Dana Pusta

Influence of DGAT1 K232A Polymorphism on Milk Fat Percentage and Fatty Acid Profiles in Romanian Holstein Cattle

Milk and dairy products are considered the main sources of saturated fatty acids, which are a valuable source of nutrients in the human diet. Fat composition can be adjusted through guided nutrition of dairy animals but also through selective breeding. Recently, a dinucleotide substitution located in the exon 8 of the gene coding for acyl CoA: diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1), that alters the amino acid sequence from a lysine to an alanine (p.Lys232Ala) in the mature protein, was shown to have a strong effect on milk fat content in some cattle breeds. Therefore, the objectives of this work were to study the occurrence of the DGAT1 p.Lys232Ala polymorphism in Romanian Holstein cattle and Romanian Buffalo breeds and to further investigate its possible influence on fat percentage and fatty acid profiles. The results obtained in this study show that in Romanian Holstein cattle the K allele is associated with increased fat percentage and higher levels of C16:0 and C18:0 fatty acids. The ratio of saturated fatty acids versus unsaturated fatty acids (SFA/UFA) was also higher in KK homozygous individuals, whereas the fractions of C14:0, unsaturated C18 decreased. The DGAT1 p.Lys232Ala polymorphism revealed a high genetic variance for fat percentage, unsaturated C18, C16:0, and SFA/UFA. Although the effect of this polymorphism was not so evident for short chain fatty acids such as C4:0–C8:0, it was significant for C14:0 fatty acids. We concluded that selective breeding of carriers of the A allele in Romanian Holsteins can contribute to improvement in unsaturated fatty acids content of milk. However, in buffalo, the lack of the A allele makes selection inapplicable because only the K allele, associated with higher saturated fatty acids contents in milk, was identified.

Carcass Characteristics of Purebred Tsurcana Lambs and F1 Crossbreds (Tsurcana X Vendeen)

The data presented in this article is included in a larger research regarding the improvement of the Romanian lamb towards the meat production. The study has been carried out from 2015 to 2016. The lambs included in this study were obtained following a protocol of estrus synchronization in Tsurcana ewes and the grouped lambing. The research is a pilot study conducted on a representative sample for the selected groups of animals and further research is needed to complete the research. The research aims to compare carcass characteristics of purebred Tsurcana lambs and Tsurcana crossed with Vendeen lambs. The criteria assessed were: the chemical composition of purebred and crossbred meat, the live body weight, the slaughtering performance and the weight of different carcass cuts. For almost all criteria chosen the crossbred individuals recorded better results.

Quality of Meat and Some Meat Products Manufactured at SC Ferma Zootehnica SRL Baia Mare

During a period of 6 months beginnings with October 2016 until March 2017, were analysed meat products such as: Haiducesc smoked chest, Premium jambon, as well as semi-smoked assortments: Pork salami, Pintea salami and Pancetta salami obtained at SC. “Ferma Zootehnică” SRL Baia Mare. The results are reported at 100 g of product and were as follow: Haiducesc smoked chest: 31.87% water, 3.2 g salt, 2.51 mg nitrites; Premium jambon: 32.16% water, 3.38 g salt, 2.78 mg nitrites; Pork salami: 53.2% water, 2.13 g salt, 2.32 mg nitrites; Pintea salami: 51.8% water, 2.21 g salt, 2.95 mg nitrites; Pancetta salami: 46.08% water, 2.21 g salt, 2.04 mg nitrites. The obtained values fit in the allowed limits of the European norms STAS 6352/1-88 and 6353-85, therefore the products obtained are very good quality.

COLOR PREDICTION IN POODLE

Colors are one of the pylons of animal diversity. As a result we can observe a divers range of colors in the animal kingdom, not only in different species, but also inside a specie’s population. Despite this fact, when we are talking about pets, only the colors accepted in shows are considered valuable, so colors have became an important criteria in establishing an animals value. Taking in consideration the case of poodle, from over twenty colors that exist in this race, only seven are accepted in sows. In consequence, breeders are interested in obtaining only these colors, so color prediction in puppies becomes extremely important. This can only be done with the help of genetics, science that hides a lot of secrets.