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Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL), a key enzyme in lipid metabolism, catalyses the hydrolysis of triglycerides (TG) from TG-rich lipoproteins, and serves a bridging function that enhances the cellular uptake of lipoproteins. By sequencing, we identified a four novel SNPs; one SNP involved a Gly→Arg AA substitution at position 23 of the signal peptide, and three SNPs in the intron I (KP261023) of the LPL locus. A protocol for rapid efficient simultaneous genotyping of LPL variants using the primer extension method (PEA) was described, and a total of 230 animals belonging to two goat breeds: White Shorthaired goat (n = 177), and Brown Shorthaired goat (n = 103) were genotyped. A total 15 genotype combinations were detected in tested goat populations.

At the 3rd and 5th month of lactation, using the ALOKA‑250 ultrasonograph with a 3.5 MHz probe, the udder cistern size of the breed Improved Valachian (IV) and the crossbreed IV x Lacaune (IV x LC) was surveyed. Using the method from side 72 ewes were measured, in which the probe was placed in the inguinal‑abdominal fold. Variance analysis was used to evaluate the obtained data (length, width and udder cistern area), taking into account the effect of the genotype, stage of lactation and lactation order. The average length, width and area of the left udder cistern (LUC) was 80.72 mm; 33.53 mm and 1907 mm2; for the right udder cistern (RUC) 79.44 mm; 33.01 mm and 1851 mm2. The genotype had a statistically significant effect on the LUC as well as the RUC size (P < 0.05 to 0.001). The LUC area of the IV x LC ewes was 32.7% bigger than at IV (2175 mm2 and 1639 mm2, respectively), and the difference of the RUC was up to 51% in favour of the crossbreed (2227 mm2 and 1475 mm2, respectively). This may be due to laterality, the natural asymmetry found in many mammals. The variability in the observed variables of the left and right udder cisterns was greater in crossbreeds than in the purebred IV ewes.

The objective of the present study was to describe the population structure and quantify the effect of inbreeding on litter size in Romanov sheep in the Czech Republic. The analysis was based on the pedigree information of 26,447 animals. The numbers of generations were 19, with average equivalent known generations of 6.41. The effective numbers of founders and ancestors contributing to the current genetic pool were, respectively, 92.96 and 47.41 respectively. The average inbreeding coefficients were 5.5% and the average inbreeding rate was 1%. The corresponding estimates of effective population size were 48.28 and 45.64, based on an individual increase in inbreeding or coancestry, respectively. Classical inbreeding coefficient and two kinds of new inbreeding coefficient were used to quantify the effect of inbreeding. The effect of all tested kind of inbreeding on litter size was statistically significant, but very small (around −0.05 lambs per change of 1% in inbreeding). Statistical difference measured by ΔAICc was not-significant. These statistics suggest that the genetic variability has decreased and inbreeding depression is occurred, and without changes in breeding strategy the genetic variability might continue to decline.

Invasions of protozoa belonging to the genus Eimeria are a global problem in sheep farming. The clinical course of eimeriosis occurs almost exclusively in lambs. In adult sheep coccydiosis often has an asymptomatic course which, however, is not without an impact on animal conditions. Large flock density and related contamination of the environment with oocysts is conducive to a high extensiveness of the invasion. The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence and intensity of Eimeria invasion in lambs kept in confined management systems in order to establish the key periods of the course of invasions and schedules for prevention programs. The parasitological examination was conducted on samples of feces collected directly from the rectum of 96 lambs every 14 days at the following time points: the 28th, 42nd, 56th, 70th and 100th days of life. The assessment involved the invasion extensity established using a flotation method and invasion intensity expressed as the number of oocysts per gram of feces (OPG) established by using the McMaster technique. On the basis of morphometric parameters of isolated oocysts, the species of coccidia in the studied animals were determined. During the whole study period, the invasion extensity grew from the minimum of 17.6% (CI ± 95%; 9.6-25.6) on day 28 to the maximum of 95.9% (CI ± 95%; 95.3-100.0) on day 100. The average growth in the invasion extensity in the flock was 19.6% every 14 days. The average invasion intensity in the study period was 3039.2 OPG (min-max 50-58,800; SEM 440.2), with the highest excretion of oocysts observed on day 42 of the lambs’ life. The average OPG value on this day was 6783.8, and dropped at subsequent measurement points. The experiment revealed exclusively multi-species invasions. In total, seven species of coccidia were found in the studied animals within the study period. These were: E. bakuensis, E. faurei, E. intricata, E. ovinoidalis, E. pallida, E. parva and E. crandallis..

The objectives of this study were to evaluate systematic factors that influence longevity and to estimate the heritability of functional longevity by survival analysis of Suffolk sheep in the Czech Republic. A total of 20,502 ewes from 137 flocks were used. The longevity of Suffolk ewes was influenced to some extent by their average prolificacy. The effects of growth intensity and the development of muscularity and fattiness, as well as the effect of the prion protein gene PrP haplotype on the risk of the exclusion of the ewe from breeding were relatively low. Heritability estimates were h2 = 0.438 for the length of production life in days (LPL), h2 = 0.098 for the number of litters of the ewe during her lifetime (NL), h2 = 0.111 for the total number of lambs born (TLB), and h2 = 0.103 for the total number of labs weaned (TLW). Correlations between the breeding values for LPL and NL, TLB or TLW were high. Therefore, these indicators of the ewe’s lifelong production, which are more desirable and understandable for sheep breeders, should be used in indirect selection for longevity..

In the Czech Republic, dairy sheep have traditionally been used as a dual-purpose species, generating income from both milk and meat. The functionality and health of the mammary gland are directly correlated with milk production, as well as with the hygiene and quality of milk and dairy products. Mastitis is one of the main infectious diseases in dairy sheep. One of the candidate genes that affect milk production traits is the ATP-binding cassette sub-family G member 2 (ABCG2) gene. The ABCG2 gene, a member of the ATP-binding cassette family, transports cytostatic and xenobiotic drugs across the cytoplasmic membrane. The study was based on 1747 records from 387 head of dairy sheep of the Lacaune breed (139) and the East Friesian breed (248). The analysis was performed by means of polymerase chain reactions (PCR). Genomic DNA was extracted from blood. Phenotype data used in the study were provided by the Association of Sheep and Goat Breeders in the Czech Republic (ASGB). We typed all three genotypes: DD, DI and II. In the Lacaune breed, the frequency of occurrence of the major D allele was 0.694, and the minor I allele had a frequency of occurrence of 0.306. In contrast, in East Friesian sheep the frequency of allele D was 0.216 and that of allele I was 0.784. Mutation c.683-80_46del in the intron 5 region of the ABCG2 gene confirmed the effect on somatic cell count in the dairy sheep population observed in this study. Further studies are needed to evaluate this possible association in other sheep breed populations. Mutation c.683-80_46del in intron 5 of the ABCG2 gene could be used as a candidate gene for somatic cell count..

The objective of this research was to assess the effectiveness of dietary supplementation with oils extracted from Origanum vulgare (Lamiaceae) and Citrus spp. (Citraceae) against coccidia and to determine the impact on lamb growth in an indoor housing system. A total of 222 ewes and 276 lambs of the Polish Lowland Sheep breed maintained indoors under the same environmental conditions were included in the study. Four-month pregnant ewes were divided into three treatment groups following parasitological evaluation. Experimental diets were supplemented with containing vegetal extracts of O. vulgare and Citrus spp. During the study, parasitological analyses and assessments of lamb growth were conducted. In vivo evaluation of lamb muscularity and fatness was performed at 100 days of age. The inclusion of the preparation containing the essential oil blend of O. vulgare and Citrus spp. in the diet of sheep resulted in decreases in both the intensity and prevalence of coccidian infection within the flock as well had influence increases in lamb growth. Therefore, this dietary supplement may contribute to the improved profitability of sheep farming through increased production efficiency and the production of higher-quality meat.

This study concerned evaluating of body mass index (BMI) as a nutritional status characteristic and trying to detect its influence on milk or meat production in original Wallachian sheep. Multivariate analysis of these relationships was performed by principal component analysis. GLM procedure was used to determine linear regressions between BMI and nutritional status characteristic or ewe productivity traits. BMI had a positive association with all the body energy reserves characteristic. The strongest orientation was demonstrated between BMI and musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis depth, when 1 point increase of BMI was associated with 1.27 mm (P 0.05). BMI also showed to have the higher influence on the milk (P 0.05) productivity traits than all the nutritional status attributes. BMI is a complex attribute including a body weight as well as body dimension. Its positive association with others nutritional status traits indicated its use as additional attribute. The relations of BMI with the productivity traits showed it as an interesting tool in flock management.

This study determined effects of milk production, milk components, or fatty acids (FA) profile on live weight of suckling lambs till their weaning. Live weight (LW, kg) of 42 purebred Wallachian lambs (from 33 ewes) was recorded during four control days with approximately 30-day intervals during rearing. At the same time, their mothers were examined for milk production (kg), milk fat (g), proteins (g), lactose (g), and fatty acids (%) contents. Results investigated using linear regression analysis showed 5.93 kg (p &lt, 0.05) increase of lambs LW corresponded with 1 kg of ewe&rsquo, s daily milk production increase during the observed period. Similarly, significant 0.13 kg or 0.11 kg increases of lambs live weight corresponded with 1 g increase of milk protein or milk lactose at this time. Milk with higher prevalence of trans-palmitoleic acid, trans-vaccenic acid, cis-vaccenic acid, linolelaidic acid, linoleic acid, or conjugated linolenic acid (CLA) significantly improved lambs LW. Moreover, significantly positive Pearson partial correlation between LW and trans-vaccenic acid (r = 0.305) or CLA (r = 0.347) indicated on genetic correlation between these traits. Therefore, milk (natural or artificially supplied) with higher distribution of these specified FAs could improve lambs&rsquo, LW.

In this Research Communication we evaluate the fatty acid (FA) profile of Wallachian sheep milk. The study was performed on 38 ewes in Beskydy Mountains. Samples were collected 4 times during the lactation, at monthly intervals. FA profile as well as groups of saturated, monounsaturated (MUFA), and polyunsaturated (PUFA) FAs were investigated. Considerable increase over the lactation was detected for lauric, myristic, myristoleic and palmitic acids, while stearic acid showed the opposed tendency. Variability, supported by significant differences among particular days of milk collection, was demonstrated for oleic acid; its highest distribution occurred at the beginning and at the end of the trial. The highest distribution of CLA was at the second sample day. Milk of Wallachian sheep naturally grazed at permanent pasture areas showed higher content of PUFA and MUFA in contrast with intensive or semi-intensive sheep breeds reported in the literature.

Our objective was to compare the effects of a conventional antiparasitic chemical drug and a lick block containing plant-based compounds on the economic value of lambs. Ewes and their new-born offspring were allocated among three treatments: a group receiving standard drenching with an albendazole-containing drug, a group supplied with a lick block containing essential oils from 10 plant species having antiparasitic properties, and a control group that was not dewormed. During the experiment, all lambs were given periodic birth weighings at 28, 56, 70 and 100 days of age. The results obtained were the basis for the estimation of the economic value of lambs reared in particular experimental groups of the observed animals. The average price earned for slaughter material in each weight standard was used to calculate the differences between the groups. The current prices were made available by the Regional Association of Sheep and Goat Breeders in Lublin. All lambs (live at 56, 70, 100 and 120 days) were included in calculations of the average value of the animals. In the case of lambs falling within the standard 0 to 12 kg, a value for 0 PLN per kilogram was assumed because of the lack of sales potential. At 56 days, the value of the lambs in the group receiving feed with the addition of essential oils was 11.90% higher than that of the lambs from control group. At 70, 100 and 120 days, the value of those lambs was higher than that of the lambs from control group by 21.13%, 4.99% and 5.51%, respectively. The value of the lambs from the group receiving standard drenching with an albendazole-containing drug was similar to that of the lambs from the undewormed group. The results of the research indicate that it is beneficial to use natural substances in the prevention of parasitic invasion. The use of natural methods to reduce parasitic infestations will reduce the application of chemicals, which is extremely important due to the increasing resistance of parasites and the preferences of consumers, who search for products free of harmful residues of medicinal substances.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficiency of various methods of antiparasitic prophylaxis using a conventional chemical agent and a formulation containing plant essential oils. The animal material consisted of 139 mother ewes of two synthetic prolific meat lines: bcp and scp. During the whole experiment, the animals were kept in indoor management system with uniform environmental conditions. The experiment included ewes lambing within the period of 12 consecutive days. Using the results of coproscopic tests performed after lambing, the animals were randomised into three study groups: Group A - wormed with an albendazole-containing preparation (50 sheep), Group L - receiving a lick with antiparasitic essential oils (48 sheep) and Group C - control group, not wormed (41 sheep). Two antiparasitic agents were used. A chemical agent containing albendazole. The procedure was performed on day 35 after lambing, and the dose administered was 5 mg of the active substance per kg bw, which corresponded to 0.5 ml, orally, per 10 kg bw. A natural worming agent was administered in the form of licks containing essential oils of Thymus vulgaris, Allium sativum, Artemisia absinthium, Dryopteris filixmax, Tanacetum vulgare, Cucurbita pepo, Chenopodium ambrosioide, Inula helenium, Peumus boldo, Corallina rubens. The licks were made available to animals on day 21 after lambing. The experiment involved parasitologic tests aimed at the determination of estimated intensity (based of OPG and EPG data) and prevalence of invasions of gastrointestinal parasites in mother ewes. The study material was faeces collected from the rectum on the following dates: after lambing, and on day 28, 42, 56, 70 and 100 of lamb's life. The observations proved that the formulation based on natural plant ingredients had a beneficial influence on the reduction of prevalence of Eimeria and Capillaria. It was also shown that the albendazole-containing chemical preparation is highly efficient in reducing the prevalence of Trichostrongylidae, Nematodirus, as well as Capillaria.

The aim of the study was to determine the efficiency of a formulation containing essential oils from Origanum vulgare (Lamiacea) and Citrus spp. (Citraceae) in limiting the prevalence and intensity of parasitic invasions in ewes kept in an indoor management system. The study material was a group of 222 mother ewes of Polish Lowland breed. During the entire experiment, the animals were kept in an indoor management system with uniform environmental conditions. On the basis of the parasitologic analysis, the flock was divided into three groups. All groups were uniform from the perspective of genetic traits, age and environmental conditions. The differentiating factor was the addition of a preparation containing essential oils from Origanum vulgare and Citrus spp. in the dose of 4 kg/ton of feed. Group 1 – control group, non-supplemented diet (74 mother ewes); Group 2 – supplemented diet from third month of pregnancy to lambing (73 mother ewes); Group 3 – supplemented diet from third month of pregnancy to weaning (75 mother ewes). The experiment involved parasitologic tests aimed at the determination of prevalence and intensity of invasions of gastrointestinal parasites in mother ewes. The study material was faeces collected from the rectum of mother ewes before the start of the experiment and on day 2, 28, 42, 56 and 70 after lambing. On the basis of the observations, it was shown that continuous use of the preparation during the whole experimental period had a beneficial impact on reducing the prevalence of invasions of Eimeria spp. and Capillaria. However, it must be stressed that both the prevalence and the intensity of parasitic invasions in the studied flock was relatively low, and so the use of such a preventive method was feasible.

The objective of the present study was to examine and quantify the effects of factors acting during the mating period (service ram, mating group) on subsequent litter size in the highly prolific Romanov breed of sheep and to propose models for the potential inclusion of this effect in mixed model equations for breeding value estimation. A dataset of 4412 lambings of purebred Romanov sheep in a performance test program from 1998 to 2013 was used in analyses. The basic model fitted to litter size was a single-trait repeatability animal model with fixed effect of ewe age and random effects of contemporary groups of ewes during lambing, direct additive genetic effect of ewe, permanent environmental effect of ewe and random residual. Eight modifications of the basic model examined various combinations of mating effects, contemporary group of ewes during mating (harem), and additive genetic and permanent environmental effect of service ram. When the service ram effect was analyzed without inclusion of the population relationship matrix in the model, the proportion of variance attributable to service ram was 0.081. When the relationship matrix was included in the analysis, however, service ram heritability estimates varied from 0.046 to 0.10, depending upon whether raḿs permanent environmental effect, a harem effect or both were included in model. Models containing the additive genetic effect of service ram had slightly lower proportions of residual variance than models lacking this effect. Including effects of mating (service sire, harem, and/or raḿs permanent environmental effect) in the model favourably decreased deviance information criterion. Means of estimated BVs by year of birth increased across the 22 years from about 0.45–0.60 lambs per litter for female fertility and from 0.55 to 0.59 lambs per litter for BV male contribution on litter size, with only small differences among models. Results from present study demonstrate that service rams in Romanov sheep have a clearly detectable influence on litter size of their mates. Genetic parameter estimates indicate that direct selection on the service ram effect could increase litter size and achieve genetic gain through ram selection.

Based on pedigree information, the population structure, within-breed genetic variability and causes of genetic variability losses in Wallachian sheep (WS), and Sumava sheep (SS) were studied. The maximum number of generations observed in both WS and SS was 16, and the equivalent number of complete generations 5.66 and 4.35, respectively. The average generation intervals were in WS and SS 4.33 and 4.72 years, respectively. A span of four years, 2015–2018, was used as the reference population (animals from the last generation). The average inbreeding coefficient and average relatedness coefficient were 5 % and 9 % for WS, while both were 3 % for SS. The rate of the inbreeding coefficient was 0.5 % in WS and 1 % in SS. The effective number of founders, effective number of ancestors and effective number of founder genomes were 104, 50 and 22.8 for SS and 39, 21 and 10.28 for WS. The effective population size based on an increase in the inbreeding coefficient and computed based on average coancestry were 50.61 and 64.5 in WS and 99.56 and 166.14 in SS. These results indicate a low value of genetic diversity in Wallachian sheep. The loss of variability was caused by the bottleneck effect and partly also genetic drift and the unequal contribution of the founders.

In total 593 goats were genotyped on 5 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP): one SNP at Lactoferrin in exon 4 and four SNPs at Toll-like receptor 4 in exon 3 by using SNaPshot minisequencing. The most prevalent genotype was TT (546) in LF and genotype combination TTCCCCGC (216) and TTCCCCCC (204) in TLR4. There is possible influence of LF and TLR4 on milk yield and milk components, therefore, further studies are needed to evaluate this possible association in more number of goat farms.

Our objective was to compare the effects of a conventional anti-parasitic chemical drug and a lick block containing plant-based compounds on lamb growth and mortality. Ewes and their new-born offspring were allocated among three treatments: a group receiving standard drenching with an albendazole containing drug, a group supplied with a lick block containing essential oils from 10 plant species having anti-parasitic properties and a control group that was not dewormed. Lamb growth was evaluated as daily gain at various time periods between birth and 120 days-of-age. Lamb mortality was monitored in all groups. At the end of the fattening period, lamb meatiness and fatness were assessed by in vivo ultrasound measurement. Parasite infection of lambs at 28, 42, 56, 70, 100 and 120 days-of-age was assessed by examination of feces for parasite oocytes. Results established that the lick block, as did the chemical agent, effectively reduced coccidian invasion in lambs. It should be noted, however, that parasite infection in the experimental animals was relatively low, which allowed the use of moderately strong preparations as compared to conventional anti-parasitic drugs. The lick block treatment also had a beneficial effect on growth and body development of the lambs. Results suggest the need for further research on prophylaxis strategies with plant-origin anti-parasitic substances. Moreover, the provision of anti-parasitic substances in enriched lick blocks could be beneficial in optimal timing of treatments and for preventing weight gain declines after conventional drenching.

The objective of this investigation was to estimate genetic parameters for litter size in Charollais, Romney, Merinolandschaf, Romanov, Suffolk, Sumava and Texel breeds of sheep. These breeds account for more than three quarters of the recorded sheep population in the Czech Republic. A total of 143,896 lambing records from 1990 to 2012 were analyzed. Variance components and genetic parameters for litter size were estimated separately for each breed using the animal model with repeatability. The model equation contained ewe age as a fixed effect and random effects of contemporary group, permanent environment and direct additive genetic effect of the animal. Estimates of phenotype variance ( σ P 2 ) increased across breeds (0.236 for Sumava to 0.779 for Romanov) with increasing breed average for number of lambs per litter. Variance component estimates for permanent environmental effect of the ewe were low (0.0001–0.0262). The variance of common environment of contemporary group ( σ CG 2 = 0.0223 – 0.1309 ) had bigger influence on the total variability of litter size in almost all breeds then additive genetic variance ( σ a 2 = 0.0146 – 0.0587 ). The lowest heritability and repeatability estimates were for the Sumava (h2 = 0.0619; r rep 2 = 0.0823 ) and Romney breeds (h2 = 0.0626; r rep 2 = 0.0811 ); while the highest were for Merinolandschaf (h2 = 0.1091; r rep 2 = 0.1129 ). We conclude that genetic parameters did differ among the investigated breeds, which should be taken into account in breeding value estimation.

In the present study genetic and non-genetic effects influencing survival at birth up to 24 h after birth (SB) and survival from 2 to 14 days of the age (S2-14) were evaluated in the course of 17 years (1994–2011) in these sheep breeds: Charollais (SB: n = 21,451, S2-14: n = 18,031), Romney (SB: n = 29,937, S2-14: n = 28,659), Merinolandschaf (SB: n = 13,563, S2-14: n = 12,752), Romanov (SB: n = 24,032, S2-14: n = 22,144), Sumava (SB: n = 33,047, S2-14: n = 31,264), Suffolk (SB: n = 33,531, S2-14: n = 31,458) and Texel (SB: n = 6878, S2-14: n = 6112). The model for the estimation of genetic parameters included fixed effects: dam's age, sex, litter size and random effects: direct genetic effect, maternal genetic effect, effect of the contemporary group, effect of litter and random residual. Direct heritability were estimated for both traits (SB: from 0.024 to 0.043; S2-14: from 0.033 to 0.053). Maternal heritability ( h m 2 ) reached similar values like the coefficient of direct heritability ( h m 2 – SB: from 0.024 to 0.043; S2-14: from 0.034 to 0.056). Correlations between direct and maternal effect (ram) for the studied traits were in this range: ram – SB: from −0.203 to −0.166; S2-14: from −0.268 to −0.188). Results suggest that low additive and maternal genetic variances of survival and negative correlations between them considerably limit the possibility to be exploited in a specific breeding programme.

Genetic parameters and breeding values were estimated based on 11 708 daily milk yields from 2255 lactations (1351 sheep, 19 different flocks) between the years 2004 and 2010. The pedigree cov - ered 2334 individuals, including both the recorded animals and their known ancestors. The fixed effects were estimated by the least-squares method, while the genetic parameters were estimated by the REML method. The data were tested by 49 models, but on the basis of the coefficient-of-determination value and the significance of the effects, only 10 models were used for REML analysis. The most suitable model was chosen on the basis of the breeding values distribution and the heritability of daily milk production, which was estimated at 0.28. The fixed effects of the flock parity number, the flock test day, and the linear and quadratic coefficients of flock's days-in-milk in the chosen model were all highly significant (P < 0.0001) for the test-day milk yield. The breeding values had a normal distribution and a standard deviation of 0.46 kg.

The chosen traits of production, composition and quality of milk (analysis of 255 milk samples) were evaluated in ewes on the 1st to 3rd lactation (n=64) during milking period (4 control measurements – CM) and in the machine milking conditions. Udder health status of the ewes (UHS; n=255) was evaluated by means of 5 point linear scale subjectively at the same time. The ewes of three pure breeds (Tsigai – T, Improved Valachian – IV and Lacaune – LC) and two crossbreds (TxLC and IVxLC) were involved in the experiment. The machine milked milk (milk production) at CM (0.462 kg), the proportion of machine stripped milk (25.19 %) and also UHS (1.65) were significantly affected by the genotype group (P0.05 respectively).