To obtain genetic parameters relevant for the management of animal genetic resources, this study provides a comparative characterization of the Trakehner (TRAK) horse population in relation to four other horse populations maintained in Lithuania - Arabian (ARAB), Baltic Warmblood (BW), Lithuanian Warmblood (LW), and Zemaitukai (ZEM). These populations represent diverse histories, selection goals, and breeding practices. Pedigree data ( n = 22 666) and parentage verification genetic data based on blood group markers ( n = 1293) were used to evaluate genetic diversity, population structure, and inter-population relationships. Despite a 25 % population decline in recent years, the TRAK population maintained moderate inbreeding ( F = 0.037) and a balanced genetic structure. The effective population size ( N e ) was lower than in BW and LW but higher than in the endangered ZEM population. TRAK retained a high number of alleles ( N a = 3.83), with observed heterozygosity ( H o = 0.460) slightly lower than that observed in open sport horse populations. Comparison of all individuals and the Lithuanian reference populations revealed stable or increased heterozygosity in currently breeding individuals, particularly within TRAK. Genetic distances and assignment tests confirmed close relationships among TRAK, BW, and LW, reflecting shared ancestry. In contrast, ARAB and ZEM populations remained genetically distinct. PCA and heatmap analyses further supported the separation between closed and open populations in the current breeding context. These findings highlight that population structure, historical gene flow, and management practices jointly shape genetic variability. The results can be used to optimize mating plans by balancing sire and dam contributions, monitor inbreeding and effective population size trends, manage gene flow between related populations (TRAK, BW, LW), and develop targeted conservation strategies for genetically distinct breeds such as ZEM and ARAB.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of age, sex, and dietary supplementation with resveratrol and defatted black soldier fly (Hermetiaconfirmedillucens) larvae meal (BSF) on the carcass traits, meat quality, and lipid profile in Manchurian Golden quail. A total of 180 birds were examined: 90 young quail at 35 days of age before the onset of laying and 90 older quail at 128 days of age during the laying period, with both sexes represented. The birds were assigned to three dietary treatments: a commercial basal diet, the same basal diet supplemented with 250 mg/kg of resveratrol, and a diet including 10% BSF. The carcass composition, meat physicochemical properties, lipid profile, and nutritional quality indices were analyzed. Older quail exhibited higher body, carcass, and organ weights and greater internal fat deposition, whereas younger quail showed more intense breast meat color and higher ash and cholesterol contents. Females generally demonstrated leaner carcasses and more favorable lipid profiles than males. Dietary BSF supplementation increased body weight and the intramuscular fat content but negatively influenced fatty acid indices, whereas resveratrol supplementation enhanced polyunsaturated fatty acid levels and the PUFA/SFA ratio (p < 0.001), despite an associated increase in meat cholesterol. Meat from older quail was tougher but showed healthier lipid characteristics, including higher (p < 0.001) PUFA proportions, lower (p < 0.001) atherogenic index (AI) and thrombogenic index (TI) values, and more favorable (p < 0.001) hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic fatty acid ratio (H/h) and health-promoting index (HPI) values. Overall, slaughtering dual-purpose quail after three months of laying did not compromise meat nutritional quality and may even enhance certain health-related attributes.

Essential oil-based feed additives have been proposed as a practical strategy to mitigate enteric methane emissions in ruminants, but their effects are not always consistent. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with an essential oil blend on in vitro methane production, rumen fermentation, nutrient digestibility, growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality in Lithuanian Blackface lambs. We hypothesized that supplementation would induce measurable changes in in vitro methane production and selected rumen fermentation variables, while growth performance and technological meat quality would remain comparable between treatments. Sixty Lithuanian Blackface lambs were allocated to control (C) and treatment (T) groups (30 lambs per group). The C group received a basal diet, and the T group received the same diet supplemented with an essential oil blend, Agolin Ruminant, at a dose rate of 0.1 g/animal/day, consisting of linalool, eugenol, geranyl acetate, and geraniol. An in vitro rumen fermentation assay was performed using rumen fluid pooled within both dietary groups from multiple lambs and incubated as a single batch with four replicate fermentation flasks per treatment (n = 4 fermenters per group) to quantify methane production and in vitro nutrient digestibility. In vivo apparent nutrient digestibility was evaluated in a dedicated sub-trial (n = 6 animals per group). Growth performance in the main trial was analyzed using the pen as the experimental unit (n = 3 pens per group), and slaughter-based measurements—including slaughter and carcass traits, rumen volatile fatty acids and protozoal counts, and Longissimus dorsi meat quality and intramuscular fatty acids—were determined in 10 lambs per treatment (n = 10 animals per group). In vitro methane production did not differ between groups (p = 0.366); in vitro crude fiber digestibility showed a tendency to increase with supplementation (p = 0.066). Fermentation end-products were largely unchanged, although propionate tended to be higher (p = 0.063), and the acetate:propionate ratio was lower (p = 0.043) in the supplemented group; protozoal counts were not different between groups. In vivo apparent nutrient digestibility was comparable between treatments. Growth performance was lower in the supplemented group, resulting in an overall mean ADG 19.0% lower. Slaughter and carcass traits were comparable between treatments. Meat proximate composition, cholesterol concentration, pH, color, water losses, and instrumental texture/shear parameters were not affected by supplementation. Intramuscular lauric (C12:0), myristic (C14:0), and pentadecanoic (C15:0) fatty acids were lower (p < 0.05), while C14:1 n-7 tended to decrease (p = 0.050); however, total saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids and nutritional ratios were unchanged. Overall, under the study conditions and dose used, the essential oil blend did not significantly reduce in vitro methane production and elicited only limited rumen fermentation responses; ADG was 19.0% lower in the supplemented group, whereas carcass traits and technological meat quality were unaffected, and only specific intramuscular fatty acids were altered.

This study aimed to examine the effects of supplementing a basal diet with resveratrol and black soldier fly (Hermetiaillucens) larvae meal on Manchurian Golden quail egg production and quality as well as consumer attitudes towards the quail eggs and their acceptability. Quail were allotted three treatments for a laying period of 3 months. The dietary treatment groups were those of a basal diet, a basal diet with 250 mg/kg resveratrol pliusACE, and a diet supplemented with 10% black soldier fly larvae meal (BSF). The BSF larvae meal supplement increased the live weight of the quail, but the differences in the mean egg production and egg external parameters between the experimental groups were insignificant. The egg yolk from the quail fed with resveratrol and BSF supplementation demonstrated lower (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01) pH compared with the quail fed a basal diet. Egg yolk colour showed lower (p < 0.05) lightness and lower (p < 0.01) yellowness and colour saturation in the group of quail fed with resveratrol supplement compared with BSF supplement. Resveratrol inclusion in the basal diet resulted in increased (p < 0.001) protein content in the yolk. BSF inclusion in the diet showed the effect by increasing (p < 0.001) dry matter in albumen. The total monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and cholesterol content were not affected by the dietary treatment. The inclusion of BSF larvae meal in the diet increased the proportion of total saturated fatty acids and lowered the proportion of total trans fatty acids in yolk lipids and demonstrated less favourable ratios of fatty acids and nutritional indices, except for the peroxidisability index, and showed higher oxidative status (p < 0.05), flavour score, and overall egg acceptance compared with the quail fed on a basal diet.

Crossbreeding is widely used to improve livestock performance, combining favorable breed traits through additive effects while maintaining genetic diversity. This approach enhances sheep farming economic sustainability to improve reproduction timing and prolificacy. Optimizing litter size is crucial for maximizing lamb production under diverse conditions, and breeding programs worldwide focus on both within-breed selection and crossbreeding strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the controlled introgression of German Blackheaded Mutton (GBM) rams on ewe prolificacy and lamb growth while preserving breed structure and integrity. The study examined the effects of genotype, litter size, season, and sex on lamb birth weight and growth. Genotype significantly influenced birth weight (p < 0.01), with crossbreeds containing 6.25% GBM having the highest weights, though higher GBM proportions had no additional benefit. Crossbred lambs outperformed purebred Lithuanian Blackface (LBF) lambs at all measured ages. Litter size significantly affected birth weight (p < 0.001) and growth, with larger litters leading to lighter lambs. Seasonal effects were notable only at three months, with winter-born lambs weighing 2.45 kg more than spring-born lambs (p < 0.010). Most lambings occurred in winter (71.4%). Male lambs were heavier than females at eight months (3.45 kg difference, p < 0.010). Genotype–season interactions influenced weights at several ages, with winter-born purebred LBFs and certain crossbreeds generally outperforming their spring-born counterparts. Lambs from single-lamb litters were consistently heavier, especially in winter and summer. These findings emphasize the interplay of genetics, season, and litter size on lamb growth.

The objective of the study was to compare carcass and meat quality among Lithuanian White, Lithuanian Indigenous Wattle and conventional hybrids as well as consumer sensory evaluations. The pigs were slaughtered at a live weight of approximately 95–100 kg. After 24 h of slaughter, carcasses were evaluated and sampled for the analysis of meat quality traits of loins and consumer evaluation of cooked loins and baked bellies. The pigs of both Lithuanian breeds had higher backfat thickness and depth of underbelly but lower loin area compared with hybrids. However, more fatty local breeds had higher intramuscular fat content but lower cholesterol content than hybrids. The loins from local pigs displayed higher pH and colour with lower lightness and yellowness but higher redness and also lower cooking loss, shear force and hardness than conventional hybrids. Pork from lean hybrids had a higher proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids and more favourable lipid quality indices such as atherogenic (AI) and thrombogenic (TI) indices and the hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic (h/H) ratio; however, the peroxidisability index (PI) and iodine value (IV) were less favourable compared with local pigs. Consumers evaluated cooked loins and baked bellies. The loins from local breeds scored higher in juiciness, taste and overall acceptability compared with conventional hybrids. However, a higher overall acceptability was observed for the lean bellies of hybrids. The results can be used to increase pork consumption choices.

The diversity of domestic pig breeds and their hybridization increases the variety of phenotypes expressed in hybrids. The aim of this study was to quantify the differences of cranial morphologies between local Lithuanian Indigenous Wattle pigs and theirhybrids with wild boar. A total of sixteen craniometric measurements were performed on the lateral, ventral and dorsal sides of 71 skulls of Lithuanian Indigenous Wattle pigs and their hybrids, including 1/4 wild boar (WB), 1/2 wild boar and 3/4 wild boar genotypes. The weight of the skull was affected by the genotype, live weight and sex of the animal. The size of the skull, particularly related to skull length parameters, increased consistently with the increase of the wild boar proportion in the hybrids. However, the Sus scrofa genotype did not affect the skull height. Clear discrimination was possible between the local Lithuanian breed pigs and their hybrids with different proportions of wild boar and between individual groups of hybrids. The most correct classification was determined on the basis of the overall and length parameters of the crania. This could contribute to better management and utilization of hybrids.

The fatty acids profile has been playing a decisive role in recent years, thanks to technological, sensory and health demands from producers and consumers. The application of NIRS technique on fat tissues, could lead to more efficient, practical, and economical in the quality control. The study aim was to assess the accuracy of Fourier Transformed Near Infrared Spectroscopy technique to determine fatty acids composition in fat of 12 European local pig breeds. A total of 439 spectra of backfat were collected both in intact and minced tissue and then were analyzed using gas chromatographic analysis. Predictive equations were developed using the 80% of samples for the calibration, followed by full cross validation, and the remaining 20% for the external validation test. NIRS analysis of minced samples allowed a better response for fatty acid families, n6 PUFA, it is promising both for n3 PUFA quantification and for the screening (high, low value) of the major fatty acids. Intact fat prediction, although with a lower predictive ability, seems suitable for PUFA and n6 PUFA while for other families allows only a discrimination between high and low values.

The objective of the study was to determine the effects of sex and hunting season on the carcass, meat and fat quality of hunted brown hares (Lepus europaeus). Twenty-two hares of both sexes hunted in winter (December) during two hunting seasons in accordance with the law on hunting in Lithuania were evaluated using reference methods The data were subjected to two-factor analysis of variance in the general linear (GLM) procedure. No significant differences in carcass measurements and muscularity or internal organs between the sexes of brown hares were found; however, the hunting season appeared to affect the size of hares. The biceps femoris (BF) thigh muscle of males had lower (p < 0.05) dry matter content and higher (p < 0.05) drip loss compared with females. The hunting season demonstrated an effect (p < 0.001) on protein and hydroxyproline contents in the longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) and affected dry matter, protein and hydroxyproline contents (p < 0.05, p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively) in BF muscles, and differences in the colour of muscles were also observed. The shear force in the Warner-Bratzler (WB) test was higher (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively) for LTL and BF muscles during the first hunting season. The hunting season did not affect the total SFA in the intramuscular fat (IMF) of all the tissues, but it affected levels of monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids in the muscles. No differences were found in the total saturated fatty acids (SFA) of both muscles between the sexes, but females demonstrated lower (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) and more favourable n-6/n-3 PUFA ratios in the muscles and fat and a lower (p < 0.05) thrombogenic (TI) index in the LTL compared with males.

Background Intense selection of modern pig breeds has resulted in genetic improvement of production traits while the performance of local pig breeds has remained lower. As local pig breeds have been bred in extensive systems, they have adapted to specific environmental conditions, resulting in a rich genotypic and phenotypic diversity. This study is based on European local pig breeds that have been genetically characterized using DNA-pool sequencing data and phenotypically characterized using breed level phenotypes related to stature, fatness, growth, and reproductive performance traits. These data were analyzed using a dedicated approach to detect signatures of selection linked to phenotypic traits in order to uncover potential candidate genes that may underlie adaptation to specific environments. Results Analysis of the genetic data of European pig breeds revealed four main axes of genetic variation represented by the Iberian and three modern breeds (i.e. Large White, Landrace, and Duroc). In addition, breeds clustered according to their geographical origin, for example French Gascon and Basque breeds, Italian Apulo Calabrese and Casertana breeds, Spanish Iberian, and Portuguese Alentejano breeds. Principal component analysis of the phenotypic data distinguished the larger and leaner breeds with better growth potential and reproductive performance from the smaller and fatter breeds with low growth and reproductive efficiency. Linking the signatures of selection with phenotype identified 16 significant genomic regions associated with stature, 24 with fatness, 2 with growth, and 192 with reproduction. Among them, several regions contained candidate genes with possible biological effects on stature, fatness, growth, and reproductive performance traits. For example, strong associations were found for stature in two regions containing, respectively, the ANXA4 and ANTXR1 genes, for fatness in a region containing the DNMT3A and POMC genes and for reproductive performance in a region containing the HSD17B7 gene. Conclusions In this study on European local pig breeds, we used a dedicated approach for detecting signatures of selection that were supported by phenotypic data at the breed level to identify potential candidate genes that may have adapted to different living environments and production systems.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the genetic variability of open Lithuanian Red and Red-and-White (LRWP) and Lithuanian Black-and-White (LBWP) dairy cattle populations and indicate the differences from the old genotypes of Lithuanian Black-and-White (LBW) and Lithuanian Red cattle (LR), which are currently under a conservation program. In order to gain a better understanding of the populations under conservation and to minimize the potential influence of other breeds, a distinct subgroup was formed that comprised animals whose father and mother belonged to the same breed (LR_pure and LBW_pure). The genetic variability was estimated using the number of founders, pedigree completeness, number of males and females in reproduction and age distribution, generation interval (GI), inbreeding coefficient (F) and effective population size (Ne). The highest average pedigree completeness values in the second generations of the old genotype LR and LBW were 100%. Higher ages of females in the populations under conservation were related to a higher GI and their longer life expectancy. In 2021, the reproductive age of bulls used for insemination within these populations ranged from 5.1 to 27.8 years. The proportions of males producing offspring in their older age indicate that the semen was used from the national gene bank of commercial artificial insemination companies. The GI (>5) in LR and LBW females was higher than that in LRWP and LBWP. The analysis of the data over the 15-year period showed that the GI of males in LRWP and LBWP decreased equally by 38%, while in LR_pure population, it increased by 80%. A high (9.24%) average inbreeding coefficient (F) was found in inbred animals of LR_pure population, while in LBW_pure, it was 5.35% in 2021. The coefficient of inbreeding varied within the different cattle populations. In the open LR population, it ranged from 1.48% to 2.7%, while in the LRWP population, it fell between 2.12% and 3.72%. The lowest effective population size (Ne) concerning the rate of inbreeding was observed in LBW_pure (23) and LR_pure (59), with the highest Ne identified in the LBWP population (462). When considering Ne based on the number of parents, LR_pure displayed the lowest Ne (42), while the highest Ne was found in LBWP (4449). An analysis of local cattle populations reveals that LR faces the most critical situation. This particular population has been steadily declining for a number of years, necessitating additional measures and efforts to safeguard the LR's ancestral genetic makeup. The results of the LBWP analysis also highlight a concerning trend. Even in very large populations with open breeding programs, the effective population size per generation can experience a significant decrease.

Finding a niche for the wider use of local pigs highlighted the need for information about consumer attitudes regarding pork and traditional products and the acceptability of fatter meat. With the aim to ascertain pork consumption frequency and Lithuanian consumer attitudes towards traditional pork products, as well as acceptability of traditional sausages from the meat of Lithuanian White pigs, a questionnaire-based survey and consumer sensory tests were conducted. A total of 136 meat consumers participated in the study. Respondents reported that they consume fresh or processed pork from 1 to 10 times weekly. Male respondents were more familiar with Lithuanian local pig breeds, while female respondents demonstrated knowledge of pork products. Boomer generation (1946–1964) respondents mostly (χ2 = 29.53, df = 10, p < 0.001) had pork at home compared with the respondents of younger generations. There were no significant differences in the blind sensory acceptance between sausages made in a traditional way and cold-smoked with different quantity of salt and commercial sausages of premium quality, while conventional hot-smoked sausages had lower (p < 0.001) overall acceptance. The highest (p < 0.005 and p < 0.01, respectively) acceptance for salt reduction in traditional sausages was demonstrated by the X generation (1965–1980) consumers compared with older boomer and subsequent Y (1965–1980) generations.

The aim of the present study was to identify the conservation status of Lithuanian local Vištinės goose breed and evaluate the carcass and meat quality characteristics in the breast and thigh depending on the sex. The status of the Lithuanian Vištinės goose breed was evaluated by monitoring of the birds, which are included in the breeding system. Twenty geese from the nucleus flock at the age of 10 weeks and reared using a commercial concentrate diet ad libitum were used for the carcass and meat quality evaluation. Due to fluctuations in the numbers of geese and reproduction of purebred birds on a largest scale from the nucleus flock, the status of Vištinės goose population remains critical-maintained. The difference in the live body weight between males and females was insignificant, whereas males showed higher carcass weight (p < 0.05), including the weight of breast, wings, thighs and neck. The sex did not affect the meat quality parameters, but the anatomical location of muscles has appeared to show a high effect. Thigh muscles had lower (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively) protein and cholesterol, and higher (p < 0.001) intramuscular fat contents compared with the breast. Thigh muscles also showed higher (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively) pH and EZ drip loss, but lower (p < 0.001) cooking loss compared with the breast. The breast was characterized by a higher (p < 0.001) shear of force and toughness with Warner–Bratzler test and higher (p < 0.001) hardness detected by texture profile analysis (TPA) compared with the thigh. Breast lipids had higher (p < 0.001) proportion of total saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, whereas the thigh was characterized by a higher proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids. Atherogenic (AI) and thrombogenic (TI) indexes were higher (p < 0.001) and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic (h/H) ratio was lower (p < 0.001) and less favourable in the breast compared with the thigh. Despite the muscle type differences, goose meat of the local conserved breed exhibited good quality and expected enhancing impact on consumer health.

Preserving diversity of indigenous pig ( Sus scrofa ) breeds is a key factor to (i) sustain the pork chain (both at local and global scales) including the production of high-quality branded products, (ii) enrich the animal biobanking and (iii) progress conservation policies. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chips offer the opportunity for whole-genome comparisons among individuals and breeds. Animals from twenty European local pigs breeds, reared in nine countries (Croatia: Black Slavonian, Turopolje; France: Basque, Gascon; Germany: Schwabisch-Hällisches Schwein; Italy: Apulo Calabrese, Casertana, Cinta Senese, Mora Romagnola, Nero Siciliano, Sarda; Lithuania: Indigenous Wattle, White Old Type; Portugal: Alentejana, Bísara; Serbia: Moravka, Swallow-Bellied Mangalitsa; Slovenia: Krškopolje pig; Spain: Iberian, Majorcan Black), and three commercial breeds (Duroc, Landrace and Large White) were sampled and genotyped with the GeneSeek Genomic Profiler (GGP) 70 K HD porcine genotyping chip. A dataset of 51 Wild Boars from nine countries was also added, summing up to 1186 pigs (~ 49 pigs/breed). The aim was to: (i) investigate individual admixture ancestries and (ii) assess breed traceability via discriminant analysis on principal components (DAPC). Albeit the mosaic of shared ancestries found for Nero Siciliano, Sarda and Moravka, admixture analysis indicated independent evolvement for the rest of the breeds. High prediction accuracy of DAPC mark SNP data as a reliable solution for the traceability of breed-specific pig products.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of commercial diet supplemented with rapeseed and camelina seed cakes on the physical and technological attributes of goose meat quality. The breast and thigh muscles from thirty geese of both sexes of the Lithuanian native breed Vištinės fed the diet containing either rapeseed cake (group 1) or camelina cake (group 2) at the age of 13 weeks were used for the evaluation of physical and technological attributes. The diet did not affect the colour of goose meat; however, females showed higher (p < 0.05) values of breast yellowness (b*) and hue angle (h). The camelina group demonstrated higher (p < 0.001) cooking losses of breast and thigh muscles and also higher (p < 0.05) EZ drip loss and thawing loss of thigh muscles compared with the rapeseed group. Females had higher (p < 0.05) cooking loss of the breast, whereas males had higher (p < 0.05) cooking loss of the thigh. The growth rate of geese and their slaughter time showed an effect (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) on pH of thigh muscles. Higher (p < 0.01) hardness of the breast muscle in the camelina group compared with the rapeseed group was detected by the texture profile analysis (TPA) as well as other parameters such as cohesiveness and gumminess, chewiness. Despite some differences in technological meat quality attributes, the quality of goose meat produced with diet supplementation of 10% of rapeseed cake and camelina seed cake can be considered as suitable.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementing commercial diets with rapeseed, hempseed and camelina seed cakes on the yolk and albumen colour and nutritional value of yolk lipids in Estonian quail eggs. A total of 585 eggs were used to evaluate egg weight, yolk and albumen pH and colour, proximate yolk composition, cholesterol content and fatty acid composition in the yolk lipids of three Estonian quail groups each fed a diet supplemented with 10% rapeseed, hemp or camelina seed cakes. The higher (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively) lightness (L*) of the yolk was detected in the group of quail fed the diet supplemented with rapeseed and camelina cakes compared to the hempseed addition. Meanwhile, the albumen lightness in the rapeseed group was higher (p < 0.01) in comparison to the camelina group. A lower (p < 0.001) yolk negative a* value was estimated in the hemp group than in the groups fed rapeseed and camelina seed cake supplements, while the rapeseed group demonstrated lower (p < 0.001) albumen yellowness (b*) and colour saturation (C) in comparison to the other groups. The highest and lowest proportions of total saturated (SFAs)and monounsaturated (MUFAs) fatty acids, respectively, were found in the yolk lipids of quails fed a mixture supplemented by hemp cake. A higher (p < 0.05) proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) was only found in the hemp group compared to the camelina group. The highest and lowest (p < 0.001) n-6/n-3 PUFA ratios were found in the yolk lipids of quail receiving mixtures supplemented with rapeseed and camelina cakes, respectively. The yolk of the quail from the rapeseed group showed more favourable lower and higher (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively) atherogenic index (AI) and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic (h/H) ratio compared to the hemp and camelina groups. The lower yolk cholesterol content was found in the eggs of the quail fed the diet supplemented with rapeseed cake compared to the eggs of the quail which were fed the diets containing more n-3 PUFAs from the addition of hemp and camelina cakes (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively).

The objective of this study was to evaluate the inter-breed genetic diversity of Lithuanian Trakehner horses. The current population in Lithuania numbers 1 039 Trakehner horses. The study included the immunogenetic data analysis of 316 blood samples. Pedigree was traced back to 7-11 generations. The horses were assigned to genealogical clusters originating from East Prussian Trakehnen Stud, Thoroughbred and Arab sires. The first two clusters were subdivided into nine horse groups according to the most important ancestors. The evaluation of genetic diversity was based on six blood groups and five protein polymorphism systems. The differences between genealogical groups were confirmed by principal component analysis and applied cluster analysis. According to the allelic frequency, the Trakehner population changed very slightly through a 30-year period, and only one rare (0.013) allele TfRR (frequent in other Trakehner populations) has been newly found. The analysis of genetic polymorphism systems based on a very low rate of alleles Qabc (0.093) and Ddkl (0.046), which are typical of other populations, indicated the exclusivity of the Trakehner population in Lithuania. The average expected heterozygosity by blood protein polymorphism and blood groups was 0.409 and 0.441, respectively. The genetic clustering diverged by observed heterozygosity of blood groups and by pedigree data in Pilger through Egoist, Bay Ronald through Dark Ronald and Dampfross through Hyperion subgroups. The determined distinctiveness of subdivided Trakehner horse groups suggests reconsidering the breeding strategies and conservation programme of Trakehner horses. Breeding and selection of subdivided sire lines could be among the appropriate solutions for the maintenance and extension of the genealogical structure.

ROHs are long stretches of DNA homozygous at each polymorphic position. The proportion of genome covered by ROHs and their length are indicators of the level and origin of inbreeding. Frequent common ROHs within the same population define ROH islands and indicate hotspots of selection. In this work, we investigated ROHs in a total of 1131 pigs from 20 European local pig breeds and in three cosmopolitan breeds, genotyped with the GGP Porcine HD Genomic Profiler. plink software was used to identify ROHs. Size classes and genomic inbreeding parameters were evaluated. ROH islands were defined by evaluating different thresholds of homozygous SNP frequency. A functional overview of breed-specific ROH islands was obtained via over-representation analyses of GO biological processes. Mora Romagnola and Turopolje breeds had the largest proportions of genome covered with ROH (~1003 and ~955 Mb respectively), whereas Nero Siciliano and Sarda breeds had the lowest proportions (~207 and 247 Mb respectively). The highest proportion of long ROH (>16 Mb) was in Apulo-Calabrese, Mora Romagnola and Casertana. The largest number of ROH islands was identified in the Italian Landrace (n = 32), Cinta Senese (n = 26) and Lithuanian White Old Type (n = 22) breeds. Several ROH islands were in regions encompassing genes known to affect morphological traits. Comparative ROH structure analysis among breeds indicated the similar genetic structure of local breeds across Europe. This study contributed to understanding of the genetic history of the investigated pig breeds and provided information to manage these pig genetic resources.

The objective of this study was to determine species-associated differences in the seed proximate and fatty acid composition of three traditional oil crop species, hemp (Cannabis sativa), flax (Linum usitatissimum), and camelina (Camelina sativa), and the sowing season of camelina harvested under Lithuanian farming conditions for food use. Camelina seeds had the highest (p < 0.001) content of protein, oil, and sugar contents compared to both dehulled hemp and flax seeds. The amounts of protein and oil in camelina seeds were considerably increased by their summer cultivar, which showed higher (p < 0.001) contents of protein and oil than winter cultivars. However, the highest and lowest (p < 0.001) fiber content was found in flax seeds and camelina seeds, respectively. Camelina seeds showed considerably higher and lower (p < 0.001) proportions of total monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids, respectively, compared with hemp and flax. The summer cultivar of camelina had higher (p < 0.001) proportions of saturated (SFA) and MUFA and lower proportions of PUFA compared with winter cultivars. Hemp seeds had the highest and lowest (p < 0.001) proportions of PUFA and MUFA, respectively. The n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio in hemp seeds is optimal (3.79), whereas the use of flax and camelina seeds with their n-6/n-3 ratios of 0.28 and 0.48, respectively, can significantly improve this ratio in the overall diet. The properties of oil crop seeds showed that whole seeds of hemp, flax, and camelina are potentially highly beneficial to human health.

Coronaviruses silently circulate in human and animal populations, causing mild to severe diseases. Therefore, livestock are important components of a “One Health” perspective aimed to control these viral infections. However, at present there is no example that considers pig genetic resources in this context. In this study, we investigated the variability of four genes ( ACE2 , ANPEP and DPP4 encoding for host receptors of the viral spike proteins and TMPRSS2 encoding for a host proteinase) in 23 European (19 autochthonous and three commercial breeds and one wild boar population) and two Asian Sus scrofa populations. A total of 2229 variants were identified in the four candidate genes: 26% of them were not previously described; 29 variants affected the protein sequence and might potentially interact with the infection mechanisms. The results coming from this work are a first step towards a “One Health” perspective that should consider conservation programs of pig genetic resources with twofold objectives: (i) genetic resources could be reservoirs of host gene variability useful to design selection programs to increase resistance to coronaviruses; (ii) the described variability in genes involved in coronavirus infections across many different pig populations might be part of a risk assessment including pig genetic resources.