Artykuły w czasopismach na temat „Welsh lamb”

AbstractThe topography and climate of Wales dictate that there is no realistic alternative to livestock production; sheep rearing is a virtual necessity. The output value of the Welsh sheep industry, with approximately 5.5 million breeding ewes, is well in excess of £200 million.Welsh Lamb Enterprise (WLE) was established in 1982 by a group of lamb producers in Wales who recognized the importance of efficient promotion and marketing. In 1985, WLE launched a Quality Assurance Scheme to identify Premium Quality Welsh Lamb, and to ensure a regular supply of Welsh lamb that was guaranteed to be of a consistently high specification. In setting up the scheme, there was close co-operation with Food From Britain to ensure that it had a meaningful standard.All participating abattoirs have to comply with strict regulations and undergo rigid independent inspections. Only lean carcasses of the highest quality are given the stamp of approval. Under WLE specifications, Premium Quality Welsh lambs must not be above fat class 3L and have conformation levels of E, U and R. Certified carcasses are clearly identified, and retail packs of fresh, chilled meat must carry a ‘use by’ date and full instructions for domestic storage. A network of wholesalers has been established so that orders for Premium Quality Welsh Lamb may be processed rapidly for immediate delivery anywhere in England and Wales.During its first year of operation, approximately 67 000 lambs were accepted into the Quality Assurance Scheme; currently, the number is closer to 500 000.

The CAMDA group breeding scheme was established in 1976. Its objective is to increase lamb growth rate, mature size and maternal ability of the Welsh Mountain sheep while retaining their hardiness and breed type. The opportunity to achieve this goal depends on the extent of genetic variation within the breed for these traits. The objective of this study was to estimate the amount of variation in 18-week live weight attributable to the lamb genotype (direct) and dam maternal ability, both genetic and environmental, in Welsh Mountain sheep within this scheme.A total of 12954 records of 18-week live weight of Welsh Mountain lambs collected between 1976 and 1995 from 4 flocks of the CAMDA scheme were considered. The data were edited for small contemporary groups and for incomplete performance or pedigree recording.

In 1976, ten members of the Welsh Mountain Breed Society, established Camda Cynwyd Ltd as a co-operative society. The stated aim is to breed slightly bigger Welsh Mountain ewes that lamb easily and rear heavier lambs whilst retaining the hardiness and other beneficial traits of the breed.A nucleus flock of 150 ewes was created in 1976 with the more productive ewes out of each member's MLC recorded flock. Camda hired facilities for keeping and recording the nucleus flock at the ABRO hill farm, Rhydglafes, North Wales for six years. Anticipating the disposal of the ABRO farm by the AFRC in 1984, a lease was obtained on a 340 acre hill farm at Cernioge Mawr, Pentrefoeias, and the flock transferred there during the summer and autumn of 1982. Each year, fifty high performance, mature ewes (immigrants) were introduced to the nucleus from members flocks, until 1984 when it was closed.

Sheep group breeding schemes have gained in popularity in recent years. The objectives of group breeding schemes are to improve desirable traits such as carcass conformation, weight and maternal ability whilst maintaining local type. However, if group breeding schemes were to work together then a larger genetic pool of performance recorded animals would be available to facilitate improvements. The objectives of this project were therefore twofold, 1.) was to improve traits such as weight and carcass conformation and 2.) to demonstrate the benefits of cooperative groups working together. In this project, group breeding schemes from North and Mid Wales have been working together with ram performance testing groups from North, South and Mid Wales to improve results from Welsh Mountain breeding schemes.

Two aspects of the CAMDA group breeding scheme is to improve lamb growth rate and the mothering ability of Welsh Mountain sheep. Genetic variation for these traits is present (Aslaminejadet al., 1999) but the rate of genetic progress depends on the selection decisions made within the scheme. The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic gain achieved in the nucleus and members’ flocks over the 20 years since the scheme began.A total of 31887 records of 12 and 18-week live weight of Welsh Mountain lambs collected between 1976 and 1995 in 7 flocks of the CAMDA scheme were used in this study. Each flock was analysed separately fitting a univariate animal model with a direct and maternal random genetic effect. Genetic parameters were estimated using a derivative-free restricted maximum likelihood algorithm (DFREML; Meyer, 1993).

ABSTRACTMale lambs were selected annually at 18 and 24 weeks of age for high or low concentrations of copper in plasma to produce two closed lines. The difference between the high and low lines increased to approx. 0·5 mg/1 after 5 years when the experiment ended, indicating appreciable additive genetic variation for the concentration of Cu in plasma. The selection lines were derived from a population of Scottish Blackface × Welsh Mountain crosses which had been interbred for many generations. The two parental breeds contributing to the cross normally differ in a number of aspects of Cu status with that of the Welsh higher than that of the Blackface. Both pure breeds were kept as controls. In the final year, Cu concentrations of the high selection line exceeded the values of the Welsh and the low selection line had values below those of the Blackface. Differences between the selection lines persisted at all ages.There were indications of changes in the frequency of the Hb alleles, associated with the selection for Cu concentrations, but there were no correlated changes in body weight, reproductive performance or lamb mortality during the 5-year selection period when dietary supplies of Cu were not particularly restrictive.

SUMMARYTo investigate the extent to which enteric methane (CH4) emissions from growing lambs are explained by simple body weight and diet characteristics, a 2 × 2 Latin square changeover design experiment was carried out using two sheep breeds and two fresh pasture types. Weaned lambs of two contrasting breed types were used: Welsh Mountain (WM, a small, hardy hill breed) and Welsh Mule × Texel (TexX, prime lamb) (n = 8 per breed). The lambs were zero-grazed on material cut from recently reseeded perennial ryegrass and extensively managed permanent pasture. In each experimental period, individual ad libitum dry matter intake (DMI) was determined indoors following an adaptation period of 2 weeks, and CH4 emissions were measured individually in open-circuit respiration chambers over a period of 3 days. Although total daily CH4 emissions were lower for the WM lambs than for the TexX lambs (13·3 v. 15·7 g/day, respectively) when offered fresh forage, the yield of CH4 per unit DMI was similar for the two breed types (16·4 v. 17·7 g CH4/kg DMI). Total output of CH4 per day was higher when lambs were offered ryegrass compared with permanent pasture (16·1 v. 12·9 g/day, respectively), which was probably driven by differences in DMI (986 v. 732 g/day). Methane emissions per unit DMI (16·4 v. 17·7 g CH4/kg DMI) and proportion of gross energy intake excreted as CH4 (0·052 v. 0·056 MJ/MJ) were both higher on the permanent pasture. No forage × breed type interactions were identified. The results indicate that forage type had a greater impact than breed type on CH4 emissions from growing weaned lambs. It can be concluded that when calculating CH4 emissions for inventory purposes, it is more important to know what forages growing lambs are consuming than to know what breeds they are.

Increased food intake of ewes has been noted at experimental and research centres as a consequence of shearing in mid-pregnancy (Great House EHF, 1972/3, Drayton EHF, 1976, 1977, Grassland Research Institute 1976). This should allow a greater reliance on cheaper home-grown forage to supply nutrients during the latter stages of pregnancy. Silage alone or with small amounts of energy and/or protein supplementary feed, may provide the nutrients to support shorn in-lamb ewes through to lambing.One hundred and four shorn Border Leicester x Welsh Mountain ewes, penned in groups of 26, were offered silage ad libitum from housing in mid-January until lambing in early April. Six weeks before lambing, supplements were introduced. The treatments were either no supplement (Nil), rolled barley (B), white fishmeal (FM) or rolled barley plus white fishmeal (B + FM).

This paper reports on birth-site distribution of Merinos and some British breeds in 34 lambing paddocks in a major study over 5 lambing seasons at Armidale New South Wales, and in minor studies during single lambing seasons, 2 in New South Wales and 3 in the United Kingdom. The observed distribution of birth-sites is related to topographic and other environmental features of the paddocks. In level, or nearly level paddocks, Merinos tended to lamb in a random pattern, but in sloping paddocks their birth-sites were consistently aggregated in the areas of greatest elevation. British breeds (Suffolks and Cheviots in New South Wales, and Welsh Mountain, Scottish Blackface, North Country Cheviots and Greyface in the United Kingdom) showed a pronounced tendency to lamb near the margins of paddocks, and a less marked preference for an elevated site. It is suggested that lamb mortality could be significantly reduced by the use of paddocks that provide shelter at preferred elevated positions, or along and within the paddock margins.

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to examine the importance of the genetic and maternal environmental factors influencing the 12-week weight (12WW) of Welsh Mountain lambs and to estimate genetic parameters for this trait. Records of 8880 Welsh Mountain lambs born between 1979 and 1995 were analysed. The records were from the nucleus flock of the CAMDA cooperative breeding group. In this flock selection of replacements had been based on a multi-trait index incorporating lamb growth and maternal ability as important objectives and 12WW as one of the selection criteria. Twelve models were examined, all including direct additive genetic variance and various combinations of genetic and environmental maternal effects. The most appropriate model was chosen based on log-likelihood ratio tests. It included appropriate fixed effects, and direct additive, maternal additive, maternal permanent environment and maternal common environment (litter) random effects that defined proportionally 0⋅21 (h2), 0⋅09 (m2), 0⋅06 (pe2) and 0⋅18 (ce2) of the phenotypic variance. Ignoring the additive maternal effect resulted in inflated estimates of direct heritability and ignoring the environmental effects associated with dam inflated the direct and maternal heritabilities. There was no correlation (P < 0⋅05) between the additive direct and additive maternal effects. Additive direct and maternal breeding values increased by 0⋅12 (s.e. 0⋅006) kg/year and 0Ό3 (s.e. 0⋅003) kg/year respectively. The results demonstrate the effective incorporation of selection index methodology in the context of a hill sheep flock and also the importance of several categories of maternal effects.

A group breeding scheme was set up in 1976 by 10 Welsh Mountain breeders. The objective of the scheme was to improve lamb growth rate, mature size, mothering ability and litter size by selection in a nucleus flock. The original design of the scheme involved two control flocks. The Genetic Control flock was set up from the original base population and was used to monitor environmental changes in the nucleus flock. A Commercial Control flock comprised of a random selection of ewes mated to rams, which were purchased annually and represented the average animal available in the breed. An analysis of genetic progress in lamb growth in the first 9 years of the scheme was reported by Guy et al (1986). This paper presents genetic parameters and genetic trends for three traits recorded between 1977 and 1992.

There is anecdotal evidence that certain sheep breeds, reared in a particular way, produce unusual or characteristic tastes in cooked meat. Such effects could be linked to differences in meat fatty acid composition associated with the consumption of different diets. This study investigated eating quality and fat composition in 4 distinctively different breed x feeding system groups.Four groups of 20 ram lambs were obtained as follows: Pure Soays (SO) finished off grass in April from commercial breeders; Pure Welsh Mountain (WM) finished off upland grass in October from ADAS Pwllpeiran; Suffolk x Mules from Harper Adams College finished off concentrates (grains) (SC) in April; and Suffolk x mules from the same source finished off grass (SG) in May. The animals were transported to Langford where they were slaughtered in Bristol University's abattoir.

Knowledge of factors affecting variation in birth weight is especially important given the relationship of birth weight to neonatal and adult health. The present study utilises two large contemporary datasets in sheep of differing breeds to explore factors that influence weight at term. For dataset one (Study 1;n=154 Blue-faced Leicester×Swaledale (Mule) and 87 Welsh Mountain ewes, 315 separate cases of birth weight), lamb birth weight as the outcome measure was related to maternal characteristics and individual energy intake of the ewe during specified periods of gestation, i.e. early (1–30 days; term ~147 days gestation), mid (31–80 days) or late (110–147 days) pregnancy. For dataset two (Study 2;n=856 Mule ewes and 5821 cases of birth weight), we investigated using multilevel modelling the influence of ewe weight, parity, barrenness, lamb sex, litter size, lamb mortality and year of birth on lamb birth weight. For a subset of these ewes (n=283), the effect of the ewes’ own birth weight was also examined. Interactions between combinations of variables were selectively investigated. Litter size, as expected, had the single greatest influence on birth weight with other significant effects being year of birth, maternal birth weight, maternal nutrition, sex of the lamb, ewe barrenness and maternal body composition at mating. The results of the present study have practical implications not only for sheep husbandry but also for the increased knowledge of factors that significantly influence variation in birth weight; as birth weight itself has become a significant predictor of later health outcomes.

Previous work on winter shearing has concentrated on lowland ewes in mild conditions. With increased emphasis in hill areas on housing ewes before lambing and resting hill pastures, the possibility of shearing ewes before lambing, rather than in the summer now exists. A review of work with lowland ewes has shown that winter shorn ewes produce lambs with a heavier birthweight (average +0.55kg) and increased liveweight gain (average +15g day-1) (Phillips, 1980), but it is not clear whether these benefits would be obtained with less prolific ewes under hill conditions.The experiment was carried out from February to July 1985. Twenty-two Welsh Mountain ewes were housed 45 days pre-lambing in a fully enclosed but well-ventilated shed with slatted flooring. At 42 days pre-lambing ewes were randomised for weight and age and half the ewes were shorn with a normal comb, and half left unshorn until the summer.Ewes in both treatments were offered and consumed the same level of concentrates (0.25kg ewe-1 day-1 post-shearing increased to 0.5kg ewe-1 day-1 before lambing). Medium quality hay was offered ad-libitum to both treatments. Water intake was measured daily. Ewe liveweight was measured weekly on five occasions between shearing and one week before lambing. Respiration rates of ewes were measured on 4 different occasions at 4 extreme environmental temperatures. Maximum and minimum house temperatures were recorded for the whole of the housed period. Lamb birthweights, liveweight gains and 84 day weights were corrected to male singles using additive correction factors derived from the mean of the flock over the previous two years.

Selection in the CAMDA breeding group for Welsh Mountain sheep has been based since the start of the scheme on an index that includes litter size, maternal ability, lamb growth and mature size. Since 1987 fat and muscle depths have also been recorded in candidate replacement rams by ultrasonic scanning. Current consumer pressure to improve carcass quality suggests that emphasis be placed on developing an index that incorporates scanning results with other production traits. Construction of such an index requires estimates of the genetic and phenotypic correlations between traits in the selection objectives and criteria. Analyses were conducted to estimate these parameters based on data recorded in the nucleus of the CAMDA breeding group.

Lamb producers in the Less Favoured Areas (LFAs) of the European Community appear, for different reasons, to be constrained by the economic value of the indigenous small-sized sheep breeds. The trial reported here forms part of a collaborative project whose overall aim is to improve the quality and marketability of sheep meat produced in the LFAs. The objective of this trial was to assess the growth potential of nine small sized sheep breeds, across three centres, providing a basis for subsequent production work. The three collaborating centres in Greece (paper no. 112), Spain (paper no. 26) and Scotland used indigenous breeds appropriate to their LFAs. The three British breeds studied were Scottish Blackface (SB), Welsh Mountain (WM), and Shetland (SH).

ABSTRACTVoluntary food intake (VFI) was measured daily and live weight (LW) was measured weekly in a total of 39 growing lambs of six genotypes given a similar complete chopped-straw based diet in experiments in 1983, 1985, 1987 and 1988. The six genotypes and the years of study were: Scottish Blackface (BF), 1983 and 1988; Suffolk × (Border Leicester × BF) (BL × BF), Suffolk × (East Friesland × Cheviot) (EF × NCC), Suffolk × (East Friesland × BF) (EF × BF), 1985; Welsh mountain (WM) and Beulah (BH), 1985. Measurements were made on lambs penned individually within 6 weeks of weaning at 5 to 6 months of age through to slaughter in the following spring. During this period there was an increase in LW and VFI associated with growth. Regression lines were fitted to LW and weekly means of daily VFI against week for each individual. Analysis of deviations about these lines showed a decline in VFI in BF lambs around December and to a lesser e×tent in BL × BF from December to January. The decline in VFI in BF was observed in two different years. A negative deviation from the normal rate of increase in LW was also apparent although it was much less marked and present in EF × NCC lambs as well as BF and BF × NCC. Any such variability of seasonal cycles between genotypes of growing lamb would influence the e×tent to which nutrition and growth may be manipulated. This should be considered when choosing a feeding or growth regime for a particular genotype, or vice versa.

ABSTRACTGrowth rate and the concentrations of various biochemical constituents were measured in 2 years in lambs from two lines, selected on low (L) and high (H) copper (Cu) concentrations in plasma, and from two unselected pure breeds, Scottish Blackface (B) and Welsh Mountain (W). The lambs grazed improved hill pastures and half were given Cu supplements.H lambs were always heavier and were fattened for slaughter earlier than were L lambs, differences that were not completely eliminated when supplementary Cu was given. In both years, the improvements in growth rate due to supplementary Cu varied with genetic type (average L 20·5 (s.e. 2·5); H 5·7 (s.e. 2·6); B 25·1 (s.e. 3·7); W 8·1 (s.e. 3·3) g/day). Growth rates of supplemented lambs were L 100 (s.e. 2), H 104 (s.e. 2), B 134 (s.e. 5), W 103 (s.e. 3) g/day.At 6 weeks of age, unsupplemented lambs trom all genetic types were hypocupraemic and, at all ages, unsupplemented L and B lambs had lower concentrations of Cu in plasma and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity than had unsupplemented H and W lambs. Supplemented lambs always had greater concentrations of Cu in plasma and SOD activities than had their unsupplemented counterparts. Supplementation increased the haemoglobin concentration for B (in year 2) and L lambs but not for H and W lambs. Cholesterol concentrations in plasma were unaffected by selection but were slightly higher in unsupplemented lambs. The concentration of total protein and the activity of aspartate transaminase were unaffected by genotype or Cu supplementation. In the liver of lambs at slaughter, the concentration of Cu was lower for unsupplemented lambs and inversely related to the concentration of iron.It was concluded that (i) genotype was an important determinant of hypocuprosis; (ii) the degree of hypocuprosis could not be predicted from herbage analyses alone, but instead may be predicted from biochemical assessment of the lamb; and (iii) the dose of Cu supplement used was inadequate for L and B lambs and recommended levels could be increased, within limits, without risk of toxicity.

AbstractAn experiment was designed to determine whether an injection of 4 μg of the GnRH agonist buserelin (GnRH) followed, 5 days later, by an injection of 100 μg of prostaglandin F2α analogue (PGF), would give a level of oestrus synchronization and fertility comparable with a standard double dose PGF regime. A total of 200 Welsh Halfbred ewes were divided by live weight into two treatment groups using a system of random stratification during the 1994 breeding season. Ninety-one percent of the ewes treated with GnRH combined with PGF were mated by fertile rams within a 3-day period compared with 94% of ewes treated with two injections of PGF, 11-days apart. Returns to service for the two groups were 11·1% and 7·4%, respectively. There was no effect of treatment on lambing performance, as a similar percentage of ewes in the GnRH plus PGF group (88·8%) and the double dose PGF group (92·5%) lambed to synchronized oestrus. Gestation length, litter size and lamb birth weight were similar for both groups. These results demonstrate that GnRH combined with PGF will produce levels of oestrus synchronization and fertility comparable with a double dose PGF regime.

AbstractFollowing the evolution of the “Two Pasture System” of hill sheep management by the Hill Farming Research Organisation (HFRO) at their Sourhope and Lephinmore stations, the model was adopted by the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service at Redesdale experimental husbandry farm (EHF) and by the Scottish Agricultural Colleges at the West College Hill Farm of Kirkton in West Perthshire. At the time, the ADAS Pwllpeiran EHF in mid-Wales was engaged in an exercise based on the traditional Welsh management system in which ewes are kept on enclosed better grazings from tupping until after lambing and then ewes and lambs are summered on the hill.The paper describes the developments at Sourhope, Redesdale, Kirkton and Pwllpeiran from the mid/late 1960's until the present time (1980 for Kirkton). The four farms differ considerably in climate, topography, soil type, vegetation and size. In all cases, however, between 20-30% of the total resource was subjected to some degree of pasture improvement over the course of the development. In the case of Kirkton and Sourhope, 9% of the resource was reseeded, whilst at Redesdale the corresponding figure was 17%. At Pwllpeiran, most of the improvement involved surface treatment but of a fairly costly nature almost equal to that of reseeding.In all cases, the improved pasture was used to provide ewe and lamb grazing during lactation and ewe grazing around mating and lambing. Supplementary feed inputs per ewe during late pregnancy increased significantly on all farms. There was an increase in ewe numbers carried, being 99, 139, 42 and 3% greater for Sourhope, Redesdale, Kirkton and Pwllpeiran, respectively. Weaning percentages (lambs weaned per 100 ewes put to the ram) also increased, by 26, 48, 48 and 36% for Sourhope, Redesdale, Kirkton and Pwllpeiran, respectively. Taken together, there was a significant corresponding increase in the number of lambs weaned of the order of 121, 297, 129 and 47%.Lamb weaning weights were improved in all cases in spite of increased twinning. This weight increase was most significant at Pwllpeiran where a major effort had been made to change breed type with the specific purpose of producing a heavier lamb.Gross margin data were available for Sourhope, Redesdale and Kirkton and when plotted on a per ewe and per hectare basis follow remarkably similar pathways over the development for the three centres. The gross margin figures per ewe, when discounted to base, show no significant increase and in some cases were reduced up until the introduction of the EEC sheep meat regime in 1981, after which time significant real increases occurred for those developments still in progress (Sourhope and Redesdale). The real increase there occurred as a result of increased stocking rate. On Pwllpeiran, however, where stocking rate increase was low, it is still considered that the exercise was profitable as measured by Internal Rate of Return.The various increases confirm that investment in land improvement, coupled with an enlightened approach to sheep management, has improved the overall efficiency of pasture utilisation and economic viability.

Abstract On the basis of reports that Jan van Eyck visited England (he was well traveled in the service of Philip the Good, duke of Burgundy), this essay speculates freely on what the diplomat and painter actually did in and around London for three weeks in 1428. The essay claims, for example, that van Eyck went to the village of Foots Cray to buy watercresses to use as models when painting greenery on the Ghent Altarpiece of the Mystic Lamb (which he completed in 1432). The recently erected gateway to the palace at Greenwich is said likewise to be the model for a towered gateway depicted on the altarpiece. After providing local detail about relevant parts of England in 1428, the essay closes with speculation (although the author writes, “The facts are known”) about the origin of a harp, of a purportedly Welsh variety, appearing on the altarpiece in the hands of an angel. The author argues that it was the instrument of an itinerant Breton musician whom van Eyck had heard in recital at the Poor Clares convent of the Holy Trinity at the Minories in Aldgate. The harpist subsequently murdered his Stepney landlady and was himself killed by enraged local housewives. Van Eyck is said to have purchased the man's harp when his worldly goods were posthumously sold.

The Welsh Mountain sheep is a numerically important breed in the UK, but its lambs are characterised by low slaughter weights and poor carcass conformation. The reduction in stocking rates that is often associated with environmental conservation schemes, offers the potential for the use of larger ewes. Crossbreeding allows more rapid genetic change to be undertaken than would be possible from selection within breeds, and affords the potential to utilise heterosis and improve the quality of subsequent crosses with the Bluefaced Leicester. This work compared the survival and productivity of purebred Welsh Mountain ewes with a range of crossbred ewe types maintained in a hill environment.

ABSTRACTMortality and its causes were studied during two consecutive years in a total of 934 lambs. The lambs were from two lines of sheep genetically selected for low (L) and high (H) concentrations of copper (Cu) in plasma within an interbred Scottish Blackface × Welsh Mountain population and from unselected Scottish Blackface (B) and Welsh Mountain (W) breeds. The lambs grazed improved hill pastures. Half of the lambs in each line or breed were given an oral Cu supplement by 7·5 weeks of age.Mortality from birth to 24 weeks in H was less than half that in L; mean proportional mortalities were L 0·28, H 0·12, B 0·37 and W 0·07, with a similar distribution in each year. Swayback accounted proportionately for 0·26 deaths in year 1, but proportionately for only 0·02 in year 2. The majority of other losses involved a variety of microbial infections.Genetic type (W < H < L < B) was a major determinant of, and Cu supplementation a protection against, swayback and non-swayback losses. For non-swayback losses L lambs were about twice (P < 0·01) and B lambs about four times (P < 0·001) more vulnerable than H and W lambs respectively. Unsupplemented lambs were more than twice as vulnerable to non-swayback causes of death in the 1st year (P < 0·05) and four times as vulnerable in the 2nd year (P < 0·01) as were Cu-supplemented lambs. There were no cases of swayback in supplemented lambs even though Cu treatment was in some lambs as late as 7·5 weeks after birth.Such marked differences in mortality rate, particularly between the selected lines, had not been apparent in the 5 years preceding pasture improvement, suggesting a genotype × environment interaction affecting survival.The results provide the first definitive evidence that decreased resistance to infection is a clinical consequence of ovine Cu deficiency in the field, amenable to control by Cu treatment and genetic selection.

AbstractThe objective of this study was to assess the growth and development of carcass composition of entire male and female lambs of three British hill breeds (Scottish Blackface, Welsh Mountain, and Shetland), from weaning to approaching maturity, when kept under conditions designed to be nutritionally non-limiting. Lambs were weaned at 8 weeks of age and given a high-quality pelleted diet ad libitum until slaughter at one offive different degrees of maturity. The Gompertz growth function was used to characterize, for each genotype, the growth curve and to provide estimates of mature weight. As expected, there were significant effects of breed and sex on both food intake and growth rate. Growth rate was depressed, relative to the Gompertz fit, during the months of October to January, and intake was similarly depressed. The estimates of mature weight for the females of each breed were: Scottish Blackface, 69; Welsh Mountain, 61; Shetland, 46 kg. The mature weights of the males were found to be not significantly different from 1-3 times the mature weight offemales. Relationships between carcass composition and live weight were derived by allometric regression. This study provides the first full description of the growth and meat production potential of the three breeds.

SUMMARYNatural populations of 3rd-stage Nematodirus battus larvae were present on pastures in North Wales throughout the year; highest numbers were present in late spring, with smaller peaks occurring in autumn. Inter-site variation was observed in the timing and magnitude of these peaks. Hatching on experimental plots occurred 2 months to 2 years following deposition of eggs. Intraspecific and inter-site variation occurred in the timing, and inter-site variation occurred in the magnitude, of the mass hatch on upland and lowland experimental plots. Arrested 4th-stage N. battus were recovered from Welsh Mountain lambs. Percentage arrest and number of arrested worms was greatest during winter and early spring. The prevalence and intensity of N. battus infection in 1-, 2- and 3-year-old Welsh Mountain ewes was low. The plasticity exhibited in the parasite's life-history is discussed in relation to potential changes in the epidemiology of nematodiriasis.

A breed improvement programme has been initiated at both ADAS Redesdale (Scottish Blackface) and ADAS Pwllpeiran (Welsh Mountain) to improve carcass conformation of hill ewes. From a base population of 1100 Welsh Mountain and 1600 Scottish Blackface ewes, nucleus flocks of 60 ewes have been established. Selection of ewes into the nucleus flock at each site has been based on their ability to consistently produce wether lambs crops with good conformation and above average carcass weights when selected for slaughter at a fat class 2/3L. The next objective is to replicate these ewes through multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) since theoretical studies (Smith, 1986) indicate that this can substantially increase the rates of genetic improvement through the female line. However, to date little work has been conducted to determine whether this technology can be successfully applied to hill sheep maintained in harsh hill environments in the UK, and this formed the basis of the current study.

The use of overwinter food restriction of lambs produced on hill and upland farms followed by a period of rapid spring growth may be used to achieve a more even spread of lambs onto the market. However, pattern of feeding and growth may affect performance and body composition of the lambs.

The project, conducted at ADAS Pwllpeiran, was based on mating individuals from several sources in Wales, using multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) to generate substantial numbers of progeny per sire and dam combination. The project represents the first attempt to create co-operative links between Welsh Mountain sheep breeding groups in Wales. The current analysis was conducted to determine whether sire and dam origins affected weaning weight.

At the General Quarter Session of the Peace holden at HICK's HALL, in Saint-John-Street, in and for the County aforesaid, on Monday the Eighth Day of January 1770, before Bartholomew Hammond, Saunders Welch, John Spencer Colepeper, Elisha Biscoe, Edward Jennings, Henry Lamb, William Timbrell, Joseph Keeling, Esqrs. Sir Robert Darling, Knt. Nathan Carrington, Stephen Cole, John Barnfather, Charles Dod, Jeremiah Bentham, Peter Lewis Perrin, Rupert Clarke, Joseph Newsom, George Mercer, John Cox, Benjamin Cowley, David Wilmot, Burford Camper, and Thomas Edmonds, Esqrs.

Environmental pressures on the agricultural industry to reduce the use of nitrogenous fertilizer, coupled with improvements in varieties now available, have heightened interest in the use of white clover on livestock farms in the United Kingdom. Furthermore white clover is nutritionally superior to ryegrass, particularly in its protein content. Store lambs require a high quality feed so that they grow well and achieve the desired amount of carcass finish. In this investigation the performance and subsequent carcass characteristics of store lambs finished on white clover or perennial ryegrass swards are compared.During the autumn of 1989, eighty four Texel x Welsh Mule wether lambs were divided into 4 balanced groups. Each group was penned into 0.65 ha paddocks of either white clover (C) or perennial ryegrass (PRG) swards to give two groups of twenty four lambs per sward type.The clover sward (3 ha field) was sown on 3 August 1983 with 6.85 kg/ha of an equal mixture by weight of Nesta (large leafed variety) and Menna (intermediate variety). Three silage cuts had been taken during the 1989 season totalling 7.2 tonnes DM/ha, the third cut being taken on 19 September.

summayA study of cross-bred ewes sired by Cambridge, Border Leicester and Lleyn rams out of Welsh Mountain ewes, involving a total of 408 observations, was carried out partly under lowland and partly under upland conditions in North Wales. The results snowed that the Cambridge and Lleyn were more precocious than the Border Leicester (relative percentage of ewes put to the tup lambing at 1 year old was 51·9, 66·3 and 66·8 respectively for Border Leicester, Cambridge and Lleyn cross-breds). In terms of lambs born and lambs reared per ewe lambing the ranking of the breeds was (in descending order) Cambridge, Border Leicester and Lleyn respectively. The Cambridge was lower in terms of mean weight of lambs at birth and at 56 days and relative mean age at slaughter tended to be lower in the Border Leicester crosses. Taking into consideration the lower body weight, particularly of the Lleyn cross-breds, ranking on relative feed conversion efficiency was Cambridge, Border Leicester and Lleyn when ewe fertility and days to slaughter were excluded.

AbstractSeventy-eight Beulah (BH) and 78 Welsh Mountain (WM) wether lambs (mature live weights (MLW) 60 and 70 kg respectively), were used to investigate genotypic differences in performance and compensatory growth during the post-weaning period. After an initial slaughter of 12 of each breed, a complete straw-based pelleted diet (122 g crude protein and 10·4 Mj metabolizable energy per kg dry matter (DM)) was offered ad libitum to a further 29 of each which were slaughtered at a range of live weights between proportionately 0·35 andl -00 of ML W. As well as these groups undergoing normal growth (NG), the remaining lambs were given the same diet at a level sufficient to maintain constant live weight (LW) for 3 months. Eight of each breed were then slaughtered and the remaining 29 of each offered the diet ad libitum for a period of post-restricted growth (PRG); these 29 were also slaughtered between 0·35 and 1·00 of MLW. During the periods of ad libitum food supply, voluntary food intake was greater in BH than WM lambs (BH: 38·3, WM: 35·3 g DM per kg LW, P < 0·01) and during PRG as compared with NG although this result was due to a response only in WM lambs (NG - BH: 38·0, PRG-BH: 38·5, NG - WM: 33·3, PRG - WM: 37·2 g DM per kg LW, breed × pattern of food supply interaction, P < 0·05). Daily live-weight gain (LWG) was greater during PRG than NG in both breeds (NG: 3·15, PRG: 4·80 g/kg LWper day, P < 0·05). This effect was greatest in the first 8 weeks of growth but persisted into the period 16 weeks to maturity. WM lambs had overall slightly leaner carcasses and a lower proportion of protein in the fleece-free empty body than BH when compared at the same proportion of MLW; particularly during PRG. The protein in the carcass-weight gain (CWG) was greater in WM lambs during PRG than during NG (NG: 98, PRG: 123 g/kg, P < 0·05), but did not differ significantly in BH (NG: 106, PRG: 118 g/kg). The proportion of fat in CWG was concomitantly smaller during PRG. There are thus breed differences in the performance and carcass composition of lambs during compensatory growth. Genotypes to be finished by continuous feeding or a regimen incorporating food restriction should be carefully chosen for date offinishing in relation to desired carcass composition.

Abstract A 7-month-old Cardigan Welsh Corgi was presented with rapid cataract formation. Slit lamp biomicroscopy revealed mature cataract in the left eye. Ultrasonography revealed a microphakic lens and the presence of a cord-like structure extending from the posterior lens to the optic disc. On the basis of ophthalmological examinations, a diagnosis of cataract secondary to persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis and persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous was made. Routine phacoemulsifi cation with a capsular tension ring and intraocular lens implantation were performed. Although a blood-fi lled vasculature with focal hemorrhage was observed during surgery, we did not fenestrate the posterior capsule or cut the hyaloid artery. We only polished the posterior capsule carefully for 2 min. At 22 days after surgery, Doppler ultrasonography did not detect blood fl ow within the cord-like structure, and the implanted intraocular lens appeared clear without fi brin formation or posterior capsule opacifi cation. The fi ndings from this case suggest that routine cataract surgery is an optimal surgical treatment for persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis and persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous. To the best of our knowledge, this is the fi rst case report of phacoemulsifi cation with intraocular lens implantation for persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis and persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous in a Welsh Corgi.

A number of abnormal activities had been observed in a group of 30 lambs (R lambs; 10 Shetland (SH),10 Scottish Blackface (SB) and 10 Welsh Mountain (WM), half females and half entire males), on a restricted allowance (about mature maintenance intake and 0.5 of ad libitum intake), of a high quality pelleted diet (Diet A; 200g/kg crude protein, HMJ/kg ME). The lambs had been individually housed since 8 weeks of age, in pens (2m x lm), made up of metal barred gates with wooden slatted floors. Abnormal oral activities included some that caused obvious husbandry problems, such as wool-biting and slat chewing, and others which caused no overt damage, but may nevertheless be associated with impaired welfare (Cooper and Nicol 1993), such as bar-biting and repetitive licking. In a preliminary observation at 22 weeks of age, lambs only ate in the hour following food presentation (Fig 1), after which all of the allowance had been eaten, and abnormal oral activities were recorded in 30% of scans. Similar repetitive activities, described as “stereotypies” have been associated with food restriction in dry sows (Appleby and Lawrence 1987). In a series of observations, we investigated the effect of increasing weight and nutrient value of the lamb's diet on the incidence of oral stereotypies, whilst minimising any influence on the ongoing feed trial.

Previous work has suggested that assessing the trace element status of South American camelids (llamas) using cattle or sheep plasma values as reference norms could lead to incorrect diagnoses of sufficiency /deficiency (Illingworth et al.,1997). However there are no previous accounts of a direct comparison of the trace mineral status between a species of camelid and a conventional ruminant. This study directly compares the blood copper and cobalt status of guanacos and sheep grazing the same typical upland Agrostis / Festuca spp. dominated pasture.Blood samples were obtained in May 1996 from the tail vessels of 10 mature, captive bred guanaco castrates and 9 mature barren ewes (Merino x Welsh Mountain) which had grazed the same upland pasture for 6 weeks with ad libitum access to trace mineral blocks (Wright Block - Standard) which both species were observed to consume.

AbstractAn investigation was conducted into the effects of increasing plasma prolactin concentration with long photoperiod or suppressing it with bromocryptine on the fertility of ewe lambs. One hundred and twenty dim Forest ewe lambs were divided into three groups: group C was kept as a control; group L was exposed to a long photoperiod (16 h light: 8 h dark) and group B was given daily injections of 1 mg bromocryptine from 12 days before until 21 days after mating. All three groups were mated in late November, 30 days after housing, following progestagen/PMSG treatment. Post-mating prolactin concentrations were significantly higher in group L and lower in group B compared with group C (P > 0·05). There was a tendency for pregnancy rate and the number of corpora lutea to be represented by viable foetuses to be lower in group L than in group C (P < 0·05). Furthermore, post-mating progesterone concentration was higher in this group compared with those in group C (P > 0·05). In a second experiment, 100 Welsh Χ Texel ewe lambs were given treatment C or L. Embryo survival tended to be lower and crown rump length, embryo weight and amniotic sac width were reduced at 25 days post mating in the animals given treatment L, compared with those given treatment C (P < 0·05). The combined results of the experiments indicated that fewer corpora lutea were represented by viable embryos or foetuses in group L than in group C (P < 0·05). These results suggest that embryo growth and survival is reduced in animals bred under a long photoperiod.

AbstractAn initial experiment was conducted to investigate the variability of selected metabolites in the plasma from guanacos. A second experiment directly compared plasma biochemical values for guanacos with those for sheep. During the first experiment, jugular blood samples were collected from five mature castrated guanacos using an embedded experimental design. Weekly blood samples were collected at the same time (09.00 h) on the same day each week for 7 weeks. Daily blood samples were collected at the same time each day (09.00 h) during week 5. On day 2 of week 5, blood samples were collected every 3 h from 09.00 h for a 24-h period. No evidence of a cyclical pattern of plasma parameters was observed on a weekly, daily or 3-h basis. During the second experiment, the metabolic profiles of 11 mature castrated guanacos and 11 mature barren ewes (Merino × Welsh Mountain) were compared. Significant differences in plasma concentrations of all metabolites except urea-nitrogen (guanacos -15·42 mmolll, sheep - 15·60 (s.e.d. 1·506) mmolll) were found with values for guanacos v. sheep as follows: glucose (7·63 v. 3·63 (s.e.d. 0·268) mmolll); acetate (0·26 v. 0·48 (s.e.d. 0·035) mmol/l); β hydroxybutyrate (0·06 v. 0·50 (s.e.d. 0·019) mmol/l); albumin (33·4 v. 29·5 (s.e.d. 0·93) g/l); and total protein (53·8 v. 65·6 (s.e.d. 2·12) g/l); (P < 0·001 for all previous variables); non-esterified fatty acids (0·48 v. 0·29 (s.e.d. 0·048) meq per 1; P < 0·01) and a-amino N (2·44 v. 2·66 (s.e.d. 0·088) mmolll; P < 0·05). This study indicates that the reference plasma metabolite concentrations of sheep are not suitable alternatives for use for nutritional or veterinary purposes with guanacos, but those of llamas or alpacas are. The results also suggest that energy capture and transport in camelids may be markedly different from that in conventional ruminants.

AbstractSheep of three hill breeds, Scottish Blackface, Cheviot and Welsh Mountain and the reciprocal crosses among these breeds were inbred (mostly by parent × offspring mating) for four generations to five levels with inbreeding coefficients ofO, 0·25 (I1), 0·38 (I2), 0·50 (I3) and 0·59 (I4). Inbred females were also mated to unrelated inbred males of the same breed type to produce line crosses (LC). Each type of dam (except LC and I4) was mated to produce lambs of up to three different inbreeding levels thus allowing the effects of the individual's own inbreeding to be separately assessed from the effects of maternal inbreeding. This study examined body weight at a sequence of ages from birth to 4 years of age with 2369 animals (ages up to 78 weeks old) or 1062 animals (2 to 4 years old) contributing to the analyses.Inbreeding of the individual had a highly significant retarding effect on body weight and growth rate up to the I2 level for weights of lambs up to 24 weeks old, with a slight recovery in performance thereafter. For the later ages examined, the maximum depression was reached at the I3 stage. The partial recovery in performance at the higher levels of inbreeding for lambs less than 24 weeks of age was also noted within lines and did not therefore appear to arise only from a loss of lines as inbreeding proceeded. The effect of dam's inbreeding was to depress growth up to the I3 level and at most ages up to I4. Line-cross lambs were generally heavier (but not significantly so) than non-inbred (F2 and the pure equivalent, O2) and progeny of line-cross dams were similar in weight to those from other non-inbred (F1, or F2 and O1, or O2 dams) or slightly better. The more highly inbred the individuals the more, in general, they fell behind the weights of the corresponding non-inbreds as they grew older. Inbreeding may thus have permanently stunted the sheep.There were no significant differences between purebred and crossbred sheep in the rate of inbreeding depression. Only at the ages of 3 and 6 weeks was there a significant difference between the three pure breeds in the changes in weight attributable to inbreeding. Up to the age of weaning (15 weeks) the changes with inbreeding of individuals could not be explained statistically in terms of dominance effects alone and non-allelic interactions may therefore also be involved. At all ages the effect of inbreeding of the dam was consistent with dominance effects alone.

AbstractThe effects of four generations of inbreeding, to achieve inbreeding coefficients (F) of 0·25, 0·375, 0·50 and 0·59, on conception rate, prolificacy, litter weight at birth and survival of breeding females, have been studied in sheep. Crosses of inbred lines were also examined. Three breeds, Scottish Blackface, Cheviot and Welsh Mountain, and the crosses among these breeds, were involved. Analyses were carried out both for the data overall and within inbred lines.Conception rate at the first oestrus at which the ewe was mated (in each year) declined almost linearly from 0·71 (F2 generation - inbreeding F = 0·0) to 0·44 (F = 0·59) with line crosses showing 0·78 conception rate. The corresponding results following up to three rounds of services at successive oestrous periods were 0·91, 0·74 and 0·97 respectively. Analyses within lines showed a steeper rate of decline in conception rate to 0·33 (F = 0·59) following first services and 0·63 following up to three successive periods. This indicates that the lines with the best conception rates survived the inbreeding process better.Prolificacy, the number of lambs born per ewe lambing, dropped from 1·73 (F = 0·0) to 1·37 (F = 0·25) and thereafter more slowly to 1·24 (F = 0·59). Line crosses were no better than the initial non-inbred generation (F2 and the purebred equivalent O2). Within-line analysis gave the same results.The effects of inbreeding on litter weight at birth mirror closely those for prolificacy.Ewe survival declined linearly with inbreeding. There was a 1·2-fold increase in the risk of death for every increase in the inbreeding coefficient (F) of 0·1 (analysed by using a proportional hazard model).In general, there were no significant differences between purebred and crossbred sheep in the effects of inbreeding. For conception rate, prolificacy and litter weight (for which the point was examined) the changes with inbreeding could not be explained, statistically, in terms of dominance alone, suggesting, therefore, that epistasis is also involved.

Abstract The present study was designed to investigate whether transport, a mild environmental stressor, could affect the oestradiol-induced LH surge in postpartum ewes and, if so, the mechanism involved. Welsh Mountain ewes, with lambs removed at parturition (day 0) and hand-milked 12 and 48 h later, were given 50 μg oestradiol benzoate intramuscularly at various times postpartum. Blood samples were taken via an indwelling jugular venous catheter every 2 h from 8 to 24 h after oestradiol injection. All results are given as means ± s.d. On day 1 oestradiol was unable to induce an LH surge in any ewe. Transport (10–14 h after oestradiol) delayed the onset of the oestradiol-induced LH surge on day 14 (17·5 ±1·7 vs 14·4±2·0 h, n=5 each; P<0·05), but not on day 28 (14·9 ±2·0 vs 14·0 ±2·4 h, n=5 out of 7). Transport had no effect on the amplitude of the surge on either day. Naloxone treatment (1 mg/kg per 2 h) was unable to prevent the delay caused by transport (18·0±1·1 vs 17·5 ± 1·7 h, n=8 each), and did not affect the amplitude of the surge (28·4±5·3 vs 28·1 ±2·3 ng/ml, n=8 each). The duration of the LH surges were not assessed. On day 7, transport from 16 to 20 h after oestradiol delayed the LH surge (22·8 ±2·0 vs 18·0 ± 2·8 h, n=8 each; P<0·05) and reduced the surge amplitude (19·7 ±1·7 vs 22·8 ±2·8 ng/ml; P<0·05), whilst transport from 10 to 14 h did not. Transport (16 to 20 h) had no effect on surge duration (6·25 ±0·7 vs 6·75 ± 1·0 h). In conclusion, transport inhibited the oestradiol-induced LH release in the early postpartum ewe by a non-opioidergic mechanism, but only if the stressor occurred within 2–3 h of the expected onset of the surge. Journal of Endocrinology (1994) 142, 447–451

Analisis regresi adalah suatu analisis yang bertujuan membentuk hubungan antara satu variabel terikat (Y) dengan satu atau lebih variabel bebas (X) dalam suatu model matematis. Metode untuk mengestimasi parameter regresi yang sering digunakan adalah metode kuadrat terkecil. Ketika terdapat data outlier metode tersebut kurang efektif digunakan karena dapat menyebabkan estimasi yang didapat menjadi bias. Regresi robust adalah salah satu metode yang digunakan untuk mengestimasi parameter ketika distribusi dari galat tidak normal dan atau terdapat data outlier. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah melakukan estimasi parameter dan menunjukkan keefektifan metode estimasi-M. Studi kasus yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah pengaruh rata-rata lama sekolah (X1), PDRB (X2) dan UMR (X3) terhadap IPM (Y) di Indonesia pada tahun 2015. Berdasarkan analisis deskriptif pada uji boxplot data yang digunakan mengidentifikasi adanya data outlier sehingga diperlukan prosedur regresi robust dengan pembobotan Bisquare Tukey dan Welsch untuk mengestimasi parameter model matematis. Nilai adjusted-R square pembobotan Bisquare Tukey relatif lebih besar dari Welsch (0,7366 > 0,727) dan standar error dari pembobotan Bisquare Tukey relatif lebih kecil dari pembobotan Welsch (1,596 < 1,606). Estimasi yang paling baik digunakan untuk mengestimasi model adalah metode pembobotan Bisquare Tukey. Kata Kunci: Estimasi-M, Regresi Robust, Tukey Bisquare, Welsch

<p>adalah dengan menggunakan lampu Traffic Light. Keberadaan lampu Traffic Light sangat membantu<br />untuk menertibkan pengguna jalan, namun dalam banyak kasus kurang optimal, terkait dengan penentuan arus<br />mana yang harus merah maupun hijau dan berapa lama masing-masing. Untuk mengatasi masalah tersebut<br />digunakan pendekatan graf dengan aplikasi pewarnaan titik sebagai penyelesaian masalah penjadwalan.<br />Algoritma yang digunakan adalah Welch-Powell. Kasus trafic Light diambil dair beberapa titik di Kabupaten<br />Sukoharjo, meliputi Simpang 3 Bekonang, Simpang 4 Gayam, dan Simpang 5 Sukoharjo.<br />Dari pembahasan diperoleh hasil bahwa penggunaan pewarnaan graf dengan algoritma Welch-Powell<br />mampu meningkatkan efektifitas traffic light dilihat dari durasi total lampu hijau dan merah menyala.</p>

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate the economic efficiency of DD treatment on milk yield in lame cows suffering from DD. A total of 33 Holstein dairy cows with DD were included in the study. The milk yields were assessed as (1st); beginning milk production (BMP), (2nd); peak milk production before the diagnosis (PMPBD), (3rd); diagnosis day milk production (DMP), and (4th); post-treatment milk production (TMP). In the first stage of analyses, using the E-views equity test of means program, cows were classified into three groups for diagnosis time of DD according to the day in milk (DIM) (Group 1: 0 ≤ DIM ≤ 50, Group 2: 51 ≤ DIM ≤ 100, and Group 3: 101 ≤ DIM ≤ 150). Analysis of variance (ANOVA F-Test) and the Welch F-Test were conducted to compare the means of TMP to BMP, PMPBD, and DMP. Differences between TMP and DMP were statistically significant in all three groups. In the second stage of analyses, a cost-benefit analysis was conducted to determine the break-even point for each group to cover treatment costs for increasing milk yield. The DIM of DMP was considered as the gained milk yield per cow. Treatment cost and the mean break-even DIM for each group was then calculated. After treatment, the mean optimum break-even day for Groups 1, 2, and 3 was determined as 18.68, 26.43, and 27.14, respectively. Results suggested that treatment of DD may be considered as favorable and useful for a dairy economy.

AbstractThe objective of the study was to examine whether a nutritional antioxidant supplementation could improve visual function in healthy dogs as measured by electroretinography (ERG) and autorefraction. A total of twelve Beagles, 6 to 8 years of age, with normal eyes upon indirect ophthalmoscopy and slit lamp biomicroscopy, were age and sex matched and randomly assigned to receive a feeding regimen for 6 months with or without a daily antioxidant supplementation. Portable, mini-Ganzfeld ERG and a Welch Allyn hand-held autorefractor were used to test retinal response and refractive error in the dogs at baseline and at the end of the supplementation period. All ERG a-wave amplitudes obtained were increased in the treatment group compared with those of dogs in the control group, with significant improvements in the scotopic high and photopic single flash cone ERG responses (P < 0·05 for both). For the b-wave amplitudes, all responses were similarly increased, with significant improvements in responses for the scotopic high light intensity stimulation (P < 0·05), and for photopic single flash cone and 30 Hz flicker (P < 0·01 for both) recordings. Change in refractive error was significantly less in the treatment group compared with that of the control group during the 6-month study (P < 0·05). Compared with the control group, the antioxidant-supplemented group showed improvement to varying degrees for retinal function and significantly less decline in refractive error. Dogs, like humans, experience retinal and lens functional decline with age. Antioxidant supplementation as demonstrated may be beneficial and effective in the long-term preservation and improvement of various functions of the canine eye.

Introduction: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is an inherited haemolytic disorder that affects virtually all body systems including the eye. Ocular complications of SCD could have dire consequences if not detected early. Objectives: We aimed at determining the prevalence of ocular complications of SCD in our patients. Methods: This study was carried out on patients attending both the adult and Paediatric Sickle cell disease clinic at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Akwa, Anambra State, Nigeria, over an 8 month period. A structured questionnaire was administered to consenting patients to determine their sociodemographic variables and other characteristics. Visual acuity was determined with multiple optotype Snellen’s chart at 6 metres in natural daylight. Using pen-torch, the face, external eye examination, anterior segment examination and pupillary reaction to light were assessed. Magnified anterior segment examination was performed with slit-lamp biomicroscope. All subjects underwent dilated fundoscopy (after instillation of tropicamide 0.5% eye drop) using Welch Allyn indirect ophthalmoscope. Results were analysed using SPSS version 22.0 Inc Chicago Illinois and represented in tables. Statistically significant P value was set at < 0.05. Results: A total of 28 patients with age range of 6-42 years were seen. 17 (60.7%) were males, while 11 (39.3%) were females. 8 (28.6%) had at least one ocular anomaly comprising of refractory errors 3 (10.8%), sickle cell retinopathy 4 (14.3%) and glaucoma 2 (7.1%). Only 2 (7.1%) routinely visit eye clinic. SCD retinopathy was found to increase with age (P value= 0.005). Conclusion: SCD retinopathy was found more in the older age group despite the small sample size at a prevalence rate of 14.3%. Early initiation of routine ocular examination for SCD patients will be beneficial to avert these complications. More efforts should be made at educating the patients. Larger studies will be required to determine the actual prevalence of ocular anomaly in SCD patients in Anambra State.

Reinhardt, Volker, Pontifex. Die Geschichte der Päpste. Von Petrus bis Franziskus, München 2017, Beck, 928 S. / Abb., € 38,00. (Bernward Schmidt, Eichstätt) Schneider, Bernhard, Christliche Armenfürsorge. Von den Anfängen bis zum Ende des Mittelalters. Eine Geschichte des Helfens und seiner Grenzen, Freiburg i. Br. / Basel / Wien 2017, Herder, 480 S. / Abb., € 29,99. (Benjamin Laqua, Wiesbaden) Kotecki, Radosław / Jacek Maciejewski / John S. Ott (Hrsg.), Between Sword and Prayer. Warfare and Medieval Clergy in Cultural Perspective (Explorations in Medieval Culture, 3), Leiden / Boston 2018, Brill, XVII u. 546 S., € 135,00. (Florian Messner, Innsbruck) Mews, Constant J. / Anna Welch (Hrsg.), Poverty and Devotion in Mendicant Cultures 1200 – 1450 (Church, Faith and Culture in the Medieval West), London / New York 2016, Routledge, XI u. 214 S. / Abb., £ 110,00. (Margit Mersch, Bochum) Krötzl, Christian / Sari Katajala-Peltomaa (Hrsg.), Miracles in Medieval Canonization Processes. 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Ein Universalgelehrter zwischen Spätmittelalter und Früher Neuzeit: Bestandsaufnahme und Perspektiven (Colloquia Augustana, 35), Berlin / Boston 2018, de Gruyter Oldenbourg, VIII u. 240 S. / Abb., € 59,95. (Harald Müller, Aachen) Rizzi, Andrea (Hrsg.), Trust and Proof. Translators in Renaissance Print Culture (Library of the Written Word, 63 / The Handpress World, 48), Leiden / Boston 2018, Brill, XVI u. 295 S. / Abb., € 142,00. (Gabriele Müller-Oberhäuser, Münster) Zwierlein, Cornel (Hrsg.), The Dark Side of Knowledge. Histories of Ignorance, 1400 to 1800 (Intersections, 46), Leiden / Boston 2016, Brill, XVII u. 436 S., € 179,00. (Barbara Stollberg-Rilinger, Münster / Berlin) González Cuerva, Rubén / Alexander Koller (Hrsg.), A Europe of Courts, a Europe of Factions. Political Groups at Early Modern Centres of Power (1550 – 1700) (Rulers and Elites, 12), Leiden / Boston 2017, Brill, IX u. 263 S., € 119,00. 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(Markus Friedrich, Hamburg) The Correspondence and Unpublished Papers of Robert Persons, SJ, Bd. 1: 1574 – 1588, hrsg. v. Victor Houliston / Ginevra Crosignani / Thomas M. McCoog (Catholic and Recusant Texts of the Late Medieval and Early Modern Periods, 4), Toronto 2017, Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, XX u. 729 S., € 110,00. (Markus Friedrich, Hamburg) Schumann, Eva (Hrsg.), Justiz und Verfahren im Wandel der Zeit. Gelehrte Literatur, gerichtliche Praxis und bildliche Symbolik. Festgabe für Wolfgang Sellert zum 80. Geburtstag (Abhandlungen der Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Göttingen. Neue Folge, 44), Berlin / Boston 2017, de Gruyter, X u. 194 S. / Abb., € 79,95. (Ralf-Peter Fuchs, Essen) Priesching, Nicole, Sklaverei im Urteil der Jesuiten. Eine theologiegeschichtliche Spurensuche im Collegio Romano (Sklaverei – Knechtschaft – Zwangsarbeit, 15), Hildesheim / Zürich / New York 2017, Olms, VI u. 344 S., € 58,00. (Markus Friedrich, Hamburg) Lorenz, Maren, Menschenzucht. 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Vertrauen in der politischen Kultur des Alten Reiches im Konfessionellen Zeitalter (Kulturgeschichten, 3), Affalterbach 2017, Didymos-Verlag, 397 S., € 54,00. (Niels Grüne, Innsbruck) Baumann, Anette, Visitationen am Reichskammergericht. Speyer als politischer und juristischer Aktionsraum des Reiches (1529 – 1588) (Bibliothek Altes Reich, Berlin / Boston 2018, de Gruyter Oldenbourg, IX u. 264 S. / Abb., € 59,95. (Filippo Ranieri, Saarbrücken) Fuchs, Stefan, Herrschaftswissen und Raumerfassung im 16. Jahrhundert. Kartengebrauch im Dienste des Nürnberger Stadtstaates (Medienwandel – Medienwechsel – Medienwissen, 35), Zürich 2018, Chronos, 312 S. / Abb., € 48,00. (Gerda Brunnlechner, Hagen) Büren, Guido von / Ralf-Peter Fuchs / Georg Mölich (Hrsg.), Herrschaft, Hof und Humanismus. Wilhelm V. von Jülich-Kleve-Berg und seine Zeit (Schriftenreihe der Niederrhein-Akademie, 11), Bielefeld 2018, Verlag für Regionalgeschichte, 608 S. / Abb., € 34,00. (Albert Schirrmeister, Paris) Körber, Esther-Beate, Messrelationen. Biobibliographie der deutsch- und lateinischsprachigen „messentlichen“ Periodika von 1588 bis 1805, 2 Bde. (Presse und Geschichte – Neue Beiträge, 93 bzw. 94), Bremen 2018, edition lumière, VIII u. 1564 S. / Abb., € 59,80. (Mark Häberlein, Bamberg) Menne, Mareike, Diskurs und Dekor. Die China-Rezeption in Mitteleuropa, 1600 – 1800 (Histoire, 136), Bielefeld 2018, transcript, 406 S. / Abb., € 44,99. (Nadine Amsler, Frankfurt a. M.) Schreuder, Yda, Amsterdam’s Sephardic Merchants and the Atlantic Sugar Trade in the Seventeenth Century, Cham 2019, Palgrave Macmillan, XVI u. 287 S. / graph. Darst., € 85,59. (Jorun Poettering, Rostock) Rublack, Ulinka, Der Astronom und die Hexe. Johannes Kepler und seine Zeit, aus dem Englischen übers. v. Hainer Kober, Stuttgart 2018, Klett-Cotta, 409 S. / Abb., € 26,00. (Gerd Schwerhoff, Dresden) Akkerman, Nadine, Invisible Agents. Women and Espionage in Seventeenth-Century Britain, Oxford 2018, Oxford University Press, XXII u. 288 S. / Abb., £ 20,00. (Tobias Graf, Berlin/Oxford) Fitzgibbons, Jonathan, Cromwell’s House of Lords. Politics, Parliaments and Constitutional Revolution, 1642 – 1660 (Studies in Early Modern Cultural, Political and Social History, 30), Woodbridge / Rochester 2018, Boydell, VIII u. 274 S., £ 75,00. (Ronald G. Asch, Freiburg i. Br.) Malcolm, Alistair, Royal Favouritism and the Governing Elite of the Spanish Monarchy, 1640 – 1665 (Oxford Historical Monographs), Oxford 2017, Oxford University Press, XIII u. 305 S. / Abb., £ 72,00. (Christian Windler, Bern) Strobach, Berndt, Der Hofjude Berend Lehmann (1661 – 1730). Eine Biografie (Bibliothek Altes Reich, 26), Berlin / Boston 2018, de Gruyter Oldenbourg, VII u. 469 S. / Abb., € 89,95. (Daniel Jütte, New York) Albrecht, Ruth / Ulrike Gleixner / Corinna Kirschstein / Eva Kormann / Pia Schmidt (Hrsg.), Pietismus und Adel. 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Women Writers and the Science of Mind, 1770 – 1830 (Studies in the Eighteenth Century), Woodbridge / Rochester 2018, The Boydell Press, X u. 276 S. / Abb., £ 60,00. (Claire Gantet, Fribourg) Briefe der Liebe. Henriette von der Malsburg und Georg Ernst von und zu Gilsa, 1765 bis 1767, hrsg. v. Ulrike Leuschner (Veröffentlichungen der Historischen Kommission für Hessen, 46. Kleine Schriften, 15), Marburg 2018, Historische Kommission für Hessen, 272 S. / Abb., € 28,00. (Michael Maurer, Jena) Bernsee, Robert, Moralische Erneuerung. Korruption und bürokratische Reformen in Bayern und Preußen, 1780 – 1820 (Veröffentlichungen des Instituts für europäische Geschichte Mainz, Abteilung für Universalgeschichte, 241), Göttingen 2017, Vandenhoeck &amp; Ruprecht, 436 S., € 80,00. (Eckhart Hellmuth, München)