Colour is an important quality parameter of broiler meat influencing the consumer buying behaviour. The alterations of the colour after slaughter are related to the oxidative status of the tissue. This in turn is influenced by an interaction between the mitochondria and the antioxidative enzymes. In this study, breast muscles were collected from hens and cocks of a commercial line slaughtered at the ages of 28 and 41 day. Analysis of the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) was performed with samples obtained 20 min and 48 h after slaughter (post mortem, p.m.), whereas the mitochondrial respiratory activity was analysed in permeabilised breast muscle fibres collected 20 min p.m. The carcass characteristics of breast muscle and leg weight as well as breast yield were significantly higher, and the leg yields lower, in the 41-day-old broiler. The 28-day-old hens and cocks had comparable carcass characteristics (P > 0.05), whereas 41-day-old cocks had significantly higher carcass, breast and leg weight in comparison to the hens. The pH20 min p.m. and the L*48 h p.m. were significantly higher, and the a* and b* values of the 20 min and 48 h p.m. samples as well as the drip loss were significantly lower in the 41-day-old broiler. Mitochondrial respiratory rates were comparable (P > 0.05) between the 28- and 41-day-old cocks and hens. The same result could be found with regard to the activities of the SOD, GPx and GR except for lower activities of the SOD20 min p.m. and higher of the GR48 h min p.m. in the 41-day-old broiler. The concentrations of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were generally higher in the breast muscles of the 41-day-old broiler. Assorting the data according to their mean pH20 min p.m. indicates a positive influence of higher pH values (>6.34) on the mitochondrial function, whereas a low pH20 min p.m. results in tendentially and significantly higher activities of the antioxidative enzymes and drip loss values. These results indicate a relation between the meat quality and the oxidative metabolism as well as antioxidative capacity of the meat.

The aim of this study was to test for the existence of causative genetic variation affecting body composition traits within or adjacent to the porcine insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) gene beyond the known IGF2-intron3-G3072A mutation. A focussed quantitative trait loci analysis using four microsatellite markers within the telomeric region of porcine chromosome 2p was conducted in a large resource population comprising 2741 F2 offspring. The analysis of two subsets of animals that were alternatively homozygous for the in3G3072A mutation provides evidence for additional genetic variation significantly contributing to the overall quantitative trait nucleotide variance within our population.

Empirical experience with genomic selection in dairy cattle suggests that the distribution of the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) might be far from normality for some traits. An alternative, avoiding the use of arbitrary prior information, is the Bayesian Lasso (BL). Regular BL uses a common variance parameter for residual and SNP effects (BL1Var). We propose here a BL with different residual and SNP effect variances (BL2Var), equivalent to the original Lasso formulation. The λ parameter in Lasso is related to genetic variation in the population. We also suggest precomputing individual variances of SNP effects by BL2Var, to be later used in a linear mixed model (HetVar-GBLUP). Models were tested in a cross-validation design including 1756 Holstein and 678 Montbéliarde French bulls, with 1216 and 451 bulls used as training data; 51 325 and 49 625 polymorphic SNP were used. Milk production traits were tested. Other methods tested included linear mixed models using variances inferred from pedigree estimates or integrated out from the data. Estimates of genetic variation in the population were close to pedigree estimates in BL2Var but not in BL1Var. BL1Var shrank breeding values too little because of the common variance. BL2Var was the most accurate method for prediction and accommodated well major genes, in particular for fat percentage. BL1Var was the least accurate. HetVar-GBLUP was almost as accurate as BL2Var and allows for simple computations and extensions.

MADS-box genes encode transcription factors that are key regulators of plant inflorescence and flower development. We examined DNA sequence variation in 32 maize MADS-box genes and 32 randomly chosen maize loci and investigated their involvement in maize domestication and improvement. Using neutrality tests and a test based on coalescent simulation of a bottleneck model, we identified eight MADS-box genes as putative targets of the artificial selection associated with domestication. According to neutrality tests, one additional MADS-box gene appears to have been under selection during modern agricultural improvement of maize. For random loci, two genes were indicated as targets of selection during domestication and four additional genes were indicated to be candidate-selected loci for maize improvement. These results suggest that MADS-box genes were more frequent targets of selection during domestication than genes chosen at random from the genome.

The pattern of the correlation of non-allele descents among linked sites is an important aspect for an insight into the genomic evolution at the population level. Here, we present a new statistical method for estimating two types of non-allele descent correlations. One is the standardized parental descent disequilibrium termed by Cockerham & Weir (1973),the other is the standardized disequilibrium between non-allele descent segments from the same chromosome. Essential to this analysis is the partitioning of the joint identity-by-state probability for a random pair of non-allele gametes into the different components of identity by descents at the two or three sites. We consider the samples of phased haplotypes of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and the weighted least square method for fast parameter estimation. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate that robustly unbiased estimates with appropriate precisions can be obtained with certain sample sizes, ~100 diploids, under the impacts of allele frequency distributions and linkage disequilibrium. This method can be used to construct the maps of non-allele descent correlation blocks for the population whose genetic pedigree is not required on a prior basis.

Lamb mortality remains a significant welfare and economic issue for sheep production. Lamb survival is to a degree dependent upon an easy delivery and the expression of appropriate behaviours from both mother and offspring, such as rapid standing, udder seeking and sucking by the lamb. Genetic solutions have the potential to improve birth assistance and lamb behaviour but large amounts of data are needed. Therefore, to achieve this objective, simple, proxy methods (scoring systems) were developed to quantify the level of birth difficulties and lamb vigour on farm. In the first study, detailed historical behavioural data from 1156 lambs (Scottish Blackface and Suffolk (S)) were analysed to develop criteria for 3 scores: birth assistance, lamb vigour and sucking assistance. The birth assistance score was developed by analysing the relationships between birth presentation and intervention levels, and intervention level and labour length. Lambs with abnormal birth positions required more assistance than normally presented lambs and lambs with long labours required more and greater assistance than those with short labours. Lamb vigour score was developed by analysing the latencies for the lamb to first perform specific behaviours; more vigorous lambs reach landmark behaviours faster than low vigour lambs. The sucking assistance score was developed from the relationship between the latency to suck successfully and assistance level, where lambs that were slow to suck required more assistance than lambs that were quick to suck. In the second study, the behaviour scoring systems (5-point categorical scales) were validated using a commercial flock of 80 twin-bearing crossbred ewes mated with either Texel (T) or S sires by simultaneously recording scores and the latency to perform specific landmark behaviours (i.e. to stand, seek the udder and suck). The vigour scores (recorded at 5 min of age) were compared with the latency from birth to standing and showed that lambs with lower (better) vigour scores were faster to stand after birth than those with higher scores. The sucking assistance scores were compared with the latency from birth to sucking, and showed that lambs with lower sucking assistance scores are quicker to suck than those with high scores. These results showed that the scoring systems could provide a practical and reliable assessment of birth assistance and lamb behaviour on farm and were sufficiently sensitive to discriminate vigour levels between lambs sired by either S or T rams.

Meat yield and quality are closely related to muscle development. The muscle characteristics mainly take place during embryonic and postnatal phases. Thus, genetic control of muscle development in early stages represents a significant stake to improve product quality and production efficiency. In bovine, several programmes have been developed to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting growth, carcass composition or meat quality traits. Such strategy is incontestably very powerful yet extremely cumbersome and costly when dealing with large animals such as ruminants. Furthermore, the fine mapping of the QTL remains a real challenge. Here, we proposed an alternative approach based on chemical mutagenesis in the mouse combined with comparative genomics to identify regions or genes controlling muscle development in cattle. At present, we isolated seven independent mouse lines of high interest. Two lines exhibit a hypermuscular phenotype, and the other five show various skeletomuscular phenotypes. Detailed characterisation of these mouse mutants will give crucial input for the identification and the mapping of genes that control muscular development. Our strategy will provide the opportunity to understand the function and control of genes involved in improvement of animal physiology.

Tol2 is a member of the hAT (hobo/Activator/Tam3) transposable element family, residing as 10–30 copies per diploid genome in the medaka fish. We previously reported that this element is highly homogeneous in structure at both the restriction map level and the nucleotide sequence level. It was, however, possible that there is variation of such a low frequency as not to have been detected in our previous surveys, in which samples from 12 geographical locations were used. In the present study, we first conducted searches of genome sequence databases of medaka, and found a 119-bp-long internal deletion. We then conducted a survey of samples from 58 locations for this deletion by performing PCR preceded by restriction enzyme digestion to increase the sensitivity to this deletion. We found that copies suffering this deletion have spread, or have been generated by multiple origins, in the northern-to-central part of mainland Japan. Thus, although the high homogeneity in structure is a distinct feature of Tol2, variation does exist at low frequencies in natural populations of medaka. The current status of Tol2 is expected to provide information with which results of future surveys can be compared for clarification of determinants of population dynamics of this DNA-based element.

A total of 48 female pigs (Large White × Landrace × Duroc cross) were used to determine whether a compensatory feed regime influenced performance, carcass composition and the level of plasma IGF-1. Pigs of initial age 73 days were fed a commercial diet at 0.70 of ad libitum (R) for 40 days followed by a return to ad libitum feeding for a further 42 days. The control group was fed ad libitum (A) throughout. Groups of animals on R and A feed regimes were slaughtered at the end of restriction period (SL1), 2 days after refeeding ad libitum (SL2) to establish the more immediate effects of refeeding on IGF levels, and after 42 days refeeding (SL3; n = 8 for each group). As expected, during the restriction period, average daily live weight gain in all the slaughter groups of R pigs was significantly lower than A pigs (P < 0.01); there was no significant difference in feed conversion ratios. In the re-alimentation period of SL3, R pigs grew 12.9% faster (P = 0.033), indicating compensatory growth. At SL1, there was a trend for carcass weight (P = 0.108) of A pigs to be higher than R pigs, but at SL2 live weight and carcass weight of A pigs were significantly heavier than R pigs (P < 0.05), but not at SL3. For killing-out percentage, there was no difference in SL1. After refeeding for 2 days (SL2) and 42 days (SL3), R pigs had significantly lower killing-out percentage than A pigs (P < 0.05). As a proportion of live weight, R pigs had smaller heart, kidney and liver (P < 0.05) than A pigs at SL1. At SL2, only the kidney was smaller in the restricted group (P < 0.05) and there were no significant differences in SL3. As a proportion of carcass weight, Longissimus dorsi was heavier in the R pigs at SL1 (P = 0.108) and SL2 (P < 0.05), but not at SL3. At SL1, there was a trend for intramuscular fat of A pigs to be higher than R pigs. The plasma IGF-1 level was lower in R pigs than A pigs (P = 0.010) at SL1, and slightly lower at SL2 (P = 0.110), with no significant differences at SL3. Dietary restriction period influenced plasma IGF-1 levels, which returned to the ad libitum group levels when animals were refed, as did live weight and carcass weight. It appears that the internal organs and possibly fat, but not muscles, underwent a compensatory response when animals were refed.

An empirical regression model for the prediction of total dry matter intake (DMI) of dairy cows was developed and compared with four published intake models. The model was constructed to include both animal and dietary factors, which are known to affect DMI. For model development, a data set based on individual cow data from 10 change-over and four continuous milk production studies was collected (n = 1554). Relevant animal (live weight (LW), days in milk (DIM), parity and breed) and dietary (total and concentrate DMI, concentrate composition, forage digestibility and fermentation quality) data were collected. The model factors were limited to those that are available before the diets are fed to animals, that is, standardized energy corrected milk (sECM) yield, LW, DIM and diet quality (total diet DMI index (TDMI index)). As observed ECM yield is a function of both the production potential of the cow and diet quality, ECM yield standardized for DIM, TDMI index and metabolizable protein concentration was used in modelling. In the individual data set, correlation coefficients between sECM and TDMI index or DIM were much weaker (0.16 and 0.03) than corresponding coefficients with observed ECM (0.65 and 0.46), respectively. The model was constructed with a mixed model regression analysis using cow within trial as a random factor. The following mixed model was estimated for DMI prediction: DMI (kg DM/day) = −2.9 (±0.56)+0.258 (±0.011) × sECM (kg/day) + 0.0148 (±0.0009) × LW (kg) −0.0175 (±0.001) × DIM −5.85 (±0.41) × exp (−0.03 × DIM) + 0.09 (±0.002) × TDMI index. The mixed DMI model was evaluated with a treatment mean data set (207 studies, 992 diets), and the following relationship was found: Observed DMI (kg DM/day) = −0.10 (±0.33) + 1.004 (±0.019) × Predicted DMI (kg DM/day) with an adjusted residual mean square error of 0.362 kg/day. Evaluation of the residuals did not result in a significant mean bias or linear slope bias, and random error accounted for proportionally >0.99 of the error. In conclusion, the DMI model developed is considered robust because of low mean prediction error, accurate and precise validation, and numerically small differences in the parameter values of model variables when estimated with mixed or simple regression models. The Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System was the most accurate of the four other published DMI models evaluated using individual or treatment mean data, but in most cases mean and linear slope biases were relatively high, and, interestingly, there were large differences in both mean and linear slope biases between the two data sets.

Little is known about the characteristics of biters and victims before the appearance of a tail-biting outbreak in groups of pigs. This study aimed to characterise biters and victims (according to gender and performance) and to quantify their behavioural development during the 6 days preceding the tail-biting outbreak. The hypotheses tested were: (a) biters are more often female, are the lighter pigs in the group, are more restless and perform more aggressive behaviour; and (b) victims are more often male, heavier and less active. Using video recordings we carried out a detailed study of 14 pens with a tail-biting outbreak among the weaned piglets. All piglets were individually marked and we observed the behaviour of biters, victims and control piglets (piglet types). In every pen, each piglet type was observed every other day from 6 days before (D−6) to the day of the first visible tail damage (i.e. day of tail biting outbreak; D0). While the number of male biters (6 of the 14 biters) and male victims (11 of the 14 victims) was not significantly different (P = 0.13), this numerical contrast was considerable. The start weight of victims was significantly (P = 0.03) higher (8.6 kg) than those of biters (7.5 kg) and control piglets (8.0 kg). Biters tended (P = 0.08) to spend longer sitting/kneeling (3.1 min/h) than controls (1.7 min/h), but no differences were seen in the time spent lying or standing. Victims tended (P = 0.07) to change posture more often (restlessness) than controls and chased penmates more (P = 0.04) than biters. Victims also performed more (P = 0.04) aggressive behaviour than biters and controls. In contrast, biters tended (P = 0.08) to be chased by penmates more often and tended (P = 0.06) to receive more aggressive behaviour than controls. Furthermore, biters spent longer manipulating the enrichment device (P = 0.01) and the posterior/tail (P = 0.02) of their penmates than controls and tended (P = 0.06) to perform more tail bites than victims. Victims received more posterior/tail manipulation (P = 0.02) and tail bites (P = 0.04) than controls. It was also noticed that, independent of piglet type, restlessness (P = 0.03) increased and the frequency of performed tail bites tended (P = 0.08) to increase in the 6 days preceding a tail-biting outbreak. These findings may contribute to the early identification of biters or victims and support the development of strategies to minimise the occurrence of tail biting.

Seven- to 10-month-old calves are the typical production of Galician Blond (GB), the most important bovine local beef breed in Spain. As meat lipid repercussions on human health depend on their fatty acid (FA) profile, this study aimed at analysing the individual FA at weaning and at the end of the feeding finishing period, especially trans and cis 18:1 isomers in total lipids of the Longissimus thoracis muscle in GB male calves. Distribution of main FA in veal lipids was characterized by gas–liquid chromatography (GLC) analysis on a high polar glass capillary column. Total trans and cis 18:1 isomers were purified, from total FA (TFA) methyl esters, by preparative reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, to allow subsequent specific analysis of their different isomers by GLC. Calves stayed with their mothers at pasture for 2 or 5 months in intensive or semi-extensive systems, followed by an indoor feeding period. The weaned (W) group was finished on concentrate and hay, whereas the non-weaned (NW) group was finished on concentrate and hay and it continued suckling until slaughter. The studied effects did not present interactions. The duration of the indoor finishing period hardly had a significant influence on the parameters analysed. Compared to W calves, NW calves had higher proportions (% TFA) of 18:3n-3 (+38%, P < 0.0001), 20:5n-3 (+22%, P = 0.005), 22:5n-3 (+13%, P = 0.042), cis monounsaturated FA (MUFA; +8%, P = 0.032), total MUFA (+8%, P = 0.013), n-3 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA; +25%, P = 0.0001) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA; +48%, P < 0.0001) to the detriment of 18:0 (−10%, P = 0.002), 18:2n-6 (−25%, P = 0.004) and n-6 PUFA (−20%, P = 0.011). With regard to cis and trans 18:1 isomers, NW calves had higher proportions (% total cis or trans 18:1) of Δ11trans and Δ16trans (+25% and +22%, respectively, P < 0.01) and Δ13 + 14trans (+13%, P < 0.05) and lower proportions of Δ6 to 8 and Δ10trans (−28% and 58%, respectively, P < 0.001). NW calves’ meat might be more suitable for human health than W calves’ meat due to the increase of anti-atherogenous FA such as n-3 PUFA, CLA and 18:1 Δ11trans.

This study investigates the myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoform composition in the gluteus medius muscle of the Akhal-Teke horses using SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). Fifteen horses aged between 1.5 and 23.5 years were used in this study and divided into three age groups: 1.5 to 4 (n = 6), 9 to 13 (n = 5) and 18.5 to 23.5 years (n = 4). The average content of the MyHC I isoform was 11.72 ± 1.07% (variation between individuals: 7.09% to 20.14%). The relative content of the MyHC IIa and IIx isoforms was subsequently 38.20 ± 1.46% (30.73% to 48.78%) and 50.07 ± 1.10% (43.8% to 56.78%) from the total MyHC. The MyHC pattern in the skeletal muscles of the Akhal-Teke horses shows that the muscles of these horses have a high capacity both for endurance and speed.

In mammals, maternal food restriction around conception and during pregnancy results in low birth weight and an adjusted growth trajectory of offspring. If, subsequently, the offspring are born into a food-abundant environment, they are at increased risk of developing obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and renal dysfunction. Here, we show similar effects of maternal undernutrition on hatch weight, growth and fat deposition in offspring of birds (domestic chicken). Both mothers and offspring were fed either ad libitum or restricted in a two-by-two factorial design, resulting in two matched and two mismatched maternal–offspring nutritional environments. Offspring of ad libitum mothers grew heavier than those of restricted mothers, possibly due to the larger muscle mass. Ad libitum-fed offspring, especially females, of restricted mothers were lighter at hatch, and were heavier and had more abdominal fat at 6 weeks of age than daughters of ad libitum-fed mothers. These results suggest a common mechanism in mammals and birds in response to a mismatch in the maternal–offspring nutritional environment. They also indicate that the common practice of restrictive feeding of the broiler breeders and subsequent ad libitum feeding of the broilers may result in reduced growth and increased abdominal fat as compared to broilers of less restricted broiler breeders.

The objective of this study is to quantify the milk production response per cow and per hectare (ha) for an incremental stocking rate (SR) change, based on a meta-analysis of published research papers. Suitable experiments for inclusion in the database required a comparison of at least two SRs under the same experimental conditions in addition to details on experimental length and milk production results per cow and per ha. Each additional increased SR treatment was also described in terms of the relative milk production change per cow and per ha compared to the lower base SR (b_SR). A database containing 109 experiments of various lengths with 131 comparisons of SR was sub-divided into Type I experiments (common experimental lengths) and Type II experiments (variable experimental lengths). Actual and proportional changes in milk production according to SR change were analysed using linear mixed model procedures with study included as a random effect in the model. Low residual standard errors indicated a good precision of the predictive equations with the exception of proportional change in milk production per cow. For all milk yield variables analysed, the results illustrate that while production per cow is reduced, a strong positive relationship exists between SR and milk production per ha. An SR increase of one cow/ha resulted in a decrease in daily milk yield per cow of 7.4% and 8.7% for Type I and Type II data, respectively, whereas milk yield per ha increased by 20.1% and 19.6%, respectively. Within the Type II data set, a one cow/ha increase in SR also resulted in a 15.1% reduction in lactation length (equivalent to 42 days). The low predictability of proportional change in milk production per cow according to the classical SR definition of cows per ha over a defined period suggests that SR may be more appropriately defined in terms of the change in available feed offered per animal within each treatment.

We investigated the effect of relative changes in dietary nitrogen (N) and energy supply and the subsequent variations in net portal appearance (NPA) of nitrogenous and energy nutrients on the net amino acid (AA) uptake by the liver and net N supply to the peripheral tissues. Six lambs were catheterised across the splanchnic tissues and received, in a replicated Latin square, one of three dietary treatments. The diets were formulated to either match the requirements of N and energy (C), or supply only 0.8 of the N requirement (LN) or 0.8 of the energy requirement (LE). Net fluxes of AA and urea-N were measured across the portal-drained viscera, and estimation of arterial hepatic flow allowed the estimation of hepatic fluxes. Catheters were implanted into the portal and hepatic veins as well as in the abdominal aorta for the measurement of AA fluxes. Animals fed the LN diet showed more efficient N retention (0.59 of digested N) than did the C and LE diet (0.50 and 0.33, respectively; P < 0.001). The NPA of total AA-N for the LN diet was only 0.60 of the value measured for the control (C) diet (P < 0.01). Despite this, the total estimated AA-N net splanchnic fluxes were not significantly different across the three diets (3.3, 1.9 and 2.6 g total AA-N/day for C, LN and LE, respectively, P = 0.52). Thus, different metabolic regulations must have taken place across the liver between the three experimental diets. A combination of decreased net uptake of total AA-N by the liver of animals in the LN diet (0.61 of the C diet; P = 0.002) and reduced urinary urea-N production (0.52 of the C diet; P = 0.001) spared AA from catabolism in the LN diet relative to the other two diets. For the LE diet, the urinary urea-N output was 1.3 times the value of the C diet (P = 0.01). This may relate to an increased catabolism of AA by the muscle and/or, to a lesser extent, to an increased utilisation of AA for gluconeogenesis in the liver. These effects may explain the reduced whole body protein retention observed with the LE diet.

Decubital shoulder ulcers are lesions on the shoulders of sows kept in production systems, reported to have a relatively high prevalence, and to some extent be comparable with human pressure ulcers. In sows, the ulcers are caused by pressure inflicted by the flooring, leading to oxygen deficiency in the skin and the underlying tissue. This paper reviews existing knowledge about decubital shoulder ulcers in sows, focusing on the pathogenesis, classification and consequences in terms of pain and animal welfare. On the basis of available human as well as animal literature, we describe the primary causal factors, underlying mechanisms, suggested direction of progression as well as temporal development. We review suggested scales for the classification of decubital shoulder ulcers, and argue that none of these are useful for the classification of decubital shoulder ulcers in live sows. The knowledge of the welfare consequences of decubital shoulder ulcers is limited. On the basis of the tissue structures that are involved, we assume that the development and presence of decubital shoulder ulcers in sows are a painful and prolonged condition. It is concluded that the extent of the welfare problem related to decubital shoulder ulcers cannot be fully determined until a valid ante-mortem classification system is available, and knowledge about the duration of the condition (including the various stages), as well as the possible consequences in terms of pain or discomfort have been established.

An experiment has been conducted to study the effects of the inclusion of plant oil in rabbit diets. This study was aimed at evaluating the beneficial effects of the inclusion of maize oil (MO), rich in unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), compared to palm oil (PO) containing saturated fatty acids (SFAs), on the meat fatty acid (FA) profile. As UFAs are susceptible to rancidity, Curcuma longa (CL), which is known for its antioxidant properties, was also added (3 g/kg) to the diet with two plant oils. CL contains curcuminoids, volatile oils, sugars, proteins, resins and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). We also evaluated the influence of CL inclusion in the diet on the FA profile of the meat. Furthermore, the possibility of using these oil-enriched diets and the ability to assimilate CL in rabbits was evaluated by analysing the performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality. At the end of the experiment, there were no significant differences between the groups concerning the live weight, live weight gain, feed consumption, feed efficiency, carcass yield or the percentages of edible organs. The hind legs, forelegs, loins and abdominal wall, breast and ribs, skin and limbs and head were not affected by the oil type or by the inclusion of CL. The chemical composition, pH and oxidative status of the Longissimus dorsi muscle of the rabbits fed the experimental diets were not affected by the oil source or by the CL supplementation. Conversely, it has been shown that it is possible to modify the FA profile of rabbit meat and fat by dietary means. The SFA/PUFA ratio significantly decreased from −18% to −16% in the meat and from −25% to −23% in the perirenal fat of the rabbits fed diets containing MO without or with CL supplementation, respectively, compared to same tissues of the rabbits fed diets containing PO without or with CL supplementation, respectively. Similar trends were found for the atherogenic index, which decreased from −20% to −17% in the meat and from −26% to −23% in the perirenal fat, respectively, and the thrombogenic index, which decreased from −19% to −24% in the meat and from −24% to −23% in the perirenal fat, respectively. CL increased the α-Linolenic acid and PUFA n-3 contents and reduced the vaccenic acid content and the n-6/n-3 ratio in the meat of the rabbits fed the PO or MO diets.

Reproductive performance has decreased over the last decades in many dairy systems. This study aimed at comparing the effects of a high- and a low-feeding level on reproductive stages (cyclicity, oestrus and fertility) of Holstein and Normande cows in a grass-based winter compact calving system. High-fed cows received a total mixed ration composed of 55% maize silage, 15% dehydrated alfalfa pellets and 30% concentrate in winter and 4 kg/day concentrate supply at grazing. Low-fed cows only received 50% grass silage and 50% haylage in winter and no concentrate at grazing. Low-fed cows produced less milk over 44 weeks, but lost more body condition (BC) than high-fed ones (5207 v. 7457 kg, −1.28 v. −0.96 unit, P < 0.001). Normande cows produced less milk and lost less BC than Holstein ones (5596 v. 7068 kg, −0.89 v. −1.36 unit, P < 0.001). Post-partum ovarian activity was little affected by the feeding level. In both breeds, ovulation detection rate was higher in low-fed cows (74% v. 59%, P < 0.001) and detection relied more frequently on standing behaviour (67% v. 55%, P = 0.022). In both breeds, the recalving rate following the first and second inseminations was not significantly affected by the feeding level, although more non-fertilisations or early embryo mortalities occurred in low-fed cows (43% v. 26%, P = 0.004). For the Holstein breed, this was clearly explained by more late embryo mortalities in high-fed cows (30% v. 9%, P = 0.004). Finally, pregnancy rate by the end of the 13-week breeding period was similar between feeding groups. Conversely, the Normande dual-purpose cows had a higher pregnancy rate by the end of the breeding period than the Holstein dairy cows (72% v. 54%, P = 0.007), owing to a better ovarian activity (79% v. 54% normal, P < 0.001) and a higher recalving rate following insemination (53% v. 37%, P = 0.007). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that feeding levels with converse effects on milk yield and BC score also have converse effects on reproductive stages and lead to quite similar final reproductive performance in compact calving systems. Normande cows benefit from an overall better reproductive performance, but do not suit high feeding levels for very compact calving systems owing to depressed oestrous behaviour.

The construction of a suitable farrowing environment is a continuing dilemma: the piglet’s needs must be matched with those of the sow and the farmer during the main phases that constitute farrowing: nest building, parturition and lactation. Difficulties exist in resolving the various conflicts of interest between and within these three parties (e.g. sow v. farmer: space needed for nest building v. space needed to maximise the amount of farrowing accommodation, or sow v. sow: ensuring the survival of the current litter v. maintaining condition for future litters). Thus, the challenge is to resolve these conflicts and design a system that maximises sow and piglet welfare while maintaining an economically efficient and sustainable enterprise. In order to successfully design a farrowing and lactation environment, it is necessary to consider the biological needs of both the sow and her litter. The natural behaviour of the sow has been well documented and very little variation exists between reports of peri-parturient behaviour observed in extensively kept domestic sows and their wild counterparts. The failure for domestication to significantly alter these behavioural patterns provides evidence that they are biologically significant and that the commercial farrowing environment should attempt to accommodate this behavioural repertoire. In addition, the behavioural needs of the piglets, as well as the physiological needs of both sows and their offspring should be considered. This article aims to review the considerable body of literature detailing the behavioural repertoire of sows and their offspring during the different phases of farrowing, and the accompanying physiological processes. The focus is on identifying biological needs of the animals involved in order to synthesise the appropriate design criteria for farrowing and lactation systems, which should optimise both welfare and animal production.