O presente trabalho teve como objetivo o estudo da dinâmica folicular da ovelha Santa Inês no protocolo de nove dias de sincronização de cios, com e sem a administração do eCG, utilizando um novo dispositivo intravaginal de silicone Primer-PR® (Tecnopec Brasil). No experimento 1, dez ovelhas receberam o dispositivo vaginal no D0, retirada no D9 e aplicação de 0,4mL de d-cloprostenol. Os exames ultrassonográficos foram diários, desde D-3 da colocação do dispositivo vaginal até o D9 e a partir deste, de 12 em 12 horas até a ovulação. Concomitantemente ao experimento 1, as coletas de sangue foram realizadas entre as ovelhas que receberam o dispositivo (grupo GP, n=10) e àquelas em estado fisiológico (grupo GF, n=12). No experimento 2, nove ovelhas receberam igual tratamento do experimento 1 e 250UI de eCG na retirada do dispositivo. Os exames ultrassonográficos para o acompanhamento da dinâmica folicular ocorreram de 12 em 12 horas do D9 até a ovulação. Neste experimento, o sangue foi coletado em dias intervalados desde D-1 até D13. No experimento um, a emergência folicular ocorreu em 8,5 dias ± 16 horas após a colocação do dispositivo vaginal. As ovelhas entraram e saíram do cio, respectivamente, 45,6 ± 12,71h e 72 ± 12,96h após a retirada do mesmo e a ovulação ocorreu em 73 ± 14,38 h. O diâmetro inicial médio do folículo foi de 3,48 ± 0,28 mm e do ovulatório de 5,22 ± 0,72 mm, diferindo significativamente (p=0,006) entre o primeiro e o segundo folículo ovulatório e entre o primeiro folículo de animais com simples (5,77 ± 0,34mm) ou dupla (4,83 ± 0,18mm) ovulação (P=0,003). A taxa de crescimento no período foi 0,73 ± 0,43 (mm/dia). No experimento 2, o estro iniciou-se às 36 ± 6,4h, finalizou às 81 ± 8,46h com a ovulação em 74,3 ± 7,56 h após a retirada do dispositivo vaginal. O diâmetro inicial médio do folículo foi de 4,04 ± 0,78 mm e do ovulatório de 5,40 ± 0,59 mm, diferindo significativamente entre o primeiro folículo de animais com simples (5,91± 0,27mm) ou dupla (5,2 ± 0,22mm) ovulação (P=0,007). A taxa de crescimento folicular no período foi de 0,66 ± 0,43 mm ao dia. No experimento 1, o dispositivo Primer-PR® elevou a concentração plasmática de progesterona do grupo GP a 6,56 ± 2,32 ng/mL, enquanto o grupo fisiológico (GF) ficou em 3,8 ± 2,69 ng/mL no mesmo período. No experimento 2 a concentração plasmática de progesterona durante a permanência do dispositivo vaginal foi de 11,50 ± 3,11ng/mL. Conclui-se que foi possível realizar o acompanhamento da dinâmica folicular dentro do protocolo de nove dias de sincronização de cios na ovelha Santa Inês e que o novo dispositivo utilizado foi eficiente em sincronizar a emergência da onda folicular ovulatória. / The present study aimed the assessment of follicular dynamics in Santa Inês ewes during the nine day estrus synchronization protocol, with or without the administration of eCG, using a new intravaginal silicon device, Primer-PR® (Tecnopec Brasil). In Experiment 1, ten ewes received the vaginal device on D0, which was removed on D9 and received 0,4mL of d-cloprostenol. Ultrasound exams were performed daily, since D-3 of the device placement until D9 and every 12 hours thereafter, until ovulation. During Experiment 1, blood samples were taken from the ewes that received the device (grupo GP, n=10) and the ewes that were in physiological state (grupo GF, n=12). In Experiment 2, nine ewes received the same treatment in Experiment 1 and 250UI of eCG on the day of the device removal. Ultrasound exams for follicular development were performed every 12 hours starting on D9 until ovulation. Blood samples were taken every other day from D-1 until D13. In Experiment 1, follicular emergence occurred in 8,5 days ± 16 hours after the vaginal device placement. The ewes started and ended estrus at, respectively, 45,6 ± 12,71h and 72 ± 12,96h after device removal and ovulation was detected in 73 ± 14,38 h. The mean initial follicle diameter was 3,48 ± 0,28 mm and the mean ovulatory follicle diameter was 5,22 ± 0,72 mm, being statistically different (p=0,006) between the first and second ovulatory follicle and between the first follicle of single ovulation (5,77 ± 0,34mm) or double ovulation individuals (4,83 ± 0,18mm) (P=0,003). The follicular growth rate during this period was 0,73 ± 0,43 (mm/day). In Experiment 2, estrus started at 36 ± 6,4h, ended at 81 ± 8,46h with ovulation occurring in 74,3 ± 7,56 h after the vaginal device removal. The mean initial follicle diameter was 4,04 ± 0,78 mm and the mean diameter ovulatory follicle was 5,40 ± 0,59 mm, differing statistically between the first follicle of single ovulation individuals (5,91± 0,27mm) or double ovulation individuals (5,2 ± 0,22mm) (P=0,007). Follicular growth rate during the period was 0,66 ± 0,43 mm per day. In Experiment 1, Primer-PR® device increased plasmatic progesterone concentration in group GP to 6,56 ± 2,32 ng/mL, whereas physiological group (GF) had 3,8 ± 2,69 ng/mL during the same period. In Experiment 2 plasmatic progesterone concentration throughout the vaginal device use was 11,50 ± 3,11ng/mL. It can be concluded that it was possible to perform ultrasound evaluation of follicular dynamics during the nine day estrus synchronization protocol in Santa Inês ewes and that the new device used was efficient in synchronizing the emergence of ovulatory follicular wave.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2017-04-04T13:30:03Z No. of bitstreams: 1 sabinewohlresviana.pdf: 1957296 bytes, checksum: 29394666e22c25c01e78f33c22873af2 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-04-04T15:37:11Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 sabinewohlresviana.pdf: 1957296 bytes, checksum: 29394666e22c25c01e78f33c22873af2 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-04T15:37:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 sabinewohlresviana.pdf: 1957296 bytes, checksum: 29394666e22c25c01e78f33c22873af2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-03-09 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Embriões produzidos in vivo e in vitro apresentam diferenças morfológicas e de desenvolvimento as quais podem ser influenciadas pelo de cultivo. Além disso, existem poucos estudos mostrando o efeito do ambiente in vitro sobre os embriões provenientes de diferentes raças bovinas como, por exemplo, Gir (Bos indicus) e Holandesa (Bos taurus). Alguns genes importantes para a formação, sobrevivência e posterior desenvolvimento de embriões bovinos podem ter seu padrão de expressão influenciado por diversos fatores relacionados ao sistema de produção e a raça. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a abundância relativa de transcritos relacionados ao transporte de água e solutos (Aquaporinas), formação da blastocele (Na/KATPases), apoptose (BAX) e resposta a estresse celular (Peroxiredoxina 1) em blastocistos bovinos das raças Gir e Holandesa produzidos in vivo e in vitro para identificar efeitos de sistema de produção e/ou raça. Para cada grupo (Gir-in vivo; Gir-in vitro; Holandês-in vivo; Holandês-in vitro), blastocistos (n=15) divididos em três conjuntos foram utilizados para a extração do RNA, amplificação, e transcrição reversa. Os cDNAs obtidos foram submetidos à PCR em Tempo-Real, utilizando o gene H2a como controle endógeno, e analisados pelo software REST©. Na avaliação de efeito do sistema de produção para a raça Gir, a expressão relativa do gene PRDX1 apresentou-se sub-regulada (p<0,01) assim como nos genes Na/KATPase-β2 e BAX (p<0,05), enquanto os genes AQP3, AQP11 e Na/K-ATPase-α1 não apresentaram diferenças significativas (p>0,05) nas amostras de embriões produzidos in vitro comparados com embriões in vivo. Na raça Holandesa, a expressão relativa do gene BAX apresentou-se sobre-regulada (p<0,01), enquanto o gene Na/K-ATPase-β2 apresentou uma tendência a sub-regulação (p=0,06) e os genes AQP3, AQP11, Na/K-ATPase-α1, PRDX1 não apresentaram diferenças significativas (p>0,05) nas amostras de embriões produzidos in vitro comparados com embriões in vivo. Quando a produção in vivo foi avaliada entre as raças, os embriões da raça Holandesa apresentaram os genes AQP3, Na/K-ATPase-α1, PRDX1, e BAX sub-regulados (p<0,05), enquanto os genes Na/K-ATPase-β2 e AQP11 não demonstraram diferenças significativas na expressão (p>0,05) quando comparados com embriões da raça Gir. Para a produção in vitro, apenas o gene BAX apresentou-se sobre-regulado (p<0,05) nos embriões da raça Holandesa quando comparados com embriões da raça Gir. Com base nestes resultados podese concluir que, para os genes avaliados, existem diferenças na expressão gênica inerentes às raças observadas nos embriões produzidos in vivo e que o sistema de produção in vitro pode influenciar a expressão gênica, atenuando estas variações. A avaliação de outros transcritos é necessária para uma melhor compreensão dos efeitos relacionados aos processos de produção de embriões bovinos em diferentes raças. / Embryos produced in vivo and in vitro show morphological and developmental differences, which can be influenced by culture environment. Nevertheless, there are few studies showing the effect of in vitro environment on embryos from different bovine breeds, such as Gyr (Bos indicus) and Holstein (Bos taurus). Some important genes associated to formation, survival and subsequent development of bovine embryos can be affected by various factors related to the production system and breed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relative abundance of transcripts associated to water transport (Aquaporins), blastocoel formation (Na/K-ATPases), apoptosis (BAX) and response to cellular stress (Peroxiredoxin 1) in bovine blastocysts from Gyr and Holstein breed produced in vivo and in vitro to identify breed and/or production system effects. For each group (Gyr-in vivo; Gyr-in vitro; Holstein-in vivo; Holstein-in vitro), blastocysts (n=15) distributed in 3 pools were used for RNA extraction, followed by RNA amplification and reverse transcription. The cDNAs obtained were submitted to Real-Time PCR, using the H2a gene as endogenous control, and analyzed with REST software©. For the production system in the Gyr embryos, the relative expression of PRDX1 gene was down-regulated (p<0.01) as well as Na/K-ATPase-β2 and BAX genes (p<0.05), and the AQP3, AQP11 and Na/K-ATPase-α1 genes were not significantly different (p>0.05) when in vitro embryos were compared with in vivo produced ones. In Holstein embryos, BAX was up-regulated in in vitro embryos (p<0.01), while AQP3, AQP11, Na/K-ATPaseα1, Na/K-ATPase-β2 and PRDX1 genes were not significantly different (p>0.05) from in vivo produced embryos. When the breed effect was evaluated, Holstein in vivo produced blastocysts presented AQP3, Na/K-ATPase-α1, PRDX1, and BAX genes down-regulated (p<0.05) while Na/K-ATPase-β2 and AQP11 genes were not significantly different (p>0.05) from Gyr embryos. For the in vitro produced embryos, only Bax was up-regulated (p<0.05) in Holstein embryos compared with Gyr embryos. Based on those results, for the evaluated genes, it is possible to conclude that are inherent breed differences in gene expression observed in in vivo produced embryos and that the in vitro production system influences in the relative expression in both breeds, attenuating the inherent breed differences. Other genes should be evaluated for a better understanding of these breeds differences.

This Master thesis contains a risk assessment regarding the possibility for humans to be bitten by dogs in Denmark. As a part of this risk assessment the thesis contains an analysis of the effect of the introduction of legal bans of specific breeds in Denmark. Furthermore, the thesis contains an analysis of the societal context for the Danish legislation. This is done with back ground in models of risk management developed by James Reason and William Haddon Jr. The conclusion is that the Danish society continuously is vulnerable regarding the risk of humans being bitten by dogs – and that the ban of certain breeds have been without effect on the number of persons seeking hospital care for dog bites. The thesis demonstrates that the risk of human dog bites is highest in the private sphere and in the local area. The thesis reveal that the Danish state has failed to target the principal factors: context, situation and relation between man and dog in connection to situations where dog bites occur. / <p>Bedømt til karakteren "VG".</p>

La sélection génomique, qui a révolutionné la sélection génétique des bovins laitiers notamment, est désormais envisagée dans d’autres espèces comme l’espèce caprine. La clé du succès de la sélection génomique réside dans la précision des évaluations génomiques. Chez les caprins laitiers français, le gain de précision attendu avec la sélection génomique était un des questionnements de la filière en raison de la petite taille de la population de référence disponible (825 mâles et 1945 femelles génotypés sur une puce SNP 50K). Le but de cette étude est d’évaluer comment augmenter la précision des évaluations génomiques dans l’espèce caprine. Une étude de la structure génétique de la population de référence caprine constituée d’animaux de races Saanen et Alpine, a permis de montrer que la population de référence choisie est représentative de la population élevée sur le territoire français. En revanche, les faibles niveaux de déséquilibre de liaison (0,17 entre deux SNP consécutifs) de consanguinité et de parenté au sein de la population, similaires à ceux trouvés en ovins Lacaune, ne sont pas idéaux pour obtenir une bonne précision des évaluations génomiques. De plus, malgré l’origine commune des races Alpine et Saanen, leurs structures génétiques suggèrent qu’elles se distinguent clairement d’un point de vue génétique. Les méthodes génomiques (GBLUP ou Bayésiennes) « two-step », basées sur des performances pré-corrigées (DYD, EBV dérégressées) n’ont pas permis une amélioration significative des précisions des évaluations génomiques pour les caractères évalués en routine (caractères de production, de morphologie et de comptages de cellules somatiques) chez les caprins laitiers. La prise en compte des phénotypes des mâles non génotypés permet d’augmenter les précisions des évaluations de 3 à 47% selon le caractère. L’ajout des génotypes de femelles issues d’un dispositif de détection de QTL améliore également les précisions (de 2 à 14%) que ce soit pour les évaluations two steps ou les évaluations basées sur les performances propres des femelles (single step). Les précisions sont augmentées de 10 à 74% avec les évaluations single step comparées aux évaluations two steps, ce qui permet d’atteindre des précisions supérieures à celles obtenues sur ascendance. Les précisions obtenues avec les évaluations génomiques multiraciales, bicaractères et uniraciales sont similaires même si la précision des valeurs génomiques estimées des candidats à la sélection est plus élevée avec les évaluations multiraciales. La sélection génomique est donc envisageable chez les caprins laitiers français à l’aide d’un modèle génomique multiracial single step. Les précisions peuvent être légèrement augmentées par l’inclusion de gènes majeurs tels que celui de la caséine αs1 notamment à l’aide d’un modèle « gene content » pour prédire le génotype des animaux non génotypés. / Genomic selection which is revolutionizing genetic selection in dairy cattle has been tested in several species like dairy goat. Key point in genomic selection is accuracy of genomic evaluation. In French dairy goats, gain in accuracy using genomic selection was questioning due to the small size of the reference population (825 males and 1 945 females genotyped). The aim of this study was to investigate how to reach adequate genomic evaluation accuracy in French dairy goat population. The study of reference population structure (Alpine and Saanen breeds) showed that reference population is similar to the whole population of French dairy goats. But the weak level of linkage disequilibrium (0.17 between two consecutive SNP), inbreeding and relationship between reference and candidate population were not ideal to maximize genomic evaluation accuracy. Despite their common origin, genetic structure of Alpine and Saanen breeds suggested that they were genetically distant. Two steps genomic evaluation (GBLUP, Bayesian) based on performances corrected for fixed effect (DYD, deregressed EBV) did not improve genetic evaluation accuracy compared to classical evaluations for milk production traits, udder type traits and somatic cells score classically selected in French dairy goat. Taking into account phenotypes of ungenotyped sires increased genomic evaluation from 3 to 47% depending on the trait considered. Adding female genotypes also improved genomic evaluation accuracies from 2 to 4% depending on the method (two steps or single step) and on the trait. When using gemomic evaluation directly based on female performances (single step), accuracy of genomic evaluation reach the level obtained from ascendance in classic evaluation which was not the case using two steps evaluations. Genomic evaluation accuracies were similar when using multiple-trait model, multi-breed or single breed evaluation. But accuracies derived from prediction error variances were better when using multi-breed genomic evaluations. Genomic selection is feasible in French dairy goats using single step multi-breed genomic evaluations. Accuracies could be slightly improved integrating major gene as αs1 casein especially when using « gene content » approach to predict genotypes of ungenotyped animals.

In 1869-70 the Métis of the Red River region in Manitoba resisted the transfer of their homeland from the Hudson’s Bay Company to Canada. The Métis people responded to this transfer by blocking Canadian surveyors, government officials, and taking control of the territory through the establishment of representative institutions. Eventually, the Métis negotiated favourable terms with Ottawa which, this thesis argues, represented according to law, and to the Métis, a treaty. This thesis argues that this treaty was intended to protect the Métis homeland and provide political and social protections. The Manitoba Métis Treaty was intended to guarantee the Métis a land base in Manitoba the total size of which was to be 1.4 million acres. The reservation of this land came with protective obligations so that the entire community would receive a benefit from such lands. While Canada has developed a body of treaty law which will be used to interpret the Manitoba Métis Treaty, matters were convoluted by the enshrinement of this treaty agreement in the Manitoba Act of 1870, a document which would gain constitutional status a year later. The impact of this legislative history has led some researchers to link government obligations entirely to the Act, rather than to the negotiated agreement. Indeed, it would seem that the negotiations have been, for the most part, understood as nothing more than conversations. I reject that position and argue that both the negotiations and the Act must be taken into consideration when assessing the obligations undertaken by the Crown. The unique history of the Manitoba agreement means that Canada was under both constitutional and treaty law obligations to uphold the negotiated agreement between itself and the Métis. This thesis argues that not only is the treaty the correct legal interpretation of the events of 1869-70 but that the government of Canada failed to honour its commitments in several meaningful ways. The approach utilized in this thesis is designed to be reliant upon the basic structure and doctrines of Canadian law but to do so in a manner which gives weight to the Métis voice. It is neither a critique which is wholly internal to Canadian law nor is it completely dismissive of Canadian law. Instead, this thesis will illustrate that with only minor adjustments to the application and interpretation of colonial law, the Manitoba Métis Treaty could find a more receptive audience in Canadian legal thought. In the face of a reasonable alternative, such a project can allow other researchers to question why the courts have chosen a path which denies reception of Métis voice, community and culture in Canadian law.

Im Prüfjahr 2009 erhielten 842 Tiere (davon 492 Eber der Deutschen Landrasse) einen Prüfabschluss. 39 Eber mit hervorragender Eigenleistung wurden durch den Mitteldeutschen Schweinezuchtverband e.V als Besamungseber angekauft. Der Jahresbericht dokumentiert den Prüfablauf und die Prüfergebnisse. Bei den geprüften Rassen wurden u.a. die Mast- und Schlachtleistung sowie die Fleischqualität untersucht. Die Durchführung der Leistungsprüfung erfolgt praxisnah in Gruppen mit elektronischer Einzeltiererkennung und tierindividueller Erfassung des Futterverzehrs. Es erfolgt eine kombinierte Eigenleistungs-, Geschwister- und Nachkommenprüfung mit hohem Anteil Ebereigenleistungsprüfung zur züchterisch effizienten Nutzung der Prüfkapazitäten. Grundlage der Prüfung, die seit 1995 im Lehr- und Versuchsgut Köllitsch durchgeführt wird, sind die bundeseinheitlichen »Richtlinien für die Stationsprüfung auf Mastleistung, Schlachtkörperwert und Fleischbeschaffenheit beim Schwein (Geschwister- und Nachkommenprüfung)«, die vom Zentralverband der Deutschen Schweineproduktion e.V. herausgegeben werden.

For about 14 000 years ago the domestication of the wolf, Canis lupus, began. This initiated the extensive work of breeding that resulted in man´s best friend, the dog. Its Latin name, Canis lupus familiaris, clearly shows how close they stand us people today. The Swedish Kennel Club has 343 registered breeds which are very different from each other in terms of the exterior, but also behaviourally. The behavioural differences in adult dogs of different breeds are commonly known. Something that is still in dispute is when these differences begin to manifest in the dog´s life. In this study two interview investigations were conducted with the aim to see whether distinct behavioural differences between breeds could be identified in the puppy stage. The breeds that were included in the study were American Staffordshire terrier, Border collie and Whippet. Two questionnaires were designed. One was sent to breeders because they were considered to have the most experience of the breeds in question. The other questionnaire was sent to veterinarians to get a more objective picture of the puppies’ behaviour. The results from the breeders showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the American Staffordshire terrier and Whippet puppies in their curiosity and the way they behaved socially. The outcome of the study is very interesting because it could mean that the breeding not only affects the behaviours of the adult dogs, but also the behavioural patterns of puppies. The results from the veterinarians showed that there was no difference between the breeds. The difference in results between the two groups could be due to the fact that different questions were asked, they have different preferences for the breeds, meet them in different environments, for different lengths of time or other sources of error. Further studies in this area are needed to investigate when the differences, which give dogs the title of the most varied species ethologically speaking, begin to appear.

In today’s world, more than 400 different dog breeds have been registered and the number continues to increase, as people come up with new ways of breeding dogs. Purebred dogs are prone to many inherited disorders, inbreeding depression and a decreasing gene pool. Mixed-breed dogs, on the other hand, are said to be less prone to these problems, as they have a higher genetic variation. This review combined knowledge from the last 25 years of research in the field of mixed-breed dogs and purebred dogs to see what we know and what we still need to examine further. The literature all in all agrees that mixed-breed dogs have an increased longevity, although other factors determine longevity other than breed. They also have a decreased risk of some of the major diseases such as organ disorders and cancer but are instead prone to other problems such as ruptured cranial cruciate ligament, behavioural problems such as aggression, accidents and diabetes. Future research needs to take the inverse relationship of body mass and longevity into account when measuring longevity between breeds and more studies should be made in the field of canine cancer, as this accounts for most deaths overall in dogs. / I dagens värld har mer än 400 olika hundraser registrerats och antalet fortsätter att öka gradvis, eftersom människor kommer med nya sätt att avla hundar. Renrasiga hundar kan ha stora problem med ett flertal ärftliga störningar, inavelsdepression och en minskande gen pool. Å andra sidan sägs hundar med blandad ras vara mindre benägna för dessa problem, eftersom de har en högre genetisk variation. Denna översyn sammanfattar kunskap från de senaste 25 årens forskning inom området blandade hundar och renrasiga hundar för att se vad vi vet och vad vi fortfarande behöver undersöka ytterligare. Litteraturen är överens om att hundar med blandad ras har en ökad livslängd, även om andra faktorer avgör livslängder än rasen. De har också en minskad risk för några av de huvudsakliga sjukdomarna som organ defekter och cancer, dock kan de ha andra problem såsom brustet kranialkorsband, beteendeproblem som aggression, olyckor och diabetes, vilket påverkar livslängden. Framtida forskning måste ta hänsyn till det omvända förhållandet mellan kroppsmassa och livslängd vid mätning av livslängd mellan raser. Fler studier bör göras inom området cancer hos hundar, eftersom detta står för de flesta dödsfall totalt sett hos hundar.

The first method for DNA analysis in forensics was presented in 1985. Since then, the introduction of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has rendered possible the analysis of small amounts of DNA and automated sequencing and fragment analysis techniques have facilitated the analyses. In most cases short tandemly repeated regions (STRs) of nuclear DNA are analysed in forensic investigations, but all samples cannot be successfully analysed using this method. For samples containing minute amounts of DNA or degraded DNA, such as shed hairs, analysis of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is generally more successful due to the presence of thousands of copies of mtDNA molecules per cell. In Sweden, ~40 % of all households have cats or dogs. With ~9 million humans shedding ~100 scalp hairs per day, and ~1.6 million cats and ~1 million dogs shedding hairs it is not surprising that shed hairs are one of the most common biological evidence found at crime scenes. However, the match probability for domestic dog mtDNA analysis has only been investigated in a few minor studies. Furthermore, although breed –sequence correlations of the noncoding mtDNA control region (CR) have been analysed in a few studies, showing limited correlations, no largescale studies have been performed previously. Thus, there have not been any comprehensive studies of forensic informativity of dog mtDNA. In the two papers presented in this thesis we have tried to lay a foundation for forensic use of analysis of domestic dog mtDNA. In the first paper, CR sequences were analysed and the exclusion capacity was investigated for a number of different populations. This is also the first comprehensive study of the correlation between mtDNA CR type and breed, type, and geographic origin of domestic dogs. Since the exclusion capacity for analysis of domestic dog CR sequences is relatively low, it was investigated in the second paper to what extent the discrimination power is improved by analysis of coding sequence. The exclusion capacity improved considerably when 3,000 base pairs of coding sequences where analysed in addition to CR sequences. This study will hopefully work as a basis for future development of analysis of dog mtDNA for forensic purposes. / QC 20101123

In the first study, non-genetic influences on pre- and post-weaning growth traits of a tropically adapted beef breed in the arid sub-tropical environment of Southern Africa were investigated. Production data of Santa Gertrudis cattle for a ten-year period were analysed. The herds were managed extensively under harsh arid environmental conditions in the northern thornveld region of Namibia. The cattle were divided into summer and winter breeding seasons, which were limited to 90 days for each group. The effect of sex, herd, season, calf birth year and cow parity group on birth weight, pre-weaning average daily gain, weaning weight, yearling weight, eighteen month weight and post-weaning growth rate were analysed. Sex was a highly significant (p < 0.001) source of variation for birth weight, weaning weight, 12 month weight, 18 month weight and significantly influenced (p < 0.05) pre and post-weaning weight gain. Bull calves were 3.05, 13.75, 123.37 and 238.99 kg heavier than the heifer calves at birth, weaning, yearling and eighteen months respectively and grew faster by 0.07 kg/day from birth to weaning and 0.65 kg/day from weaning to 12 months of age. The effect of season on birth weight, weaning weight, 18-month weight and pre-weaning growth rate was highly significant (p < 0.001). Calves born in the summer season had a lower birth weight compared to calves born in the winter season. However, the summer season calves were heavier by 17.67 kg at weaning but only by 1.7 kg at 12 months of age. They grew faster by 0.16 kg/day from birth to weaning. Calf birth year significantly influenced (p < 0.001) all traits measured with no fixed trend over time for the traits. Herd effects were highly significant (p < 0.001) for birth weight and 12-month weights and significantly influenced (p < 0.05) weaning weight, 18-month weight and growth rate from weaning to 12 months of age. The effect of cow parity was not significant on birth weight, 12-month weights, 18-month weights and post-weaning growth rates, but was significant (p < 0.05) for weaning weight and pre-weaning growth rates. Sex, herd, season of calving, calf birth year and herd x season x calf birth year significantly influenced growth traits and should be taken into consideration when evaluating the genetic merit of cattle during selection. The second study was conducted to determine the associations between lifetime cow fertility and cow frame size, also between lifetime cow fertility and pre-weaning as well as post-weaning calf growth in tropically adapted Santa Gertrudis cattle. A total of 2 506 Santa Gertrudis cows were divided according to their average lifetime calving interval (CI) into short calving interval (SCI, < 400 days, n = 914 cows) and long calving interval (LCI, > 400 days, n = 1 592 cows) groups. Calves were weighed at weaning at approximately 7 months of age. Hip height of cows and pre-weaning gain of calves of the SCI cows (135 cm and 1.01 kg/day) were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than those of the LCI cows (141 cm and 1.25 kg/day). Calves from SCI cows were born significantly earlier in the calving season than calves from LCI cows as measured by age at weaning (221 versus 189 days). As a result of compensatory growth there was no significant difference for yearling weight between progeny of SCI and LCI cows (348 kg versus 349 kg). It is concluded that SCI cows are smaller in size, with significantly lighter calves at weaning. A negative correlation exists between fertility and pre-weaning calf growth. High post-weaning calf growth is compatible with high cow fertility. In the third study, the effects of heifer frame size (FS) on their subsequent performance and the pre-weaning growth of their calves were evaluated using records collected from 1989 to 1998 from the Waterburg Estates at Otjiwarongo, Namibia. Based on hip height at 18 months of age, heifers were assigned to three different frame size (FS) groups: small (< 124 cm), medium (125 to 135 cm), or large (>136 cm). Calving rate (CR), calving date (CD), calf survival rate (CSR), reproductive efficiency (SANDEX), weaning rate (WR), birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WWT), pre-weaning ADG (P-ADG), and kilograms of calf produced per cow bred (KCB) were collected from first –(n = 830), second (n = 623) and third and greater-parity (n = 571) cows. Frame size of heifers significantly influenced (p < 0.001) their calving rate as second-parity cows with small and medium FS cows having higher CR than large FS cows. In spite of heavy culling of cows that had large FS as heifers, calving rates of second parity cows in this category were 41% less than that of second parity cows that had small and medium FS as heifers. In third or greater-parity cows, CR was greater (p < 0.05) for small FS than for medium and large FS. CSR was similar for heifers with a small, medium and large FS for the first, second and third and greater parity groups. Weaning rates of large FS (34.2 ± 11.27), second-parity cows were less (p < 0.001) than those of small (82.9 ± 5.58) and medium (79.0 ± 4.67) FS animals. Among all parity groups, BW of calves born to large FS were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those of small and medium FS cows. Calves weaned by small FS animals as first parity cows, had lower (p < 0.05) WWT than those weaned by medium and larger FS, but large FS weaned heavier calves (p < 0.05) than small and medium FS in the third and greater-parity group. In first parity cows, calves of large FS had greater P-ADG (p < 0.05) than those from small FS, but in second parity cows the calves from medium FS (p < 0.05) out performed those of small and large FS, while calves from third and greater parity cows of medium and larger FS had greater (p < 0.05) P-ADG than cows with a small FS. Male calves were heavier (p < 0.05) at birth, at weaning and grew faster (P-ADG) than their female counterparts. KCB was similar among small and medium FS cows, but both tended to be greater (p < 0.05) than KCB of large FS cows and as second parity cows the small and medium FS cows had an even greater (p < 0.001) advantage over the large FS animals. Small and medium FS females calved earlier, and had greater calving rates and weaning rates, as well as greater kilogram of calf produced per cow exposed than the large FS females. The performance (fertility and the growth performance of their calves to weaning) traits of the large FS were generally similar to those of smaller cows in the third and greater parity group. The reproductive efficiency (SANDEX) of large FS at first, second, third and greater parity were lower (p < 0.001) compared to the small and medium FS, due to the later calving dates. Therefore, selecting cattle for the hot and dry climatic regions of Southern Africa, under extensive management conditions and with limited supplementary feeding, the recommended cow frame size should be a medium frame. These animals have similar levels of fertility compared to small framed cows, but with similar or even better growth performances than large framed cows. In the fourth study, the objective was to determine the effect of traits such as age, sex, body weight, body length and height, body condition score (BCS), coat score (CS), skin thickness and average skin surface temperature on tick burdens of a tropically adapted beef breed. Bonsmara cattle (n= 143) were used to measure visible tick counts, body condition score, coat score, skin thickness, body height and length, body weight, body surface temperature, gender and inter calving period. Measurements were taken for a period of eight months from April to December. All animals were managed extensively on natural and cultivated pastures near George in the Southern Cape. Female animals had significantly (p<0.05) greater tick infestation (37.9±2.7) compared to male animals (16.5±1.2). Age was a significant factor p<0.001) with the younger animals below two years having (46.4±5.26) more ticks than those of two years and older (20.1±2.44). A significant negative correlation (r = -0.29; p<0.001) was reported between the infestation of ticks on the animals and the age of the animal. Animals with an average body weight below 250kg had 42% (p<0.05) more ticks compared to animals with a body weight above 250kg. Age of the animal and weight were highly correlated (r = 0.70; p<0.001), while the correlation between the number of ticks per cow and the mean weight was negatively correlated (r = -0.37; p<0.001). Skin surface temperature significantly influenced tick infestation on the animals (p<0.001). The degree of infestation increased as body surface temperature exceeded 30º Celsius. Coat score, skin thickness, body condition score and inter calving period did not significantly influence tick infestation on the animals. The infestation of ticks on the animals was significantly influenced by body height (p<0.019) and body length (p<0.001). Animals smaller than a 130cm in height had a significantly (p<0.05) greater tick infestation (36.5±5.0) compared to animals taller than 130cm (21.2±1.5). This trend was also observed for body length. Animals with a body length shorter than 145cm had a greater (p<0.05) average tick infestation of 41.3±4.5 compared to 23.2±1.3 for animals longer than 145cm, indicating a 44% greater tick infestation for the shorter animals. The selection of cattle for adaptability and thus increased production under tropical conditions, through resistance to ticks should be for animals of medium frame sizes having smoother coats that are able to dissipate heat effectively. In the fifth study, the relationship between growth parameters, scrotal circumference and sheath area in tropically adapted beef bulls was investigated. The relationship between growth parameters such as initial weight at the start of the trial, average daily gain for the trial period (ADG), average daily gain per day of age (ADA), feed conversion ratio (FCR), final weight at the end of the trial, scrotal circumference (SC) and age and sheath area in Santa Gertrudis bulls were examined. To investigate the relationship between growth parameters and scrotal circumference, growth test data of 97 on-station performance tested Santa Gertrudis bulls were used while growth results of 55 Santa Gertrudis bulls tested under semi-intensive conditions were used to investigate the relationship of sheath area with growth performance. Bulls were divided into two groups according to their average sheath area (470 cm2). 28 Bulls were assigned to the small sheath group (SSA) below 470 cm2 while 27 bulls were assigned to the large sheath group (LSA) above 470 cm2. The LSA group possessed a 15% (66 kg; p < 0.05)heavier final weight than that of the SSA group. The LSA group had a 64% (241 cm2; p < 0.05) larger sheath area (378 ± 60 vs 619 ± 161 cm2) than the SSA group. A significant phenotypic correlation between ADG (r = 0.31, p < 0.05) and sheath area was found. The correlations between sheath area and initial weight (r = 0.42, p < 0.001) and between sheath area and final weight (r = 0.45, p < 0.001) were also highly significant. A highly significant correlation (p < 0.001) was observed between initial weight and SC and between final weight and SC, while significant correlations (p < 0.05) were also observed between SC and age and between SC and ADA for bulls tested intensively on station. It appears that SC and faster growth rate are compatible in young bulls. In addition, giving careful attention to sheath area in bulls, selected as yearlings is possible without necessarily sacrificing growth performance. In the sixth study, associations among growth and quantitative testicular traits of tropically adapted yearling bulls fed different dietary energy levels were investigated. High energy (HE), medium energy (ME) and low energy (LE) diets were fed to young Bonsmara bulls post-weaning and the subsequent effects on scrotal circumference (SC), average daily gain over an 84 day performance test trial period (ADG), average daily gain per day of age (ADA), body condition score (BCS), testicular histology and seminal traits were examined. Bulls fed the HE diet were significantly heavier and had a greater ADA, with the HE bulls (999.1 ± 7.13 g) out-performing the ME (804.1 ± 12.61 g) and LE (713.2 ± 12.95 g) bulls in terms of growth rate over the duration of the experimental period. Diet influenced (p < 0.001) BCS with the HE bulls (3.9 ± 0.05) having more body fat compared to the ME (3.3 ± 0.06) and LE (3.0 ± 0.08) bulls with the same effect (p < 0.001) observed in the carcass dressing percentage of the bulls fed different levels of energy. SC did not differ significantly between HE, ME and LE fed bulls. Seminal traits, such as semen concentration were significantly (p < 0.001) lower in bulls fed the HE diet (1.3 ± 0.134) compared to those fed the ME diet (2.4 ± 0.18) and LE diet (2.6 ± 0.16). Similarly, linear movement of sperm was also affected by diet and movement was slower (p < 0.05) in bulls fed the HE diet (1.7 ± 0.30) compared to bulls fed the ME diet (2.2 ± 0.31) and LE diet (3.1 ± 0.23). The percentage total major (p < 0.001) and total minor (p < 0.05) sperm defects were also greater in the HE fed bulls (27.1 ± 6.82 and 7.4 ± 0.91% compared to 9.7 ± 1.45 and 5.5 ± 0.87% for the ME fed bulls and 5.4 ± 1.26 and 3.9 ± 6.58% for the LE fed bulls). Dietary energy level significantly (p < 0.001) influenced the percentage inactive seminiferous tubuli, with bulls fed the HE diet having 35% more seminiferous tubules classified as inactive compared to those bulls fed ME and LE diets. Scrotal fat deposits were higher (p < 0.05) in bulls fed the HE diet (243.4 ± 21.59 g) compared to those fed the ME (110.0 ± 12.1 g) and LE (88.4 ± 9.65 g) diets. Correlation coefficients between SC and growth traits were generally favourable for the different dietary treatments. Correlations between live weight and SC were 0.51, 0.45 and 0.52 (p < 0.05) for the HE, ME and LE groups respectively. A negative association was observed between BCS and progressive sperm motility in bulls fed the HE diet (r = -0.54, p < 0.05). The percentage major seminal defects was negatively correlated with live weight in bulls fed the LE diet (r = -0.46, p = 0.008) and ME diet (r = -0.40, p = 0.08), while this characteristic was negatively correlated with mass movement of sperm (r = -0.63; p < 0.05) and percentage live sperm (r = -0.60; p < 0.05) in HE fed bulls. The present results suggest that feeding HE diets to young bulls influenced their testicular development and reduced their reproductive potential. In the seventh and last study, the relationship between scrotal circumference, quantitative testicular traits and growth performance in tropically adapted yearling beef bulls differing in age was investigated. The bulls were fed a high energy diet and the effect on average daily gain (ADG), average daily gain per day of age (ADA), body condition score (BCS), feed conversion efficiency (FCE), scrotal circumference (SC), seminal traits and testicular histology were examined in Bonsmara bulls (n = 34). The high energy diet contained not less than 11 MJ ME / kg DM and 13.8% CP. Bulls were fed the HE diet from an average starting age of either 210 (YB; n = 17) or 257 days (OB; n = 17) for a total of 112 days. Despite the age difference, growth and carcass traits were similar for the bulls irrespective of starting age. Scrotal weight, scrotal skin weight and scrotal skin thickness were greater (p < 0.001) in the YB (2223.4 ± 11.68g; 576.6 ± 25.17g and 4.5 ± 0.15mm) compared to that of the older group (1010.15 ± 50.10g; 255.9 ± 13.55g and 4.0 ± 0.13mm). The weight of the epididymal / spermatic cord (WESC) was heavier (p < 0.05) in the older bulls (70.2 ± 3.53g) compared to that of the younger group (47.2 ± 3.17g) with a similar trend observed when the volume of the epididymal / spermatic cord (VESC) was measured. Scrotal fat deposition was significantly (p < 0.001) increased by initial age (YB = 1164.7 ± 102.20g vs OB = 263.5 ± 27.52g). Age of the bulls also influenced (p < 0.05) the percentage inactive seminiferous tubuli, with the young bulls having 9.7% more seminiferous tubules classified as inactive compared to the older bulls. Seminal quality showed a similar trend and was generally of a lower standard than that of the group tested at an average of 369 days of age. Semen concentration (p < 0.05) and percentage linear sperm motility (p < 0.08) were the traits most affected by age. A negative correlation was evident between BCS and testis weight (r = - 0.51; p = 0.0342), testis volume (r = -0.52; p = 0.0318) and SC of dissected testis (r = -0.49; p = 0.042) in the young bulls. Correlation coefficients between SC and testis traits such as testis weight and testis volume were high (p < 0.05) for both the groups (YB; r = 0.87 and r = 0.87 and OB; r = 0.77 and r = 0.81). The relationship between SC and scrotal fat (r = 0.85) was highly significant (p < 0.001) only in the younger group. The results suggest that when bulls are fed a high energy diet, the age at which such feeding commences is of importance as regards their subsequent fertility. Copyright / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted