Coat color in cattle is highly variable. In recent years there has been a tendency to distinguish animals of different breeds by invariable coat colors and pattern in order to maintain a uniformity of appearance specific for each breed. Three hundred crossbred male calves from a commercial herd belonging to the Rations and Fattening Unit, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Egypt, were used in this study to assess the possible relationship between coat color and the growth capacity of fattening crossbred calves. Animals were grouped according to color patterns into full black (FBL), white with black spots (WBS) and brown (BRN) groups of 100 calves each. Body weight and five body measurements on these animals were recorded monthly to test the effect of coat color on growth performance and, thereafter, 30 bulls (10 ̸group) were slaughtered to evaluate carcass characteristics. The results revealed that coat color affected calves body weight, but not did of the studied body measurements. FBL and WBS had heavier weights than BRN. Slaughter weight, hot and cold carcass weights and fore quarters weights was the highest for WBS calves. Longissimus dorsi muscle weight and non-carcass components showed no differences among coat color patterns.

Objective: In Korea, small dogs are more common than large breeds. This study was performed to measure the influence of body weight, sex, breed, age, and cranial cruciate ligament rupture (RCCL) on the tibial plateau angle (TPA) in small-breed dogs. Materials and methods: A total of 274 dogs (221 normal dogs and 53 RCCL dogs) were selected for this study based on medical records. The TPA was measured from stifle joint radiographs. The dogs were divided according to body weight, sex (male and female; normal and neutered), age, breed, and RCCL, and the TPAs of the dogs were compared. Results: In general, the TPAs of male dogs were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those of female dogs, and those of healthy neutered dogs were higher than those of healthy intact dogs. The TPA had a tendency to increase along with the animals age but was not significantly different among the four age groups. In general, the TPA of RCCL dogs was 27.12&#xb0; ± 0.62&#xb0;, which was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that of normal dogs (20.21&#xb0; ± 0.32&#xb0;), indicating that an increased TPA is associated with a higher risk for RCCL. Similar results were also observed among dogs with similar body weights, breeds, and ages for male and female RCCL dogs. Conclusion: This study suggested that the sex and neutering status of dogs could affect the TPA. This study also confirmed the use of TPA in the veterinary clinic as a possible indicator of RCCL, as the TPA is higher in RCCL dogs than in normal dogs. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(2.000): 220-228]

Objective: This study was conducted to compare between the nanoparticles of copper (Cu-NP) and copper sulfate (CuSO4) effect on immunity, pro-inflammatory cytokine, oxidant/antioxidant balance, different behavioral patterns, growth rate, and weight gain by adding them in drinking water of broilers. Materials and Methods: One hundred and fifty broiler chicks of 1-day-old were randomly divided into three groups: the first group was the control, the second group received CuSO4 in drinking water (10 mg/l), and the third group received Cu-NP in drinking water (10 mg/l) with replicates (n = 25) for 5 weeks of age. Blood samples collected for estimating immunoglobulins (A, G, and M), superoxide dismutase, pro-inflammatory (IL-6), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, heterophil/ lymphocyte (H/L) ratio, malondialdehyde (MDA), corticosterone hormone, and lymphoid organs index weight. Moreover, behavioral observations were undertaken from the 2nd week until the 5th week of age for measuring different behavioral patterns (feeding, drinking, crouching, body care, and comfort behaviors). Chicks were individually weighed weekly (gm); also, the weight gain, the intake of food, and the ratio of feed conversion were calculated. Results: Cu-NP administration has improved the blood profile, lymphoid organs index weight in Cu-NP treated broilers in relation to control and CuSO4 treated groups. Conversely, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, H/L ratio, MDA, and corticosterone hormone were reduced by Cu-NP treat¬ment. Moreover, Cu-NP has a positive effect on all behavioral patterns more than other groups which significantly reflect on the weight of the body, gaining of weight, and the intake of food in the Cu-NP treated group of birds. Conclusion: The findings in this study stated that when the drinking water of broilers was supple¬mented with Cu-NP, there might be an improvement in the immunity, behavior, and productive performance more efficiently than CuSO4. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2020; 7(1.000): 16-25]

Objectives: The purpose of this research was to look into the impacts after the implication of feeding broiler chickens with spirulina in arsenic-incited toxicities. Materials and Methods: Birds (n = 125) were distributed equally (n = 25) into four groups treated (T1, T2, T3, T4) and a group controlled, T0 (normal feed and water without supplement), the group taking in arsenic trioxide (100 mg/l)-induced diet (T1), and the groups T2, T3, and T4 (feed supplemented with 50, 100, and 200 mg/l of spirulina along with Arsenic Trioxide, respectively). The body weight and hematobiochemical parameters were recorded every 7 days. Results: Different growth development indicators, e.g., body weight, feed intake ratio, feed conversion ratio, depression, and skin lesions, were weak in arsenic trioxide groups and upstanding in the arsenic plus spirulina group. Over and above, the lack of body weight gain in chicken (2.7%–13.00%) in the arsenic-introduced groups given spirulina (T2, T3, and T4) overtook the mere groups exposed to arsenic, where the lack of weight gain was optimum (54.90%). Thereafter, in arsenic-instituted groups given spirulina (T2, T3, and T4), the drop in total erythrocyte count, total leukocyte count, hemoglobin, and packed cell volume values became less notable than in arsenic pollutant groups (T1, p < 0.01). Two measurable factors (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase) were substantially (p < 0.01) raised in the group (T1) treated with arsenic, but in the arsenic-induced groups (T2, T3, and T4) treated with spirulina, they were elevated less. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that arsenic is a threat to poultry. However, spirulina may be advantageous for alleviating the effects of arsenic in poultry. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(3.000): 501-508]

The present study was conducted to estimate crossbreeding parameters for growth traits of growing rabbits in a complete 3 × 3 diallel crossing experiment involving three breeds namely New Zealand White (NN), Californian (CC) and Rex (RR). Highly significant differences (p≤0.001) were observed among different genotypes for almost traits studied with the exception of relative growth rates (RGR) at 4-12 weeks of age. Direct genetic effects of NN were found as positive for most of studied traits. Positive total maternal genetic effect was estimated for kits of NN dose for weight at weaning (57 g) and 12 weeks of age (92 g). Strong individual heterosis was estimated for NN × CC crossbreds for all body weight (BW) and most of body weight gains (BWG). In conclusion, direct additive genetic effects were infavor NN for growth traits and maternal genetic effects were infavor NN for weaning and final weights and higher individual heterosis has been estimated for NN × CC crossbred rabbits for growth traits.

The study was conducted to evaluate the prebiotic effects of Spirulina as a growth and immunity promoter for broiler chickens. Birds (n=100) were randomly and equally distributed into four groups (T0, T1, T2 and T3) and fed on a diet containing 0, 2, 4 and 8 g Spirulina/kg feed respectively for 4 weeks. The body weight was significantly (P<0.05) increased in the treatment groups fed with Spirulina diet from 7th days to 28th days old. FCR was also significantly (P<0.05) decreased among the treatment groups. Hematological parameters were significantly (P<0.05) increased except ESR which was decreased significantly (P<0.05) in the treatment group. Aspartate aminotransferase (ALT) and alanine aminotransferase (AST) level were significantly (P<0.05) decreased in all the treatment groups. The study suggests that, Spirulina is a good natural feed additive which has a tremendous effect to improve the broiler production and thereby may reduce the production cost. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2015; 2(3.000): 304-309]

Objective: The present work was conducted on Cobb-500 broilers fed with either probiotics (Yogurt, Promax&reg;) or antibiotic growth promoters (Ciproflox&reg;, Renamycin&reg;) to assess the effects on body weight and biochemical parameters.Materials and methods: A total of 30 day-old broiler chicks were purchased and acclimatized for 7 days in the experimental shed. After initial acclimatization, the broilers were allotted into five equal groups (n=6). Group A was considered as control and was fed commercial ration and fresh drinking water. Groups B and C were fed commercial ration and probiotics (Yogurt, Promax&reg;) respectively mixed in water. Groups D and E received commercial ration and antibiotic growth promoters (Ciproflox&reg;, Renamycin&reg;) respectively with water. Body weight of each bird was recorded on day 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35. At the end of trial period, the birds were sacrificed to collect blood in order to prepare serum samples for biochemical analyses considering total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipids (HDL), creatinine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST).Results: Body weight in all treatment groups (B, C, D and E) was significantly (P<0.05) higher as compared to control (A) group. Total cholesterol and triglyceride levels significantly (P<0.05) decreased in probiotics treated groups as compared to control and antibiotic growth promoters treated groups. AST and ALT values increased significantly (P<0.05) in antibiotic growth promoters treated groups as compared to control whereas, these values decreased in probiotics treated groups. Creatinine levels were significantly (P<0.05) higher in antibiotic growth promoters treated groups as compared to all others groups. Conclusion: Significantly increased body weight is observed in probiotics and antibiotic growth promoters supplemented broilers. Probiotics also improve the lipid profile and other biochemical parameters as compared to growth promoter. Probiotics (like Yogurt and Promax&reg;) seem to be better choice than antibiotic growth promoters as feed supplements. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2017; 4(3.000): 288-294]

Objective: This study aimed to develop a method for predicting the body weight of beef cattle using meta-analysis based on digital image processing. Materials and Methods: The meta-analysis process commenced by collecting studies with the keywords &quot;beef cattle,&quot; &quot;correlation,&quot; &quot;digital image,&quot; and &quot;body weight&quot; from Google Scholar and Science Direct. The obtained studies were reviewed papers based on their titles, abstracts, and content, and then categorized by authors, year, country, sample size, and correlation coefficient. A digital image of body measurements used included wither and hip height, chest depth, heart girth, body length, and top view. The statistical analysis was conducted by calculating effect sizes using the correlation coefficient and sample sizes. Results: The results of the meta-analysis, based on 3,017 cattle from 13 selected studies, showed the highest and lowest correlation coefficients for the top view variable and hip height. Based on cattle breed, significant differences (p &lt; 0.05) were observed in the wither height variable with correlation coefficients of 0.94, 0.79, and 0.66 for Hanwoo, Holstein, and Simmental, respectively. Based on sex, significant differences (p &lt; 0.05) were seen in the wither height variable, with correlation coefficients of 0.73 for males and 0.90 for females, while for hip height, the values were 0.70 and 0.87, respectively. Conclusion: In conclusion, to achieve the best accuracy in predicting the body weight of beef cattle based on a digital image, the top view variable can be used. However, for ease of field experimentation, body length or chest depth can also be used while taking breed and sex categories into the model. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2024; 11(1.000): 153-160]

Objective: The aim of this study was to predict the body weight (BW) of a Belgian Blue X Friesian Holstein (BB X FH) crossbred in Indonesia based on morphometrics using random forest. Materials and Methods: A total of 26 BB X FH crossbreds were observed for BW, chest weight (CW), body length (BL), hip height (HH), wither height (WH), and chest girth (CG) from 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270, and 300 days of age. Stepwise regression and random forest were performed using R 3.6.1. Results: The random forest results show that CG is an important variable in estimating BW, with an important variable value of 24.49%. Likewise, the results obtained by stepwise regression show that CG can be an indicator of selection for the BB X FH crossbred. The R squared value obtained from the regression is 0.83, while the R squared value obtained from the random forest (0.86) is greater than the regression. Conclusion: In conclusion, random forest produces a better model than stepwise regression. However, a good simple equation to use to estimate BW is CG. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2024; 11(1.000): 181-184]

Objective: The aim of the study was to use a meta-analysis to identify the correlation between linear body measurements, including body length (BL), wither height (WH), heart girth (HG), and body volume (BV), and body weight in beef cattle by breed, sex, and age as categories. Materials and Methods: These results can be used as a method for predicting beef cattle body weight. This study used systematic review and meta-analysis guidelines to create a checklist. The first stage was searching for papers relevant to the study objectives. The second stage was searching using the keywords beef cattle, body weight, body measurement, and correlation. The third stage was reviewing the title and abstract. The fourth stage was abstracting information from selected papers, and the last stage was tabulating data. Results: The results from this study were obtained, and 32 papers were eligible for the meta-analysis stage. The correlation between linear body measurement and body weight of beef cattle showed that HG (r = 0.88) and BV (r = 0.97) were significantly (p &lt; 0.05) different compared to BL (r = 0.74) and WH (r = 0.72). The correlation between HG and body weight, and the categorization of cattle breeds showed significantly (p &lt; 0.05) different results. The correlation between BV and body weight of cattle according to breed categories showed results that were not significantly (p &gt; 0.05) different, while age was significantly (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, to predict beef cattle body weight, it is necessary to use HG or BV, with breed, sex, and age of cattle as categories. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2023; 10(4.000): 630-638]