INFLUENCE OF DIETARY SELENIUM SUPPLEMENTATION OF EWES ON PRODUCTION TRAITS, ANTIOXIDANT STATUS AND METABOLIC PROFILE OF LAMBS

Cilj ovoga istraživanja bio je utvrditi utjecaj dodatka selena (organskoga i anorganskoga) u krmnu smjesu visokogravidnih ovaca, na proizvodne pokazatelje janjadi, koncentraciju selena u krvi ovaca i njihove janjadi, pokazatelje antioksidativnoga statusa u krvi ovaca i njihove janjadi, metabolički profil ovaca i njihove janjadi te koncentraciju hormona štitaste žlijezde. Ovce su bile u posljednjoj trećini gravidnosti, prosječne dobi 4 godine, zdrave i u dobroj kondiciji, podijeljene u tri skupine po 10 grla. Istraživanje je trajalo 4 mjeseca, odnosno 2 mjeseca na ovcama u razdoblju visoke gravidnosti i 2 mjeseca s ovcama u laktaciji te u njihove janjadi u razdoblju sisanja. Kontrolnoj I. skupini ovaca obrok je bio sastavljen od 300 g/danu/životinji krmne smjese bez dodatka selena i 150 g/danu/životinji ječma te sijena lucerne, koje su imale na raspolaganju po volji. Drugoj skupini ovaca dodan je u krmnu smjesu dodatak od 0,3 mg/ kg organskog izvora selena (Sel-Plex®), a trećoj skupini ista količina anorganskoga selena (natrijev selenit). Dodatak selena u krmnu smjesu ovaca nije značajno utjecao na proizvodne pokazatelje njihove janjadi nakon partusa. U ovaca i njihove janjadi dodatak selena u krmnu smjesu značajno je utjecao (P<0,01; P<0,05) na rast koncentracije selena, GSH-Px i SOD u punoj krvi u odnosu na kontrolnu skupinu. Organski izvor selena imao je značajniji utjecaj na porast koncentracije selena i aktivnosti GSH-Px u krvi. U ovaca i janjadi utvrđen je pad koncentracije MDA u krvi s porastom koncentracije selena u krvi. Dodatak selena utjecao je na porast broja WBC (P<0,05), odnosno udjela limfocita u krvi ovaca i janjadi. Utvrđen je porast broja RBC, HGB i MCV u janjadi te MCH i MCHC u ovaca koje su imale dodatak selena u krmnoj smjesi. Koncentracija Ca, Cl, Na i Fe značajno je porasla u krvi ovaca hranjenih dodatkom selena u krmnoj smjesi. U ovaca dodatak selena u krmnu smjesu utjecao je na značajan rast koncentracija ureje i triglicerida te tendenciju porasta glukoze. U janjadi je utvrđen značajan pad kolesterola, triglicerida, globulina, HDL kolesterola te HCO3 -, a značajan rast ureje, albumina i LDL kolesterola u krvi pri dodatku selena u hranu. Anorganski izvor selena utjecao je na značajan porast pO2 u krvi ovaca (P<0,05) te tendenciju porasta u janjadi. Razlika jakih iona (SID) i z-vrijednost u krvi janjadi prosječne dobi od 23 dana značajno su pale pri dodatku anorganskoga selena u krmnu smjesu. Anorganski dodatak selena u hrani visokogravidnih ovaca utjecao je na značajan porast anionskoga procjepa. Utvrđena je veća aktivnost AST-a i LDH-a te niža aktivnost CK-a u serumu ovaca koje su u obrocima imale dodatak selena, dok je u janjadi, uz dodatak organskoga i anorganskoga selena, utvrđena značajno niža aktivnosti AST-a, GGT-a i CK-a. U visokogravidnih ovaca dodatak selena utjecao na rast koncentracije T3 i T4 u krvi. Anorganski dodatak selena u ovaca u laktaciji značajno je povisio koncentracije T3. U janjadi, prosječne dobi od 23 dana dodatak selena povisio je koncentracije T3 i T4, dok je u dobi od 63 dana utjecao na rast T3 i pad T4. Najviša koncentracija selena u mlijeku utvrđena je u ovaca koje su imale dodatak organskoga selena u obrocima. Značajno pozitivna korelacija između koncentracije selena i aktivnosti GSH-Px u krvi ovaca i janjadi utvrđena je pri dodatku organskoga selena u krmnu smjesu. Također, utvrđena je pozitivna korelacija između koncentracije selena u punoj krvi ovaca i njihove janjadi, koja je bila značajna pri dodatku organskoga selena. Dobra povezanost utvrđena je između GSH– Px, SOD i MDA u punoj krvi ovaca i janjadi, koja je bila jača pri organskom, u odnosu na anorganski dodatak selena u hrani ovaca i janjadi. Dodatak organskoga selena u hrani ovaca značajnije je povisio njegovu koncentraciju u krvi ovaca i janjadi te utjecao na rast aktivnosti enzima GSH-Px, koji je pouzdaniji pokazatelj u praćenju opskrbljenosti organizma selenom.The aim of this study was to determine the effect of dietary selenium supplementation (organic, inorganic) of high pregnant ewes on the production traits of lambs, the concentration of selenium in the blood of ewes and their lambs, indicators of antioxidant status in the blood of ewes and their lambs, the metabolic profile of ewes and their lambs and concentrations of thyroid hormones. Ewes were in the last third of pregnancy, the average age of four years, healthy and in good condition, divided into three groups of 10 animals. The research lasted 4 months respectively, 2 months with ewes during high pregnancy, 2 months with ewes during lactation and on their lambs during suckling period. Ewes ration from control group one was composed from 300 g/day/animal feed mixture without addition of selenium and 150 g/day/animal barley and alfalfa hay that they had ad libitum. Feed mixture from second group of ewes was supplemented with 0.3 mg/kg organic form of selenium (Sel-Plex®), and feed mixture from third group with the same amount inorganic form of selenium (sodium selenite). Selenium supplementation of ewes feed mixture did not significantly influence on the production traits of their lambs postpartum. Selenium supplementation of ewes and their lambs had influence on a significant (P<0.01; P<0.05) increase in the concentration of selenium, GSH-Px and SOD in whole blood compared to control group of ewes. Organic selenium supplement had a more significant impact on the increase in concentration of selenium and GSH-Px in the blood. In the ewes and lambs blood was determined decrease of MDA with increasing concentrations of selenium in the blood. Generally, the selenium supplementation led to an increase (P<0.05) in the number of WBC and lymphocytes in the blood of ewes and lambs. Also, the increase in the number of RBC, HGB content and MCV in lambs and MCH as well as MCHC in ewes that had a selenium supplement in feed mixture were determined. Concentration of Ca, Cl, Na and Fe significantly increased in the blood of supplemented ewes. Addition of selenium in feed mixture of ewes had influence on significant increase of serum urea and triglycerides and increasing trend of glucose. In the lambs was determined significant decrease in cholesterol, triglycerides, globulin, HDL, and HCO3 -, a significant increase in urea, albumin and LDL levels with the addition of selenium in feed mixture. Inorganic source of selenium influenced on a significant increase of pO2 in the blood of ewes and increasing trend in lambs. Strong ion difference (SID) and the z-value in the blood of lambs, average age of 23 days, were significantly decreased with the addition of inorganic selenium in the feed mixture. Inorganic selenium supplement in the feed mixture of pregnant ewes influenced a significant increase in the anion gap. It was determined a slight increase in activity of AST and LDH and a decrease in serum CK of ewes supplemented with selenium, while in the lambs organic and inorganic selenium supplements influenced on a significant decrease of AST, GGT and CK. Selenium supplementation of high pregnant ewes had influence on the growth of the concentration of T3 and T4 in the blood. Inorganic selenium supplement in lactating ewes influenced a significant increase in concentration of T3. In the lambs, average age 23 days, selenium supplement had influence increase of concentrations of T3 and T4, while aged 63 days had influence on increase T3 and decrease T4. The highest concentration of selenium in milk was determined in ewes that had supplement of organic selenium in the rations. A significant positive correlation between selenium concentration and GSH-Px in the blood of ewes and lambs was determined with the addition of organic selenium in feed mixture. Also, positive correlation was determined between the concentration of selenium in whole blood of ewes and their lambs, which was significant with supplementation of organic selenium. Also, positive correlation between GSH-Px, SOD and MDA was determined in whole blood of ewes and lambs that was stronger in organic compared to inorganic selenium supplement in feed mixture of ewes and lambs. Supplementation of ewes with organic selenium was significantly increased its concentration in the blood of ewes and lambs, and had influence on increase of GSH-Px, which is more reliable indicator in monitoring the supply of body with selenium

Hematološki pokazatelji ovaca tijekom laktacije u ekološkom uzgoju

The aim of this investigation is to determine haematological parameters of ewes during lactation in organic farming. Research was carried out with 32 Merinolandschaf ewes in age of 4 years and in third lactation. Sampling of blood from the same ewes was conducted on 20th, 60th and 100th day of lactation. Feeding was based on feed mixture and meadow hay from organic farming. Haematological parameters (number of leukocyte-WBC, erythrocytes-RBC, and platelet-PLT, as well as content of haemoglobin-HGB, haematocrit-HCT, mean corpuscular volume-MCV, the average haemoglobin content in erythrocytes-MCH and mean haemoglobin concentration in erythrocytes-MCHC) in whole blood of ewes and differential blood test (segmented neutrophils-SEG, band cells-NESEG, lymphocytes-LYM, eosinophils- EOS, monocytes-MON and basophils-BAS) were determined. During the lactation significant decrease of RBC (9.36-8.62×1012 L-1), HGB (92.59-86.25 g L-1) and number of BAS (0.41-0.03%) was determined, while MON (0.53-0.06%) decreased until 60th day of lactation. Significant correlations were determined between most of the haematological parameters in blood of ewes in lactation. Significant positive total correlation was determined between RBC and HGB (0.96), very strong correlation between HCT:HGB, RBC:HCT and MON:MCH (0.82, 0.76 and 0.80), as well as strong negative correlation between MCH:MCHC (-0.63). The abovementioned indicated significant interdependence of the most of haematological parameters in ewes during lactation in organic farming.Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi promjene hematoloških pokazatelja u ovaca tijekom laktacije u ekološkom uzgoju. Istraživanje je provedeno na 32 Merinolandschaf ovce, dobi od 4 godine, u 3. laktaciji. Uzimanje uzoraka krvi provedeno je u istih ovaca 20., 60. i 100. dan laktacije. Ovce su bile hranjene krmnom smjesom i livadnim sijenom ekološkoga podrijetla. Utvrđeni su hematološki pokazatelji (broj leukocita-WBC, broj eritrocita-RBC, broj trombocita-PLT te sadržaj hemoglobina-HGB, hematokrit-HCT, prosječni volumen eritrocita-MCV, prosječni sadržaj hemoglobina u eritrocitima-MCH, prosječna koncentracija hemoglobina u eritrocitima-MCHC) u punoj krvi ovaca te diferencijalna krvna slika (segmentirani neutrofili-SEG, nesegmentirani neutrofili-NESEG, limfociti-LYM, eozinofili-EOZ, monociti-MON i bazofili-BAS). Tijekom laktacije utvrđeno je značajno smanjenje broja RBC-a (9,36-8,62×1012 L-1) i sadržaja HGB-a (92,59-86,25 g L-1) te broja BAS-a (0,41-0,03%), dok se broj MON-a (0,53-0,06%) smanjivao do 60. dana laktacije. Utvrđene su značajne korelacije između većega broja hematoloških pokazatelja u krvi ovaca u laktaciji. Značajno pozitivna i potpuna korelacija utvrđena je između sadržaja RBC-a i HGB-a (0,96), a vrlo jaka pozitivna korelacija između HCT:HGB-a, RBC:HCT-a te MON:MCH-a (0,82, 0,76 i 0,80) i jaka negativna između MCH:MCHC-a (-0,63). Navedeno ukazuje na značajnu međuovisnost većine hematoloških pokazatelja u ovaca tijekom laktacije u ekološkom uzgoju

INTRODUCTION OF LACAUNE SHEEP IN CROATIAN SHEEP BREEDING

In the world, there is an increasing demand for sheep milk and breeding of dairy breeds of sheep. The aim of this work is to present the production of sheep milk and the state and perspectives of Lacaune sheep breeding in the Republic of Croatia. In the world, EU countries and even in Croatia, the production of sheep milk is constantly increasing, which is evidenced by the growing interest in sheep milk and the breeding of dairy breeds of sheep, including Lacaune sheep. Lacaune sheep are bred in the Republic of Croatia by 10 farmers (2,254 breeding heads) and the number is constantly increasing. In the control of milk production of Lacaune sheep in the 3rd lactation, an average daily milk production of 2 kg was determined, and a total milk production of 400 kg in a lactation of 197 days, with an average of 6.3% fat and 6.0% protein. The production and chemical composition of Lacaune sheep in the Republic of Croatia is very similar if we compare it with available research throughout Europe. The abovementioned indicated the appropriate feeding and rearing of Lacaune sheep, but also their good adaptability. The perspective of Lacaune breeding in the Republic of Croatia is promising, and an increase in their number is expected. In addition to the improvement of feeding and rearing conditions, a higher production of milk will be achieved and the economy of production will increase

Biofortifikacija krmiva mikroelementima u hranidbi domaćih životinja

Continuous growth of human population, combined with the changes in eating habits, calls for an intensification of agricultural production. However, apart from the increase in food production, its nutritional composition is important as well, particularly in terms of microelements. In diets of over two thirds of the world’s population, there is a lack of more than one microelement. Insufficient concentrations of microelements, which are important for proper growth, development and health of humans and domestic animals, can be eliminated with diverse nutrition, microelement supplementation and by increasing the concentration and bioavailability of microelements in feeds used in animal nutrition, or biofortification. By reviewing the literature, the factors that influence the increase in microelement concentration in fodder crops are presented. Agronomic and genetic approach to biofortification is advocated as an immediate strategy to eliminate the lack of microelements most commonly lacking in diets: iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iodine (I), selenium (Se). The nutrition of animals containing biofortified fodder aims to increase the concentration of the aforementioned microelements in blood and improve their growth, development and health. By increasing the concentrations of microelements in tissues and milk of domestic animals, the ultimate goal is to meet the microelement needs in humans.Neprestanim rastom ljudske populacije i promjenom prehrambenih navika ljudi rastu zahtjevi za intenziviranjem poljoprivredne proizvodnje. Međutim, osim rasta proizvodnje hrane važan je i njen nutritivni sastav, osobito u pogledu mikroelemenata. U hrani dvije trećine svjetske populacije ljudi prisutan je nedostatak više od jednoga mikroelementa. Nedostatak mikroelemenata, koji su važni za pravilan rast i razvoj te zdravlje ljudi i domaćih životinja, može se ukloniti raznovrsnošću hranidbe, dodavanjem mikroelemenata u hranu te povećanjem koncentracije i bioraspoloživosti mikroelemenata u krmivima koja se koriste u hranidbi domaćih životinja, odnosno biofortifikacijom. Pregledom dostupne literature, prikazat će se čimbenici o kojima ovisi povećanje koncentracije mikroelemenata u krmnim kulturama, kao i agronomske te genetske načine biofortifikacije, kojima se nastoji ukloniti nedostatak najčešćih mikroelemenata u hrani: selena, željeza, bakra, cinka i joda. Hranidbom domaćih životinja biofortificiranim krmivima nastoji se povećati koncentracija navedenih mikroelemenata u krvi istih te poboljšati njihov rast, razvoj i zdravlje. Porastom koncentracije mikroelemenata u tkivima i mlijeku domaćih životinja nastoje se zadovoljiti njihove potrebe u ljudi

Influence of goats feeding on the fatty acids content in milk

Brojna istraživanja upozorila su na mogućnost modeliranja sadržaja masnih kiselina mliječne masti u cilju povećanja sadržaja poželjnih n-3 nezasićenih masnih kiselina te smanjenja zasićenih masnih kiselina odgovarajućom hranidbom koza. Dosadašnja istraživanja pokazala su porast sadržaja kapronske (C6:0), kaprilne (C8:0), konjugirane linolne (CLA, rumenske kiseline, cis-9, trans-11 C18:2), linolenske (C18:3), eikozapentaenske (C20:5), dokozaheksaenske (C22:6) te ukupni sadržaj polinezasićenih masnih kiselina (PUFA) u mlijeku koza napasivanih na pašnjacima. U iste je skupine koza utvrđen manji udio palmitoleinske (C16:1), linolne (C18:2), ukupan sadržaj n-6 nezasićenih masnih kiselina te niži n-6/n-3 omjer, u odnosu na skupinu koza držanih u staji i hranjenih sijenom lucerne. U mlijeku koza kojima je u obroke uključen dodatak ulja šafranike značajno je povećan udio CLA, dok je u koza hranjenih obrocima s dodacima lanenoga ulja značajno porastao udio C18:3 u mli¬jeku, u odnosu na skupine koza hranjenih bez dodatka navedenih ulja. Pri hranidbi koza s dodatkom zaštićenoga ribljeg ulja utvrđen je značajan prijenos eikozapentaenske-EPA i dokozaheksaenske-DHA masne kiseline u mlijeko. Zaštićeno riblje ulje smanjilo je negativan utjecaj dugolančanih masnih kise¬lina na aktivnost buražnih mikroorganizama, konzumaciju i probavljivost vlakana te inhibiciju sinteze masnih kiselina u mliječnoj žlijezdi. Pri dodavanju nezaštićenoga ribljeg ulja došlo je do povećanja udjela stearinske (C18:0) i oleinske (C18:1) masne kiseline zbog biohidrogenacije polinezasićenih masnih kiselina u buragu.Numerous studies have demonstrated the possibility of modeling the content of fatty acids of milk fat, in order to increase the contents of desirable n-3 unsaturated fatty acids and decrease saturated fatty acid with adequate nutrition of goats. Previous studies showed that the milk of goats on pasture increased content of caproic (C6:0), caprylic (C8:0), conjugated linoleic acid (CLA, rumenic acid, cis-9, trans-11 C18:2), linolenic (C18:3), eicosapentaenoic (C20:5) and docosahexaenoic (C22:6) and total content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). In the same group of goats lower content of palmitoleic (C16:1), linoleic (C18:2) and total n-6 unsaturated fatty acids was found, as well as lower n-6/n-3 ratio compared with group of goats kept indoors and fed with alfalfa hay. In milk of goats fed with diets supplemented with safflower oil, content of CLA significantly increased, while goats fed with diets supplement with linseed oil had significantly higher content of C18:3 in milk, compared with group of goats fed without addition of these oils. Goats fed with addition of protected fish oil had significant transfer of eicosapentaenoic-EPA and docosahexaenoic-DHA fatty acids in milk. Protected fish oil reduced the negative impact of long chain fatty acids on the activity of ruminal microorganisms, consumption and digestibility of fiber, as well as inhibition of synthesis of fatty acids in milk gland. When adding unprotected fish oil, increase of stearic (C18:0) and oleic (C18:1) fatty acids occurred, because of the biohydrogenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in rumen

UTJECAJ DODATKA SELENA U HRANU OVACA I JANJADI NA PROIZVODNA SVOJSTVA I EKSTERIJERNE ODLIKE JANJADI

The aim of this research was to determine the effect of dietary selenium supplementation (organic, inorganic) to high pregnant and lactating ewes on the production performance and exterior characteristics of their lambs. The research included 30 pregnant Merinolandschaf ewes and lambs. The control group of ewes and lambs ration (group I) was composed of 300 g/day/animal feed mixture without the addition of selenium and 150 g/day/animal, barley and alfalfa hay which they had ad libitum. Feed mixture of group II was supplemented with 0.3 mg/kg of Selplex®, and the third group with the same amount of Sodium selenite. The average body weight of lambs at the age of 23 days was significantly (P<0.05) bigger in the group given inorganic selenium in comparison to the control group. Addition of inorganic (P<0.01) or organic (P<0.05) selenium led to a significantly better exterior characteristics in lambs at the age of 63 days comparing them with the control group of lambs. A significant by (P<0.05) better indices of body proportions and body mass are evident in younger lambs whose mothers, and they, were fed mixtures with the addition of inorganic selenium. Indexes of anamorphosis, body condition and massiveness were better (P<0.05) in older lambs which had organic form of selenium added to feed mixture. Results of current study suggest that the form of Se source used in this research, has a limited potential for improving the production performance of lambs especially if there was no significant lack of seleniumCilj ovoga istraživanja bio je utvrditi utjecaj dodatka selena (organskog, anorganskog) u krmnu smjesu visoko gravidnih ovaca i ovaca u laktaciji na proizvodna svojstva i eksterijerne odlike njihove janjadi. Istraživanje je provedeno na 30 Merinolandšaf ovaca i janjadi. Obrok kontrolne skupine ovaca i janjadi (skupina I) bio je sastavljen od 300 g/danu/životinji krmne smjese bez dodatka selena te 150 g/danu/životinji ječma i sijena lucerne kojeg su imale ad libitum. U krmnu smjesu II skupine dodano je 0,3 mg/kg Selplexa®, a u treću ista količina natrij selenita. Prosječna tjelesna masa janjadi u dobi od 23 dana bila je značajno (P<0,05) veća u skupini s dodatkom anorganskog selena u odnosu na kontrolnu. Dodatak anorganskog (P<0,01) ili organskog (P<0,05) selena vodi značajno boljim eksterijernim odlikama u janjadi prosječne dobi od 63 dana u odnosu na kontrolnu skupinu janjadi. Značajno bolji (P<0,05) indeksi tjelesnih proporcija i tjelesne mase utvrđeni su u mlađe janjadi čije su majke a i oni imali dodatak anorganskog selena u krmnoj smjesi. Indeksi anamorfoznosti, tjelesne kondicije i mišićavosti su značajno (P<0,05) bolji u starije janjadi čije su majke a i oni imali dodatak organskog selena u krmnoj smjesi. Rezultati upućuju da izvor selena u krmnoj smjesi u ovom istraživanju ima ograničavajući potencijal u poboljšanju proizvodnih svojstava janjadi osobito ukoliko prethodno nije prisutan veliki nedostatak, već samo manjak selena

Utjecaj koncentriranih krmiva na proizvodna svojstva, biokemijske pokazatelje i koncentraciju hormona štitne žlijezde dubrovačke rude hranjene voluminoznim krmivima

The research was carried out on 20 Dubrovnik sheep, divided into two groups. During the day, ewes and lambs were out in pasture and in the evening, after returning to the barn, ewes of group I were fed with only hay, and group II, besides hay, received 200 g corn and 100 g wheat bran. Body measurement, assessment of body condition, weighing and blood sampling were carried out in highly pregnant and lactating ewes. The addition of concentrate feed to the ewes´ diets was justified because it improved the ewes´ production traits (higher body weight, lower ewe weight loss per lamb, better body development indices). The significantly higher concentrations of cholesterol, beta-hydroxybutirate and thyroxine hormone in the blood of group II show that metabolic profile indicators may be considered as a good criterion for assessing their nutritional status. The research showed that the genetic potential of Dubrovnik sheep has not been fully exploited so that improved nutrition may significantly improve the ewes´ production traits, which should guarantee the survival of this, the most endangered native Croatian breed of sheep.Istraživanje je provedeno na 20 ovaca pasmine dubrovačka ruda, podijeljenih u dvije skupine. Tijekom dana ovce i janjad boravili su na pašnjaku, a navečer, nakon povratka u staju, ovce prve skupine hranjene su samo sijenom, dok su one druge skupine uz sijeno konzumirale 200 g kukuruza i 100 g pšeničnih posija. Uzimanje tjelesnih mjera i indeksa tjelesne kondicije, vaganje i uzimanje uzoraka krvi provedeni su u visokogravidnih ovaca i ovaca u laktaciji. Dodatak koncentrirane krme u obroke za ovce opravdan je jer poboljšava proizvodne pokazatelje (veća tjelesna masa, manji gubici tjelesne mase ovaca po janjetu, indeksi tjelesne razvijenosti). Znakovito povećanje koncentracije kolesterola, beta-hidroksibutirata i tiroksina u krvi ovaca druge skupine upućuje na to da se pokazatelji metaboličkog profila mogu uzeti u obzir kao dobar kriterij za utvrđivanje hranidbenog statusa. Istraživanje je pokazalo da genetski potencijal dubrovačke rude nije u potpunosti iskorišten i da poboljšanje hranidbe može znatno poboljšati proizvodne pokazatelje ovaca, što je jamstvo opstanka ove najugroženije izvorne hrvatske pasmine ovaca

Upotreba konoplje (Cannabis sativa L.) u hranidbi domaćih životinja

The aim of the paper was to research the possibility of using hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) in animal nutrition. In animal nutrition, hemp seeds can be used, as well as hempseed cake, and hemp oil as supplement in feed mixtures. Hemp seeds are rich in crude protein and crude fat with adequate proportions of linoleic (LA, C18:2 n-6) and linolenic (ALA, C18:3 n-3) acid. The addition of hemp oil in diets of dairy goats increased milk fat with increasing conjugated fatty acid (CLA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) proportions. When feeding ewes with addition of hemp seeds (180 g/day) or hempseed cake (480 g/day), higher milk fat content was observed with higher proportions of LA, CLA and ALA. Addition of hempseed cake (143 g/ kg DM) in diets of cows increased milk yield, compared to the control group and the group with higher levels of hempseed cake (233 or 318 g/kg DM). Nutrition of laying hens with hemp seeds in diet (10 and 20%) provided enrichment of yolk fat with ALA, and did not negatively influence laying performance. The aforementioned indicated possibility of using hemp in diets of animals without major changes in production, and with possible increase of desirable fatty acids in animal products.Cilj je ovoga rada istražiti mogućnost upotrebe konoplje (Cannabis sativa L.) u hranidbi domaćih životinja. U hranidbi domaćih životinja mogu se koristiti sjemenke, pogača od sjemenki konoplje i ulje konoplje kao dodatak krmnim smjesama. Sjemenke konoplje su bogate sirovim bjelančevinama i sirovim mastima s odgovarajućom koncentracijom nezasićenih masnih kiselina, osobito linolnom (LA, C18:2 n-6) i linolenskom (ALA, C18:3 n-3) kiselinom. Dodatak ulja konoplje u obroke koza u laktaciji povećao je udio masti u mlijeku te je doveo do povećanja koncentracije konjugirane linolne (CLA) kiseline i polinezasićenih masnih kiselina (PUFA). Pri hranidbi ovaca krmnim smjesama s dodatkom sjemenki konoplje (180 g/dan) ili pogače sjemenki konoplje (480 g/dan) utvrđeno je povećanje količine mliječne masti, kao i povećanje koncentracije LA, CLA i ALA. Pogača sjemenki konoplje (143 g/kg ST) u obrocima krava povećala je količinu proizvedenoga mlijeka u usporedbi s kontrolnom skupinom i skupinom krava koje su konzumirale više razine pogače sjemenki konoplje (233 ili 318 g/kg ST). Hranidba kokoši nesilica pogačom sjemenki konoplje u obrocima (10 i 20%) rezultirala je obogaćivanjem žumanjka ALA-om, pri čemu nije utvrđen negativan utjecaj na pokazatelje nesivosti. Navedeno ukazuje na mogućnost upotrebe konoplje u obrocima domaćih životinja bez većih promjena u proizvodnji, uz mogućnost povećanja poželjnih masnih kiselina u animalnim proizvodima

THE USE OF PUMPKIN IN ANIMAL NUTRITION

Cilj ovoga rada bio je iz dostupne znanstvene literature istražiti mogućnost upotrebe bundeve (Cucurbita pepo L.) u hranidbi domaćih životinja. Bundeva je vrlo kvalitetno krmivo, s obzirom na visoku ukupnu probavljivu organsku tvar i metaboličku energiju. Bundeva se ne tretira pesticidima, zbog čega je pogodna za hranidbu domaćih životinja i u ekološkoj proizvodnji. U hranidbi domaćih životinja koriste se sjemenke bundeve, pogača sjemenki bundeve, pulpa, ulje i kora bundeve. Pogača sjemenki bundeve vrlo je ukusna preživačima te poboljšava ješnost krmnih smjesa. Sjemenke, kao i pogača sjemenki bundeve, bogate su sirovim bjelančevinama i sirovim mastima s povoljnom koncentracijom nezasićenih masnih kiselina, osobito oleinske (C18:1 n-9) i linolne (C18:2 n-6). Pogača sjemenki bundeve sadrži višu metaboličku energiju i veći sadržaj sirovih bjelančevina u odnosu na sačmu soje. U istraživanjima s brojlerima utvrđeno je smanjenje koncentracije ukupnog kolesterola i triglicerida u krvi te smanjenje uginuća prilikom hranidbe brojlera obrocima s dodatkom ulja bundeve od 5 g/kg suhe tvari obroka, pri čemu nisu utvrđene promjene proizvodnih svojstava. Dodatak mljevenih sjemenki bundeve u obrocima kokoši nesilica smanjio je koncentraciju ukupnog kolesterola u jajetu i žumanjku u odnosu na kontrolnu skupinu. Uz navedeno, mljevene sjemenke bundeve povećale su koncentraciju C18:1 n-9, C18:2 n-6 i α-linolenske (C18:3 n-3) kiseline uz smanjenje omjera n-6/n-3 u žumanjku. Pogača sjemenki bundeve u obrocima janjadi može djelomično (10 i 15%) zamijeniti sačmu soje, bez značajnijih promjena proizvodnih svojstava janjadi u ekološkom uzgoju. Bundeva je prihvatljivo krmivo čija je upotreba u hranidbi domaćih životinja opravdana s obzirom na visoki sadržaj bjelančevina i povoljnih masnih kiselina.The aim of the present paper was to research from available scientific literature possibility of using pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) in animal nutrition. Pumpkin is a good quality feedstuff considering high total digestible organic matter and metabolizable energy. Pumpkin is not treated with pesticides, that is why it is suitable for animal nutrition in organic production as well. In animal nutrition pumpkin seeds can be used, as well as pumpkin seed cake, pulp, oil and peel of pumpkin. Pumpkin seed cake is very tasty to ruminants and improves palatability of feed mixtures. Seeds, as well as pumpkin seed cake, are rich in crude protein and crude fat with adequate concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids, particularly oleic (C18:1 n-9) and linoleic (C18:2 n-6). Pumpkin seed cake contains higher metabolizable energy and higher crude proteins content compared to soybean meal. In reasearch with broilers lower concentration of total cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood was determined, as well as lower mortality influenced by feeding broilers with 5 g/kg dry matter of diet, while no changes were determined in production traits. Addition of pumpkin seed meal in diets of laying hens decreased concentration of total cholesterol in egg and yolk compared to control group. Besides, pumpkin seed meal increased concentrations of C18:1 n-9, C18:2 n-6 and α-linolenic (C18:3 n-3) acids with decrease of n-6/n-3 ratio in yolk. Pumpkin seed cake in lambs’ diets can partially (10 and 15%) substitute soybean meal, without significant changes of production traits of lambs in organic farming. Pumpkin is acceptable feedstuff and its use in animal nutrition is applicable considering high crude proteins content and beneficial fatty acids