SLOVENIAN WAY OF LEGISLATION ON AnGR

Slovenian has a long tradition in the conservation of farm animal genetic resources (FAnGR). Here we can find one of the ancient examples in the equine. The Lipizzan horse is one of the oldest cultivated horse breeds in the world. Its name is closely related to Lipica (Slovenia), the place of origin of the Lipizzaner breed, situated in the Slovene Karst (slovenski Kras) region, founded in 1580. Very important is an initiative for the protection of local bee breed Apis Melifera Carniolica dated from the year 1920. The conservation of FAnGR in the last century was sporadic and as a consequence many breeds has been lost in Slovenia. Some activities for the protection of breeds have been proposed by some institutions or some individuals since 1983, but there has been no initiative from the government and politics. They even frequently disagree with the conservation of the old local breeds. In the last two decades Slovenia established some programmes for the research and to support the programme for the conservation of local breeds. The first multiyear (2001-2008) programme for the conservation of FAnGR became approved in 2001. The first regulation on this subject was accepted no more than 6 year ago in the Agricultural Act and especially in Animal Breeding Act for local breeds in the year 2002. The special Rule on Conservation of Farm Animal Genetic Resources was approved in 2004

Utjecaj tehnologije hranidbe na hematološke pokazatelje kod bikova cika i simentalske pasmine.

Cika cattle are an indigenous breed in Slovenia, while the Simmental breed is a cosmopolitan breed. The fattening trial was prepared to investigate whether Cika bulls are suitable for beef production, and the Simmental bulls were kept for comparison. The aim of this study was to investigate if different feeding technologies affect the haematological parameters of Cika and Simmental bulls. Blood samples of 17 Cika and 19 Simmental young bulls were taken in tubes with EDTA. The number of erythrocytes (RBC), leucocytes (WBC) and platelets (PLT), and the values of haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (PCV), the mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were measured with a haematological analyser ABC Vet. Differential white blood cells counts were also prepared. Data were analysed by the GLM procedure from the statistical package SAS/STAT regarding the breed, feeding technology and their interaction as fixed effects. In the blood of Cika bulls there was a significantly higher number of leucocytes as well as haemoglobin, haematocrit, MCV and MCH values than in the blood of Simmental bulls, while the number of platelets was higher in the blood of Simmental bulls. Different feeding technologies signifi cantly affected the erythrocyte count, and MCV and MCH values, where pasture reared bulls had lower erythrocyte and higher MCV and MCH values compared to stable fattened bulls. In the differential white blood cell count of Cika bulls there was a significantly higher percentage of segmented neutrophils and a lower percentage of lymphocytes compared to Simmental bulls.Cika je autohtona pasmina goveda u Sloveniji, dok je simentalska rasprostranjena diljem svijeta. Tijekom istraživanja, organiziran je pokusni tov kako bi se utvrdila prikladnost bikova pasmine cika za proizvodnju junećeg mesa. Bikovi simentalske pasmine poslužili su za usporedbu. Cilj je bio istražiti je li različite tehnologije hranidbe utječu na hematološke pokazatelje kod bikova cika i simentalske pasmine. Uzorci krvi od 17 cika i 19 simentalskih bikova prikupljeni su u epruvete uz dodatak EDTA. Uz pomoć ABC Vet. analizatora utvrđen je broj eritrocita, leukocita, trombocita, te vrijednosti hemoglobina, hematokrita (engl. PCV), prosječni sadržaj hemoglobina u eritrocitima (engl. MCH), prosječna koncentracija hemoglobina po eritrocitu (engl. MCHC) i prosječni obujam eritrocita (engl. MCV). Također su utvrđene i razlike u tipu i broju leukocita. Podatci su analizirani pomoću GLM postupka statističkog programa SAS/STAT uz uvažavanje pasmine, tehnologije hranidbe i njihove interakcije kao fiksnih učinaka. U krvi bikova pasmine cika ustanovljen je signifikantno veći broj leukocita te veće vrijednosti za hemoglobin, hematokrit, MCV i MCH u odnosu na krv bikova simentalske pasmine. Istovremeno, broj trombocita bio je veći u krvi bikova simentalske pasmine. Različite tehnologije hranidbe signifikantno su utjecale na broj eritrocita, te vrijednosti MCV i MCH, pri čemu su pašno uzgojeni bikovi u odnosu na bikove uzgojene u staji imali manji broj eritrocita i veće vrijednosti MCV odnosno MCH. Razlike u tipu i broju leukocita pokazale su da bikovi pasmine cika, u usporebi s bikovima simentalske pasmine, imaju signifikantno veći postotak segmentiranih neutrofila i manji postotak limfocita

Influence of conjugated linoleic acid on the porcine immune response and morbidity: a randomized controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has diverse influences on the immune response in different experimental models. In the present study we investigated the effect of CLA feeding on inflammatory and immune responses in a piglet model. We studied the duration of this effect and possible detrimental effects of CLA feeding. After 12 weeks of CLA and control supplementation and washout, animals were sacrificed and parenchymal organs were histologically examined.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In activated peripheral mononuclear cells interferon-γ was significantly (p = 0.008) lower in the CLA group by the end of the feeding period. This effect disappeared as soon as supplementation was stopped. No differences were found in the tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-10 production, serum immunoglobulin-G levels and fat infiltration of the liver, except that fat storage cell infiltration was significantly (p < 0.04) higher in the CLA-fed group. The effect of time for interferon-γ, interleukin-10 and immunoglobulin-G levels was statistically significant.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>At the end of the feeding period the interferon-γ response was depressed. However, the maturation of the piglet immune system in our young pig model probably outweighs the impact of CLA feeding on the immune response, even though liver fat storage cell infiltration, which plays an important role in liver regeneration, increased during CLA feeding of the piglets.</p

The Effect of Live Weight at Slaughter and Sex on Lambs Carcass Traits and Meat Characteristics

Twenty-eight (12 male and 16 female) of improved Jezersko-solèava lambs with Romanov (JSR) were used to evaluate the effect of live weight and sex on carcass traits and meat quality. Lambs were weaned at around 60 days of age. They were fed with commercial concentrate and hay ad libitum and slaughtered at 29 kg or 43 kg of average live weight at 105 or 126 days of age. Daily gain from birth to slaughter was higher than 300 g/day and was very similar for both groups. There were no differences between light and heavy lambs in carcass conformation and dressing percentage. Heavy lambs were longer, wider and fatter. The difference in lungs, head and pelt percentage were statistically significant. With increased live weight at slaughter the percentage of neck, back and rib with flank increased and chuck, shoulder and hindleg decreased. Muscle percentage in hindleg increased and bone percentage decreased as live weight increased. Considering meat quality, heavier lambs had lower lightness and higher redness. Lighter lambs had higher pH45 value. Differences between sexes were statistically significant for dressing percentage and carcass fatness with higher values for females. Males had higher percentage of liver and head, higher proportion of neck, chuck and shoulder and lower proportion of back and loin. Males tended to have higher values for muscle and bone proportion, and lower proportion of fat in hindleg. Males had lighter meat. Sex had no effect on pH values

LIFETIME PRODUCTION OF SLOVENIAN LOCAL GOAT BREEDS

The objective of the study was to analyze lifetime production data for two Slovenian locally adapted dairy breeds: Slovenian Saanen goat (334) and Slovenian Alpine goat (1105) and for the dairy type of Dreznica goat (141) which is the only Slovenian autochthonous goat breed. Dataset included records from 54 farms. Data for does born after 2002 have been obtained from the database of the National selection program for small ruminants, collected by the ICAR standards. The contribution of farm to phenotypic variance was estimated. Data was analyzed by MIXED procedure in SAS/STAT. The results showed significant effect of breed, farm and year of culling on all traits studied, except the effect of breed on completed lactations in lifetime and number of liveborn kids. The lifetime milk yield was higher in Slovenian Alpine goat compared to Slovenian Saanen goat by 413.26±172.52 kg. The difference in lifetime protein yield between Slovenian Alpine goat and Slovenian Saanen goat amounted to 11.76±5.21 kg. Dreznica goat did not differ in lifetime milk production and protein yield compared to both intensive goat breeds. Dreznica goat yielded about 25.50±5.21 kg more fat in lifetime compared to Slovenian Saanen goat. However, compared to Slovenian Alpine goat the difference was not significant. Comparison of Slovenian Saanen goat and Slovenian Alpine goat revealed higher lifetime fat yield of Slovenian Alpine goat by 13.28±5.21 kg. The results suggested reasonably good performance and adaptation of the autochthonous breed Dreznica goat in local agro climatic conditions

Quality of Italian Istrian Milk lamb meat. Influence of carcass weight and feeding system

The Istrian Milk sheep is an endangered breed of the Pramenka group raised in the North-Adriatic Karst region. Carcass and meat characteristics of 46 suckling, 6- to 14- week-old intact male light lambs from two feeding systems were analysed. Thirty-two lambs were raised in a flock fed only with forage (hay supplied in stall during winter or fresh herbage directly grazed during the other seasons). The lambs had free access to the forage supplied to their dams (feeding sys- tem: milk and forage; MF). The other fourteen suckling ovine were grown on a farm with a feeding system incorporat- ing a concentrated supply of the forage base. The lambs were stabled and creep fed on a concentrate (20% CP) at a daily rate of 100 g/head, in addition to the suckled milk (feeding system: milk and concentrate; MC). The carcasses were divid- ed into three categories of weight, following the Community scale of light lambs classification: A (lesser than or equal to 7 kg, n=17), B (7.1-10 kg, n=15) and C (10.1-13 kg, n=14). The frequency of 1st quality carcasses increased with carcass weight, reaching 100% in category C. On average, 72% of the carcasses were scored as 1st quality, without significant differences between feeding systems. The lightness of lamb meat from A carcasses was higher than that from the heaviest ones. Cooking losses showed a pattern opposite to that of pH (mean 5.44; SE 0.058), increasing where pH decreased (cate- gories A and B and concentrate-fed lambs). Shear force values were significantly affected by factors linked to the feed- ing system; in fact, MC lambs provided more tender meat than MF ones (32.6 vs 46.6 N). As carcass weight increased, moisture concentration decreased steadily (from 77.8% to 75.5%), while lipid content increased progressively (from 1.58% to 3.14%). In agreement with these patterns, the contribution of individual fatty acids (FA) to muscle weight gen- erally increased with carcass weight. A similar trend was observed for the relative concentration of saturated FA and monounsaturated FA, while that of polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) showed an opposite evolution. The feeding system modi- fied the relationship between ω3 and ω6 PUFA series: with respect to MC meat, MF meat presented a higher content of linolenic acid and its long chain ω3 derivatives and a lower content of linoleic acid and its major product, arachidonic acid. As a consequence, MF lambs furnished meat with a ω3/ω6 ratio and an index of thrombogenicity more favourable for human health than those from MC lambs

SUPPORTS FOR LOCAL BREEDS IN THE EUROPEAN REGION – AN OVERVIEW

This study analysed the incentives for conservation of local breeds in 35 European countries, with the particular reference to the situation in Slovenia. In order to collect all necessary data in different countries, detailed questionnaire was developed and sent out to National coordinators for Animal Genetic Resources in the European Region. Data were edited and analysed using MS Excel program where basic descriptive statistics was performed to show differences among countries in incentive payments. Incentives for local breeds in Slovenia were paid from the Agri-environmental payments. The amount of payment for one livestock unit was 89.38 € per year. Subsidies for adult cattle and horses of local breeds were therefore 89.38 € per animal, while for pigs there were 44.69 € per animal and for sheep and goats 13.41 € per animal. Comparing data from different countries, the highest subsides were received for cattle ranging from 45 € to 520 € for bulls. From all 35 countries, 16 countries have subsidies for horses. Despite two breeds of sheep and one breed of goat in Slovenia highly endangered, the level of subsides for sheep and goats for local breeds included in the environmental payments were equal i.e., 13.41 € per animal. Compared to 21 countries reported the financial support for sheep, only two countries had lower support than in Slovenia. The EC Regulations can explain differences in payments where the Member States are free when determining the payments level. Another reason could be since out of 35 countries, eleven are not EU members. National coordinators from all countries agreed that financial support per head is very important tool for breed conservation and such a practice should be continued. However, the current level of support does not compensate loss of income due to lower productivit