Animal Production Science最新文献

{"title":"Dietary supplementation with tryptophan increases the plasma concentrations of tryptophan, kynurenine, and melatonin in Yili mares","authors":"Wenjie Zhang, Guodong Zhao, Xiaobin Li, Ming Han, Shiqi Zhang, Haifeng Deng, Kailun Yang","doi":"10.1071/an23113","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/an23113","url":null,"abstract":"Context Tryptophan (Trp) is the precursor of melatonin (MT) and the latter plays vital physiological roles in mares.Aims The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effects of dietary Trp supplementation on the plasma Trp, kynurenine (Kyn), 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HT), and melatonin (MT) concentrations in female Yili horses.Methods Twenty Yili mares aged 2years with mean bodyweight (BW) of 263.5±14.77kg and of similar stature were selected and randomly allocated to the control (CON; basal diet), basal diet plus Trp at 20mg/kg BW (TRP1), basal diet plus Trp at 40mg/kg BW (TRP2), or basal diet plus Trp at 60mg/kg BW (TRP3) group.Key results The plasma total Trp, Kyn, and MT concentrations in all Trp groups steadily increased, reached their peak values, and gradually decreased after Trp supplementation between 0h and 12h. However, the plasma 5-HT concentration displayed the opposite trend. Peak plasma total Trp and 5-HT concentrations were attained between 1h and 3h, while those of KYN and MT appeared between 4h and 6h after Trp supplementation. The plasma total Trp and Kyn concentrations were significantly higher in TRP2 and TRP3 than in CON between 1h and 12h (P<0.05) after Trp supplementation. The plasma 5-HT concentration was significantly (P<0.05) lower in TRP1 than in CON at 3h, 4h, 6h, 9h, and 12h after Trp supplementation. The plasma MT concentrations in TRP1 and TRP2 were significantly (P<0.05) higher than in CON at 3h, 4h, and 12h, and at 0h, 1h, and 12h after Trp supplementation (P<0.05).Conclusions Dietary Trp supplementation can increase the plasma total Trp, Kyn, and MT concentrations in Yili mares and the optimal Trp dosage was 20mg/kgBW.Implication The addition of Trp to a basal diet or feed may increase the plasma total Trp, Kyn, and MT concentrations in female horses.","PeriodicalId":7895,"journal":{"name":"Animal Production Science","volume":"44 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135758437","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Possible relationships between the physical conditions of cattle and the occurrence of structural modifications of their coat hair","authors":"Yutaka Kawahara, Naoya Kawahara, Masaki Yamamoto, Hiroyuki Wakizaka, Michiko Okada, Yoshimitsu Ikeda","doi":"10.1071/an22217","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/an22217","url":null,"abstract":"Context Concerning the epithelial tissue in the skin, including hair, vitamin A is required for the integrity of epithelial cells, strengthened by compounding keratin fibres. Further, the complex hormonal changes seen in pregnancy may contribute to the hair growth. Thus, the structure of the cattle coat hair may change depending on the conditions of vitamin A deficiency or pregnancy.Aims The effects of several diseases, i.e. vitamin A deficiency, pneumonia, chronic pneumonia, and chronic renal failure, or pregnancy, on the structure of the coat hair were investigated.Methods Physical properties of the coat hair, collected from Japanese black cattle (Bos Taurus) and Holstein cows (Bos taurus Taurus), were investigated to study the effects of vitamin A deficiency, other diseases, or pregnancy on the formation of hair.Key results When vitamin A concentration was lowered to about half of the minimum concentration for vitamin A adequacy of 20μg/dL in plasma (i.e. deficiency level was high), we could perceive the interference in the self-assembly of the keratin fibrils. However, we also confirmed structural modifications of the keratin fibres obtained from the cattle suffering chronic renal failure. The coat hair collected from the pregnant cows tended to show superior tensile strengths to those of the hair from the non-pregnant ones when compared at the same diameter level, although pregnancy might have increased cortisol affecting the hair follicle function. Further, from the X-ray diffraction measurements, the non-pregnant cow coat hairs, having exhibited the inferior tensile properties, were found to be structurally modified.Conclusions The structure of the coat hair could be modified when the vitamin A concentration was severely reduced (vitamin A deficiency). The physiological conditions during pregnancy may be advantageous to serve the regular formation of the hair.Implications Hair has a function serving as a proxy of health status for a certain period of animal life.","PeriodicalId":7895,"journal":{"name":"Animal Production Science","volume":"146 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135843507","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Early end of embryonic diapause and overall reproductive activity in roe deer populations from Bavaria","authors":"C. Ehrmantraut, T. Wild, S.-A. Dahl, N. Wagner, A. König","doi":"10.1071/an23040","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/an23040","url":null,"abstract":"Context According to the established, older literature, the embryonic diapause (ED) in roe deer ends in late December. In many other species groups, phenological phases are shifting as a result of climatic changes. Whether this is the case in roe deer for the period of ED has not yet been explicitly investigated.Aim The aim of this study was to obtain an up-to-date overview of the reproduction of roe deer in Bavaria, particularly with regard to climate change.Methods For this purpose, uterus samples were taken from roe deer aged at least 1year between September and January and examined macroscopically. The samples were collected during regular hunting activities in Bavaria in the years 2017–2020.Key results A large proportion of the female roe deer examined was found to have been already engaged in reproduction. In 98% of the animals, Corpora lutea (CL) were present in the ovaries. Adult does had significantly more CL than did subadult does just reaching sexual maturity. In 75 roe deer does, 128 embryos, in total, were detected. On average, 1.67 embryos were found per doe with visible embryos. Of these does, 30% carried a single embryo, 67% were bearing twins and 3% were bearing triplets. The animals with visible embryos ranged in age from 1 to 12years. In a few cases, ED was already completed in November or early December. By the end of the hunting season, a correspondingly wide variety of developmental stages of embryos was visible. Our study suggests potential indications that older animals or those with a higher body mass end ED earlier.Conclusions Overall, the results indicated vigorous reproductive activity in the study area. The results showed that some individuals already end the ED in November or early December, so they may adapt to an earlier onset of the vegetation period. In contrast, we found a few individuals that ended the ED during January, which illustrates the temporal range of the ED.Implications Whether the early end of diapause in these roe deer is a reaction to climatic changes or whether there are other underlying causes is something that requires further investigation.","PeriodicalId":7895,"journal":{"name":"Animal Production Science","volume":"38 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135843509","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Replacing bacitracin zinc antibiotic with symbiotic additive in pullet diet","authors":"A. G. Ribeiro, C. B. V. Rabello, M. J. B. Santos, J. C. S. Nascimento, D. A. Silva, E. S. R. Soares, H. E. C. C. C. Manso, W. R. L. Medeiros-Ventura, R. V. Silva Junior, M. A. Siqueira, S. P. R. Silva","doi":"10.1071/an23299","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/an23299","url":null,"abstract":"Context Currently, since the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in animals has been banned worldwide, it is necessary to use other additives that indorse an adequate balance of the intestinal microbiota, so as to render better results in nutrient acquisitionand health of poultry, yielding adequate growth and performance.Aim The study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with symbiotics during the grower phase, to replace bacitracin zinc.Methods The experiment included a total of 684 pullets of the Dekalb White strain, from 6 to 15weeks of age, distributed in a completely randomised design, with five treatments, and eight replications of 18 birds each. The treatments were composed of two base diets, namely one of corn and soybean meal (reference diet, RD), and another of meat and bone meal (MBM), in addition to two more diets based on MBM, one with an addition of 0.05% of bacitracin zinc (Bac Zn), and the other with 0.1% of symbiotic provided to two groups, including one group that had already consumed the symbiotic since the first day of life (starter phase, Symb-S), and the other that started to consume at the beginning of the experiment (grower phase, Symb-G). Performance, blood variables, nutrient metabolisability, weights of organs of the immune and digestive system, and measurement of length (intestine and caecum) were determined. Data were compared using orthogonal contrast.Key results The birds fed with the RD diet presented a worse overall performance and coefficients of apparent metabolisability of dry matter (CAMDM) (6–10weeks) than did those fed the MBM diet. Birds fed with the Bac Zn diet showed better bodyweight gain (6–15weeks), coefficients of apparent metabolisability of gross energy (CAMGE) and CAMDM (6–10weeks) than did those fed the MBM diet. Birds fed with symbiotic diets had better responses in blood biochemistry variables (alkaline phosphatase, total proteins) than did those fed the Bac Zn diet.Conclusion The use of symbiotics since the starter and grower phase can replace the use of Bac Zn, without affecting the biochemical and metabolic responses of the pullets.Implications Symbiotics improved utilisation of diet nutrients, maintenance of physiological homeostasis, and growth of pullets.","PeriodicalId":7895,"journal":{"name":"Animal Production Science","volume":"58 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135212206","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Phenotypic variation in residual feed intake and relationship with body composition traits and methane emissions in growing wether lambs","authors":"J. J. Bond, N. J. Hudson, U. H. Khan, H. C. Dougherty, Z. Pickford, S. Mackenzie, S. Barzegar, G. A. Santos, S. Woodgate, P. Vercoe, V. H. Oddy","doi":"10.1071/an22425","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/an22425","url":null,"abstract":"Context Ruminant livestock industries are seeking to improve efficiency of feed use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.Aims The research aimed to measure variation in feed intake and residual feed intake (RFI) in growing lambs and examine the inter-relationships of related traits and diet effects.Methods In Phase 1, 6-month-old Merino wethers (n=113) were fed a base diet ad libitum for 60days to measure dry matter intake (DMI), liveweight (LWT) and average daily gain (ADG). Whilst being fed the same base diet, measures of body composition (using computer tomography scanning) and methane emissions were collected. For Phase 2, lambs selected for low or high RFI in Phase 1 were randomly assigned to either a low or high diet and fed ad libitum for 30days. They were assessed for intake, growth, body composition and CH4 emissions.Key results In Phase 1 there was significant variation in DMI, which was explained by these traits in order of significance (R2 additive): LWT (R2=63.9%), ADG (R2=70.4%) and fat gain (R2=75.7%). In Phase 2, high RFI lambs had higher metabolisable energy intake (MEI; P<0.05) compared to low RFI lambs. In lambs fed the high diet, intake (DMI and MEI P<0.001), LWT (P<0.05), ADG (P<0.001), fat and lean gain (P<0.001) were higher than in lambs fed the low diet. Daily methane emissions were highest (P<0.05) in high RFI lambs fed the high diet. There were no significant effects of RFI or diet on methane yield (MY; g methane/kgDM). Differences in RFI or RFI adjusted for fat gain did not persist to the end of the 30day feeding period in Phase 2.Conclusions Lambs with low RFI had lower MEI for the same liveweight as well as lower fat and lean gain in the empty bodyweight. They also had lower daily methane emissions compared to those that had high RFI and ate more.Implications The opportunity to select sheep at a young age with lower RFI and lower MEI is of significant production and environmental importance.","PeriodicalId":7895,"journal":{"name":"Animal Production Science","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135358830","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Addition of ellagic acid improved the immune ability and delayed the apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells of Guizhou black goat","authors":"Xiaoyan Wen, Mingshuai Zhou, Qingmei Lu, Bin Liu, Xiaoli Shi, Jiafu Zhao","doi":"10.1071/an23310","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/an23310","url":null,"abstract":"Context Follicular development plays an important role in the growth and reproduction of female mammals. Ellagic acid (EA), as a natural antioxidant, has been used in freezing protection of pig semen. However, the effects of EA on immunity and the anti-apoptotic ability of ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) are still unclear.Aims The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of different concentrations of EA on the immune and anti-apoptotic ability of ovarian GCs of Guizhou black goats.Methods In this study, different concentrations of EA (0, 50, 100, 150, 200μmol/L) were added to the culture of ovarian GCs in vitro, and Cell-Counting Kit 8 (CCK8) assay, cell wound scratch assay, and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT–qPCR) assay were used to detect the effects of different concentrations of EA on the proliferation, migration, and reproductive marker genes of ovarian GCs. Then the optimal addition concentration of EA was selected and the effects of EA supplementation on immune factors, cytochrome P450 family 19 subfamily A member 1 gene (CYP19A1), estradiol concentrations, intracellular reactive oxygen species concentrations, and apoptosis-related protein expression were detected by RT–qPCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), ROS, and western blotting on the basis of the optimal addition concentration.Key results The CCK8 test and cell scratch test showed that the addition of EA could significantly inhibit the proliferation and migration ability of ovarian GCs compared with the control group, and a dose effect was observed with the increase in concentration. RT–qPCR results showed that different concentrations of EA significantly increased the expression of genes associated with reproduction, including bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15), bone morphogenetic protein receptor 1B (BMPR-1B), growth differentiation fFactor 9 (GDF9), and follicle-stimulating hormone β subunit (FSHβ), and the maximum increase was observed at 150μmol/L EA. Further analyses using 150μmol/L EA as the optimal concentration showed significantly increased expressions of CYP19A1, interleukin-10 (IL-10), and superoxide dismutase (SOD2) after EA supplementation, while the expression of IL-8 was significantly decreased compared with those of the control group. ELISA and ROS showed that both intracellular and extracellular estradiol concentrations were higher, while ROS concentrations were significantly lower than those in the control group. Western blotting results showed that 150μmol/L EA significantly decreased the expression of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 and the ratio of BCL2-associated X:B-cell lymphoma-2.Conclusions The supplementation of 150μmol/L EA had significant effects on improving GC immunity and delaying GC apoptosis in goats. The addition of EA also increased the expression of BMP15, BMPR-1B, GDF9, FSHβ, and CYP19A1 and promoted the secretion of estradiol in GCs.Implications These results provided a preliminary lead for further re","PeriodicalId":7895,"journal":{"name":"Animal Production Science","volume":"31 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135445405","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of capacitating media and incubation time on collared peccary sperm quality, acrosome reaction, and binding ability","authors":"Maria Valéria de Oliveira Santos, Andréia Maria da Silva, Leonardo Vitorino Costa de Aquino, Lhara Ricarliany Medeiros de Oliveira, João Batista Freire de Souza-Junior, Moacir Franco de Oliveira, Alexandre Rodrigues Silva, Alexsandra Fernandes Pereira","doi":"10.1071/an23225","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/an23225","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7895,"journal":{"name":"Animal Production Science","volume":"14 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134981171","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Age at weaning of lambs raised in an intensive production system","authors":"Terezinha T. de Souza, Ana C. S. Vicente, Marcos V. C. Ferraz Junior, Rhaíssa G. de Assis, Thamires U. Sturion, Matheus S. P. Carlis, Ancelmo R. Cunha, Taylon A. S. da Silva, Daniel M. Polizel, Jamile H. Comelli, Janaina S. Biava, Alexandre V. Pires, Evandro M. Ferreira","doi":"10.1071/an23213","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/an23213","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7895,"journal":{"name":"Animal Production Science","volume":"42 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135313211","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dietary leucine deficiency alters performance, body composition, intestine microbiota, and immune response of female Cobb broilers","authors":"Saeid Amirdahri, Hossein Janmohammadi, Akbar Taghizadeh, Majid Olyayee, Babak Hosseintabar-Ghasemabad, Alireza Seidavi, Radoslava Vlčková","doi":"10.1071/an23100","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/an23100","url":null,"abstract":"Context Leucine (Leu) is one of the branched-chain amino acids that is necessary for muscle protein synthesis. Basically, poultry feed ingredients contain abundant amounts of Leu. But little is known about dietary Leu deficiency in performance and health-attributing parameters of female broiler chickens, which may occur in crude protein-restricted diets.Aims This study evaluates the effect of Leu deficiency in diets on the growth performance, body composition, immunity, and caecum microbiota of female broilers.Methods Female broiler chicks (Cobb 500; 8days old; n=540) were randomly divided into six groups with six replicates (15 birds in each replicate) in a completely randomised design. The experimental diets included six concentrations of Leu (80%, 84%, 88%, 92%, 96%, and 100%) fed for 14days. A basal Leu-deficient diet was formulated at the 80% recommended level, and the experimental diets were created by gradual replacing of crystalline L-glutamic acid with crystalline L-Leu. Average daily intake (ADI), average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency (gain:feed), body composition, cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity (CBH) test to phytohaemagglutinin-P (PHA-P), antibody response to sheep red blood cell (SRBC) and caecum microbiota were investigated.Key results The birds receiving the lowest Leu application level had the lowest ADI (P<0.05) and a 20% higher fat content (P<0.01) than did the birds fed 96% Leu. The population of Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria count was increased (P<0.001; by 36% and 10.3% compared with the birds fed 100% Leu in the diet respectively), and Lactobacillus (but not Enterococcus) count was decreased (P<0.001; by 26.4% compared with the birds fed 100% Leu in the diet) with decreasing concentrations of dietary Leu. Average daily gain, feed efficiency, carcass dry matter, protein and ash percentages, and immunity were not affected markedly by dietary treatments with different Leu concentrations.Conclusions The Leu deficiency influenced the broiler performance, body composition, and caecum microbiota, but not the immune response.Implications This study points to the importance of Leu supplementation in the diet of broilers to improve their growth performance, fat content, and intestine health.","PeriodicalId":7895,"journal":{"name":"Animal Production Science","volume":"14 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135749942","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Blood hormone concentrations as markers and predictors of porcine meat production and quality?","authors":"A. V. Sirotkin, P. Demo","doi":"10.1071/an23116","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1071/an23116","url":null,"abstract":"Context The applicability of hormones in the prediction of meat production in non-ruminant species has been poorly examined.Aims To examine the applicability of plasma concentrations of leptin, estradiol, progesterone and insulin-like growth-factor I (IGF-I) for characterisation and early prediction of the production and quality of meat in gilts.Methods Animals were compared at 150days of age with below (‘low’) and above (‘high’) median hormone concentrations and their traits of meat production and quality at the age of 200days.Key results Animals with a high leptin concentration in blood at the age of 150days had higher slaughter and carcass weights and weight of ham, but a lower lean meat content at the age of 200days, than did the gilts with a low leptin concentration. Animals with a high estradiol concentration had a higher carcass weight, weight of ham and backfat thickness and a lower electrical conductivity of musculus semimembranosus than did animals with a low estradiol concentration. High blood IGF-I concentration was associated with a higher slaughter weight, carcass weight and lean meat content. No significant differences between the animals with ‘high’ and ‘low’ progesterone concentration and meat characteristics have been found.Conclusions These observations confirm the involvement of leptin, IGF-I and estradiol in up-regulation of meat production in pigs. Furthermore, they suggest that leptin can be useful for characterisation and prediction of fat production, whereas IGF-I and estradiol (but not progesterone) could be both markers and predictors of porcine growth and meat production.Implications The blood concentrations of these hormones could help in characterisation and selection of pigs for meat production.","PeriodicalId":7895,"journal":{"name":"Animal Production Science","volume":"6 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135759579","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}