The aim of the paper was to research the possibility of using hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) in animal nutrition. In animal nutrition, hemp seeds can be used, as well as hempseed cake, and hemp oil as supplement in feed mixtures. Hemp seeds are rich in crude protein and crude fat with adequate proportions of linoleic (LA, C18:2 n-6) and linolenic (ALA, C18:3 n-3) acid. The addition of hemp oil in diets of dairy goats increased milk fat with increasing conjugated fatty acid (CLA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) proportions. When feeding ewes with addition of hemp seeds (180 g/day) or hempseed cake (480 g/day), higher milk fat content was observed with higher proportions of LA, CLA and ALA. Addition of hempseed cake (143 g/ kg DM) in diets of cows increased milk yield, compared to the control group and the group with higher levels of hempseed cake (233 or 318 g/kg DM). Nutrition of laying hens with hemp seeds in diet (10 and 20%) provided enrichment of yolk fat with ALA, and did not negatively influence laying performance. The aforementioned indicated possibility of using hemp in diets of animals without major changes in production, and with possible increase of desirable fatty acids in animal products.

This study investigated the effect of dietary selenium supplementation (organic and inorganic) of late-gestation ewes on blood selenium concentrations and metabolic and antioxidant status indicators in ewes and their lambs. In addition, the efficacy of selenium transfer from ewes to lambs during the suckling period was determined. The study was conducted on 30 Merinolandschaf ewes and their lambs and lasted four months. The feed mixture of the control group (group I) contained no added selenium, while the feed mixture of group II was enriched with 0.3 mg/kg of organic selenium sources and the third group with 0.3 mg/kg of inorganic selenium sources. In ewes and their lambs, selenium supplementation significantly (p < 0.01; p < 0.05) increased selenium concentration, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase activity and decreased malondialdehyde concentration compared to the control group. Selenium supplementation had a positive effect on metabolism and hematological indicators in lambs. A positive correlation was found between antioxidant indicators in the whole blood of ewes and lambs. The good transfer of selenium from ewes to lambs was complemented by higher correlation coefficients when the feed mixture was supplemented with organic compared to inorganic selenium.

The objective of this study was to assess the impact that diets supplemented with grape seed cake rich in polyphenols had on lactating goats. The study investigated the quantity and quality of goat milk, the metabolic profile of blood, and the antioxidative status. The study involved 24 French Alpine dairy goats throughout their lactation period. The goats were, on average, 5 years old (±three months) and in the fourth lactation. The experiment lasted for 58 days. The control group (CON) had a diet without grape seed cake (GSC). The experimental groups were given a diet containing 5% and 10% GSC on a dry matter basis (GSC5 and GSC10, respectively). A slightly higher milk production, as well as protein and fat milk content, were found in GSC5 and GSC10, but the differences were not significant. Goat milk in the GSC10 group exhibited significantly higher activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase, as well as decreased concentrations of GUK and SCC. The feeding treatments did not affect significant differences in hematological and biochemical indicators, except for the BHB content, which can be associated with a higher energy value of feed containing GSC. There was an observed elevation in the activity of SOD within the blood of GSC5, and GSC10 was measured as well. The determined changes justify the supplementation of GSC rich in polyphenols to goat feed, especially in the amount of 10%, as it can reduce stress caused by lactation, which is known as a very stressful production period for animals.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of different proportions of red corn rich in anthocyanins on the diet of fattening lambs considering their productive traits, blood metabolic profile, and antioxidative status. The research was carried out with 30 Merinolandschaf lambs, 90 days old and weaned. The feed mixture for lambs (n = 10) of the control group contained yellow corn, while in the feed mixture of experimental group I (n = 10), yellow corn was replaced with red corn at 50% (RC50), and in experimental group II (n = 10), yellow corn was 100% replaced with red corn (RC100). An automatic three-part differential haematology analyser was used to determine haematological parameters in whole blood, and biochemical parameters were determined in blood serum using a biochemical analyser. A diet containing red corn did not affect productive traits or the majority of the examined parameters. However, higher blood haemoglobin content, increased aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase activity, and decreased glucose and non-esterified fatty acids concentrations were found in the serum of RC100 lambs. These results indicate a positive effect of red corn rich in anthocyanins on the metabolic profile without any changes in the productive traits of lambs.

The aim of the present research was to determine the haemato-biochemical profile and blood acid–base status of Croatian spotted goats in a traditional Mediterranean production system. The 60 non-gravid female Croatian spotted goats of different ages were included in the research. They were divided into four groups of 15 goats according to age: group I – ≤1 year old; group II – 2–3 years; group III – 3–6 years; and group IV – 7–10 years. Haematological parameters were determined in whole blood, biochemical parameters in serum and acid–base status in plasma by automatic analyser. Total leukocyte number (WBC), haemoglobin (HGB) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) in the blood were the highest, while mean haemoglobin concentration in erythrocytes (MCHCs) was the lowest in yearlings compared to other groups. Concentrations of urea, Mg, Cl, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) and lactate were the highest in yearlings. Concentrations of Ca, Na, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and beta hydroxybutyrate (BHB) as well as the activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were higher in older goats compared to yearlings, while the opposite was determined for the activities of creatine kinase (CK) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Values of pH, the strong ion difference (SID), anion gap (AG) and z values as well as the content of HCO₃ and total pressure of carbon dioxide (ctCO₂) were higher in older goats compared to yearlings. The results obtained may help in monitoring the health and nutritional status and improve the management of Croatian spotted goats. Based on the results of the present study, the effect of age needs to be included in the model when preparing the reference values for the haemato-biochemical profile and acid–base status of goats.

There is an increased production and demand for ewes' milk in the Republic of Croatia, as well as globally. There is also a growing concern about its quality, since milk from farm animals may become contaminated with mercury and other toxic elements. Thus, the aim of this paper is to determine the influence of lactation stage on the ewes' milk quality in western Croatia by considering concentrations of mercury and other elements in ewes' milk. The research was conducted on 36 Travnik pramenka sheep during different lactation stages. The digested milk samples were analysed with continuous flow hydride generation technique by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Samples were taken during 40th, 80th and 120th d of lactation. Yield and quality of ewes' milk was within lactation curve. As lactation progressed, significantly lower concentrations of Hg (on 80th d compared to 40th d) and of Cd (120th d compared to 80th d) were noted, and Hg on 120th d was below the detection limit. Concentrations of Ca and Cu were lower on the 120th d compared to 40th d, while P, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Se were lower on the 80th and 120th d compared to the 40th d. Concentrations of K, Mo, and Cr differed among all stages of lactation. Regarding toxic elements, the observed low concentrations of Hg, Co, Cd and As suggest that ewes' milk in western Croatia is safe for human or animal consumption.