Influence of nutritional supplements on microbiological composition of raw sheep milk

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of plant fat sources in sheep feed on somatic cells and the total number of microorganisms in raw milk samples obtained from 210 sheep, breed Pramenka in Una-Sana Canton. The research was conducted in three periods: winter, spring and summer. The herd was divided into experimental and control groups of sheep. In the experimental groups of sheep in each period of the study, omega-3 supplements were added to the diet, namely extruded flaxseed in the amount of 3.5%. The influence of added omega-3 supplements on the microbiological parameters of raw sheep milk, which was milked from experimental and control groups of sheep every fifteen days of the experiment in all periods of the study, was examined.  Analysis of variance (ANOVA) found that during the winter and summer feeding period there is a statistically very significant influence of both experimental factors (treatment and period) on the total number of microorganisms and somatic cells in raw sheep milk (p <0.001). In the spring diet in somatic cells, factor treatment did not show a statistically significant effect (ns)

SEASONAL VARIATIONS OF MORPHOMETRIC AND HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN DALMATIAN BARBELGUDGEON Aulopyge huegelii HECKEL 1843 FROM ŠATORSKO LAKE

Endemska vrsta, oštrulja je unesena u Šatorsko jezero, ali je na ovom lokalitetu nedovoljno istražena. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je utvrditi sezonske varijacije fizikalno-kemijskih parametara vode u odnosu na morfometrijske i hematološke parametre oštrulje iz Šatorskog jezera. Fizikalno-kemijskom analizom vode zabilježene su niže vrijednosti temperature, koncentracije O2, zasićenja O2, elektrolitičke vodljivosti i suspendiranih tvari u jesen, dok su ostali analizirani parametri ukazivali na niže vrijednosti u proljeće. Analizom morfometrijskih parametara (težina, standardna duljina, totalna dužina i Fultonov faktor kondicije) utvrđene su veće vrijednosti svih parametara tijekom proljeća, dok je značajna razlika zabilježena samo kod Fultonova faktora kondicije. Uočena je statistički značajna razlika za sve parametre eritrocitme loze (RBC-eritrociti, koncentracija HB-hemoglobina, HCT-hematokrit, MCV-srednji korpuskularni volumen, MCH-srednji korpuskularni hemoglobin, MCHC-srednje koncentracije korpuskularnog hemoglobina). U bijeloj krvnoj lozi statistički značajna razlika zabilježena je za limfocite, nesegmentirane neutrofile i monocite, dok je udio segmentiranih neutrofila i bazofila blago povećan u proljeće. Nadalje, zabilježene vrijednosti pseudoeozinofila bile su jednake u proljeće i jesen. Rezultati ovih istraživanja ukazuju na značajan utjecaj egzogenih i endogenih čimbenika na varijabilnost morfometrijskih i hematoloških parametara oštrulje iz Šatorskog jezera.As an endemic species, Dalmatian barbelgudgeon was introduced into Šatorsko Lake, but it was insufficiently explored at this locality. The aim of this study was to determine seasonal variations of physicochemical parameters of the water in relation to morphometric and hematological parameters of Dalmatian barbelgudgeon from Šatorsko Lake. Physicochemical analysis of the water recorded lower values of temperature, O2 concentration, O2 saturation, electrolytic conductivity and suspended matter in autumn, while other analyzed parameters indicated lower values in spring. The analysis of morphometric parameters (weight, standard length, total length and Fulton’s condition factor) determined higher values of all the parameters during spring, while a significant difference was noted only for Fulton’s condition factor. A statistically significant difference was observed for all erythrocyte lineage parameters (RBC-red blood cells, HB-hemoglobin concentration, HCT-hematocrit, MCV-mean corpuscular volume, MCH-mean corpuscular hemoglobin, MCHC-mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations). In white blood cells, a statistically significant difference was recorded for lymphocytes, non-segmented neutrophils and monocytes, while the proportion of segmented neutrophils and basophils was slightly increased in spring. Furthermore, the recorded values of pseudo-eosinophils were equal in spring and autumn. The results of these studies indicate a significant influence of exogenous and endogenous factors on the variability of morphometric and hematological parameters of Dalmatian barbelgudgeon from Šatorsko Lake

An assessment of regulation, education practices and socio-economic perceptions of non-native aquatic species in the Balkans

Alongside climate change, the introduction of non-native species (NNS) is widely recognized as one of the main threats to aquatic biodiversity and human wellbeing. Non-native species and biodiversity are generally low priority issues on the political agendas of many countries, particularly in European countries outside the European Union (EU). The objectives and tasks of this study were to address the policy regulation, education level, education practices, and socioeconomic perceptions of NNS in the Balkans. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Turkey (Balkan EU candidate and potential candidate members), in Croatia and Greece (Balkan EU Member States) and Italy (non-Balkan EU Member State). The EU Alien Regulation (1143/2014) concerning NNS is implemented in EU Member States and Montenegro, whereas Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey have not reported specific policy regulations for NNS. Permanent monitoring programmes specifically designed for NNS have not yet been established in the EU Member States. Most countries tackle the issue of NNS through educational activities as part of specific projects. Education level is indicative of the implementation of NNS policy regulation, and efforts are needed for the proper development of relative study programmes. Public awareness and educational preparedness concerning NNS in the Balkans were identified as poor. Strong programmes for management and education should be developed to increase public awareness to prevent further biodiversity losses in the Balkan region