Over the past 10 to 15 years there have been very significant changes in pig performance due to selection. The result has been an increase in maximum protein deposition, a shift in the distribution of energy towards more protein and less lipid deposition, an increase in maintenance requirements and a decrease in voluntary feed intake (Knap, 2000). Using national UK data, Walters (2000) estimate...

This experiment was conducted to assess the effect of chicken genotype on the growth performance, feed intake and feed conversion efficiency of the progenies resulting from purebred (Giriraja (Gr) X Giriraja (Gr)), straight (Gr male X Alpha female), reciprocal (Alpha male X Gr female) and Alpha male X White Leghorn (WL) female crosses. Data obtained on body weight, body length, breast girth, ke...

Variation in residual feed intake, that is, variation in feed intake in relation to liveweight (LW) and growth rate, was investigated using data from 540 progeny of 154 British Hereford sires, collected over ten 200-day postweaning performance tests conducted between 1979 and 1988. Residual feed intake (RFI ) was calculated for each test as the difference between Reg actual feed and expected fe...

The objective of the present study was to estimate genetic correlations between feed intake and type traits with a view to considering the potential of indirect genetic selection for feed intake using type traits in dairy cattle. Feed intake data on 119,388 first lactation Holstein cows were obtained from Dairy Production Centre of Expertise, Valacta. Type trait records on 93,619 cows were obta...

The aim of this project was to optimise selection indices for efficient lean meat growth. Traditionally, genetic improvement of lean meat growth and feed efficiency has been based on ad libitum feeding. However, selection for lean meat growth and feed conversion ratio under ad libitum feeding has led to a reduction in feed intake in modern genotypes to the extent that feed intake is often not s...

This study was conducted to investigate the possible involvement of the histaminergic system in themediation of ghrelin-induced feeding behavior in broiler chickens. In the trial 1, the effect ofintracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of ghrelin on feed intake was examined in 3-h feed-deprived broilerchickens. In the trials 2 and 3, the chickens were received ICV chlorpheniramine (an H1 recepto...

The efficiency of feed use is an important factor influencing costs of production. However, feed intake (FI) is generally difficult and costly to measure. In addition, feed intake per se is relatively meaningless unless taken in the context of prevailing environmental and physiological processes. For example, FI and its utilisation by animals is altered by climate, activity levels, disease and ...

A recently discovered class of receptors, melanocortin-3 and -4 receptor (MC3/4-R), are located within the brain and modulate feed intake in rodents. Stimulation of the receptor (agonist) inhibits feed intake whereas blockade (antagonist) of the receptor increases intake. Our knowledge of factors regulating voluntary feed intake in humans and domestic animals is very limited. i.c.v. administrat...