Summary of Comments on Analysis of Hungarian red deer trophies by means of Principal component analysis in two different counties

Authors analyzed data of 9 trophy parameters (weight of the antler, length of main beam, length of brow tine, length of bay tine, length of tray tine, circumference of coronet, lower circumference of main beam, upper circumference of main beam, number of total tines) of 6868 red deer stags shot between 1997 and 2007 and estimated ages were between 4-16 years, from two counties of Hungary (5946 from Somogy and 921 Bcs-Kiskun). General linear model was used to evaluate age and county effects on the trophy parameters. Age was a significant source of variation for all studied traits while county affected most of the studied parameters. Consequently the dataset was analyzed separately for each county. Low to high correlations (adjusted for age effect) were found both in Somogy (r=-0.04 - 0.80) and for Bcs-Kiskun (r=-0.06 - 0.70). Using principal component analysis (with orthogonal rotation) 4 factors were extracted which accounted for 73 % and 75 % of total variance in Bcs-Kiskun and Somogy county respectively. The first factor represents the circumferences of the trophy, the second factor the main tines (brow, bay, tray) of the antler. The third and fourth factors represented the number of total tines of the trophies and the length of main beam respectively. These identified factors could be considered in selection/evaluation of the trophies in Hungarian red deer instead of the traditionally used measurements in order to maintain type and quality of the red deer trophy in Hungary

Examining the racing performance and longevity in the Hungarian Thoroughbred population

The aim of the study was to examine the factors affecting longevity (as the number of years spent in race) in the Hungarian Thoroughbred horse population, and to investigate the total earnings won during lifetime and per start. The performance data was collected from 3,029 Thoroughbred horses (1,704 female, 1,674 male) born between 1996 and 2018 in Hungary with full known racing career. A multivariate generalized linear model was used to estimate the effect of sex of the horses, age at first start and the month of birth to longevity, expressed by the number of starts and years spent in race. Age of the horses at first start had a significant effect on the years spent in race, thereafter the model was dissected into age groups initiating a more accurate research. This showed that birth month also have a momentous effect on the examined traits in case of 2-year-old horses. Age of the horses at first start also affected the lifetime earnings. Sex of the horses had no effect on longevity in 2-year olds however, males are more likely to race because female horses tend to win less money

Examining the racing performance and longevity in the Hungarian Thoroughbred population

The aim of the study was to examine the factors affecting longevity (as the number of years spent in race) in the Hungarian Thoroughbred horse population, and to investigate the total earnings won during lifetime and per start. The performance data was collected from 3,029 Thoroughbred horses (1,704 female, 1,674 male) born between 1996 and 2018 in Hungary with full known racing career. A multivariate generalized linear model was used to estimate the effect of sex of the horses, age at first start and the month of birth to longevity, expressed by the number of starts and years spent in race. Age of the horses at first start had a significant effect on the years spent in race, thereafter the model was dissected into age groups initiating a more accurate research. This showed that birth month also have a momentous effect on the examined traits in case of 2-year-old horses. Age of the horses at first start also affected the lifetime earnings. Sex of the horses had no effect on longevity in 2-year olds however, males are more likely to race because female horses tend to win less money

Clinical chemistry of farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus) yearling hinds reared on grass or papillonaceouspasture paddocks in Hungary.

Abstract. Yearling red deer (Cervus elaphus) hinds of identical initial body weight were reared on a monocotyledonous grass (group 1) or on a papillonaceous plant pasture (group 2) for 212 days. At the end of the experiment (when deer were shot) blood was taken from ten animals of each group for serum biochemical analysis. Hinds of group 2 provided higher final body weight (90±3.5 vs. 101±6.6 kg) and higher daily body weight gain (105.7±10.7 vs. 153.8±26.8 g/day). Within serum nitrogenous compounds group 2 provided higher total protein concentrations, while from the lipids only serum triglyceride levels were higher in this group. Serum potassium was in both groups higher than the reference range with a superposed slight hyperkalaemia in group 2. Higher lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activities were found in group 2 and lower aspartate aminotransferase activity values. Inorganic phosphate concentration showed a significant difference (group 1 provides higher values). Results refer to an expressed venison growth as a result of the rich dietary protein supply of group 2. Findings were evaluated as well with discriminant factor analysis, outlining the relative importance of the single blood biochemical parameters in shaping the inter-group differences. </jats:p