DALMATIAN TURKEY – AN ARCHAIC FORM OF POULTRY

Potpisom Konvencije o biološkoj raznolikosti Republika Hrvatska aktivno se uključila u očuvanje ukupnog biodiverziteta. Od autohtonih pasmina peradi za sada su u Popis izvornih i zaštićenih pasmina i sojeva domaćih životinja nastalih na teritoriju Republike Hrvatske upisani zagorski puran i kokoš hrvatica. No, proces identifikacije te karakterizacije pojedinih tradicionalnih formi životinja koje se uzgajaju na nekom području još traje. Među takve tradicionalne oblike spada i dalmatinska tuka, koja se na području dalmatinskog zaleđa uzgaja generacijama. Navedena forma pura, povijesno uključena u tradiciju kraja, uspjela se održati zbog izričite sklonosti žitelja tog područja tradicionalnom te zbog njihove visoke primjerenosti ruralnom uzgoju, kao i lokalnim društvenim i gospodarskim prilikama. Svjesni činjenice da se u arealu dalmatinskih tuka sve češće ekstenzivno uzgajaju različiti hibridi pura, nalazimo nužnim što prije utvrditi njihove prosječne morfološke i fiziološke odlike da bismo mogli dati osnovne smjernice za karakterizaciju pasmine, procijeniti veličinu populacije čistih jata, ustanoviti jata sa primjesama krvi hibrida te usmjeriti uzgoj roditeljskih parova u čistoj krvi. Uz znanstvenu, stručnu te komercijalnu podršku od dalmatinskih bi se tuka mogao razviti još jedan snažan gastronomski simbol Dalmatinske zagore. Na taj bi način njihov tradicionalni, a pritom komercijalni uzgoj na obiteljskim poljoprivrednim gospodarstvima mogao imati primjetne promidžbene učinke i donositi znatne prihode.After signing the Convention of Biological Diversity, the Republic of Croatia has been actively included into preservation of biological and landscape diversity. Today, Hrvatica Hen and Zagorje Turkey are the only two autochthonous breeds of poultry that are included into the National Register of Autochthonous Breeds. However, processes of identification and characterization of autochthonous breeds are still continuing. Dalmatian Turkey can also be included in those traditional forms. As an archaic form of turkey it has been traditionally reared in the area of the Dalmatian hinterland. It is historically involved in the tradition of this region and maintained due to local inhabitants and their tendency towards traditional forms. Furthermore, those turkeys are suitable for extensive breeding, as well as for the local social and agricultural conditions. The daily increasing number of hybrids causes decrease of the amount of Dalmatian Turkey in this area. For that reason we find it necessary to determine their average morphological and physiological characteristics as soon as possible. In this way it will be possible to determine the main trends for breed characterization, to find flocks without influence of other breeds or hybrids, to determine the average population size, as well as to find parental flocks for further breeding and selection. With the scientific, professional and commercial support, Dalmatian Turkey may also present a culinary speciality from the Dalmatian hinterland. In this way, traditional, but commercial breeding on family farms could increase the budget and the standard of this region

Effects of bovine spermatozoa preparation on embryonic development in vitro

The aim of our research was to examine the ability of density gradient preparation BoviPure(® )and swim up method on bull sperm separation and in vitro embryo production (IVP) systems. Frozen/thawed semen from six Simmental bulls was pooled and treated using both methods. The sperm motility, concentration, membrane activity, membrane integrity and acrosomal status were evaluated and compared before and after sperm processing using BoviPure(® )and swim up methods. We also evaluated and compared cleavage rates, embryo yield and quality between the methods. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) between the sperm characteristics before and after BoviPure(®), but not after swim up method. However, there were significant differences for sperm results among those two mentioned methods. A total of 641 oocytes were matured and fertilized in vitro and cultured in SOFaaBSA. The percentage of cleavage (Day 2) and the percentage of hatched embryos (Day 9) were similar for both methods. However, embryo production rate (Day 7) was significantly higher using BoviPure(® )method (P < 0.05). Also, total cell number and embryo differential staining (inner cell mass and trophectoderm cells) of Day 7 morulas and blastocysts showed that BoviPure(® )treated sperm displayed higher quality embryos compared to swim up method (P < 0.05). Our results indicate that BoviPure(® )method has an enhanced capacity in sperm selection for in vitro embryo production when compared with swim up method. So, we concluded that BoviPure(® )could be considered as a better alternative to swim up method for separating bull spermatozoa from frozen/thawed semen for IVP of bovine embryos

PAG and progesterone profiles in IVF pregnancy after hormonal stimulation and ovum-pick-up method in cows

peer reviewe

Primjena asistirane reprodukcije u govedarstvu

More than five decades of research in reproductive biology have resulting in the development of biotechnologies in the cattle industry to increase efficiency in beef and dairy production systems. These technologies are related to gamete and embryo manipulation aimed at improving fertility and genetic progress. The application of assisted reproductive technology in stockbreeding has tremendously altered the rate of genetic improvement in breeding programmes and strategies. Artificial insemination, embryo transfer and in vitro embryo production are technologies systematically applied in breeding programs around the world. They enable rapid genetic progress, shortening of the generation interval, control of disease transmission and reduction of production costs. Worldwide, artificial insemination has been the most efficient and useful way to improve the genetic quality of the herd. Over a period of thirty years, embryo transfer has become an internationally accepted technology with over 500, 000 in vivo produced embryos per year. The recommended handling procedures of the International Embryo Transfer Society enable the safe export of in vivo derived embryos, without the risk of disease transmission. Approximately 15% of embryos produced annually are produced by in vitro technology. This technology enables embryo production from cows of high genetic merit that cannot produce offspring by conventional reproduction. Improvements in OPU/IVF programs would have a great impact on the cattle industry and could replace the traditional MOET programs in the near future. Furthermore, they are important for the development and operation of a gene bank for the cryoconservation of animal genetic resources, to preserve indigenous and endangered breeds of cattle. In addition to genetic progress, the application of these biotechnologies in animal breeding permits high quality breeding stock to be available on the market and enables the application of advanced technologies. Semen and embryo sexing allows for identification and selection of sex, which can assist in the more efficient management of resources. Cloning and transgenesis have great potential in the cattle industry, though due to their low efficiency and high costs, these technologies are predominantly applied in experimental settings and the production of pharmaceuticals

PAG and progesterone profiles in IVF pregnancy after hormonal stimulation and ovum-pick-up methods in cows

peer reviewe

DALMATIAN TURKEY – AN ARCHAIC FORM OF POULTRY

Potpisom Konvencije o biološkoj raznolikosti Republika Hrvatska aktivno se uključila u očuvanje ukupnog biodiverziteta. Od autohtonih pasmina peradi za sada su u Popis izvornih i zaštićenih pasmina i sojeva domaćih životinja nastalih na teritoriju Republike Hrvatske upisani zagorski puran i kokoš hrvatica. No, proces identifikacije te karakterizacije pojedinih tradicionalnih formi životinja koje se uzgajaju na nekom području još traje. Među takve tradicionalne oblike spada i dalmatinska tuka, koja se na području dalmatinskog zaleđa uzgaja generacijama. Navedena forma pura, povijesno uključena u tradiciju kraja, uspjela se održati zbog izričite sklonosti žitelja tog područja tradicionalnom te zbog njihove visoke primjerenosti ruralnom uzgoju, kao i lokalnim društvenim i gospodarskim prilikama. Svjesni činjenice da se u arealu dalmatinskih tuka sve češće ekstenzivno uzgajaju različiti hibridi pura, nalazimo nužnim što prije utvrditi njihove prosječne morfološke i fiziološke odlike da bismo mogli dati osnovne smjernice za karakterizaciju pasmine, procijeniti veličinu populacije čistih jata, ustanoviti jata sa primjesama krvi hibrida te usmjeriti uzgoj roditeljskih parova u čistoj krvi. Uz znanstvenu, stručnu te komercijalnu podršku od dalmatinskih bi se tuka mogao razviti još jedan snažan gastronomski simbol Dalmatinske zagore. Na taj bi način njihov tradicionalni, a pritom komercijalni uzgoj na obiteljskim poljoprivrednim gospodarstvima mogao imati primjetne promidžbene učinke i donositi znatne prihode.After signing the Convention of Biological Diversity, the Republic of Croatia has been actively included into preservation of biological and landscape diversity. Today, Hrvatica Hen and Zagorje Turkey are the only two autochthonous breeds of poultry that are included into the National Register of Autochthonous Breeds. However, processes of identification and characterization of autochthonous breeds are still continuing. Dalmatian Turkey can also be included in those traditional forms. As an archaic form of turkey it has been traditionally reared in the area of the Dalmatian hinterland. It is historically involved in the tradition of this region and maintained due to local inhabitants and their tendency towards traditional forms. Furthermore, those turkeys are suitable for extensive breeding, as well as for the local social and agricultural conditions. The daily increasing number of hybrids causes decrease of the amount of Dalmatian Turkey in this area. For that reason we find it necessary to determine their average morphological and physiological characteristics as soon as possible. In this way it will be possible to determine the main trends for breed characterization, to find flocks without influence of other breeds or hybrids, to determine the average population size, as well as to find parental flocks for further breeding and selection. With the scientific, professional and commercial support, Dalmatian Turkey may also present a culinary speciality from the Dalmatian hinterland. In this way, traditional, but commercial breeding on family farms could increase the budget and the standard of this region