Heterosis in Fayoumi strain incrossing
Summary Many experiments have proved the superiority of hybrids resulting from incrossing of mbred lines, which have been utilized commercially in poultry production. The aim oi this experiment was to study the effect of incrossing inbred lines of Fayoumi chickens upon their combinability. The results can be summarized as follows: The fertility percentage 96.7 in comparing with 92.9 (L2j while reached in The heavier incross Lz5 X L3!.j had body weight equal to 118, II2 and io3 % in relation to the control at 4, 8 and i6 weeks of age, respectively. Heterosis in body weight became less obvious as chicks advanced in age and alleles responsible for early growth rate showed a great response to incrossbreeding. Incrossbreeding improved feed utilization of Fayoumi chicks. These results show the possibility for improving the native breed by incrossing and detecting the most efficient incrossbreds.
Estimation of general and specific combining abilities from a diallel cross of three inbred lines of Fayoumi chicks
Three inbred lines of Fayoacmi chicks were incrossed in diallel mating system to estimate general and specific combining ability. The inbreeding coefficients in three inbred lines were 25 , 37 .5 and 5o per cent. L 25 showed the highest g.c.a. in fertility and body weight at 8 weeks of age. L 37 ,5 exhibited the best g.c.a. in viability, while L 50 gave the best g.c.a. in hatchability. The inbreeding coefficient of sire had a highly significant effect on both fertility and hatchability while its effect on viability and body weight at 8 weeks of age was not significant. L z5 X L 37 ,5 incrossbred chicks gave the best s.c.a. in viability and body weight, fertility and hatchability.
Effects of thyrotropin-releasing hormone and a thyrotropin releasing hormone analog on growth and selected plasma hormones in lambs.
An 8-wk growth trial was conducted to assess the effects of continuous infusion of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and an active TRH analog less than Aad-His-Pro-NH2 (the less than Aad is L-pyro-alpha-aminoadipic acid) on growth trial performance, carcass composition and hormone profiles of growing lambs. Both drugs were infused at 600 micrograms X lamb -1 X d -1 with 16 lambs/treatment. Both TRH and less than Aad-His-Pro-NH2 decreased average daily gain (ADG; P less than .01) and increased feed conversion (FC; P less than .01) compared with saline infused controls. Average daily feed intake was not altered. Carcasses of lambs given TRH or less than Aad-His-Pro-NH2 contained fewer kilograms of moisture (P less than .05) and appeared to contain fewer kilograms of protein. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone and less than Aad-His-Pro-NH2 increased thyroid gland weights (P less than .05), but pituitary gland weights were not different. Plasma thyrotropin (TSH) concentrations were increased by both drugs compared with control lambs, peaking at 4 to 7 d after initiating infusion. However, by 14 d, TSH concentrations returned to control levels. Triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) were elevated by both drugs over the entire 8-wk trial, with peak levels reached at 10 d and maintained for the duration of the study. Both TRH and less than Aad-His-Pro-NH2 increased prolactin over the entire period. Growth hormone levels were not altered by either drug. The effects of less than Aad-His-Pro-NH2 infusion on growth trial performance, carcass composition and hormone profiles of growing lambs were very similar to TRH. The negative effects of TRH and less than Aad-His-Pro-NH2 infusion on ADG, FC and carcass protein appear to be the result of elevated T3 and T4 levels.