Browsing by Author "Weeks M"
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- ItemAnimal factors affecting the cheese-making properties and the heat coagulation time of milk from dairy sheep in a New Zealand flock(Taylor and Francis Group on behalf of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 2024-03-27) Marshall AC; Lopez-Villalobos N; Loveday SM; Weeks M; McNabb WThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of animal factors on the cheese-making properties and on the heat coagulation time of milk from individual dairy sheep in a New Zealand flock. A total of 521 individual records were obtained from a seasonal pasture-based flock of 169 ewes milked once-a-day, from 50 to 182 days in milk. A statistical model was used to quantify the effects of animal factors (coat colour variety, age, litter size and stage of lactation) on the studied traits. Stage of lactation, confounded with seasonality, strongly influenced all properties of milk investigated. With the advancement of lactation, the milk took longer to coagulate after rennet addition, and the curd was softer. Higher relative cheese yield was achieved towards the end of lactation. The milk was also less stable to high-temperature treatment in late lactation. Coefficient of variation for processability traits was high and ranged from 20.2% to 58%, which can be largely attributed to stage of lactation but could also indicate room for genetic improvement of traits. Further genetic studies are underway to define animal genetic variance, heritability, and the phenotypic and genetic correlations between these processability and milk composition traits.
- ItemCandidate gene search for milk production and composition, milk coagulation properties, and milk protein profile in dairy sheep from a New Zealand flock(Taylor and Francis Group, 2025-07-11) Marshall AC; Lopez-Villalobos N; Vigolo V; Marchi MD; Loveday SM; Weeks M; McNabb WThe objective of this study was to perform genome-wide association analysis and thus search for candidate genes for milk production and composition, milk coagulation properties (MCP), and milk protein profile in dairy sheep from a New Zealand flock. After quality control, 45,801 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were included in the analysis, 147 ewes, and 470 individual records. A total of 87 SNPs and 55 candidate genes were found across Ovis aries autosomes (OAR) 2, 3, 6, 16, 18, 20, 25, and 26. Of particular importance, were the candidate genes PDZRN4 for milk yield, and BMP2K for contents of αs1- and αs2-caseins. No SNPs were found in the casein genes, LALBA or PAEP. Only one SNP was significant for MCP, and overall, the genetic architecture of MCP was similar to that of ratio of casein to calcium, pH, lactose, and the ratio of casein to protein. Further studies with larger flocks and with genomic imputation are required to validate the findings of this study before incorporating markers or genes into breeding programmes.
- ItemEffect of protein polymorphisms on milk composition, coagulation properties, and protein profile in dairy sheep(Elsevier Ltd, 2025-01-01) Marshall AC; Vigolo V; De Marchi M; Lopez-Villalobos N; Loveday SM; Weeks M; McNabb WThe objective of this study was to quantify the effect of protein polymorphisms on milk composition, coagulation properties, and protein profile in dairy sheep from a New Zealand flock. A total of 470 test-day records, from 147 lactating ewes, were used in the statistical analyses. Protein polymorphisms observed in the RP-HPLC were self-named for purposes of the present study. Data were analyzed using a mixed linear model, including the fixed effects of ewe age, litter size, coat-colour, and stage of lactation, and, as a covariate, deviation from the median lambing date of the flock. The effects of protein polymorphisms were added to the model, one at a time. Protein polymorphisms were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with milk composition and protein profile. Polymorphisms of β-lactoglobulin were significantly associated with milk heat stability, being AB type more heat stable than AA. The other processability traits were not significantly affected by protein polymorphisms. Further studies are required to confirm the protein variants and the properties of individual protein polymorphisms.
- ItemEstimation of genetic parameters for production, composition and processability of milk from dairy sheep in a New Zealand flock(Taylor and Francis Group, 2024-06-27) Marshall AC; Lopez-Villalobos N; Loveday SM; Weeks M; McNabb WThis paper aimed to estimate the heritability and genetic correlations for processability (milk coagulation properties, cheese yield, and heat stability), milk production, and milk composition of dairy sheep in a New Zealand flock. Test-day records from 169 ewes were obtained during the 2021–2022 season. Heritability estimates for yield traits (milk, fat, protein, and lactose yield) were moderate and ranged from 0.33 to 0.38. Whereas heritability estimates for processability traits were lower and ranged from 0.17 to 0.27. The genetic correlations indicated that poorer milk coagulation properties were associated with lower mammary health indicated by higher SCS, higher pH, and lower lactose content. Additionally, a higher ratio of casein to calcium i.e. lower availability of soluble calcium was associated with poorer milk coagulation properties. Higher yields of milk, fat, protein, and lactose were associated, but to a smaller degree, with better MCP. It is proposed that genetic improvement of dairy sheep for higher yields of fat and protein, and for lower SCS, could indirectly improve milk processability for cheese-making. However, it is recommended that larger studies involving more dairy sheep flocks are conducted to validate the present results before developing a selection index for this industry.
- ItemGenome-wide association studies for citric and lactic acids in dairy sheep milk in a New Zealand flock(Taylor and Francis Group, 2024-08-05) Zongqi A; Marshall AC; Jayawardana JMDR; Weeks M; Loveday SM; McNabb W; Lopez-Villalobos NThe objectives of this study were to estimate genetic parameters for citric acid content (CA) and lactic acid content (LA) in sheep milk and to identify the associated candidate genes in a New Zealand dairy sheep flock. Records from 165 ewes were used. Heritability estimates based on pedigree records for CA and LA were 0.65 and 0.33, respectively. The genetic and phenotypic correlations between CA and LA were strong-moderate and negative. Estimates of genomic heritability for CA and LA were also high (0.85, 0.51) and the genomic correlation between CA and LA was strongly negative (-0.96 ± 0.11). No significant associations were found at the Bonferroni level. However, one intragenic SNP in C1QTNF1 (chromosome 11) was associated with CA, at the chromosomal significance threshold. Another SNP associated with CA was intergenic (chromosome 15). For LA, the most notable SNP was intragenic in CYTH1 (chromosome 11), the other two SNPs were intragenic in MGAT5B and TIMP2 (chromosome 11), and four SNPs were intergenic (chromosomes 1 and 24). The functions of candidate genes indicate that CA and LA could potentially be used as biomarkers for energy balance and clinical mastitis. Further research is recommended to validate the present results.
- ItemIntragastric restructuring dictates the digestive kinetics of heat-set milk protein gels of contrasting textures(Elsevier, 2024-11) Li S; Mungure T; Ye A; Loveday SM; Ellis A; Weeks M; Singh HThe gelation of milk proteins can be achieved by various means, enabling the development of diverse products. In this study, heat-set milk protein gels (15 % protein) of diverse textures were made by pH modulation and two gels were selected for dynamic in vitro gastric digestion: a spoonable soft gel (SG, pH 6.55' G' of ∼100 Pa) and a sliceable firm gel (FG, pH 5.65; G' of ∼7000 Pa). The two gels displayed markedly different structural changes and digestion kinetics during gastric digestion. The SG underwent substantial structural compaction during the first 120 min of gastric digestion into a denser and firmer gastric chyme (26.3 % crude protein, G* of ∼8500 Pa) than the chyme of the FG (15.7 % crude protein, G* of ∼3000 Pa). These contrasting intragastric structural changes of the gels reversed their original textural differences, which led to slower digestion and gastric emptying of proteins from the SG compared with the FG. The different intragastric pH profiles during the digestion of the two gels likely played a key role by modulating the proteolytic activity and specificity (to κ-casein) of pepsin. Preferential early cleavage of κ-casein in SG stimulated coagulation and compaction of solid chyme, whereas rapid hydrolysis of αS- and β-caseins in the FG weakened coagulation. This study provided new insights into controlling the structural development of dairy-based foods during gastric digestion and modulating digestion kinetics.
- ItemThe impact of heat-set milk protein gel textures modified by pH on circulating amino acid appearance and gastric function in healthy female adults: a randomised controlled trial.(Royal Society of Chemistry, 2024-05-21) Milan AM; Menting GGA; Barnett MPG; Liu Y; McNabb WC; Roy NC; Hutchings SC; Mungure T; Weeks M; Li S; Hort J; Calder S; O'Grady G; Mithen RFModification of dairy proteins during processing impacts structural assemblies, influencing textural and nutritional properties of dairy products, and release and availability of amino acids during digestion. By modifying only pH, acid heat-set bovine dairy gels with divergent textural properties were developed to alter protein digestion. In vitro assay confirmed faster digestion of protein from a firm gel (pH 5.65) versus a soft gel (pH 6.55). We hypothesised that firm gel (FIRM-G; pH 5.6) would result in greater indispensable amino acid (IAA) appearance in circulation over 5 h and corresponding differences in gastric myoelectrical activity relative to soft gel (SOFT-G; pH 6.2). In a randomised, single-blind cross-over trial, healthy females (n = 20) consumed 150 g of each gel; plasma amino acid appearance was assessed over 5 hours. Iso-nitrogenous, iso-caloric gels were prepared from identical mixtures of bovine milk and whey protein concentrates; providing 17.7 g (FIRM-G) and 18.9 g (SOFT-G) of protein per serving. Secondary outcomes included gastric myoelectrical activity measured by body surface gastric mapping, glycaemic, triglyceridaemic, and subjective appetite and digestive responses. Overall plasma IAA (area under the curve) did not differ between gels. However, plasma IAA concentrations were higher, and increased more rapidly over time after SOFT-G compared with FIRM-G (1455 ± 53 versus 1350 ± 62 μmol L-1 at 30 min, p = 0.024). Similarly, total, branched-chain and dispensable amino acids were higher at 30 min with SOFT-G than FIRM-G (total: 3939 ± 97 versus 3702 ± 127 μmol L-1, p = 0.014; branched-chain: 677 ± 30 versus 619 ± 34 μmol L-1, p = 0.047; dispensable: 2334 ± 53 versus 2210 ± 76 μmol L-1, p = 0.032). All other measured parameters were similar between gels. Peak postprandial aminoacidaemia was higher and faster following ingestion of SOFT-G. Customised plasma amino acid appearance from dairy is achievable by altering gel coagulum structure using pH during processing and may have minimal influence on related postprandial responses, with implications for targeting food design for optimal health. The Clinical Trial Registry number is ACTRN12622001418763 (https://www.anzctr.org.au) registered November 7, 2022.
- ItemUdder and teat morphology traits associated with milk production and somatic cell score in dairy sheep from a New Zealand flock(Taylor and Francis Group on behalf of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 2024) Marshall AC; Lopez-Villalobos N; Loveday SM; Weeks M; McNabb W; Handcock RThe objective of this study was to estimate the phenotypic correlations between udder and teat morphology traits, milk production traits, and somatic cell score in dairy sheep from a flock in New Zealand. A total of 162 lactating ewes were scored for morphology traits during the milk production season of 2021–2022. The 130-d lactation yields of milk, fat, protein, and lactose were obtained with 2–4 test-days from each ewe and modelled using random regression with orthogonal polynomials. Age had a significant effect on all udder and teat traits. Coat-colour (genetic variety within the breed; white or black) was a significant effect for teat angle and udder separation. Udders that were above the hook were associated with lower milk, fat, protein, and lactose yields. Udders with well-defined separation between halves were associated with higher milk, protein, and lactose yields, and with lower somatic cell count. Well-attached udders were associated with lower fat yield and lower somatic cell score. Teats with a backwards angle were associated with lower milk and lactose yields. Further studies are needed to estimate heritability and genetic correlations between these traits to determine whether these traits should be implemented in breeding programs for dairy sheep in New Zealand.
