The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of linseed oil supplementation on performance, fatty acid composition and oxidative status of rabbits. Twelve male SIKA rabbits were divided into two groups. The control group (n = 4) received commercial diet and the linseed group (n = 8) received commercial diet containing 9% of linseed oil, which was sprayed onto the pellet. Rabbits were slaughtered at 115 days of age, 52 days after the start of the experiment. Live weight, weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency were recorded. The fatty acid composition of muscle, adipose tissue and liver was determined by the in situ transesterification method and gas chromatography-flame ionisation detection (GC-FID). In order to evaluate the oxidative status of rabbits, the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in plasma, liver and muscle were measured. The results show that it is possible to enhance proportion of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in rabbit’s muscle, adipose tissue and liver by adding linseed oil in the diet without detrimental effect on productive performance. Linseed oil addition improved fatty acid composition in all tissues by increased PUFA proportion and decreased proportion of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid. Linseed oil also reduced n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio in all tissues. However, linseed oil addition led to significantly higher MDA concentrations in plasma, liver and muscle. Since PUFA are highly susceptible to oxidation, further research is needed to focus on protecting animal and their products from lipid oxidation by adding various natural antioxidants to the diet.

Key words: rabbits / animal nutrition / feed additives / linseed oil / fatty acid composition / oxidative status / performance

Three month combining diet is the most used diet for loosing body weight. The basis of this diet is macronutrient separation within the each day. The diet consists of four day types (protein day, fruit day, starch day, carbohydrate day). In our study this diet was nutritionally evaluated with estimation intake method and computer based nutritional programme Prodi 5.7. Data were compared with the recommended values for nutrient intake. Results showed that estimated average daily energy intake (4196 ± 1483 kJ) does not achieve the basal metabolic rate of an average woman nor average man. Macronutrient intake in terms of energy caloric profile according to day type was not satisfactory but on average macronutrient energy ratio meets the recommendation. Protein intake was the highest on protein day whereas carbohydrate intake was the highest on carbohydrate day, as according to our expectations. Fat intake was low, on average 23% of daily energy intake. Three month combining diet is very low energy diet for this reason weight lost is assured. On average this diet does not meet the recommended values for total dietary fibre, vitamin B1, B2, biotin, folic acid, vitamin A, D, E and minerals calcium, magnesium and iodine. Due to nutrient deficiency this diet can lead to health problems, therefore long-term usage is not recommended.

Key words: human nutrition / combining diet / energy intake / macronutrient intake / weight loss

The aim of the study was to estimate some effects on mortality and growth in rabbits. The study was carried out in Slovenian SIKA sire line. In total, 1028 kits of 80 does were included. In the analyses the effects of parity, number of liveborn kits, number of teats, and season of kits birth were analysed. Birth weight was included in the model for mortality, while age was included in the model for growth. Parity, litter size, teat number and season affected the body weights. Body weight varied also according to age. Mortality has changes by litter size, season and initial weight. An average litter size was 8.77 kits born, 8.15 kits born alive and 7.00 kits weaned. The birth to weaning mortality was 14.4% and mortality has steadily declined with age. Average weight up to age 3 days was 72 g and at weaning 959 g. Kits in smaller litters and kits from does with more teats had a higher growth rate. Also kits grow faster in the colder months.

Key words: rabbits / breeds / SIKA / reproduction / growth / mortality / litter size / Slovenia

Adequate results in reproduction are one of the key points for successful pig production. P.G. 600^®, a combination of pregnant mare serum gonadotropine and human chorionic gonadotropine is used as oestrus promoter on many pig farms. The profitability of P.G. 600^® treatment was tested on primiparous sows on well managed farm with 2.500 sows and 14.04 liveborn piglets per litter. The experiment lasted for a period of one year. The experimental group, 502 animals, was treated with P.G. 600^® at weaning of the first litter. Control group, 503 animals, was not treated. Data were evaluated according to four seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. The costs of feed, sow depreciation, building, labour and P.G. 600^® treatment in experimental group were calculated for the period from weaning to successful insemination or from weaning to culling. In P.G. 600^® group production costs were lower in spring (−0.68 EUR per born piglet) and in summer (−0.88 EUR per born piglet), but not in autumn (+0.05 EUR per born piglet) and in winter (+0.46 EUR per born piglet). The calculated total benefit on the farm with yearly production of 65 thousand 30 kg pigs was 3,249 EUR. Calculated benefit for only spring and summer use was 4.937 EUR. The last number represents only 0.15 to 0.19% of estimated turnover of the farm. The use of P.G. 600^® on well managed farm will not increase profitability of production.

Key words: pigs / primiparous sows / reproduction / oestrus / promoters / profitability

The purpose of the study was to investigate the dynamics of ageing processes in different beef muscles at temperature of 1 °C during 28-day period and its effect on chemical (nonprotein nitrogen (NPN) and connective tissue) and instrumental parameters (Warner-Bratzler (WB) share force of roasted muscles), as well as sensory parameters, such as colour of raw, tenderness, juiciness, smell and flavour intensity of to the internal temperature of 60 °C roasted beef muscles (temperature of plate 220 °C). The total of six muscles (Psoas major (PM), Longissimus lumborum (LL), Semimembranosus (SM), Biceps femoris (BF), Semitendinosus (ST) and Triceps brachii (TB)) of normal meat quality were 24 h post mortem included in this study. Muscles originated from six commercially slaughtered animals of Simmental breed, three of them were heifers (22 to 30 months, hot carcass weight from 234 kg to 264 kg) and three bulls (21 to 23 months, hot carcass weight from 359 kg to 364 kg). In general, the content of NPN significantly increased by ageing. Regarding the dynamics of proteolysis the muscles at 14 days of ageing can be ranked from the lowest to the highest increase of NPN as follows: TB <ST <SM <PM <BF <LL. The content of connective tissue was not affected by ageing, but the content of soluble connective tissue increased by ageing in TB muscle. All sensory properties of roasted samples were improved during 28-day period. WB share force decreased during ageing for approximately 28%. To ensure the overall sensory quality of beef (tenderness have to be evaluated with 6 points for extra beef quality or 5 points for I. and II. category, and for other properties 5 points are required) is sufficient ageing at the temperature 1 °C for PM 7 days, for LL between 14 and 28 days, for TB and ST 28 days, for SM and BF more than 28 days.

Key words: cattle / meat / beef / ageing of meat / nonprotein nitrogen / texture / sensory properties

In Slovenia Carniolan honeybee (Apis mellifera carnica Pollman 1879) is an autochthonous and protected honeybee subspecies. Based on morphological characteristics A. m. carnica belongs to the southeast European group of honeybees and is the second most widely spread honeybee subspecies in the world. Slovenia is the origin country of A. m. carnica and its conservation is stipulated by law In the last few years more honeybees with yellow bands on the abdomen were seen in the population of A. m. carnica in Slovenia. These characteristics are the result of hybridization with other honeybee subspecies. Apis m. carnica is nowadays to a large extent influenced by beekeeping activities (trade with bee colonies and queens, migratory beekeeping) and also natural conditions and hybridization in the zones of natural hybridization. To find out the percentage of hybrid honeybees in the population of A. m. carnica in Slovenia, a morphological investigation based on the colour of bands on the worker abdomen was made. We found the highest percentages of honeybees with yellow bands in the West part of Slovenia near the border with Italia (Obalno Kraška and Goriška region) but also in the Koroška region. On average 5.6% honeybees in the population of A. m. carnica in Slovenia have yellow bands. Further hybridization of A. m. carnica with other honeybee subspecies could led to loss of morphological, ethological and genetic characteristics of A. m. carnica population in Slovenia.

Key words: bees / subspecies / Carniolan bee / Apis mellifera carnica / hybridization / abdomen / colour / Slovenia

The appearance of new terms in the technical and scientific language demands from experts great care for updating the mother tongue especially when there are no appropriate translations. Such term is also animal welfare for which some experts in Slovenia use the Serbo-Croatian term »dobrobit«. The synonym for this word is common wealth or public benefit and cannot be used as a reasonable translation for animal welfare. The scope of the current paper is to introduce the care for animal welfare in the past, different definitions of the term and to suggest its most appropriate translation into Slovenian language.

Key words: terminology / animal welfare / mother tongue / technical language / scientific language