Archive for June, 2009

Jiu-jitsu training s

Jiu-jitsu training site is back up working on the shop area now, however front end shows directory listing due to directory updates

Day 1 – 1.4 Day 2 –

Day 1 – 1.4 Day 2 – 2.5 Day 3 – 2.1 Day 4 REST

2nd day of running u

2nd day of running up to 2.5 miles

Michael Jackson dead.

Yup, it is true Mr. Michael Jackson finally keeled over to join the likes of Anna Nicole and other celebrities I really just don’t know what to think of. The way I see it, Michael Jackson was either a really misunderstood good man… or man that guy was just flat sicko. I don’t really think there are too many in betweens. But for all you Michael Jackson fans, that includes you Nena McGee of Dallas Texas. Here’s a photo gallery of Michael Jackson over the years.

Feeling really dumb.

Feeling really dumb… I just deleted a whole freaking website by mistake… oops… there goes a month down the drain.

Identification of genetic markers for productive life in commercial sows

Escalating replacement rates and production costs warrant attention on sow productive life (SPL). Increasing average SPL by one-tenth of 1 parity would result in an annual revenue increase of over $15 million in the United States. Research in model organisms has revealed conserved genes and gene pathways that lead to longer lifespan. The most prominent gene pathways are those involved in growth, most notably genes in the IGF pathway that serve to mimic the response of caloric restriction. The objective of this research was to test the hypothesis that these well conserved genes and gene pathways could also play a role in SPL, even though the productive life of sows is both a measure of longevity and their reproductive performance. Preliminary research on 3 distinct populations of over 2,000 animals suggested that several genes were associated with components of SPL. Genetic markers were then analyzed against the corresponding records of the sows for reproductive and longevity traits using a validation population of 2,000 commercial females. Right censored data were used to test associations of genetic markers with survival to defined time points. Three distinct models of survival analysis were implemented using nonparametric estimates of the survival distribution in a sequential order, using a parametric accelerated failure time model with a Weibull distribution of the error term, and a Cox proportional hazards model, which is a semiparametric model that uses an unspecified baseline hazard function. The genetic markers CCR7 and CPT1A were significantly associated (P < 0.05) with survival using the nonparametric model and tended (P < 0.1) toward significance using the parametric and semiparametric models with significantly different effects (P < 0.05) between some genotype classes. Genetic markers for MBL2, IGFBP3, and WARS2 also tended (P < 0.1) toward significance for survival traits, but were not consistent. Mixed model analyses were used to determine the associations of these genetic markers with reproductive traits. The genetic markers for IGFBP1, MBL2, CPT1A, CCR7, SLC22A5, and ACE were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with at least 1 reproductive trait. These results show that molecular markers should be considered for use in marker-assisted selection to improve SPL.

Genetic parameters and trends for lamb survival and birth weight in a Merino flock divergently selected for multiple rearing ability

Data of 5,390 Merino lambs born from 1986 to 2007 (~6.9 generations) were used to derive genetic parameters and trends for age-specific and overall lamb survival on the underlying scale, as well as for lamb birth weight, using Gibbs sampling. The majority of lambs were descended from lines that were divergently selected for the ability of ewes to rear multiples. The line selected in the upward direction was denoted as the high line (H line), whereas the line selected in the downward direction was the low line (L line). Analyses included the covariance between direct and maternal genetic effects, except where it was not estimable owing to small direct additive variance components, a high incidence of lambs surviving, or both. Direct heritability estimates were 0.02 for lamb survival at birth, 0.12 for lamb survival from birth to tail docking, 0.39 for lamb survival from docking to weaning, 0.28 for overall lamb survival, and 0.17 for birth weight. Corresponding estimates for the maternal genetic effect were 0.26, 0.14, 0.16, 0.14, and 0.29. Dam permanent environmental variance ratios were, respectively, 0.14, 0.09, 0.05, 0.07, and 0.07. Estimates of the direct-maternal genetic correlation were –0.60 for lamb survival from docking to weaning, –0.61 for overall lamb survival, and –0.15 to –0.23 for birth weight. Genetic, maternal genetic, and dam permanent environmental correlations between lamb birth weight and overall or age-specific lamb survival were not different from zero. Expressed relative to overall means, annual direct genetic change in the H line amounted to –0.01% per annum for lamb survival at birth, 0.52% per annum for lamb survival from birth to docking, and 1.3% per annum for lamb survival from docking to weaning. Corresponding trends in the L line were, respectively, –0.01, –0.42, and 0.042% per annum. Maternal genetic trends amounted to, respectively, 0.23, –0.11, and –0.24% per annum in the H line and –0.78, –0.50, and –0.16% per annum in the L line. It was concluded that sustained genetic progress in lamb survival is feasible if directed selection is applied to a correlated trait such as the ability of ewes to rear multiples.

Genetic correlations among carcass cross-sectional fat area ratios, production traits, intramuscular fat, and serum leptin concentration in Duroc pigs

Animals accumulate fat in tissues as subcutaneous, intermuscular, intramuscular, and abdominal fat. Genetic interrelationships of respective fat depositions, however, have not been examined in depth. This study estimated genetic parameters for subcutaneous, intermuscular, and abdominal fat areas of 545 Duroc purebred pigs slaughtered at 105 kg of BW. Measurements were obtained using an image analysis system for positions between the 5th and the 6th thoracic vertebra (56TV), at half body length (HBL), and at the last thoracic vertebra (LTV) of the carcass. Moreover, serum leptin, which is a hormone product that is synthesized and predominantly expressed by adipocytes, was measured to determine if serum concentrations of leptin are useful as physiological predictors of fat accumulation in pigs. The heritability estimate of all fat area percentage at the HBL (0.70 ± 0.03) was significantly greater than at the 56TV (0.53 ± 0.03) or the LTV (0.55 ± 0.04). Furthermore, the heritability estimate of subcutaneous fat areas at the HBL (0.71 ± 0.04) was greater than at the 56TV (0.56 ± 0.04) or LTV (0.60 ± 0.03). Moreover, high heritabilities were estimated for ultrasound backfat thickness (BF; 0.72 ± 0.03) on the left side at the position of HBL, intramuscular fat content of the loin (0.51 ± 0.03), the seam fat score (SFS; 0.49 ± 0.04), and the serum leptin concentration (0.62 ± 0.05). Increased genetic correlations of BF with the fat area percentage of subcutaneous fat and all fat at 56TV (0.90 ± 0.03 and 0.91 ± 0.03), at HBL (0.88 ± 0.03 and 0.94 ± 0.01), and at LTV (0.88 ± 0.03 and 0.90 ± 0.02) were estimated. The genetic correlations of serum leptin concentration with the percentage of subcutaneous fat area and all fat areas at each position were also high (0.72 to 0.82 and 0.83 to 0.84, respectively). These results suggest that BF and leptin are good indicators of selection for decreasing fat deposition. Increased genetic correlation of the SFS with intermuscular fat area at 56TV (0.74) suggests that SFS is an effective indicator for decreasing intermuscular fat. The genetic correlation between the leptin concentration and feed conversion ratio was high (0.75 ± 0.04). Results of this study indicate that the combination of BF and serum leptin concentration is a valuable indicator that can be incorporated into selection programs to improve carcass quality and feed efficiency in pigs.

L-Carnitine supplementation during suckling intensifies the early postnatal skeletal myofiber formation in piglets of low birth weight

Piglets of low birth weight exhibit a reduced total number of skeletal myofibers at birth and throughout life compared with piglets of middle and heavy birth weight, which is associated with impaired (lean) growth and quality of carcass and meat at market weight. We investigated the effect of l-carnitine supplementation to suckling piglets of different birth weights on early postnatal myofiber formation, muscle growth, and body composition. A total of 48 piglets of low (LW) and middle (MDW) birth weight from 9 German Landrace gilts received 400 mg of l-carnitine (carnitine, n = 25) or a placebo (control, n = 23) once daily from d 7 to 27 of age and were slaughtered on d 28 of age (weaning). Carnitine-supplemented piglets deposited less fat as indicated by a reduced proportion of perirenal (P = 0.1) and intramuscular fat (P = 0.05). Circulating glucose concentrations tended to be greater in supplemented LW piglets (P = 0.13). The concentration of carnitine in semitendinosus (STN) muscle was approximately doubled (P < 0.001) by supplementation, with emphasis on the proportion of esterified carnitine. The ratio of lactate dehydrogenase to isocitrate dehydrogenase tended (P = 0.12) to be smaller in STN muscle of supplemented piglets, indicating a more oxidative muscle metabolism. The total number of STN myofibers was increased by 13% (P = 0.02) in supplemented LW piglets, thereby reaching the unchanged level of MDW littermates. In addition, supplemented LW piglets displayed a 2.4-fold mRNA expression of the gene encoding the embryonic isoform of the myosin heavy chain in STN muscle than control piglets (P = 0.05), but there were no differences in the proportion of fibers positively staining for the embryonic myosin isoform. l-Carnitine-supplemented piglets exhibited a greater DNA:protein ratio (P = 0.02) in STN muscle, which resulted from a greater DNA concentration (P = 0.04). However, the STN muscle of l-carnitine-supplemented piglets was not less mature as indicated by unchanged myofiber size, creatine kinase activity, and protein concentration. The results indicate that energy balance has been improved through intensified fatty acid oxidation. As a consequence, myogenic proliferation appears to be stimulated, which in LW piglets may have contributed to a compensatory increase in myofiber number. Thus, piglets, particularly those of low birth weight, could profit from an early postnatal l-carnitine supplementation, which may attenuate the negative consequences of low birth weight on body composition and meat quality at market weight.

Effect of domperidone supplementation of fescue-fed heifers on plasma and follicular fluid fatty acid composition and oocyte quality

This study continues a series of investigations evaluating fescue endotoxin exposure in beef heifer production. The objectives were to evaluate fatty acid compositions in plasma and follicular fluid, and to assess oocyte quality from cattle fed fescue diets. The ability of domperidone, a dopamine antagonist, to mitigate these variables was also assessed. Thirty heifers were divided into 3 treatment groups (n = 10/group) and administered treatment regimens for 24 d, at which time blood samples were collected. The treatment regimens were a diet with endophyte-free fescue (EF), a diet with endophyte-infected fescue (EI), or EI supplemented with daily subcutaneous injections of domperidone (0.44 mg/kg of BW; EID). Three heifers/group were administered treatments for an additional 10 d, at which time their luteal phase ovarian follicular fluid and oocytes were collected. Plasma and follicular fluid samples were analyzed to determine fatty acid concentrations. Oocytes were matured in vitro to assess quality. In addition, abattoir oocytes were cultured in plasma from treated heifers. In plasma, arachidonic acid was less (P < 0.001) in EF-fed compared with EI-fed heifers. Decreased (P < 0.05) total n-6 fatty acid concentration was observed in EF-fed compared with EI-fed heifers. Similarly, the EF-containing diets decreased (P < 0.05) concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid and C22:5n-3 (P < 0.05) compared with EI-containing diets. Domperidone supplementation increased (P < 0.05) C18:2 cis-9, trans-11, C17:1n-7, and several C18:1 isomers compared with the diet with EI and no supplementation. No differences between fescue endophyte groups were detected in any of the fatty acid concentrations analyzed in follicular fluid from small follicles. In follicular fluid from large follicles, C18:4n-3 and C22:6n-3 concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) in EI-fed compared with EF-fed heifers. Oocytes cultured in serum (control) or plasma from EF-, EI-, or EID-fed cattle did not differ in their ability to progress to metaphase II. These observations indicate that fescue endotoxins can alter fatty acid composition and may contribute to altered physiology in heifers.

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