Discipline: Genetics

Gene Editing for Improved Animal Welfare and Production Traits in Cattle: Will This Technology Be Embraced or Rejected by the Public?

Maria Cristina Yunes, Zimbábwe Osório-Santos, Marina A. G. von Keyserlingk, Maria José Hötzel

Published in 2021

Article reporting the opinions of Brazilian citizens on the new genome editing techniques. Acceptance is low and depends on the objectives: it is higher when the intention is to improve animal welfare than when the goal is to increase muscle mass, the benefits of the former appearing to be shared equally by animals, breeders, manufacturers and consumers.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords: Societal issues

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Nest acceptance, clutch, and oviposition traits are promising selection criteria to improve egg production in cage-free system

Lorry Becot, Nicolas Bedere ,Thierry Burlot, Jenna Coton, Pascale Le Roy

Published in 2021

Scientific paper investigating criteria for genetic selection of nesting behaviours suitable for cage-free systems for two laying hen bloodlines. It suggests that two effective potential criteria would be number of eggs laid and laying characteristics.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords: Enrichment, Livestock farming system

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Unintended consequences of selection for increased production on the health and welfare of livestock

Este van Marle-Köster, Carina Visser

Published in 2021

A scientific review showing the deleterious effects of the use of genetic selection for increased productivity on the fertility, welfare and health of livestock. Inbreeding has led to genetic defects, increased lameness, hoof problems and mastitis, Pathways are suggested to incorporate welfare and health in breeding practices.

Document Types: Scientific review

Category of animals: Bovines, Caprines, Ovines, Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Resilience, Robustness, Livestock farming system

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Effect of heat stress during the early and late dry period on mammary gland development of Holstein dairy cattle

Thiago F. Fabris, Jimena Laporta, Amy L. Skibiel, Bethany Dado-Senn, Stephanie E. Wohlgemuth, Geoffrey E. Dahl

Published in 2020

Study to assess the effect of heat stress or cooling at the beginning and end of the dry period on gene expression and mammary gland microstructure.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Lactation, Resilience

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Advances in genetic selection and breeder practice improve commercial layer hen welfare

Greg Underwood, Daniel Andrews, Tin Phung

Published in 2021

Review of work in genetic selection and husbandry  to improve the welfare of laying hens

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Welfare indicators, Livestock farming system

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Social genetic effects in livestock: Current status and future avenues of research

Piter Bijma

Published in 2020

Review of the social genetic effect, i.e. the effect of an individual animal's genotype on the phenotypic traits of its social partners.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines, Poultry

Keywords: Animal-based measurements, Precision farming, Welfare indicators

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GroupHouseNet: four years of EU-wide collaboration on tail docking solutions

Irene Camerlink, Kristine Hov-Martinsen, Torunn Aasmundstad, Andrew Janczak and Bas Rodenburg

Published in 2020

Activity Review of the European COST programme "GroupHouseNet", aimed at reducing the incidence of harmful behaviour in animals kept in groups by refining genetic selection methods and developing breeding innovations to improve living conditions at the beginning and end of the animal's life.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal categories: Porcines, Poultry

Keywords: Pain, Societal issues, Enrichment, Stress, Livestock farming system

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Effects of Maternal Stress on Measures of Anxiety and Fearfulness in Different Strains of Laying Hens

Mariana R. L.V. Peixoto, Niel A. Karrow, Amy Newman, Tina M. Widowski

Published in 2020

Study of the effects of maternal stress on the behaviour of different strains of laying hens and of the role of corticosterone as a mediator

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords: Anxiety, Maternity, Stress

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Limb Health in Broiler Breeding: History Using Genetics to Improve Welfare

P.B.Siegel, Kate Barger, Frank Siewerdt...

Published in 2019

Testing for a possible improvement brought about by genetic selection on broiler skeletal integrity growth rates. Analysis of changes in breeding values over a period of 11-14 years for 5 skeletal health traits (limbs) in broilers from 3 pure lines.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords: Evolutionary processes, Carcass quality

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On-Farm Livestock Genome Editing Using Cutting Edge Reproductive Technologies

Gus R. McFarlane, Hamish A. Salvesen, Anna Sternberg, Simon G. Lillico

Published in 2019

Critical review of the 3 leading genome-editing technologies that could be used for livestock.

Document Types: Scientific review

Keywords: Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Societal issues

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