Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a disease of significant economic importance in Africa. It causes considerable production losses and its presence in semen is a constraint to international trade. Recent findings that LSDV viral DNA can be found in the semen of artificially infected bulls for up to five months, while viable virus could be isolated 42 days after infection, indicated the need for studies into the mechanism by which this protracted shedding occurs. Six healthy, seronegative, postpubertal Dexter bulls were housed in vector-free stables and challenged with LSD virus by intravenous injection. Sheath washes, vesicular fluid and semen collection was performed every other day and subjected to PCR. On these days, blood was collected for serum neutralization tests and virus isolation, and ultrasonography of the reproductive tracts performed. Semen was centrifuged to separate cell-rich and seminal plasma fractions, and tested by PCR. Clinical parameters were recorded twice daily. Bulls shedding viral DNA 28 days after challenge were slaughtered, their reproductive tracts were harvested and diagnostic post mortem was performed. Histopathology, immunoperoxidase staining, electron microscopy, virus isolation and PCR were done on tissue samples. Of the six bulls, two showed no clinical signs, two showed mild and two showed severe clinical signs. Fever appeared five to seven days and lesions eight to ten days post challenge. Bulls were viraemic and febrile during the same time. Viral DNA was detected in all semen fractions of all bulls, but mostly from the cell-rich fraction and from the bulls showing the most severe clinical signs. Ultrasonography showed infarction in the testes and epididymides of the two bulls that were most severely affected. Necropsy of the two bulls that were still shedding after 28 days showed testicular degeneration and infarction, as well as epididymal granuloma formation. None of the accessory sex organs showed significant pathology. Histopathological changes seen were necrogranulomata in testes and peididymides. IMP staining of reproductive tissues showed that staining was restricted to areas in the testes and epididymides that were associated with necrosis. Virus could be seen on negative staining EM of sections of the testes. Our results show that LSDV is not limited to specific fractions of the ejaculate and that the testes and epididymides are most profoundly affected. Blood contamination is not responsible for the presence of viral DNA in semen, and it is unlikely that the virus is sperm-associated. Results suggest that the ejaculate is contaminated with viral DNA as it is shed from necrotic lesions in the genital tract. Further research is indicated into the ability of infected semen to produce disease as well as treatment protocols that could render semen free of viral DNA. / Dissertation (MMedVet (Theriogenology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Production Animal Studies / unrestricted

The primary objective of this research was to study the effects of breed, age, season, and their interactions on semen morphological characteristics. The study was done on 329 bulls (271 Friesland and 58 Jersey) aged 12, 24, 36,48, 60, 72, 84, 96 and> 96 months. The collection of semen was carried out using the artificial vagina method in all four seasons of the year. Spermatozoa were screened for the percentages normal sperm, percentage and total major defects such as knobbed acrosome, pyriform, abnormal lose head, dag defects, nuclear vacuole, degenerative heads, mid-piece reflexes, percentages and total minor defects such as normal lose heads, distal droplets, curled end-piece, lose acrosome. Statistical analyses of the data were done using the general linear model (GLM) procedure of the Statistical Analyses System (SAS, 1999). The results of the study indicate that breed did not significantly affected the percentage normal sperm and percentage major sperm defects, but significantly affected the percentage minor defects (P = 0.01). The Least square means (LSM±SE) for the percentage normal sperm, major defects and minor defects in Friesland and Jersey bulls were 80.6 ±1.06%; versus 78.9±2.31 %; 14.8±0.90% versus 15.0± 2.62%, 5.1±0.43% versus 7.6±0.94%, respectively. The results obtained show that the prevalence of sperm defects that differed significantly between breeds was higher in Jersey bulls compared to Friesland bulls. The results of the study indicated the percentage of normal sperm to differ (P = 0.01) with season. The percentage of normal sperm during the summer, autumn, winter and spring, were 72.8±1.6%, 79.4±2.2%, 82.5±2.4% and 84.4±2.4% respectively. Season also affected the percentage of major defects (P = 0.01) and percentage of minor defects (P = 0.03). The results demonstrate that even though there was a higher variation in sperm morphology with season, better sperm morphology was recorded in spring and winter than summer and autumn. Results also indicate the percentage of normal sperm (P = 0.05) and major defects (P = 0.01) to be affected significantly by age. On the other hand, the percentage of minor defects did not differ significantly with age. Bulls of 36-48 months of age showed better semen quality than bulls older than 72 months and bulls younger than 36 months. The percentage of major defects, particularly the incidence of major defects such as knobbed acrosomes, pyriforms, dag defects and broken flagella were significantly affected by the interaction between age and breed (P = 0.05) and age and season (P = 0.05). There was an increase in the susceptibility to these sperm defects in Jersey bulls with an increase in age, while no variation was observed in Friesland bulls. With age and season combined, young bulls recorded poor semen morphology during winter, while old bulls showed poor morphology during summer. In conclusion, the study suggested that breed, age and season and their interactions are important sources of variation in sperm morphology. For a successful AI programme, semen collection should be done at the age of 36-48 months for both breeds. It is therefore recommended that age, breed and season should be given urgent attention in any bull management system employed in South Africa in order to obtain the best semen quality. / Dissertation (M Inst Agrar (Animal Production))--University of Pretoria, 2003. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

Change in Modified Contemporary Comparison proofs during first and second crop period was computed from up to eight proofs during both periods for AI and non-AI sampled Holstein bulls with repeatability of last evaluation≥.90. Effect of proof number within testing period on the bull's milk or fat evaluation was estimated with bull absorbed. AI and non-AI sampled bulls' proofs increased from initial first crop proof and then remained fairly constant during the remainder of first crop period. With inclusion of second crop daughters, proofs dropped significantly more for non-AI than AI sampled bulls. This drop increased for non-AI sampled bulls born after 1976, but was unchanged for AI sampled bulls. A measure of change was calculated using last second crop proof minus the second to last first crop proof. Expected standard deviation of change was calculated and used to stratify bulls into eight change classes. A larger proportion of non-AI sampled bulls have proofs that dropped than could be explained by chance alo e. Results indicated that non-AI sampled bulls were less stable than AI sampled bulls' proofs and that stability of non-AI sampled bulls has diminished over time. For one of the studs that had stability of their bulls' proofs examined, their young sire sampling program was investigated. Individual phenotypic and genetic records of first crop and non-first crop cows in 3449 herds participating in the AI stud's young sire sampling program from 1971 to 1987 were used to characterize the sampling program, to estimate genetic trend across and within the progeny test herds, and to compute within herd means and standard deviations of various traits (herd characteristics). Herd characteristics of progeny test herds were utilized in predicting within herd genetic trend d in predicting changes in proofs of bulls sampled by the stud. For bulls sampled by this stud, average herd characteristics and variability of herd characteristics across the contributing herds was calculated and used to predict the measure of proof change in the first study. Average herd-year characteristics and variability of herd-year characteristics explained 39% to 46% of the variation in milk. and fat proof changes. In general, variability of herd-year characteristics and average within herd-year standard deviation herd-year characteristic variables explained most of the changes in proofs. Genetic trend across the progeny test herds was large for milk (105 kg) and fat (3.1 kg) yield. Genetic trend computed from PTAs of sires of first crop cows increased 58 kg milk and 1.5 kg fat per year from 1971 to 1978 and 176 kg milk. and 5.5 kg fat per year from 1979-87. The genetic level of daughters of young sires born after 1983 was equivalent or exceeded the genetic level of cows from other sires in the herd. Results indicated that within herd genetic improvement will not be hurt and may actually be enhanced from participating in a young sire sampling program depending upon sire selection of cows not bred to young sires. Herd characteristics explained forty-five and fifty-one percent of the differences in within herd genetic trends for milk and fat yield, respectively. Average sire PTA of non-first crop daughters accounted for 80% and 67% of the explainable differences. Other herd characteristics indicated that herds with larger within herd standard deviation milk yields, larger number of young sires represented, younger cows, less average days open, and greater percentage of cows sired by AI sires made faster rates of genetic improvement. / Ph. D.

M.S.

A total of 1,644 A.I. sampled bulls born from 1984 to 1986 with first proofs from Winter 90 to Summer 91 were used to determine the accuracy of predicting DYD and PTA from different sources of pedigree information obtained before the bull had daughter information. Traits evaluated were milk, fat and protein. Pedigree sources considered were PA, PI, PTA_SIRE and PTA_DAM. Approximate weighted regression was used to determine which pedigree source predicted DYD or PTA with the highest accuracy (highest R²). For all traits, PA had a higher R² for DYD and PTA than PI. Regression coefficients were less than one for PA and PI. R² values for PA to predict first DYD milk, fat and protein were .17, .20 and .18, respectively. R² for PA to predict first PTA milk, fat and protein were .47, .54 and .49, respectively. Adding PTA_DAM to the model with PTA_SIRE resulted in a higher R² than the model with PTA_SIRE alone. As expected R² values were similar for PA and the model with PTA_SIRE and PTA_DAM. However, the weights for PTA_SIRE and PTA_DAM were less than .5. Higher weights and R²s for predicting PTA compared to predicting DYD resulted from the part-whole relationship between bull’s PTA and his PA. Overall, weights and R² were less than expected, but reasonable accuracy was obtained in estimating a young bull’s DYD and PTA from pedigree estimates. Accuracy of prediction varied depending on when the bull received his first proof. R² values of different groups of bulls based on the date of first DYD and PTA ranged from .06 to .20, .08 to .15 and .05 to .12 for predicting first DYD from PA for milk, fat and protein, respectively. Prediction accuracy in some groups of bulls was less possibly because of the limited number of sires and reduced variation in sire PTAs. Changes in evaluation procedures to expand the variance of extended records and to account for differences in within herd variance may have adversely affected the accuracy of prediction. The impact of the addition of granddaughters (son’s daughters) on the PTA of the dam was evaluated. Addition of granddaughter information decreased the average of dam’s PTA 70 kg, indicating the dams’ PTAs were generally inflated. Granddaughter information measured relative to PA of the son was useful to predict the change in the dam’s PTA at the AM evaluation the dam’s sons received first proofs. Regression coefficients ranged from .30 to .39, which were similar to the weights for w₃ in the PTA function. R for the regressions ranged from .33 to .72. Predicting further change in dam’s PTA (after the AM evaluation first granddaughter information was received) resulted in lower R? (.13 to .35) for additional granddaughter information. Evidence of bias and/or errors were found in bulls sampled outside the respective A.I. organizations’ designated sampling herds. These bulls had PAs that overestimated their DYDs for milk, fat and protein by 107 kg, 7.5 kg and 5.7 kg, respectively. The PAs of these bulls overestimated the PTAs by 97 kg, 6.8 kg and 4.5 kg for milk, fat and protein, respectively. Discrepancies were also found between average PTAs and DYDs and the PAs of bulls based on the rank of the dam’s PTA. Bulls from dams with lower PTAs tended to have PAs that underestimated their DYDs by 48 kg and .5 kg for milk and fat, respectively. These bulls had PAs that underestimated their PTAs for milk, fat and protein by 42 kg, .5 kg and .6 kg, respectively. Examination of bulls from high ranking dams for PTA milk, fat or protein revealed that bulls from dams with higher PTAs tended to have PAs that overestimated their DYDs by 65 kg, 5.3 kg and 4.5 kg for milk, fat and protein, respectively. The PAs of these bulls overestimated their PTAs by 49 kg, 4.2 kg and 2.9 kg, for milk, fat and protein, respectively. / Master of Science

M.S.

Data for this study was collected over a six-year period (1970 through 1975) on 217 bulls and 211 steers at the Bland Correctional Center, Bland, Virginia. Animals of this study were primarily cross-breds of Angus, Charolais, Hereford, Holstein and Simmental breeds. The objective of this study was to compare bulls and steers for growth and carcass traits. Bulls (220, 310, 449 kg) weighed more than did steers (204, 273, 381 kg) at weaning, 12 and 18 months of age, respectively, (P < .05), and scored higher on condition at weaning and 18 months of age (P< .05). Bulls (501, 281, 0.48 kg) were also heavier than steers (414, 219, 0.39 kg) for live slaughter weight, carcass weight, and carcass weight per day of age, respectively, (P< .05). Bulls and steers did not differ in ribeye area per 100 kg of carcass weight, backfat thickness, and marbling scores. Percent kidney and kidney fat per carcass weight was less in bulls (1.59%) than steers (2.58%) (P < .05). Bull carcasses graded low good whereas steer carcasses graded low to middle good. Armour tenderometer measurements were 8.25 kg and 7.09 kg for bulls and steers, respectively, (P < .05) , with any reading below 8.2 kg being of acceptable tenderness. Carcass yield grades were 1.29 and 1.90 for bulls and steers, respectively, (P < .05). The superior growth rate of bulls and the minimal sex differences in carcass quality renders the present market bias against bull beef questionable. / Master of Science

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of sustained -release copper (Cu) boluses on growth and reproductive traits of beef bulls. Two groups of bulls were used in consecutive years (n=26 in experiment 1; n=20in experiment 2). Bulls in each experiment were allotted by weight and breed into two equally numbered treatment groups (control (C); treated (T)). Bulls were housed together and offered a balanced diet containing 9 ppm Cu for an ADG of 1.4 kg. Treated bulls in each experiment were given 1 Cu bolus (Cupra,® Pitman-Moore, Mundelein, IL in experiment 1; Copasture â ¢ Copasture- 25 bolus Schering-Plough, Kenilworth, NJ in experiment 2). All bulls were bled, had blood samples taken and had scrotal circumferences (SC) measured on d 0,28,56,84,112, and 140. Blood was collected via jugular venipuncture to determine serum Cu and plasma ceruloplasmin (Cp) concentrations. Breeding soundness examinations (B S E) were conducted on all bulls on d 140 and 185 in experiment 1 and d 168 in experiment 2. Body weight and SC were not affected by treatment in either experiment (P > .05). Serum Cu and plasma Cp concentrations were not affected by treatment in experiment 2 (P > .05). Serum Cu was higher for the T bulls on d 56, 84, and 112 in experiment 1 (P < .05). All serum Cu concentrations for both experiments were within the normal range for cattle. Plasma Cp concentrations were recorded only for d 1, 112, and 140 in experiment 1 and were significantly higher for the C group on d 112 (P < .05). There were no significant effects of treatment on the results of the BSE (SC, percentage of normal sperm, progressive motility, and primary or secondary abnormalities) in either experiment. These data suggest that the Cu bolus in experiment 2 had no effect on body weight gains, SC, serum Cu and plasma Cp concentrations, sperm normality, progressive motility, and primary and secondary abnormalities. These data also suggest that the Cu bolus in experiment 1 had no effect on body weight gains, SC, and sperm normality, progressive motility, and primary and secondary abnormalities; however, treatment in experiment 1 did increase serum Cu concentrations on some but not all days and did not increase concentrations above the normal range for beef cattle. The conclusion made from these experiments is that the sustained Cu boluses used in these studies do not significantly affect growth and reproductive traits in beef bulls with adequate Cu status. / Master of Science

Magistro darbo tikslas - įvertinti žalųjų ir žalmargių bulių eksterjero veislinės vertės požymius ir jų koreliaciją. Darbo uždaviniai : 1. Atlikti žalųjų ir žalmargių bulių eksterjero veislinės vertės rodiklių ir jų priklausomybės analizę. 2. Ištirti atskirų žalųjų ir žalmargių veislių bulių palyginamąją analizę pagal dukterų eksterjero veislinę vertę. Tyrimo metu buvo analizuojami 107 žalųjų ir žalmargių bulių, gimusių nuo 1995 m. iki 2008 m. eksterjero įvertinimai. Nustatyta, kad maksimalus eksterjero įvertinimas siekė 122, minimalus - 72, todėl eksterjero vertinimų rangas siekia net 50 indekso taškų. Vidurkis, 93,21, yra gana artimas modai ir medianai, vidurkio paklaida yra gana maža, todėl galima teigti, jog jis gana tiksliai atspindi eksterjero įvertinimų pasiskirstymą. Standartinis nuokrypis rodo, kad daugiausia reikšmių yra išsidėstę ± 8,74 indekso vienetų apie vidurkį. Atlikus koreliacinę analizę galima matyti, kad labiausiai su bendru karvės eksterjero įvertinimu koreliuoja tešmens vertinimas – net 0,87, kuris bendrame indekse sudaro 40 proc. Bendro kūno išsivystymo požymių indeksas turi stiprų tiesioginį ryšį su buliaus bendro eksterjero įvertinimo indeksu, r = 0,869. Galūnių indekso koreliacija su eksterjero bendru indeksu kiek atsilieka (r = 0,81), tačiau jų koreliacijos laipsnis taip pat vertinamas kaip labai stiprus. Pagal kūno bendro išsivystymo indeksą (104,0) ir tešmens indeksą (99,5) pirmauja žalmargiai holšteinai, kurie vidutiniškai surenka... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The aim of this research was to evaluate the breeding value of exterior traits of red-and-white bulls in Lithuania. The goals: 1. To perform exterior assessment analysis of Red and Red-and-White bulls. 2. To examine breeding values for exterior indexes of Red and Red-and-White bulls tested in Lithuania and to perform their comparative analysis. The study included the analysis of exterior ratings of 107 red and red-and-white bulls born since 1995 to 2008. It was determined that the maximum total exterior index was 122, the minimum - 72, and the range of exterior ranks were 50 points. Average of 93.21, is quite close to the mode and the median, the average error is quite small, so it can be said that it is a fairly accurate assessment of the exterior. Standard deviation indicates that most values are located ±8.74 points on average. After performing correlation analysis it can be said that biggest correlation coeficient is between udder index and total exterior index – 0.87. It is quite logical - calculating udder index takes 40% in the total exterior index. Body conformation index also has a strong direct relationship with the total exterior index of the bulls - correlation coefficient was 0.869. Coefficient of correlation between index of feet and legs and total exterior index was some lower, i.e. 0.81, but the degree of correlation is also relised as very strong. Red-and-White Holstein is the leading breed of bulls according to the body conformation index (104.0) and... [to full text]

Studien undersöker 14 djurfiguriner från Arne Furumarks utgrävning av den sena bronsåldersbosättningen Sinda på Cypern. Figurinerna detaljstuderas med syftet att vidare förstå Sindas socio-kulturella miljö. De grupperas utifrån liknande drag, för att sedan analyseras utifrån de influenser som genomsyrade tiden. Figurinerna jämförs även med de från andra platser för att se om det existerade ett lokalt formspråk i Sinda. Genomgående betraktas figurinerna utifrån teorierna att föremåls betydelse påverkas av sin kontext, och att ting och människa är sammanbundna. Gravkontexten betraktas som figurinernas primära kontext, i motsats till Furumarks tidigare slutsatser. Sindas figuriner skiljer sig från de på andra platser, i huvudsak genom deras naturtrogna drag, även om det finns förenande aspekter. Sindas förmodade fokus på djurhållning visar sig i vilka djur som är representerade; tjurarnas betydelse låg i huvudsak vid fertilitetssymbolism, och även de andra djuren har en koppling till jordbruk och djurhållning. Det påtagliga mykenska inflytande påverkade utformandet av den typ som alla Sindas figuriner tillhör, de så kallade buff painted bulls. / This study examines 14 animal figurines found in the late bronze age settlement of Sinda during Arne Furumark’s excavation. The figurines are studied in detail with the purpose of better understanding the socio-cultural environment of Sinda. The figurines are grouped by similar traits and is analyzed based on the influences and ideas of the time. They are also compared to figurines from other places, to see if there existed a locality in style in Sinda. Throughout, the figurines are understood from the theories of the human-thing relationship and that the context affect the purpose of an object. The grave context is understood as the objects’ primary context, as opposed to Furumarks earlier conclusions. Sinda’s figurines differ from those of other places, mainly due to their naturalistic traits, although there are uniting attributes. Sinda’s presumed focus on livestock is apparent in the represented animals; the bulls signified fertility, and the other animals depicted also had a connection to agriculture and livestock. The apparent Mycenaean influence affected the shaping and development of the type of figurine found in Sinda, the so-called buff painted bulls.