Maintaining the genetic diversity of autochthonous breeds is very important and should be included in animal breeding strategies and conservation plans with the aim to preserve animals, adapted to ...variety of husbandry systems and different environmental conditions. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation studies were particularly useful in establishing relationship and variability between and within domestic species populations. The mtDNA D-loop sequencing was used to determine the genetic status of 41 Busha cattle from different parts of Croatia along with 21 Busha mtDNA sequences from Genbank, and assessing Busha cattle phylogenetic relationship to the other Croatian autochthonous cattle breeds, as well as to the commercial cattle breeds and main described mtDNA haplotypes. The analysis of Busha cattle mtDNA D-loop sequences revealed presence of 26 different haplotypes, which confirms a high genetic variability of the preserved maternal components. Comparison with major cattle haplogroups sequences revealed that majority of Busha cattle were in the T3 haplogroup (44%), while other haplotypes were present in lesser extent (8% T1, 7% T2, 13% T4 and 5% T6). Haplotype H2 (23% of all Busha cattle sequences) didn’t cluster with any of the T haplogroups. Employment of more powerful genetic markers should reveal the correct status of the new haplotype H2 and better understanding of genetic variation and relationships among Busha cattle and entire brachicerous cattle population.
Natural and artificial directional selection in cosmopolitan and autochthonous pig breeds and wild boars have shaped their genomes and resulted in a reservoir of animal genetic diversity. Signatures ...of selection are the result of these selection events that have contributed to the adaptation of breeds to different environments and production systems. In this study, we analysed the genome variability of 19 European autochthonous pig breeds (Alentejana, Bísara, Majorcan Black, Basque, Gascon, Apulo-Calabrese, Casertana, Cinta Senese, Mora Romagnola, Nero Siciliano, Sarda, KrÅ¡kopolje pig, Black Slavonian, Turopolje, Moravka, Swallow-Bellied Mangalitsa, Schwäbisch-Hällisches Schwein, Lithuanian indigenous wattle and Lithuanian White old type) from nine countries, three European commercial breeds (Italian Large White, Italian Landrace and Italian Duroc), and European wild boars, by mining whole-genome sequencing data obtained by using a DNA-pool sequencing approach. Signatures of selection were identified by using a single-breed approach with two statistics within-breed pooled heterozygosity (H.sub.P) and fixation index (F.sub.ST) and group-based F.sub.ST approaches, which compare groups of breeds defined according to external traits and use/specialization/type. We detected more than 22 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the 23 compared populations and identified 359 chromosome regions showing signatures of selection. These regions harbour genes that are already known or new genes that are under selection and relevant for the domestication process in this species, and that affect several morphological and physiological traits (e.g. coat colours and patterns, body size, number of vertebrae and teats, ear size and conformation, reproductive traits, growth and fat deposition traits). Wild boar related signatures of selection were detected across all the genome of several autochthonous breeds, which suggests that crossbreeding (accidental or deliberate) occurred with wild boars. Our findings provide a catalogue of genetic variants of many European pig populations and identify genome regions that can explain, at least in part, the phenotypic diversity of these genetic resources.
The evaluation of the genetic structure of autochthonous pig breeds is very important for conservation of local pig breeds and preservation of diversity. In this study, 18 microsatellite loci were ...used to detect genetic relationship between autochthonous pig breeds Black Slavonian (BS), Turopolje pig (TP), and Croatian wild boar and to determine phylogenetic relationship among Croatian autochthonous pig breeds and certain Asian and European pigs using the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop sequence polymorphism. Relatively high degree of genetic variation was found between the observed populations. The analysis of mtDNA showed that haplotypes of the studied pig populations are different from the other European and Chinese haplotypes. BS pigs showed some similarities with Mangalitsa and Duroc breeds. The genetic distances of TP can be explained by high degree of inbreeding during the past century. Despite the European origin of Croatian pig breeds with some impact of Chinese breeds in the past, the results of present study show that genetic diversity is still pronounced within investigated breeds. Furthermore, the genetic diversity is even more pronounced between Croatian breeds and other European and Chinese pig breeds. Thus, conservation of Croatian pig breeds will contribute to overall genetic diversity preservation of pig breeds.
Current knowledge concerning the possible use and impact of replacing the soybean proteins with those derived from a defatted black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens, HI) meal while feeding chickens to ...produce the meat for human consumption is very limited. This study’s objective was to examine the influence of partial replacement of the HI-defatted flour on chicken meat’s technological properties and quality. 180 one-day-old Ross 308 chicks were divided into three experimental groups (P1, P2, and P3) and one control group counting 45 chicks. The experimental groups were fed with the fattening mixtures containing 15, 25, and 45% of the HI-defatted flour, while the control group was fed in accordance with the standard chicken-fattening requirements. After 42 days, the chickens were slaughtered, and the breasts and drumsticks of 40 chickens were subjected to analysis. A statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed in the P1 for the drip-loss values measured 24 hours after sampling, the muscle resistance to cutting, and the cooking loss values. The water-binding capacity for all three experimental groups did not demonstrate statistically significant differences for the pH1 and pH2 values. Considering the CIE L*a*b* color standard reference values, the results for the breast meat were normally to slightly lighter than normal ones. The basic chemical parameter (water, protein, fat, and collagen) results confirmed that there was no statistically significant difference in any of the experimental groups if compared to the control one.
Autochthonous pig breeds provide products of differentiated quality, among which quality control is difficult to perform and insufficient for current market requirements. The present research ...evaluates the predictive ability of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, combined with chemometric methods as a rapid and affordable tool to assure traceability and quality control. Thus, NIR technology was assessed for intact and minced muscle Longissimus thoracis et lumborum samples collected from 12 European autochthonous pig breeds for the quantification of lipid content and fatty acid composition. Different tests were performed using different numbers of samples for calibration and validation. The best predictive ability was found using minced presentation and set with 80% of the samples for the calibration and the remaining 20% for the external validation test for the following traits: lipid content and saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which attained both the highest determination coefficients (0.89, 0.61, and 0.65, respectively) and the lowest root mean square errors in external validation (0.62, 1.82, and 1.36, respectively). Lower predictive ability was observed for intact muscles. These results could contribute to improve the management of autochthonous breeds and to ensure quality of their products by traditional meat industry chains.
Present study was carried out on 32 pure Black Slavonian (BS) pigs and 32 crossbreds of Black Slavonian and Duroc (BSxDu); number of barrows and gilts was equal in both groups. Every three months, 4 ...barrows and 4 gilts from both groups were slaughtered for the analysis of tissue and primal parts development in the series of subsequent dissection trials covering a total fattening period of 12 months. The results showed that crossing the BS pigs with Duroc resulted in significant increase in the development of main tissues and primal parts. Significantly higher live weight, carcass weight and lean meat percentage was reported in BS pigs compared to BSxDu pigs (P<0.001). The exception was lean meat percentage determined at the age of 3 months (P>0.05). BSxDu pigs entered the experiment at significantly higher live weight (P<0.05) than BS pigs; this relationship continued during entire growth period. Muscle and fatty tissues followed the similar patterns of growth. Muscle tissue was produced in higher amounts than fat in case of BS pigs; in BSxDu pigs, fat overgrew muscle at the later stage of fattening. Although BS pigs exhibited lower formation of muscle tissue than BSxDu, their carcasses were significantly leaner.
There are severale Salmonid species, found in the river Neretva basin, among which S. trutta and S. obtusirostris. Also, natural hybrids such as S. obtusirostris x S. trutta have been observed. In ...one fish farm on the river Neretva, S. trutta and S. obtusirostris were decided to breed separately. Parental fishes were separated phenotypicaly on the basis of the morphological signs. PCR-RFLP analysis of the exon 3 to exon 4 part of the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) C1* gene with restriction endonuclease RsaI was employed to identify the presence of other species representatives or intercrosses in two groups of juvenille fishes. Using this method, we were able to identify two S. trutta representatives in the S. obtusirostris group.
Cilj rada bio je opisati potencijal rasta prasadi s osvrtom na hranidbene zahtjeve prasadi prije i nakon faze odbića. Rast prasadi je opisan sigmoidnom krivuljom koju karakterizira brzi porast ...tijekom prve faze te blagi pad u drugoj fazi proizvodnog ciklusa. Kako bi se smanjila depresija rasta tijekom prvih dana nakon odbića važno je osigurati razdoblje prilagodbe tijekom kojeg će prasad prijeći s hranidbe majčinim mlijekom na hranidbu krutom hranom. Iako prasad posjeduje veliki kapacitet za brzi porast nakon razdoblja odbića on može biti ograničen čimbenicima kao što su dob pri odbiću, hranidba, mikrobiološki ili fiziološki čimbenici. Suplemenati poput esencijalnih ulja, aminokiselina, selena ili kratkolančanih masnih kiselina u obrocima pozitivno utječu na zdravstveni status prasadi, ali i na njihov potencijal za rast tijekom kasnijih faza proizvodnog ciklusa. Izbalansiranom hranidbom u pogledaju energije i hranjivih tvari osiguravaju se optimalni uvjeti za postizanje zadovoljavajućih prirasta uz zadržavanje dobrog zdravstvenog statusa prasadi što čini preduvjet uspješne svinjogojske proizvodnje.
The aim of this study was to describe the growth potential of weaned piglets with reference to the nutritional requirements of piglets before
and after the weaning. Piglets growth is described by sigmoid curve that is characterized with a rapid increase during the first stages and a
slight decrease in the second stage of the production cycle. In order to reduce growth depression during the first days after the weaning, it is important to provide an adjustment period during which the piglets will switch from feeding with sow’s milk to solid feeding. Although piglets possess a large capacity for rapid growth after the weaning, it may be limited by factors such as age at the weaning, feeding, microbiological or physiological factors. The addition of supplements such as essential oils, amino acids, selenium or short-chain fatty acids
in meals have a positive effect on the health status of piglets, but also on their growth potential during the later stages of the production
cycle. A balanced diet in terms of energy and nutrients ensures optimal
conditions for achieving satisfactory growth and maintaining good health status of piglets, which is a prerequisite for successful pig production.
Pairs (18) of microsatelite primers were used in this study to detect the genetic relationship within Black Slavonian Pig and between Turopolje Pig, Mangalitsa breed and Croatian Wild Pigs. The ...second goal of this study was to determine phylogenetic relationships among these breeds and some Asian and European pigs using the mtDNA D-loop sequence polymorphism. The third goal was to determine the MC1R genotype of Black Slavonian pigs and to find an efficient and simple PCR-RFLP method, based on differences in MC1R genotype, to distinguish between purebred Black Slavonian pigs and their crossings with commercial pig breeds and Wild Boars. Aiming to conduct microsatellite analysis each animal was genotyped for 18 microsatelite markers, chosen based on their quality, size, polymorphism and location on the porcine genome as proposed by the FAO. Two pairs of primers amplified a 511-bp fragment of control region between sites 15 390 and 15 900 (Mit1.F and Mit1.R) and a 810-bp fragment between sites 15 825 and 16 634 (Mit2.F and Mi2.R) were genotyped for mtDNA. Two primer pairs were used to amplify the majority of the single exon of MC1R gene aiming to determinate MC1R genotype of Black Slavonian pig. The first pair of primers, MERL1 and EPIG2, was used to amplify a 428-bp product from the 5’ half of the exon, whereas EPIG1 and EPIG3 amplified a 405-bp product from the 3’ half. Our results showed that the 18 microsatellites used in this study were useful markers to study genetic diversity among Croatian autochthonous pig breeds. This set of microsatellites may be used for identifying individuals and for genetic diversity studies for selection and conservation of the Black Slavonian pig, Turopolje pig and Mangalitsa breed. Genetic distances between populations made with Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method noticed that studied populations are mostly clearly geneticaly defined. mtDNA analysis suggested that Black Slavonian and Turopolje pig showed genetic distances from the other European and Chinese pig breeds. Black Slavonian and Turopolje pig clustered together. Mangalitza was used in the development of Black Slavonian pig and this can explain their presence in clustering. Also, with this work, we were able to identify a simple PCR-RFLP method, based on different coat color MC1R gene genotypes, by which it is possible to detect potential crossings of autochthonous Black Slavonian pig with commercial pig breeds and including wild boars.