In order to estimate effective population size, generation interval and the development of inbreeding coefficients (F x ) in three original breeds of cold-blooded horses kept in the Czech Republic: Silesian Noriker (SN), Noriker (N) and Czech-Moravian Belgian horse (CMB) all animals of the particular breeds born from 1990 to 2007 were analysed. The average values of generation interval between parents and their offspring were: 8.53 in SN, 8.88 in N and 8.56 in CMB. Average values of effective population size were estimated to be: 86.3 in SN, 162.3 in N and 104.4 in CMB. The average values of inbreeding coefficient were 3.13 % in SN stallions and 3.39 % in SN mares, in the N breed 1.76 % and 1.26 % and in the CMB breed 3.84 % and 3.26 % respectively. Overall averages of F x were: 3.23 %, 1.51 % and 3.55 % for the breeds SN, N and CMB. The average value of inbreeding coefficient F x increased by 1.22 % in SN, by 0.35 % in N and by 1.01 % in CMB, respectively. This may lead to a reduction in genetic variability. Reduction in genetic variability could be either controlled in cooperation with corresponding populations of cold-blooded breeds in other European countries or controlled by number of sires used in population. Keywords
ABSTRACT:The paper deals with the greying process, melanoma, and vitiligo depigmentation occurrence in Old Kladruber horses (OKH). The study includes 376 animals of both sexes at the age of 1-25 years. The evaluation was performed repeatedly during 4 consecutive years. The greying status was measured spectrophotometrically on four body parts using L*a*b* colour system. Melanoma and vitiligo were detected visually and by palpation in all the animals and classified using 5 (3) grade scale. The GLM procedure of SAS package was used to examine the influence of the effects of line, age, sex, stud, and year of evaluation. The GLM analysis confirmed a significant impact of age on greying. Parameter L* showed progressive increase until 10 years of age when all horses reached final grey level. Subsequent analyses suggested the influence of sex, i.e. a notably higher level of greying in mares. The incidence of melanoma was confirmed. Melanoma in OKH most frequently occurs on the bottom of the tail or at the anal and perineal area. Probably only benign forms of melanoma have been detected. The global occurrence of melanoma in OKH (ca. 13%) is substantially lower than in Lipizzan and Camargue horses. Overall incidence of melanoma in horses at the age of 15 and older reached 68%. Genetic parameters were estimated for melanoma grade, grey level, and vitiligo. Greying is strictly influenced by age (h 2 = 0.52 ± 0.07). Prevalence of melanoma progresses with age (h 2 = 0.07 ± 0.04). Vitiligos of both facial and anal parts are influenced by the effects studied (h 2 = 0.20 ± 0.05 and 0.34 ± 0.06 for vitiligo A and vitiligo F, respectively).
Nowadays, both many scientists and breeders are interested in the possibilities of the substitution of allopathic medicinal products for animals by some natural alternatives, as plants products, prebiotics or probiotics. Jerusalem artichoke contains non-starch polysaccharide inulin, which can be used, because of its specific properties, as a natural prebiotic. The aim of this study was to incorporate Jerusalem artichoke tops to the feed mixture of growing rabbits as the natural source of inulin. 80 Hyla rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups. The control group was fed standard diet, while Jerusalem artichoke group was given diet with 20% tops of Jerusalem artichoke. The experiment took place in commercial farm with standard conditions and was conducted as a preliminary examination, the growth performance and mortality of rabbits were observed. The diet with 20% tops of Jerusalem artichoke decreased feed conversion ratio about 0.39 (11%) and the mortality of rabbits about 10% (P<0.05) compared with control group. Jerusalem artichoke tops (20%) may be incorporated to rabbit diets as an appropriate source of carbohydrates with prebiotic properties for growing rabbits and thus may partly replaces some ingredients (starch sources), which burden the not completely developed digestive system of young animals.
ABSTRACT:The Old Kladruber horse is the oldest original Czech horse breed -gene resource, with pedigree records spanning three centuries. Because the population is closed, there is a concern about the loss of genetic variation. The genetic diversity within and amongst sire lines was evaluated using microsatellite markers and based on pedigree information. The DNA analysis, covering 16 microsatellite loci, revealed that the genetic diversity (observed heterozygosity = 0.637, genetic diversity = 0.678 and the mean number of alleles = 8.25) for the Old Kladruber horse is consistent with other populations of horses. Inter-line genetic difference in sire lines reached the mean value (the F ST values ranged from 0.020 to 0.017). Differences amongst the sire lines were identified using genetic distances and principal component analysis. One gene cluster comprised black variation sire lines, while the second cluster included the sire lines of the grey variation. In the subjects monitored, the average inbreeding coefficient of 0.076 was estimated on the basis of pedigree information. The highest mean values of the coefficient of relationship were estimated within the colour variations. When comparing the genetic distance and the average coefficient of relationship, differences were found out. These results are useful for the development of breeding strategies which consider classical horse breeding as well as recent achievements of population and conservation genetics.
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