Dragomir Kompan

Recovery of Native Genetic Background in Admixed Populations Using Haplotypes, Phenotypes, and Pedigree Information – Using Cika Cattle as a Case Breed

The aim of this study was to obtain unbiased estimates of the diversity parameters, the population history, and the degree of admixture in Cika cattle which represents the local admixed breeds at risk of extinction undergoing challenging conservation programs. Genetic analyses were performed on the genome-wide Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Illumina Bovine SNP50 array data of 76 Cika animals and 531 animals from 14 reference populations. To obtain unbiased estimates we used short haplotypes spanning four markers instead of single SNPs to avoid an ascertainment bias of the BovineSNP50 array. Genome-wide haplotypes combined with partial pedigree and type trait classification show the potential to improve identification of purebred animals with a low degree of admixture. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated unique genetic identity of Cika animals. Genetic distance matrix presented by rooted Neighbour-Net suggested long and broad phylogenetic connection between Cika and Pinzgauer. Unsupervised clustering performed by the admixture analysis and two-dimensional presentation of the genetic distances between individuals also suggest Cika is a distinct breed despite being similar in appearance to Pinzgauer. Animals identified as the most purebred could be used as a nucleus for a recovery of the native genetic background in the current admixed population. The results show that local well-adapted strains, which have never been intensively managed and differentiated into specific breeds, exhibit large haplotype diversity. They suggest a conservation and recovery approach that does not rely exclusively on the search for the original native genetic background but rather on the identification and removal of common introgressed haplotypes would be more powerful. Successful implementation of such an approach should be based on combining phenotype, pedigree, and genome-wide haplotype data of the breed of interest and a spectrum of reference breeds which potentially have had direct or indirect historical contribution to the genetic makeup of the breed of interest.

The Effect of Fatty Acids in Goat Milk on Health

It has been recognized that components of foods can be contributing factors in human health and disease prevention. Based on the potential benefits to long-term human health there is interest in developing sustainable nutritional strategies for reducing saturated and increasing specific unsaturated fatty acids in ruminant milk. Despite the lower scale of milk production from goats compared with cows in Europe, there is an increasing interest in goat milk due to inherent species-specific biochemical properties that contribute to nutritional quality. Goat milk has been identified as a viable alternative for consumers that are sensitive or develop allergic reactions to bovine milk.

Fatty acid composition and sensory analysis in Boer kids meat

Abstract. This study was undertaken to characterize the fatty acid profile and sensory properties of longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle of Boer kids as affected by sex (17 male, 15 female) and slaughter weight (pre-weaned 20 kg, post-weaned 30 kg). Regarding sex differences, higher percentage amounts of lauric, myristic, pentadecanoic, linolenic and docosapentaenoic acids were found in LD muscle of male compared to female kids, whereas greater amounts of oleic acid were detected in LD muscle of female kids. Also, LD of male kids contained higher percentage amounts of saturated (SFA), polyunsaturated (PUFA) and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) while higher amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were detected in LD of female kids. Regarding slaughter weight, percentage amounts of lauric, myristic, margaric, pentadecanoic, linolenic, linoleic, arachidonic and docosapentaenoic acids significantly decreased with age (P≤0.001), while percentage amounts of heptadecenoic and oleic acids significantly increased (P≤0.001). LD muscle from lighter kids contained higher percentage amounts of SFA and PUFA, while heavier kids had higher percentage amounts of MUFA and n-3/n-6 fatty acid ratio. Except meat colour, sensory traits (marbling, off-odour, flavour, juiciness and tenderness) were neither significantly affected by sex nor slaughter age.

The crossbreeding of improved Jezersko-Solcˇava sheep with Charollais to improve carcass traits

Abstract Thirteen improved Jezersko-Solčava lambs (JSR) and 16 crossbreds with Charollais (JSRxCH) were used to evaluate the effect of genotype and sex on carcass traits. Lambs were weaned at around 60 days of age. They were fed with commercial concentrate and hay ad libitum and slaughtered at 30 kg of average live weight at 103 days of age. Crossbred lambs had at the same live weight at slaughter better conformation (9.19 on 15 points scale) than JSR lambs (7.58). Carcasses of crossbred lambs had lower proportion of fat in hind leg and lower proportion of kidney fat. Female lambs had better dressing proportion (46.25%) than male lambs (42.72%). Females had also higher scores for both internal and subcutaneous fatness and higher percentage of kidney fat. They had higher proportion of fat and lower proportion of bone in hind leg.

Carcass and lamb meat quality from improved Jezersko-Solčava flocks in Slovenia

Forty lambs (progeny of two different genotype sires and Jezersko-Solcava ewes) were used to evaluate the effect of slaughter weight, genotype and sex on non-carcass components, carcass characteristics, carcass cuts and meat quality of Longissimus dorsi. Twenty-eight lambs were progeny by improved Jezersko-Solcava (JSR) sire (JSR lambs) and twelve were progeny by Texel (T) sire (JSRT lambs). After 10 days of age lambs were fed with commercial concentrate and hay ad libitum. Lambs remained indoors with their dams until weaning at 60 days of age. Lambs were divided into three groups according to genotype/sire and slaughter weight. JSR lambs were divided into JSR-light group (6 males and 6 females) and JSR-heavy group (6 males and 10 females). All Texel sired lambs representing the third group of JSRT lambs (6 males and 6 females). JSR-light group was slaughtered at the average 29.5 kg of live weight, JSR-heavy group and JSRT group were slaughtered at the adjusted 44 kg of live weight. Slaughter weight had effect on all non-carcass components presenting JSR-heavy the highest percentage. JSR-heavy carcasses had higher carcass fatness and were longer and wider in shoulder and hindleg. Slaughter weight affected carcass cuts, having the JSR-heavy lower percentage of shoulder and hindleg, but higher percentage of rib with flank. JSR-heavy carcasses had redder meat than JSR-light. When comparing JSRT and JSR-heavy lambs, JSRT had lower percentage of liver and lungs and higher percentage of head and pelt. JSRT carcasses had lower fatness, better conformation score and better dressing proportion than JSR- heavy. The composition of hindleg showed that JSRT carcasses had higher percentage of muscle and lower percentage of bone in hindleg than JSR-heavy carcasses. Meat quality differ only in b* value with more yellow meat in JSRT than JSR-heavy. Sex had effect on liver, heart and head with higher percentages in males. Males had lower dressing percentage, lower carcass fatness and higher percentages of neck, chuck and shoulder and had lighter meat. It was concluded that progeny by Texel sire had better carcass characteristics especially dressing percentage, carcass fatness and carcass conformation. Slaughtering JSR lambs at 44 kg of live weight have as a result longer and wider carcasses with slightly higher carcass fatness score, greater muscle and lower bone percentage in hindleg than JSR lambs slaughtered at 29.5 kg of live weight.