SCIDAR Collection:

Carcass Characteristics and Meat Quality of Two Serbian Indigenous Chicken Breeds: Comparative Assessment of Banat Naked Neck and Svrljig Hen

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Carcass Characteristics and Meat Quality of Two Serbian Indigenous Chicken Breeds: Comparative Assessment of Banat Naked Neck and Svrljig Hen Authors: Škrbić, Zdenka; Petričević, Veselin; Rakonjac, Simeon; Dosković, Vladimir; Petričević, Maja; Tolimir, Nataša; Lukić, Miloš Abstract: Local chicken breeds are increasingly being reconsidered as a means to produce distinctive meat in non-conventional systems while also supporting the conservation of endangered genetic resources. This study compared Banat Naked Neck (BNN) and Svrljig hen (SH), two Serbian indigenous breeds, reared under identical pasture-based conditions and slaughtered at 12 or 14 weeks. Carcass traits, including linear measurements and carcass composition, were evaluated in 40 males (10 per breed per age), while breast and thighwith- drumstick meat quality (proximate composition and fatty acid profile) was analysed in 80 samples (10 per tissue per group). Data were analysed using two-way ANOVA, and multivariate patterns were explored using PCA and residual Spearman correlation analysis. BNN and SH showed similar slaughter weights, whereas slaughter at 14 weeks increased carcass conformation measures and conformation indices (p < 0.05). Breed differences were most evident in carcass part distribution and tissue partitioning within cuts: BNN had a higher breast proportion and breast meat yield, whereas SH meat was leaner and thigh with drumstick meat showed higher Σn − 3 and a more favourable Σn − 6/Σn − 3 ratio. PCA indicated clearer breed separation in thigh meat than in breast meat, consistent with the univariate lipid results, and residual correlations highlighted expected allocation trade-offs among carcass and cut components. Overall, slaughter at 14 weeks improved carcass value, and both breeds offer complementary traits for market-oriented conservation through use.

VITAMIN E AND SELENIUM IN THE PREVENTION OF NUTRITIONAL MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY IN LAMBS

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: VITAMIN E AND SELENIUM IN THE PREVENTION OF NUTRITIONAL MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY IN LAMBS Authors: Dosković, Vladimir; Metlić, Milica; Bogosavljević-Bošković, Snežana; Petrović, Milun; Rakonjac, Simeon; Stojanović, Bojan Abstract: The study investigates nutritional muscular dystrophy in lambs and the impact of selenium and vitamin E supplementation in their diet on the occurrence and prevention of this disease. Vitamin E and selenium play crucial roles in the animal body in relation to growth and development, reproduction, production performance, health status, and immunity. The physiological importance of selenium and vitamin E for living organisms is based on their strong antioxidant activity. Nutritional muscular dystrophy, also known as white muscle disease (myopathy, NMD), frequently occurs in lambs and older categories of sheep as a result of selenium and/or vitamin E deficiency in the diet. This deficiency, together with a high intake of unsaturated fatty acids, increases the concentration of peroxides in the body. The consequence is degeneration of skeletal and cardiac muscles. Increased serum concentrations of the enzymes aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase, along with low selenium and vitamin E levels and reduced glutathione peroxidase activity, are the most reliable indicators of nutritional muscular dystrophy in lambs.

EFFECT OF LAYING HEN GENOTYPE ON EGG QUALITY IN A FLOOR REARING SYSTEM

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: EFFECT OF LAYING HEN GENOTYPE ON EGG QUALITY IN A FLOOR REARING SYSTEM Authors: Rakonjac, Simeon; Bogosavljević-Bošković, Snežana; Dosković, Vladimir; Škrbić, Zdenka; Lukić, Miloš; Petričević, Veselin; Petrović, Milun Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of genotype (Isa Brown and New Hampshire) on egg quality in a floor rearing system. Fifteen eggs per group were collected at 32 weeks of age and analyzed for external and internal quality parameters (egg weight, shape index, albumen height, Haugh unit, yolk color, and shell breaking strength), as well as for chemical composition (dry matter, minerals, protein, and lipids). Eggs from Isa Brown hens exhibited greater egg weight, higher shape index, and superior shell breaking strength, whereas New Hampshire eggs had more intensely pigmented yolks. No significant differences were observed in albumen height or Haugh units between the genotypes. Regarding chemical composition, significant differences were found only in lipid content, which was higher in New Hampshire eggs. No significant differences were detected in dry matter, mineral, or protein content.

THE INFLUENCE OF PARAGENETIC FACTORS ON LAMB BIRTH WEIGHT AND PRE-WEANING GROWTH IN SJENIČKA PRAMENKA

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: THE INFLUENCE OF PARAGENETIC FACTORS ON LAMB BIRTH WEIGHT AND PRE-WEANING GROWTH IN SJENIČKA PRAMENKA Authors: Petrović, Milun; Bogosavljević-Bošković Snežana; Bogdanović, Vladan; Đoković R.; Rakonjac, Simeon; Petrovic, Miloš Ži.; Mijanović, Jelena Abstract: The investigation of the influence of paragenetic factors (farm, year of birth of the ewes, birth order, type of lambing, sex, as well as the interaction between farm and year of birth and between farm and birth order) on lamb body weight at birth and at 30 and 90 days of age was conducted on 268 ewes of the Sjenička Pramenka breed distributed across three farms in the municipality of Gornji Milanovac, born in the period from 2015 to 2023. The study of lamb growth during the suckling period (birth weight and body weight at 30 and 90 days of age) was carried out on a total of 1,399 lambs. Farm, type of lambing, sex of lambs, the interaction between farm and year of birth, as well as the interaction between farm and birth order had a highly significant effect (P<0.01) on lamb body weight at birth and at 30 and 90 days of age. Year of birth had a highly significant effect (P<0.01) only on lamb body weight at 30 days of age, while birth order had no significant effect (P>0.05) on birth weight, but had a highly significant effect (P<0.01) on body weight at 30 and 90 days of age. The coefficients of determination were highly significant (R<0.01), amounting to 0.273 (27.3%) for birth weight, 0.400 (40.0%) for body weight at 30 days of age, and 0.127 (12.7%) for body weight at 90 days of age.