Alberto Cesarani
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View article: Single-step genomic evaluation for production and type traits in the Italian Mediterranean Buffalo
Single-step genomic evaluation for production and type traits in the Italian Mediterranean Buffalo Open
Single-step GBLUP (ssGBLUP) is becoming the most used method to predict breeding values in livestock, offering several advantages in terms of computational efficiency and simplifying the genetic evaluation process by integrating genomic, p…
View article: Assessing fertility: Development of a selection index for fertility in Italian Jersey cattle
Assessing fertility: Development of a selection index for fertility in Italian Jersey cattle Open
Selection for increased milk yield in dairy cattle has led to a decline in fertility due to unfavorable genetic correlation. However, fertility remains crucial in dairy farming for maintaining a regular productive cycle, ensuring continuou…
View article: Tracing shared genomic regions among local cattle breeds from Sardinia
Tracing shared genomic regions among local cattle breeds from Sardinia Open
Three local cattle breeds are farmed in the island of Sardinia (Italy): Sarda (SAR), Sardo-Bruna (SB), and Sardo-Modicana (SM). Historically, SAR was the Sardinian autochthonous breed, known for its resilience despite low productivity. To …
View article: Uncovering genomic traces of local adaptation and milk production traits in the Comisana Sheep, a Mediterranean dairy breed
Uncovering genomic traces of local adaptation and milk production traits in the Comisana Sheep, a Mediterranean dairy breed Open
Domestic animals provide valuable models for exploring the genetic basis of long-term adaptation to diverse environments over relatively short evolutionary timescales. This study investigates genomic signatures of selection in the Comisana…
View article: Machine learning algorithms to trace the origin of milk from infra-red spectra in sheep
Machine learning algorithms to trace the origin of milk from infra-red spectra in sheep Open
In the agri-food supply chain, geographical traceability of milk is essential, quality components being strictly related to the environment and to specific farming. The aim of this study was to test different machine learning approaches fo…
View article: Approximating reliabilities of indirect predictions using single nucleotide polymorphism effects from large single-step genomic best linear unbiased predictor evaluations
Approximating reliabilities of indirect predictions using single nucleotide polymorphism effects from large single-step genomic best linear unbiased predictor evaluations Open
Reliability (REL) is a metric used to assess how accurately breeding values are predicted. Calculating theoretical REL requires the prediction error variance from the inverse of the coefficient matrix of the mixed model equations, which is…
View article: SNP-based diagnosis of robertsonian translocation 1;29 in Italian cattle breeds: frequency estimation and efficient detection
SNP-based diagnosis of robertsonian translocation 1;29 in Italian cattle breeds: frequency estimation and efficient detection Open
Robertsonian translocation 1;29 (rob(1;29)) is the most widespread chromosomal aberration in cattle, known to cause fertility impairment in heterozygous carriers. While karyological screening programs exist for some breeds, the analysis of…
View article: Genome-based analysis for the identification of candidate genes associated with skin-photosensitization tolerance in sheep
Genome-based analysis for the identification of candidate genes associated with skin-photosensitization tolerance in sheep Open
In ruminant livestock, skin photosensitization, caused by the ingestion of toxic plants, is relatively common and affects animal production. In this study, genotyping data from the Illumina OvineSNP50 BeadChip from two Italian local sheep …
View article: A meta-analysis on use of agro-industrial by-products rich in polyphenols in dairy small ruminant nutrition
A meta-analysis on use of agro-industrial by-products rich in polyphenols in dairy small ruminant nutrition Open
The recovery and reuse of agro-industrial by-products (AIBP) in livestock feeding fully align with the goals set by the European Union, aimed at achieving climate neutrality by 2050. The literature contains many studies related to the incl…
View article: Phenotypic and genetic analysis of auction selling performances of young Simmental calves
Phenotypic and genetic analysis of auction selling performances of young Simmental calves Open
Italian Simmental (IS) is a dual-purpose cattle breed that counts about 90,000 cows registered in its official Herdbook. The breeding scheme is based on a composite index in which meat production has a 20% weight. The sale of calves is a s…
View article: Effect of heat stress on milk production traits and milk coagulation properties in dairy sheep
Effect of heat stress on milk production traits and milk coagulation properties in dairy sheep Open
Heat stress in farmed animals is becoming a problem of great importance even in temperate climates, especially due to the increase in average global temperatures. Previous studies conducted on sheep have reported negative effects of heat s…
View article: Relationship Between Bio-Climatic and Milk Composition Data of Dairy Sheep Farms: Comparison Between THI and Multivariate Weather Index
Relationship Between Bio-Climatic and Milk Composition Data of Dairy Sheep Farms: Comparison Between THI and Multivariate Weather Index Open
Milk yield and its composition show individual variation due to the effects of the environment. Previous studies suggest that meteorological variables exert negative effects on milk yield and composition, especially during summer. This stu…
View article: Evaluation of genetic differences between two autochthonous Spanish cattle breeds
Evaluation of genetic differences between two autochthonous Spanish cattle breeds Open
Genetic diversity was assessed in five subpopulations (Negra-MORB and Cárdena-MORC for Morucha breed; Jarda-JAR, Bociblanca-BOC, and Avileña-Negra Ibérica breed-ANI for Avileña Negra Ibérica main breed) belonging to two local Spanish cattl…
View article: Aligning phenotypic and genetic trends: comparing trends from threshold and linear models in pigs
Aligning phenotypic and genetic trends: comparing trends from threshold and linear models in pigs Open
This study aimed to compare phenotypic and genetic trends when genomic breeding values (GEBV) were computed using linear and threshold models or when GEBV were transformed to the probability scale for wean-to-finish mortality (WFM) and fro…
View article: Effect of grape pomace supplementation in mid-lactation dairy ewes on production and quality of milk and methane emissions
Effect of grape pomace supplementation in mid-lactation dairy ewes on production and quality of milk and methane emissions Open
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of including grape pomace (GP) in the diets of ewes during mid-lactation on milk composition, milk coagulation properties (MCP), and methane emissions, using a Laser Methane Detector (LMD). …
View article: Genomic Analysis of Sarda Sheep Raised at Diverse Temperatures Highlights Several Genes Involved in Adaptations to the Environment and Heat Stress Response
Genomic Analysis of Sarda Sheep Raised at Diverse Temperatures Highlights Several Genes Involved in Adaptations to the Environment and Heat Stress Response Open
Livestock expresses complex traits influenced by several factors. The response of animals to variations in climatic factors, such as increases in temperature, may induce heat stress conditions. In this study, animals living at different te…
View article: Combined Use of Univariate and Multivariate Approaches to Detect Selection Signatures Associated with Milk or Meat Production in Cattle
Combined Use of Univariate and Multivariate Approaches to Detect Selection Signatures Associated with Milk or Meat Production in Cattle Open
Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the genomic structure of the cattle breeds selected for meat and milk production and to identify selection signatures between them. Methods: A total of 391 animals genotyped at 41,258 SN…
View article: Genetic aspects of major blood metabolites in the Italian Simmental cattle population
Genetic aspects of major blood metabolites in the Italian Simmental cattle population Open
The Simmental breed is widely known for its resilience, robustness, and resistance to disease, and the incidence of ketosis in this breed is therefore generally lower compared with Holsteins. Blood concentrations of nonesterified fatty aci…
View article: A transgenerational study on the effect of granddam conception month on granddaughter test day records for milk production traits in Italian Simmental cattle
A transgenerational study on the effect of granddam conception month on granddaughter test day records for milk production traits in Italian Simmental cattle Open
The consequences of climate change are becoming a relevant issue also for the livestock industry in temperate countries. Transgenerational studies outlined the effect of the ancestors’ calving season, considered as an indicator of the peri…
View article: 119 Awardee Talk: Decoding genomic predictions and genome-wide association in large populations
119 Awardee Talk: Decoding genomic predictions and genome-wide association in large populations Open
Data recording is an integral part of breeding programs. Some breed associations and breeding companies keep historical data that may go back to the 1950s. While pruning old data can help decrease computing costs without sacrificing accura…
View article: A high-density genome-wide approach reveals novel genetic markers linked to small ruminant lentivirus susceptibility in sheep
A high-density genome-wide approach reveals novel genetic markers linked to small ruminant lentivirus susceptibility in sheep Open
Visna/Maedi virus (VMV) is lentiviral disease of sheep responsible for severe production losses. Multiple genomic regions associated with infection were reported indicating genetic complexity. In this study, a combined genome-wide approach…
View article: A comparison of genetic and genomic breeding values in Saanen and Alpine goats
A comparison of genetic and genomic breeding values in Saanen and Alpine goats Open
Nowadays, several countries are developing or adopting genomic selection in the dairy goat sector. The most used method to estimate breeding values is Single-Step Genomic Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (ssGBLUP) which offers several advan…
View article: Predicting feed efficiency of Angus steers using the gastrointestinal microbiome
Predicting feed efficiency of Angus steers using the gastrointestinal microbiome Open
Microbial composition of the gastrointestinal tracts is an important factor affecting the variation in feed efficiency in ruminants. Several studies have investigated the composition of the ruminal and fecal microbiotas, as well as their i…
View article: Analysis of ddRAD-seq data provides new insights into the genomic structure and patterns of diversity in Italian donkey populations
Analysis of ddRAD-seq data provides new insights into the genomic structure and patterns of diversity in Italian donkey populations Open
With more than 150 recognized breeds, donkeys assume relevant economic importance, especially in developing countries. Even if the estimated number of heads worldwide is 53M, this species received less attention than other livestock specie…
View article: Effect of genotyping density on the detection of runs of homozygosity and heterozygosity in cattle
Effect of genotyping density on the detection of runs of homozygosity and heterozygosity in cattle Open
Runs of homozygosity (ROHom) are contiguous stretches of homozygous regions of the genome. In contrast, runs of heterozygosity (ROHet) are heterozygosity-rich regions. The detection of these two types of genomic regions (ROHom and ROHet) i…