Anamaria Ekert Kabalin

Abundance of IFN-α and IFN-γ gene transcripts and absence of IL-2 transcripts in the blood of chickens vaccinated with live or inactivated NDV.

As immune responses to live and inactivated vaccines might differ, temporal responses of broiler chickens to vaccination were examined on the basis of the abundance in the circulating blood of gene transcripts of IFN-α, IFN-γ and IL-2, critical cytokines for immune responses. Blood samples were collected 6, 12 and 24 hours, and 7 and 14 days following vaccination with either live or inactivated Newcastle disease virus, La Sota strain, at 14 days of age, and the abundance of transcripts for each cytokine was assayed by real-time RT-PCR. Physiological saline and vaccine emulsion without viral antigen were administered to control groups for live and inactivated vaccine groups, respectively. The abundance of IFN-γ transcripts was elevated during the early times following vaccination and had reached baseline by the seventh day but the abundance of IFN-α transcripts remained elevated. Transcripts for neither IFN gene were detected in the control birds. The abundance of transcripts for each IFN was not different between the two vaccinated groups at any time. Transcripts for IL-2 were detected only in spleens from chicken embryos that had been inoculated with the live virus. The results show that cells stimulated to produce IFN-α and IFN-γ enter the circulating blood but those stimulated to produce IL-2 do not, or in very low number, and the IFN responses to both vaccines are the same.

Postural behaviour in gilts housed on concrete and rubber slats during four seasons

Abstract In the present study, postural behaviour was compared between gilts kept in service unit with different types of flooring during all seasons. The study included four 28-day production cycles and 10 gilts per cycle, equally divided into a control and an experimental group. Control gilts were housed in gestation stalls with slatted concrete floor, whereas in the experimental group the floor was covered with an adjusted rubber mat. Postural behaviour of gilts was observed 4 times per cycle for 4 hours. Study results showed that during cooler seasons, gilts in concrete stalls spent more time standing and lying sternally, whereas gilts in matted stalls were mostly lying, predominantly laterally (P<0.001 all). There were no significant between group differences according to the time the gilts spent sitting or the frequency of changing posture in any season observed. Nevertheless, experimental animals spent significantly less time changing standing to both lying positions during all seasons (P<0.01 all). In conclusion, rubber mats may improve lying comfort in gilts; however, when using rubber mats, the house thermal conditions should be taken in consideration.

Influence of meat type, sex and storage time on fatty acid profile of free range dalmatian turkey

Abstract Dalmatian turkey is a slow growing breed kept in free range systems. It is a type of “old fashioned poultry” whose meat is present on the market and accepted by consumers. However, no information about its meat quality and fatty acid profile is available. The chemical composition of the meat was influenced by gender and meat type and these differences could be important from the consumer’s point of view. Fatty acid composition was characterized by the predominance of n6 fatty acids, especially C18:2n6 and a high n6/n3 ratio. Increased time of storage strongly reduced the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC PUFA) and increased atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indices (AI and TI) in thigh tissue. The content of beneficial n3 PUFA was influenced by meat type, with lower values of C18:3n3 and higher values of LC PUFA in the breast compared to the thighs. The potential intake of LC PUFA of comercial turkey in the human diet was lower in comparison to poultry fed with complete feed mixtures. An interesting fact was the higher DHA values in comparison with DPA values in breast tissue, which is characteristic of old poultry breeds. The Dalmatian turkey is a highly valued traditional product and an important archaic breed for gene preservation and biodiversity. Nevertheless, Dalmatian turkey meat could be even further improved by minimal dietary manipulation to become a product with additional health promoting effects.

PRLR-AluI Gene Polymorphism And Litter Size Traits In Highly Prolific Line Of Topigs 20 Sows

Abstract The objective of the present study was to identify the Prolactin Receptor (PRLR) gene polymorphism related to litter size traits. The study included 101 Topigs 20 line of sows with 426 litters. The traits studied were: Total Number of Born (TNB), Number of Born Alive (NBA), Number of Still Born (NSB), and Number of MUMmified (NMUM) piglets. Polymorphism was identified with the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Allelic and genotype frequencies and deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were verified with the chi-square test. Analysis of litter size traits was performed using the General Linear Model, which included the potential environmental effects. Additive and dominant allele variances were observed by the regression procedure. In the studied population of sows, the frequency of heterozygotes (0.5149) for PRLR gene exceeded the total number of AA (0.0198) and BB (0.4653) homozygotes, which resulted in a high proportion of B allele (0.7228). The results for PRLR showed statistically significant (P<0.05) differences in first parity sows between BB and AB genotypes for TNB and NBA. Significant differences (P<0.05) were recorded in third parity sows between BB and AB genotypes for NBA, and in AA genotype versus AB and BB genotypes for NMUM. The fourth and subsequent parity sows of AA genotype had a significantly higher (P<0.05) rate of NBA as compared with those of AB and BB genotypes. In all parities analysed, the difference between the BB and AB genotypes for NBA was statistically significant (P<0.05). Interpretation of the results at the levels of phenotypes and either additive or dominant variance was quite difficult due to the small number of AA homozygous sows. The calculation model yielded a significant effect (P<0.05) as well as tendency (P<0.1) for the mentioned effects except for age at first farrowing.

The trend of body tissues share of Simmental cattle in about twenty years period

Abstract This work investigated the bone, muscle and fat tissue shares in Simmental breed. The trial comprised 917 young bulls, progeny of 81 sires, during the period of 18 years. Sires were in their progeny testing for meat production traits. Average young bulls final body weight was 557.73±1.78kg in range between 385 and 729kg. Average body tissue share was as follows: bone 19.21±0.10%, muscle 61.91±0.15% and fat 14.13±0.11%. Significant (P<0.001) phenotypic correlations existed between final body weight and share of muscle (0.34) and fat (0.16), and between shares of bone and muscle (-0.13), bone and fat (-0.42) and muscle and fat (-0.28). Trend of increase in final body weight, muscle and bone share followed by slight decrease of fat share in investigated period was noted. It is suggested that was due to selection of large and robust sires.

Airborne dust distribution in a farrowing pen in dependence of other microclimatic parameters during spring-summer period

Abstract The study was carried out in a farrowing pen during 6 production cycles of 24 days in the spring-summer period. The effect of season and other microclimate parameters on airborne dust concentration was investigated. Study results showed a decrease in airborne dust concentration in summer period that yielded negative correlation with air temperature (P<0.05). Relative humidity was expected to decrease due to higher ventilation rates, however, a significant increase was recorded in summer (P<0.05) because of higher evaporation caused by floor wash. The decrease in airborne dust concentration was ascribed to temperature elevation due to intensified ventilation rate and relative humidity resulting in higher rate of dust settling.

Relation between microclimate and air quality in the extensively reared turkey house

Abstract Good air quality in poultry houses is crucial for animal health and productivity. In these houses, air is generally contaminated with noxious gases and microorganisms, the concentrations of which depend on numerous factors including microclimate. In this case study, the relation between microclimate and air concentrations of noxious gases and microorganisms was investigated in extensively reared turkey house. The study was carried out at a family household in Dalmatia hinterland, Croatia, with 50.3±3.1 turkeys kept in the house during the study period. Air temperature, relative humidity, airflow rate, concentrations of ammonia, carbon dioxide, bacteria and fungi in indoor air were measured three times per month from September to December, in the morning, prior to releasing turkeys out for grazing. Air temperature ranged from 9.73 to 26.98 °C, relative humidity from 63.29% to 75.08%, and airflow rate from 0.11 to 0.17 m/s. Lowest ammonia and carbon dioxide concentrations were measured in September (2.17 ppm and 550 ppm, respectively) and highest in December (4.50 ppm and 900 ppm, respectively). Bacterial and fungal counts were lowest in December (2.51×105 CFU/m3 and 3.27×103 CFU/m3 air, respectively) and highest in September (6.85×105 CFU/m3 and 1.06x105 CFU/m3 air, respectively). Air temperature and relative humidity showed negative correlation with concentrations of noxious gases and positive correlation with air microorganisms (P<0.05 all).

Ultrasound Examination of Cows During the Puerperium in Everyday Veterinary Practice

Regular control of cows during puerperium allows as detecting and treating pathological processes in the early phase, to optimise duration of service and calving period followed with the occurrence of physiological cycles. The application of ultrasound in daily practice enables precise detection of follicles ability for ovulation and identification of functional corpus lutei, early diagnose of pregnancy, determination of foetal sex as well as an early and accurate identification of pathological processes (metritis, endometritis and pyometra). This survey included 54 cows: experimental group consist of 32 animals (26 of Simmental and 6 of Holstein-Friesian breed) that were under continuous control of the veterinarian (routine gynaecological and ultrasound examination), while remaining 22 animals in the barn (12 Simmental and 10 Holstein-Friesian cows) served as a control group – inseminated only at the invitation of the owner. Insemination index (1.69) and duration of service period (82.27 days) in the experimental group of Simmental cows were significantly lower (P<0.001) than in the control group (3.25 and 155.17 days, respectively). Although smaller insemination index was observed in experimental group of Holstein-Friesian cows (2.17) compared to the control (3.10) this difference wasn’t significant. Also, service period (100.67 days) in the experimental group was significantly shorter (P<0.05) compared to the control animals (180.30 days). These results showed that application of ultrasound improved certain fertility indicators in cows, i.e. minus insemination index and shortened duration of service period.

Problems with readings of electronic tagged sheep in dairy flocks

Abstract Reliable traceability system in animal production is a crucial part for protection of animal and human health. Small ruminants are usually ear’ tagged but this tagging system especially in extensive production systems is not reliable. The use of Radio Frequency Indentifying Devices (RFID, or electronic identification) is more suitable. Ruminal boluses (Rumitag 20 gr, HDX) are first chosen for ruminant tagging because they are easy and early applicable, easy to read and fraud resistant but they encounter some problems, mainly reading failure. In our trial we investigated reading failure on one sheep dairy farm. Six hundred and eight sheep have been milked during the trial and read for four times during milking. In all four readings we had quite high reading failure in comparison to other author findings. Probable cause for this very high failure could be the use of hand held readers in crowded environment which caused lot of double reading. This means that reading protocol should be improved. Unfortunately we did not have fixed reader so we could not compare readings.