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Dr. Cristina Sartori
Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment (DAFNAE), University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020, Legnaro, Padova, Italy

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Research Keywords & Expertise

0 Animal Behaviour
0 Animal Breeding
0 Cattle
0 Evolutionary Biology
0 Quantitative Genetics

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Cattle
horse
Functional Traits
Genetic Diversity
Animal Breeding
Selection response
Small populations

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Short Biography

Cristina Sartori is a researcher in animal breeding and genetics at the University of Padova, DAFNAE; she has a PhD in Animal Science and a Master degree in Evolutionary Biology. She is currently a teacher in Applied Statistics and Data managing for animal science for undergraduates. Main research topics: estimation of genetic parameters in local cattle and horse breeds; investigation of genetic diversity in local breeds using pedigree data and genomic information; genetic correlations and response to selection in functional traits and novel traits of breeding interest. Cristina collaborates with some National Breeding Organizations for estimations of breeding values and for research development.

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Journal article
Published: 18 June 2021 in Animals
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The maintenance of local cattle breeds is key to selecting for efficient food production, landscape protection, and conservation of biodiversity and local cultural heritage. Rendena is an indigenous cattle breed from the alpine North-East of Italy, selected for dual purpose, but with lesser emphasis given to beef traits. In this situation, increasing accuracy for beef traits could prevent detrimental effects due to the antagonism with milk production. Our study assessed the impact of genomic information on estimated breeding values (EBVs) in Rendena performance-tested bulls. Traits considered were average daily gain, in vivo EUROP score, and in vivo estimate of dressing percentage. The final dataset contained 1691 individuals with phenotypes and 8372 animals in pedigree, 1743 of which were genotyped. Using the cross-validation method, three models were compared: (i) Pedigree-BLUP (PBLUP); (ii) single-step GBLUP (ssGBLUP), and (iii) weighted single-step GBLUP (WssGBLUP). Models including genomic information presented higher accuracy, especially WssGBLUP. However, the model with the best overall properties was the ssGBLUP, showing higher accuracy than PBLUP and optimal values of bias and dispersion parameters. Our study demonstrated that integrating phenotypes for beef traits with genomic data can be helpful to estimate EBVs, even in a small local breed.

ACS Style

Enrico Mancin; Beniamino Tuliozi; Cristina Sartori; Nadia Guzzo; Roberto Mantovani. Genomic Prediction in Local Breeds: The Rendena Cattle as a Case Study. Animals 2021, 11, 1815 .

AMA Style

Enrico Mancin, Beniamino Tuliozi, Cristina Sartori, Nadia Guzzo, Roberto Mantovani. Genomic Prediction in Local Breeds: The Rendena Cattle as a Case Study. Animals. 2021; 11 (6):1815.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Enrico Mancin; Beniamino Tuliozi; Cristina Sartori; Nadia Guzzo; Roberto Mantovani. 2021. "Genomic Prediction in Local Breeds: The Rendena Cattle as a Case Study." Animals 11, no. 6: 1815.

Journal article
Published: 01 June 2021 in Journal of Dairy Science
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This study aimed to investigate the genetic and putative causal relationships between fertility traits [i.e., days open (DO) and calving rate (CR)] and milk quality, composition, and fatty acid contents (milk composition traits) in Holstein-Friesian, Brown Swiss, and Simmental cattle, using recursive models within a Bayesian framework. Trivariate animal models were run, each including one fertility trait, one milk composition trait, and, in all models, milk yield. The DO and CR data were merged with the test days closest to the insemination date for milk composition traits. After editing, 16,468 to 23,424 records for Holstein-Friesian, 23,424 to 46,660 for Brown Swiss, and 26,105 to 35,574 for Simmental were available for the analyses. Recursive animal models were applied to investigate the possible causal influences of milk composition traits on fertility and the genetic relationships among these traits. The results suggested a potential cause-and-effect relationship between milk composition traits and fertility traits, with the first trait influencing the latter. We also found greater recursive effects of milk composition traits on DO than on CR, the latter with some putative differences among breeds in terms of sensitivity. For instance, the putative causal effects of somatic cell score on CR (on the observed scale, %) varied from -0.96 to -1.39%, depending on the breed. Concerning fatty acids, we found relevant putative effects of C18:0 on CR, with estimates varying from -7.8 to -9.9%. Protein and casein percentages, and short-chain fatty acid showed larger recursive effects on CR, whereas fat, protein, and casein percentages, C16:0, C18:0, and long-chain fatty acid had larger effects on DO. The results obtained suggested that these milk traits could be considered as effective indicators of the effects of animal metabolic and physiological status on fertility.

ACS Style

M. Martinez-Castillero; S. Pegolo; C. Sartori; H. Toledo-Alvarado; L. Varona; L. Degano; D. Vicario; R. Finocchiaro; G. Bittante; A. Cecchinato. Genetic correlations between fertility traits and milk composition and fatty acids in Holstein-Friesian, Brown Swiss, and Simmental cattle using recursive models. Journal of Dairy Science 2021, 104, 6832 -6846.

AMA Style

M. Martinez-Castillero, S. Pegolo, C. Sartori, H. Toledo-Alvarado, L. Varona, L. Degano, D. Vicario, R. Finocchiaro, G. Bittante, A. Cecchinato. Genetic correlations between fertility traits and milk composition and fatty acids in Holstein-Friesian, Brown Swiss, and Simmental cattle using recursive models. Journal of Dairy Science. 2021; 104 (6):6832-6846.

Chicago/Turabian Style

M. Martinez-Castillero; S. Pegolo; C. Sartori; H. Toledo-Alvarado; L. Varona; L. Degano; D. Vicario; R. Finocchiaro; G. Bittante; A. Cecchinato. 2021. "Genetic correlations between fertility traits and milk composition and fatty acids in Holstein-Friesian, Brown Swiss, and Simmental cattle using recursive models." Journal of Dairy Science 104, no. 6: 6832-6846.

Journal article
Published: 08 May 2021 in Animals
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Selection in local dual-purpose breeds requires great carefulness because of the need to preserve peculiar traits and also guarantee the positive genetic progress for milk and beef production to maintain economic competitiveness. A specific breeding plan accounting for milk, beef, and functional traits is required by breeders of the Alpine Grey cattle (AG), a local dual-purpose breed of the Italian Alps. Hereditability and genetic correlations among all traits have been analyzed for this purpose. After that, different selection indexes were proposed to identify the most suitable for this breed. Firstly, a genetic parameters analysis was carried out with different datasets. The milk dataset contained 406,918 test day records of milk, protein, and fat yields and somatic cells (expressed as SCS). The beef dataset included performance test data conducted on 749 young bulls. Average daily gain, in vivo estimated carcass yields, and carcass conformation (SEUROP) were the phenotypes obtained from the performance tests. The morphological dataset included 21 linear type evaluations of 11,320 first party cows. Linear type traits were aggregated through factor analysis and three factors were retained, while head typicality (HT) and rear muscularity (RM) were analyzed as single traits. Heritability estimates (h2) for milk traits ranged from 0.125 to 0.219. Analysis of beef traits showed h2 greater than milk traits, ranging from 0.282 to 0.501. Type traits showed a medium value of h2 ranging from 0.238 to 0.374. Regarding genetic correlation, SCS and milk traits were strongly positively correlated. Milk traits had a negative genetic correlation with the factor accounting for udder conformations (−0.40) and with all performance test traits and RM. These latter traits showed also a negative genetic correlation with udder volume (−0.28). The HT and the factor accounting for rear legs traits were not correlated with milk traits, but negatively correlated with beef traits (−0.32 with RM). We argue that the consequence of these results is that the use of the current selection index, which is mainly focused on milk attitude, will lead to a deterioration of all other traits. In this study, we propose more appropriate selection indexes that account for genetic relationships among traits, including functional traits.

ACS Style

Enrico Mancin; Cristina Sartori; Nadia Guzzo; Beniamino Tuliozi; Roberto Mantovani. Selection Response Due to Different Combination of Antagonistic Milk, Beef, and Morphological Traits in the Alpine Grey Cattle Breed. Animals 2021, 11, 1340 .

AMA Style

Enrico Mancin, Cristina Sartori, Nadia Guzzo, Beniamino Tuliozi, Roberto Mantovani. Selection Response Due to Different Combination of Antagonistic Milk, Beef, and Morphological Traits in the Alpine Grey Cattle Breed. Animals. 2021; 11 (5):1340.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Enrico Mancin; Cristina Sartori; Nadia Guzzo; Beniamino Tuliozi; Roberto Mantovani. 2021. "Selection Response Due to Different Combination of Antagonistic Milk, Beef, and Morphological Traits in the Alpine Grey Cattle Breed." Animals 11, no. 5: 1340.

Erratum
Published: 06 January 2021 in Zoology
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This study considered possible sexual dimorphism in the relative lengths of the third, fourth and fifth digits (digit ratio), in calves. Furthermore, a different length of the bone structures of the third (3D) and of the fourth (4D) digits has been examined as an evolutionary adaptation to locomotion on soft ground. The length of the digital bones of the right fore-limb of 33 females and 15 male calves was measured in vivo using a portable X-ray machine. The vestigial structure of the 3D and 4D, from metacarpus to the third phalanx, and the rudimental metacarpus of the fifth digit (5D) were considered in a mixed model, as well as some ratios between different parts of 3D or 4D and 5D (3D:5D and 4D:5D). A covariate for the mean finger length was considered for digit ratios to control for possible biases due to shape allometry. Shorter first phalanx and trotter were found in 3D than in 4D, and the reverse for the third phalanx. The 5D was significantly shorter in females, as well as the second phalanges of 3D and 4D. Significant sex differences were found for the first phalanges of 3D:4D, that were shorter in males than in females, as 2D:4D and 3D:4D ratios found in most mammals. The asymmetry between 3D and 4D could mean a functional adaptation for locomotion. Sex differences in 3D:4D were found, but not involving all the digit parts, as in some mammal species like field vole or red squirrel. This study is the first investigation of digit ratio in Ungulates, whose limbs differ from the limbs of most mammals, maintaining five digits. The presence of a significant sex differences only in the first phalanx of 3D:4D could be due to the peculiar nature of the bovine digits, constituting the cannon bone, and to the hormone patterns acting on this digit during development, but further research is required around this topic.

ACS Style

Cristina Sartori; Matteo Gianesella; Andrea Pilastro; Roberto Mantovani; Leonardo Armato; Enrico Fiore. Digit ratio and length asymmetry in calves’ limbs. Zoology 2021, 125859 .

AMA Style

Cristina Sartori, Matteo Gianesella, Andrea Pilastro, Roberto Mantovani, Leonardo Armato, Enrico Fiore. Digit ratio and length asymmetry in calves’ limbs. Zoology. 2021; ():125859.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cristina Sartori; Matteo Gianesella; Andrea Pilastro; Roberto Mantovani; Leonardo Armato; Enrico Fiore. 2021. "Digit ratio and length asymmetry in calves’ limbs." Zoology , no. : 125859.

Journal article
Published: 12 December 2020 in Animals
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The Aosta Red Pied (Valdostana Pezzata Rossa (VRP)), the Aosta Black Pied (Valdostana Pezzata Nera (VBP)) and the Aosta Chestnut (Valdostana Castana (CAS)) are dual-purpose cattle breeds (meat and milk), very well adapted to the harsh environmental conditions of alpine territories: their farming is in fact characterized by summer pasture at very high altitude. A total of 728 individuals were genotyped with the GeenSeek Genomic Profiler® (GGP) Bovine 150K Illumina SNP chip as a part of the DUALBREEDING-PSRN Italian-funded research project. The genetic diversity among populations showed that the three breeds are distinct populations based on the FST values, ADMIXTURE and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) results. Runs of Homozygosity (ROH) were obtained for the three populations to disclose recent autozygosity. The genomic inbreeding based on the ROH was calculated and coupled with information derived from the F (inbreeding coefficient) and FST parameters. The mean FROH values were low: CAS = 0.06, VBP = 0.05 and VRP = 0.07, while the average F values were −0.003, −0.01 and −0.003, respectively. The annotation and enrichment analysis, performed in the identified most frequent ROH (TOP_ROH), showed genes that can be linked to the resilience capacity of these populations to harsh environmental farming conditions, and to the peculiar characteristics searched for by farmers in each breed.

ACS Style

Maria Giuseppina Strillacci; Mario Vevey; Veruska Blanchet; Roberto Mantovani; Cristina Sartori; Alessandro Bagnato. The Genomic Variation in the Aosta Cattle Breeds Raised in an Extensive Alpine Farming System. Animals 2020, 10, 2385 .

AMA Style

Maria Giuseppina Strillacci, Mario Vevey, Veruska Blanchet, Roberto Mantovani, Cristina Sartori, Alessandro Bagnato. The Genomic Variation in the Aosta Cattle Breeds Raised in an Extensive Alpine Farming System. Animals. 2020; 10 (12):2385.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Maria Giuseppina Strillacci; Mario Vevey; Veruska Blanchet; Roberto Mantovani; Cristina Sartori; Alessandro Bagnato. 2020. "The Genomic Variation in the Aosta Cattle Breeds Raised in an Extensive Alpine Farming System." Animals 10, no. 12: 2385.

Journal article
Published: 30 July 2020 in Animals
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This study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity in the Italian Heavy Horse Breed from pedigree and genomic data. Pedigree information for 64,917 individuals were used to assess inbreeding level, effective population size (Ne), and effective numbers of founders and ancestors (fa/fe). Genotypic information from SNP markers were available for 267 individuals of both sexes, and it allowed estimating genomic inbreeding in two methods (observed versus expected homozygosity and from ROH) to study the breed genomic structure and possible selection signatures. Pedigree and genomic inbreeding were greatly correlated (0.65 on average). The inbreeding trend increased over time, apart from periods in which the base population enlarged, when Ne increased also. Recent bottlenecks did not occur in the genome, as fa/fe have shown. The observed homozygosity results were on average lower than expected, which was probably due to the use of French Breton stallions to support the breed genetic variability. High homozygous regions suggested that inbreeding increased in different periods. Two subpopulations were distinguished, which was probably due to the different inclusion of French animals by breeders. Few selection signatures were found at the population level, with possible associations to disease resistance. The almost low inbreeding rate suggested that despite the small breed size, conservation actions are not yet required.

ACS Style

Enrico Mancin; Michela Ablondi; Roberto Mantovani; Giuseppe Pigozzi; Alberto Sabbioni; Cristina Sartori. Genetic Variability in the Italian Heavy Draught Horse from Pedigree Data and Genomic Information. Animals 2020, 10, 1310 .

AMA Style

Enrico Mancin, Michela Ablondi, Roberto Mantovani, Giuseppe Pigozzi, Alberto Sabbioni, Cristina Sartori. Genetic Variability in the Italian Heavy Draught Horse from Pedigree Data and Genomic Information. Animals. 2020; 10 (8):1310.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Enrico Mancin; Michela Ablondi; Roberto Mantovani; Giuseppe Pigozzi; Alberto Sabbioni; Cristina Sartori. 2020. "Genetic Variability in the Italian Heavy Draught Horse from Pedigree Data and Genomic Information." Animals 10, no. 8: 1310.

Journal article
Published: 25 June 2020 in Animals
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The Italian Heavy Draught Horse (IHDH) breed is selected based on linear type traits (LTT) evaluated at young age on six-month-old foals. However, animals retained for reproduction are scored also at adults age (about 30 months), and the evaluation is mandatory for the final official admission to the stud book of candidate mares and stallions. This study aimed to estimate genetic parameters of LTT scored at 30 months to consider if they are feasible for selection instead of using foal data and to reduce costs of selection plan. Data included 19 years of evaluation for 14 LTT and an overall score. Analyses were performed on 5835 females and 856 males via animal model. The heritability ranged from 0.03 (upper line length) to 0.40 (frame size). Traits of selection interest (head size and expression; temperament/movement; fleshiness; fore diameter; rear diameter) reported heritability between 0.21 and 0.31. High genetic correlations were obtained among traits related to muscular development, 0.73 on average. Positive genetic trends were found in traits of selection interest, already selected from foal type trait data. Accounting for genetic parameters estimated in adult animals instead in foals is feasible in IHDH selection.

ACS Style

Fabio Folla; Cristina Sartori; Enrico Mancin; Giuseppe Pigozzi; Roberto Mantovani. Genetic Parameters of Linear Type Traits Scored at 30 Months in Italian Heavy Draught Horse. Animals 2020, 10, 1099 .

AMA Style

Fabio Folla, Cristina Sartori, Enrico Mancin, Giuseppe Pigozzi, Roberto Mantovani. Genetic Parameters of Linear Type Traits Scored at 30 Months in Italian Heavy Draught Horse. Animals. 2020; 10 (6):1099.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Fabio Folla; Cristina Sartori; Enrico Mancin; Giuseppe Pigozzi; Roberto Mantovani. 2020. "Genetic Parameters of Linear Type Traits Scored at 30 Months in Italian Heavy Draught Horse." Animals 10, no. 6: 1099.

Journal article
Published: 23 June 2020 in Animals
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Our aims were to find a phenotypic variable to express mares’ lifetime reproductive performance after 6 breeding seasons (BS) in Italian Heavy Draught Horse breed (IHDH), and to estimate its heritability. At first, 1487 mares in a training dataset were used to implement and validate a set of predictive coefficients (LFR-C) or equations (LFR-E) to estimate a lifetime foaling rate (LFR) after 6 BS, i.e., the number of foals generated divided by the opportunities to do so. Then, 3033 mares in a dataset with at least 3 registered BS, was used to estimate LFR for mares with 3, 4, or 5 registered RS. This dataset contained actual (n = 1950) and estimated (n = 1443) LFR, obtained by LFR-C, and LFR-E; Arcsine transformation of LFR-C and LFR-E were also analyzed in single trait animal models to estimate heritability. Overall, the LFR showed a moderate but significant genetic variation, and the heritability of the trait was high (0.24) considering it is a fitness trait. The arcsine transformation of LFR did not show any improvement of heritability. The present study indicates the possible use of a linear LFR variable for breeding purposes in IHDH breed considering both complete and incomplete reproductive careers.

ACS Style

Roberto Mantovani; Fabio Folla; Giuseppe Pigozzi; Shogo Tsuruta; Cristina Sartori. Genetics of Lifetime Reproductive Performance in Italian Heavy Draught Horse Mares. Animals 2020, 10, 1085 .

AMA Style

Roberto Mantovani, Fabio Folla, Giuseppe Pigozzi, Shogo Tsuruta, Cristina Sartori. Genetics of Lifetime Reproductive Performance in Italian Heavy Draught Horse Mares. Animals. 2020; 10 (6):1085.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Roberto Mantovani; Fabio Folla; Giuseppe Pigozzi; Shogo Tsuruta; Cristina Sartori. 2020. "Genetics of Lifetime Reproductive Performance in Italian Heavy Draught Horse Mares." Animals 10, no. 6: 1085.

Journal article
Published: 23 March 2020 in Zoology
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This study considered possible sexual dimorphism in the relative lengths of the second, third and fourth digits (digit ratio), in calves. Furthermore, a different length of the bone structures of the third (3D) and of the fourth (4D) digits has been examined as an evolutionary adaptation to locomotion on soft ground. The length of the digital bones of the right fore-limb of 33 females and 15 male calves was measured in vivo using a portable X-ray machine. The vestigial structure of the second digit (2D), and 3D and 4D, from metacarpus to the third phalanx were considered in a mixed model, as well as some ratios between 2D and different parts of 3D or 4D (2D:3D and 2D:4D). A covariate for the mean finger length was considered for digit ratios to control for possible biases due to shape allometry. Shorter first phalanx and trotter were found in 3D than in 4D, and the reverse for the third phalanx. The 2D was significantly shorter in females, as well as the second phalanges of 3D and 4D. Significant sex differences in 2D:3D and 2D:4D were found for some digit parts of 3D and 4D and for the first phalanges of 3D:4D. These ratios were always shorter in females, in contrast to that found in most mammals. The asymmetry between 3D and 4D could mean a functional adaptation for locomotion. Sex differences in 2D:4D and 3D:4D were found, but with a reverse pattern than in most mammal species (males > females rather than males < females). In this regard digit ratio in calves was similar to that of Old World monkeys. This study is the first investigation of digit ratio in Ungulates, whose limbs differ from the limbs of most mammals, maintaining five digits. The reverse pattern of sex differences (digit ratios: males> females) could be due to the peculiar nature of the vestigial dewclaw of 2D and to the hormone patterns acting on this digit during development, but further research is required around this topic.

ACS Style

Cristina Sartori; Matteo Gianesella; Andrea Pilastro; Roberto Mantovani; Leonardo Armato; Enrico Fiore. Digit ratio and length asymmetry in calves’ limbs. Zoology 2020, 140, 125777 .

AMA Style

Cristina Sartori, Matteo Gianesella, Andrea Pilastro, Roberto Mantovani, Leonardo Armato, Enrico Fiore. Digit ratio and length asymmetry in calves’ limbs. Zoology. 2020; 140 ():125777.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cristina Sartori; Matteo Gianesella; Andrea Pilastro; Roberto Mantovani; Leonardo Armato; Enrico Fiore. 2020. "Digit ratio and length asymmetry in calves’ limbs." Zoology 140, no. : 125777.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2020 in Animal
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The success in competitions may be stressful for animals and costly in terms of immune functions and longevity. Focusing on Aosta Chestnut and Aosta Black Pied cattle, selected for their fighting ability in traditional competitions, this study investigated the genetic relationships of fighting ability with udder health traits (somatic cell score and two threshold traits for somatic cells), longevity (length of productive life and number of calvings) and test-day milk, fat and protein yield. Herdbook information and phenotypic records that have been routinely collected for breeding programs in 16 years were used for the abovementioned traits. Data belonged to 9328 cows and 19 283 animals in pedigree. Single-trait animal model analyses were run using a Gibbs sampling algorithm to estimate the variance components of traits, and bivariate analyses were then performed to estimate the genetic correlations. Moderate positive genetic correlations (ra) were found for fighting ability with somatic cell score (ra=0.255), suggesting that greater fighting ability is genetically related to a detriment in udder health, in agreement with the theory. The high positive genetic correlation between fighting ability and longevity (average ra=0.669) suggests that the economic importance of fighting ability (the winning cows get an higher price at selling) had probably masked the true genetic covariances. The genetic correlation between milk yield traits and fighting ability showed large intervals, but the negative values (average ra=-0.121) agreed with previous research. This study is one of the few empirical studies on genetic correlations for the competitive success v. immune functions and longevity traits. The knowledge of the genetic correlations among productive and functional traits of interest, including fighting ability, is important in animal breeding for a sustainable genetic improvement.

ACS Style

C. Sartori; N. Guzzo; Roberto Mantovani. Genetic correlations of fighting ability with somatic cells and longevity in cattle. Animal 2020, 14, 13 -21.

AMA Style

C. Sartori, N. Guzzo, Roberto Mantovani. Genetic correlations of fighting ability with somatic cells and longevity in cattle. Animal. 2020; 14 (1):13-21.

Chicago/Turabian Style

C. Sartori; N. Guzzo; Roberto Mantovani. 2020. "Genetic correlations of fighting ability with somatic cells and longevity in cattle." Animal 14, no. 1: 13-21.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2019 in Animal
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Selection for beef traits in Italian dual-purpose breeds is often carried out using growth and in vivo conformation recorded on young, performance tested bulls and muscularity traits scored during routinely linear type evaluation on primiparous cows. In this context, the knowledge of the genetic structure of traits obtained in different sexes and at different times is necessary for a proper selection plan. This study aimed to estimate, in the local dual-purpose Rendena breed, the genetic relationships between muscularity linear type traits from primiparous cows, the same traits scored on candidate young bulls, and the performance test traits recorded in candidate young bulls. Type traits included: front (chest and shoulder), back (loins and rump); thigh, buttocks side and rear views (two traits). Performance test traits were: average daily gain; EUROP fleshiness evaluation; and dressing percentage. Muscularity linear type traits were recorded on 11 992 first parity cows, and the muscularity type traits were scored on 957 candidate young bulls. Heritability estimates obtained for muscularity traits were moderate in young bulls (on average 0.326), about 16% higher than in primiparous cows. The average heritability for performance test traits in young bulls resulted 0.342. Moderate to strong genetic correlations were found between performance test and muscularity type traits collected in young bulls (from 0.500 between front (chest and shoulder) and average daily gain to 0.955 between thigh, buttocks side view and in vivo dressing percentage). The genetic relationships obtained between muscularity linear type traits of primiparous cows and performance traits of young bulls were variable (from a null correlation between front (chest and shoulder) and average daily gain to 0.822 between thigh, buttocks rear view and dressing percentage), with an average genetic correlation of 0.532. Generally, the traits measured during performance testing in young bulls were favourably correlated with muscularity traits evaluated on primiparous cows, indicating a common selection pathway.

ACS Style

N. Guzzo; C. Sartori; Roberto Mantovani. Analysis of genetic correlations between beef traits in young bulls and primiparous cows belonging to the dual-purpose Rendena breed. Animal 2019, 13, 694 -701.

AMA Style

N. Guzzo, C. Sartori, Roberto Mantovani. Analysis of genetic correlations between beef traits in young bulls and primiparous cows belonging to the dual-purpose Rendena breed. Animal. 2019; 13 (4):694-701.

Chicago/Turabian Style

N. Guzzo; C. Sartori; Roberto Mantovani. 2019. "Analysis of genetic correlations between beef traits in young bulls and primiparous cows belonging to the dual-purpose Rendena breed." Animal 13, no. 4: 694-701.

Short communication
Published: 29 November 2018 in Livestock Science
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In small horse breeds, the small size of stud-farms can bias genetic parameters’ estimations, excluding many breeders from the selection. The study aimed to find a method to include small stud-farms in genetic analysis and to estimate genetic parameters for linear type traits in Italian Heavy Draught Horse (IHDH). Stud-farms were grouped according to an increasing number of criteria: i) geographical location and housing system; ii) target productions and vaccination of foal; iii) stud's body condition. These groups allowed 6 contemporary groups (CG) of environmental units (CG1-CG6) in a dataset of 11,357 scores of young foals and 17,441 subjects in pedigree. Model fitting increased with the number of CG levels. Considering the CG6, heritability varied from 0.149 (upper line direction) to 0.375 (head size/expression). The greatest genetic correlations (from 0.810 to 0.887) involved fleshiness, fore, and rear diameters. The use of CG allowed retaining many records. Genetic estimates indicated a possible genetic improvement for heavy draught and meat production.

ACS Style

Fabio Folla; Cristina Sartori; Nadia Guzzo; Giuseppe Pigozzi; Roberto Mantovani. Genetics of linear type traits scored on young foals belonging to the Italian Heavy Draught Horse breed. Livestock Science 2018, 219, 91 -96.

AMA Style

Fabio Folla, Cristina Sartori, Nadia Guzzo, Giuseppe Pigozzi, Roberto Mantovani. Genetics of linear type traits scored on young foals belonging to the Italian Heavy Draught Horse breed. Livestock Science. 2018; 219 ():91-96.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Fabio Folla; Cristina Sartori; Nadia Guzzo; Giuseppe Pigozzi; Roberto Mantovani. 2018. "Genetics of linear type traits scored on young foals belonging to the Italian Heavy Draught Horse breed." Livestock Science 219, no. : 91-96.

Journal article
Published: 08 October 2018 in Journal of Equine Veterinary Science
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Snaffle bits are usually made of stainless steel, but innovative materials have been investigated to reduce horses’ discomfort and mouth injuries. Being light and biocompatible, titanium could improve horse well-being. This study aimed at comparing stainless steel (S) vs. titanium (T) snaffle bits in show jumping horses. Eighteen rider-horse pairs were randomly assigned in a blinded manner to wear a S or T bit over two consecutive days in different sequences (ST or TS) following a 2x2 cross-over design. Horses were homogeneous for age, training and mouth conditions. The treatment effect (S vs. T) was analysed by a generalized linear mixed model for paired data considering: the temperature of muzzle and neck before and after training measured via infrared thermography; the temperature of the snaffle bit and horse salivary pH after exercise; the answers of a survey consisting in six multiple-choice questions on bit acceptance taken by the rider after exercise. The T bit showed a minor increase in muscle temperature during exercise than the traditional S bit, showed after training by a lower (P<0.05) temperature increase at muzzle (0.63 vs. 1.39° C for T and S) and neck (1.96 vs. 2.70° C for T and S) and a lower temperature of the snaffle bit (30.23 vs. 32.10° C for T and S). All the temperatures were within a physiological range. No differences due to the snaffle bit were observed for salivary pH and survey, apart a slightly greater but not significant acceptance for T than for S snaffle bit.

ACS Style

Nadia Guzzo; Cristina Sartori; Calogero Stelletta; Lucia Bailoni; Roberto Mantovani. Comparison Between Stainless Steel and Titanium Snaffle Bits in Sport Horses During Show Jumping Exercise. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 2018, 71, 105 -111.

AMA Style

Nadia Guzzo, Cristina Sartori, Calogero Stelletta, Lucia Bailoni, Roberto Mantovani. Comparison Between Stainless Steel and Titanium Snaffle Bits in Sport Horses During Show Jumping Exercise. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 2018; 71 ():105-111.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nadia Guzzo; Cristina Sartori; Calogero Stelletta; Lucia Bailoni; Roberto Mantovani. 2018. "Comparison Between Stainless Steel and Titanium Snaffle Bits in Sport Horses During Show Jumping Exercise." Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 71, no. : 105-111.

Journal article
Published: 01 September 2018 in Journal of Dairy Science
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ACS Style

Nadia Guzzo; Cristina Sartori; Roberto Mantovani. Genetic parameters of different measures of somatic cell counts in the Rendena breed. Journal of Dairy Science 2018, 101, 8054 -8062.

AMA Style

Nadia Guzzo, Cristina Sartori, Roberto Mantovani. Genetic parameters of different measures of somatic cell counts in the Rendena breed. Journal of Dairy Science. 2018; 101 (9):8054-8062.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nadia Guzzo; Cristina Sartori; Roberto Mantovani. 2018. "Genetic parameters of different measures of somatic cell counts in the Rendena breed." Journal of Dairy Science 101, no. 9: 8054-8062.

Journal article
Published: 26 May 2018 in Livestock Science
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Nadia Guzzo; Cristina Sartori; Roberto Mantovani. Heterogeneity of variance for milk, fat and protein yield in small cattle populations: The Rendena breed as a case study. Livestock Science 2018, 213, 54 -60.

AMA Style

Nadia Guzzo, Cristina Sartori, Roberto Mantovani. Heterogeneity of variance for milk, fat and protein yield in small cattle populations: The Rendena breed as a case study. Livestock Science. 2018; 213 ():54-60.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nadia Guzzo; Cristina Sartori; Roberto Mantovani. 2018. "Heterogeneity of variance for milk, fat and protein yield in small cattle populations: The Rendena breed as a case study." Livestock Science 213, no. : 54-60.

Journal article
Published: 01 July 2017 in Water Research
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Microbial communities play an essential role in the biochemical pathways of anaerobic digestion processes. The correlations between microorganisms' relative abundance and anaerobic digestion process parameters were investigated, by considering the effect of different feedstock compositions and hydraulic retention times (HRTs). Shifts in microbial diversity and changes in microbial community richness were observed by changing feedstock composition from mono-digestion of mixed sludge to co-digestion of food waste, grass clippings and garden waste with mixed sludge at HRT of 30, 20, 15 and 10 days. Syntrophic acetate oxidation along with hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis, mediated by Methanothermobacter, was found to be the most prevalent methane formation pathway, with the only exception of 10 days' HRT, in which Methanosarcina was the most dominant archaea. Significantly, the degradation of complex organic polymers was found to be the most active process, performed by members of S1 (Thermotogales), Thermonema and Lactobacillus in a reactor fed with a high share of food waste. Conversely, Thermacetogenium, Anaerobaculum, Ruminococcaceae, Porphyromonadaceae and the lignocellulosic-degrading Clostridium were the significantly more abundant bacteria in the reactor fed with an increased share of lignocellulosic biomass in the form of grass clippings and garden waste. Finally, microbes belonging to Coprothermobacter, Syntrophomonas and Clostridium were correlated significantly with the specific methane yield obtained in both reactors.

ACS Style

Temesgen Fitamo; Laura Treu; Alessio Boldrin; Cristina Sartori; Irini Angelidaki; Charlotte Scheutz. Microbial population dynamics in urban organic waste anaerobic co-digestion with mixed sludge during a change in feedstock composition and different hydraulic retention times. Water Research 2017, 118, 261 -271.

AMA Style

Temesgen Fitamo, Laura Treu, Alessio Boldrin, Cristina Sartori, Irini Angelidaki, Charlotte Scheutz. Microbial population dynamics in urban organic waste anaerobic co-digestion with mixed sludge during a change in feedstock composition and different hydraulic retention times. Water Research. 2017; 118 ():261-271.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Temesgen Fitamo; Laura Treu; Alessio Boldrin; Cristina Sartori; Irini Angelidaki; Charlotte Scheutz. 2017. "Microbial population dynamics in urban organic waste anaerobic co-digestion with mixed sludge during a change in feedstock composition and different hydraulic retention times." Water Research 118, no. : 261-271.

Controlled clinical trial
Published: 01 January 2017 in Animal
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The present work is aimed at evaluating the behaviour of Italian Heavy Draught Horse (IHDH) foals reared in semi-covered stables and fed two isoenergetic total mixed rations with different dietary protein levels (13.2% and 10.6% of CP on dry matter). The study was prompted by the restrictions for nitrate emissions in farms of the European Nitrate Directive. One suggested solution is to reduce dietary protein while maintaining normal performance and welfare, but there is a lack of literature in studies of horses. The behaviours of 20 foals of 437±60 kg of BW, aged 379±37 days and stabled in four pens by sex (S) and diet (D) were video recorded and analysed to build a suitable ethogram including 18 behaviours in six categories: ingestion, resting, maintenance, movement, social activities, other. The percentage of the daily time spent in each behavioural category and single behaviours was analysed via a single traits GLM including S, D and their interaction. Daily activity was consistent with existing literature: foals spent about 33% of the day in ingestion activities and 41% in resting, whereas social interactions constituted 8% of the time and individual maintenance <2%. Concerning diet, foals fed high protein spent more time in movement (19.62±0.73% of day v. 10.45±0.73% in low-protein (LP) foals; P⩽0.001), whereas the LP group increased resting (43.42±1.12% v. 38.02±1.12%; P⩽0.001). No stereotypies were found, and daily activity followed the typical values for draught breeds for foals in both dietary groups, a result that suggests the maintenance of well-being after dietary protein reduction. This result, together with the findings of a companion study showing no changes in growth performances of foals, showed that a reduction of CP in foal diet is reconcilable with the maintenance of performance and welfare.

ACS Style

C. Sartori; N. Guzzo; S. Normando; L. Bailoni; Roberto Mantovani. Evaluation of behaviour in stabled draught horse foals fed diets with two protein levels. Animal 2017, 11, 147 -155.

AMA Style

C. Sartori, N. Guzzo, S. Normando, L. Bailoni, Roberto Mantovani. Evaluation of behaviour in stabled draught horse foals fed diets with two protein levels. Animal. 2017; 11 (1):147-155.

Chicago/Turabian Style

C. Sartori; N. Guzzo; S. Normando; L. Bailoni; Roberto Mantovani. 2017. "Evaluation of behaviour in stabled draught horse foals fed diets with two protein levels." Animal 11, no. 1: 147-155.

Journal article
Published: 01 October 2016 in Journal of Dairy Science
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This study aimed at estimating the relationships between linear type traits and milk production in the dual-purpose Aosta Red Pied (ARP) cattle breed, by expressing type traits as factor scores with the same biological meaning of the individual traits. Factor analysis was applied to individual type traits for muscularity and udder of 32,275 first-parity ARP cows, obtaining 3 factor scores for individual muscularity (F1), udder side (F2), and udder conformation (F3). Data from 169,008 test-day records of milk, fat, and protein yield (kg), belonging to the first 3 lactations of 16,605 cows, were also analyzed. After obtaining genetic parameters for both morphological factors and milk production traits through a series of AIREML single-trait models, bivariate analyses were performed on a data set accounting for 201,283 records of 35,530 cows, to assess the phenotypic and genetic correlations among all factor scores and milk yield traits. The heritability estimates obtained proved to be moderate for both groups of traits, ranging from 0.132 (fat) to 0.314 (F1). Muscularity factor showed moderate and negative genetic correlations (ra) with udder size (-0.376) and udder conformation (0.214) factors. A low and negative ra was found between udder factors. Strong and positive ra were found among all the 3 milk production traits and F 0010 (ra≥0.597). Negative ra with milk traits were obtained for both F 0005 and F3, ranging from -0.417 to -0.221. Phenotypic correlations were lower than the genetic ones, and sometimes close to zero. The antagonism between milk production and meat attitude traits suggests that great attention should be paid in assigning proper weight to the traits, comprising functional traits such as udder conformation, included in selection indices for the dual-purpose breed. The ra obtained for factor scores are consistent with previous estimates for the corresponding individual type traits, and this confirms the possible use of factor analysis to improve type traits relevant to beef attitude.

ACS Style

Serena Mazza; Nadia Guzzo; Cristina Sartori; Roberto Mantovani. Genetic correlations between type and test-day milk yield in small dual-purpose cattle populations: The Aosta Red Pied breed as a case study. Journal of Dairy Science 2016, 99, 8127 -8136.

AMA Style

Serena Mazza, Nadia Guzzo, Cristina Sartori, Roberto Mantovani. Genetic correlations between type and test-day milk yield in small dual-purpose cattle populations: The Aosta Red Pied breed as a case study. Journal of Dairy Science. 2016; 99 (10):8127-8136.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Serena Mazza; Nadia Guzzo; Cristina Sartori; Roberto Mantovani. 2016. "Genetic correlations between type and test-day milk yield in small dual-purpose cattle populations: The Aosta Red Pied breed as a case study." Journal of Dairy Science 99, no. 10: 8127-8136.

Journal article
Published: 06 August 2015 in Evolution
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In some species females compete for food, foraging territories, mating, and nesting sites. Competing females can exhibit morphological, physiological, and behavioral adaptations typical of males, which are commonly considered as secondary sexual traits. Competition and the development of traits increasing competitiveness require much energy and may exert adverse effects on fecundity and survival. From an evolutionary perspective, positive selection for increased competitiveness would then result in evolution of reduced values for traits related to fitness such as fecundity and survival. There is recent evidence for such evolutionary trade‐offs involving male competition, but no study has considered competing females so far. Using data from competitions for dominance in cows (Bos taurus), we found negative genetic correlations between traits providing success in competition, that is, fighting ability and fitness traits related to milk production and with fertility (the inverse of parity‐conception interval). Fighting ability also showed low but positive genetic correlations with “masculine” morphological traits, and negative correlations with “feminine” traits. A genetic change in traits over time has occurred due to selection on competitiveness, corresponding to an evolutionary process of “masculinization” counteracting the official selection for milk yield. Similar evolutionary trade‐off between success in competition and fitness components may be present in various species experiencing female competition.

ACS Style

Cristina Sartori; Serena Mazza; Nadia Guzzo; Roberto Mantovani. Evolution of increased competitiveness in cows trades off with reduced milk yield, fertility and more masculine morphology. Evolution 2015, 69, 2235 -2245.

AMA Style

Cristina Sartori, Serena Mazza, Nadia Guzzo, Roberto Mantovani. Evolution of increased competitiveness in cows trades off with reduced milk yield, fertility and more masculine morphology. Evolution. 2015; 69 (8):2235-2245.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cristina Sartori; Serena Mazza; Nadia Guzzo; Roberto Mantovani. 2015. "Evolution of increased competitiveness in cows trades off with reduced milk yield, fertility and more masculine morphology." Evolution 69, no. 8: 2235-2245.

Journal article
Published: 01 August 2015 in Livestock Science
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Serena Mazza; Cristina Sartori; Roberto Mantovani. Genetic parameters of type traits in two strains of dual purpose autochthonous Valdostana cattle. Livestock Science 2015, 178, 35 -42.

AMA Style

Serena Mazza, Cristina Sartori, Roberto Mantovani. Genetic parameters of type traits in two strains of dual purpose autochthonous Valdostana cattle. Livestock Science. 2015; 178 ():35-42.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Serena Mazza; Cristina Sartori; Roberto Mantovani. 2015. "Genetic parameters of type traits in two strains of dual purpose autochthonous Valdostana cattle." Livestock Science 178, no. : 35-42.