Variability of testosterone concentration evaluation and relationship to the primary and secondary sexual characteristics and behaviour of rams

U savremenom ovčarstvu, reproduktivni procesi ovaca i ovnova uglavnom sekontrolišu od strane odgajivača. U reprodukciji se koristi mali broj ovnova zakontrolisano parenje ovaca ili njihova sperma za osemenjavanje. Mužjak je odgovoranza multiple bremenitosti tokom godine u programima parenja i do stotina hiljadabremenitosti u programima veštačkog osemenjavanja. Poznavanje reproduktivnihprocesa ovaca, a naročito polnog sazrevanja ovnova, je stoga veoma značajno.Osnovni cilj istraživanja u ovoj doktorskoj disertaciji bio je da se ispitavarijabilnost koncentracije testosterona i povezanost sa primarnim i sekundarnimpolnim osobinama i ponašanjem ovnova. U okviru toga sagledani su sledeći parametri:koncentracija testosterona u krvnom serumu ovnova, obim testisa ovnova, telesna masaovnova, kvalitet sperme ovnova, polno ponašanje ovnova u okviru interakcija muškožensko,polno ponašanje ovnova u okviru interakcije muško-muško i rezultati plodnostiovaca.Istraživanja u ovoj doktorskoj disertaciji izvršena su na eksperimentalnojovčarskoj farmi Instituta za stočarstvo u Zemunu. U istraživanjima je bilo uključeno 20ovnova i 76 ovaca Mis populacije. Sva muška grla bila su po tipu rođenja blizanci, istoguzrasta. Grla su uvedena u istraživanje u uzrastu od 3 meseca, a istraživanje je završenou uzrastu ovnova od 18 meseci. Ženska grla uključena u istraživanje bila su starosti od 3do 5 godina.Od momenta uvođenja ovnova u istraživanje, telesna masa i obim testisa merenisu jednom mesečno. Uzorci krvi za utvrđivanje koncentracije testosterona u krvnomserumu uzimani su na svaka dva meseca (u uzrastu od 3 do 17 meseci). Za analizukvaliteta sperme uzorci semena ovnova uzimani su u uzrastu ovnova od 9 do 17 mesecina svaka dva meseca, primenom metode elektroejakulacije. Od parametara kvalitetasperme analizirani su: zapremina ejakulata, koncentracija spermatozoida u ejakulatu,pokretljivost spermatozoida, procenat živih spermatozoida u ejakulatu i procenatpatoloških formi spermatozoida u ejakulatu...In current sheep production, reproductive processes in ewes and rams are mainlycontrolled by the breeder. A small number of rams is used for controlled breeding ofewes, or their sperm for artificial insemination. The male is responsible for multiplepregnancies during a year within breeding/mating programs and hundreds of thousandsof pregnancies in programs of insemination. Understanding of reproductive processes insheep, and especially the sexual maturity of the rams, is therefore very important.The main aim of the research in this doctoral thesis was to evaluate thevariability of testosterone concentration and its correlation with primary and secondarysexual characteristics and behaviour of rams. The following parameters wereconsidered: testosterone concentration in the blood serum, scrotal circumference, bodymass of rams, semen quality, rams’ sexual behaviour within the male-femaleinteractions, sexual behaviour of rams within male-male interactions and the results ofthe fertility of ewes.Research in this doctoral thesis was carried out on the Experimental sheep farmof the Institute for Animal Husbandry, Zemun. The study included 20 rams and 76 ewesof Mis population. All males were twins according to the type of birth and of the sameage. Animals were introduced to the trial at the age of 3 months, the trial was completedat the age of rams of 18 months. Female animals included in the trial were 3 to 5 yearsold.From the moment of introduction of rams in the trial, body mass and scrotalcircumference were measured once a month. Blood samples for determination of theconcentration of testosterone were taken every two months (from 3 to 17 months ofage). To analyse sperm quality, samples of rams' semen were taken at the age of ramsfrom 9 to 17 months, every two months, using the method of electroejaculation. Thefollowing sperm quality parameters were analysed: ejaculate volume, spermconcentration, sperm motility, percentage of live sperm and the percentage of abnormal forms of spermatozoa..

Procena gentskog potencijala ovaca u različitim proizvodnim sistemima

Evaluation of phenotypic value of most present sheep breeds in Serbia is carried out as well as those populations which should have greater significance in the future. In this way, clear picture was obtained of strength and potentials of sheep production in different rearing systems, which will serve better defining of the direction of genetic-selection activities in the future. Researches have shown that there is high variability of traits depending on the observed factors. It is indicative that in the intensive system sheep breeds are forces of production direction meat and meat-wool, whereas in semi-intensive and extensive systems, predominant are breeds of tripartite direction. The best results in intensive rearing system were obtained in Mis sheep. In semi-intensive system, there is huge difference in body mass between Pirot improved sheep and Tsigai sheep, as well as between all investigated breeds in this system in regard to milk traits. Tsigai lambs realized higher body mass at the age of 90 days. Lipska sheep was dominant in regard to quantity of milk in lactation, but its fertility was the lowest. Mass of fleece was the lowest in sheep of Pirot improved population. There were no significant differences in regard to variability of the quantitative traits between sheep in extensive system, except in final body mass of lambs, where Svrljig and Pirot population were behind in comparison to Sjenica sheep.Različiti sistemi gajenja ovaca, raznovrsnost ciljeva, nivo organizacije farmi, stepen uključivanja vladinih institucija u razvoju, implementaciji i održavanju procesa selekcije, su neki od faktora koji utiču na razvoj i napredak ovčarstva jedne zemlje. Stoga se prvi korak ka napretku sastoji od definisanja rasa, odgajivačkih ciljeva, odgovarajuće tehnike i metodologije za merenje proizvodnih osobina životinja. Na uspeh u ovom poslu najveći uticaj imaju: efikasnost kontrola i evidencije proizvodnih osobina, procedura procene genetskih parametara i odgajivačke vrednosti životinja i organizacija sistema za difuziju genetskog materijala. U ovčarstvu Srbije poslednjih nekoliko decenija je nastala vidna promena u sistemu gajenja ovaca, pre svega poboljšanjem ishrane. Pored toga sprovođeno je i oplemenjivanje lokalnih populacija selekcijom, planskim ili neplanskim ukrštanjem sa inostranim rasama. Takođe, neke uvožene rase adaptiravši se na nove uslove, gaje se u čistoj rasi, ali njihov proizvodni potencijal nije uvek adekvatno predstavljen. Konačno, dobijene su i nove domaće produktivnije rase: Mis ovca i Pirotska oplemenjena populacija. Cilj ovog rada je da izvrši procenu fenotipske vrednosti najzastupljenijih rasa ovaca u Srbiji kao i onih populacija koje bi trebale imati veći značaj u budućnosti. Time bi se dao doprinos sticanju prave slike o snazi i potencijalima ovčarstva Srbije u različitim sistemima gajenja i bolje definisao pravac daljeg genetsko selekcijskog rada. Istraživanja su pokazala da postoji visoka varijabilnost osobina u zavisnosti od svih posmatranih faktora. Indikativno je da se u intenzivnom sistemu forsiraju rase ovaca mesnatog ili kombinovanog tipa, smer meso i meso-vuna, dok u poluintenzivnom i ekstenzivnom sistemu dominiraju rase trojnog smera proizvodnje, meso-mleko-vuna. U intenzivnom sistemu gajenja, najbolje rezultate je pokazala populacija Mis ovce. U poluintenzivnom sistemu postoji vrlo značajna razlika u masi tela između pirotske oplemenjene ovce i cigaje, kao i između svih ispitivanih rasa ovog sistema u pogledu mlečnosti. Jagnjad cigaje su ostvarila najveću masu tela sa 90 dana. Lipska ovca po količini mleka u laktaciji dominira. Sa druge strane plodnost lipske ovce je najmanja, dok je masa runa najmanja kod ovaca pirotske oplemenjene populacije. Ekstenzivno gajenje ovaca je najviše zastupljeno u planinskim krajevima Srbije. Nema značajnih razlika u pogledu varijabilnosti kvantitativnih osobina između svrljiške, sjeničke i pirotske ovce, osim u završnoj masi tela jagnjadi, gde su Svrljiška i Pirotska populacija u zaostatku u poređenju sa sjeničkom ovcom

Zdravstveni status i biosigurnosni planovi na farmama svinja

Preservation of necessary level of swine herd health status is the most important aspect of bio-security, farm production and successful welfare protection. It involves a list of bio-security measures which must be essential part of production technology, including good rearing conditions and other prophylactic measures appliance. According to previously performed investigations, a list of elements required to establish standards for bio-security for particular pig farm was created. The list includes elements related to assure spatial., microclimate and hygienic conditions for pigs rearing, care, nutrition and watering, surveillance, regrouping and transport of swine, disease outbreak control, barns equipment and production process organization which are performed by veterinarians and zootechnicians. Bio-security standards must concern necessary level of swine herd health status and organization, size and type of operation and anticipate all compulsory measures for health control and disease spreading prevention, particularly those whose outbreak must be reported. In bio-security plan structure present epidemiological situation, potential herd health and production threats, as well as possible solutions must be concerned.Očuvanje potrebnog nivoa zdravstvenog stanja populacije je najvažniji aspekt očuvanja biosigurnosti i uspeha proizvodnje, kao i dobrobiti svinja, i podrazumeva niz biosigurnosnih mera koje moraju biti sastavni deo proizvodne tehnologije, uključujući dobre uslove smeštaja i držanja i primenu profilaktičkih mera. Na osnovu sprovedenih istraživanja je sastavljena lista elemenata neophodnih za uspostavljanje standarda i izradu planova biosigurnosti za konkretnu farmu svinja. Lista sadrži elemente koji se odnose na obezbeđenja prostornih, mikroklimatskih i higijenskih uslova gajenja životinja, negu, ishranu i napajanje, nadzor, pregrupisavanje i transport životinja, mera za sprečavanje pojave bolesti, opremanje staja i organizacija tehnološkog procesa proizvodnje, koje sprovode odgajivači, veterinarski i zootehnički stručnjaci. Standardi biosigurnosti moraju uzeti u obzir neophodan nivo zdravstvenog stanja zapata svinja, organizaciju, obim i vid proizvodnje na farmi i predvideti sve neophodne mere za kontrolu zdravstvenog stanja zapata i sprečavanje unošenja i širenja infektivnih bolesti, posebno onih čije se postojanje mora prijaviti. Pri izradi konkretnih planova biosigurnosti mora se uzeti u obzir trenutna epizootiološka situacija, ali i predvideti potencijalne pretnje po zdravstveno stanje i proizvodnju na farmi i moguća rešenja

Free proline accumulation in young sugar beet plants and in tissue culture explants under water deficiency as tools for assessment of drought tolerance

Proline is the most widely distributed metabolite that accumulates under various stress conditions, including the lack of water. To evaluate the suitability of proline accumulation triggered by drought stress to screen sugar beet genotypes for drought tolerance, we analysed accumulation of free proline in eleven genotypes classed in three levels of relative tolerance (low, medium, high), as assessed visually in field cultivation. Analysis was performed in two tests: 1) in greenhouse, where 90 days old plants were exposed to a short-term water deficiency and 2) in tissue culture where the lack of water was imposed by addition of 3 or 5% (w/v) polyethylene glycol (PEG, MW 6000). Both the in vitro test with increasing levels of PEG and the suspension of water supply in the greenhouse experiment showed large increases of free proline in tissues of sugar beet explants or leaves consequent to water restriction, as well as reduction in fresh weight, tissue water content and axillary bud formation. Stress effects varied considerably among genotypes classed at low, medium and high levels of field tolerance to drought stress, but were similar as class averages, except for proline in vitro, which was significantly higher for genotypes in the high tolerance group, and allowed separating them from those in the less tolerant groups. Proline response in the in vitro test correlated better than the response in greenhouse experiment with the field assessed drought tolerance of genotypes

Sugar Beet Tolerance to Drought: Physiological and Molecular Aspects

Drought often reduces sugar beet yield in the Balkan agroecological region. Climate forecasts indicate that this negative trend of drought periods will continue. Tolerance to drought is a complex trait, which comprises involvement of both physiological and molecular mechanisms in plants. This research was conducted on 11 sugar beet genotypes, which showed different tolerance to drought in the field. Experiment had three parts: water deficiency caused by cessation of watering conducted in the greenhouse, water deficiency imposed by different concentrations of polyethylene glycol on plants grown in tissue culture, and analysis of alterations in gene expression under drought. Plants exposed to stress in greenhouse had on average three leaves less, 4% lower water content, and seven-fold higher proline content. Classification of genotypes with respect to the level of tolerance to water deficiency on the basis of concentration of free proline, assessed in the experiment in vitro, corresponded to the result of the observation test in the field. Changes in the expression of candidate genes under drought suggest that one of them might be used for further development as a DNA-based marker. These results can be applied in sugar beet breeding aimed at increasing tolerance to water deficiency

Primena statističkih transformacija na izmerene koncentracije prolina u listu šećerne repe u uslovima suše

Eleven sugar beet genotypes were tested for their capacity to tolerate drought. Plants were grown in semi-controlled conditions, in the greenhouse, and watered daily. After 90 days, water deficit was imposed by the cessation of watering, while the control plants continued to be watered up to 80% of FWC. Five days later concentration of free proline in leaves was determined. Analysis was done in three replications. Statistical analysis was performed using STATISTICA 9.0, Minitab 15, and R2.11.1. Differences between genotypes were statistically processed by Duncan test. Because of nonormality of the data distribution and heterogeneity of variances in different groups, two types of transformations of row data were applied. For this type of data more appropriate in eliminating nonormality was Johnson transformation, as opposed to Box-Cox. Based on the both transformations it may be concluded that in all genotypes except for 10, concentration of free proline differs significantly between treatment (drought) and the control.Analizirana je tolerantnost 11 genotipova šećerne repe prema nedostatku vode. Biljke su gajene u polukontrolisanim uslovima, u stakleniku, na supstratu koji je bio mešavina zemlje i peska, pri čemu su biljke svakodnevno zalivane. Posle 90 dana, vodni deficit je izazvan prestankom zalivanja, dok su biljke kontrolne grupe i dalje zalivane, do 80% PVK. Pet dana kasnije utvrđena je, u tri ponavljanja, koncentracija slobodnog prolina u listovima. Statistička analiza je izvršena korišćenjem programa Statistica 9.0, Minitab 15 i R2.11.1. Zbog velike varijabilnosti podataka i odstupanja od normalne raspodele analiziran je uticaj različitih transformacija eksperimentalnih podataka na konačan zaključak. Razlike između aritmetičkih sredina poređene su primenom Dankanovog testa. Na osnovu obe primenjene transformacije može se zaključiti da se kod svih genotipova, izuzev genotipa 10, koncentracija slobodnog prolina u listovima značajno razlikuje između biljaka izloženih suši i kontrole

Uticaj spoljnih i paragenetskih faktora na varijabilnost mase tela jagnjadi Mis populacije

The aim of the study was to determine effect of environmental and paragenetic factors on body mass of lambs at birth. Investigation was realized on experimental sheep farm of Institute for Animal Husbandry, Belgrade-Zemun. Animal included in this research were representatives of Mis sheep population. The results of the research confirm that values of the birth mass range from 4.43 kg to 4,58 kg observed by years and 4.48 kg to 4.55 kg depending on the lambing season. Statistical analysis showed that the existing differences still significant on the level (P (lt) 0.05). Variations of body mass in lambs depending on the mother's age range in the interval from 4.29 kg to 4.52 kg and statistically very significant(P (lt) 0.01). Type of birth has also expressed a significant effect on the body mass of lambs at birth and variations range from 4.31 kg (twins) to 4.59 kg (single). Existing differences was statistically very significant (P (lt) 0.01). Average body mass in lambs depending on sex of lamb were almost the same, 4.54 kg male and 4.52 kg female, and the difference is not statistically significant (P> 0.05).Polni žar kod većine ovaca u Srbiji ima sezonski karakter, što znači da ovce ispoljavaju estrus u toku letnjih meseci od jula do septembra. To je povezano sa mnogim genetskim i spoljnim faktorima počev od klime i trajanja svetlosnog dana do ishrane i drugih uticaja na organizam životinje. Najbolja potvrda ovome je da ovce iste rase ispoljavaju polni žar u različito vreme u zavisnosti od geografso-klimatskog područja gde se gaje (na primer: Engleska, Australija ili Srbija). Sa tim u vezi i jagnjenje ovaca pada u različitim sezonama, a kod nas pretežno tokom zimskih meseci, što nije najbolje sa aspekta plasmana jagnjadi. Zato je u primeni i takozvano vansezonsko jagnjenje, gde se ovce jagnje u različitom i planski definisanom periodu godine. Broj potomaka dobijenih po jagnjenju jedan je od najvažnijih pokazatelja produktivnosti ovaca. Drugim rečima, biološka efikasnost ovaca je uslovljena plodnošću odnosno sposobnošću reprodukcije. Masa jagnjadi pri rođenju ima veliku ulogu u ostvarenju profitabilne proizvodnje, jer od početne mase tela zavise ne samo prirast, već vitalnost i mortalitet jagnjadi. Na masu tela pri rođenju utiču brojni faktori genetske i paragenetske prirode. Ovim problemom su se bavili mnogi istraživači, a ta tema je aktuelna i danas. Rezultati naših istraživanja uticaja spoljnih i paragenetskih faktora na masu tela jagnjadi pri rođenju u populaciji Mis ovce, potvrđuju da za procenu genotipa treba poznavati više faktora negenetske prirode. Među njima su spoljna sredina (godina, sezona) koji se pre svega ogledaju preko ishrane, držanja i nege životinja tokom proizvodnog ciklusa, a posebno u toku bremenitosti. Pored spoljnih faktora, bitan uticaj na posmatranu osobinu imaju: starost majke, tip rođenja i pol jagnjadi, dakle faktori koje ne možemo zvati spoljnom sredinom, već određenom biološkom kategorijom, koju je najprikladnije nazvati paragenetskim uticajem. Svi ovi faktori u većoj ili manjoj meri, kako to potvrđuju ova istraživanja, utiču na masu tela jagnjadi pri rođenju i zato ih treba uzimati u obzir prilikom procene genetske vrednosti ovaca Mis populacije

Laparoskopsko osemenjavanje ovaca u Republici Srbiji

This paper describes a procedure of laparoscopic insemination (LAI) performed in 42 Ile de France ewes with deep-frozen rams' semen. Frozen semen doses was imported from France, originating from two rams (A and B), and used intermittently in three LAI cycles on different females. The ewes were examined ultrasonographically for pregnancy, two months following insemination and data of lambing were recorded at the end. Total achieved lambing rate was 61.90% (26/42) and total number of lambs was 49 (prolificacy 1.88; 1.16 lambs per sheep included in LAI protocol). Three labs from 2 ewes were stillborn and one dyed at 10th day after lambing. Lambing rates for rams A and B were 53.85% (14/26) and 75.00% (12/16), respectively. Introduction of laparoscopic insemination of sheep with imported deep-frozen semen of top quality rams, gaining technical experience and achieving conception rate over 65% could make this technique acceptable in improving genetic potential of top quality sheep flocks.U radu je opisan postupak laparoskopskog osemenjavanja (LAO) primenjen kod 42 ovce rase Ile de France duboko zamrznutim semenom. Tokom tri ciklusa osemenjavanja naizmenično je korišćeno seme dva ovna (A i B), uvezeno iz Francuske. Nakon dva meseca od osemenjavanja ovce su pregledane na sjagnjenost ultrasonografskom metodom i analizirani su podaci o jagnjenju. Ostvarena je koncepcija od 61,90% (26/42) i dobijeno je ukupno 49 jaganjaca (indeks jagnjena 1,88 po ojagnjenoj ovci, odnosno, 1,16 jagnjeta po ovci uključenoj u protokol LAO). Tri jagnjeta od dve ovce bila su mrtvorođena i jedno jagnje je uginulo 10. dana nakon jagnjenja. Sjagnjenost od semena ovna A iznosila je 58,85% (14/26) a od ovna B 75,00% (12/16). Uvođenje laparoskopskog osemenjavanja ovaca, uvoz duboko-zamrznutog semena vrhunskih ovnova, sticanje iskustva i ostvarenje koncepcije od preko 65% može ovu tehniku učiniti prihvatljivom u popravljanju genetskog potencijala kvalitetnih stada ovaca

Influence of environmental factors on birth weight variability of indigenous Serbian breeds of sheep

The present investigation was carried out to study the influence of environmental factors on the birth weight variability of two breeds of sheep. Animals used in this research were taken from the Pirot and Svrljig indigenous sheep breeds. The data were collected from 1999 to 2009 and were analyzed to determine the effect of the year and season, age of the lamb, weight of the lamb, birth type and sex on the birth weight of lambs. Both sheep breeds were managed in the same farm and under the same farm conditions. Statistical analysis was performed by using GLM procedure of SAS statistical package program. Results showed that young (2 to 3 years) and old (6 to 7 years) mothers gave birth to lighter lambs, while sheep in the middle age (4 to 5 years) gave birth to lambs with the heaviest body weight. However, the differences were respectively significant (P (lt) 0.01). Birth weight of lambs also depended on weight of lamb, although differences in the average body weight of lambs were statistically significant (P (lt) 0.05). Type of birth also had effect on the body weight of lambs at birth in both Pirot and Svrljig breeds (P (lt) 0.05). Body weight of lambs at birth were almost the same for both sexes (3.39 and 3.36 kg for male and female in Pirot breed and 3.48 and 3.43 kg for male and female in Svrljig breed, respectively), though the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The values of birth weight observed for quite a number of years ranged from 3.27 to 3.52 kg in Pirot and 3.34 to 3.51 kg in Svrljig breed (P (lt) 0.01). Lambs born in the spring-summer season has the heaviest body weight at birth. Conversely, the significant difference (P (lt) 0.05) can only be interpreted as the factor of food source

Najznačajnije dileme koje se odnose na dobrobit farmskih životinja

In this review paper, contradictions in modern livestock production as dilemmas of farm animal welfare are considered. The main dilemma concerns the question of whether extensive production in small farms is generally better than intensive production in large farms. The next dilemma relates to an intensive selection of animals and its impact on the emergence of welfare problems. Another dilemma is related to the two main interconnected problems of pig welfare in individual farrowing pens: the piglet death by crushing and the sows' movement restriction. Similarly, welfare dilemma is the paradox of parent flocks of broiler line breeding that could not be solved until the pressure for genetic advancement in production is required due to the economic efficiency. The next example of the dilemma is the widespread practice of tail docking in piglets in order to reduce the risk of tail biting. Although the tail docking is painful and may cause death, anaesthesia is usually not applied on farms. A similar example of the dilemma is debeaking in the laying hens and the occurrence of feather pecking in free rearing systems. It is important to notice the difference between the described dilemmas, where one premise opposes the other, which is essentially a conflict between the animal welfare goals and other values, such as economic, ethical and moral issues. Finally, there are also some dilemmas about the consumers' willingness to pay a higher price of products that originate from welfare friendly rearing conditions.U ovom preglednom radu razmatraju se kontradikcije u modernoj stočarskoj proizvodnji kao dileme koje se odnose na dobrobit farmskih životinja. Glavna dilema odnosi se na pitanje da li je ekstenzivna proizvodnja na malim farmama generalno bolja od intenzivne proizvodnje na velikim farmama. Sledeća dilema odnosi se na primenu intenzivne selekcije životinja i njen uticaj na nastanak problema dobrobiti. Naredna dilema se odnosi na dva glavna međusobno povezana problema dobrobiti svinja u pojedinačnim boksovima za prašenje: uginuća prasadi gnječenjem i ograničenje kretanja krmača. Takođe, dilema u vezi sa dobrobiti je paradoks roditeljskih jata tovnih pilića koja se ne može rešiti dok postoji pritisak za genetski napredak u proizvodnji zbog ekonomske efikasnosti. Sledeći primer dileme je široko rasprostranjena praksa sečenja repa kod prasadi kako bi se smanjio rizik od griže repova. Iako je sečenje repa bolno i može prouzrokovati uginuće, anestezija se obično ne primjenjuje na farmama. Sličan primer dileme je i skraćivanje kljuna kod kokoši nosilja i pojava kljucanja perja u sistemima slobodnog uzgoja. Važno je uočiti razliku između opisanih dilema, gde je jedna premisa suprotstavljena drugoj, što je u suštini konflikt između ciljeva dobrobiti životinja i drugih aspekata, kao što su ekonomska, etička i moralna pitanja. Konačno, postoje i neke dileme koje se odnose na spremnost potrošača da plate višu cenu za proizvode koji su dobijeni u uslovima gajenja koji pospešuju dobrobit farmskih životinja