Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a highly infectious viral disease of cattle caused by LSD virus (LSDV), which was first reported in Armenia in late 2015. It was identified in pasture-raised cattle near the border with Iran. Currently, vaccination plays a key role in preventing further incursion of disease in high-risk areas. The purpose of this work was to assess the quality of vaccination currently used in Armenia by determining the immune response of the heterologous dry culture sheep pox virus-based vaccine against LSD in cattle. Seroprevalence and seroconversion testing was carried out using an ELISA to detect specific antibodies against LSD before and 30 days after vaccination in three adjacent regions of Armenia (Ararat, Armavir, Gegharkunik). Ixodes ticks were also examined for the presence of LSDV via real-time PCR. We found that the heterologous vaccine used in Armenia creates a high level of population immunity of 86.09% (83.83–87.97%) and no adverse side effects were observed in cattle. Of the 6 types of Ixodes ticks identified and tested, we found no evidence of LSDV circulating in these vectors. These results suggest that regular serological monitoring via ELISA and heterologous vaccination should continue in areas of Armenia at high risk for incursion of LSD to reduce the spread of this highly infectious transboundary disease.

Related to previous reports on correlations between an animal’s genotype, its commensal microbiota, and the ability to resist infections, the aim of the current study was to investigate the associations between sheep genotype and 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) DNA methylation patterns, sheep genotype and cell surface hydrophobicity of sheep gut commensal bacteria. In addition, the effect of the probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus strain INMIA 9602 Er 317/402 (probiotic formulation Narine) on Salmonella carriage in sheep at Armenian farms was also investigated. Allelotypes and genotypes of different pathogen-sensitive sheep breeds from Armenian farms were studied based on genetic markers of blood transferrin, albumin, and ceruloplasmin. Additionally, the differences between the breeds of Mazekh, Balbas, and Mazekh/Balbas hybrids were reported. The relationship between host sheep blood transferrin and albumin polymorphisms and cell surface hydrophobicity/5-mC DNA methylation patterns from the predominant gut commensal bacteria was shown. The Narine probiotic eliminates Salmonella from the sheep gut microbiota. At the same time, no significant changes in the percentage of 5-mC DNA methylation of predominant gut bacteria after probiotic administration were observed. The evaluation of bacterial cell surface hydrophobicity, the most significant factor affecting bacterial adhesion, as well as 5-mC DNA methylation, might be used for specific sheep husbandry/breeding programs. This study suggests that the commercial probiotic Narine could potentially be used to reduce Salmonella carriage in sheep.

Reproduction of farm animals is one of the main indicators determining their biological and economic value. Highly efficient reproduction promotes the increase of livestock number and improvement of animal breeding technique. The reproductive qualities of goats depend on genetic factors and environmental conditions: age, fatness, live weight of queens, feeding level before mating and during pregnancy, daylight hours, etc. A goal has been set to study the fertility of goats and the live weight of newborn Saanen goats, bred in the goat farm of Krashen village, in the Shirak region. To analyze the goat fertility, 40 queens were taken into consideration depending on their lactation age, among which 47.5% were first-born, 5.0 % - second-born, 45.0 % were the third lambing and one doe was the fourth lambing. The studies were carried out on the queens of 2-4 years. In our opinion, it is this age, that is optimal for characterizing the queens in terms of fertility, since the first mating of goats is carried out at the age of 10 months, provided that the live weight of the young is 70-75 % of the mother's weight, but not less than 30-32 kg. Such a new approach to the technological solution makes it possible to obtain one lamb more from each queen during economic use than with conventional technology. The data obtained can be used in breeding farms for the production and sale of young animals, and the development of goat breeding in the republic.

The conducted investigations testify that due to the genotypes and their occurrence frequency in mother turkeys, the numerical sex ratio undergoes certain changes in the generation. Males emerged from the mothers with TfAA CpCD HbAB and TfBD CpCD HbAA genotypes make up about 78 and 69 %, whereas females produced from the mothers with TfAA CpCD HbAB and TfBD CpCD HbAA genotypes are 65 %. The number of males and females produced from the mothers with TfAB CpBD HbCC, TfBC CpAB HbBD and TfCD CpCC HbCD genotypes is equal (P>0,999). The obtained outcomes can be applied in the turkey breeding activities as genetic markers.

The issues related to the study of multiparity in agricultural animals as a prior biological property, and those to making it more manageable were raised in the scientific research field still at the beginning of previous century. To solve the mentioned issues multiple approaches and hypotheses were drawn forward in different periods, but they were very often mutually exclusive. The article considers the genetic characteristic of multiparous goats per the loci of some polymorphous proteins in the blood and milk with the aim of applying the detected genetic markers in the selection process of the branch.