•Comprehensive database of autochthonous livestock breeds in the European Alps.•The origin of livestock breeds as indicator for cultural ecosystem service supply.•Cultural heritage and identity ...related ecosystem services by livestock agroecosystems.
Great changes have occurred in livestock management in recent decades that have been due to increased specialization and mechanization. In combination with a strong focus on high-yielding breeds and breeds that mainly offer provisioning ecosystem services, these changes have led to a considerable decline in the diversity of indigenous livestock breeds. The cultural benefits provided by locally adapted breeds and their genetic diversity have mostly been neglected. In this study, we aimed to identify the areas of origin of indigenous domesticated animal breeds in the Alpine Space (European Alps), in order to derive a spatially explicit index representing the breeds’ contribution to cultural heritage and identity. We compiled a database of the breeds of 14 domestic species that included all of the autochthonous breeds of the Alpine Space that could be cross-referenced in multiple sources. By overlaying the areas of origin of each breed with an administrative boundary layer, we derived an area-wide cultural ecosystem services (CES) index. We identified 261 breeds, with breeds of cattle, goats, sheep, and pigeons as the most frequently identified. The spatial distribution of specific breed groups indicated high variability in the Alpine Space. We found that some regions had no local breeds originating from them, whereas others were characterized by high breed diversity; it typically depended on region-specific breeding and extinction history. In terms of CES provision, the highest potential for cultural benefits was observed in the eastern Alps, with regional hotspots in Bavaria (DE), Tyrol (AT), and Salzburg (AT). The Veneto region (IT) also had high CES index values, which was mainly caused by highly diverse poultry breeds. The spatial distribution of CES provision in the Alpine Space highlights the heterogeneous nature of socio-ecological functioning, and contributes to the identification of critical areas of CES supply. It reveals an untapped potential for economic initiatives that involve marketing and labelling unique agricultural products from this region. If the branding of such products was limited to their place of origin, such initiatives could contribute to the long-term conservation of endangered breeds, and, consequently, constitute a promising conservation strategy.
•Lamb meat quality depends on the combined effect breed × production system.•BEDM and Gallega reared under extensive conditions had high amounts of n-3 PUFA.•Lambs reared under extensive system had ...the highest tocopherol and cholesterol levels.•Lambs reared under extensive system had the best n-6/n-3 ratio and high SFA content.•The production system and diet had great influence in meat quality.
This study aimed to compare lamb meat composition from five Iberian breeds raised in their typical rearing systems and to reveal trends in compositional meat attributes due to breed or production system. The meat quality of 153 animals was analysed. The combined effect of breed × production system produced significant differences in lamb meat quality. Meat from the extensively-reared Bordaleira-de-Entre-Douro-e-Minho (BEDM) and Gallega breeds had elevated amounts of n-3 PUFAs, tocopherol content and favourable n-6/n-3 ratio. Meat from lambs grown under extensive and semi-extensive systems presented higher content of conjugated linoleic acid than the two breeds reared intensively. The meat of commercial breed (INRA401) was characterised by higher content of protein and MUFAs and lower atherogenic potential than the breeds reared in extensive and semi-extensive systems. Principal component analysis demonstrated that meat from extensively raised lambs was associated to higher SFA, CLA, α-tocopherol, n-3, atherogenic index and cholesterol content, but lower intramuscular fat and retinol content, MUFA and n-6/n-3.
Cilj rada bio je opisati genetsku strukture te parametre genetske raznolikosti autohtonih pasmina svinja Hrvatske temeljem dosadašnjih podataka u dostupnoj literaturi. Očuvanju genetske raznolikosti ...autohtonih pasmina se posljednjih desetljeća pridaje sve veća pozornost jer predstavljaju kulturno i genetsko nasljeđe te zbog svoje otpornosti na bolesti i prilagodljivosti različitim uvjetima mogu imati važnu ulogu u popravljanju konstitucijskih svojstava hibrida i plemenitih pasmina. Povećana uporaba hibridnih linija i plemenitih pasmina u uzgoju i proizvodnji rezultirala je smanjenjem populacija izvornih pasmina te promjenom njihove genetske strukture. Kao posljedica navedenog, populacije izvornih pasmina imaju vrlo visoku stopu uzgoja u srodstvu, nisku genetsku raznolikost te vrlo često u ovakvim populacijama dolazi do procesa „uskog grla“. U cilju održavanja genetske raznolikosti hrvatskih autohtonih pasmina svinja potrebno je provoditi plansko sparivanje uz kontrolu podrijetla, praćenje održive stope uzgoja u srodstvu te provoditi selekciju s optimiziranim doprinosom u uzgojnim programima.
The purpose of the study was to show the genetic structure and diversity parameters of Croatian autochthonous pig breeds based on available literature data. The preservation of genetic diversity of autochthonous breeds has recently been increasingly emphasized due to their cultural and genetic importance. Their resistance to disease and their adaptability to different conditions can play an important role in the improvement of constitutive characteristics of hybrid and noble pig breeds. The increased use of hybrids and modern breeds in breeding and production resulted in a decrease in the populations of autochthonous breeds and a change in their genetic structure. As a consequence, the population of autochthonous breeds has a very high rate of inbreeding, low genetic diversity and very often in these populations there is a bottleneck process. In order to maintain genetic diversity of Croatian autochthonous pig breeds, it is necessary to carry out planned breeding with control of origin, monitor sustainable inbreeding rate and carry out optimum contribution selection in breeding programmes.
The aim of this study was to investigate the influences of sex and age on haematological values in the Posavje Horse breed. A total of 163 healthy Posavje horses (30 foals, 94 mares and 39 stallions) ...were used in this study; their complete blood counts and a leucogram were obtained with a haematological analyser. The horses were classified into five groups: foals (1 to 6 months, n = 30), 3 to 6 years (n = 8 stallions/21 mares), 7 to 9 years (n = 9 stallions/22 mares), 10 to 13 years (n = 8 stallions/20 mares), 14 to 15 years (n = 6 stallions/10 mares) and 16 and over (n = 8 stallions/21 mares). The results obtained show an influence of sex on haematological parameters, with red blood cell count (RBC), haematocrit (HCT) and haemoglobin concentration (HGB) being higher in stallions (P < 0.001) and white blood cell count (WBC) being higher in mares. Differences between the age groups of the Posavje horses examined indicate a decrease in RBC and HGB with a compensatory increase in mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin, a decrease in WBC and platelet counts (PLT) and proportion of lymphocytes, and an increase of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (N/L) with age (P < 0.001). Although the Posavje horse is classified as a draft horse breed, its haematological parameters show characteristics common to warm-blooded breeds, with the exception of the N/L ratio. One of the most important findings of this study is a higher neutrophil count in reproductively active breeding stallions. Higher levels of RBC, HGB, HCT and neutrophil count in the Posavje stallions suggest an effect of androgens (testosterone), which may be an effective mechanism to prevent infections, that can affect the survival of the stallions and thus the evolution of the species.
KARAKTERIZACIJA HEMATOLOŠKEGA PROFILA PRI POSAVSKEM KONJU
Izvleček: Cilj raziskave je bil proučiti vpliv spola in starosti na hematološke parametre pri pasmi posavski konj. V raziskavo je bilo vključenih 163 konj posavske pasme (30 žrebet, 94 kobil in 39 žrebcev), pri katerih smo v vzorcih krvi določali hematološke parametre s hematološkim analizatorjem. Diferencialna bela krvna slika in razmerje med nevtrofilci in limfociti (N/L) je bilo določeno na krvnih razmazih. Konje smo razdelili v pet starostnih skupin: žrebeta (od 1 do 6 mesecev, n = 30), 3 do 6 let (n = 8 žrebcev/21 kobil), 7 do 9 let (n = 9 žrebcev/22 kobil), 10 do 13 let (n = 9 žrebcev/20 kobil), 14 do 15 let (n = 6 žrebcev/10 kobil) ter 16 in več let (n = 8 žrebcev/21 kobil). Rezultati naše raziskave kažejo vpliv spola na preiskovane hematološke parametre; pri žrebcih so število rdečih krvnih celic (RBC), hematokrit (HCT) in koncentracija hemoglobina (HGB) značilno višji (P < 0,001), pri kobilah pa je višje število belih krvnih celic (WBC). Med starostnimi skupinami posavskih konj smo ugotovili zmanjšanje RBC in HGB in posledično kompenzacijo s povečanjem povprečnega volumna in hemoglobina eritrocitov, zmanjšanjem števila levkocitov, trombocitov (PLT) in limfocitov ter povečanjem razmerja med nevtrofilci in limfociti (N/L) s starostjo (P < 0,001). Posavski konj po zunanjosti spada med hladnokrvne konje, v raziskavi ugotovljeni hematološki profil pa kaže značilnosti, ki so skupne toplokrvnim pasmam konj, z izjemo razmerja N/L. Ena od pomembnejših ugotovitev te študije je večje število nevtrofilcev pri aktivnih plemenskih žrebcih. Višje vrednosti RBC, HGB, HCT in števila nevtrofilcev pri posavskih žrebcih kažejo učinek androgenov (testosterona), kar bi lahko bil učinkovit mehanizem za preprečevanje okužb, ki lahko vplivajo na preživetje žrebcev in s tem na evolucijo vrste.
Ključne besede: avtohtone pasme; posavski konj; hematologija; starost; spol
•Natural and artificial selection apply selective pressure to specific genomic regions.•Heterozygous-Rich Regions help to understand the relationship between genetic diversity and fitness.•More than ...ten thousand cattle belonging to four breeds were included in the study.•Heterozygosity patterns of Local and cosmopolitan cattle breeds were compared.•Genes linked to fertility, survival, immune response and growth were identified.
The analysis of livestock heterozygosity is less common compared to the study of homozygous patterns. Heterozygous-Rich Regions (HRRs) may harbor significant loci for functional traits such as immune response, survival rate, and fertility. For this reason, this study was conducted to investigate and characterize the heterozygosity patterns of four beef cattle breeds, which included two cosmopolitan breeds (Limousine and Charolaise) and two local breeds (Sarda and Sardo Bruna). Our analysis identified regions with a high degree of heterozygosity using a consecutive runs approach, the Tajima D test, nucleotide diversity estimation, and Hardy Weinberg equilibrium test. These regions exhibited recurrent heterozygosity peaks and were consistently found on specific chromosomes across all breeds, specifically autosomes 15, 16, 20, and 23. The cosmopolitan and Sardo Bruna breeds also displayed peaks on autosomes 2 and 21, respectively. Thirty-five top runs shared by more than 25% of the populations were identified. These genomic fragments encompassed 18 genes, two of which are directly linked to male fertility, while four are associated with lactation. Two other genes play roles in survival and immune response. Our study also detected a region related to growth and carcass traits in Limousine breed. Our analysis of heterozygosity-rich regions revealed particular segments of the cattle genome linked to various functional traits. It appears that balancing selection is occurring in specific regions within the four examined breeds, and unexpectedly, they are common across cosmopolitan and local breeds. The genes identified hold potential for applications in breeding programs and conservation studies to investigate the phenotypes associated with these heterozygous genotypes. In addition, Tajima D test, Nucleotide diversity, and Hardy Weinberg equilibrium test confirmed the presence of heterozygous fragments found with Heterozygous-Rich Regions analysis.
Environmental assessment of pig production systems using local breeds remains poorly documented in the literature. So far, studies did not account for specificities of outdoor rearing which is quite ...common in such systems. The present study aimed at evaluating the environmental impacts of pig production systems using local breeds in Europe, while accounting for emissions associated to consumption of grass and mitigation of impacts through soil-C sequestration. Environmental impacts were estimated for 48 farms using local pig breeds: 25 in France (Gascon breed), eight in Italy (Mora Romagnola breed) and 15 in Slovenia (Krškopolje breed). Assessment was performed with and without accounting for pasture-intake emissions and potential soil-C sequestration. The data were obtained from on-farm surveys. Systems with Gascon pigs had the lowest impacts per kg of live weight for global warming and cumulative energy demand, due to lower impacts of feeds. Acidification potential was higher for Krškopolje pigs due to high dietary crude protein content and high AP of feeds, while eutrophication potential was higher for Gascon pigs due to higher phosphorus content of feeds (28% higher than the mean of the other farms). When impacts were expressed per ha of land use, pig production in Gascon farms had the lowest impacts due to more available area per pig, except for eutrophication. Low contribution of soil-C sequestration to climate change mitigation was observed (4.7% on average). However, it may have a substantial contribution for the most extensive pig systems using large land surfaces. Emissions resulting from grazing had a rather low contribution to Global Warming Potential (4%) and Eutrophication (3%), but a substantial one to Acidification impact (9% on average). In the frame of our study, the contribution of emissions related to grazing is moderate because commercial feed supply for outdoor pigs was higher than in extensive systems studied in literature. This study highlighted that main hotspots include feed composition and supply and the origin of feed ingredients. It also suggests that future assessments of extensive pig systems relying on pig foraging on grasslands or rangelands should account for soil-C sequestration and emissions associated to grazing and foraging.
•Grazing emissions and potential carbon sequestration were estimated.•Farms had great variability in environmental impacts.•Systems relying the most directly on natural resources had the lowest impacts.•Outdoor systems can reduce CO2 emissions by sequestering carbon.•Feed composition, supply and feedstuffs origin are hotspots for improvement.
•Quality characteristics of lamb meat from eight European breeds was characterised.•Proximate composition of lamb meat was affected by production system.•Substantial variability in the levels of ...spoilage bacteria in lamb meat was found.•Growth of spoilage bacteria in meat was exarcerbated by higher ultimate pH.•Meat from heavier lamb carcasses underwent a slower spoilage process.
Although sheep meat has a small share of ∼1.5 % of the total meat production in the EU, sheep farming is of great importance to rural development and the environment. Enhancing the quality of lamb meat of local breeds is essential to ensure both profitability for sheep producers and the conservation of endangered breeds. This study aimed to (i) characterise the evolution of spoilage microorganisms in refrigerated vacuum-packed lamb meat from a total of 10 farms housing 8 local breeds of Portuguese, Spanish, Italian and Slovenian origin raised in intensive, extensive or semi-extensive regime; and (ii) elucidate how intrinsic properties of meat can affect its microbial spoilage. Cold carcass weight (CCW), ultimate pH (pH24) and proximate analysis were quantified on carcass/meat from each of the 285 animals raised and slaughtered for this purpose; while mesophiles, lactic acid bacteria, Pseudomonas spp. and psychrotrophic bacteria were enumerated during 15-day storage at 4 °C. Substantial variability in all attributes were found between the ten farms. CCW of intensively-raised lambs (21.4 kg; 95 % CI: 20.6–22.1 kg) were higher (p < 0.05) than the ones in semi-extensive regime (14.9 kg; 95 % CI: 14.4–15.4 kg), and in turn these were heavier (p < 0.05) than the extensively raised lambs (12.4 kg; 95 % CI: 12.0–12.7). Mean contents of protein (76.5–87.4% db), fat (3.78–13.1% db) and ashes (4.62–5.65% db) in lamb meat were highly dependent on the farm. Although meat from some farms was associated to higher microbial levels, in general, microbial growth was found to be modulated by intrinsic properties of meat. Higher pH24 (p < 0.05), moisture (p < 0.05), protein content (p < 0.05) and ashes content (p < 0.01) accelerated spoilage rate; whereas meat from heavier carcasses (p < 0.001) and of higher fat content (p < 0.01) presented slower growth of spoilage bacteria. In order to improve the microbial quality of lamb meat, animal handling must be enhanced to minimise pre-slaughter stress; slaughtering practices and hygiene must be improved; and a carcass classification system could be adopted towards the selection of fatter animals and chilled carcasses of optimal pH24.
The sustainability of agroecological systems, biodiversity protection, animal welfare, and consumer demand for higher quality products from alternative and extensive farming methods have reinforced ...interest in local breeds that are well adapted to low-input environments. However, food safety needs to be safeguarded to reinforce consumer confidence. The aim of this study was to conduct a preliminary investigation on the occurrence of Salmonella spp. in eggshells, hen’s cloaca, and litter materials from autochthonous Portuguese laying hens raised in a semi-extensive system for small-scale production. A total of 279 samples from 31 flocks belonging to 12 farms were obtained, with 63 samples from the “Preta Lusitânica” breed, and 72 samples each from the remaining autochthonous breeds, namely, “Branca”, “Amarela”, and “Pedrês Portuguesa”. None (0%) of the samples analyzed were positive for Salmonella spp. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first results of Salmonella evaluation from hen’s cloaca, eggshells, and litter materials in autochthonous Portuguese chickens, suggesting that a semi-extensive production system can contribute to better food security and a lower risk to public health and the environment.
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