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Designed to cover techniques for analysis of data in the animal sciences, this popular textbook provides an overview of the basic principles of statistics enabling the subsequent applications to be carried out with familiarity and understanding. Each chapter begins by introducing a problem with practical questions, followed by a brief theoretical background. Most topics are followed up with numerical examples to illustrate the methods described using data- sets from animal sciences and related fields. The same examples are then solved using the SAS software package. Key features of this third edition: - Updated throughout, and covers a wealth of new distributions and new material on non-normal dependent variables - Improved clarity of text and examples - Includes both basic techniques and more complex procedures to provide an essential resource whatever your level - Contains exercises and many worked examples in SAS. Written primarily for students and researchers in animal sciences, the text is also useful for those studying agricultural, biological, and veterinary sciences.

Strokes have especially devastating implications if they occur early in life ; however, only limited information exists on the characteristics of acute cerebrovascular disease in young adults. Although risk factors and manifestation of atherosclerosis are commonly associated with stroke in the elderly, recent data suggests different causes for stroke in the young. We initiated the prospective, multinational European study Stroke in Young Fabry Patients (sifap) to characterize a cohort of young stroke patients. Overall, 5023 patients aged 18 to 55 years with the diagnosis of ischemic stroke (3396), hemorrhagic stroke (271), transient ischemic attack (1071) were enrolled in 15 European countries and 47 centers between April 2007 and January 2010 undergoing a detailed, standardized, clinical, laboratory, and radiological protocol. Median age in the overall cohort was 46 years. Definite Fabry disease was diagnosed in 0.5% (95% confidence interval, 0.4%–0.8% ; n=27) of all patients ; and probable Fabry disease in additional 18 patients. Males dominated the study population (2962/59%) whereas females outnumbered men (65.3%) among the youngest patients (18–24 years). About 80.5% of the patients had a first stroke. Silent infarcts on magnetic resonance imaging were seen in 20% of patients with a first-ever stroke, and in 11.4% of patients with transient ischemic attack and no history of a previous cerebrovascular event. The most common causes of ischemic stroke were large artery atherosclerosis (18.6%) and dissection (9.9%). Definite Fabry disease occurs in 0.5% and probable Fabry disease in further 0.4% of young stroke patients. Silent infarcts, white matter intensities, and classical risk factors were highly prevalent, emphasizing the need for new early preventive strategies.

Heterogeneity of variance of growth traits over age is a common issue in estimating genetic parameters and is addressed in this study by selecting appropriate variance structure models for additive genetic and environmental variances. Modeling and partitioning those variances connected with analyzing small data sets were demonstrated on Lippizan horses. The following traits were analyzed: withers height, chest girth, and cannon bone circumference. The measurements were taken at birth, and at approximately 6, 12, 24 and 36 mo of age of 660 Lipizzan horses born in Croatia between 1948 and 2000. The corresponding pedigree file consisted of 1458 horses. Sex, age of dam and stud-year-season interaction were considered fixed effects ; additive genetic and permanent environment effects were defined as random. Linear adjustments of age at measuring were done within measuring groups. Maternal effects were included only for measurements taken at birth and at 6 mo. Additive genetic variance structures were modeled by using either uniform structures or structures based on polynomial random regression. Environmental variance structures were modeled by using one of the following models: unstructured, exponential, Gaussian, or combinations of identity or diagonal with structures based on polynomial random regression. The parameters were estimated by using REML. Comparison and fits of the models were assessed by using Akaike and Bayesian information criteria, and by checking graphically the adequacy of the shape of the overall (phenotypic) and component (additive genetic and environmental) variance functions. The best overall fit was obtained from models with unstructured error variance. Compared to the model with uniform additive genetic variance, models with structures based on random regression only slightly improved overall fit. Exponential and Gaussian models were generally not suitable because they do not accommodate adequately heterogeneity of variance. Using the unstructured error variance model, the heritability estimates ranged from 0.17 to 0.33 for withers height, 0.07 to 0.27 for chest girth, and 0.14 to 0.30 for cannon bone circumference. This study demonstrated the necessity of accounting for heterogeneity of variances and covariances for body shape traits in Lipizzan horses, and possible difficulties in estimating variance and covariance components when applying more complicated structure models on a small data set. The choice of models depends not only on overall fit but also on the fit of genetic and environmental components.

Animal performance varies due to the influence of genotype by environment interaction (GxE). The purpose of this study was to determine the magnitude of GxE by fitting reaction norms in models for estimating heritabilities of growth traits in U.S. Angus cattle. Weights at birth (BW), 205 d (WW), and 365 d (YW) were adjusted according to American Angus Association guidelines. Environments were defined as progeny groups from a common herd. For data to be included, the following criteria had to be met: each bull must have had at least 100 progeny, with at least six progeny per environment, in at least five environments per bull, and at least six bulls having progeny in each environment. The mean performance of all progeny within each herd environment was defined as the environmental mean. Mean performance of progeny of a sire within an environment was defined as the progeny mean. Four statistical models were evaluated for estimation of heritabilities. All models included year–season, contemporary group (processing date and lot id), and sex as fixed effects. Herd environment was fitted as a categorical effect in models designated CM and GEM. Environmental means were fitted as a continuous effect in models designated CEM and RRM. Models CM and CEM included sire as a random variable. Model GEM included sire and sire x herd environment interaction as random variables. Model RRM included reaction norms of each bull calculated by regressing progeny means on environment means. Regression coefficients from RRM were fitted to an ANOVA model including bull and environmental mean. Model fit statistics indicated RRM had the best fit. Heritability estimates ranged from 0.293 to 0.401 for BW ; 0.141 to 0.289 for WW ; and 0.147 to 0.259 for YW across all models. Regression coefficients differed among bulls for all traits (P< 0.0001). Rank correlations between environments depicted re-ranking of bulls. These results suggest that bulls differ in the consistency of their progeny′s performance across environments. Estimates of genetic merit of regressions from reaction norms may be a useful selection tool for ranking bulls to be used across diverse environments.

Designed to cover techniques for analysis of data in the animal sciences, this textbook provides an overview of the basic principles of statistics enabling the subsequent applications to be carried out with familiarity and understanding, followed by more complex applications and detailed procedures commonly used in animal sciences. Each chapter begins by introducing a problem with practical questions, followed by a brief theoretical background, and is supplemented with an abundance of examples in SAS from animal sciences and related fields.

The aim of this study was to determine the udder morphology and milking characteristics changes throughout lactation during machine milking of the sheep. Additionally, udder morphology was analyzed by using slide ruler and digital picture. Milking characteristics were influenced by milking interval and day of lactation. Udder morphology traits did not change throughout lactation, except for udder width. The repeatability between slide ruler and digital picture measurements was high (r=0.53 to 0.68). Milkability in Istrian dairy crossbreed ewes could be improved if udder traits are incorporated in selection scheme. Digital picture analysis for faster recording of udder morphology measurements in sheep can be used.

Phenotypic, genetic and environmental covariance functions were estimated for weight of young dual purpose Simmental bulls. Data consisted of the records of 1360 young bulls measured monthly from 6 to 12 mo. Covariance functions were estimated by using polynomial (POL), piecewise cubic spline (PCS) and cubic smoothing spline (CSS) random regressions on Legendre polynomials of weight easurements. Age, season and year of birth and their interactions were defined as fixed, while animal and permanent environment due to repeated measurements were defined as random effects. The parameters were estimated by REML, and the model fits were analyzed using Akaike information criteria (AIC). The shape of the overall covariance functions (phenotypic) and partial functions (additive genetic and environmental) were analyzed. By comparing models using AIC, the POL models with degrees 2 and 3 showed slightly better overall fit than other models, however, they had more parameters and consequently were more computationally demanding. Further, the fit of the partial random effects was not satisfactory. The CSS showed moderate overall and partial fit, but they tend to smooth the original data showing average increase in variability. The PCS showed the best partial fit, and good overall fit, although slightly worse than the other models. Their performance depended on defined degree and position of knots. The heritability estimates ranged from 0.37 to 0.40 for PCS, 0.40 to 0.44 for CSS, and 0.40 to 0.49 for POL. The choice of the models, including the defined degree of the overall and spline polynomials, and position and numbers of knots, depends not only on overall fit but also on the fit of genetic and environmental components. This can be verified by looking at graphs of partial covariance functions. Splines fit on Legendre polynomials, which reduces possible estimation numerical problems, proved to be very good method for estimating changes in genetic parameters over age in dual purpose Simmental cattle.

Cilj rada je bio utvrditi utjecaj duljine predstimulacije (0, 30 i 60 s) na pokazatelje muznosti krava simentalske, holstein-friesian i smeđe pasmine. Pokus je proveden na 12 krava (po četiri svake pasmine) na farmi Kovažik prema “ change-over“ pokusnom planu. Svaki tretman trajao je 2 dana nakon čega je bio 1 dan pauze. Promatrani su slijedeći pokazatelji mužnje: količina namuzenog mlijeka, ukupno trajanje mužnje, trajanje glavne faze mužnje, maksimalni i prosječni protok mlijeka. Predstimulacija od 60 s rezultirala je u najkraćem trajanju ukupne (8.20 min) i glavne faze (6.89 min) mužnje i najvećim prosječnim protokom mlijeka (2.48 kg/min). Najveći maksimalni protok mlijeka (3.57 kg/min) bio je poslije 30 s predstimulacije. Trajanje glavne faze mužnje je bilo kraće (5.21 min) kod smeđe u odnosu na holstein-friesian (8.47 min) i simentalsku (7.61 min) pasminu. Količina namuzenog mlijeka je bila najveća (20.38 kg) kod holstein-friesian pasmine. Značajno najveći (4.05 kg/min) prosječni protok mlijeka bio je kod smeđe pasmine. Općenito, povećanjem vremena predstimulacije, mužnja je trajala kraće uz povećanje protoka i količine mlijeka. U ovom radu pasmina najboljih muznih svojstava pokazala se smeđa, a najmliječnija holstein-friesian pasmina. Implikacija navedenog istraživanja bi bila primjena prosječnog protoka mlijeka u selekciji, sa ciljem ostvarivanja maksimalne količine mlijeka pri što kraćem trajanju strojne mužnje.

Cilj istraživanja je bio analizirati heterogenost varijanci i kovarijanci težine mladih simentalskih bikova te definirati optimalni model za procjenu genetskih parametara i uzgojnih vrijednosti. Korišteni su podaci težina 1360 bičića vaganih svaki mjesec u dobi od 6 do 12 mjeseci. Za procjenu genetskih parametara korišteni su modeli s ponovljenim mjerenjima gdje su dob bičića i sezona x godina definirani kao fiksni, a aditivni genetski, stalni i promjenjivi okolišni kao slučajni utjecaji. Slučajni utjecaji definirani su kao jednostavne kategoričke varijable ili koristeći Legendre polinome. Za objašnjenje varijabilnosti korišteni su homogeni, dijagonalni, autoregresivni, eksponencijalni, Gaussov, nestrukturirani model, ili Legendre polinomi. U procjeni parametara korišten je REML, a primjerenost modela je provjerena pomoću grafikona ostataka i funkcija kovarijanci, logaritama maksimuma 'likelihood' funkcija i Akaike kriterijem. Model s nestrukturiranom varijabilnosti okoline i Legendre polinomom za aditivni genetski utjecaj pokazao se najbolji. Heritabiliteti procijenjeni tim modelima bili su od 0.35 do 0.40, a aditivna genetska korelacija između mjerenja od 0.82 do 1.00. Model s dijagonalnom strukturom za varijabilnost promjenjive okoline i Legendre polinomima za ostale slučajne utjecaje je nešto slabiji nego model s nestrukturiranom varijabilnosti ali ima manje parametara što omogućuje lakšu procjenu, pogotovo ako postoji veći broj mjerenja po bičiću.

Kontrola ispravnosti muznih uređaja provedena je u Krapinsko-zagorskoj županiji tijekom 2004. i 2005. godine na ukupno 27 farmi sa najmanje 5 krava. Mužnja u kantu se obavlja na 25 farmi, dok dvije farme koriste mljekovod. Na polovici od ukupno testiranih 40 muznih jedinica utvrđen je neispravan broj pulzacija, razina vakuuma i odstupanje kanala pulzatora. Regresijskom analizom utvrđeno je da su neispravni muzni uređaji (broj pulzacija u minuti, odstupanje, razina vakuuma i omjer pulzacija) utjecali na povećanje broja somatskih stanica u mlijeku iznad fiziološke razine. Istovremeno, nije utvrđen negativan utjecaj mjerenih parametara strojne mužnje na proizvodnju mlijeka. Poboljšanje higijenske kvalitete mlijeka može se postići samo ispravnim i redovito kontroliranim muznim uređajem.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of milking interval (8 and 16 h) on milk constituents (fat, protein, lactose and dry matter percentage, and somatic cell count) in different milk fractions in Istrian x Awassi x East Friesian crossbreed ewes. Milk fraction samples of 20 ewes were collected during morning and evening milking in early lactation after 25% (M25), 50% (M50), 75% (M75) and 100% (M100) of main milk yield, and machine stripping fraction (MS) when milk flow decreased below 100 g/min from the whole udder. For the statistical analysis, a repeated measures model was used with ewe as a random effect and milking time, peak flow rate, total milk yield, milking interval and milk fraction nested within milking interval defined as fixed effects. The relationships between milk fractions and constituents within milking interval were tested by using linear, quadratic and cubic contrasts. The fat content during main milking ranged from 5.81 to 6.30 % and from 3.00 to 5.70 % after the 8 and 16 h from previous milking, respectively. Compared to the main milk fractions, the MS fraction fat content was higher (P < 0.05) after both milking intervals. Protein, lactose and dry matter did not change (P > 0.05) through the main milking fractions in both milking intervals. In contrast, MS fraction was lowest (P < 0.05) for protein and lactose, while highest for dry matter. Higher somatic cell count were observed in the M25 and MS fractions compared to all other milk fractions (P

A 2X3 factorial experiment was conducted using a total of 504, 1 day old, Cob 500â commercial broilers to determine the effect of added copper (0 or 250 ppm) and full fat soybean meal level (10, 20 and 30 %) on the growth performance and carcass properties in broiler chickens. The chickens fed 250 ppm copper as copper sulfate had lower (P

The aim of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for coat color in horses. Besides defining coat color classes (gray, chestnut, bay and black), the phenotypes were also measured quantitatively according to standardized international procedures (CIE L*a*b*), where L* describes lightness, a* describes color saturation from red to green, and b* describes color saturation from yellow to blue. The total color saturation was derived from a* and b* and referred to as Chroma. A total of 294 horses from the following breeds: Lipizzan, Nonius, Arabian Pure Bred, Shagya Arabian and Gidran were measured at neck, shoulder and belly. Heritabilities (within and between breeds or color classes) and repeatibilities were estimated using Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) from univariate animal models defined separately for gray and non-gray horses. For gray horses, the estimated within breed heritabilities for L* ranged from 0.45 to 0.49 and for a*, b* and Chroma from 0.09 to 0.52, indicating moderate polygenic effect. For non-gray horses, between color class heritabilities were high (0.70 to 0.85) and within color class heritabilies were negligible (except for L* measured on neck and belly, 0.21 and 0.34, respectively). Additionally, the importance of L* was described by the relation with the total melanin content of horse coat hair. For both, gray and non-gray horses, a strong negative linear relationship was detected (P < 0.01). The spectrometric measures and the results of this study demonstrate possible approach to the estimation of polygenic component involved in the coat color inheritance.

The aim of this study is to evaluate milking characteristics and udder morphology during machine milking in Istrian dairy crossbreed ewes. The analyzed data belong to a total of 63 Istrian dairy crossbreed ewes (twelwe crosses with 75% Istrian and 25% Awassi, IAI ; fourteen crosses with 25% Istrian, 25% Awassi and 50% East Friesian, IAEF ; and thirty-seven crosses with 50% Istrian and 50% Awassi, IA). Milking time, milk yield, peak flow rate and average flow rate were measured during early, mid and late lactation. From the analyses performed, it can be concluded that IAEF Istrian dairy crossbreed has the highest milk production, average, peak flow rate and good udder shape, although all Istrian crossbreed ewes are well adapted to machine milking.

Proizvodnja kozjeg mlijeka u Hrvatskoj pretežno se temelji na alpina i sanskoj pasmini koza. Budući da je dosad provedeno relativno malo znanstvenih istraživanja o mesnim odlikama navedenih pasmina, cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi utjecaj pasmine na porodnu masu i prirast jaradi, hranjene mliječnom zamjenom, u razdoblju od partusa do odbića. Istraživanjem je bilo obuhvaćeno ukupno 721 žensko i muško jare, i to 426 jaradi francuske sanske, 245 francuske alpine i 50 jaradi hrvatske bijele pasmine. Nakon jarenja bilježeni su slijedeći podaci: veličina legla, spol, porodna masa i datum jarenja. Odmah nakon partusa svako jare je označeno brojem te odvojeno od majke. Jarad je podijeljena u skupine od po 18 životinja u boksu i prvih dana hranjena pasteriziranim kolostrumom. Nakon toga hranjena je mliječnom zamjenom u količini od 0, 2 L dnevno u prvom tjednu s postupnim povećanjem do količine od 0, 8 L/dan u posljednjem tjednu prije odbića. Rast jaradi je praćen pojedinačnim vaganjima svakih 10 do 12 dana. Ukupno je bilo 8 vaganja. Prosječna porodna masa sanske jaradi iznosila je 3, 24 kg, alpine 3, 41 kg i hrvatske bijele 2, 90 kg. Navedene razlike u porodnoj masi između pasmina bile su signifikantne (P

The variability of the caliber index in Lipizzan horses was studied. The caliber index was defined as (heart girth / height at withers)*(cannon bone circumference / height at withers)*1000. The analysis included measurements (taken at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months of age) of 679 horses born between 1931 and 1999. The corresponding pedigree file consisted of 4786 horses. Covariance functions for the caliber index were estimated using a random regression model. Sex, age of dam and stud- year-season interaction were defined as fixed effects while direct additive genetic and permanent environment were defined as random effects. Polynomial functions of order four were adequate to explain additive genetic functions. The average caliber index increased from 119.1 to 135.4 at 6 to 36 months of age. The estimated heritabilities ranged from 0.16 to 0.20. Genetic correlations and permanent environment between consecutive measurements ranged from 0.28 to 0.77, and 0.78 to 0.99, respectively. The estimated covariance functions demonstrated heterogeneity of covariances and proved to be an adequate tool in estimating genetic parameters and trends of caliber index in Lipizzan horses.

Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi utjecaj intenzivnog načina iskorištavanja koza na plodnost, porodne mase i rast jaradi. Prosječna plodnost sanske pasmine (170, 4%), alpine (159, 1%) i hrvatske bijele (172, 4%) nije se značajno (P>0, 05) razlikovala. Sanska pasmina imala je veći udio dvojaka (62, 80%) u odnosu na alpinu (54, 84%) i hrvatsku bijelu (51, 73%) i najmanje samaca (33, 6%). Najviše trojaka zabilježeno je u hrvatske bijele pasmine (10, 34%). Utvrđen je značajan utjecaj (P0, 05) pasmine na prosječni dnevni prirast jaradi od jarenja do odbića (140, 51 g u sanske, 135, 23 g u alpina i 138, 23 g u hrvatske bijele).

The quantitative inheritance of grey level was analyzed in 852 Lipizzan horses born in six state studs (Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia). A total of 1612 measurements (one to four per horse) of coat grey level, defined as L* parameter of the CIE L*a*b system, were taken by Minolta Chromameter CR210 during a period of four years. Considering the greying dynamics (Richards growth equation) and variance heterogeneity, eight data sets were formed: a) horses younger than six years (434), b) horses older than seven years (483) and c) horses younger than eight years (536) as well as d) horses older than four years (636), e) horses older than six years (492), f) horses older than nine years (346) and g) all horses (852). We estimated heritabilities for all data sets and genetic correlations between young (< six years, 434) and old (> nine years, 346) horses by REML animal models with repeated records. Estimated heritabilities for young horses ranged from 0.77 (< six years) to 0.70 (< eight years) and were higher than in old horses where they ranged from 0.58 (> four years) to 0.42 (>seven years) or to 0.37 (all horses). Genetic correlation between young and old horses was 0.46 indicting large portion of the same genes (polygenic component) influence greying processes during the whole life. The obtained estimates demonstrate that the speed and level of greying involve a very large heritable component. Genetic relationships with melanoma, vitiligo and speckling are currently investigated.

Cilj rada je bio procijeniti genetske parametre svojstava plodnosti simentalskog goveda definiranih kao binarne varijable. Korišteni su podaci 12049 krava i 1146 bikova, oteljenih između 1974 i 2001 godine. Definirane su slijedeće varijable s njihovim povoljnim opažanjima: da krava oteli četiri teleta do svoje dobi od pet godina, koncentracija sperme više od 800 x 106/ml, volumen sperme više od 3 ml i pokretljivost spermija više od 80%. Korišteni su logistički 'animal' modeli. Sezona x godina i farma x godina su definirani kao fiksni utjecaji, a aditivni genetski i utjecaj životinje zbog ponovljenih mjerenja kao slučajni utjecaji. Procijenjeni heritabiliteti su bili 0.64, 0.14, 0.02 i 0.04 za broj teladi, koncentraciju, volumen i pokretljivost sperme. Definiranje broja teladi i koncentracije sperme kao binarne varijable omogućilo je vjerodostojniju procjenu genetskih parametara za ta svojstva. Potrebna je daljnja analiza i poboljšanje modela za procjenu parametara u svrhu uključenja binarnih varijabli u uzgojni program.

Estimation of variance components for a quantitative trait is very difficult when genetic interactions between loci can not be neglected. The presence of interactions, even among few loci, very soon becomes extremely complicated due to the large number of possible combinations. Here, we presented development of variances components in the simplest model that includes epistatic effects (two locus bi-allelic model) for a population that is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The presented formulas enable three dimension graphical presentations of all variance components (including additive by additive, additive by dominance and dominance by dominance variances) under different models for all possible gene frequencies and can be used in scholastic purposes. Further, these formulas are also suitable for Monte Carlo based studies related to deviations of the observed from theoretical values (for example the effects of inbreeding on epistatic variances) as well as for further developments in segregation analyses related to two loci models and epistatic effects.

Tounj cheese is considered as semi-hard, full-fat, smoked, farmhouse, fresh Croatian cheese produced from raw milk. It was presumed that implementing ripening process would develop a new type of cheese. The objective of this research was to follow basic proteolytic changes during Tounj cheese ripening and to ascertain the optimal ripening time according to sensorial quality. According to urea-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis alphas1-CN was degraded to alphas1-I, alphas1-II and some undefined products (P

Additive genetic and permanent environment covariance functions and corresponding heritabilities and correlations were estimated for weight, height at withers, body length and heart girth of young dual purpose Simmental bulls. Data consisted of 11, 890 records of 1, 385 bulls born from 1974 to 2002. The pedigree file consisted of 3, 274 animals. The bulls were raised in the performance test station at Varazdin, Croatia. Measurements were taken from 100 to 400 d of age, approximately once per month. Covariance functions were estimated by using polynomial random regression. Interaction of year x season and quadratic regression on age were defined as fixed effects, while animal and permanent environment due to measurements on the same bull were defined as random effects. Polynomials of order three to five were adequate in estimating covariance functions. Estimated heritabilities ranged from 0.36 to 0.54 for weight, from 0.20 to 0.50 for height at withers, from 0.20 to 0.58 for body length, and from 0.31 to 0.60 for heart girth. Genetic correlations between longitudinal records ranged from 0.71 to 0.99, and phenotypic correlations ranged from 0.39 to 0.97. The correlations declined as days between measurements increased. The estimated covariance functions from this study demonstrated heterogeneity of covariances of body measurements in young Simmental bulls implicating random regression as an appropriate method for estimating genetic parameters and breeding values. Thus, random regression should be used in procedures for genetic evaluation of growth traits in dual purpose Simmental cattle.

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters and to predict breeding values for dairy traits in Simmental cattle in Croatia by developing an animal lactation model. Data consisted of 30761 first lactation records of cows born between 1985 and 2001. By including the pedigree there was a total of 48748 animals. The following effects were analyzed: age, season and year at first calving, days open, breeding organization, farm, animal, and genetic group. Adequacy of the models was tested by using F tests for fixed effects, and REML functions and ‘Mendelian sampling’ for the whole models. The best fit model was determined to have the following effects: age at first calving, days open, year x season interaction and breeding organization x year interaction as fixed, and animal and farm x year as random effects. By including genetic group the model was further improved. From this model, the following heritabilites were estimated: 0.34 ± 0.02, 0.30 ± 0.02, 0.29 ± 0.03 for milk, milk fat and protein yield, respectively. Further, phenotypic and genetic trends were analyzed. The genetic gain in milk traits has been low so far, but by using an appropriate animal model, the breeding value prediction is expected to be improved in terms of accuracy and precision.

Tounj cheese is considered as semi-hard, full-fat, smoked, autochthonous, farmhouse Croatian cheese, which is produced from raw cow˘s milk, has bred-like shape and weighs about 900 g. According to its characteristics it was presumed that a new kind of cheese could be produced by using basic traditional technology and implementing ripening process. It was anticipated that ripened Tounj cheese would have highly desirable sensorial characteristics. Therefore the objective of this research was to follow basic proteolytic changes during Tounj cheese ripening and to ascertain the optimal ripening time according to proteolysis and sensorial qualities. Tounj cheese was produced using traditional technology with two modifications [that is, 1) implementation of a starter culture, composed from Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, and Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris (EZAL, France), and 2) using 100% chymosin purified from Kluyveromyces marxianus v. lactis (Maxiren 1800, France) as rennet] to narrow the variability in microbial composition and using different rennet between farms included in the experiment. Proteolysis after 0, 14, 28, 42 and 56 days of ripening was evaluated by extraction and determination of the nitrogen fractions released during the ripening process. Complementing this work, more specific methods urea-PAGE electrophoresis and densitometric analysis of main casein fractions were applied. The sensorial qualities for different ripening time of Tounj cheese was judged by 16 consumers, using a scoring system with a highest score value of 20. Extensive primary proteolysis of Tounj cheese during ripening was evidenced due to chymosine and plasmin activity. As a consequence of alpha S1-CN degradation, Alpha S1-I, Alpha S2-II, and some undefined degraded products with high elecrophoretic mobility appeared. The increasing value of these products during ripening was linear and significant (P

Selekcija nazimica u Republici Hrvatskoj do nedavno se provodila prema selekcijskim ekonomskim indeksima Međutim koeficijenti upotrebljavanih indeksa nisu bili procijenjeni na temelju podataka domaće populacije, već su preuzeti iz literature. U svinjogojstvu Hrvatske prelazi se na odabir nazimica temeljem procjene uzgojne vrijednosti pomoću BLUP-a. Pri procjeni uzgojnih vrijednosti korišten je bivarijatni model za trajanje testa i debljinu leđne slanine u programu PEST. Komponente (ko)varijanci ocjenjene su za svaku farmu posebno pomoću programa VCE-5. Zbog kvalitete podataka, 37 % nazimica bilo je isključeno iz analize. Zajedno sa jedinkama iz porijekla u istraživanje je uključeno 29206 životinja sa tri svinjogojske farme. Procijenjeni heritabiliteti za trajanje testa nalaze se u intervalu između 0.04 i 0.20, dok se heritabiliteti za debljinu leđne slanine kreću između 0.02 i 0.29. Temeljem agregatnog genotipa, životinje se raspoređuju u određene kategorije odabira: nukleus, proizvodnja F1 križanki, i izlučenja u čistih pasmina, te proizvodnja prasadi i izlučenja kod križanki. Udjeli pojedinih kategorija odabira kao i ekonomske težine trebaju se uskladiti sa svakim pojednim uzgajivačem.

U radu je istrazen utjecaj nacina muznje na promjenu duzine i promjera vrha sise, te kolicinu i protok mlijeka. Usporedena su dva nacina muznje. U prvom muzac odlucuje o trenutku skidanja muzne jedinice s vimena krave a u drugom, kada se protok mlijeka smanji ispod 200 g/min, muzna jedinica se sama skida s vimena. Na farmama A i B obavljena su mjerenja 15 slucajno izabranih krava koje nisu pokazivale znakove klinickog mastitisa. Rezultati pokazuju da izmedu farme A i B ne postoje znacajne razlike u duzini sisa i promjera vrha sisa prije i poslije muznje. Strojna muznja je na farmi A trajala prosjecno 6 min i 58 s, dok je na farmi B trajala 5 min i 3 s. Na farmi B prosjecno je namuzeno 12, 9 kg mlijeka, a na farmi A 13, 4 kg. Trajanje strojne muznje bilo je krace na farmi B u odnosu na farmu A. Prosjecna kolicina pomuzenog mlijeka po kravi bila je priblizno ista na obje farme. Automatsko skidanje muzne jedinice (tezine 2 kg), kada protok mlijeka padne ispod 200 g/min smanjuje trajanje muznje sto je dobro za ocuvanje zdravlja vimena.

Cilj rada je bio pronaći optimalan animal model za procjenu genetskih parametara i uzgojnih vrijednosti za mliječna svojstva simentalskg goveda u Hrvatskoj. Korišteni su podaci količine mlijeka 26584 krava s prosjekom 3537 kg i standardnom devijacijom 671 kg. Uključujući pedigre bilo je ukupno 42746 životinja. Analizirani su slijedeći utjecaji: dob kod prvog telenja, duljina servis razdoblja, sezona i godina početka laktacije, uzgojna organizacija, farma, krava i genetska grupa. Valjanost modela utvrđena je F provjerama za fiksne utjecaje i korištenjem REML funkcije i 'mendelian sampling' za cijeli model. Utvrđen je optimalan model koji ima definirane slijedeće utjecaje: dob kod prvog telenja, duljina servis razdoblja, interakcija godina x sezona i interakcija uzgojna organizacija x godina kao fiksne, te životinja i interakcija farma x godina kao slučajne utjecaje. Interakcija farma x godina je definirana kao slučajni utjecaj zbog velikog broja malih farmi. Definiranjem genetskih grupa pridonijelo je poboljšanju modela. Koristeći tako definiran model procijenjeni su slijedeći heritabiliteti za količinu mlijeka, masti i proteina: u prvoj laktaciji 0.31+/-0.02, 0.29+/-0.02, 0.33+/-0.04 ; u drugoj laktaciji 0.37+/-0.03, 0.34+/-0.03, 0.51+/-0.06, i u trećoj laktaciji 0.39+/-0.03, 0.38+/-0.03, 0.47+/-0.06. Definiranjem optimalnog modela omogućit će se točna i precizna uzgojnih vrijednosti populacije simentalskog goveda u Hrvatskoj.

Longitudinal records of the withers height (taken at birth, six, 12, 24 and 36 months of age) were analyzed for 879 Lipizzan horses born in Croatia between 1931 and 1999. The corresponding pedigree file consisted of 5010 horses. Covariance functions were estimated by using bivariate animal models with ages defined as separate traits and by using random regression model directly on data. In all models, sex, age of dam and interaction stud- year-season were considered as fixed effects while individual horses and residual errors were considered as random effects. The random regression model also included permanent environment effect due to repeated measurements. Polynomial functions of order three were adequate to explain additive genetic functions. Estimated heritabilities from bivariate and random regression models ranged from 0.14 to 0.25 and from 0.12 to 0.23, respectively. While genetic correlations between longitudinal records ranged from 0.76 to 0.99, corresponding phenotypic correlations ranged from 0.12 to 0.49. Overall, the estimated covariance functions from this study demonstrated heterogeneity of covariances of wither height in Lipizzaner horse and proved to be adequate in estimating covariances and correlations between heights at any two age points from birth to 36 months of age.

Designed to cover techniques for analysis of data in the animal sciences, this book provides a broad source of information for students and researchers. The first part of the book presents an overview of the basic principles of statistics so the reader will be able to follow subsequent applications with familiarity and understanding. The second half covers more complex applications and detailed procedures for analyzing designs commonly used in research in animal sciences with examples in SAS.

Cijena svježeg sirovog mlijeka u otkupu izravno ovisi, između ostalog, o ukupnom broju aerobno mezofilnih bakterija (UBAMB). Mlijeko ekstra klase, u uvjetima otkupa u Hrvatskoj, smije sadržavati do 80x10^3 UBAMB/ml. Da bi proizveli mlijeko visoke higijenske kakvoće, nužna je primjena sanitacijskih sredstava. Svrha ovog istraživanja bila je utvrditi učinkovitost i prikladnost primjene sanitacijskih sredstava u proizvodnji mlijeka bez ispiranja i ostataka iz programa Aquastel. Preparati iz programa Aquastel pod trgovačkim nazivima Redol i Oxyl, sadrže elektrostatski aktivnu otopinu sastavljenu od ozona, hipoklorne kiseline, hipoklornog iona, klor-dioksida te aktivnog klora. Te tvari pokazuju snažan oksido-redukcijski potencijal i oštećuju mikroorganizme svih glavnih skupina, a nisu štetne za stanice čovjeka i ostalih viših organizama. U istraživanju su obuhvaćene tri skupine uzoraka: 1. uzorci s farmi na kojima nisu korištena sredstva iz programa Aquastel (n=27) ; 2. uzorci s farmi na kojima su u pokusnim uvjetima korištena sredstva iz programa Aquastel (n=13) ; 3. uzorci krava liječenih antibiotikom u fazi karence (uzorci s inhibitorima), (n=16). Sanitacijska sredstva primjenjena su sukladno uputama proizvođača: Redol (sredstvo za pranje opreme i vimena u proizvodnji mlijeka) i Oxyl (sredstvo za dezinfekciju opreme i vimena u proizvodnji mlijeka) u koncentraciji 1:20. Ukupan broj aerobno mezofilnih bakterija (UBAMB) u uzorcima mlijeka u različitim satima inkubacije (0., 1., 2., 3., 5., 24.) utvrđen je metodom brojanja kolonija na 30&ordm ; ; C i pH. Primjenom sanitacijskih sredstava signifikantno je (P

Production of autochthonous cheese on family farms in Croatia has been increasing very rapidly. The improvement has been a direct result of the actions under the project, “ Investigation and Development of Technology of Autochthonous Cheese Produced on Family Farms” . Regular hygienic control of raw milk for middle and large-scale dairy processing plants has been performed in Croatia since 2000, but the same control has not been established for milk processed at the family-farm-level. Therefore, the objective of this paper was to investigate the effects of somatic cell counts (SCC) on cheesemilk composition and yield efficiency of Artisan˘s Tounj cheese produced on family farms to emphasize the importance of regular control of raw milk quality at the farm level. The investigation was performed by weighing cheesemilk, whey and cheese (after smoking) of 30 batches of cheese produced on five family farms. During the investigation, samples of milk, whey and cheese were collected for laboratory analysis. The batches were divided according to SCC level into three groups: 1, 000, 000 cells/ml. The results showed that lactose content in cheesemilk significantly (P1, 000, 000 cells/ml). This effected solid non-fat content which significantly (P

Cilj ovog rada je ukratko prikazati razlike u fizikalnim svojstvima, kemijskom sastavu i hranjivosti u tovu pilića 10 hibrida kukuruza koji se koriste u RH i moguće izvore njihove varijabilnosti. Razlike u fizikalnim svojstvima i kemijskom sastvu između hibrida konvencionalnog kukuruza se odražavaju u razlikama u njihovoj hranjivosti u tovu pilića do 21 dana starosti. Hibridi s višim sadržajem ulja-masnih kiselina i proteina-aminokiselina, te donekle i više hektolitarske mase postižu bolje proizvodne rezultate u umjereno intenzivnom tovu pilića do 21 dana starosti.

Cilj rada je utvrditi razlike između domaćih i stranih hibrida kukuruza, te tipa zrna zubana i (polu)tvrdunca u fizikalnim svojstvima, osnovnom kemijskom sastavu, sadržaju masnih kiselina i aminokiselina hranjivosti u tovu pilića do 21 dana starosti. Istraživanje je provedeno na 60 uzroka 15 hibrida kukuruza. Hrana se sastojala od 40% dopunske smjese i 60% jednog od hibrida kukuruza. Svakim hibridom je hranjeno šest grupa pilića. Utvrđeno je da domaći hibridi i (poul)tvrdunci imaju veću (P 0, 05) škroba. (Polu)tvrdunci imaju viši sadržaj nezasićenih masnih kiselina, osim oleinske, od zubana. Isto tako domaći hibridi i (polu)tvrdunci imaju viši sadržaj većine esencijalnih aminokiselina od stranih hibrida i zubana. Domaći hibridi i osobito (polu)tvrdunci su hranjiviji (P

Genetic and environmental variances and covariances and associated genetic parameters were estimated for weight of young Simmental bulls expressed over time. Heterogeneity over time was analyzed using covariance functions. Data utilized in the study consisted of weight records of 779 young bulls measured at the age of 6, 9 and 12 months. Accounting for the pedigree there were 2215 animals. Variances and covariances were estimated by REML from a multivariate animal model with interaction season x year defined as a fixed effect. Variances and covariances were also explained using covariance functions. Heritability estimates were 0.08, 0.21 and 0.23 for the ages of 6, 9 and 12 months, respectively. Curvilinear-changes in additive genetic and environmental variances and covariances were detected and they are explained by quadratic functions. Between any two age points, additive genetic correlations are larger then environmental correlations. This explains that the animal with high capacity of growth shows its potential during the whole growth period. Detected variance and covariance heterogeneity leads to conclusion that a multivariate model or a covariance function must be used to explain variability of trajectory variables in order to correctly estimate genetic parameters.

The role of plasmin in proteolysis during cheese ripening and the relationship between plasminogen activation and (somatic cell count (SCC) in milk were investigated. Casein hydrolysis showed that plasmin influenced the ripening of Podravec cheese, and that milk treated with urokinase increased the percentage of water soluble nitrogen of total nitrogen (WSN/TN) (p=0.07). Percentage of gamma-casein (gamma-Cn) was significantly increased in Podravec cheese produced from high SCC milk (>500000 SCC ml) when it was treated with urokinase (p

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic and environmental variances and heritabilities for body measurements, daily gain, semen volume and semen concentration of young Simmental bulls. In addition, genetic trends for those traits were analyzed. Data utilized in this study consisted of records of 955 young Simmetal bulls born from 1974 to 1995 and were provided by the Performance Test Station - Varazdin. The test for growth traits started at the age of 120-d, and finished at 365-d. Generally, body measurements were taken every month, but there were animals with lost records. In order to smooth data and predict values at ages of 205- and 365-d, the spline analysis was applied. The following growth traits were derived: weights, heights at withers, hearth girth, and chest depth, predicted at 205- and 365-d of age, respectively. Further, average daily gain from 205- do 365-d was calculated. The semen collection started at approximately 11 months of age. The records included semen volume and concentration. Variance and covariance components and associated heritabilities were estimated by REML from a set of single-trait animal models. Fixed effects were defined as birth year and season, and animal effect was defined as random effect. The heritability estimates for growth traits ranged from .14 to .38. Heritability estimate for semen concentration was moderate (.26). Thus, the improvement of concentration, or at least not negative genetic trend, can be expected even if only phenotypic selection is practiced. This cannot be said for semen volume, as heritability estimate for semen volume in the present study was low (.04). In this study no clear genetic trend for semen nor growth traits were detected.

Procijenjene su genetske i okolišne varijance i kovarijance, te pripadajući genetski parametri za visinu do grebena, opseg grudi, tjelesnu težinu, koncentraciju sperme i volumen sperme. Analizirani su podaci 963 mlada simentalska bika koji su rođeni između 1974 i 1995 godine. Podaci su dobiveni iz Stanice za performance test - Varaždin. Tjelesne mjere su mjerene u dobi od 1 godine. Polučivanje sperme je započelo u prosječnoj dobi bikova od 11 mjeseci. Varijance i kovarijance, te heritabiliteti, genetske i okolišne korelacije procijenjeni su REML metodom koristeći multi-varijantni animal model. U modelu su godina rođenja i sezona definirani kao fiksni utjecaji, a utjecaj životinje kao slučajni. Procijenjeni heritabiliteti za visinu do grebena, opseg grudi i tjelesnu težinu bili su 0.48, 0.12 i 0.20, dok su heritabiliteti za koncentraciju i volumen sperme iznosili 0.28 i 0.17. Procijenjena aditivna genetska korelacija između koncentracije i volumena sperme bila je negativna i relativno niska (-0.16), dok su procjene između svojstva rasta bile pozitivne i visoke (od 0.71 do 0.78). Aditivne genetske korelacije između volumena sperme i svih promatranih svojstva rasta bile su relativno visoke (od 0.46 do 0.67). S druge strane samo opseg grudi je u pozitivnoj i relativno visokoj genetskoj korelaciji sa koncentracijom sperme (0.43). Na temelju rezultata ovog istraživanja može se zaključiti da intenzivniji rast do dobi od 1 godine utječe na povećanje volumena sperme, dok se genetska povezanost koncentracije sperme sa visinom i težinom životinje čini nevažnom.

Simentalsko govedo najbrojnija je i ekonomski najznačajnija pasmina goveda u Hrvatskoj. Razina inbreedinga u određenoj populaciji parametar je koji je proporcionalan sa brojem homozigotnih jedinki u populaciji. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je utvrditi razinu inbreedinga u populaciji hrvatskog simentalca u periodu od 1974 - 1994.g. i dobivene vrijednosti usporediti sa onima iz drugih istraživanja. Iz pedigre datoteke koja je sadržavala 138102 krava i bikova, tabličnom metodom autori su izračunali koeficijent inbreedinga za svako govedo. Postotak goveda koja su bila inbred iznosio je 2, 59 % za krave i 1, 8 % za bikove. Prosječan koeficijent inbreedinga za inbred goveda bio je 6, 7 % za krave i 7, 48 % za bikove. Ukupna razina inbreedinga u populaciji (prosječan koeficijent inbreedinga) bila je 0, 17 % za krave i 0, 13 % za bikove. U ovom istraživanju 15 bikova (6%) i 617 krava (6%) imalo je koeficijent inbreedinga veći od 12, 5 %. Razina inbreedinga u populaciji simentalskog goveda u Hrvatskoj razlikuje se od razine inbreedinga u većini drugih populacija goveda. Prosječni koeficijent inbreedinga za inbred goveda kao i broj jedinki sa vrlo visokim koeficijentom inbreedinga (većim od 12, 5%) bio je veći nego u drugim istraživanjima dok je postotak inbred goveda i prosječna razina inbreedinga bila manja nego u drugim populacijama goveda. populacija. U ovom istraživanju nije utvrđeno zašto se razina inbreedinga u populaciji hrvatskog simentalskog goveda razlikuje od razine inbreedinga drugih populacija pa će odgovor na ovo pitanje biti predmetom budućih istraživanja.

Direct and maternal genetic and environmental variances and covariances and associated genetic parameters were estimated for weaning weight, and growth and maturing traits derived from the Brody growth curve. Data consisted of field records of weight measurements of 3, 044 Angus cows, and 29, 943 weaning weight records of both sexes. Growth traits included weights, and growth rates at 365- and 550-d, respectively. Maturing traits included the age of animals when they reach 65% of mature weight, and relative growth rates, and degrees of maturity at 365- and 550-d, respectively. Variance and covariance components were estimated by REML from a set of two-trait animal models including weaning weight paired with a growth or maturing trait. Weaning and cow contemporary groups were defined as fixed effects. Random effects for weaning weight included direct genetic, maternal genetic, and permanent environmental effects. For growth and maturing traits only direct genetic effects were defined as random effects. Heritability estimates for growth traits ranged from .46 to .52, and for maturing traits they ranged from .31 to .34. Direct genetic and maternal genetic correlation estimates were -.05 and .55 between weaning weight and degrees of maturity at 365- and 550-d, respectively. Direct genetic correlation estimates ranged from .04 to .06, and maternal-direct genetic correlation estimates ranged from -.50 to -.56 for weaning weight with the age when animals reached 65% of mature weight and relative growth rates. Since maternal genetic weaning weight reflects an animal's milk producing ability, these estimates indicate that higher genetic capacity for milk production was related to higher body mass and degrees of maturity between 365- and 550-d of age, but was negatively related to absolute and relative growth rates in that life stage.

Cilj ovog rada bio je procijeniti genetske i ekološke varijance te heritabilitete za 19 svojstava vanjštine hrvatskog simentalca. U tu svrhu analizirani su podaci 1370 simentalskih prvotelki (kćeri od 119 bikova) čija je vanjština linearno ocijenjena (metodom System 97) tijekom 1997. godine. Visina križa, duljina leđa, duljina i širina zdjelice, dubina trupa i opseg prsa mjereni su vrpcom i štapom, dok su ostala svojstva subjektivno ocjenjivana koristeći lineranu skalu ocjena 1-9. Za sva analizirana svojstva izračunata je opisna statistika. Komponente varijance i heritabiliteti procijenjeni su REML metodom - koristeći Animal Model. Dob krave prilikom ocjene, stadij laktacije i ocjenjivač definirani su kao fiksni utjecaji, a životinja kao slučajni utjecaj. Najviši heritabiliteti utvrđeni su za položaj sisa (0.50), duljinu zdjelice (0.43) i kut skočnog zgloba (0.42). Za duljinu leđa, visinu križa, širinu zdjelice, dubinu trupa, mišićavost, položaj zdjelice, izraženost skočnog zgloba, putice, visinu papaka, suspenzorni ligament, visinu zadnjeg vimena, duljinu i debljinu sisa dobiveni su heritabiliteti 0.15-0.30. Niski heritabiliteti dobiveni su za opseg prsa, duljinu prednjeg vimena i dubinu vimena. Neki od dobivenih heritabiliteta odstupaju od rezultata drugih autora. Uzrok tome može biti neujednačenost kriterija ocjenjivača ili relativno mala veličina uzorka.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a metallothionein/bovine GH transgene on duration and rate of growth of lean and fat in mice. Mice were produced by mating hemizygous transgenic males to nontransgenic females, Ten weights and six measurements of total body electrical conductivity to estimate body composition were taken on 147 progeny between birth and 84 d of age. Growth traits for fat-free mass (FFM) and body fat mass (FM) were obtained by fitting FFM and FM to a logistic curve y = A/(1 + exp(k(b - t))), where y is FFM or FM, A is asymptotic mass, k and b are curve parameters, and t is time in days. The function and its first, second, and third derivatives for FFM and FM were used to model growth. A mixed model was used with animal and litter as random effects and transgenotype, sex, and transgenotype x sex as fixed effects in analyses of growth traits. Estimates of transgenotype and transgenotype x sex interaction were tested by using their corresponding standard errors. Males had greater response to the transgene than females in final FFM and growth rate during the entire growth period. Transgenic males and females had greater duration of lean growth than nontransgenics. Transgenic males began to accumulate fat later, but they eventually gained more fat than transgenic females.

Tijekom 1997. godine formirana je Radna grupa "Exteriuer" koju su sačinjavali predstavnici Njemacke, Austrije, Francuske, Italije, Švicarske, Češke, Slovačke, Slovenije, Mađarske i Hrvatske s ciljem da stvori novu potpuno linearnu metodu ocjene vanjštine simentalskog goveda. Nova metoda procjene vanjštine (System 97) počela se primjenjivati u navedenim zemljama u listopadu 1997. godine. Svaka zemlja članica Europskog saveza uzgajatelja simentalskog goveda obavezna je primjenjivati novu jedinstvenu metodu ocjene vanjštine, s mogućnosti dodatnih svojstava koja su važna prema vlastitom uzgojnom programu. Primjenom metode System 97 u Hrvatskoj je u tijekom 1997. godine ocijenjena vanjština 1500 prvotelki simentalske pasmine. Glavni cilj procjene vanjštine je progeni test mladih bikova i selekcija potencijalnih bikovskih majki za slijedeću generaciju. Za svaku jedinku pojedinačno je linearno ocijenjeno 19 svojstava vanjštine iz kojih su izvedene ocjene za dva glavna svojstva: fundament i vime. Svojstva i kriterij za linearnu ocjenu po kojima se vrši selekcija na vanjštinu izabrana su na temelju postavljenih uzgojnih ciljeva za simentalsku pasminu. Za svako svojstvo prikazani su temeljni statistički pokazatelji, pri čemu je za analizu korišten SAS/STAT (1989)

In this 20 Alpine and 20 Saanen goats were used and their milk production were monitore trough five consecutive lactations. Parity had significantly (P

Istraživan je mineralni sastav 27 jarećih uzoraka (13 alpina, 14 sanska) jetre i bubrega. Sadržaj mineralnih tvari (Ca, P, K, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn i Cu) utvrđen je atomskom apsorpcijom na aparatu PU - 9100X. U obje pasmine koncentracije svih istraživanih mineralnih tvari bile su veće u jetrima nego u bubrezima. Međutim, signifikantan utjecaj pasmine utvrđen je samo za sadržaj fosfora (P

Examination of mineral composition of liver and kidneys was conducted on 27 kids (13 Alpina and 14 Sannen breed) kept under the same zootehnical conditions. Kids were slaughtered when 68 days old (16 kg body weight). Samples of liver and kidneys were taken individually from each kid, weighed, homogenized and frozen. Content of calcium (Ca), phosphorous (P), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and sodium (Na) was determined by atomic absorption on AASPU-9100ZX. higher concentration of all examined minerals was measured in liver than in kidneys for both breeds. Liver and kidneys have highest amount of potassium (K) and lowest content of iron (Fe) and copper (Cu). Influence of breed was significant (P

Istraživanje utjecaja pasmine i redoslijeda laktacije na pojavu vrha proizvodnje mlijeka, na vrijeme pojave vrha proizvodnje mlijeka i na perzistenciju, provedeno je s istim alpina i sanskim kozama tijekom prvih pet laktacija. Mliječnost je kontrolirana jednom mjesečno. Rezultati mjesečnih kontrola mliječnosti korigirani su na 50., 100., 150. i 200. dan laktacije, pri čemu se koristila nelinearna funkcija. Korekcija količine mlijeka provedena je jednadžbom Wood-a (1967). Vrijednosti vrha proizvodnje, vrijeme pojave vrha i perzistencije određivani su primjenom izračunatih vrijednosti parametara toka laktacije a, b i c, prema jednadžbi Wood-a. Izračunate vrijednosti za svaku pojedinu pasminu u laktaciji, statistički su analizirane linearnim modelom (Harvey, 1975). Između pasmina nisu utvrđene značajne razlike u vrhu proizvodnje mlijeka i perzistenciji, dok su značajne razlike u vremenu pojave vrha utvrđene samo u 1. laktaciji. Redoslijed laktacije značajno je utjecao na vrijeme pojave vrha i perzistenciju. Vrh proizvodnje mlijeka značajno se povećao s porastom redoslijeda laktacije sve do 4. jarenja.

Istraživanje utjecaj alela β- laktoglobulin lokusa u 195 uzoraka na količinu mlijeka i masti (kg) te sadržaj masti (%) prve laktacije hrvatskog simentalca. Za isti gen lokus procijenjen je udio aditivne u fenotipskoj varijanci. Prosječan efekt supstitucije alela B za A izračunat je gen supstitucijskim modelom. Aditivna genetska varijanca (ơ²ᴀ) istih mliječnih proizvodnih osobina izračunata je formulom ơ²ᴀ =2pqα². Signifikantan prosječan efekt supstitucije alela B za A utvrđen je za količinu mlijeka - 176,648 ± 63,273 (P=0,006), masti - 5,487 ± 2,690 (P=0,043) i sadržaj masti 0,041 ± 0,013 (P = 0,003). Udio aditivne genetske varijance u fonotipskoj varijanci iznosio 4,1% za količinu mlijeka (kg), 2,2% za količinu masti (kg) i 4,9% za sadržaj masti. U ovom radu utvrđena je veća količina mlijeka i masti (kg) za alel A, te viši postotak masti (%) za alel B. Naravno, posebna su daljnja istraživanja koja bi potvrdila dobivene rezultate prije uključivanja β-laktoglobulin alela u selekciju., Effects of β-lactoglobulin locus on first lactation milk yield, kilograms of fat and fat percentage in milk samples from 195 Croatian Simmental cows were examined by gene substitution models after allele A was set to zero. Additive genetic variance due to β-lactoglobulin locus was calculated by formula ơ²ᴀ =2pq α². The substitution of the B allele for the A allele was associated with decreased mitt yield (P=0,006) and fat yield (P=0,043) but increased fat content (P=0,003). The contribution of B- lactoglobulin locus accounted for 4.1% of phenotypic variance in milk yield, 2.2% in fat yield and 4.9% in fat content. This study found that milk with allele A had higher milk and fat yield but allele B was associated with higher fat content. However, more research is necessary to confirm these findings before B- lactoglobulin alelles are included in selection.

Uspoređivani su modeli kinetike prvog reda, logistički modeli i Gompertz model u procjeni parametara razgradljivosti (a, b i c) suhe tvari i surovog proteina na podacima in sacco razgradnje vlasulje crvene, livadne vlasulje i engleskog ljulja. Uzorci trava su inkubirani u buragu tri ovce. Vrijeme inkubacije je bilo 2, 6, 12, 18, 24, 48, ili 72 sata. Rezultati istraživanja pokazuju da su sve tri krivulje vrlo pogodne u opisivanju navedenih parametara.

Proučeni su dosadašnji rezultati istraživanja genetskih polimorfizama proteina krvi i mlijeka koji se odnose na pasmine u Hrvatskoj (simentalsko, istarsko i slavonsko-podolsko govedo). Različite rezultate u frekvencijama za Hb u istarskog goveda i Tf za panonskog podolca u odnosu na dosadašnja istraživanja vjerojatno su i rezultat značajno smanjenog broja ovih životnja. Frekvencija alela Hb, Tf, kazeina (αs1, αs2, β i κ) i β-lakoglobulina hrvatskog simentalca slične su frekvencijama u njemačkog Fleckvieh, što upučuje na filogenetsku sličnog. Istraživanje se nastavlja na većem broju životinja i za više polimorfa.