Drago Kompan

Changes of body measurements and body proportions in endangered Slovenian autochthonous Cika cattle were studied. Forty six years after the last study of Cika cattle body measurements, more than three quarters of the total cow\u27s population of Cika cattle were measured. Because of great variability of phenotypic traits in Cika cattle population, animals were divided into three groups: Cika cattle type, semi-Cika type and Pinzgauer type. Animals of semi-Cika type were larger than Cika cattle type and animals of Pinzgauer type were larger than semi-Cika type. It was observed, that proportions between linear measurements in all three groups were not different between groups and not different from the "old" Cika cattle type. It could mean that inseminations with Pinzgauer bulls in the past have not had such strong influence on Cika cattle population as assumed. In order to find the animals of Pinzgauer type with an objective method, cluster analysis was performed. In the gro...

Rodovniški podatki kontroliranih tropov so bistvenega pomena za rejce ovc in izvajanje selekcijskih programov. V tej študiji smo preverili, če je mono z osmimi molekularno genetskimi označevalci ter uporabo računalniškega programa ATLAS preveriti skladnost podatkov v več-generacijskih rodovnikih jezersko-solčavske in oplemenjene jezersko-solčavske pasme. Ugotovili smo 90,9% točnost beleženja rodovniških podatkov, medtem ko smo neskladja ugotovili pri štirih družinah od 44-ih. V dveh primerih je bil potomcu nepravilno pripisan oče ali mati, pri ostalih dveh primerih pa sta bila jagnjetu napačno pripisana oba starša. V drugem delu raziskave smo poskušali z istim nizom mikrosatelitnih označevalcev določiti očetovstva štirim jagnjetom istrske pramenke, kjer v času paritev v trop pripuščajo dvajset ovnov in tako jagnje nima poznanega očeta. Trem jagnjetom smo lahko nedvoumno določili očeta z izločitvijo ostalih devetnajstih. V enem primeru smo ugotovili, da niz osmih označevalcev ni dovo...

The PrP genotype probabilities in non genotyped Slovenian sheep were calculated. Altogether 36 083 ewes and rams of various breeds were included into analysis. The PrP genotype was known for 10 504 animals. Five different PrP alleles were present in the data set. Pedigree and genotype data structure differed between breeds. Iterative allelic peeling with incomplete penetrance model was used for the calculation of genotype probabilities for each animal given the genotype data of relatives. Analyses were performed for each breed separately. Additionally, NSP (National Scrapie Plan) type probabilities and the average NSP value were calculated from the genotype probabilities. Results were presented for live animals only. There were no animals with additionally identified PrP genotype or NSP type with certainty. The PrP genotype was additionally identified with 95% probability for 0.0 to 5.7% animals of different breeds. NSP type was additionally identified with the same probability for ...

Cika cattle are an indigenous breed in Slovenia, while the Simmental breed is a cosmopolitan breed. The fattening trial was prepared to investigate whether Cika bulls are suitable for beef production, and the Simmental bulls were kept for comparison. The aim of this study was to investigate if different feeding technologies affect the haematological parameters of Cika and Simmental bulls. Blood samples of 17 Cika and 19 Simmental young bulls were taken in tubes with EDTA. The number of erythrocytes (RBC), leucocytes (WBC) and platelets (PLT), and the values of haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (PCV), the mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were measured with a haematological analyser ABC Vet. Differential white blood cells counts were also prepared. Data were analysed by the GLM procedure from the statistical package SAS/STAT regarding the breed, feeding technology and their interaction as fixed effe...

This experiment was designed to study the foraging behaviour of ewes on a pasture with paddocks with three different types of vegetation, herbaceous (n = 3), woody (n = 2), and semi open (n = 1). Forty sheep were bred on a farm in the Karst region of Slovenia. Ten sheep were focally observed during day light (5 a.m.-9 p.m.). Ewes were observed for 2 days in each paddock with one rotation, so 12 days in total. Grazing time, circadian rhythm of grazing, drinking frequency, and frequency of salt consumption were the observed behaviours. On average, ewes grazed for 10.5 hours a day (mean SD = 626.2 47.2 min), with a significant difference between individual variation (P < 0.001). Sheep grayed the most in herbaceous paddocks (P < 0.001), with lower yet similar levels observed in woody and semi open paddock. The frequency of drinking and salt consumption was low. Individual grazing sheep would drink slightly less than once per day, while consuming salt on average 1.25 times per day....

Cooperation in the fields of local breeds of farm animals in neighboring countries is particularly important. In the scientific field for such collaboration more or less there, but they are more sporadic than systematic. In the field of conservation autochthonous breeds and study their properties can deepen cooperation on many levels; on scientific research, the technical and technological and practical work. All this would help by sharing experience contribute to better understanding and promotion of our autochthonous breeds of farm animals and contribute to more effective conservation of these. In particular, we can improve breeding programs for those breeds that are bred in several countries-the so-called transboundary breeds.

In 2002, it was discovered that several Cika cattle in the mountain areas of Slovenia had escaped the official policy of cross-breeding. Here, we report a genetic characterization to assess their status as autochthonous breed. We compared genotypes for 14 microsatellite markers in 150 Cika cattle individuals with data from 16 Central European cattle breeds. We show that Cika cattle are genetically as diverse as other Eastern Alpine breeds, are more diverse than Austrian Simmental but less than the Balkan Busha cattle. STRUCTURE analysis showed Pinzgauer admixture in several individuals but also indicated a unique genetic identity for Cika. This analysis also allowed a selection of the most genetically pure Cika individuals as assessed by the panel of microsatellites. These original Cika cattle form an Eastern Alpine breed cluster together with Pinzgauer and Pustertaler cattle. Cika cattle should be considered as an authentic and valuable genetic resource, which offers clear opportunities for sustainable agriculture and landscape conservation in marginal and mountain areas.

Italy counts several sheep breeds, arisen over centuries as a consequence of ancient and recent genetic and demographic events. To finely reconstruct genetic structure and relationships between Italian sheep, 496 subjects from 19 breeds were typed at 50K single nucleotide polymorphism loci. A subset of foreign breeds from the Sheep HapMap dataset was also included in the analyses. Genetic distances (as visualized either in a network or in a multidimensional scaling analysis of identical by state distances) closely reflected geographic proximity between breeds, with a clear north-south gradient, likely because of high levels of past gene flow and admixture all along the peninsula. Sardinian breeds diverged more from other breeds, a probable consequence of the combined effect of ancient sporadic introgression of feral mouflon and long-lasting genetic isolation from continental sheep populations. The study allowed the detection of previously undocumented episodes of recent introgression (Delle Langhe into the endangered Altamurana breed) as well as signatures of known, or claimed, historical introgression (Merino into Sopravissana and Gentile di Puglia; Bergamasca into Fabrianese, Appenninica and, to a lesser extent, Leccese). Arguments that would question, from a genomic point of view, the current breed classification of Bergamasca and Biellese into two separate breeds are presented. Finally, a role for traditional transhumance practices in shaping the genetic makeup of Alpine sheep breeds is proposed. The study represents the first exhaustive analysis of Italian sheep diversity in an European context, and it bridges the gap in the previous HapMap panel between Western Mediterranean and Swiss breeds.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding system on growth and carcass characteristics of Improved Jezersko-Solcava (JSR) weaned lambs. Thirty-five lambs (25.48 kg) housed in group pens were divided into four groups and offered different diets which consisted of hay and second harvest in the ratio of 40:60 and a supplement of 650 g concentrate (Diet 1), hay and second harvest in the ratio of 40:60 (Diet 2), hay and 650 g of concentrate (Diet 3), and just hay (Diet 4) for 50 days. Daily intake was calculated by weighting the offered amount and leftovers of concentrate and forage. Daily intake per lamb contained 15.56 MJ, 14.38 MJ, 16.57 MJ, and 12.23 MJ ME for the Diet 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Lambs were slaughtered at 30.77 kg of live weight. Lambs fed Diet 1 reached the highest DG (165.5 g/day), followed by Diet 3 (146.89 g/day), Diet 2 (123.55 g/day) and Diet 4 (75.51 g/day). HCW and CCW were higher in Diet 1 and 3, compared to Diet 2 and 4. Lambs fed ...

Genetic and environmental dispersion parameters for daily milk yield (DMY), fat (FC), protein (PC) and lactose contents (LC) were estimated on 1805 does of Alpine and Saanen breed. During the period 1991-1996, 24044 monthly test days were obtained from 57 herds in Slovenia. Covariance components for random effects and residual were estimated by REML using Powell’s algorithm. The models contained season (year-month interaction) and breed as fixed effects, litter size, day of lactation and parity as independent variables, and common flock, permanent environment and additive genetic effect (animal) as random effects. Heritability for DMY was 0.19 - 0.20, for FC was 0.16 - 0.18, for PC was 0.21 - 0.24, and for LC was 0.21 0.23. The greatest part of phenotypic variance of FC, PC and LC remained in residual. FC and PC had a negative genetic correlation with DMY (-0.32 and -0.41). Correlation between FC and PC was positive (+0.57), as between PC and LC (+0.27).

SUMMARY Twenty-eight (12 male and 16 female) of improved Jezersko-soleava lambs with Romanov (JSR) were used to evaluate the effect of live weight and sex on carcass traits and meat quality. Lambs were weaned at around 60 days of age. They were fed with commercial concentrate and hay ad libitum and slaughtered at 29 kg or 43 kg of average live weight at 105 or 126 days of age. Daily gain from birth to slaughter was higher than 300 g/day and was very similar for both groups. There were no differences between light and heavy lambs in carcass conformation and dressing percentage. Heavy lambs were longer, wider and fatter. The difference in lungs, head and pelt percentage were statistically significant. With increased live weight at slaughter the percentage of neck, back and rib with flank increased and chuck, shoulder and hindleg decreased. Muscle percentage in hindleg increased and bone percentage decreased as live weight increased. Considering meat quality, heavier lambs had lower li...

The effect of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on growth parameters of sixteen piglets, divided into two groups was studied. The experiment started when the piglets were 29 days old. Prior the age of 39 days animals were fed restrictively on the same amount of feed, independent of the weight of animal. During the next period of the experiment, between ages of 40 and 75 days, the animals were fed individually, with 1.8 times of maintenance energy. Animals were weighed every week. The experimental group was fed extra with supplement of 1.5% of 80% CLA. The same amount of sunflower oil was used in the control group. During the last period of the experiment, between ages of 76 and 123 days, animals were fed ad libitum with feed without any CLA or sunflower supplement. CLA decreased average feed consumption and weight of the animals. All observed differences were found in the third or last period of the experiment, after the administration of CLA or sunflower oil was finished.

b) Same address as a) ABSTRACT The PrP genotype probabilities in non genotyped Slovenian sheep were calculated. Altogether 36 083 ewes and rams of various breeds were included into analysis. The PrP genotype was known for 10 504 animals. Five different PrP alleles were present in the data set. Pedigree and genotype data structure differed between breeds. Iterative allelic peeling with incomplete penetrance model was used for the calculation of genotype probabilities for each animal given the genotype data of relatives. Analyses were performed for each breed separately. Additionally, NSP (National Scrapie Plan) type probabilities and the average NSP value were calculated from the genotype probabilities. Results were presented for live animals only. There were no animals with additionally identified PrP genotype or NSP type with certainty. The PrP genotype was additionally identified with 95% probability for 0.0 to 5.7% animals of different breeds. NSP type was additionally identified...

Summary: Rangeland deterioration due to bush encroachment as a consequence of the reduction of the number of grazing animals is the major problem of karst land in Slovenia. The low level of phosphorus (3.8 mg P205/100g), acidity (pH=5.5) and unfavourable weather conditions during summer determine the karst sward's low productivity and unsuitable botanical composition for grazing. Some results of recent

Cika cattle are an indigenous breed in Slovenia, while the Simmental breed is a cosmopolitan breed. The fattening trial was prepared to investigate whether Cika bulls are suitable for beef production, and the Simmental bulls were kept for comparison. The aim of this study was to investigate if different feeding technologies affect the haematological parameters of Cika and Simmental bulls. Blood samples of 17 Cika and 19 Simmental young bulls were taken in tubes with EDTA. The number of erythrocytes (RBC), leucocytes (WBC) and platelets (PLT), and the values of haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (PCV), the mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were measured with a haematological analyser ABC Vet. Differential white blood cells counts were also prepared. Data were analysed by the GLM procedure from the statistical package SAS/STAT regarding the breed, feeding technology and their interaction as fi xed eff...

Genetic diversity and genetic differentiation were analysed, in a total of 103 sheep from four different populations from Croatia and Slovenia using 24 microsatellite loci. The aim of the study was to provide an initial understanding on the genetic diversity and structure of Istrian dairy sheep by analysing individuals sampled from reproductively isolated populations of Croatia (IST) and Slovenia (ISTs), while Krk island sheep (KRK) and Lika pramenka (LIK) were used as outgroups. Results revealed considerable levels of genetic diversity in the studied samples, similar to results reported in other indigenous sheep breeds related to low production systems. The genetic parameters estimated showed the highest diversity in KRK, and the lowest in LIK sheep population. Istrian breed populations were in between with expected and observed heterozygosity, and the number of private alleles identified, being higher in IST than in ISTs. In the four populations analysed, 67 private alleles were i...

Study of litter size (LS), birth weight (BW) and litter weight (LW) over successive parities was conducted on diary Alpine goats reared in Croatia. Statistical analysis was performed on records obtained out of 46 722 parturitions from 18 546 goats of different ages and parities. Twining and tripling rates were 27% i.e. 1%. Unadjusted averages for LS, BW and LW were 1.46 lambs, 3.29 kg, and 4.75kg, respectively. Univariate analysis (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, and herd-year, additive genetic, permanent environmental and residual were treated as random effects, respectively. All investigated effects were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Heritability estimates were 0.039, 0.036, and 0.023 for LS, BW, and LW, respectively. Herd-year affected BW (46%) and LW (40%...

Goat breeders investigated the effects of three different additives on the number of somatic cells in goats' milk, additive DHA which is of fish origin, additive ALFA of plant origin, and additive EPA of fish origin. A control treatment contained no additive. The objective of this experiment was to answer two questions: Do any of these additives significantly reduce the number of SC in goats' milk? For treatments resulting in a reduction, how long does the effect persist? Standard statistical methods used in the first phase did not give satisfactory results, therefore we analyzed the experiment in the context of exploratory data analysis. We used several graphical displays to establish which transformations have to be used in the preliminary phase and what kind of statistical methods should be applied to answer the questions of the experimenters. The results showed that ALFA treatment is the best, its effect was significant up to 54th day of the experiment. Exploratory appro...

Slovenian autochthonous Cika and Croatian autochthonous Busha cattle were characterized by using nine microsatellites. For each locus, allelic frequencies and heterozygosity were computed. The number of alleles identified for studied polymorphic loci varied from six to ten in Cika population and from four to eight in Busha population. The mean number of alleles per locus was eight (Cika) and five (Busha), respectively. The average expected heterozygosity (Hexp) for the nine loci ranged between 0.7733 (Cika) and 0.7199 (Busha). The highest Hexp was computed for locus BM2113 (0.8521) in Cika and 0.8099 in Busha, suggesting that this locus could be the most informative for both populations. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.6316 to 0.825 in Cika and from 0.6667 to 1.0 in Busha indicating a high level of polymorphism for this set of markers. The average observed heterozygosity was slightly lower in Cika (0.7403) compared to Busha population (0.7775). Both breeds were in genetic equi...

Thirty-two Jezersko-Solčava lambs were used in a 2X2 factorial design to evaluate the effect of production system (fattening in stable with hay and cereals ad libitum or on the pasture) and weaning (suckling or weaned lambs) on carcass and meat traits of lambs. Suckling lambs were slaughtered at 125 days of age (30 kg of live weight) and weaned lambs were slaughtered at 165 days (38 kg of live weight).INTRODUCTIONNo significant differences in daily gain and dressing percentage compared to the production system or weaning were observed. Lambs from pasture had greater percentage of liver, heart and spleen. They had longer and wider carcasses and lower carcass fatness as indicated by lower percentage of kidney fat (1.16 vs. 1.99) and lowerpercentage of fat in leg than lambs from stable. They also had higher percentage of shoulder and leg and lower percentage of back, loin and rib with flank. Production system also affected meat color. Lambs from pasture had higher CIE L, a and b values...

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 s...

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 s...