Genetic parameters from both single-trait and bivariate analyses for prolificacy, weight, and wool traits were estimated using REML with animal models for Targhee sheep from data collected from 1950 to 1998 at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, Dubois, ID. Breeding values from both single-trait and seven-trait analyses calculated with the parameters estimated from the single-trait and bivariate...

Genetic parameters from both single-trait and bivariate analyses for prolificacy, weight and wool traits were estimated using REML with animal models for Columbia sheep from data collected from 1950 to 1998 at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station (USSES), Dubois, ID. Breeding values from both single-trait and seven-trait analyses calculated using the parameters estimated from the single-trait and ...

Twenty-one mixed-parity (average 2.4 +/- 0.49) crossbred sows and their offspring were used to determine whether sow milk leptin at farrowing was related to neonatal serum leptin and pig growth to weaning. During farrowing, pigs were randomly allotted to suckling (n = 99) or delayed suckling (n = 89) groups, with delayed suckling pigs placed in a group pen apart from the dam before suckling. Bo...

Sows (98 first parity and 104 second parity) were used to determine the effects of dietary lysine and valine on lactation performance. Treatments were arranged in a 2 x 3 factorial with two levels of lysine (.80 or 1.20%) and three valine:lysine ratios (80, 100, or 120% of lysine). For all sows, increasing dietary lysine increased litter weaning weight (P < .001) and litter weight gain (P < .00...

This study was designed to evaluate the impact of weaning age on lamb and ewe productivity in an accelerated lambing system. St. Croix White (STX) and Dorper × St. Croix White (DRPX) lambs were assigned at birth based on breed, gender, and litter size to be weaned at 63 (Early-1; 106 lambs and 68 ewes) or 90 d of age (Late-1; 99 lambs and 60 ewes) in Exp.1 or at 63 (Early-2; 77 lambs and 57 ewe...

Genetic parameters were estimated for seasonal body weight changes of cows and weaning weight of their calves in two beef herds run at pasture in a Mediterranean climate. Heritability estimates for weight changes were low. Cows predisposed to lose more weight were also likely to gain more weight, and larger cows had greater genetic potential for weight changes. Low to moderate genetic and perma...

BACKGROUND Ability to maintain a normal body temperature in an open crib is an important physiologic competency generally requested to discharge preterm infants from the hospital. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of an early weaning protocol from incubator in preterm newborns in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. METHODS 101 infants with birth weight < 1600 g were included in t...