Search

• Polish Arabian horse population's genetic diversity and structure were analyzed. • Study involved 12 254 horses and evaluated population structure and founder effects. • High pedigree completeness as well as loss of genetic diversity were found over time. • Average inbreeding at 5.8% with 99.6% of horses inbred; founder contributions varied. • There is a need for strategic breeding to preserve diversity and breed's legacy. With a history tracing back to at least the 18th century and a substantial global influence on various breeds, Polish Arabian horse population is of paramount importance for both breeders and conservationists. However, its genetic makeup and the population dynamics are still not well understood. This study presents an analysis of the modern Polish Arabian horse population using pedigree data, focusing on the breed's genetic diversity and population structure. Our analysis encompassed 1 498 individuals defined as the reference population (RP) and their 11 065 ancestors, which resulted in the dataset of 12 254 individuals (total population). We traced their genealogy to assess inbreeding coefficients (F), founder effects, and genetic variability measures such as the effective number of founders (f e), ancestors (f a), or founder genome equivalents (f ge). The results indicated a good pedigree quality with an average of 28.1 maximum traced generations, revealing high pedigree completeness for initial generations with a decline beyond the seventh generation. The genetic diversity parameters showed a considerable bottleneck effect, with an effective number of founders at 73, which reflects a substantial loss of genetic diversity over time. Despite the vast total number of founders (852), only a few have had a lasting impact on the current population, signaling the need for revised breeding strategies to maintain diversity. The study identified a slight but consistent rise in inbreeding over the last century, with a marginal recent decline, and a significant difference in the contribution of various founders. The average F was 5.8%, with 99.6% of the reference population being inbred. The analysis of effective population size (N e) highlighted potential risks for genetic diversity, urging for revision of breeding goals to consider a wider array of founder lineages. The study indicated that stallions belonging to RP can be attributed to 15 distinct sirelines, whereas mares to 45 unique damlines, more than considered in the current breeding program (8 and 15, respectively). Conclusively, the study underlines the need for ongoing monitoring and strategic breeding to maintain and enhance the genetic diversity of Polish Arabians, considering the breed's historical significance and contemporary genetic challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses animal genetic resources in the context of the Nagoya Protocol, providing an overview of the distinctive features and practices in this sector of genetic resources. It presents how animal genetic resources are utilized, who are the users and providers, and what are the trends in gene flow of these resources. The paper reflects on current access measures and arrangements for local breeds and for international commercial breeds. Key benefits arising from the international exchange of animal genetic resources for research and livestock production and current developments in the sector supporting the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol are presented. References to the scope and application of EU ABS legislation are also made. The paper underlines the importance of continuous undisturbed access to animal genetic resources for research and breeding to facilitate further development within the global livestock sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to identify important factors threatening genetic diversity within small sheep populations, and to propose sustainable management strategies. Demographic evolution, genetic diversity and current genetic management practices were analyzed in a population of Polish Olkuska sheep. Unbalanced contributions of individual rams to the next generation were observed due to differences in the period of their utilization, the number of progeny and the number of daughters used in reproduction. Matings between closely related animals were common. Pedigree completeness was satisfactory and inbreeding coefficient was high, 11.71% for lambs born in 2012. Relatively high values of potential and realized coancestries within flocks showed the importance of keeping more than one ram. The genetic conservation index and average relatedness coefficient, and their comparison between regions was helpful in considering management options. The information on genetic relationships and genetic conservation parameters of rams should be provided to breeders with simple interpretations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Due to the competition with high yielding international dairy breeds, many local cattle breeds that traditionally supplied the European dairy market are being marginalised and thus increasingly endangered. While there are many options to enhance profitability of dairy utilisation of local dual purpose cattle breeds, in some of them, for various reasons, milk utilisation is continuously declining and dairy herds are gradually transformed into less labour demanding suckling herds. However, sometimes there is no consensus among breeders and breeding organisations on dividing dual-purpose breeds into dairy and beef subpopulations. The paper examines the pros and cons of this approach using case studies from Poland, Norway and Austria. While there are disadvantages in turning a breed traditionally milked to beef production, sometimes it is the only valid option to continue its utilisation. Therefore, trade-offs need to be considered and conservation steps taken before starting the transformation of a breed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Copyright of Animal Genetic Resources is the property of Cambridge University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Simple, convenient and universal method of the different types of organosulfur trifluorides synthesis, with common formula RSF3 where R = dialkylamino group, aromatic or heterocyclic radical, was elaborated. The method consists in the reaction of thiosulfurous acid diamides, diaryldisulfides or diheteryldisulfides with chlorine in the presence of potassium fluoride excess. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Horse racing serves as a performance test to evaluate the speed and endurance of horses. Globally, the breed most widely used for racing is the Thoroughbred. In Poland, the Purebred Arabian horse racing sector size is comparable to that of Thoroughbreds, as the racing merit is a crucial element of the complex Polish breeding goal for Arabian horses. In many cases, the elite Thoroughbred mares – both in Poland and internationally – fail to perform as broodmares. However, the heritability of racing performance is proven to be higher in the dam line than in the sire line. In contrast, elite Polish Arabian racing mares usually produce elite racing offspring, and this relationship is observed through many generations. Polish State Studs conduct a particular racing program for the best racing mares, who are bred with race-type stallions (without the novel French-origin sire lines). The aim of this study was to identify the factors influencing the racing performance of Polish Thoroughbreds and Purebred Arabians and compare the effects of these factors in both breeds, with special emphasis put on the effect of dam's racing performance on the racing performance of their offspring. 1099 Thoroughbreds and 1022 Purebred Arabians were included in this study. The impact of each factor was evaluated using logistic and mixed linear regression models. We also created a correlation matrix to find additional dependencies between variables. In both Thoroughbreds and Purebred Arabians, a positive relationship between the racing performance of dams and their offspring was observed, except the elite Thoroughbred mares' (4+ wins) progeny, which had 7,918% less chance (P < 0,001) to enter the race. The chance for progeny both for entering the race and for good racing performance decreased with the dam's age. For instance, Arabian horses out of mares 13 years and older had 17,856% less chance (P < 0,001) than the offsprings of mares aged 4–6. The age of the maternal grand-dam was significant in one of the models. Additionally, the fixed effects of the sire and maternal grandsire were significant, leading to the conclusion that at least 2 generations of ancestors must be considered while analyzing the chances of an individual performing well at the racetrack. A small percentage of the phenotypic variation explained by applied models suggests the importance of various fixed and temporary environmental effects affecting racing performance. The general conclusion is that in both breeds, the offspring of young mares with good but not elite racing performance has the best chances to win a race. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]