Genetic parameters of pre-weaning weights in crossbred piglets using multi-trait animal model.

Variances and genetic parameters (heritability and correlation) were estimated for pre-weaning weights from birth to 6 weeks of age at weekly intervals in crossbred (Landrace X Desi) pigs. Data were analysed using multi-trait animal model incorporating dam's age (covariable), parity of sow, sex of piglet, season of birth and year of birth as fixed effects and direct additive genetic, maternal genetic and permanent litter as random effects. The estimates of direct additive genetic and maternal genetic heritability were 0.

Assessment of meat quality defect genes in indigenous pigs of Bareilly region.

This investigation was undertaken to assess the population of indigenous (Bareilly local) pigs for meat quality genes (RYR1, PRKAG3, HFABP, MYF-5, and MC4R). The results showed that indigenous pigs were monomorphic at RYR1locus (100% NN genotype), HFABP locus (100% HH genotype), and MYF-5 locus (100% DD genotype). Homozygote RR and heterozygote QR genotypes were observed at PRKAG3 (c.

Polymorphism distribution of RYR1, PRKAG3, HFABP, MYF-5 and MC4R genes in crossbred pigs.

This study was designed to screen the crossbred pigs for SNPs in five candidate genes, associated with pork quality traits and to differentiate their genotypes by PCR-RFLP. The results indicated that genotypes of crossbred pigs were NN (90%) and Nn (10%) for RYR1; RR (83%) and QR (17%) for PRKAG3; HH (98%), Hh (1%) and hh (1%) for HFABP; DD (99%) and CD (1%) for MYF-5; and AG (57%), GG (26%) and AA (17%) for MC4R SNPs, respectively. Allelic frequencies for five SNPs {RYR1 (1843C>T), PRKAG3 (c.

Identifying factors affecting age at first semen freezing and age at first semen use in Sahiwal bulls.

Aim: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of non-genetic factors on reproduction traits viz. age at first semen freezing and age at first semen use of breeding bulls in Sahiwal bulls by fitting least-squares analysis.

Materials And Methods: The information on reproduction traits of 43 Sahiwal breeding bulls belonging to 8 sets of Sahiwal breeding program at Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Dairy Research Institute (ICAR-NDRI), Karnal (Haryana), India during 27 years (1987-2013) were analyzed using fixed linear model.

Optimizing age of bull at first use in relation to fertility of Murrah breeding bulls.

Aim: The aim of the present investigation was to optimize the age at first use (AAFU) of semen of Murrah breeding bulls, which will help in early selection of bulls under progeny testing program for improving the reproductive performance in the herd.

Materials And Methods: The data on AAFU, conception rate based on first A.I.

Iatrogenc hypothyroidism: a consequence of external beam radiotherapy to the head & neck malignancies.

Background: Hypothyroidism is a known consequence of external beam radiotherapy to the neck encompassing part or whole of the thyroid gland for over 40 years. Still thyroid function tests are not a part of routine follow up of head - neck cancer patients treated with radiotherapy with or without surgery and / or chemotherapy.

Aim: Aim of this study was to find out the incidence of hypothyroidism in head - neck cancer patients treated with radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy where radiation portals included most or whole of the thyroid gland.