This study assessed the influence of transport conditions on welfare indicators of slaughter pigs with different health status and RYR-1 genotype. The group of pigs, predominantly consisting of Nn (56.67%) and subclinically diseased (60.00%) individuals, that were exposed to short transportation (<30 min) at high loading density (~235 kg/m²) had the highest slipping (p < 0.0001), falling (p = 0.0009), turning back (p < 0.0001), reluctance to move (p < 0.0001), panting (p < 0.0001) and shivering (p < 0.0001) frequencies at unloading. Subclinically diseased Nn pigs subjected to short transportation (<30 min) and high loading density (~235 kg/m²) had the highest lactate (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001), glucose (p = 0.0450 and p = 0.0002), CK (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0010), LDH (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0484), AST (p = 0.0208 and p = 0.0170), ALT (p = 0.0500 and p = 0.00081), ceruloplasmin (p = 0.0334 and p < 0.0001) and MDA (p = 0.0048 and p < 0.0001) concentrations, but the lowest sodium (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001), chloride (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.0432), albumin (p < 0.0090 and p < 0.0001), PON-1 (p = 0.0122 and p = 0.0500) and GSH (p = 0.0042 and p = 0.0340) levels, respectively. In the group consisting of of stress-resistant (100%) and predominantly healthy (60.00%) pigs subjected to short transportation (<30 min) at high loading density (~235 kg/m²), none of the individuals showed irregular behavioural reactions during unloading. Healthy NN pigs that underwent short transportation (<30 min) at high loading density (~235 kg/m²) had the lowest lactate (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001), glucose (p = 0.0450 and p = 0.0002), CK (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0010), LDH (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0484) and ceruloplasmin (p = 0.0334 and p < 0.0001) levels, but the highest sodium (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001) and chloride (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.0432) concentrations, respectively. In conclusion, the most compromised welfare was recorded in subclinically diseased Nn pigs exposed to short transportation (<30 min) and high loading density (~235 kg/m²), while under the same conditions, the welfare of healthy NN pigs was not compromised. Therefore, stress-carrier pigs with subclinical pathological lesions should not be considered fit for transportation, indicating that the health status and genotype are the key factors for optimising pig welfare.

This study aimed to describe a new broiler meat quality class—red, soft, and exudative (RSE) meat—and to propose novel classification criteria. Two-step cluster analysis assigned 132 broilers into five meat quality classes using ultimate pH, drip loss, and L* values: pale, soft, and exudative (PSE); pale, firm, and nonexudative (PFN); RSE; red, firm, and nonexudative (RFN); and dark, firm, and dry (DFD) meat. PSE meat showed the lowest plasma superoxide dismutase activity, highest malondialdehyde activity, greater live and carcass weights, higher breast and leg yields, the lowest initial and ultimate pH, highest initial temperature, the lightest colour (the highest L* and b* values, and the lowest a* value), and the greatest drip, thawing, and cooking losses. RFN meat had the highest superoxide dismutase activity, lowest malondialdehyde activity, and remained within the optimal range for ultimate pH, drip loss, and L* value, generally occupying a midpoint between PSE and DFD meat. RSE meat shared the poor water-holding capacity of PSE but differed by showing a colour similar to RFN and an optimal ultimate pH. PFN meat had firmness comparable to RFN, with appropriate water-holding capacity and optimal ultimate pH, but an undesirably pale colour resembling PSE. DFD meat displayed the highest initial and ultimate pH, lowest drip, thawing, and cooking losses, darkest colour (the lowest L* value), and lowest protein content. This study provides the first evidence of RSE meat in broilers and proposes a classification system based on ultimate pH, drip loss, and L* values to distinguish five quality classes. Further studies are required to validate these findings and develop preventive strategies.

This study aimed to determine the effects of fibrinous pericarditis on blood welfare indicators, performance indices and carcass and meat quality of slaughtered pigs. From a total of 144 examined pig hearts, the presence of fibrinous pericarditis was recorded in 25.69% cases. The presence of fibrinous pericarditis in slaughtered pigs was significantly associated with decreased (P<0.0001) blood lactate and glucose levels. The presence of fibrinous pericarditis in slaughtered pigs was significantly associated with reduced average lifetime daily weight gain (P=0.0042), live weight (P=0.0045), hot carcass weight (P=0.0045), cold carcass weight (P=0.0045) and lean meat content (P<0.0001). Consequently, pigs showing fibrinous pericarditis produced the lower (P<0.0001) percentage of ?E? class carcasses, but the higher (P=0.0079) percentage of ?R? class carcasses. Pigs without fibrinous pericarditis produced the better meat quality, with the higher (P=0.0465) percentage of red, firm and nonexudative meat. In contrast, the presence of fibrinous pericarditis in slaughtered pigs was significantly associated with abnormally elevated final meat pH (P<0.0001), high water-holding capacity (lower drip loss; P<0.0001) and unfavourable dark colour (higher lightness and yellowness; P<0.0001). As a result, pigs showing fibrinous pericarditis produced the highest percentage of dark, firm and dry meat (P=0.0002). In conclusion, assessing fibrinous pericarditis at the slaughterline has the potential to serve not only as an indirect indicator of pig health and welfare on the farm of origin but also of growth performance, carcass and pork quality.

Uzgoj koza predstavlja značajan segment stočarske proizvodnje, budući da su koze sposobne da konvertuju kabasta hraniva u visokovredne animalne proteine namenjene ishrani ljudi. Iako je na globalnom nivou prisutan kontinuiran rast populacije koza, podaci u Republici Srbiji tokom poslednjih godina ukazuju na trend smanjenja broja koza. Navedeni trendovi ukazuju na potrebu sagledavanja trenutnog stanja domaćeg kozarstva i identifikovanja faktora značajnih za njegov dalji razvoj. Cilj ovog rada bio je da se, na osnovu anketnog istraživanja sprovedenog među odgajivačima, prikažu rasni sastav, proizvodne karakteristike, sistemi držanja i ključni izazovi sa kojima se suočavaju farme koza u Srbiji. Istraživanjem je obuhvaćeno 40 farmi iz različitih regiona Srbije, uključujući Vojvodinu, centralnu, zapadnu, istočnu i južnu Srbiju. Više od polovine ispitanika (52,5%) bavi se kozarstvom duže od deset godina, dok su najčešća stada veličine 11-30 i 31-50 grla (po 27,5%). Dominantna rasa bila je alpska koza (55%), a zatim balkanska koza (17,5%). Poluintenzivan sistem držanja primenjivalo je 50% ispitanika, dok je 62,5% navelo da koze koriste pašu tokom većeg dela godine. Proizvodnja mleka i mlečnih proizvoda predstavljala je dominantan proizvodni pravac, tako da 67,5% drži koze radi proizvodnje mleka i mlečnih proizvoda. Redovno učešće veterinara u praćenju zdravstvenog i reproduktivnog statusa potvrdilo je svega 27,5% gazdinstava, dok 57,5% ne vodi osnovnu evidenciju o stadu. Kao najveća ograničenja za unapređenje proizvodnje izdvojeni su nedostatak radne snage, otežan plasman proizvoda i niske otkupne cene. Dobijeni rezultati ukazuju da se kozarstvo u Srbiji i dalje dominantno zasniva na manjim stadima, pašnom korišćenju raspoloživih resursa i dugogodišnjem iskustvu odgajivača. Istovremeno, nedovoljna zastupljenost vođenja proizvodne evidencije i ograničeno učešće stručne podrške predstavljaju značajne izazove za sistemsko unapređenje proizvodnje i sprovođenje organizovanih odgajivačkih programa. Dobijeni rezultati predstavljaju polaznu osnovu za buduća istraživanja i definisanje selekcijskih ciljeva u domaćem kozarstvu.

Lipe sheep is an autochthonous and endangered sheep endemic to a limited area in Serbia, representing an important element of national livestock biodiversity. As a locally adapted genetic resource, belonging to the Pramenka group of sheep, it holds ecological, cultural, and production-related value. However, population decline and exclusion from intensive breeding programs have made the population vulnerable to genetic erosion. This study evaluated sex dimorphism of the Lipe sheep through body measurements, craniometric, and pelvimetric morphometry. A total of 19 adults (10 ewes and 9 rams, aged 2.5 to 3.5 years) were analyzed. Results showed highly significant differences between sexes for body traits (p < 0.001), with rams consistently exhibiting greater values. Significant dimorphism was observed in cranial traits, with rams displaying more pronounced characteristics. Rams also had yellowish to dark, large, triangularly shaped, and spirally twisted horns, a key feature of sexual dimorphism. In contrast, no significant differences were found for pelvic traits, suggesting well-developed pelvis in ewes, ensuring easy lambing and uniform pelvic conformation. These findings indicate that the Lipe sheep exhibits stronger sex dimorphism in body and cranial morphology while maintaining functional uniformity in pelvic structure. The study contributes to a broader characterization of the Lipe sheep and provides a foundation for targeted conservation and breeding strategies. Preserving this sheep helps maintain agrobiodiversity and strengthens its role as a valuable genetic resource.