Laying hen rearing systems have been the focus of scientific research for many years. Over the last few decades, new laying hen rearing systems have been rapidly introduced in an effort to harmonise poultry health and welfare with consumer, producer, industry and environmental demands. Given the above situation, the subject matter of this paper was a comparative review of the results obtained by different authors on the effect of rearing system on productive traits (egg production and mortality) and egg quality characteristics (egg weight, proportions of main egg parts, Haugh units, yolk colour and carotenoids) in laying hens. Although productive performance in alternative systems is often lower compared to conventional, intensive layers, eggs from alternative systems have been proven in numerous studies to have better nutritional properties. Moreover, research results indicate differences within rearing systems. In view of this, this overview of the literature on the use of different rearing systems in table egg production can serve as a tool in determining the future direction of research as well as an indicator of its practical application.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an infectious disease of cattle caused by virus of the Capripoxvirus genus (LSDV), family Poxviridae. Until 2015, it had not appeared in the Balkans. In June 2016, LSD spread throughout Serbia. This study analyses the first LSD occurrence, epizootic features, applied diagnostic procedures and control measures in five districts in south‐east Serbia (Pcinja, Jablanica, Pirot, Toplica and Nisava). In total, there were 225 LSD outbreaks reported in Serbia, out of which 189 (84%) were located in the study area. The highest number of outbreaks was registered in Pcinja district (169), where LSD was first registered. The median distance and time between the nearest previous outbreak sites were calculated (4.32 km and 9 days). The median altitude of outbreak locations was 992 m with more than 90% above 500 m (p ≤ 0.001). The average herd morbidity rate in the study area was 13.6% and the herd mortality rate was recorded only in Pcinja (0.5%) and Jablanica (1.6%) districts. Samples taken from the cattle suspected to LSD were subjected to real time PCR analysis. Out of 233 samples tested for LSDV 132 (56.7%) were positive. The LSDV genome was identified in skin nodules (85.4%), blood (72.7%) and nasal swabs (62.5%). Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the LSDV strain circulating in Serbia fell within the cluster of field LSDV found worldwide. In response to the LSD epizootic, animal trade and movement were prohibited, complete stamping out, disinfection, disinsection and an entire bovine population vaccination using the homologous Neethling live attenuated vaccine (OBP, South Africa) were conducted. A month and a half after the completion of the vaccination campaign, the LSD epizootic was stopped, and no new cases have been reported since.

The lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) isolate SERBIA/Bujanovac/2016 consists of 150,661 nucleotides and has a 99.95% nucleotide identity with the Neethling Warmbaths LW strain isolated in South Africa in 1999. This is the first complete LSDV genome determined in Serbia and also in the Balkan area.

Content: Results of production traits obtained from first calving cows and evaluation of the breeding value of bull sires of Simmental breed in Serbia. Data was analyzed using the method of least squares and for evaluation of bulls' breeding value mixed model of random sire effect (BLUP method). Based on obtained results it was established in statistical analysis that breeding region had highly significantly affected (P<0.01) the deviation of production traits from the general average. Considerable deviation from the general average was caused by the year and season of calving (P<0.05), and interaction of breeding region and calving season contributed to high variation in yield of milk and milk fat (P<0.01).

The objective of the present study was to determine a relationship among blood indicators of hepatic function and lipid content in the liver during transitional period in dairy cows. Late pregnant and calved cows (n= 40) were selected from a Holstein dairy herd and allocated to four groups: a late pregnant cows (n=10) from day 15 to day 5 before calving; late pregnant cows (n=10) from day 5 to day 1 before calving; clinically puerperal healthy cows (n=10) and clinically ketotic puerperal cows (n=10). Liver and blood samples were taken from all cows. The results of present investigation have shown that the lipid content in the liver and the blood non-esterificed fatty acids, β-hydroxybutyrate, total bilirubin concentrations and the AST activities were significantly higher (P<0.05) as well the blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides and albumin concentrations were significantly lower (P<0.05) in puerperal ketotic cows as compared to the values of these parameters in the blood of healthy cows. The fat proportions in liver were positively (P<0.05) associated with the AST activities and with the serum NEFA and BHB concentrations, but negatively correlated (P<0.05) with the circulating triglyceride, total cholesterol and albumin concentrations, All these biochemical metabolites may be used as important biochemical indicators in the determination of the functional status of the liver in dairy cows during the transition period.

No abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine the degree of blood glucose utilization by peripheral tissue on the basis of changes in blood concentrations of glucose, insulin and inorganic phosphorus in healthy (n=8) and cows with ketosis (n=7) after intravenous infusion of glucose solution. After intravenous infusion of a total of 500 ml of 50 % of glucose solution, glucose and insulin blood values in both groups of cows increased significantly within 10 and 30 minutes of the experiment (P < 0.05). After intravenous infusion of glucose, it was established that values of inorganic phosphorus were decreased (P < 0.05) in blood in both groups of cows. Within testing period there was a significant decrease (P < 0.01) in the blood value of inorganic phosphorus in ketotic cows in comparison with healthy ones. This is linked with the active entry of glucose into the glucolytic pathway of peripheral tissues. It can thus be concluded that there is a higher degree of blood glucose utilization by peripheral tissues in ketotic cows. [[Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR31001]

BRDC is the most expensive disease of fattening cattle throughout the world. The reasons for this are high morbidity and mortality, weight loss, reduced food utilization, reduced quality of carcasses and extensive measures of prophylaxis and therapy. BRDC is caused by a substantial number of pathogens (viruses and bacteria), with predisposing risk factors from the ambient and host. Calves are at the highest risk of developing BRDC shortly after shipping. Lighter-weight calves appear to be at greater risk, although this has not been consistent. The complexity of BRDC makes it difficult to define the role of individual factors that predispose to or cause the disease. Stress factors may be "necessary, but not sufficient", but they require additional effects to cause the disease. Increasing the production of meat and milk worldwide would be sustainable by improving the prevention and control of BRDC.