The purpose of this thesis was to evaluate the level of performance of Aberdeen Angus beef cattle breed bred in Less-favoured areas in southern Bohemia. This evaluation was carried out on Mr. Lepša?s farm in the years 2010 and 2011. 74 basic herd cows and 108 purebred calves born during this period were selected for this purpose. The date of birth, number of births, age at first calving and the average time interval between calving were checked on cows and the date of birth, the weight at birth and the weight in the age of 120 and 210 days were checked on calves. Average daily increments in the interval from birth to 120 days of age, from 120 to 210 days of age and from the day of birth to 210 days were calculated. The group of calves was sorted out by following parameters. Year of birth; sex and year of birth; month of birth; order of calving of the mother. Microsoft Excel was used for processing the statistic data. Basic statistical characteristics for the monitored parameters were calculated and differences between groups were verified by single-factor analysis of variance (F-test) and paired t-tests for the corresponding levels of significance. Breeding cows were evaluated by age and number of births. Cows with 1 (23%) or 2 (17.6%) births are represented in the largest number in the herd including even the cows with 15 births. Cows at first calving reached an average age of 813 days and average length of the interval between calving was 393 days. Calves regardless of sex reached the average birth weight of 33.72 kg in the year 2010, 33.31 kg in 2011, in 120 days of age the average live weight reached 207.95 kg in 2010, 202.94 kg in 2011 and calves in 210 days of age reached an average weight of 309.61 kg in 2010 and in 2011 306.09 kg. Average daily gain of calves from birth to 120 days reached 1451 g in 2010, 1.413 g in 2011, between 120 and 210 days of age the average daily gain was 1413 g in 2010, 1169 in 2011 and in the period from birth to 210 days of age it was 1314 g in 2010 and 1299 g in 2011. Analysis of breeding from economic perspective by comparing revenues (including subventions) and expenditures in each year resulted in findings that the breeding is moderately profitable and it follows that without subventions which constitute an important part of the revenue would be difficult to realize this breeding.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-01-26T13:21:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-06-03Bitstream added on 2015-01-26T13:30:31Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000795832.pdf: 314304 bytes, checksum: b6077bd7a50cb6eb686277acd319024f (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / O oviduto possui papel essencial na reprodução de mamíferos, promovendo um microambiente favorável para a maturação oocitária, estocagem e capacitação do espermatozoide, fertilização, transporte dos gametas e desenvolvimento inicial do embrião. Anatomicamente e funcionalmente, o oviduto é dividido em três regiões principais: infundíbulo, ampola e istmo. O oócito e o espermatozoide entram nos lados opostos do oviduto, respectivamente no infundíbulo e istmo, e são transportados até a ampola, local onde ocorre a fertilização. O sucesso reprodutivo está diretamente ligado a temporização apropriada do transporte dos gametas ao local da fertilização, bem como, a precisão no tempo de transporte do embrião até o útero, para a aquisição da capacidade de implantação. A coordenação e regulação das funções do oviduto são complexas e estão sob efeitos endócrinos, parácrinos e autócrinos, os quais alteram temporalmente e espacialmente a transcrição e tradução de diversos fatores. Diante disso, o presente trabalho visou avaliar o efeito de biotecnologias reprodutivas, especificamente da superestimulação ovariana, bem como de características genéticas e fisiológicas reprodutivas no perfil transcricional de diversos fatores no oviduto bovino. Para tanto, foram avaliados os efeitos da indução de múltiplas ovulações em vacas da raça Nelore (dados apresentados no primeiro manuscrito), bem como os efeitos da influência da seleção genética de animais com alta contagem folicular em novilhas da raça Nelore e Aberdeen Angus, no período inicial pós ovulação (dados apresentados no segundo manuscrito), na expressão de genes relacionados ao transporte de gametas e fertilização. Os resultados demonstram que a superestimulação ovariana modula a expressão de alguns genes relacionados à contratilidade do oviduto em vacas da raça Nelore e que a ovulação é principal fator responsável por controlar ... / The oviduct has an important role in mammal reproduction, promoting a favorable microenvironment for oocyte maturation, sperm storage and capacitation, fertilization, transport of gametes and early embryo development. Anatomically and functionally, the oviduct is divided in three regions: infundibulum, ampulla and isthmus. The oocyte and the sperm enter in opposite sides of the oviduct, respectively infundibulum and isthmus, and are transported to the fertilization site, the ampulla. Reproductive success is directly related to appropriate timing of gamete transport to the fertilization site, as well as a precise time of embryo transport to the uterus, to obtain the capacity of implantation. The coordination and regulation of oviductal functions are complex and under endocrine, paracrine and autocrine effects, which temporally and spatially alter the transcription and translation of several factors. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of reproductive biotechnologies, specifically ovarian superstimulation, as well as genetic and physiological reproductive characteristics in the transcriptional profile of several factors in the bovine oviduct. To do so, we evaluated the effects of inducing multiple ovulation in Nelore cows (data presented in the first manuscript), and the effects of the influence of genetic selection of animals with high follicle count in Nellore and Aberdeen Angus heifers, in the initial period post-ovulation (data presented in the second manuscript), in gene expression related to gametes transport and fertilization. The results demonstrated that ovarian superstimulation modulates the expression of some genes related to oviductal contractility in Nelore cows and ovulation is the main factor responsible for transcriptional control in bovine oviduct, with less or no impact of breed and ovarian follicle count / FAPESP: 12/09498-9

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013-12-12Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:56:42Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 santos_ct_me_botfmvz.pdf: 295424 bytes, checksum: 2c14969a0776e097a0cbbffb9d4632d0 (MD5) / A qualidade da carne está diretamente ligada as exigências do consumidor, que considera dureza, amora, sabor, suculência e coloração. Desta forma o presente trabalho tem por objetivo verificar o efeito da imunocastração na composição centesimal, análise sensorial e perfil de ácidos graxos da carne de bovinos Nelore e cruzados ½Nelore x ½Aberdeen-Angus, 60 animais distribuídos em um delineamento em esquema fatorial 2 x 3, sendo grupos genéticos e condições sexuais, com castração cirúrgica, imunocastração e não castrados, totalizando 6 tratamentos com 10 animais . Os animais foram abatidos e as carcaças resfriadas. Após 24 horas, foram utilizadas amostras do M. longissimus thoracis da 11ª à 13ª costela da carcaça direita, embaladas a vácuo e congeladas. Entre as condições sexuais estudadas, não foram encontradas diferenças nos valores médios de proteína, extrato etéreo e resíduo mineral fixo, sendo apenas a umidade diferente. Entre os grupos genéticos, os valores médios da composição centesimal apresentaram diferença para umidade, extrato etéreo e resíduo mineral fixo, sendo a umidade elevada para a carne dos animais cruzados, o extrato etéreo e o resíduo mineral fixo com maiores teores para a carne dos animais Nelore. As variáveis, sabor, maciez, mastigabilidade e suculência apresentaram melhores valores para a carne de animais cruzados. No perfil de ácidos graxos, entre as condições sexuais, foram encontradas diferenças no ácido miristoléico (C14:1), no ω6 (ômega 6) e na proporção de ácidos graxos poliinsaturados/ácidos graxos saturados, com maiores resultados... / The quality of meat is directly linked to consumer demands, which considers hardness, blackberry, flavor, juiciness and color. Thus, the present study aims to determine the effect of immunocastration proximate composition, sensory analysis and fatty acid profile of meat from Nellore and is crossed Nellore x ½ Aberdeen-Angus, 60 animals were allotted to a factorial 2 x 3 with genetic conditions and sex groups, with surgical castration, immunocastration and unneutered, totaling 6 treatments with 10 animals. The animals were slaughtered and the carcasses chilled. After 24 hours, samples were used of M. longissimus thoracis from the 11th to the 13th rib on the right casting, vacuum packed and frozen. Between sexual conditions studied, no differences were found in mean values of protein, lipids and fixed mineral, with just different humidity. Among genetic groups, the mean values of centesimal composition showed differences for moisture, ether extract and fixed mineral residue, and high humidity for the meat of crossbred animals, ether extract and fixed mineral with higher levels for the meat of Nellore . Variables , taste, tenderness , juiciness and chewiness showed better values for beef and crossbred animals . In the fatty acid profile between sexual conditions , differences were found in myristoleic acid ( C14 : 1 ) , the ω6 ( omega 6 ) and the ratio of polyunsaturated / saturated fatty acids fatty acids with greater results found in the flesh of animals not castrated . Among genetic groups the results differed due to the influence of racial characteristics , with the best values in meat from Nellore , because the selection of forage taken by animals . The use of immunocastration proved effective in aspects related to composition , sensory analysis and meat fatty acid profile when compared with surgically... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

In this experiment, grazing and nursing behavior of approximately 30 cow/calf pairs was examined in two years. Sires of the Polled Hereford x Angus cows had been selected for above (+) or below (-) average expected progeny difference for yearling weight and maternal weaning weight. Calves were sired by Angus bulls of United States (US) or New Zealand (NZ) origin. Observations from dawn to dusk were conducted on five days each year, spaced throughout lactation. All nursing episodes were recorded, and every ten minutes it was noted whether each cow and calf was or was not grazing. Periods of maximum grazing activity were early in the morning and late in the afternoon. The growth genotype of the cow did not affect her grazing time. Calves of maternal (+) cows grazed longer than calves of maternal (-) cows (P< 0.10), and their grazing time was not affected by the growth genotype of their dams. In year 1, US-sired calves spent 3% more time grazing than NZ-sired calves; whereas in year 2, NZ-sired calves grazed 4% longer than US-sired calves (interaction P <.10). Also in year 1, NZ-sired calves tended to graze during several intervals of time while US-sired calves tended to graze in longer continuous bouts. This tendency was reversed during the second year (interaction P<.10). As the grazing season progressed, time spent by calves grazing increased from < 20% to approximately 60%. Cows with (+) genetic merit for maternal weaning weight were nursed a similar number of times per day as cows with (-) genetic merit. Sire origin likewise did not affect nursing behavior. / Master of Science

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Architecture

The philosophical and scientific teaching in the universities of 17th century Scotland has frequently been dismissed as Aristotelian and reactionary. However, there must surely have been some development during the century for the universities to have achieved as much as they did in the 18th century. It is the purpose of this study to investigate the contant of the courses in philosophy and science given at the Scottish Universities in the 17th century with a view to answering the following quesions: Was Aristotle really taught so exclusively throughout the century? Or, given that the universities did concentrate on Aristotle to a great extent, was this Aristotleianism so monolithic and unifrom as is sometimes made out? Did Scottish university teachers make any acknowledgement of the philosophical and scientific revolutions which were taking place in the 17th century? How were the universities affected by the political and religeous struggles of the century? Was the teaching the same at Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and St. Andrews, or were some of the universities in advance of the others? The main sources for our knowledge of 17th century Scottish university teaching are student lecture notes or dictates and the graduate theses produced by the masters or regents for the students to defend at the annual laureation ceremony. the dictates and theses are supplemented by library lists, university and faculty minutes, and the reports of the numerous commissions appointed by church and state to visit the universities during the 17th century, together with papers relating to these commissions. Throughout the century the curriculum at all universities remained the same in outline, viz. 1st year: Greek; 2nd years: Logic/ metaphysics; 3rd year: Metaphysics/ Ethics; 4th year: physics. Until the 1660s the teaching in the 2nd, 3rd and fourth years consisted of commentaries on Aristotle, but the authorities cited by the regents show that they were acquainted with more 'modern' Aristotalians, e.g. Zabarella and the Coimbra commentators. Frequently the works of such authors were praised, and the library lists show that they were bought extensively. From the 1660s onwards Cartesianism entered the courses. At first the regents distrusted this new philosophy, and indeed as long as Descartes was taught in the Scottish Universities, many of the regents and visiting commissioners feared the atheistic implications of Cartesian mechanism. However, descartes was accorded warm praise in the theses and dictates for Edinburgh, St. Andrews and Aberdeen during the 1670s and 1680s. by the 1690s the enthusiasm for Descartes was beginning to decline, although some of the regents continued to teach Cartesianism into the 18th century. In Logic and Metaphysics the teaching of Locke was often adopted, and in Physics Newtonian ideas were expounded. The teaching was perhaps most conservative in Logic, where Aristotelian ideas continued to be taught by the scholastic method of debate until the beginning of the 18th century. Despite the praises of Descartes's method, and later Locke, the scheme for Logic teaching was probably based on scholastic textbooks such as those of Keckermann and Burgersdijk. In Metaphysics too scolasticism tended to predominate, but because of Scotland's religeous allegiance there are numerous quotations from and references to the works of Protestant theologians. Once commentaries on Aristotle ceased, metaphysics was divided into Metaphysics proper and Pneumatology, the two subjects frequently being separated and taught in different years of the course. the Scottis regents saw Ethics as a strictly practical science, aimed at teaching their students how to live as godly citizens. Accordingly in their Ethics teaching they tended to cite authorities less frequently than in their teaching of other subjects; instead they gave rules of conduct for their students. After the 1660s many of the regents based their teaching on Henry More, and Descartes's theory of the passions was widely accepted. Discussion of different types of justice and of natural law formed a great part of the Ethics dictates and theses, and Grotius, Cumberland and Puffendorf were all referred to. In Physics the experiments of many contempory or recent scientists were described. Robert Boyle and the Royal Society were universally praised by the regents. the work of English, French and Dutch scientists featured prominently in the lectures from the 1660s onwards, and were bought for the libraries. Cartesian physics and cosmology were taught in the last quarter of the 17th century, but by the beginning of the 18th century many of the regents had gone over to Newtonianism.the politicl and religeous upheavals in 17th century Scotland affected staff appointments in the universities. many of the regents lost their posts in 1638 and during the Civil Wars, at the Restoration, and at the revolutioanry Settlement in 1689. Unorthodoxy in their dictates and theses was frowned on, and sometimes led to dismissal. Various commissioners tried to regulate what was taught in the universities, and in the 1690s a project for a uniform course made considerable headway. however, despite this interference on part of state and church, the universities managed to preserve a fair degree of autonomy, and both their statements in answer to the commission's proposals in the 1690s and the actual content of their dictates and theses show a concern to uphold their academic integrity. The courses in the Scottish universities were sufficiently similar to enable one to talk of 17th century Scottish university education in general terms, but the universities did not always agree amongst themselves, as their comments on each other's contributions to the uniform course show. Edinburgh seems generally to have been the most advanced of the universities in its teaching, Glasgow the least. the conclusion of this survey is that university education in the 17th century was by no means as consistently uninspired as is sometimes proposed. It is true that neither the system of regenting nor the troubled stare of the country in the 17th century were conductive to a high educational standard. Nevertheless, there is some evidence of new ideas in the dictates and theses from 1600 to the 1660s, and after that date many of the regents showed themselves to be conversant with new devlopments in all fields of philosophy. By the beginning of the 18th century the way had been paved for the intellectual achievements of that century in the universities.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Also available in print.

It has been observed beef breed herd of Aberdeen Angus cattle in the foothills area of Novohradské mountains in 1992 - 2007. The base of herd was consisted of 117 dams and 814 pieces of calves in total. The parameters of beef production of calves and the reproduction of dams were monitored. For the parameters of growth of calves were found significant effects of the year, the month of birth, sex, the order of calving, the method of reproduction and the sire.

The objective of the current study was to compare tick loads, growth, carcass characteristics and meat quality of Nguni, Bonsmara and Angus steers raised on natural pasture. A total of 30, 7-month old steers each of Bonsmara and Angus, and 40 Nguni steers were kept at the University of Fort Hare Farm till slaughter at 18 months. Monthly weights of the steers were recorded. Carcasses were electrically stimulated. The m. longissimus thoracis et lumborum was sampled for the measurement of meat colour, pH, drip loss, sarcomere length (SL), water holding capacity (WHC), cooking losses, myofibrillar fragmentation length (MFL), Warner Bratzler shear force (WBSF), fatty acid profiles and sensory characteristics of the steers. Urine samples were collected at the slaughter line for the determination of stress hormone concentrations. The Nguni had the lowest tick load (P < 0.05) while the Angus had the highest tick load (P < 0.05). Tick load did not affect the growth rate and carcass characteristics of the steers. Bonsmara and Angus steers had higher (P < 0.05) carcass weight and dressing percentage than the Nguni steers. Meat quality characteristics were similar (P > 0.05) among all the breeds, except that Nguni meat was darker (L*) (P < 0.05) than meat from the other two breeds. The Bonsmara had the highest (P > 0.05) concentrations while the Nguni had the lowest (P > 0.05) concentrations of stress hormones. There were significant (P < 0.05) correlations between WB values of meat aged for two and 21 days in Nguni and Bonsmara, but not in Angus. The correlations among stress responsiveness hormones and meat quality were breed-dependent. Except monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and the n-6/n-3 ratio, fatty acid profiles among the breeds were similar (P > 0.05). Cholesterol levels among the breeds were similar (P > 0.05). The Nguni had the best (P < 0.05) sensory characteristics, such as flavour and tenderness. It can be concluded that while the Nguni is a small framed breed, its meat quality is similar to that of Bonsmara and Angus and has the best meat taste when raised on natural pasture.

Total weaning weight records of 29,832 Angus and 15,765 Hereford calves born during 1953 through 1983 in Virginia were used to evaluate phenotypic and genetic trends for adjusted weaning weight (AWWT), weaning weight ratio (WWR) and deviation of AWWT from the mean AWWT of the contemporaries (DEVN). Two approaches, namely the regression techniques and maximum likelihood (ML) procedure were taken to estimate the above trends. The estimates of annual phenotypic trend for AWWT in the Angus and Hereford breeds were .96 and .82 kg/yr, respectively. The sire and dam genetic trends obtained from both approaches for the traits of interest were positive and significant; however, the estimates from the regression analyses were slightly higher than those- from the ML procedure. The estimates of one-half of the sire genetic trends obtained from ML procedure for WWR and DEVN were .40 ± .04 ratio units/yr and .72 ± .07 kg/yr in the Angus breed and the corresponding values for the Hereford breed were .25 ± .06 ratio units/yr and .45 ± .12 kg/yr. The estimates of one-half of the darn trends for the corresponding traits were .32 ± .02 ratio units/yr and .55 ± .04 kg/yr for Angus and .21 ± .03 ratio units/yr and .30 ± .07 kg/yr for Herefords. The application of adjustment factors (to eliminate the bias due to non-random mating and culling levels) to estimates of sire genetic trends in the regression analyses produced estimates more similar to the estimates obtained from the ML procedure. The average annual genetic trends over the study period from the ML procedure for AWWT were 1.27 kg/yr for Angus and .75 kg/yr for Herefords. / Ph. D.