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Thirty two autochthonous Jezersko-Solčava lambs were used to investigate the effect of production (pasture vs. stable) and weaning system (suckling vs. weaned) on fatty acid composition of Longissimus dorsi intramuscular fat in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Pasture lambs had lower intramuscular fat concentration (P0.0001) more PUFA and trans C18:1, more ALA (P=0.0322), ARA (0.0001) and EPA (0.0149) but less SFA (P0.0001) than stable lambs. Weaning system affected PUFA (P=0.0040) and MUFA (P=0.0070) but not SFA and trans C18:1 fatty acids. The interaction of production system and weaning system was significant mainly for trans C18:1 and trans C18:2 fatty acids. Finally, lamb meat from all four treatments which are traditionally used in rearing of Jezersko-Solčava lambs are favourable from the nutritive point of view, due to their low n-6/n-3 ratio.

The Slovenian karst region and similar types of land are difficult to cultivate and often exposed to the process of being abandoned and overgrown with shrubs, trees, and brushwood. Co-grazing in a mixed group may be a way to optimize the management of sheep and goat flocks in such areas. To obtain more knowledge of the natural behavior of small ruminants, the experiment was designed on pasture in the mountain karst region. The experimental area was divided in 6 paddocks, of which 3 paddocks were covered with grass, herbs, and legumes (i.e., grassy paddock [GP]). In the other 3 paddocks the area was additionally overgrown with hazel, beech trees, and bushes (i.e., woody paddock [WP]). In a mixed flock of 40 Slovenian local sheep breed (Istrian Pramenka) and 10 crossbreed goats (Saanen × Alpine goat), 10 animals per species were focally observed during daylight (0500-2100 h). The natural behavior was scored on 12 d, 2 consecutive days in each of the paddocks. Animals were rotated between 6 paddocks according to the balanced schedule. They stayed at each paddock for 5 or 6 d. Observations started on the third day after moving the animals into a specific paddock, following 2 d of adaptation. The results indicated that botanically diverse paddock together with climate conditions affected the behavior. Goats were grazing more (P < 0.001) whereas sheep less in the WP (P = 0.05). In sheep, drinking and salt consumption were higher (both P < 0.001) in the WP, suggesting that salt triggered additional water consumption. The WP enabled conditions where more comfort behavior, that is, autogrooming (both species P < 0.001) and object grooming (both species P < 0.001), was performed. On the second day of observation, animals grazed more compared to the first day (both species P < 0.001), most likely due to lower forage availability. Goats drank (P < 0.001) and consumed more salt on the second day (P < 0.001). With higher temperature sheep and goats grazed less (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively) and goats drank more (P < 0.05). Sheep showed more while goats less autogrooming when temperature was lower (both P < 0.001). More autogrooming was shown on the second day of observation but only in goats (P < 0.001). The performed behavior of co-grazing sheep and goats suggests different foraging strategies and adaptation between the species, which may be taken into account for management decisions under specific environmental conditions in the mountain karst region.

a b s t r a c t We aimed to characterize differences between sheep farms in wolf habitat in Slovenia that either suffered from wolf attacks (n = 30) or not (n = 30) during the pasture seasons 2008-2010. Main pasture season was from April until November. Median fenced pastures were 2.7 ha and herd size was 93 sheep. The three-year period contained 288 attacks, mostly occurring in May (36), and secondly peaking in October (23). 78% of all attacks occurred at night. Significantly fewer non-attacked than attacked farms had mixed herds (17% versus 40%). Wolves killed a median of 4 sheep per attack. If herds included goats, 2 goats could be killed in addition. Sheep were driven to a night facility before dusk by 43% of non-attacked farmers, and significantly fewer attacked farms (10%). Significantly fewer attacked than non-attacked farms kept sheep in closed night barns or a separately fenced night-area (20% versus 50%). Guarding dogs (usually 2 per herd) were kept by 53% attacked and 43% non- attacked farms. Average fence height was 115 cm and did not differ between attacked or non-attacked farms. 87% non-attacked farms had wire-mesh fences (either electric or not) instead of fences with horizontal single wires, which was significantly more than at attacked farms (61%). Significantly more attacked (89%) than non-attacked farms (60%) had electric fences (mobile or fixed, fixed ones could be combined with physical fences). In spite of farmers using electric fences, annual attack number was significantly higher at farms with a history of wolf attacks than at new farms (4 versus 1). Electric fences or guarding dogs as used in the study area proved ineffective: they did not prevent wolf attacks or reduce killing rates. Adoption of mesh instead of single wires, polarity alternation of live with ground wires in electric fences, and fences higher than 145 cm seem improvements. However, potentially, improved fencing could also prevent sheep from breaking out, if wolves have found ways to enter the fenced area, and might result in surplus killing. Alternative strategies are: (1) to keep sheep in closed night barns and to move sheep there before dusk and (2) to research (a) wolf attack rates and feasibility of separating sheep and goat herds; (b) sheep and goat responses to predator attacks and methods that assist sheep and goats to avoid being attacked; (c) wolf deterring methods focused on systematic negative reinforcement of chasing and consumption of livestock.

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 effects. In the blood of Cika bulls there was a significantly higher number of leucocytes as well as haemoglobin, haematocrit, MCV and MCH values than in the blood of Simmental bulls, while the number of platelets was higher in the blood of Simmental bulls. Different feeding technologies signifi cantly affected the erythrocyte count, and MCV and MCH values, where pasture reared bulls had lower erythrocyte and higher MCV and MCH values compared to stable fattened bulls. In the differential white blood cell count of Cika bulls there was a significantly higher percentage of segmented neutrophils and a lower percentage of lymphocytes compared to Simmental bulls., Cika je autohtona pasmina goveda u Sloveniji, dok je simentalska rasprostranjena diljem svijeta. Tijekom istraživanja, organiziran je pokusni tov kako bi se utvrdila prikladnost bikova pasmine cika za proizvodnju junećeg mesa. Bikovi simentalske pasmine poslužili su za usporedbu. Cilj je bio istražiti je li različite tehnologije hranidbe utječu na hematološke pokazatelje kod bikova cika i simentalske pasmine. Uzorci krvi od 17 cika i 19 simentalskih bikova prikupljeni su u epruvete uz dodatak EDTA. Uz pomoć ABC Vet. analizatora utvrđen je broj eritrocita, leukocita, trombocita, te vrijednosti hemoglobina, hematokrita (engl. PCV), prosječni sadržaj hemoglobina u eritrocitima (engl. MCH), prosječna koncentracija hemoglobina po eritrocitu (engl. MCHC) i prosječni obujam eritrocita (engl. MCV). Također su utvrđene i razlike u tipu i broju leukocita. Podatci su analizirani pomoću GLM postupka statističkog programa SAS/STAT uz uvažavanje pasmine, tehnologije hranidbe i njihove interakcije kao fiksnih učinaka. U krvi bikova pasmine cika ustanovljen je signifikantno veći broj leukocita te veće vrijednosti za hemoglobin, hematokrit, MCV i MCH u odnosu na krv bikova simentalske pasmine. Istovremeno, broj trombocita bio je veći u krvi bikova simentalske pasmine. Različite tehnologije hranidbe signifikantno su utjecale na broj eritrocita, te vrijednosti MCV i MCH, pri čemu su pašno uzgojeni bikovi u odnosu na bikove uzgojene u staji imali manji broj eritrocita i veće vrijednosti MCV odnosno MCH. Razlike u tipu i broju leukocita pokazale su da bikovi pasmine cika, u usporebi s bikovima simentalske pasmine, imaju signifikantno veći postotak segmentiranih neutrofila i manji postotak limfocita.

This study analysed the incentives for conservation of local breeds in 35 European countries, with the particular reference to the situation in Slovenia. In order to collect all necessary data in different countries, detailed questionnaire was developed and sent out to National coordinators for Animal Genetic Resources in the European Region. Data were edited and analysed using MS Excel program where basic descriptive statistics was performed to show differences among countries in incentive payments. Incentives for local breeds in Slovenia were paid from the Agri-environmental payments. The amount of payment for one livestock unit was 89.38 € per year. Subsidies for adult cattle and horses of local breeds were therefore 89.38 € per animal, while for pigs there were 44.69 € per animal and for sheep and goats 13.41 € per animal. Comparing data from different countries, the highest subsides were received for cattle ranging from 45 € to 520 € for bulls. From all 35 countries, 16 countries have subsidies for horses. Despite two breeds of sheep and one breed of goat in Slovenia highly endangered, the level of subsides for sheep and goats for local breeds included in the environmental payments were equal i.e., 13.41 € per animal. Compared to 21 countries reported the financial support for sheep, only two countries had lower support than in Slovenia. The EC Regulations can explain differences in payments where the Member States are free when determining the payments level. Another reason could be since out of 35 countries, eleven are not EU members. National coordinators from all countries agreed that financial support per head is very important tool for breed conservation and such a practice should be continued. However, the current level of support does not compensate loss of income due to lower productivity.

The aim of the current study was to determine the incorporation of cis (c) 9, trans (t) 11-conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and t10, c12-CLA into porcine erythrocytes—both isomers were supplemented in equal proportions. The study group consisted of 16 piglets randomly assigned into experimental and control group. For the period of 5 weeks, the piglets from the experimental group were receiving a 1.2 % CLA supplement while the controls were supplemented with the same amount of sunflower oil. For the remaining 7 weeks, the piglets were fed without a supplement. Blood samples to evaluate incorporation of CLA into erythrocyte membranes were taken from all animals on weekly basis. Compared to t10, c12-CLA isomer, proportion of c9, t11-CLA isomer in the membrane of erythrocytes was higher for the whole time of the study period. After 4 weeks of feeding, it approaches the plateau. The peak value for both isomers was measured at the end of week 5, with a value of 3.24 g c9, t11-CLA/100 g of fatty acids and a 1.09 g t10, c12-CLA/100 g of fatty acids (p

Background Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has diverse influences on the immune response in different experimental models. In the present study we investigated the effect of CLA feeding on inflammatory and immune responses in a piglet model. We studied the duration of this effect and possible detrimental effects of CLA feeding. After 12 weeks of CLA and control supplementation and washout, animals were sacrificed and parenchymal organs were histologically examined. Results In activated peripheral mononuclear cells interferon-γ was significantly (p = 0.008) lower in the CLA group by the end of the feeding period. This effect disappeared as soon as supplementation was stopped. No differences were found in the tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-10 production, serum immunoglobulin-G levels and fat infiltration of the liver, except that fat storage cell infiltration was significantly (p < 0.04) higher in the CLA-fed group. The effect of time for interferon-γ, interleukin-10 and immunoglobulin-G levels was statistically significant. Conclusion At the end of the feeding period the interferon-γ response was depressed. However, the maturation of the piglet immune system in our young pig model probably outweighs the impact of CLA feeding on the immune response, even though liver fat storage cell infiltration, which plays an important role in liver regeneration, increased during CLA feeding of the piglets.

Slovenian has a long tradition in the conservation of farm animal genetic resources (FAnGR). Here we can find one of the ancient examples in the equine. The Lipizzan horse is one of the oldest cultivated horse breeds in the world. Its name is closely related to Lipica (Slovenia), the place of origin of the Lipizzaner breed, situated in the Slovene Karst (slovenski Kras) region, founded in 1580. Very important is an initiative for the protection of local bee breed Apis Melifera Carniolica dated from the year 1920. The conservation of FAnGR in the last century was sporadic and as a consequence many breeds has been lost in Slovenia. Some activities for the protection of breeds have been proposed by some institutions or some individuals since 1983, but there has been no initiative from the government and politics. They even frequently disagree with the conservation of the old local breeds. In the last two decades Slovenia established some programmes for the research and to support the programme for the conservation of local breeds. The first multiyear (2001-2008) programme for the conservation of FAnGR became approved in 2001. The first regulation on this subject was accepted no more than 6 year ago in the Agricultural Act and especially in Animal Breeding Act for local breeds in the year 2002. The special Rule on Conservation of Farm Animal Genetic Resources was approved in 2004.

Twenty-eight (12 male and 16 female) of improved Jezersko-solèava 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 lightness and higher redness. Lighter lambs had higher pH45 value. Differences between sexes were statistically significant for dressing percentage and carcass fatness with higher values for females. Males had higher percentage of liver and head, higher proportion of neck, chuck and shoulder and lower proportion of back and loin. Males tended to have higher values for muscle and bone proportion, and lower proportion of fat in hindleg. Males had lighter meat. Sex had no effect on pH values.

The Istrian Milk sheep is an endangered breed of the Pramenka group raised in the North-Adriatic Karst region. Carcass and meat characteristics of 46 suckling, 6- to 14- week-old intact male light lambs from two feeding systems were analysed. Thirty-two lambs were raised in a flock fed only with forage (hay supplied in stall during winter or fresh herbage directly grazed during the other seasons). The lambs had free access to the forage supplied to their dams (feeding sys- tem: milk and forage; MF). The other fourteen suckling ovine were grown on a farm with a feeding system incorporat- ing a concentrated supply of the forage base. The lambs were stabled and creep fed on a concentrate (20% CP) at a daily rate of 100 g/head, in addition to the suckled milk (feeding system: milk and concentrate; MC). The carcasses were divid- ed into three categories of weight, following the Community scale of light lambs classification: A (lesser than or equal to 7 kg, n=17), B (7.1-10 kg, n=15) and C (10.1-13 kg, n=14). The frequency of 1st quality carcasses increased with carcass weight, reaching 100% in category C. On average, 72% of the carcasses were scored as 1st quality, without significant differences between feeding systems. The lightness of lamb meat from A carcasses was higher than that from the heaviest ones. Cooking losses showed a pattern opposite to that of pH (mean 5.44; SE 0.058), increasing where pH decreased (cate- gories A and B and concentrate-fed lambs). Shear force values were significantly affected by factors linked to the feed- ing system; in fact, MC lambs provided more tender meat than MF ones (32.6 vs 46.6 N). As carcass weight increased, moisture concentration decreased steadily (from 77.8% to 75.5%), while lipid content increased progressively (from 1.58% to 3.14%). In agreement with these patterns, the contribution of individual fatty acids (FA) to muscle weight gen- erally increased with carcass weight. A similar trend was observed for the relative concentration of saturated FA and monounsaturated FA, while that of polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) showed an opposite evolution. The feeding system modi- fied the relationship between ω3 and ω6 PUFA series: with respect to MC meat, MF meat presented a higher content of linolenic acid and its long chain ω3 derivatives and a lower content of linoleic acid and its major product, arachidonic acid. As a consequence, MF lambs furnished meat with a ω3/ω6 ratio and an index of thrombogenicity more favourable for human health than those from MC lambs.

To find out if there was a relationship between increased intestinal permeability and the development of multiple organ failure (MOF) after multiple injuries, we correlated the extent of injury and MOF with intestinal permeability on the second and fourth day after injury.Prospective open study.University hospital, Slovenia.29 multiply injured patients, injury severity score (ISS) over 25, admitted shocked.Intestinal permeability measured by giving lactulose and mannitol solution enterally on days 2 and 4.The lactulose: mannitol ratio calculated from the urinary portion of the probe molecules. ISS and the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE II) calculated on admission.The median lactulose: mannitol ratio for five volunteers was 0.014 (range 0.008-0.017) and that for 29 patients was 0.03 (0.01-0.1). On day 2 it was 0.03 (0.02-0.1), on day 4 0.02 (0.01-0.2). The ratio calculated on day 2 correlated with average and late MOF scores (r = 0.41 R2 = 0.1681, p0.03 and r = 0.38, R2 = 0.1444, p0.04) and that measured on day 4 correlated with overall, early, and late MOF scores (r = 0.47, R2 = 0.2209, p0.01; r = 0.51, R2 = 0.2601, p0.005; r = 0.39, R = 0.1512, p0.04). No correlation was found between ISS, transport time, shock index, APACHE II, and days in intensive care.Even if intestinal permeability is invariably increased after injury, it seems to have some predictive value for MOF in multiply injured patients because it correlates with its development.

In Slovenian sheep breeding programme rams from top flocks are selected for performance test on growth in two test stations with different conditions. The aim of this work was to develop a model that could be used for genetic evaluation using BLUP method. Data on 3,500 rams of several breeds were collected from breeding programme database and analysed with linear mixed model. The selected model accounted for the following fixed effects: breed, station, age at weighing as quadratic polynomial nested within breed and station, parity and the number of liveborn littermates. Additionally, several random effects were included: origin, origin-year interaction, season as day of weighing, and the effect of individual ram. Results showed differences in growth between breeds and stations, higher body weight for rams born as single lambs and lower body weight for rams born in first parity. Variance component ratios are reported for random effects. The analysis did not include pedigree information, but it was shown a considerable variance between rams.