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Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 100(June 2012)1, 7–17.

Agris category codes: L01, Q03
COBISS                    1.01
Language: English

Animal production systems as a selective environment for antibiotic resistance genes

1

1 Univ. of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Fac., Dept. of Biology, Večna pot 111, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

ABSTRACT

In the last decade antibiotic usage in animal production systems has received a considerable public attention. The use, overuse and misuse of antibiotics provided an excellent environment for the selection and dissemination of antibiotic resistant bacteria and resistance genes across a wide diversity of bacteria, mainly through horizontal gene transfer. Resistance genes move between animal and human bacteria mainly through the food chain. Thus resistance generated in animal production environments could result in the loss of effectiveness of antibiotics used for the treatment of human diseases. The increasing threat of emerging bacterial pathogens resistant to a variety of antibiotics and the economic and human burden have moved the legislators in EU to ban antibiotic usage in animal food production as growth promoters in 2006 and recently proposed further non-binding recommendations to ban antibiotics for prophylactic use too. The costs for such actions will presumably be much lower in comparison to the costs of leaving the issue as it is. However, in non EU countries such measures have not been adopted yet. The mechanisms and examples of antibiotic resistance development and dissemination are described, focusing on antibiotics used both in human and veterinary medicine and animal food production.

Key words: animal production / antibiotics / resistance genes / food


Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 100(June 2012)1, 19–28.

Agris category codes: L10
COBISS                    1.01
Language: English

SETTING UP A GENE EXPRESSION STUDY FOR TISSUE CELLS BY METHOD OF QUANTITATIVE REAL-TIME PCR

Daliborka DUŠANIĆ, Luka BOLHA, Mojca NARAT, 1

1 Univ. of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Fac., Dept. of Animal Science, Groblje 3, SI-1230 Domžale, Slovenia

ABSTRACT

Gene expression analysis by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) allows accurate and sensitive measurment of gene expression levels. However, a series of steps needs to be taken to ensure the relevance, accuracy, correct interpretation and repeatability of the RT-qPCR experiment. We describe here a simple experiment of determining relative gene expression for caspase 8 gene in chicken chondrocytes treated with an apoptosis inducing compound 5-fluorouracil. We use this example to point out some important guidelines in setting up a gene expression study in tissue cells, analyzing and interpreting the results and reporting on the findings.

Key words: molecular genetics / RT-qPCR / gene expression / tissue cells


Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 100(June 2012)1, 29–35.

Agris category codes: Q04
COBISS
                   1.01
Language: English

Determination of free amino acid content in the Slovenian dry-cured ham »Kraški pršut« and product characterization

1, Špela VELIKONJA BOLTA, Martin ŠKRLEP, Marjeta ČANDEK-POTOKAR, Maja PREVOLNIK

1 Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova ulica 17, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to characterize the chemical profile of dry-cured ham selected and processed in accordance with the Slovenian consortium rules for »Kraški pršut« and to investigate the differences between the Biceps femoris (BF) and the Semimembranosus (SM) muscle. The free amino acid content, moisture, salt, protein, total nitrogen, non-protein nitrogen, proteolysis index, intramuscular fat and dry matter were analysed in 135 samples of dry-cured hams including both muscles. A modified method for sample preparation was developed for determination of free amino acids in dry-cured ham. The method was validated for linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, precision and uncertainty. According to the validation parameters the method is appropriate for the determination of free amino acid content in dry-cured ham. Higher content for several free amino acids and total free amino acids were determined in the BF muscle compared to the SM muscle.

Key words: meat products / dry-cured ham / Kraški pršut / chemical composition / free amino acids / methods / post-column derivatization / muscles / Biceps femoris / Semimembranosus


Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 100(June 2012)1, 37–45.

Agris category codes: L50
COBISS 
                  1.01
Language: Slovene

Skatole content, determined with spectrofotometric method in fat tissue of boars of different age and three genotypes [*]

1, Mojca KOMAN-RAJŠP, Milena KOVAČ, Špela MALOVRH

1 Univ. of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Fac., Dept. of Animal Science, Groblje 3, SI-1230 Domžale, Slovenia

ABSTRACT

Due to tendency for banning surgical castration of boars, alternatives such as fattening of boars for human consumption are being considered. Primary problem in boar`s meat consumption is boar`s taint, which is to a large extent the result of skatole (3-methyl indole) content. Spectrophotometric method for determination of skatole in fat tissue was introduced. Samples from three genotypes of boars from five different breedings, aged between 101 and 310 days were collected. When introducing the method, the first group of samples was analyzed, the samples that were obtained later represented a second group. Introduced method is repeatable (coefficient of variability, CV = 13.6), reproducible (CV = 21.3) and has good recovery (96%). Skatole content in boar’s back fat in first group was between 0.01 to 0.62 ppm, on average 0.23 ppm. The second group contained on average 0.71 ppm skatol (between 0.07 and 1.26 ppm). Effect of genotype, breeder and age on skatole content was not found.

Key words: boars / back fat / skatole / spectrofotometric method


[*] This article is a part of the doctoral dissertation »Meat and fat quality od Slovenian local pig genotypes«, issued by Marjeta Žemva, supervisor Prof. Milena Kovač, Ph.D.


Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 100(June 2012)1, 47–57.

Agris category codes: L02
COBISS 
                  1.01
Language: English

Growth response of broiler chickens fed graded levels of yeast treated raw soya bean and full fat soya bean

Ifeoma Jane ONWUMELU, 1, Orienru Job AKPODIETE

1 Department of Animal Science and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, PMB 5025 Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The study was designed to determine the effect of replacing Full Fat Soya Bean (FFSB) in parts with Raw Soya Bean (RSB) treated with graded level of yeast in the diet of broiler birds. A total of fifteen diets were formulated whereby RSB replaced FSSB at 0% (control), 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%, but each of these having three levels of treatment with yeast and without yeast as a control. Mean weight gain and final body weight of the broilers followed the same pattern of no differences in treatment means. Results obtained for the entire production period (0–56 days) showed that birds that were fed diet containing 75% FFSB, 25% RSB and 8 g/kg yeast compared favourably with those that were fed the control diet regarding final body weight, weight gain, average daily gain, feed intake, and the feed : gain ratio. Our study revealed that RSB at the levels fed with and without yeast inclusion had no effect on broiler chicken lethality. However, optimal performance was achieved when RSB was fed at 25% with 6 g/kg yeast inclusion at starter phase and at 25% without yeast or 75% with 12 g/kg yeast inclusion at finisher phase.

Key words: poultry / broiler chickens / growth /animal nutrition / soya / yeast


Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 100(June 2012)1, 59–65.

Agris category codes: L02
COBISS                    1.01
Language: English

EFFECT OF FEEDING SYSTEM ON GROWTH AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF IMPROVED JEZERSKO-SOLČAVA LAMBS

1, Andreja KOMPREJ, Ajda KERMAUNER, Dragomir KOMPAN

1 Univ. of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Fac., Dept. of Animal Science, Groblje 3, SI-1230 Domžale, Slovenia

ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding system on growth and carcass characteristics of Improved Jezersko-Solčava (JSR) weaned lambs. Thirty-five lambs (25.48 kg) housed in group pens were divided into four groups and offered different diets which consisted of hay and second harvest in the ratio of 40:60 and a supplement of 650 g concentrate (Diet 1), hay and second harvest in the ratio of 40:60 (Diet 2), hay and 650 g of concentrate (Diet 3), and just hay (Diet 4) for 50 days. Daily intake was calculated by weighting the offered amount and leftovers of concentrate and forage. Daily intake per lamb contained 15.56 MJ, 14.38 MJ, 16.57 MJ, and 12.23 MJ ME for the Diet 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Lambs were slaughtered at 30.77 kg of live weight. Lambs fed Diet 1 reached the highest DG (165.5 g/day), followed by Diet 3 (146.89 g/day), Diet 2 (123.55 g/day) and Diet 4 (75.51 g/day). HCW and CCW were higher in Diet 1 and 3, compared to Diet 2 and 4. Lambs fed Diet 3 had the highest DP (45.35%), followed by Diet 1, 2, and 4 with 44.33, 41.10 and 39.51%, respectively. The lowest kidney-pelvic fat was observed in lambs fed Diet 4 (5.64) and the highest in Diet 3 (7.66). These results demonstrate that fattening of weaned JSR lambs fed by forage-concentrate diets produced heavier carcasses than those only fed by forage, without significant effects on carcass fatness or carcass conformation.

Key words: sheep / breeds / Improved Jezersko-Solčava sheep / growth / carcass characteristics / feeding system / animal nutrition / diet


Acta agriculturae Slovenica, 100(June 2012)1, 67–73.

Agris category codes: D10
COBISS                    1.21
Language: Slovene

Research of complex management problems – an example of policy evaluation

ABSTRACT

Recognition that the society has become complex, means that the truth about social issues such as about identification of public interest or about policy effectiveness is not a single one, e.i. the official one of those in power, but there are a variety of well-founded and equally valid truths. The public management is complex, therefore different views do not share common denominator; they should therefore be regarded as incommensurable. This means that it is necessary to examine the social phenomena in their duality between the interpretation of the primary meanings, which are constitutive for the system as a whole, but on the deeply divisive way, and the interpretation of the secondary meanings of the evaluated social phenomenon, but only in the contents of which are not essential for anyone.

Key words: public management / valuation / complexity / incommensurability


 

University of Ljubljana Biotechnical Faculty