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Contents: The aim of the study was to evaluate genetic variation, reproductive performance and the degree of relationship of White‐Backed bulls entered in the breed registry and approved for breeding. The study included 32 bulls of the White‐Backed (WB) breed with an entry in the breed registry and used for breeding in the years 2003–2015. Eleven microsatellite DNA sequences (TGLA222, BM2113, TGLA53, ETH10, SPS115, TGLA126, TGLA122, INRA23, ETH3, ETH225 and BM1824) were used to analyse variation in the WB bulls. The bulls most often used for breeding were Chilon (1,073 doses), Mak (939 doses) and Jaguar (858 doses). The bulls Mak, Chilon and Jak had the greatest influence on the active population of White‐Backed cattle, with the most daughters. In the analysed population of White‐Backed bulls, a total of 79 different alleles were identified, with a mean 7.27 per locus. The analysed pool of microsatellite loci was characterized by high values for PIC, HO and HE (>0.6), and the entire population was in genetic equilibrium. The estimated level of inbreeding within the population ranged from −0.2277 (ETH225) to 0.0775 (SPS115), with a mean value of −0.0587. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the lower productivity (approximately 0.2 kg dally), goats maintained on an organic farm vs a conventional farm produced milk of a more favorable chemical composition while benefiting from parameters of technological suitability. The production season associated with the lactation stage had a significant influence on milk yield, its basic chemical composition, acidity, heat resistance and cytological quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to compare the chemical composition and physicochemical quality of the meat of mature slaughter horses (73 mares and 58 geldings) sampled from the longissimus dorsi (longissimus lumborum section [LL]) and semitendinosus (ST) muscles. The LL muscle was characterized by significantly lower values of electrical conductivity, temperature and shear force; however, it showed a significantly higher water-holding capacity. Meat from the LL muscle showed a significantly higher intramuscular fat (IMF) content, and as a result, higher calories, but contained less water and protein than the ST muscle. Along with the increasing marbling level, the IMF content in the LL muscle increased from 2.79 up to 13.30%, whereas in the ST muscle, from 2.80 up to 6.45%. Generally, a higher meat marbling goes together with a decrease of water and protein contents as well as an increase of a protein/fat ratio. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS On the basis of the obtained results, it was stated that the chemical composition and physicochemical quality of mature horses' meat was similar to some other species of red meat. Therefore, the horse flesh could be a valuable substitute of culinary meat, especially beef. The high dressing percentages reflected the horses' usefulness for meat production. Moreover, considering a slight number of defects occurring in horse meat (i.e. DFD or PSE), chevaline could be more widely used in the meat industry, in raw or processed form, as a suitable food for human consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A potential application of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in animal husbandry and production is identification of the animal breed. In this study, using chosen marker selection methods and genotypic data obtained with the use of Illumina Bovine SNP50 BeadChip for individuals belonging to ten cattle breeds, the reduced panels containing the most informative SNP markers were developed. The suitability of selected SNP panels for the effective and reliable assignment of the studied individuals to the breed of origin was checked by three allocation algorithms implemented in GeneClass 2. The studied breeds set included both Polish-native breeds under the genetic resources conservation programs and highly productive breeds with a global range. For all of the tested marker selection methods ("delta" and two F ST -based variants), two separate methodological approaches of marker assortment were used and three marker panels were created with 96, 192, and 288 SNPs respectively, to determine the minimum number of markers required for effective differentiation of the studied breeds. Moreover, the usefulness of the most effective panels of markers to assess the population structure and genetic diversity of the analyzed breeds was examined. The conducted analyses showed the possibility of using SNP subsets from medium-density genotypic microarrays to distinguish breeds of cattle kept in Poland and to analyze their genetic structure., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Institute of Plant Genetics Polish Academy of Sciences.)

There are many genes responsible for the appearance of different coat colours, among which the melanocortin 1 receptor gene ( MC1R ) plays an important role. The aim of the study was to characterize genetic variation in Central European cattle breeds based on polymorphism of the MC1R gene and factors determining their coat colour. The study was conducted on 290 individuals of the following breeds: Polish White-Backed (PW), Lithuanian White-Backed (LW), Polish Red (PR), Lithuanian Red (LR), Carpathian Brown (CB), Ukrainian Grey (UG), and Slovak Pinzgau (SP). Polymorphism at the MC1R gene locus was analysed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) using two restriction enzymes: Cfr10I and SsiI . The proportions of alleles and genotypes in the MC1R locus indicates a strong relationship between polymorphism and the coat colour of cattle: The E D allele proved to be characteristic for the breeds with a white-backed coat (PW and LW), while the dominant allele in the red breeds (PR and LR) was E + . It is noteworthy that coat colour in the SP population was determined only by the recessive e allele, which resulted in the formation of a separate clade in the phylogenetic tree.

In the presented research, BovineSNP50 microarrays (Illumina) were applied to determine runs of homozygosity in the genomes of 11 cattle breeds maintained in Poland. These cattle breeds represent three basic utility types: milk, meat and dual purpose. Analysis of runs of homozygosity allowed the evaluation of the level of autozygosity within each breed in order to calculate the genomic inbreeding coefficient (F ROH ), as well as to identify regions of the genome with a high frequency of ROH occurrence, which may reflect traces of directional selectin left in their genomes. Visible differences in the length and distribution of runs of homozygosity in the genomes of the analyzed cattle breeds have been observed. The highest mean number and mean sums of lengths of runs of homozygosity were characteristic for Hereford cattle and intermediate for the Holstein-Friesian Black-and-White variety, Holstein-Friesian Red-and-White variety, Simmental, Limousin, Montbeliarde and Charolais breeds. However, lower values were observed for cattle of conserved breeds. Moreover, the selected livestock differed in the level of inbreeding estimated using the F ROH coefficient. In regions of the genome with a high frequency of ROH occurrence, which may reflect the impact of directional selection, a number of genes were observed that can be potentially related to the production traits which are under selection pressure for specific production types. The most important detected genes were GHR , MSTN , DGAT1 , FABP4 , and TRH , with a known influence on the milk and meat traits of the studied cattle breeds.

The aim of the study was to compare the content of selected minerals in different nectar honeys (acacia, buckwheat, raspberry, linden, rapeseed, and multifloral) available on the Polish market. The degree to which the demand for eight minerals (K, Na, Mg, Ca, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu) by adults is met by a portion of 100 g of honey was estimated as well. The material consisted of 34 artisanal honeys from direct sale and 34 samples purchased from retail stores. The artisanal honeys contained significantly more K, Mg, and Mn, but significantly less Na and Fe than the honeys purchased from the retail stores. The raspberry honey contained significantly the most K and Ca (1104.7 and 68.8 mg kg -1 ), the multifloral honey contained the most Ca and Mg (68.5 and 48.0 mg kg -1 ), and the buckwheat honey contained the most Zn and Mn (3.97 and 4.96 mg kg -1 ). The highest content of Na was shown in buckwheat and linden honeys (79.1 and 80.0 mg kg -1 ). Consumption of 100 g of honey from direct sale satisfied from 2.5 to 4.5% of the recommended intakes for K and from 10.4 to 17.3% for Mn, while the same portion of honey from retail satisfied from 1.6 to 4.8% for Fe, and from 2.3 to 6.1% for Zn and Cu. The buckwheat honey met to the greatest degree the recommended dietary intakes for Mn (16.5-27.6%), followed by raspberry honey (10.0-16.7%) and multifloral honey (6.9-11.6%).

Veal is widely prized by consumers for its excellent nutritional value. Calf meat is generally obtained from young (immature) bovine animals up to 8months of age, or in some cases from older animals, but no older than 12months. Classification of calf carcasses and specification of cuts are quite well regulated in the European market, in contrast with feeding systems and meat characteristics. There are several calf production systems, but in terms of consumer health the most beneficial meat is obtained from animals reared on pasture with natural suckling. In view of the above, this review is limited in scope to Member States of the European Union and focuses on the main factors influencing the carcass quality, proximate composition, intrinsic properties, cholesterol content, fatty acid composition and mineral composition of veal from calves reared on pasture with their mothers., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Protein content in cow milk (with over 20 proteins, and peptides may also occur as a result of enzymatic hydrolysis) ranges from 2.5% to 4.2% and is about 1.5-2 times higher than in human milk. Its most important allergens are considered to be β-lactoglobulin (absent in human milk) and αs1-casein. The most similar in composition to human milk is horse and donkey milk. It contains considerably more whey proteins (35-50%) than cow milk (about 20%), and the concentration of the most allergenic casein fraction αs1 is 1.5-2.5 g/l. In comparison, the content of αs1-casein in cow milk is about 10 g/l. β-lactoglobulin present in donkey milk is a monomer, while in milk of ruminants it is a dimer. Like human milk, it contains a substantial amount of lactose (about 7%), which determines its flavour and facilitates calcium absorption. The high lysozyme content (about 1 g/l) gives it antibacterial properties (compared to trace amounts in ruminants). Camel milk is also more digestible and induces fewer allergic reactions, because it lacks β-lactoglobulin, and its β-casein has a different structure. It also contains (compared to cow milk) more antibacterial substances such as lysozyme, lactoferrin and immunoglobulins, and furthermore the number of immunoglobulins is compatible with human ones. Goat milk components have a higher degree of assimilability as compared to cow milk. Its main protein is β-casein, with total protein content depending on the αs1-casein genetic variant. Goats with the '0' variant do not synthesize this allergenic protein. Clinical and immunochemical studies indicate, however, that it cannot be a substitute for cow milk without the risk of an anaphylactic reaction.

The aim of the study was to determine the content of macrominerals and microminerals in the longissimus lumborum (LL) and semitendinosus (ST) muscles of young bulls of five breeds-Polish Red (PR), White-Backed (WB), Polish Black-and-White (PBW), Simmental (SIM) and Polish Holstein-Friesian (PHF). The meat of the Polish Holstein-Friesian bulls was found to contain significantly less K, Mg and Ca and more Mn than other breeds. The meat of the White-Backed bulls contained significantly (P < 0.01) more Ca and less Na than the meat of the Polish Red, Simmental and Polish Holstein-Friesian breeds. Moreover, the meat of White-Backed bulls showed a significantly (P < 0.01) higher level of Mn and Cu in comparison with other native breeds (Polish Red and Polish Black-and-White) and the Simmental breed. Similar content of macronutrients was found in the LL and ST muscles. However, in the case of micronutrients, the LL muscle contained significantly more Zn, Fe and Cu as well as Mn (P > 0.05).

The aim of the study was to analyze chosen antibacterial protein content, i.e. immunoglobulin G, lactoferrin and lysozyme in bovine milk obtained from cows of four breeds raised and maintained under intensive production technology, that is in the free stall system, and fed total mixed ration diet (TMR system). The studies were conducted on milk from four breeds of dairy cows maintained in Poland, i.e. Polish Holstein-Friesian Black-White and Red-White variety, Jersey and Simental. Milk samples were collected solely from healthy cows, having performed the TOK test with Mastirapid. Further analyses were made only on the milk samples with SCC determined under 2.0 x 10(5) cells/ml, i.e. 423 samples. Each sample was examined for lactoferrin and lysozyme determination using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with UV-VIS detector. The immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels were established by the aid of radial immunodiffusion technique with Bovine IgG LL tests (The Binding Site, Birmingham, UK). It should be stated that a breed of cow had a significant effect on a content of the antimicrobial proteins analyzed in bovine milk evaluated. Milk obtained from Simental and Jersey cows prove to be their excellent source, i.e. lactoferrin (116.74 and 103.48 mg/l), lysozyme (9.84 and 13.02 microg/l) and immunoglobulin G (579.9 and 508.6 mg/l). The highest content of these protein was stated in milk of multiparous cows at the late stage of lactation.

The purpose of this study was to compare the haematological profile and meat colour of calves slaughtered in summer and autumn. The material covered 42 calves chosen randomly i.e. 22 slaughtered in summer (June-August) and 20 in autumn (October-December). Haematological analyses included haematocrit (HCT), haemoglobin level (HGB), red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC) and platelets (PLT). The morphology of the erythrocytes and platelets, and differentiation of leucocytes were examined. The colour of meat was evaluated instrumentally by Minolta CIE L*a*b* and haematin pigment content was determined. The blood haemoglobin content in calves in the compared seasons was similar (11.3 g/L) and found within a normal range. Blood of calves from the autumn season showed higher HCT, RBC, and MCV values with concurrent lower MCH and MCHC values in comparison to the summer season. Blood of calves slaughtered in summer showed a higher content of WBC and a significantly higher percentage of lymphocytes as against blood of calves from the autumn. Meat of calves from the summer season was paler (higher L* value), and had a significantly (p < or = 0.05) higher proportion of yellowness (b*). A brighter colour of meat from calves presented for slaughter in the summer season was noted along with a lower content of haematin pigments. Significant correlations were found between haematological variables (HGB, HCT and RBC, particularly) and haematin pigment content and meat lightness (L*) and redness (a*).

Polymorphism of goat milk alphas1-casein was determined and potential relations between genetic variants of this protein fraction and goat performance were evaluated. The investigations were performed on 598 goats assigned to of 4 breed groups (White improved 254 units, Coloured improved--124, White non-improved--146 and Coloured non-improved--74). For each goat, alphas1-casein polymorphism was determined in polyacrylamide gel by the PAGE-SDS method and percentage of milk alphas1-casein and gene frequency established. There was evaluated goat performance at successive lactations. In the goat population investigated, AA, AB, BB, AE, BE and EE alphas1-casein genotypes were identified. In all four breeds, alphas1-casein genotype EE clearly predominated (27.2-39.2%), recognized as "medium" and its share was higher in the groups of non-improved goats. It was conditioned by high frequency of gene E alphas1-casein (0.419-0.622). Generally, EE genotype percentage was higher in the non-improved goat groups. The improved goats, though, obtained higher productivity in each of the lactation studied. Analysis of relationships between alphas1-casein genetic variants and goats performance confirmed a significant influence on milk, protein and fat yields only in the Coloured improved goat group. There was revealed a more general tendency indicating a significant impact of "strong" alphas1-casein genotypes on a concentration of basic milk components, i.e. fat and protein, especially casein. In a group of goats producing milk of the highest casein content (over 2.4%) and protein (over 3.0%), the animals showing "strong" alphas1-casein variants dominated (85 and 70 %).