A 3-bp deletion in the SLC45A2 gene is associated with loss of fleece pigmentation in black-fleeced Suffolk sheep.

Sheep have naturally pigmented wool which interferes with dyeing. Selection has been carried out over many years to remove pigment, with substantial success, but most wool still contains some pigment. As an alternative to selection, it has been proposed to take a naturally occurring mutation found in black Suffolk sheep, that blocks wool pigmentation, and introgress it into other breeds.

Newly qualified general nurses' experiences of pre-registration internship: A Republic of Ireland cross-sectional study.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine Newly Qualified General Nurses' (NQGNs') experiences of and the value of the internship period.

Background: Internship was introduced as the final part of the undergraduate nursing degree in Ireland in 2002. The aim was to provide students with clinical experience, whereby they work more independently and in doing so, seamlessly progress their transition to the role of registered nurse.

Effect of periconceptional nutrition on the growth, behaviour and survival of the neonatal lamb.

Periconceptional nutrition (PCN) can influence foetal hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis function and alter cortisol secretion with possible consequences for maturation and growth of major organs, gestation length and behaviour. We examined effects of PCN on phenotype and survival of the neonatal lamb in 466 Merino ewes allocated to treatments providing 70%, 100% and 150% respectively, of maintenance requirements for 17 days prior and 6 days after insemination. Gestation length and birth weight for lambs in PCN treatment groups was similar (P > 0.

Genetic correlations between ewe reproduction and carcass and meat quality traits in Merino sheep.

Genetic correlations between reproduction traits in ewes and carcass and meat quality traits in Merino rams were obtained using restricted maximum likelihood procedures. The carcass data were from 5870 Merino rams slaughtered at approximately 18 months of age that were the progeny of 543 sires from three research resource flocks over 7 years. The carcass traits included ultrasound scan fat and eye muscle depth (EMDUS) measured on live animals, dressing percentage and carcass tissue depth (at the GR site FATGR and C site FATC), eye muscle depth, width and area and the meat quality indicator traits of muscle final pH and colour (L*, a*, b*).

Genetic parameters for carcass and meat quality traits and their relationships to liveweight and wool production in hogget Merino rams.

Genetic parameters for carcass and meat quality traits of about 18-month-old Merino rams (n = 5870), the progeny of 543 sires from three research resource flocks, were estimated. The estimates of heritability for hot carcass weight (HCW) and the various fat and muscle dimension measurements were moderate and ranged from 0.20 to 0.

Genetic correlations among and between wool, growth and reproduction traits in Merino sheep.

Data from seven research resource flocks across Australia were combined to provide accurate estimates of genetic correlations among production traits in Merino sheep. The flocks represented contemporary Australian Merino fine, medium and broad wool strains over the past 30 years. Over 110,000 records were available for analysis for each of the major wool traits, and 50,000 records for reproduction and growth traits with over 2700 sires and 25,000 dams.

Effect of suppressing prolactin in the mouse on liveweight, food intake and ovulation rate.

The involvement, if any, of prolactin in the relationship between appetite and ovulation rate was studied in mice. Injections of 0, 50, 100 or 150 micrograms of bromocriptine were given twice-daily to 46-day-old virgin mice for a minimum of 15 days. Between days 5 and 12 of treatment, mice receiving either 50, 100 or 150 micrograms of bromocriptine consumed 3.

Tuberculosis: a challenge to the general practitioner.

Of 157 patients dying of tuberculosis in Ontario (1960) 132 (87.4%) suffered from the pulmonary form of the disease (incidence 2.6 per 100,000).