„milk“ 56 výsledků

The objective was to analyse (1) relationships between somatic cell score (SCS) i.e. logarithmic transformation of somatic cell count (SCC) and daily milk yield and milk components (fat, protein and lactose contents), and (2) factors aff ecting variation of these traits in Hostein cows. Test day records (10,892) from 2015 to 2020 were investigated. Relationships were characterized using linear correlations. Eff ects of fi xed factors: SCC class, parity, month in milk, sampling year and season, and random factors of cow and residual error were evaluated using mixed model. The factor SCC class was omitted in the analysis of SCS. There were found negative correlation coeffi cients between SCS and milk yield (-0.25) and lactose content (-0.36), and positive correlation coefficients between SCS and fat content (+0.12), and between SCS and protein content (+0.15). The considered fixed factors showed the significant influence on investigated traits. With increasing SCC, milk yield and lactose content decreased and fat and protein contents increased (this pattern agreed with pattern of correlation coeffi cients). Milk yield, fat and protein contents and SCS were lower in primiparas than in multiparas; lactose content showed the opposite pattern. The lowest milk yield and lactose content were found in autumn; the lowest fat and protein contents were found in summer. The highest SCS found in winter did not confi rm a hypothesis that higher temperatures and humidity have impact on cows’ susceptibility to infections and the number of pathogens to those cows are exposed. Further research is needed.

A study of polymorphism of individual genes of milk proteins (kappa-casein and beta- casein) was carried out on the population of cows of the ukrainian brown dairy breed and the sumy interbreed type of the ukrainian black and white dairy breed. Animals of the ukrainian brown dairy breed prevailed in terms of BB genotypes, both for the kappa-casein and genotypes А2А2 for beta-casein genes. According to the complex genotypes of kappa-casein and beta-casein, a difference was established between the animals of the studied breeds. In animals of the ukrainian brown dairy breed a higher frequency is characteristic of the complex genotype A2A2/BB (0.32), and in cows of the sumy interbreed type of the ukrainian black and white dairy breed – A2A2/AA (0.24) and A1A2/AA (0.24).

Yogurt is considered a functional food, either in terms of the content of specific nutrients or thanks to its probiotic and other health-promoting properties. The aim of the work was to assess changes in selected anthropometric parameters related to the risk of obesity after six weeks of consumption of full-fat yogurt made from sheep's milk, depending on the pre-intervention visceral fat area (under or over 100 cm2) in twenty female participants. Significant differences were found between the groups in all anthropometric parameters (P <0.05). The group of women with over-limit values ​​of VFA had higher values ​​of all parameters. However, pre-post intervention differences and changes within groups were non-significant (P >0.05). We found that the consumption of full-fat yogurt did not significantly affect the body composition of either consumer with optimal values ​​of visceral fat area or participants with above-limit values ​​of visceral adipose tissue. No worsening of the monitored parameters was confirmed in any of the groups. In this context, we can recommend the consumption of yogurt with a natural fat content and made from sheep's milk for moderate consumption to all types of consumers.

Various genetic and environmental factors influence the composition of milk. For the cheese manufacturing industry, one of the most important genes is the CSN1S1 gene, which influences the composition of several milk components as well as technological properties. Much attention has been paid to the F allele, which has been identified as undesirable for the manufacturing cheese. The aim of this study was to determine the genotypic structure of the Slovak population of the Slovak White Shorthaired goat (Capra hircus) for the CSN1S1 gene and to evaluate the influence of the CSN1S1 F allele on milk composition characteristics. Hair roots of 86 goats were collected and used as genetic material. Genotyping was performed using PCR and PIRA PCR. Phenotypic data from 101 lactations (first and/or second lactation only) with performance control were used for association studies. The occurrence of the F allele was 0.291. An association study was performed between genotypes consisting of F and non-F alleles. Significantly higher (p >.05) milk, protein, lactose and dry matter production was observed in non-F/non-F individuals than in F/non-F individuals. Genotyping of the CSN1S1 gene could be the basis for the use of marker-assisted selection in a breeding programme for the Slovak White Shorthorn goat. Further analyses involving the effect of the CSN1S1 genotype on cheese production could be performed to quantify the impact of composition on farm economics.

The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of 10 elements – essential calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe) and toxic arsenic (As), nickel (Ni), antimony (Sb), strontium (Sr) and lithium (Li) in samples of milk and milk products from two farms located in regions with different environmental loads. The samples were analyzed using the inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry method. In the case of sheep‘s milk, we recorded statistically significant differences in the concentration of Mg, Fe (P <0,01). In the case of the toxic elements As and Ni, we noted a slight exceedance of the highest permissible limits set by legislation. The estimation of the risk of consumption of monitored elements revealed that the share of intake of most elements through dairy products was below 1%. However, higher values from the preliminary tolerable daily intake (PTWI) were found in the case of As with values up to 15% and in the case of a share of the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for the monitored element Sr up to 35%. The results show that the monitored dairy products can be a good source of essential elements, but it is necessary to increase their consumption in the Slovak population. Despite the low values of toxic elements, further rigorous monitoring is needed, especially of As and Sr, which may pose a certain risk to the health of the Slovak population with long-term intake.

To maintain adequate dairy productivity in sheep, it is important to focus on establishing appropriate husbandry conditions. Currently, breeders are increasingly confronted with extreme weather fluctuations during the grazing season, which significantly impact pasture quality and the milk produced. Therefore, it is crucial to seek suitable breeding systems with breed representation tailored to various climatic and geographical conditions in order to exploit their productive potential fully. This study compares the dairy productivity and milk quality of three sheep farms in the vicinity of Banská Bystrica, Slovakia, which employ different farming systems and feature different breed compositions under changing climatic conditions with increased heat stress during the summer months. Farm 1, located at 1,200 m above sea level (ASL), follows an extensive grazing system with 350 Tsigai ewes. Farm 2, situated at 500 m ASL, houses 456 Lacaune ewes in a semi-intensive system. Farm 3, at 400 m ASL, manages 470 mixed dairy and combined-breed ewes under a semi-extensive system. The results indicate that Farm 2, employing a semi-intensive system, recorded the highest milk yield (246.7 kg·ewe-1); however, it also exhibited the most pronounced decline in the lactation curve, with lower average milk production and qualitative parameters (fat, not fat solids) for the Lacaune breed during the warm months (June – August) compared to Farms 1 and 3, which focus on raising combined breeds. In conclusion, the most suitable breeding method for the climatic and geographical conditions of the observed region appears to be a semi-extensive system with combined sheep breeds, as the variability in dairy productivity parameters during the hottest months with reduced pasture quality is not as marked as it is in specialized dairy breeds.

Busha cattle are indigenous breed in many Balkan countries. Because of the economic, cultural and scientific reasons it is very important to protect biological diversity of autochthonous breeds like Busha. In the past several decades, as a result of uncontrolled crossing of this cattle with some more productive breeds, the number of purebred Busha animals is permanently being reduced which imposes an urgent need for setting up in situ and ex situ conservation program for this breed. Since Busha is bred in many Balkan countries, the aim of this study was to define main productive, reproductive and exterior traits of Busha cattle in the following countries: Bosnia and Hercegovina, Croatia, Macedonia and Serbia. Also, number of animals and possibility of future production system was analysed. Analysed data indicate that highest milk production potential and lowest age at first mating has Serbian Busha (till 2000 kg in lactation, at 18 months). Regarding the exterior traits, smallest frame was observed in Bosnian and Macedonian Busha. The population decrease in the past several decades was determined in all analysed countries. The conservation programs in Croatia and Serbia resulted in certain increase of Busha population, but aiming successful preservation of the breed, economically effective production systems should be put in practice. The branding of Busha’s products could result in necessary added value. Taking into account similarity between all Busha breeds as well as population sizes, branding should be organized on regional level.

The aim of study was to evaluate the impact of genetic and non-genetic factors on somatic cells count in Slovak Simmental dairy cows in period 2009 to 2013. We observed subsequent results in dairy cows of 55 822 Slovak Simmental cattle. Data were analysed using the SAS and linear model with fixed effects of herd, years and months controls, sire, breeding type. The results of somatic cells count during the years 2009 and 2013 were as follows: the highest number of samples was analysed during 2010 (n = 288 215), where the average count was 560.48*103 ·ml-1. The lowest average value of somatic cells count was of amount of 535.93*103 ·ml-1 (n = 280 732) in 2009.The linear model represents coefficient determination R2 = 0.038296 % (P<0.001) for SCC with all fixed effects. According to the analyses by the effects on SCC the highest effect was the effect of herd R2 = 0.021625, then effect of sire R2 = 0.015075. These effects were highly statistically significant (P<0.001). Correlation coefficients among milk in kg, fat, protein in % with somatic cells count were r = -0.12918, r = 0.04166 and r = 0.11423. These coefficients were highly statistically significant (P<0.001).

The study aimed to examine the analyses of the trend in the numbers of dairy cows, production and reproductive traits in the population the Slovak Spotted cattle for period 2010 to 2019. The number of Slovak Spotted dairy cows is maintained on a relatively stable level in recent years. There was a decrease in the number of animals (12 428 in 2010), but not as strong as after 1990 (85 518). From 2017 number of animals is rising from 14,062, to 14,150 (2018) and 14,627 (2019), respectively. As compared to 2010 an increase of 13.15% in 2017, 13.86% and 17.68%, in 2018 and 2019 respectively was observed. Population size raised from 113.15% (2017) to 117.68% in 2019 respectively. The average annual increase in milk production between the years 2010 to 2019 was + 157.5 kg of milk (total 1,575 kg of milk), + 5.8 kg of fat (total 58 kg of fat) and + 6.1 kg of protein (total 61 kg of protein). Positive growth of milk production in recent years is slightly comparable with the trend of breeding improvement.

Different trials demonstrated lactoferrin (LF) to possess antimicrobial, antiviral, antimycotic and anti-inflammatory activity. This molecule is an iron-binding protein that could have preventive effects on calf diseases. Several authors studied the effects of LF at doses between 1 and 10 g/calf/day as a supplement in milk administrated to weaning calves. The results are variable and not always consistent. Twenty-two female replacement calves divided into 2 groups (Control-C and Treated-LF) during a 56-d experimental period were employed to investigate the effect of the use of 0.1 g/d of LF during weaning on growth performances, feed efficiency and health status. The field trial was conducted employing an early weaning protocol (49-d of length, excluding the colostral phase). After parturition, density and immunoglobulin G (IgG) content of dam colostrum were measured as a colostrum quality indicator. Only colostrum with at least 50 mg/mL of IgG was bottle-fed to the calf. Morphometric measurements and feedstuff intake were recorded weekly. Health status and milk consumption were evaluated daily. Calves receiving low doses of LF had numerically less incidence of diarrhoea than the C group (P > 0.05). From a statistical point of view, any significant difference was observed between groups both on growth performances and feed efficiency. A trend for an increase of the FCR was found for LF group at weaning (P = 0.099). More researches are needed to define the optimal dose and the real action of LF in weaning calves.

Somatic cell count (SCC) has been extensively used as indicator of udder health and milk quality. Recent developments in milk-testing technology have led to cell differentiation in milk in a high throughput manner. Information on the proportion of the different cell types in milk would represent a valuable asset for a more precise definition of udder health status. The aim of the present study was to apply receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis to define the most accurate thresholds of milk differential somatic cell count (DSCC), which represents the percentage of neutrophils plus lymphocytes in the total SCC. The dataset accounted for 117,482 test-day records of 60,009 Holstein Friesian, Brown Swiss and Simmental cows. Different thresholds were defined so that DSCC trends were analysed throughout the lactation, considering also the classification factors of breed and parity. Finally, cows were classified as healthy, susceptible, mastitic or chronic on the basis of their health status, which was defined combining the information of SCC (below or above 200,000 cells/mL) and DSCC (below or above the specific cut-off). Our findings offered new insights for a practical use of DSCC to screen for mastitis, in order to help farmers make decisions to reduce the use of antimicrobials in the herd.

The present study aimed to evaluate the performances of Fourier transform near-infrared spectroscopy technique to determine the chemical and the fatty acid composition of different types of cheeses. A total of 95 cheeses from sheep and goat raw milk were produced in small local dairies of Siena province (Tuscany). For each cheese, spectrum was collected in intact slices of the sample and fatty acid profile was determined in ground samples. Outliers were identified and different mathematical pre-processing treatments (SNV, MSC, baseline correction and de-trending) were applied when necessary. Considering traditional chemical analysis and raw cheese spectral data, calibration and cross-validation models were carried out using partial least squares regression (PLS). The best results were evaluated in terms of coefficient of determination in calibration and cross-validation (R2cv), and root mean square error in calibration and cross-validation, and residual prediction deviation (RPD). Moisture, protein and ash showed the best R2cv (0.89, 0.74 and 0.72, respectively) and RPD values (3.0, 2.6 and 2.1, respectively). Saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids showed R2cv which ranged from 0.75 to 0.67, and RPD <2.0. Intermediate results in terms of R2cv (0.62 as mean) were obtained for medium chain saturated fatty acids (C8:0 to C14:0), whereas for C18 series only oleic acid reached good accuracy of prediction (R2cv >0.70). Obtained results are promising and additional samples could strongly increase the predictive ability for small dairy farms.

Recently, more evidences of epigenetic impact on the male fertility, particularly on sperm DNA methylation have been reported. Data related to this issue in livestock males is still limited. The present study analyzed the DNA methylation status of the important gene for spermatogenesis, SIRT1, in ram sperm and its correspondence with semen quality and fertilizing ability. The ejaculates of 10 rams (5 rams - 1.5 years old, and 5 rams - 4 years old) from Synthetic Population Bulgarian Milk breed were evaluated and used for the artificial insemination of 174 ewes in breeding season. Two semen samples from each animal were used for DNA extraction followed by bisulfite conversion. The DNA methylation status of SIRT1 was detected through quantitative methylation-specific PCR using two sets of primers designed specifically for bisulfite-converted DNA sequences to attach methylated and unmethylated sites. On the base of age and conception rate the rams were divided in different groups. Data of semen quality, DNA methylation status of SIRT1 and reproductive performances of each group were statistically processed. Results showed a high average value of DNA methylation of SIRT1 in ram sperm (78.5±23.9%) and wide individual variability among investigated animals, with a coefficient of variation of 34.4%. The 1.5 years old animals tended to have a higher level of SIRT1 methylation than 4 years old animals. The rams in group with high fertilizing ability had significantly higher DNA methylation of SIRT1 in sperm than those with low fertilizing ability. In conclusion, results of this study provided evidence that the alteration of sperm SIRT1 methylation is associated with fertility performances of the rams and, probably, with their age.

The administration of high quality colostrum reduces preweaning morbidity, mortality and, therefore, economic losses related to replacement animals. It also stimulates and improves calf growth, increasing milk production and longevity of the future dairy cows. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of breed and parity of the dam on colostrum quality, and of breed and gender of the calf, and time from calf birth to the administration of the first colostrum meal on the transfer of passive immunity to the calf by the field test of the Failure of Passive Transfer (FPT) on calf serum. A further objective was to improve the diagnostic accuracy of the field FPT test through a second laboratory phase improving the turbidity evaluation. The amount of IgG fed to calves (IgG concentration multiplied by the volume of colostrum administered) was influenced by dam parity as significant differences (P < 0.05) were detected between first- and fourth-parity cows, and between second- and fourth-parity cows. The administration of good quality colostrum (IgG > 50 mg/ml) between 5 and 9 h of life was able to reduce the risk of FPT more effectively than the administration performed within the first 4 h of life. However, further studies on larger sample size is needed to confirm the present findings. The spectrophotometric measurements confirmed the results obtained by the field turbidity test at 14% sodium sulphite dilution. It would be interesting in future to expand the dataset and validate the spectrophometric method.

This study aims to genetically evaluate clinical mastitis (CM) in Holstein cattle using a two-trait repeatability animal model with the average lactation somatic cell score (LSCS) as an indicator trait of mastitis. The data set included 21,786 Holsteins with 29,110 lactations in 59 herds and with a calving date between 2015 and 2019. CM was considered as an all-or-none trait (values 0 or 1) in the period from calving to 305 days in milk, and the LSCS was obtained by logarithmic transformation of the average of the individual test-day records for somatic cell count over lactation. Heritability of CM was estimated using a single-trait repeatability animal model, whereas the genetic correlation between CM and LSCS was assessed through a two-trait repeatability animal model. Fixed effects included in the analyses were parity-age and herd-year-season, and the random effects were the permanent environment and the animal. The (co)variance matrix was employed in breeding values estimation for both single-trait (only CM) and bivariate models (CM and LSCS) including genomic prediction. Only genotyped sires formed the reference population for the single-step genomic evaluation. The heritability for CM was 0.04 in the single-trait and 0.05 in the two-trait analysis. Genetic correlation between CM and LSCS was 0.80. The employment of the two-trait model had a considerably strong influence on reliability. The reliability increased for cows with records as well as for the genotyped sires. This study indicates that the two-trait analysis of CM and LSCS is feasible and improves the reliability of the estimated breeding values.

This study aimed to evaluate the score for subclinical ketosis risk, which is routinely monitored in Czech Holstein cows. The score is based on milk recording indicator traits which include fat-to-protein ratio, fat-to-lactose ratio, citric acid, β-hydroxybutyrate, and acetone concentrations. The score was significantly (P <0.001) affected by the age of cow at calving, days in milk (DIM) and season of test-day recording. Variance components were estimated with a univariate linear animal model for the score on the first test-day and with a multivariate linear animal model for the score in 3 successive test-days (6-40, 30-70, 60-100 DIM). The heritability estimate was lower at the beginning of lactation (0.08) and increased gradually to 0.11 at the end of the recorded period. Genetic correlations between the score at the first and the other two test-days were lower than 1 indicating that they are genetically different traits. Estimated breeding values were normally distributed with mean 0.20 and reliabilities up to 0.66 in females and 0.98 in males. Breeding values were negatively correlated with most of other routinely evaluated traits, with the strongest correlations with milk fat percentage (0.39), body condition score (-0.26) and fertility of cows (-0.25). The score for subclinical ketosis risk showed sufficient genetic variability and had the potential to be used in genetic improvement of resistance to (sub)clinical ketosis of Czech Holstein cows.

The increase of milk production at the farm level requires an accurate balancing of the diet and the nitrogen supply also to minimise the possible environmental pollution deriving from dairy farming. The aim of this study was to evaluate dietary protein utilization at different crude protein (CP) levels and to predict nitrogen content in faeces on the basis of nutritional parameters and milk urea nitrogen content (MUN, mg dL-1). The study was conducted on three groups (A, B, C) of lactating dairy cows (8 cows per group, including Latvian Brown and Holstein Black and White breeds) from 10 to 30 days in milk. Total mixed rations containing different levels of CP (approximately 18.0%, 17.5% and 17.0% for A, B and C, respectively) were fed. The amount of feed consumed by each cow was measured and feed samples collected during the trial. Milk yield (kg d-1-1) and faeces amount were recorded, and samples were collected at day 21 of the study for further analysis. Feed samples were analysed for CP, net energy for lactation (NEL, MJ kg-1) and other parameters. Milk samples were analysed for fat (%), total protein (%), casein (%) and urea content (mg dL-1). The statistical investigation was conducted using ANOVA, and correlation and regression analyses. The results showed that milk yield, fat, total protein, casein, urea, and MUN were not significantly different among groups being not affected by the dietary CP levels. The correlation between faecal nitrogen content and CP content in feed was moderately positive and statistically significant (r=0.44, P=0.03), while the correlation between faecal nitrogen content and MUN was moderately negative and showed tendency towards significance (r=-0.39, P=0.06). The regression analysis showed that feed CP explained approximately 20% of faeces nitrogen content.

Feed efficiency has a major influence on farm profitability and environmental stewardship in the dairy industry. The aim of this study was to describe a new selection index adopted by the Italian Holstein and Jersey Association (ANAFIJ, Cremona, Italy) to improve feed efficiency using data recorded by the official dairy recording system. Predicted dry matter intake (pDMI) was derived from milk yield, fat content, and estimated cow body weight. Fat-protein corrected milk (FPCM) was derived from milk yield corrected for fat, protein, and a fixed coefficient for lactose content (4.80%). Therefore, the predicted feed efficiency (pFE) was estimated as ratio between FPCM and pDMI. Average pFE was 1.27±0.18 (kg.d-1) with heritability of 0.32. Predicted Feed Efficiency index (pFEi), traditional and genomic, has been implemented in the Italian Holstein Friesian evaluation system. Results suggest that pFEi may be a new breeding objective for Italian Friesians. The official selection index (PFT), in use since 2002, is positively correlated with pFEi. However, the introduction of pFEi will improve the positive feed efficiency trend. This approach will permit the Italian Holstein Friesian breeders to improve feed efficiency, without increasing costs of recording system. However, to avoid the risk of selecting animals with an excessive negative energy balance after calving, it would be useful to include in the pFE a correction for body condition score and reproductive performances. Meanwhile, in order to increase the accuracy of the predicted phenotype, an Italian consortium is creating a consistent phenotypic critical mass of individual data for dry matter intake in cows, heifers and young bulls.

Our research aimed to analyse the current state of the sheep industry in Ukraine, to highlight the geographical location of genetic resources, to describe the state of the breeding work, and to form the proposals for the development of this branch in the future. The date from the State register of breeding farms for 2005-2019 and statistical reporting were used for analysis. It is shown that over the last 14 years, the sheep industry in Ukraine has undergone significant changes: the form of ownership has changed, the number of livestock has decreased and the breed composition of sheep has changed. Currently, there are 0.7 million sheep in Ukraine, of which 26.7 thousand are registered like breeding animals belonging to 10 breeds. The largest number of sheep is concentrated in the south and west of the country, where the climatic conditions are favourable for this branch in the past. The leaders in terms of numbers are Odesa and Transcarpathia, Chernivtsi and Zaporizhia regions. Breeding pedigree animals are concentrated in Odesa and Kherson oblasts. The most numerous breeds are the Askanian meat-wool breed with crossbred wool and the Askanian Karakul breed. Taking into consideration the big potential of the sheep breeding, it is proposed to perform some steps to stimulate its development in Ukraine.

Milk thistle [Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.] is a medicinal plant from the Asteraceae family that is grown for its silymarin content. In the production of the silymarin complex, oil is obtained as a secondary product that must be removed from the seeds before extraction of silymarin. The oil contains a favorable ratio of fatty acids and essential phospholipids and has a high vitamin E concent. The objective of this study was to determine the quality of the harvest and the oil content in the dry matter of milkthistle fruit in three varieties (Silyb, Silma, Mirel) during growing seasons 2019 and 2020. The field experiment was conducted in a warm climatic region of western Slovakia (at the experimental site, Dolná Malanta locality). The results showed that the average yield of milk thistle fruit was 452.72 ±61.71 kg ha-1. The oiliness results wereat the level of 28.62 ±1.12%. The maximum and minimum oil content values in the dry matter were determined in the variety Silma 2019. The differences between the individual varieties were not statistically significant. The factor of the growing season had a statistically significant effect on the oil content. Based on two-year fertility and oil content results, it is recommended to continue to monitor the quantitative and qualitative potentials of the milk thistle in the following growing season.