In this perspective analysis, we strive to answer the following question: how can we advance integrative biology research in the 21st century with lessons from animal science? At the University of ...Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Animal Science, we share here our three lessons learned in the two decades from 2002 to 2022 that we believe could inform integrative biology, systems science, and animal science scholarship in other countries and geographies. Cultivating multiomics knowledge through a conceptual lens of integrative biology is crucial for life sciences research that can stand the test of diverse biological, clinical, and ecological contexts. Moreover, in an era of the current COVID-19 pandemic, animal nutrition and animal science, and the study of their interactions with human health (and vice versa) through integrative biology approaches hold enormous prospects and significance for systems medicine and ecosystem health.
The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters of 26 individual and four composite type traits in first parity Cika cows. An analysis of variance was performed with the generalized linear ...model procedure of the SAS/STAT statistical package, where the fixed effects of year of recording, cow's age at recording and days after calving as a linear regression were included in the model. The variance components for the direct additive genetic effect and the herd effect in all type traits were estimated using the REML method in the VCE-6 software package. The estimated heritabilities ranged from 0.42 to 0.67 for the measured body frame traits, from 0.36 to 0.80 for the scored autochthonous traits, from 0.11 to 0.61 for the scored body frame traits, and from 0.20 to 0.47 for the scored udder traits. The estimated heritabilities for the composite traits called "autochthonous characteristics", "muscularity", "body frame" and "udder" were 0.55, 0.19, 0.19, and 0.26, respectively. The estimated genetic correlations among the measured body frame traits were positive and high, while the majority of them among the scored body frame traits were low to moderate. The estimated proportions of variance explained by the herd effect for the composite traits "autochthonous characteristics," "muscularity," "body frame" and "udder" were 0.09, 0.28, 0.14, and 0.10, respectively. The estimated heritabilities for the type traits of first parity Cika cows were similar to those reported for other breeds where breeding values have been routinely predicted for a long time. All estimated genetic parameters are already used for breeding value prediction in the Cika cattle population.
The EZ-DripLoss method is relatively new gravimetric method that is used for the determination of excessive drip in meat. The literature reports diversity regarding the use of EZ-DripLoss ...methodology. In the standardized EZ-DripLoss method, drip loss is calculated as the change in the container weight, whereas in the modified EZ-DripLoss method, it is calculated as the change in sample weight. This technical note aimed to research the relationship between these two methods on chicken breast meat (40 broilers from the line Ross 308) during the measurement interval of 24, 48, and 72 h. The results showed statistically a significant positive linear increase in drip loss values regardless of the used method during all of the investigated measurement intervals. At 24, 48, and 72 h of storage, the average drip loss in the weighed samples was 0.77, 1.40, and 2.23 percentage points greater than in the not weighed samples (
< 0.0001), respectively. A strong and positive estimate of correlation coefficients between the drip loss of weighed and not weighed samples was found after 24 h (r = 0.95), 48 h (r = 0.92), and 72 h (r = 0.86). This technical report indicates that the used EZ-DripLoss methodology highly influences the drip loss in chicken breast meat and the comparisons of the EZ-DripLoss results should be performed with great caution.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The purpose of the study was to investigate how different milk recording seasons affected the prevalence of mastitis and the potential for cows to recover from it. After conducting logical data ...validation, a total of 3,953,637 test-day records of Holstein cows obtained during the milk recording period from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2022, were used. The findings revealed that mastitis was most prevalent in the autumn season, and during this period, there was a lower total increase in milk production. On the other hand, the prevalence of healthy cows was maximum in summer and winter, while the winter season showed the highest overall increase in milk production. These results suggest that the prevalence of mastitis and the potential for recovery in cows are significantly influenced by the season, and the values may vary considerably. During the winter season, which is characterized by lower temperatures and humidity levels, the animals have the maximum likelihood of recuperation and regaining their production capacity in a manner that is consistent with their genetic potential.
This study analysed over 10 million test-day records collected between January 2005 and December 2022, to determine the prevalence of subclinical and clinical mastitis in Holstein and Simmental cows, ...and its impact on subsequent milk production. The daily somatic cell count (SCC) served as an indicator of subclinical (200,000/ml to 400,000/ml) and clinical (>400,000/ml) mastitis. The study found that mastitis-related problems increased with parity, and were more frequent in Holstein cows than in Simmental cows. The study identified factors affecting daily milk yield, including lactation stage, age at first calving, farm size, recording season, and breeding region. It was also found that subclinical and clinical mastitis significantly impacted milk production. The day when subclinical/clinical mastitis was detected (D-0) had the lowest milk yield, followed by an increase in milk production in the subsequent recordings. The increase in production varied depending on the form of mastitis, cow’s breed (Holstein or Simmental), and cow’s parity. The first successive milk recording (A-1) showed the greatest increase in daily milk yield across both breeds and all parities. The increase in daily milk yield was higher following clinical than subclinical mastitis, and was more pronounced in Holstein than in the Simmental breed. After the initial increase in milk production, almost all cows had a decline in milk yield in the subsequent period after subclinical mastitis. Further, a continued increase was observed in all cows after clinical mastitis. The analysis of monthly and total differences in milk production indicated that cows had the highest monthly increase in milk production in the first month after subclinical/clinical mastitis. The highest total increase in milk production was observed in Holstein primiparous cows, which amounted to 44.91 kg after clinical mastitis. In comparison to the Holstein breed, Simmental cows had a lower increase in milk production. Generally, Holstein cows had a better production increase or recovery potential than Simmental cows, particularly after clinical mastitis. Primiparous Holsteins and Simmentals exhibited the highest total production increase in the second parity. The analysis of the animal’s recovery capability after the occurrence of a mastitis-related problem revealed that primiparous cows had the lowest initial increase in milk production, but they were able to regenerate more in the total period compared to the older cows with higher initial but lower total increase.
Mastitis, a production disease highly prevalent in dairy farming, poses a significant challenge to farmers. It is responsible for decreased milk production, reduced milk quality, and increased ...treatment costs. Thus, early detection and prompt treatment are essential to prevent the infection and minimize the mastitis impact. This study aimed to determine how farm size affects the prevalence, effect, and cost of mastitis. Therefore, a total of 4,922,751 test-day records for dairy Simmental cows collected in the period 2005-2022 were analysed. Results showed that mastitis was most prevalent among small farms, which also exhibited a lower total increase in milk production. In contrast, the highest prevalence of healthy cows was observed at large farms, with the highest total increase in milk production.
The climatic conditions in Croatia are deteriorating which significantly increases the frequency of heat stress. This creates a need for an adequate dairy farming strategy. The impact of heat stress ...can be reduced in many ways, but the best long-term solution includes the genetic evaluation and selection for heat stress resistance. In order to create the basis for genetic evaluation, this research determined the variation in daily milk yield (DMY) and somatic cell count (SCC) as well as the differences in resistance to heat stress due to production level (high, low) and breed (Holstein, Simmental) of dairy cattle breed in Croatia. For statistical analysis, 1,070,554 test-day records from 70,135 Holsteins reared on 5679 farms and 1,300,683 test-day records from 86,013 Simmentals reared on 8827 farms in Croatia provided by the Croatian Agricultural Agency were used. The results of this research indicate that the high-producing cows are much more susceptible to heat stress than low-producing especially Holsteins. Also, the results of this research indicate that Simmental breed, in terms of daily milk production and somatic cell count, could be more resistant to heat stress than Holstein. The following research should determine whether Simmentals are genetically more appropriate for the challenges that are in store for the future milk production in this region. Furthermore, could an adequate production level be achieved with Simmentals by maintaining the heat resistance?
Transglutaminases (TG) are enzymes that improve the functional properties of proteins in meat products, contribute to the strong cohesion of meat without the further need for the addition of sodium ...chloride or phosphates, and have a positive effect on the texture of the meat product. This study aimed to investigate the physicochemical and sensory attributes of intact and restructured chicken meat supplemented with different TG proportions. The study was conducted on chicken breast meat samples (n = 40) originating from the line Ross 308. The intact samples were separated from the pectoralis major muscle, whereas the rest of the breast meat was ground, divided into equal parts, and supplemented with TG (0.2%; 0.4%; 0.6%; 0.8%; 1%). The intact meat had the highest cooking loss (19.84) when compared to 0.2% (15.51), 0.4% (15.04), 0.6% (14.95), 0.8% (14.95), and 1% (15.79) TG-supplemented meat. The intact meat had greater shear force (16.90) than 0.2% (5.16), 0.4% (5.39), 0.6% (5.16), 0.8% (5.98), and 1% (6.92) TG supplemented meat. There was no difference between intact meat and TG-supplemented meat in color, taste, odor, texture, and overall acceptability (p > 0.05). Therefore, TG supplementation can be used in improving yield and texture of minced chicken meat.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Although the EZ-DripLoss method has been performed in numerous studies, there is a deficiency in our knowledge of the EZ-DripLoss method's suitability for poultry meat analysis. This study aimed to ...research the effect of different sample areas (10, 20, and 30 mm;
= 240), and fiber orientations (vertical vs. horizontal) on the EZ-DripLoss in chicken breast meat measured across a period of five days. The influence of sample area on the EZ-DripLoss of chicken breast meat with respect to the fiber orientation and across the five-day measurement interval was significant between 10 and 30 mm samples, and between 20 and 30 mm samples (
< 0.001). The estimated regression coefficient showed that EZ-DripLoss for the samples with horizontal and vertical fiber direction of 10 and 20 mm, significantly increased by 0.04% per hour, while for the samples with vertical fiber direction whose diameter was 30 mm, it significantly increased by 0.06% per hour, and for the horizontal fiber direction, it significantly increased by 0.07% per hour. The samples with vertical fiber orientation had 0.50% greater EZ-DripLoss compared to the samples with horizontal fiber orientation. EZ-DripLoss evaluation in chicken breast should be performed with a sample core diameter of 20 mm, a vertical fiber orientation, and over the course of longer measurement intervals.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The aim of the study was to research milk yield, composition and hygienic quality of routinely produced milk from Lipizzan mares. It was the first known case of adapting mares of this breed to the ...routine machine milking procedure. Three Lipizzan mares included in the routine machine milking produced commercial quantities of mare’s milk. Milk from Lipizzan horse breed was for the first time obtained and analysed in such quantity. The mares were milked consecutively three times per day during five days in a week, and during weekends, they were joined with their foals. The average values were as follows: daily milk yield (MY) was 8.24 kg, fat content (FC) was 4.027 g/kg, protein content (PC) was 15.064 g/kg, lactose content (LC) was 63.218 g/kg, somatic cell count (SCC) was 6.556 x 10³/ml, total bacteria count (TBC) was 114.689 x 10³/ml, and average freezing point (FP) was -0.505 °C. Consecutive milking significantly influenced PC, LC, SCC, and TBC. FC tended to increase with days in milk, whereas PC, SCC, and TBC decreased during the lactation stage. Significant differences between mares were found in PC, LC, SSC and TBC. Interaction between consecutive milking and mare was significant only for FC. The study confirmed that warmblooded horse breed can be used for commercial milk production along with coldblooded breeds. Routine machine milk production with use of Lipizzan mares could add an economic value to the indigenous breed and serve as an additional reason for its preservation.Key words: milk composition; milk yield; days in milk; consecutive milking; hygienic quality KOLIČINA, SESTAVA IN HIGIENSKA KAKOVOST MLEKA PRIDOBLJENEGA Z RUTINSKO STROJNO MOLŽO LIPICANSKIH KOBILPovzetek: Pridobili in raziskali smo komercialno količino namolženega mleka kobil lipicanske pasme. Rutinska mehanska molža treh kobil je potekala na raziskovalni ustavnovi, registrirani za prirejo kobiljega mleka. Rezultati so pokazali, da je bila povprečna dnevna količina mleka (KM) 8,24 kg, mleko pa je v povprečju vsebovalo 4,027 g maščobe/kg, 15,064 g beljakovin/kg in 63,218 g laktoze/kg. Povprečno število somatskih celic v mleku je bilo 6,556 x 10³/ml, povprečno skupno število mikroorganizmov 114,689 x 10³/ml, povprečna zmrziščna točka (ZT) mleka pa -0,505 °C. Rezultati analize variance so pokazali, da se količina beljakovin in laktoze ter število somatskih celic in skupno število mikroorganizmov statistično značilno razlikujejo glede na zaporedno molžo ter med posameznimi kobilami ter da se količina beljakovin, število somatskih celic in skupno število mikroorganizmov v mleku zmanjšuje z napredovanjem laktacije, medtem ko se vsebnost maščob povečuje. Interakcija med zaporedno molžo in kobilo je statistično značilno vplivala le na vsebnost maščob. Gre za prvo raziskavo mleka kobil lipicanske pasme, kar omogoča nadaljno primerjavo med pasmami. Uporaba kobil te slovenske avtohtone pasme konj za komercialno rutinsko prirejo mleka bi predstavljala njeno dodatno gospodarsko vrednost in s tem razlog za ohranitev.Ključne besede: sestava mleka; količina mleka; stadij laktacije; zaporedna molža; higienska kakovost mleka