An On-Station Analysis of Factors Affecting Growth Traits of Pure Red Maasai and Dorper Sheep Breeds under an Extensive Production System

This comparative study aimed to evaluate genetic and environmental factors’ effects on the growth traits of lambs in Dorper and Red Maasai (RedM) sheep breeds. The data analyzed contained the following measurements: birth weight (Bwt), weaning weight (Wwt), yearling weight (Ywt), birth type (single or twins), and details on each lamb’s dam (dam ID and age) and sire. Except for the RedM, whose birth weight decreased with time, both breeds generally showed an increase in other growth weights across the study period, with yearly variations affecting both breeds. Additionally, analysis by a linear mixed model with restricted maximum likelihood (REML) showed that only breed as a factor significantly (p p p < 0.05) influenced yearling weight. The RedM breed outperformed the Dorper breed in post-weaning growth rate, demonstrating early resilience and adaptation to local environmental factors independent of maternal influence. Breed and non-genetic factors play a vital role in the growth of lambs, and the results of this study offer an opportunity for improved farm management under an extensive production system and selection for the conservation of the indigenous Red Maasai breed

Factors Affecting Calves Suckling Behavior

The aim of paper was to assess effects of environmental and physiological related factors on suckling behavior patterns. The study was carried out on 120 Romanian Spotted calves. Two behavioral traits were considered: total daily required interval and required interval for each meal. Traits were studied according to: calves viability, calving season, type of calving, calving ease and meal sequence. Significant differences were recorded for calves viability (viable vs morbid, p≤0.001), type of calving (single vs twinning, p≤0.001), and calving ease (eutocya vs dystocia, p≤0.001), being a proof of welfare, conferred by adaptability to new environment. No significant effect was recorded for season of calving (summer vs winter, p≥0.05). Significant differences concerning required suckling interval, were recorded between meals, both seasons. for viable (p≤0.001), morbid (p≤0.05), singles (p≤0.05) and calves born from eutocya births (p≤0.001). No significant differences (p≥0.05) recorded for twins and calves born from dystocia. Multifactorial regression model used, reveals that main effects on studied traits had viability (p≤0.001), type of calving (p≤0.01) and calving ease (p≤0.05). It is reasonable to assume that the knowledge of suckling behavior contributes to optimal management of calves. Knowledge of these factors helps to develop adequately systems to improve calves suckling response

Mitochondrial DNA variability in Gyimesi Racka and Turcana sheep breeds

The current knowledge and documentation on the origins and relationship between Gyimesi Racka reared in Hungary and the Romanian Turcana is rather controversial. Lack of information and scientific reliable proofs for the divergent theories found in the two countries motivated us to implement a trial using molecular methods to assess the genetic distance and diversity in the two breeds. Hair follicles were collected from Gyimesi Racka (2 phenotypes) and from Turcana (6 ecotypes). The 599 bp segment of the D-loop region of the mitochondrial DNA was sequenced. Altogether, 42 haplotypes were identified, while 23 were found in both populations. Populations were highly diverse according to the haplotype and nucleotide diversity indices. AMOVA analysis showed that most of the variation was observed within populations (98%), indicating a weak genetic structure between the two breeds. Animals were grouped into seven groups based on their phenotype; however genetic distances among them were also low. Tajima's D, Fu's Fs, goodness-of-fit statistics, mismatch distribution and network analysis suggested recent demographic expansion. Current comprehensive mtDNA study indicates that there is very low level of genetic differentiation between the Gyimesi Racka and Turcana populations therefore they are de facto one trans-boundary breed

Effect of ß-lactoglobulin Locus Polymorphism on Milk Related Traits in Romanian Spotted

The main aim of the study was to assess the influence of ß-lactoglobulin (LGB) genotype on milk related traits in Romanian Spotted (R.S.) breed. Altogether 254 cattle were genotyped for in order to establish the share of A and B allele in LGB locus using PCR-RFLP assay. The most prevalent was A allele (0.662) compared to B allele (0.338). Comparable frequencies (P>0.084) were recorded for AA (0.434) and AB (0.455) genotypes. The BB heterozygous recorded a lower frequency (0.111) compared with others (P≤0.001). For the LGB polymorphism, no significant differences (P>0.05) were observed according to milk production. The higher milk production was associated to AB (6094.31±103.22 kg) compared to AA (5912.22±91.7 kg, P>0.53) and BB (5977.7±81.12 kg, P>0.71) genotypes. The higher fat percentage (4.26±0.02%) was recorded for BB genotype, compared to AA genotype (4.19±0.02%, (P≤0.019). A significantly increased protein percentage was associated with AB genotype (3.43±0.03%) compared with AA (3.28±0.02%, P≤0.027). No significant difference (P>0.66) was recorded compared to BB genotype (3.42±0.01%) related to this trait. The results obtained encourage including marker assisted-selection and use the genotyped sires for genes with economic values in the future breeding scheme of Romanian Spotted breed

Reproduction Efficiency and Health Traits in Dorper, White Dorper, and Tsigai Sheep Breeds under Temperate European Conditions

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Microsatellite and Mitochondrial DNA Study of Native Eastern European Cattle Populations: The Case of the Romanian Grey

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Effects of temperament on production and reproductive performances in Simmental dual-purpose cows

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