Concentration of conjugated linoleic acid in grazing sheep and goat milk fat

The conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content of grazing sheep and goat milk fat, throughout their lactation period, was examined. Six sheep and six goat representative farms were selected at random and milk samples were taken at monthly intervals for fatty acids profile determination. Sheep and goat nutrition was based on natural grazing and on supplementary feeding during the winter months. From April onwards, grazing native pastures was the only source of feed for sheep and goats. The University farm whose sheep are kept indoors all year round without any grazing, was also used as reference. Fifteen individual milk samples were also taken in April from a sheep and goat farm respectively, in order to see the variability of CLA inside the farm. The results showed that: a. the CLA content of grazing sheep and goat milk fat increased significantly in April–May (early growth stage of grass) and then declined while that of indoors kept sheep was more or less constant during the same period, b. the isomers cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12 of CLA were found in grazing sheep milk fat, while in indoors kept sheep and goats' milk fat only the cis-9, trans-11 isomer was found, c. the CLA content of sheep milk fat was much higher than that of goats, d. a negative correlation between sheep milk fat and CLA content was found and e. there was considerable variation in milk fat CLA content between sheep and goat farms and inside the farms.     

舍饲绵羊产后56 d内乳成分变化规律研究

随着人民生活水平提高和膳食结构调整,绵羊奶必将受到人们的青睐.选取甘肃肉用绵羊新品种群、无角陶赛特和特克塞尔3个品种各8只母羊,对产后1～56 d泌乳理化性质变化进行研究,结果表明：3个品种乳成分及物理性质在第1～3 d变化最为明显,其中乳蛋白含量、非脂固形物含量和酸度3项指标呈现出前期快速下降,中期下降减缓,后期缓慢上升;乳糖指标则呈现出缓慢的前期上升,后期下降的趋势,对选取的3个品种初乳中蛋白、乳脂和可溶性固形物含量等指标对比,依次下降,乳糖含量和密度特克塞尔最高.常乳中除密度外3个品种间差异不显著（P＞0.05）.这为绵羊早期断奶和补饲提供了基础数据.     

舍饲绵羊产后30天产奶量及乳成分变化规律

选取舍饲甘肃肉用绵羊新品种核心群母羊14只,对其产后1～30 d产奶量及乳成分指标的变化规律进行了研究。结果表明,舍饲甘肃肉用绵羊新品种核心群母羊产后30 d内具有较高的泌乳性能,30 d总泌乳量为(32.82±0.19) kg,日均泌乳量为(1.09±0.08) kg,1～30 d泌乳曲线方程为Y=530.60t^0.368e^-0.015t,日增重可达(0.234±0.033) kg。母羊产后30 d内各种常规成分及物理性质均以第1天变化最为显著,到第3天趋于平稳;初乳中各种成分的含量均与常乳不同并呈现一定规律性变化,产后1～7 d常规成分中可溶性固形物、非脂固形物、蛋白质和脂肪含量呈下降趋势;乳蛋白、非脂固形物、密度和酸度在产后1～21 d呈下降趋势,随后呈上升趋势;乳脂、可溶性固形物和酸度在产后30 d内一直呈下降趋势;乳糖含量在1～14 d呈上升趋势,随后其含量趋于平稳;冰点在1～5 d呈上升趋势,随后呈缓慢下降,而乳密度在产后30 d内变化不显著(P>0.05)。以上结果为甘肃肉用绵羊新品种群种质特性和早期断奶羔羊的补饲提供了基础数据。     

饲粮中添加黄花蒿乙醇提取物对奶牛产奶性能及乳脂中共轭亚油酸含量的影响

本文旨在研究饲粮中添加黄花蒿乙醇提取物对奶牛产奶性能及乳脂中共轭亚油酸(CLA)含量的影响。试验选取体重(600±29)kg、胎次2~3胎、泌乳期(158±3)d及泌乳量(22.8±1.8)kg/d的泌乳期荷斯坦奶牛15头,采用完全随机区组设计分为3组,每组5头,进行为期40 d的饲养试验,其中1~9 d为预试期,10~40 d为正试期。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验1组和试验2组分别在基础饲粮中添加96和160 g/(d·头)的黄花蒿乙醇提取物。结果表明:整个试验期间,2个试验组的产奶量(第24、31和40天)、乳脂率、乳脂产量、乳蛋白率、乳蛋白产量、非脂固形物含量以及乳脂中的饱和脂肪酸、单不饱和脂肪酸、多不饱和脂肪酸、短链脂肪酸、中链脂肪酸和长链脂肪酸含量与对照组相比均无显著差异(P0.05);2个试验组的乳脂中CLA含量分别比对照组提高了30.7%和38.6%,其中试验2组与对照组差异显著(P0.05)。由此得出,饲粮中添加适量的黄花蒿乙醇提取物对奶牛产奶性能没有明显影响,但可以提高其乳脂中CLA含量,从而优化乳脂中脂肪酸的比例。     

Effects of breed, parity, day of lactation and number of kits on milk production of rabbits

Lactation records (n = 86) from 60 does of four breeds (Californian, New Zealand White, Palomino and White Satin) were analyzed to assess the effects of breed, parity, day of lactation and number of kits on milk production. Breed of doe tended (P less than .07) to be important for mean milk yield according to ANOVA results. Californian does had numerically higher production than did does of the other breeds. Doe body weight, litter size born alive and weaned and litter weaning weight, likewise, were not influenced (P greater than .05) by breed of doe. Significant linear and quadratic relationships were found between milk production vs day of lactation, and milk production vs number of kits. However, breed x days and breed x number of kits interactions (P less than .05) indicated that the individual breeds responded differently to two of these effects. Peak lactation occurred at approximately 20 d after kindling. As kit number increased, milk yield also increased to a predicted maximum when 12 kits were suckling. Parity tended (P less than .10) to influence lactation yield in a curvilinear manner, increasing steadily through the seventh parity and declining thereafter. A nonsignificant residual correlation (.34) between milk production and doe body weight was observed. Corresponding correlations between milk production were high for litter size born alive and weaned (r = .62 and .87, respectively) and litter weaning weight (r = .86). Although lactation curves are unique to each particular breed, milk yield is influenced by several factors.     

共轭亚油酸对奶牛乳脂肪球粒径及分布的影响

旨在探索共轭亚油酸(CLA)对奶牛乳脂肪球粒径(MFG)及分布的影响.本试验选取24头体况相近的泌乳中期荷斯坦奶牛(体重(583±34.6)kg,产奶量(27.2±2.4)kg·d-1),分为4组,每组6个重复,每个重复1头牛.对照组(C组)饲喂基础日粮,低剂量组(L组)饲喂基础日粮+150 g·d-1 C L A,中...     

杨凌地区奶牛乳中共轭亚油酸含量测定及其影响因素

随机抽取杨凌地区80头荷斯坦泌乳奶牛的240个乳样,采用紫外分光光度计检测乳样中共轭亚油酸（CLA）含量。结果表明：杨凌地区奶牛乳中共轭亚油酸含量平均为2．7±0．17（mg／g fat）;奶牛乳中共轭亚油酸含量受多种因素的影响,场地、年龄、胎次、乳脂率、产奶量等均影响乳中共轭亚油酸的含量。随着年龄、胎次的增加．共轭亚油酸含量上升,不同场地奶牛乳样中共轭亚油酸含量差异较大（P〈0．05）。     

牦牛乳铁蛋白基因多态性及其与乳品质性状的关联分析

试验旨在检测牦牛乳铁蛋白（lactoferrin,LF）基因多态性,评估基因突变对牦牛乳品质性状的影响,以期丰富牦牛重要经济性状的分子遗传研究。应用PCR-SSCP方法,检测甘南牦牛、西藏牦牛和天祝白牦牛LF基因5'UTR和内含子4突变,结合甘南牦牛乳品质测定,评估基因突变对其乳品质性状的影响。结果表明,牦牛LF基因5'UTR检测到c.-568 G>A的突变,等位基因A₁和基因型A₁B₁频率最高,为优势等位基因和基因型;内含子4检测到c.499+56 C>A突变,基因型A₂B₂频率最高,为优势基因型,等位基因A₂为甘南牦牛和天祝白牦牛优势等位基因,而B₂为西藏牦牛优势等位基因;各类群牦牛检测区域多态信息含量（PIC）介于0.25~0.50,属中度多态。关联分析表明,甘南牦牛LF基因突变影响部分胎次甘南牦牛乳品质性状,其中5'UTR第2胎基因型A₁A₁和A₁B₁个体无脂固体物质百分含量显著高于B₁B₁个体（P<0.05）;内含子4第3胎基因型A₂B₂和B₂B₂个体乳脂率显著高于A₂A₂型个体（P<0.05）,第4胎基因型B₂B₂个体的乳脂率显著低于A₂A₂和A₂B₂型个体（P<0.05）。以上结果表明,甘南牦牛、西藏牦牛和天祝白牦牛LF基因存在多态性,甘南牦牛LF基因5'UTR、内含子4突变分别影响无脂固体物质含量和乳脂率,可以作为潜在的分子遗传标记。     

中国6个地方绵羊品种的微卫星分析

为研究中国地方绵羊品种之间的遗传多样性,利用6个微卫星位点,对中国6个绵羊品种群体进行遗传检测,计算了各品种群体的平均杂合度(He)和平均多态信息含量(PIC),同时分析了各品种群体内的遗传变异,进行了UPGMA聚类。结果表明,6个绵羊品种Ho为0.5446~0.7140,PIC为0.5211~0.7732;6个绵羊品种都具有较丰富的遗传多样性,其中岷县黑裘皮羊的遗传变异最高,小尾寒羊的遗传变异最低;小尾寒羊的近交系数最高,揭示该群体内近交程度可能较高。利用UPGMA方法构建了系统发生树,兰州大尾寒羊与岷县黑裘皮羊为一类,哈萨克羊与贵德黑裘皮羊为一类,泗水绵羊与小尾寒羊为一类,表明群体遗传结构与地理分布及其驯化历史相关。     

Microsatellite Analysis of Six Chinese Indigenous Sheep Breeds

This article described the relationship among six Chinese indigenous sheep breeds.There were six microsatellite loci which used to analyze the genetic diversity.Based on the allele frequency of six sheep variations, we calculated the mean heterozygosity (Ho), which were from 0.5446 to 0.7140;The polymorphism information content (PIC) in six sheep breeds were from 0.5211 to 0.7732.Genetic variations within breed were analyzed in the study, and we clustered the UPGMA tree according to the DA genetic distance.The results showed that six breeds had relatively abundant genetic diversity, and MXB had the highest genetic variation, while SW had the lowest genetic variation.The inbreeding coefficient of SW was higher than other breeds, which revealed a higher inbreeding degree in this breed.Phylogenetic tree was constructed using UPGMA, which showed that LZD and MXB were classified as a class, HZK and GF were classified as a class, SIH and SW were classified as a class.The results revealed the genetic structure of breeds correlated with geographical distribution and history of domestication.     

The inclusion of a daisy plant (Chrysanthemum coronarium) in dairy sheep diet. 1: Effect on milk and cheese fatty acid composition with particular reference to C18:2 cis-9, trans-11

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect on milk and cheese fatty acid composition of the inclusion of Chrysanthemum coronarium L., (Asteracea) into dairy sheep diet. Plots sown either with a binary mixture consisting of Lolium rigidum Gaudin and Medicago polymorpha (LM) or a ternary mixture including the above species and C. coronarium were (LMC) grazed by groups of Sarda dairy ewes during May. The botanical composition of diet, as measured by n-alkane method, showed that 34% of LMC group diet consisted of Chrysanthemum flowers and leaves. Exposure of sheep to this non-conventional forage did not affect animal performance and milk composition (fat and casein, P > 0.05) but resulted in different milk and cheese fatty acid composition. In particular conjugated linoleic acid, vaccenic acid and linoleic acid were all higher in LMC than LM groups (P < 0.05). The probable main reason was the higher proportion of linoleic acid in Chrysanthemum forage and hence in LMC than LM diet.     

Changes in fatty acid composition of milk from lactating dairy cows during transition to and from pasture

Five Holstein cows producing an average of 25.4 ± 6.4 kg/d and 347 ± 111 days in milk were used to study the changes in fatty acid composition in milk from lactating dairy cows during transition to and from pasture. The 45-d experiment was divided into 3 periods. During the first 2 d of the experiment (Period I), cows were fed a TMR diet containing 50% conserved forage and 50% grain. On day 3, cows were turned out to pasture and remained on all-pasture diet for 29 d (Period II). On day 32, cows were withdrawn from pasture and offered a TMR diet until day 45 (Period III). Milk yield was recorded daily, and milk fat content and fatty acid (FA) composition were determined daily for composite samples collected from a.m. and p.m. milkings. Data were analyzed using spline regression (H₀ = zero slope) to determine whether there was any change in the concentration of a particular fatty acid after a specific time or whether it had stabilized. Cows produced an average of 25.2 ± 5.5, 13.7 ± 5.6, and 12.1 ± 4.8 kg/d of milk with 3.6, 4.2, and 3.6% fat during pre-pasture, pasture, and post-pasture diets, respectively. The conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content was 0.45% of total fat during pre-pasture, reached to a maximum of 2.53% on day 23 into pasture and plateaued thereafter for the period. Milk fat C_18:1 t-11 content was 2.89% of total fat during pre-pasture, reached a maximum of 7.95% after day 22 in pasture, and plateaued afterwards. The C_18:2 content declined gradually from pre-pasture to pasture diet with no further decrease observed after day 22, while C_18:3 content increased until day 7 on pasture. The post-pasture CLA content in milk fat reached a value similar to pre-pasture within 4 days after the cows were withdrawn from pasture. No change in other fatty acids was observed after day 7 once the cows were switched to post-pasture diet. In the present study, it took 23 days to establish the highest level of CLA in milk fat after turning cows out to pasture, whereas only 4 days were needed to bring it back to the original level once the cows were withdrawn from pasture. Other milk fatty acids were stabilized around day 23 after turning cows out to pasture and by day 7 after being withdrawn from pasture and put back on a TMR diet inside the barn.     

Usefulness of subjective ovine milk scores: II. Genetic parameter estimates

Genetic parameters for a subjective milk score given to ewes within 24 h of parturition were estimated to determine the usefulness of milk score as a selection trait to improve milk production, which influences total litter weight weaned. Heritability of milk score and the genetic correlation of milk score with litter weight weaned were estimated by REML separately for four sheep breeds, Rambouillet (n = 1,731), Targhee (n = 1,638), Columbia (n = 1,731), and Polypay (n = 1,129). Litter weight weaned was the total weight of lambs weaned at approximately 120 d of age under a western range production system. Observed heritability estimates for milk score at first parity were moderate and similar among breeds, ranging from 0.18 to 0.32. Heritability estimates adjusted for a binomial distribution of milk scores at first parity were high (Columbia, 0.43; Polypay, 0.35; Rambouillet, 0.50; Targhee, 0.84). Estimates of observed heritability for second-parity milk score were moderate to high, ranging from 0.23 to 0.46. Milk score at first or second parity was genetically correlated with milk score records at maturity (third parity and greater), with estimates ranging from 0.69 to 1.00. Milk score and litter weight weaned were genetically correlated at first or second parity in Rambouillet (r(g) = 1.00) and Targhee breeds (r(g) = 1.00 and 0.61, respectively), but not in the Columbia and Polypay breeds. Estimates of heritability for lifetime records for milk score ranged from 0.16 to 0.26 across breeds. Estimates of genetic correlations of annual lifetime milk score records with litter weight weaned were high (Columbia, 1.00; Polypay, 0.81; Rambouillet, 1.00; and Targhee, 0.77). Repeatability estimates for milk score were similar across breeds, 0.23 for Columbia, Rambouillet, and Targhee ewes and 0.28 for Polypay ewes. Milk score measured at first or second parity may be a good predictor of future potential milking ability. Further, milk score can be used as a selection trait to improve maternal ability for increasing litter weight weaned. The need for increasing ewe milking performance and lamb growth rate at first parity in commercial range sheep production systems may be addressed by selection for milk score at first parity.     

Breed differences in sheep with respect to the accumulation of copper in the liver

Male lambs of the pure breeds Texel, Flemish milk sheep, and Finnish landrace, and of the crossbrech Texel x Friesian milk sheep, Texel x Finnish landrace, Suffolk x Friesian milk sheep, and Finnish landrace x He de France were fed hay and concentrates, the latter differing only in the content of copper. At high (± 35 ppm) and at moderately low (± 10 ppm) copper levels in the concentrate, breed differences in the accumulation of copper in the liver were studied‐Hepatic Cu‐levels increased significantly in the case of the high Cu‐fed animals, but great differences in the metabolism of excessive amounts of dietary Cu exist between the particular breeds and crossbreds. The Texel breed was most susceptible to an excess of dietary Cu and the Finnish landrace was the least susceptible breed, while the Flemish milk sheep and the crossbreds were intermediate. In blood serum, the enzyme activities of sorbitol dehvdrogenase, lactate dehydroge‐nase, γ‐glutamyl transferase, and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase were increased to a greater or less extent in the high Cu‐fed animals, but the correlation with hepatic Cu‐content was poor. For the most susceptible breeds, even a level of 10 ppm Cu in a ration with nearly equal amounts of hay and concentrate is insufficiently low for the prevention of Cu‐accumulation in the liver.     

Stearoyl CoA desaturase (SCD) gene polymorphisms in Italian cattle breeds.

Stearoyl CoA desaturase (SCD) is the key enzyme involved in the endogenous synthesis of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in ruminants. Changes in the enzymatic activity as a result of SCD gene polymorphism and regulation have been hypothesized to cause diet-independent variations of CLA content in milk. Evidences for the direct influence of SCD polymorphism on fatty acid composition of milk and beef have also been reported. To evaluate genetic differences because of breed and/or selection goal, we investigated the polymorphism of three previously reported single nucleotide polymorphisms located in exon 5 of the SCD gene in 11 cattle breeds raised in Italy and selected for different production goals. Results obtained: (i) evidenced a high variability in the allele frequencies across breeds; (ii) detected three novel haplotypes, one of which is private to indigenous beef breeds, and (iii) showed a significant association between haplotypes and selective goal.     

Geographical isolation of native sheep breeds in the UK—Evidence of endemism as a risk factor to genetic resources

This study addresses the potential risk to the genetic resources of UK sheep breeds from endemism. Twelve native breeds are analysed that exist in significant numbers and continue to be commercially farmed livestock. The breeds were selected to represent regions of the British Isles: North of England hill breeds (Herdwick, Rough Fell, Lonk, Dalesbred), South of England breeds (Southdown, Romney, Devon Closewool, Exmoor Horn), Scottish breed (South Country Cheviot) and Welsh/Welsh border breeds (Welsh Hill Speckled Face, South Wales Mountain (Nelson), Clun Forest).For each breed, numerical data were collected in collaboration with breed society members and analysed in terms of population size and structure together with the extent of their geographical range. The number of flocks per breed proved to be highly variable, questioning the assumption that has been made that the number of breeding units can be disregarded in the calculations of endangerment. The data also indicated that an average flock size for a breed cannot be estimated to gain an insight of the population structure, since this parameter was found to vary considerably within and between breeds. The endemism was best illustrated in the breed maps which clearly highlighted the degree to which each breed was associated with a distinct geographical area. From the maps, ten of the twelve breeds analysed were concentrated, but the flocks of two breeds were visually more dispersed. In numerical terms, the ten breeds were found to have up to 95% of their breed numbers concentrated within a radius of 65 km from the mean centre of each breed.The study provides a valuable foundation for future research into genetic diversity within and between the sheep breeds analysed, a baseline of information to enable population trends to be examined and a robust evidence-base for policy decisions on Farm Animal Genetic Resources (FAnGR).     

绵羊Fsp27基因组织表达、多态性及其与不同绵羊品种尾脂沉积能力的关联性分析

旨在研究绵羊Fsp27基因的组织表达/多态性及其与不同绵羊品种尾脂沉积能力的关联性。本研究采用qRT-PCR检测了营养充足期阿勒泰羊不同组织中Fsp27基因的表达情况,同时对营养充足期和营养匮乏期阿勒泰羊尾脂组织中Fsp27基因的表达情况进行了定量分析,采用PCR-SSCP结合测序技术检测了5个不同尾脂沉积能力绵羊品种Fsp27基因的突变情况,并分析了相关突变与绵羊尾脂沉积能力的关联性。结果表明,Fsp27基因在营养充足期阿勒泰羊尾脂中高表达,其表达量极显著高于其他组织（P<0.01）,在肾周脂肪和皮下脂肪组织中的表达量也较高,极显著高于心、肝、脾、肺、肾、胃、肠、皮肤和骨骼肌组织（P<0.01）。在心、肝、脾、肺、肾、胃、肠、皮肤和骨骼肌组织中呈微量表达,且各组织间差异不显著（P>0.05）。另外,营养充足期阿勒泰羊尾脂中Fsp27基因的表达量极显著高于营养匮乏期（P<0.01）。绵羊Fsp27基因在不同尾脂沉积能力品种群体中共检测到25个突变位点,其中位于第3外显子g.16771741的G/A突变以及第5外显子g.16774969的C/T突变均为错义突变,且与绵羊尾脂沉积能力高度相关。g.16771741的G/A突变在尾脂沉积能力较强的阿勒泰羊、小尾寒羊和湖羊群体中以G等位基因为主,分别占到86.8%、83.7%和85.7%,而尾脂沉积能力较差的中国美利奴细毛羊和萨福克羊群体中G等位基因分别仅占30.3%和11.1%。g.16774969的C/T突变在阿勒泰羊群体中以T等位基因为主,TT基因型占84.7%,CT基因型占15.3%,没有检测到CC基因型;在短脂尾型的小尾寒羊和湖羊群体中,TT和CT基因型也分别占到65.9%、50.4%和22.7%、41.1%,而在长瘦尾的中国美利奴细毛羊和萨福克羊群体中则以CC基因型为主,分别占到97.4%和69.4%,没有检测到TT基因型。以上研究结果表明,Fsp27基因在阿勒泰羊尾脂中高表达,且其在尾脂中的表达量与阿勒泰羊的营养状态密切相关,Fsp27基因第3外显子g.16771741的G/A突变以及第5外显子g.16774969的C/T突变与绵羊尾脂沉积能力高度相关,可以作为理想的分子标记用于低脂肪绵羊品种的选育。     

Crossbreeding effects on milk yield traits and calving interval in spring‐calving dairy cows

The aim of the study was to assess crossbreeding effects for 305‐day milk, fat, and protein yield and calving interval (CI) in Irish dairy cows (parities 1 to 5) calving in the spring from 2002 to 2006. Data included 188 927 records for production traits and 157 117 records for CI. The proportion of genes from North American Holstein Friesian (HO), Friesian (FR), Jersey (JE) and Montbéliarde (MO) breeds, and coefficients of expected heterosis for HO×FR, HO×JE and HO×MO crosses were calculated from the breed composition of cows’ parents. The model used to assess crossbreeding effects accounted for contemporary group, age at calving within parity, linear regression on gene proportions for FR, JE and MO, and linear regression on coefficients of expected heterosis for HO×FR, HO×JE and HO×MO, as fixed effects, and additive genetic, permanent environmental and residual as random. Breed effects for production traits were in favour of HO, while for CI were in favour of breeds other than HO. The highest heterosis estimates for production were for HO×JE, with first‐generation crosses yielding 477 kg more milk, 25.3 kg more fat, and 17.4 kg more protein than the average of the parental breeds. The highest estimate for CI was for HO×MO, with first‐generation crosses showing 10.2 days less CI than the average of the parental breeds. Results from this study indicate breed differences and specific heterosis effects for milk yield traits and fertility exist in Irish dairy population.     

The inclusion of a daisy plant (Chrysanthemum coronarium) in dairy sheep diet: 2. Effect on the volatile fraction of milk and cheese

An experiment was undertaken to evaluate the effect on volatile fraction of milk and cheese of the inclusion of Chysanthemum coronarium (Asteracea) in the diet of grazing sheep. Plots sown either with a binary mixture consisting of Lolium rigidum Gaudin and Medicago polymorpha L. (LM) or a ternary mixture including the above species and C. coronarium L. (LMC) were grazed by groups of Sarda dairy ewes during May. This daisy plant contained several volatile compounds: the main were 1-methyl-4-(1-methylethylidene)-ciclohexene (terpinolene, 47%) and ethanol (36%). Among other volatile substances, terpenes such as -pinene, triciclene and camphene; cyclic and unsaturated hydrocarbons and esters were detected. In contrast no volatile fraction was found in both the grass and the legume.

The inclusion of C. coronarium in sheep diet affected the composition of volatile fraction of milk and cheese. In particular LMC milk and cheese, unlike the counterparts, were featured by the occurrence of terpenes such as terpinolene, triciclene, 3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadiene, -pinene and camphene. A panel-test based on olfactory evaluation showed that the cheese obtained from sheep grazing the ternary mixture was distinguishable from that of counterparts grazing the grass-legume mixture (P < 0.05). To conclude this daisy plant can be regarded as a putative tracer of dairy sheep production system.     

Breed differences in sheep with respect to the accumulation of copper in the liver

Male lambs of the pure breeds Texel, Flemish milk sheep, and Finnish landrace, and of the crossbreds Texel x Friesian milk sheep, Texel x Finnish landrace, Suffolk x Friesian milk sheep, and Finnish landrace x Ile de France were fed hay and concentrates, the latter differing only in the content of copper. At high (+/- 35 ppm) and at moderately low (+/- 10 ppm) copper levels in the concentrate, breed differences in the accumulation of copper in the liver were studied. Hepatic Cu-levels increased significantly in the case of the high Cu-fed animals, but great differences in the metabolism of excessive amounts of dietary Cu exist between the particular breeds and crossbreds. The Texel breed was most susceptible to an excess of dietary Cu and the Finnish landrace was the least susceptible breed, while the Flemish milk sheep and the crossbreds were intermediate. In blood serum, the enzyme activities of sorbitol dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase were increased to a greater or less extent in the high Cu-fed animals, but the correlation with hepatic Cu-content was poor. For the most susceptible breeds, even a level of 10 ppm Cu in a ration with nearly equal amounts of hay and concentrate is insufficiently low for the prevention of Cu-accumulation in the liver.