Zvonko Antunović

Influence of the season and the reproductive status of ewes on blood parameters

This research was aimed at determining the influence of the season (winter and summer) on the reproductive status of the ewe, based on blood parameters of 20 sheep in late pregnancy and lactation. Ewes in fourth and fifth lactation were, on an average 4 years old, healthy and in good condition. During the winter, the ewes were kept in stables and fed a grain mixture (300 g/day), meadow hay (ad libitum), and in the summer grazed on natural pastures. In the summer, a higher Ca concentration (P<0.01) was recorded in the serum of ewes in late pregnancy and those in lactation (P<0.05). Higher K and Fe concentrations (P<0.01) were detected in the blood of lactating ewes in summer than in winter. From analysis of the blood serum of ewes in late pregnancy and lactation, higher Na concentrations (P<0.01) were detected in winter. Correspondingly, ewes during late pregnancy had higher inorganic P, K and Fe concentrations (P<0.05). In summer, lactating ewes had a higher (P<0.01) concentration of Na, K, Cl and Fe, and higher (P<0.05) inorganic P concentrations in blood serum. Furthermore, a higher concentration of serum urea (P<0.01) and total proteins (P<0.05) were detected in ewes during late pregnancy and lactation. The average blood glucose concentration in lactating ewes was higher (P<0.01) during summer. Higher cholesterol concentrations were recorded during late pregnancy in winter (P<0.01) and higher levels in summer (P<0.05). Results obtained on the basis of biochemical blood parameters, indicate the need for animal metabolic profile monitoring, to determine the nutritive status of animals, and take preventative prophylactic measures for health disorders, to increase productivity.

INFLUENCE OF FEEDING THE PROBIOTIC PIONEER PDFM® TO GROWING LAMBS ON PERFORMANCES AND BLOOD COMPOSITION

The research has been conducted on 48 weaned lambs divided into two groups (C-control and E-experimental) and lasted for 35 days. To lambs in group E the probiotic PIONEER PDFM (R) was added to the fodder Lambs in group E had larger average body weights, greater daily weight gain, increased average daily intake and a better feed efficiency, compared to group C. However, differences between groups have not been statistically significant. The concentration of calcium in the blood serum of group E (2.16 mmol/l) on the 35th day has been statistically lower (P < 0.01) compared to group C (2.38 mmol/l). The concentration of chloride was statistically higher in group E (P < 0.05) on the 19th day (104.75:103.38 nmol/L) and statistically lower (P < 0.05) on the 35 th day (106.00: 107.33 mmol/L). The concentration of iron in the blood serum was statistically higher (P < 0.05) on the 19th and the 35th dayin group E (26.29 and 33.00mmol/l) than in group C (21.97 and 29.15 mmol/l) ; concentrations of phosphorus and potassium in the blood serum were statistically higher on the 35th day in group E (2.74 and 4.95 mmol/l) than in group C (2.41 and 4.65 mmol1l). Lambs in group E had in the blood sera statistically lower (P < 0.01) concentrations of glucose and urea. The activities of the enzymes ALT AST and CK measured on the 35th day of fattening were lower (P < 0. 01) compared to group C. The concentrations of total bilirubin and triglycerides were statistically higher in group E than in group C.

Changes of thyroid hormones concentration in blood of sheep depending on age and reproductive status

Abstract The influence of the reproductive status was tested in the blood serum of 30 sheep (10 pregnant sheep on the 15th day prior to lambing, 10 lactating sheep on the 20th day of the lactation and 10 non-pregnant sheep). The influence of age was determined in the blood serum of 20 sheep and 20 lambs. Analysis of the impact of age in sheep and lamb on the concentration of thyroid hormones showed that 30-day old lambs had significantly higher (P<0.01) concentration of T3 and T4 compared to the other age categories of sheep. At the same time, 100-day old lambs had significantly higher concentration of T4 if compared to the 1 and 3-year old sheep. Referring to the reproductive status, there was significantly lower (P<0.01) concentration of T3 determined in the blood of lactating sheep than of non-pregnant and pregnant sheep. These findings point out unsatisfactory energy supply in the older sheep, sheep during late pregnancy and sheep at the beginning of lactation.

Effect of breed on mineral composition of meat from light lambs

Abstract The proximate composition and mineral content of light lambs muscle (derived from Istrian and Dalmatian Pramenka breeds) were studied. The M. Longissimus dorsi (MLD) samples of 30 carcasses were analysed and the effects of breed and sex were studied. Although lambs of investigated breeds were similar for slaughter age (2.5 months), Dalmatian Pramenka had significantly higher carcass weights (CW; P<0.05). Breed had a significant influence on moisture and fat contents, whilst mineral composition (with the exception of selenium) was scarcely affected by breed and sex. Fat and moisture contents were significantly correlated with cold CW. The magnesium, calcium, manganese and selenium contents were significantly correlated (r=0.50, -0.46, 0.44, 0.54; P<0.05 respectively) with CW. This study contributes to characterization of lamb carcasses from Istrian Sheep and Dalmatian Pramenka breeds and provides new data on the composition of the MLD of light lambs.

Influence of different selenium sources on performance, blood and meat selenium content of fattening lambs

Abstract An investigation was conducted to evaluate the bioavailability of different Se sources on fattening lambs. Forty-eight lambs, divided in 3 groups, were ad libitum fed the same diet without Se addition (control, C), or with a supply of 0.03% sodium selenite (IS) or 0.03% of organic selenium (OS; Sel-PlexTM). Growth performances were not affected by treatment. With respect to C, OS significantly increased Se content of blood (P<0.01), liver (P<0.01) and GSH-Px enzyme activity (P<0.01). OS also significantly increased blood (P<0.01) and liver (P<0.05) Se content with respect to IS. It was concluded that Se in organic form had a better bioavailability compared to the inorganic form.

Concentration of selenium in soil, pasture, blood and wool of sheep

Investigations have been conducted on Slavonia during a threeyear period on six locations, two per each year during June (in the firstyear = Vinkovci and Beli Manastir; in the second year = Valpovo andDjakovo; in the third year Slatina and Donji Miholjac). Six samples fromthe soil, pasture and sheep wool, as well as 15 sheep blood samplesweretakenfromeachlocality.Therewasadeficitofseleniumcontentinthe soil on four locations in the second and third year (0.18; 0.14; 0.10and 0.07 mg/kg) and an adequate content on locations Vinkovci andBeliManastirinthefirstyear(0.98and0.71mg/kg).ThelocalityValpovowas characterized by the highest selenium concentration in pasture,blood and wool of sheep, as well as by the lowest blood enzymesactivities (ALT, AST, CK, LDH) when compared to other locations.Selenium concentration in pasture was under the critical range on alllocations (from 0.006 to 0.03 mg/kg DM), except the locality Valpovo inthe second year (0.05 mg/kg DM). Serum selenium concentrations(from 0.035 to 0.082 mg/L) on all locations were below the adequaterange for adult sheep and differed among locations. Activities ofenzymes in the blood of sheep (AST: 3.59, CK: 4.93 and LDH:6.87 µkat/L) showed severe selenium deficiency. Seleniumconcentrations in the wool were under the critical level on all locations(from <0.0002 to 0.06 mg/kg). The results regarding selenium in woolshowed that, apart from blood selenium and activities of plasmaenzymes (AST, CK, LDH), wool should also be taken in account as aselenium status indicator.Key words: blood, enzyme blood activity, selenium, sheep, soil,pasture, wool

THE EFFECTS OF ORGANIC SELENIUM AND MANNAN OLIGOSACCHARIDES ON THE PRODUCTIVITY AND HEALTH OF PHEASANT CHICKEN (PHASIANUS COLCHICUS)

The investigation included 37 pheasant chickens divided into three groups (control and two experimentals groups) which were all fed with a standard starter feed mixture (28% crude protein and 11.7 MJ ME/kg) for the first 28 days and then with a grower for pheasant chickens (24% of crude protein and 12.1 MJ ME/kg). Sel-Plex® was added to the first experimental group in a concentration of 0.2%. A biochemical investigation of the blood samples on the 70th day of the trial showed a significantly (P 0.05), when compared to the control.

Status of selenium and correlation with blood GSH-Px in goats and their kids in organic breeding fed with different levels of organic selenium

The aim of this research was to determine how the supplement of organic selenium (OS) in the diet at different concentrations reflects on the content of blood Se and GSH-Px activity and their correlation in goats and their kids in organic breeding. The study included 24 Alpine goat breeds during lactation and their kids. Goats were divided into three groups depending on dietary treatments. Goats were fed with the cereals mixture 1 kg/per day in control group (C). OS supplied as selenised yeast in the first experimental group (E-I) 0.015% and in the second experimental group (E-II) 0.030% in cereals mixture. The addition of OS significantly (P<0.01) increased blood Se of goats and kids in E-I and E- II groups in relation to C group and higher (P<0.05) in E-II in comparison with the E-I group. Concentrations of Se followed by GSH-Px activity, and were higher in the EI and E-II groups in comparison with C group. In the blood of suckling kids has determined higher (P<0.01) GSH-Px activity in E-I and E-II groups in relation to C group. It was also determined higher GSH-Px in the blood of kids E-II group compared to the EI group. Significant correlations was found between Se levels and GSH-Px activity in goats and kids, but were significant only in the goats of E-II group. The results obtained concentration of Se and GSH- Px in the blood goats and kids showed the validity of adding OS into food in organic breeding.

Estimation of genetic parameters and genetic trends for reproductive traits in Saanen goats.

The study was conducted on Saanen goats raised in Croatia. The object of the study was to determine the average litter size (LS), birth weight (BW) and total litter weight (TLW). The study included a total of 2 500 goats among which 1 786 were phenotyped. A total of 6 349 records for BW and 4 256 records for LS and TLW were used in descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Determined averages for LS, BW and TLW were 1.74 lambs, 3.27 kg and 5.65 kg, respectively. Twinning and tripling rates were 36.9% and 6.2%. Single-trait analysis under repeatability animal model was used in estimation of variance components and prediction of breeding values. Season (as year-month interaction), age at lambing (as quadratic regression) nested within parity and type of birth were treated as fixed, while herd-year, additive genetic, permanent environmental and residual were treated as random effects, respectively. Investigated environmental effects significantly affected all reproductive traits (p<0.001). The largest phenotype variability among investigated traits was determined for TLW. Additive genetic effect accounted for 7%, 5% and 4% in total variability for LS, BW and TLW, respectively. Genetic trends of reproductive traits were estimated for the period from year 2000 to 2010. A positive genetic trend was determined for LS, a negative genetic trend for BW and genetic stagnation for TLW.

Changes in macroelements, trace elements, heavy metal concentrations and chemical composition in milk of Croatian spotted goats during different lactation stages

The research was conducted on days 60, 90, 120 and 150 during the lactation with the aim to determine the effect of lactation stage on the concentration of crucial elements and chemical composition in Croatian spotted goats’ milk. Milk yield significantly decreased (from 1.15 to 0.76 kg/day), while the concentration of Ca, Mg, P, Zn and Mo in the milk of the goats significantly increased during lactation. The concentrations of Cr, Cd and Pb in milk were very low, with no significant deviations during lactation. The quality of milk from Croatian spotted goats is adequate compared with other breeds in the surrounding area of Croatia.