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The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of monthly air temperature and rainfall variations on the reproductive performance and lambing distribution of the Jezersko-Solčava breed in northwestern Croatia during 7 years period from 2010 until 2016. At 11 medium-scale sheep farms, the sheep were kept on a pasture in a semi-intensive environment with access to the stables. The anomalies of rainfall observed on a monthly basis during monitoring were statistically significant. Non-parametric test showed that the percentages of lambing differ among the months during the year (P = 0.0001). By using regression analysis, it was found that the percentages of pregnant sheep were linearly associated with the sequential number of the month. The seasonal distribution of lambings were 53.85% of ewes delivered in winter (n = 1296), 21.13% in spring (n = 509), 8.91% in summer (n = 215) and 16.11% in autumn (n = 387). Sexual activity was lowest during spring and early summer (from March to May) with a peak from the end of July to October. The conception rate during year 2011 was significantly lower (89.74%), and the litter size was the lowest (1.05) than in other years of the observation. Average conception rate was 92.85% and average litter size 1.21. Despite being a seasonally polyoestrous, the distribution of matings and lambings of this breed of sheep was not uniform throughout the seasons. There were established a positive or negative correlations between the air temperature and rainfall precipitation variations with tested reproductive performances of Jezersko-Solčava breed sheep in the Northwestern part of Croatia.

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The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of season, rainfall and air temperature on the reproductive efficiency in the Romanov breed of sheep in continental part of Croatia during five consecutive years (2012–2016). During this period, 5379 matings resulted in 5046 successful conceptions, i.e. lambings at eight medium-scale Romanov breed sheep farms. The conception rate was 93.81%, fecundity was 195% and average preweaning mortality until 90 days of age was 12.41%. The seasonal distribution of lambings was 47.64% for ewes that delivered in winter (n = 2422), 23.37% in spring (n = 1179), 18.82% in summer (n = 950) and 9.81% in autumn (n = 495). Sexual activity was lowest during spring and early summer when air temperatures were above average (very and extremely warm), and sexual activity peaked from August to September, especially during extremely wet and very wet seasons. Litter size was greater during winter than in other seasons (1.70 vs. 1.54) and was significantly different as compared to each of selected years of the study period. There was a statistically significant difference in the number of pregnant ewes between mating seasons. Most female Romanov lambs born during winter and early spring mated in late summer or autumn and delivered at the age of 1 year or earlier. The seasonal distribution of matings and lambing was not uniform throughout the seasons over five consecutive years. Thus, it can be assumed that air temperature and rainfall during different seasons could affect the reproductive efficiency in Romanov breed of sheep in continental part of Croatia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raw cow, goat and sheep milk samples were collected in different regions of Croatia during spring and autumn 2016. Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) concentrations were measured in the following ranges (ng/kg): cow milk 0.93–85.4; goat milk 2.0–18.6; sheep milk 2.27–11.2. AFM1 levels exceeding the European Union maximum residue levels of 50 ng/kg were found in two cow milk samples in spring and 10 cow milk samples in autumn. The probable daily intakes (PDIs) for all three dairy species were from 0.0108 to 0.0165 ng/kg b.w./day and contributing 1.08–1.65% to the proposed provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI; 1 ng/kg b.w./day), indicating low risk exposure for consumers. The mean positive cow milk PDI was 0.15 ng/kg b.w./day, contributing 15.2% to the PMTDI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution of infection by the species Brucella ovis in rams and abortion cases in sheep in Croatia was investigated in the period from 2011 to 2015. The investigation relied on serological testing in rams and sheep after abortion conducted using a complement fixation test and immunosorbent assay conducted with bacteriological testing of the testes in seropositive rams and aborted material. Seropositive reactions were confirmed in 1100 (6%) of rams samples and in 12 (2.3%) of ewe samples. Isolated strains were also confirmed on the molecular level. In 10 (45.5%) animals asymmetry of the scrotum and unilateral enlargement of the tail of the epididymis were confirmed. Pathomorphological examination revealed visible changes such as granulomas, fibrosis, and atrophy of the testes and epididymis in 12 (54.5%) ram testes. In bacteriological investigation of samples from 22 rams and fetuses following abortion in ewes, 13 (59.1%) and 2 (14.3%) isolations were performed, respectively. All 15 isolates were identified as Brucella ovis using a molecular method. The results show that infectious epididymitis caused by Brucella ovis is distributed throughout the study area in Croatia. The disease most often spreads through uncontrolled trade or contacts of sheep between flocks, which significantly hinders eradication measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]