Serdar Koçak

Genetic variability is crucial for enhancing economically important traits and for developing effective conservation strategies in livestock populations. In this study, genome-wide genetic variability and population divergence were evaluated in four native Turkish sheep breeds, known as Dağlıç (DGL), Sakız (SKZ), Pırlak (PRL), and Pırıt (PRT), using 366,544 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) generated by double-digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq). Across the four populations, the mean minor allele frequency (MAF) and nucleotide diversity (π) were estimated at 0.320 and 0.295, respectively. Observed heterozygosity ( H _O ) ranged from 0.314 in the DGL breed to 0.323 in the SKZ breed. Expected heterozygosity ( H _E ) values were consistently higher than the observed values across all breeds, with an overall mean of 0.327. The inbreeding coefficient ( F _IS ) was negative in all populations, varying from − 0.034 in PRL to − 0.019 in DGL. Population structure analyses based on discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC), ADMIXTURE, and TreeMix revealed a high level of admixture between the PRL and PRT populations, whereas the DGL breed was genetically distinct. In addition, TreeMix inferred a migration edge from the SKZ breed to the PRL–PRT clade. The high level of genetic variability observed in native Anatolian sheep breeds should be conserved to support diverse breeding strategies and to mitigate potential future challenges, particularly genetic bottlenecks. Further studies employing improved sampling strategies are recommended to obtain more robust insights into the genetic structure of native Anatolian sheep, especially for the PRL and PRT populations.

This study was conducted on Ramlıç sheep raised on a private farm to determine the fertility traits, milk yield, post-shearing body weight, several body measurements, and fleece characteristics of ewes, as well as the growth and survival rates of lambs. The study animals consisted of 286 Ramlıç ewes and 298 lambs born to those ewes. Mean values for fertility traits were: 87.1% for single birth rate, 12.9% for twin birth rate, 1.1 lambs for litter size, and 104.2% for lamb production. The milk yields during lactation of Ramlıç ewes aged 2, 3, and 4 years were 57.04, 57.44, and 63.40 kg, respectively; the corresponding lactation periods were 175.88, 177.64, and 178.62 days. The highest lactation milk yield and the longest lactation period were observed in the 4-year-old group, but the differences between groups were not significant (P>0.05). The average body weight, withers height, rump height, chest depth, body length, and chest circumference of Ramlıç ewes were 54.19 kg, 70.90 cm, 70.45 cm, 31.89 cm, 67.94 cm, and 95.72 cm, respectively. The effect of age was significant (P<0.001) for all traits investigated. Therefore, the Ramlıç breed could provide an important resource for breeders, depending on the observed levels of yield characteristics.

This study investigated the effects of environmental factors on gestation length and neonatal survival indicators in Thoroughbred horses. Data used in the study were obtained from 201 mares and their foals raised at the Adana Seyhan Covering Station, İzmit Covering Station, and Karacabey Boarding Stud Farm of the Turkish Jockey Club. The traits including gestation length, parturition duration, birth weight, time to first standing, and time to first suckling were analyzed. The least square means were determined as follows: 336.71±1.56 days for gestation length, 11.57±0.82 min for parturition duration, 49.42±0.67 kg for birth weight, 62.80±3.06 min for time to first standing, and 77.64±3.90 min for time to first suckling. Gestation length was significantly affected by foal sex (P

Bu çalışma entansif koşullarda yetiştirilen Ile de France koyunlarda bazı dölverimi özellikleri ile kuzularında sütten kesim öncesi büyümenin incelenmesi amacıyla yapılmıştır. Araştırmada hayvan materyali olarak iki yaşlı 233 baş Ile de France koyun ve bunlardan doğan 209 baş kuzu kullanılmıştır. Ile de France koyunların bazı dölverim özellikleri (gebelik oranı, kısırlık oranı, Abort oranı, ölü doğum oranı, doğum oranı, tek doğum oranı, ikiz doğum oranı ve doğuran koyun başına düşen kuzu sayısı) ile kuzularının sütten kesim öncesi büyüme özelliklerinden doğum ağırlığı, canlı ağırlık ve günlük canlı ağırlık artışı incelenmiştir. Entansif olarak yetiştirilen Ile de France koyunlarda gebelik oranı, kısırlık oranı, abort oranı, ölü doğum oranı ve doğum oranı sırasıyla; %76,82; 23,18; 3,91; 1,68 ve 72,53 olarak tespit edilmiştir. Bu çalışmada doğuran koyun başına düşen kuzu sayısı 1,24 olarak hesaplanmıştır. Ile de France kuzuların doğum ağırlığı, 30. gün, 60. gün, 90.gün canlı ağırlık ve günlük canlı ağırlık artışı genel ortalamaları sırasıyla; 4,93; 10,01; 17,32; 27,80 kg ve 212,20 gram olarak bulunmuştur. İncelenen özelliklere doğum tipinin etkisi önemli (p

The goal of this study was to estimate (co) variance components and genetic parameters for pre- and post-weaning growth traits in Dağlıç sheep, considering the direct additive genetic, maternal genetic, and maternal permanent environmental effects, with different statistical models. The information of 21,735 native Dağlıç lambs born between 2011 and 2021 was used to estimate (co) variance components by the Average Information-Restricted Maximum Likelihood algorithm. The results showed that the most suitable model was Model 3 for birth weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and weaning weight (WW). Model 4 was the most appropriate for weight at three (W3), weight at six (W6), and weight at twelve months of age (W12). The direct heritabilities for BW, W3, ADG, WW, W6, and W12 were 0.35 ± 0.02, 0.36 ± 0.03, 0.27 ± 0.02, 0.22 ± 0.02, 0.47 ± 0.05, and 0.47 ± 0.05, respectively. Genetic and phenotypic correlations amongst the traits were in the range of 0.103 ± 0.008 to 0.995 ± 0.002. These results can be used for the improvement of growth traits in the Dağlıç breed of sheep through selection.

This study was carried out to evaluate the feeding, management and health practices in horse farms in Inner West Anatolia with the aspects of animal welfare. The study was carried out in 53 horse farms in Afyonkarahisar, Eskişehir, Kütahya, and Uşak provinces. The measurements, observations and declarations of breeders were recorded on the questioner forms. Furthermore, a fecal parasitic examination was carried out. The breeds of horse were Arab, Thoroughbred, local and crosses. The percentages of boxed and tied barns were 60.4 and 39.6%. The average temperature and humidity in the shelters were 20.7°C and 38.6%, the mean values for carbondioxide, oxygen, and ammonia were measured as 848.0, 20.9, and 5.0 ppm respectively. Although antiparasitic applications were reported in the visited farms, 61.7% of the horses were found to have parasites in the parasitic examination. 90.6% of the interviewed personnel claimed that they were experienced in horse breeding but only 3.8% had knowledge about animal health and welfare. In conclusion, horse breeding in Inner West Anatolia is insufficient in terms of windows and chimney openings in shelters, shelter enrichment, paddock areas and exercise, dental care, antiparasitic applications, and trained personnel for animal health and welfare; while box dimensions, feeding standards, grooming, hoof care, tail docking, foal care and transport applications were in accordance with ideal standards.

The aim of the study was to evaluate live weights, body measurements, and real-time ultrasound carcass traits of F1 and BC1 genotypes in a marker assisted introgression (MAI) process. Effects of some factors on live weight and body measurements including ultrasonographic assessments in Musculus longissimus dorsi (MLD) were investigated at the F1 (n=51) and BC1 (n=99) cross lambs born in 2015 – 2017 period. Variance analysis showed that genotype had significant (P < 0.001) effect on pre- and post-weaning growth characteristics. The birth type had significant (P < 0.05) effect on pre- and post-weaning growth traits. Live weights at twelve months of age were higher in heavier born lambs. The growth performance of F1 lambs was between Texel and Ramlıç. Myostatin heterozygous BC1 lambs had been potentially heavier than the non-carriers and pure Texel. MLD depth and area were also statistically higher (P < 0.05) in BC1 lambs carrying myostatin than non - carriers. As a result, the beginning phase of introgression processes implemented was found to be successful

Bu çalışma, Ramlıç ve Dağlıç ırkı koyunlarda kırkım sonu canlı ağırlık, kirli yapağı verimi ve bazı yapağı özellikleri ile bunları etkileyen faktörlerin incelenmesi amacıyla yapılmıştır. Araştırmada 296 baş Ramlıç, 232 baş Dağlıç koyun ve yapağıları kullanılmıştır. Bu çalışma yetiştirici elindeki 4 farklı sürüde 2015 yılında yürütülmüştür. Ramlıçlarda kırkım sonu canlı ağırlık, kirli yapağı verimi, lüle uzunluğu, elyaf gerçek uzunluğu ve yapağı randımanı genel ortalamaları sırasıyla; 64,08±0,521kg, 3,07±0,051kg, 5,89±0,068cm, 8,84±0,145cm ve %73,21±0,980 olarak belirlenmiştir. Ramlıçlarda sürünün kirli yapağı verimi, lüle uzunluğu, elyaf gerçek uzunluğu ve yapağı randımanına etkisi önemli (p<0,05; p<0,01; p<0,001), yaşın ise kırkım sonu canlı ağırlık, kirli yapağı verimi ve elyaf gerçek uzunluğuna etkisi önemli (p<0,01; p<0,001) bulunmuştur. Dağlıçlarda kırkım sonu canlı ağırlık, kirli yapağı verimi, lüle uzunluğu, elyaf gerçek uzunluğu ve yapağı randımanı genel ortalamaları sırasıyla; 47,78±0,442kg, 1,63±0,036kg, 9,84±0,149cm, 13,62±0,250cm ve %73,75±0,822 bulunmuştur. Dağlıçlarda sürünün kırkım sonu canlı ağırlık ve lüle uzunluğuna etkisi önemli (p<0,001), yaşın ise kırkım sonu canlı ağırlık, kirli yapağı verimi ve yapağı randımanına etkisi önemli (p<0,05; p<0,01; p<0,001) bulunmuştur. Sonuç olarak kırkım sonu canlı ağırlık bakımından Ramlıç ırkının orta irilikte, Dağlıçların ise küçük yapılı olduğu ve kırkım sonu canlı ağırlık değerlerinin daha önce yapılan çalışmalarda bildirilen değerlerden yüksek olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca elyaf gerçek uzunluğu bakımından Ramlıç yapağılarının kumaş yapımında, Dağlıç yapağılarının ise halı sanayinde kullanılabileceği kanaatine varılmıştır.