Bardoka and Karakachan sheep are primitive regional transboundary Pramenka-type sheep autochthonous to the Balkan Peninsula, whose populations have been reduced to a critically small size in Serbia. We genotyped 105 Bardoka animals (97 ewes and 8 rams from three flocks) and 97 Karakachan sheep (86 ewes and 11 rams from four flocks), along with 28 Ile-de-France (IDF) animals used for a comparison (25 ewes and 3 rams), using 14 nuclear microsatellites to assess their genetic status and establish a foundation for their genetically informed conservation. We utilized genetic data to assess inbreeding values of individuals (I) and pairwise relatedness (r) traditionally inferred from the pedigree data, which are incomplete in the studied autochthonous breeds. We used these data to assemble a data set of unrelated individuals for subsequent genetic analyses. Low but statistically significant genetic differentiation of Bardoka and Karakachan sheep (F_ST = 0.031, p < 0.01) demonstrates that these phenotypically distinct breeds differ at the genetic level as well. The I and r in ewes were higher in the Karakachan sheep (I = 0.09, r = 0.07) than in Bardoka (I = 0.06, r = 0.06). Contrary to the IDF rams, Bardoka and Karakachan sheep rams were genetically heterogeneous and those of the latter breed displayed higher average r values (0.01 vs. 0.08, respectively). Rams of both local breeds had identical I values of 0.02. Although Bardoka and Karakachan sheep still harbor rather high levels of genetic diversity (H_E = 0.761 ± 0.028 and 0.761 ± 0.021, respectively), the overall genetic data demonstrate that the genetic consequences of the population decline were more severe in the latter breed. A genetic structure presenting a general trend of differentiation of flocks with low genetic exchange into separate genetic entities was observed, indicating the effects of genetic drift. The implementation of the genetically informed conservation, together with the ongoing efforts of the state to enlarge the Bardoka and Karakachan sheep populations, would increase the prospects for the long-term survival of both breeds in Serbia.

The objective of the present study was to characterize the chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) tannin product, Farmatan Plus^® (Tanin Sevnica d.d., Sevnica, Slovenia), and to subsequently examine its effects on the blood metabolic parameters of fattening lambs, particularly in relation to their health status. Thirty lambs were randomly divided into three treatment groups: a control group without added tannin and two groups that received 9.46 g of the tannin product/kg of the diet dry matter (DM) and 18.87 g of the tannin product/kg of the diet DM. Metabolic parameters such as contents of total protein, globulin, urea, and liver enzymes (AST and GGT) were measured over a trial period of 60 days to evaluate the effects of tannin supplementation. This study represents the first in-depth characterization of Farmatan Plus^®, demonstrating its richness in bioactive compounds such as vescalin and castalagin. The results showed no significant adverse effects on lamb health, with all parameters remaining within normal physiological ranges (p > 0.05). These results support the safe inclusion of chestnut tannins in the diet of lambs and underline their potential as a functional feed additive that can positively influence the health and growth performance of ruminants.

One of strategic goals in the field of improving our sheep breeding is to preserve sheep genofund. An important aspect in that context is genetic characterisation of our locally adapted breeds. The present research was conducted in summer season on 30 Krivovirska Pramenka sheep aged about 3 years on average and raised in 3 different localities. The blood of these animals was taken by venepuncture of v.jugularis into 5 mltest-tubes that were properly marked and samples stored at 4?C in a refrigerator and transported to a laboratory.Isolation of total genomic DNA was performed by a commercial kit for the isolation of DNA from blood for which 100 ml blood per animal was used. For genotyping a set of 12 nucleus microsatellites recommended by the International Society for Animal Genetics -ISAG was used. Molecular data obtained by amplifying nucleus microsatellites were processed by means of following standard bioinformatics packages: GenAlEx 6.5 (Peakall and Smouse 2012), HP-Rare 1.0 (Kalinowski 2005), Coancestry v.1.0.1.9 (Wang 2011) and STRUCTURE 2.3.4. (Pritchard et al. 2000). On the basis of the research conducted a relatively high level of genetic diversity was determined in studied population as well as a small number of animal pairs whose level of relatedness was higher than expected one. At the same time, a low and positive inbreeding coefficient not statistically significant was detected what indicates that examined population of Krivovirska Pramenka sheep is not burdened by inbreeding. The results obtained are informative and with an application of additional markers can serve for obtaining the guideliness for preserving and sustainable breeding of Krivovirska Pramenka sheep in Serbia.

The objective of this research paper was to estimate heritability coefficients (heritability) of growth traits in the lambs of indigenous Sjenicka Pramenka breed. The research was conducted on a sample which included 421 lambs the descendants of 15 sires and 187 sheep-dams, raised on 3 private farms in Kolubarski district, Serbia. The effect of fixed factors was studied while the values of heritability coefficients were estimated within the frame of SAS software package. A statistically highly significant (**=P<0.01) effect on studied traits had following parameters: sex, year of lambing, type of lambing, farm and method of applied reproductive technology. By means of REML method and using the sire model the values of heritability coefficients were determined for the following traits: average lamb birth weight (BW0), average lamb body weight at 30 days (BW30) and average lamb body weight at 90 days (BW90) being: 0.0355; 0.4642 and 0.3018, respectively.

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of age, sex and type of birth on the traits of growth in bergamasca lambs. The research was conducted on a sample which included 141 lambs (68 male, 73 female lambs), born from 2014 to 2015, raised on one agricultural farm in Vojvodina. The average body weight of lambs at birth was 3.67 kg, with 30 days of age 10.60 kg, and weaning weight 30.77 kg. The effect of fixed factors was studied within the frame of SAS software package. A statistically highly significant (**=P<0.01) effect on studied traits: average lamb birth weight (BW0), average lamb body weight at 30 days (BW30) and weaning weight, had all the examined factors.

The aim of this study was to examine the breeding and housing conditions and their impact on the manifestation of variability of microclimatic parameters in facilities for keeping dairy cows. The systematic measurement of microclimate parameters was performed in buildings, that is temperature ( ) and relative humidity of air (RV%) in the period from 2014 to 2020 was performed on 12 farms from 6 administrative districts in the Republic of Serbia. A total of 478328 individual hourly measurements of temperature and relative humidity of air were analyzed. The fixed model, which included factors of farm size, month, hour, and farm for the manifestation of THI with a statistically high influence of all factors involved. All surveyed farms had a high potential for the development of heat stress in June, July and August. The greatest variability of THI was between small and large accommodation farms. Medium-capacity farms had consistently the highest average THI values and potential for heat stress development.