle existe chez nos espèces et d’améliorer le suivi zooplanctonique pour mieux comprendre le lien entre la productivité planctonique et la dynamique de population des petits pélagiques. Cette thèse permet une avancée notable dans la compréhension de la dynamique de population des petits pélagiques et permettra d’appréhender au mieux les répercussions écologiques et économiques de la baisse générale de leur condition dans toute la Méditerranée. / Multiple changes have been described since 2008 in the Gulf of Lions ecosystem and particularly in small pelagic fish dynamic. In particular, the two main exploited species, i.e. anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) and sardine (Sardina pilchardus) are now smaller and in poor condition while a third species, the sprat (Sprattus sprattus) strongly increased in terms of biomass and abundance. This PhD thesis investigated these changes through the analysis of small pelagic fish body condition (i.e individual energy stores) variations, its causes and consequences. Anchovy and sardine body condition was optimal in 2005 and 2006 and decreased after 2008 to remain steady at low level since 2010. Moreover, older sardine have particularly displayed poor body condition since 2008. A part of these changes is associated with changes in zooplankton concentration for both species, but also with both sea surface temperature and diatoms for sardine and Rhône outflow for anchovy. Thus, as bottom-up control was highlighted, the following chapter investigated potential changes in diet through isotope and stomach content analyses. Isotopic niche varied temporally and have been overlapping since 2010 for both anchovy and sardine with the sprat, resulting in a potential new trophic competition. Further, preys are also smaller and probably less energetic. Both studies may explain the poorer body condition by a reduced food supply. Although smaller energy stores are available, both species still allocate a large part of their energy to reproduction, as observed through e.g. gonado-somatic indices. This bias in energy allocation towards reproduction might impair survival and explain the disappearance of oldest mature sardine in the Gulf of Lions. Maternal effects were also underlined. Indeed, large individuals spawn more eggs while fatter individual spawn higher quality eggs. The decrease in size and condition has thus led to a lower production of eggs since 2010 for sardines while anchovy managed to maintain if not increase its egg production thanks to the expanding number of individuals and the decline of anchovy size and age at maturity. At a broader scale, we pointed out that fish body condition decreased in other Mediterranean areas such as the Adriatic Sea, the Catalan Sea or the Strait of Sicily. Nonetheless, body condition variations were not synchronous in the Mediterranean Sea, pointing out the importance of local factors in this quasi-enclosed basin. Furthermore, anchovy displays a better body condition in high energetic areas (fronts areas, local upwellings) when sardine prefers areas with high primary productivity. Those differences could be linked to the different reproductive cycles and trophic behaviours. This PhD thesis complements the previous work made on top-down processes and strengthens the bottom-up importance to determine forage fish body condition both in the Gulf of Lions and the Mediterranean Sea. Studying body condition allowed understanding the reasons of the sardine demographic truncation. Indeed, the older the individual the poorer the body condition, preventing them to achieve both reproduction and survival. This PhD thesis reaches new conclusions and improves knowledge on small pelagic fish dynamic in the Gulf of Lions. Although, further work is still necessary to estimate experimentally if a body condition threshold exists and to improve zooplanktonic monitoring to better understand the link between planktonic productivity and small pelagic fish dynamic. This will help to investigate deeply the ecological and economical consequences of small pelagic fish decreasing body condition in the Mediterranean.

O experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o desempenho corporal e reprodutivo de 120 novilhas de corte de um rebanho comercial Braford do desmame ao fim do período reprodutivo aos 14/15 meses de idade, quando submetidas a três sistemas alimentares: pastagem de aveia preta (Avena strigosa Schreb.) e azevém (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) (AV+AZ), pastagem de aveia e azevém mais 1% do peso corporal de farelo de trigo (FT), pastagem de aveia e azevém mais 1% de peso corporal de farelo de trigo e 200ml/cabeça/dia de glicerina bruta (FTG) e da prenhez das novilhas aos 14/15 meses de idade ao fim da prenhez quando primíparas aos 24/25 meses de idade, quando submetidas a dois sistemas alimentares: pastagem de azevém (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) por 22 dias pós-parto e mais 22 dias em pastagem natural (PSS), pastagem de azevém por 22 pós-parto recebendo 1% de peso corporal de farelo de trigo e por mais 22 dias em pastagem natural (PCS). O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente ao acaso, com medidas repetidas no tempo. Sem limitações na oferta forrageira, as suplementações não afetaram a taxa de prenhez, mas determinaram maior concepção nos primeiros 21 dias da temporada Novilhas prenhes, independentes dos tratamentos, têm melhores características fenotípicas de conformação, precocidade, musculatura e tamanho já ao desmame, têm maiores ganhos de peso e condição corporal até o início e ao fim dos tratamentos alimentares e início da temporada reprodutiva, o que permite uma seleção prévia, à idades menores, das bezerras a serem postas em sistemas para prenhez aos 14/15 meses de idade. Rebanhos com prenhez estabilizada aos dois anos de idade necessitam de seleção para maior precocidade sexual e prenhez aos 14/15 meses de idade, não somente ter pesos e condições corporais. Novilhas prenhas aos 14/15 meses de idade têm bom desenvolvimento em pastagem de tifton 85 nos meses de outono com a oferta de 2.500kg de MS/ha. Primíparas suplementadas por 44 dias no pré-serviço têm significativo maior ganho de peso, maior prenhez, com menores intervalo parto-concepção e intervalo entre partos do que as não suplementadas, porém ainda cerca de trinta dias a mais do que o recomendado em sistemas de cria de maior produtividade e eficiência. / This study aimed to evaluate the body development and reproductive performance of 120 Braford heifers from a commercial beef herd from the weaning to first breeding at 14/15 months of age, when submitted to three different feeding systems: black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb.) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) pastures (AV+AZ), black oat and Italian ryegrass plus supplementation with wheat bran at 1% of the body weight (FT), and black oat and Italian ryegrass plus supplementation with wheat bran at 1% of the body weight plus 200 mL head-1 day-1 of crude glycerol (FTG). We also evaluated the reproductive performance of primiparous cows first bred with 14/15 months of age at their second calving, when submitted to two feeding systems prior to the second breeding season: Italian ryegrass pasture for 22 days postpartum following another 22 days in natural pasture (PSS), and Italian ryegrass pasture for 22 days postpartum receiving 1% of the body weight of wheat bran, following another 22 days in natural pasture (PCS). Treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design with repeated measures in time. Without limitations on herbage allowance from the pasture, supplementation did not affect the pregnancy rate, but increased conception on the first 21 days of the breeding season Heifers that conceived, regardless of the treatments, had better phenotypic characteristics of body conformation, precocity, musculature and frame size at weaning. These animals also had greater average daily gain and body condition at the beginning and at the end of the feeding treatments, and at the beginning of the breeding season. Those traits could be used as indicators for an early selection of heifers to be designated to breeding programs at 14/15 months of age. Herds with stabilized conception at two years of age require selection for greater sexual precocity and conception at 14/15 months of age, and not only have adequate body weight and condition at the time of breeding. Heifers that conceived at 14/15 months of age with forage allowance of 2,500 kg DM ha-1 present good development in tifton 85 pasture during the autumn months. Primiparous supplemented for 44 days prior to breeding had greater weight gain and conception, with shorter calving-to-conception interval and shorter interval between calving than those not supplemented, but still about thirty days longer than recommended to calving systems with higher productivity and reproductive efficiency.

Birds face many challenges from the process of urbanisation. Those species that are able to occupy urban areas offer opportunities to understand processes of acclimatisation to urban life and may help in the development of urban spaces for the benefit of wildlife. In many bird species, individuals that occupy territories in more urban areas show lower productivity and lower body condition of nestlings, which is thought to be mediated by food availability. Most of the studies exploring this issue were done on passerines and carried out in the global north, with very few studies exploring this topic on non-passerines, and even fewer in Africa. Studies addressing urban productivity in apex predators with slow life histories that are often of conservation concern are largely missing. Here, we explore the breeding performance of the African Crowned Eagles (Stephanoaetus coronatus) across an urbanisation gradient in KwaZuluNatal, South Africa. Specifically, we explored the hypothesis that living in an urban environment allows this species, which is typically a biennial breeder, to breed annually more often (i.e. increased breeding rate), and whether this might increase the productivity of this species. We also explore whether there may be any hidden costs of such a breeding strategy by examining the condition of chicks for pairs which had successfully bred in the previous year. We found that Crowned Eagles breeding in more urban areas attempted to breed more often (i.e., higher breeding rate), but that these birds also suffered from lower breeding success. These two contrasting responses counteracted each other and meant that overall productivity (number of young produced per occupied territory) was not influenced by urbanisation. Breeding annually did not appear to have a negative cost on the chick condition, as offspring in the year following a successful breeding attempt did not have lowered body condition. This species appears to be well adjusted to breeding in an urban environment. Crowned Eagles are currently considered vulnerable in South Africa, and ensuring that an urban population of this species is able to persist can help secure the conservation status of this charismatic species.

Pinnipeds exhibit a wide range of lactation strategies that vary from just a few days to nearly three years in duration. Phocids have a relatively short, intense nursing period culminating with weaning after just a few days or weeks, while dependent otariids generally take several months of consuming a combined milk and solid food diet before being completely independent. The transition to nutritional independence can be particularly challenging for newly weaned pups, which must adjust to behavioral, physiological and nutritional changes as a milk diet is replaced with solid food. An interruption in energy resources during this formative stage could result in a prioritization away from growth, maintenance, or activity resulting in suboptimal development. Three groups of ex situ California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) pups were examined during the initial period of independence after they were weaned at approximately five, seven, and nine months of age. Absolute growth rates of pups were calculated and changes in body composition were estimated using blubber depth measurements and deuterium oxide dilution to determine if weaning age had an effect on subsequent pup development and growth. Blood urea nitrogen and blood glucose levels were observed for their response to changes in body condition, while thyroid hormone levels in the blood were examined as a possible nutritional stress indicator during the pup's transition to solid food. When compared to in situ pups, the 5 month old pups in the present study had significantly greater body mass (39.6 ± 1.6 kg, p < 0.01), axillary girth (85.3 ± 2.9 cm, p < 0.01), and axillary blubber depth (2.3 ± 0.1 cm, p < 0.01) compared to 5 month old in situ pups (26.6 ± 5.2 kg / 70.6 ± 5.34 cm / 1.5 ± 0.2 cm). Nine month old ex situ pups had significantly greater axillary blubber depth (3.7 ± 0.9 cm, p < 0.01) and total body lipid percentage (24.9 ± 4.7%, p= 0.01) than in situ pups (1.5 ± 0.2 cm / 17.1 ± 4.9%). Although all pups in the present study survived the transition to solid food, there were apparent differences in how the different age groups responded physiologically. The five month old pups began the switch to solid food with the lowest overall blubber depth (2.6 ± 0.9 cm) and experienced the greatest change in body mass (-8.5 ± 1.6 kg) and composition while taking the longest to begin physiological recovery (31.7 ± 1.2 d). In contrast, the 9 month old pups entered the transition with more energy reserves (24.9 ± 4.7% TBL), began consuming solid food sooner (16.3 ± 0.6 d), and were able to utilize reserves more efficiently to minimize loss and promote faster growth.

Mule deer are an important rangeland grazer, large prey species, and game animal for the state of Utah, so herd size is monitored and managed actively. A significant cause of population decline is poor overwintering survival, including from the lack of available forage during winter months. Mule deer energy storage is correlated with greater overwintering success, so physical estimates of energy storage including body condition score (BCS), rump fat (RF), and loin thickness (LT), can be used to track and predict a herd's health. Current methods of collecting deer information are costly, time consuming, and cause physical stress to deer, so here we sought to test if a microbiome analysis could be used to predict deer overwintering success. We analyzed nearly 1000 fecal samples collected from deer in Utah over a five-year period. We found that the microbiome composition of these samples shared characteristics with published reports of other reported ruminant species. Also, the location and time when the samples were collected significantly influenced mule deer microbiota composition and abundance. We found that there is a relationship between microbes and health measures (BCS, RF, LT), including some microbial abundances that could predict the health measures of mule deer several months ahead of time. There were also microbial groups whose abundances were significantly correlated with the latitude and elevation of the deer. Finally, a longitudinal analysis on a subset of sampled deer produced slightly different results than the broad analysis of all samples, including suggesting that some of the differences in microbiota composition with time may have been related more to sampling distinct deer at different time points, rather than that the deer microbiota composition changed with time. . These results suggest possible candidate microbial taxa for use in developing assays to replace current methods of measuring and tracking deer health.