Ante Ivanković

Analysis of genetic and cultural conservation value of three indigenous Croatian cattle breeds in a local and global context

It is widely accepted that autochthonous cattle breeds can be important genetic resources for unforeseeable environmental conditions in the future. Apart from that, they often represent local culture and tradition and thus assist in the awareness of ethnic identity of a country. In Croatia, there are only three indigenous cattle breeds, Croatian Buša, Slavonian Syrmian Podolian and Istrian Cattle. All of them are threatened but specialized in a particular habitat and production system. We analysed 93 microsatellites in 51 animals of each breed to get thorough information about genetic diversity and population structure. We further set them within an existing frame of additional 16 breeds that have been genotyped for the same marker set and cover a geographical area from the domestication centre near Anatolia, through the Balkan and alpine regions, to the north-west of Europe. The cultural value was evaluated regarding the role in landscape, gastronomy, folklore and handicraft. The overall results recognize Croatian Buša being partly admixed but harbouring an enormous genetic diversity comparable with other traditional unselected Buša breeds in the Anatolian and Balkan areas. The Podolian cattle showed the lowest genetic diversity at the highest genetic distance to all remaining breeds but are playing an important role as part of the cultural landscape and thus contribute to the tourist industry. The genetic diversity of the Istrian cattle was found in the middle range of this study. It is already included in the tourist industry as a local food speciality. Current and future conservation strategies are discussed.

Morphological, biochemical and hematological characterization of endangered Balkan donkey breed.

Abstract The aim of the study was to establish morphometric, biochemical and hematological values for the endangered Balkan donkey breed (Serbia) and to explore the possible age dependence of the parameters tested. Inter-breed similarity of morphometric parameters was assessed by comparing the data obtained for the Balkan donkey with morphometric measurements of several previously characterized domestic donkey breeds. The study population included 74 donkeys, divided in two age groups (group A ≤ 3 years; group B > 3 years). In total, 18 morphometric, 13 hematological and 14 biochemical parameters were assessed. Significant morphometric differences (p<0.05) in body length, head length, chest circumference and body weight were found between the two age groups. Significant differences in morphological parameters were revealed among the Balkan donkey and other donkey breeds (Catalonian, Croatian and Albanian), but results of cluster analysis demonstrated the smallest distance between the Balkan donkey and Albanian donkeys. The results of morphometric analyses showed consistency of the obtained values within the breed, and diversity as compared to other donkey breeds, and, thus, could be taken as referent for the Balkan donkey. Hematological and biochemical profiles obtained for the Balkan donkey were consistent with previous reports and within the recommended reference ranges. White blood cell, mid cell and granulocyte counts, showed significantly higher (p<0.05) values in donkeys under 3 years of age, while the only biochemical parameter affected by age was alkaline phosphatase. The information gained through characterization of the Balkan donkey breed provides a basis for conservation and development of the breed standard.

The genetic diversity and structure of 18 sheep breeds exposed to isolation and selection

The phylogenetic layout of the genotyped (30 microsatellite) 18 sheep breeds in this study demands and provides the opportunity to evaluate both neutral and adaptive components of genetic diversity in a naturally and artificially selected and subdivided sheep population. Seven Pramenka strains from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia characterized by a very low intensity of artificial selection, preserved the highest neutral genetic variability. Eight central and north-western European breeds under considerable artificial isolation and selection preserved the lowest genetic variability. Only combinations of various phylogenetic parameters offer a reasonable explanation for underlying evolutionary forces working in the investigated island and mainland sheep breeds under variable natural and artificial selection. More than 60% of total genetic, diversity was allocated to virtually unselected Pramenka strains, and an additional 25% to native moderately selected Graue Gehoernte Heidschnucke and intensively selected Ostfriesische Milchschafe. Some economically very important breeds and strains did not contribute to a pool with maximal genetic diversity, while they play an important role in the cultural heritage of respective countries.

Genetic diversity measures of the Croatian Spotted goat.

In the present study, microsatellite data of 20 loci were generated and utilized to evaluate genetic variability of the Croatian Spotted goat. Genetic variability was high, with means for expected gene diversity of 0.771, observed heterozygosity of 0.759, and 8.1 for the total number of alleles per locus. There are no indications for deviations from random breeding within the population. Level of inbreeding was only 2% and non-significant. The population was found to deviate significantly under infinitive allele model (IAM) and two phase model (TPM), while stepwise mutation model (SMM) and qualitative mode-shift test of allele frequencies indicate the absence of genetic bottleneck in the recent past in the population of the Croatian Spotted goat. High level of genetic diversity, as it is presented in this study, may be seen as an initial guide for conservation decisions in the future.

Genetic structure of three Croatian horse breeds: implications for their conservation strategy

Abstract The genetic variability for a sample of 107 animals from three autochthonous Croatian horse breeds was estimated using 20 microsatellites. The average number of alleles per locus (6.3) and proportion of heterozygosity (0.732) indicated a moderate variability. The expected heterozygosity was similar among all breeds and ranged between 0.724 in the Posavina horse, and 0.737 in the Croatian Coldblood and Murinsulaner horse. The inbreeding coefficient Fis was low and non-significant over the three populations. The genetic differentiation among the three populations was low (Fst=0.026), suggesting that only 2.6% of the total genetic variability was due to differences between the breeds, and 97% to individual differences. The results of pairwise genetic differentiation suggest that the Posavina horse and the Croatian Coldblood were the most closely related populations (Fst=0.016). These results are confirmed by Nei’s genetic distances with the highest value observed between the Posavina horse and the Murinsulaner (0.082) and the lowest between the Posavina horse and the Croatian Coldblood (0.044). An assignment test correctly assigned 82% of individuals to the correct breed. Strategies for preserving the original native genes in the Croatian native horse breeds should be considered in order to prevent these breeds from becoming extinct and include them in the future breeding programmes.

Consumer attitudes to quality animal food products in Croatia

During the last two decades, significant changes in primary animal production and animal product markets have occurred. The transition of animal production in Croatia followed from the introduction of market economics that has imposed competitiveness as the primary criterion of future development. Transition changes resulted in specialization and intensification of production, enlargement of production units, introduction of a food control system throughout the entire production chain, ensuring traceability and other relevant information about the products. Liberalization of the food product market increased the demand for competitiveness and distinctiveness of national animal production. In the last decade, adjustments of legal norms concerned security, traceability and food labeling, so that consumers have complete information when making purchasing decisions. In addition, consumers’ attitudes have changed significantly during the last two decades, and today, the hygienic safety, traceability and origin of the product have become essential criteria when purchasing food products. Research has shown that consumers in Croatia prefer food products produced within national agricultural production systems, and show a certain reserve towards imported food, especially from overseas countries. During the last decade, some animal producers tried to raise their competitiveness by creating recognizable trademarks, according to the designation of origin characteristics, traditionalism or geographical origin. Apart from strengthening competitiveness of primary production, this also enriched the supply of animal products, preserved the traditional heritage and genetic resources, and strengthened the capacity of rural areas. Consumers react positively to an improvement in the quality of animal products, preferring the products they have more reliable and complete information on. In Croatia, producers that share a common interest, especially the producers of traditional food products, cooperate to increase their market competitiveness.

Effect of breed and age on beef carcass quality, fatness and fatty acid composition

Abstract. The aim of this research was to determine differences in beef carcass fatness and in the fatty acid composition of muscle and adipose tissue of three different breeds slaughtered at the age of 14 months and 19 months. The breed significantly affected the muscle fat content, carcass subcutaneous fat tissue thickness and fatty acid composition of the muscle and subcutaneous fat tissue. Different age at slaughter had no significant effect on analysed traits. The muscle tissue of the Herefords contained a higher (P

The farm model production in Mediterranean Croatia

Models of farm production in the Mediterranean part of Croatia are special because they use traditional technologies and breeds at a significant level, respect consumer behaviour, and take care of the environment and its biodiversity. According to economic importance and impact on the environment, sheep production is dominant, followed by cattle production, while pig and poultry production are slightly present. Autochthonous sheep breeds of a smaller body frame are dominant and their main product is lamb meat. They produce from 70 to 300 kg milk per year. Dairy cattle production uses moderate levels of production intensification, modern technology and allochthonous genotypes. In beef production profiling of recognizable types of beef with the principles of organic production in the autochthonous breeds is noticeable. The main food sources for sheep and cattle production are Mediterranean pastures and grasslands, which partially limit the production, but on the other hand enrich the final product. Numerous recognizable animal products are part of the rural, gastronomic and touristic offer, and preserve their way of production in accordance with traditional heritage. Farm production does not distort the ecological harmony of the region, thanks to the traditional production technologies. Awareness of the need to maintain the tradition, recognition, economic vitality of rural areas, habitat quality and entire biodiversity is growing. Experiences in animal production in the Mediterranean part of Croatia point to effective models which combine traditional and new technological experiences in autochthonous breeds, with respect to consumer demands.

EFFECT OF TG AND DGAT1 POLYMORPHISMS ON BEEF CARCASS TRAITS AND FATTY ACID PROFILE

The objectives of this study were to determine allele frequency and genotype count of thyroglobulin (TG) and diacylglycerol-0- acyltransferase-1 (DGAT1), genes encoding the TG and DGAT1 enzymes, and to determine the effect of the TG and DGAT1 polymorphisms on fatty acid profile in beef carcass. All genotypes were determined by PC-RFLP assay. The polymorphism of TG and DGAT1 had no significant influence on the total lipid content, backfat thickness, EUROP and carcass conformation score. The TT genotype of TG gene resulted in a lower total lipid content and backfat thickness, while KK genotype of DGAT1 gene showed a greater total lipid content and backfat thickness. The content of the majority fatty acids in MLD and subcutaneous fat tissue was not significantly affected by the TG and DGAT1 polymorphisms. The results confirm the lack of an association found by other studies. Further research should be carried out to validate the initial observation.

Veal fatty acid composition of different breeds

Abstract Veal fatty acid composition in M. Longissimus thoracis was investigated in different calf breeds (Simmental, Holstein, Simmental x Holstein). Calves were reared on the same farm under identical feeding and handling conditions. Simmental calves had higher polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) but lower saturated fatty acid (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) values than Holstein and crossbreed calves (P<0,05). The PUFA/SFA ratio was the highest in Simmental calves and the lowest in Holstein calves. Simmental calves also had the highest n-6/n-3 ratio while the crossbreed calves had the lowest n-6/n-3 ratio.