Hakan Üstüner

Precision livestock technologies play a critical role in determining animal behavior and welfare. This study aimed to determine the effects of physiological stage, parity, lactation number, and milking frequency on the locomotor, resting, and inactive time behaviors of Holstein dairy cows. The behavioral data and step counts of the animals were continuously recorded using neck collars and foot pedometers, and a total of 8698 raw daily cow-level behavioral records were analyzed. In the statistical model, the days in milk and daily milk yield were included as fixed effects. Heifers and dry cows showed greater similarity in behavioral duration than primiparous and multiparous cows. There were highly significant differences between the groups in terms of rumination, lying, standing duration, and number of steps (p < 0.001). In lactating cows, no statistically significant differences were found in behavioral durations according to lactation number (p > 0.05); however, milking frequency had a significant association across groups (p < 0.001). This study highlights the determining and interrelated effects of physiological stages and management factors on the locomotor and resting behaviors of cattle, thereby providing a behavioral framework for interpreting sensor-derived data in precision livestock farming and supporting data-driven herd management.

Milk represents one of the most critical sources of animal protein for human nutrition, with dairy cows serving as the primary contributors to global milk production. Metabolic diseases pose significant challenges in dairy farming, with ketosis (K) being one of the most common and impactful conditions. This study aims to evaluate the economic cost of a K case on a dairy farm. Ketosis was diagnosed based on a case history, clinical examination, and measurement of ketone body concentrations, with a defined β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) level of ≥ 1.4 mmol/L. Economic losses associated with ketosis were calculated using treatment costs and potential losses attributable to reductions in milk yield. In our study, the treatment cost for a ketosis case was determined to be 39.5 dollars per animal, while the treatment of other diseases associated with ketosis amounted to 593.09 dollars. The total cost of medicines used for all treatments reached 1.022.30 dollars. Milk production loss was not observed during the study period. Treatment costs were reported to depend on herd size, productivity level, and the parity of the animals. K also predisposes dairy cows to other metabolic and reproductive disorders. In this study, the incidence rates of hypocalcemia, metritis, and retentio secundinarum associated with ketosis were found to be 29%, 25%, and 13%, respectively. These findings emphasize the importance of implementing effective preventive strategies against ketosis to minimize economic losses and improve herd health.

This research was conducted to determine the fertility characteristics of Saanen goats raised in Bursa Province, Turkey, and their relationships with environmental factors. Insemination, pregnancy, and birth data of goats were recorded for a five-year period (2018-2022). Breeding records included the mating date and identification number of each mated goat. During the study period, pregnancies were monitored by ultrasonography. Birth weight was 3259.34±64.53 g in single-born kids and 3011.97±25.75 g in multiple-born kids. In addition, the birth weights recorded across the study years were 3176.17±60.04 g in Year I, 2813.85±44.39 g in Year II, and 3353.40±50.02 g in Year III. In Years IV and V, the values were 3050.00±53.98 g and 2971.34±51.52 g, respectively. The mean birth weight was 3130.12±36.18 g for male kids, 2988.51±32.95 g for female kids, and 3063.01±24.82 g for Saanen kids overall. The single birth rate, multiple birth rate, survival rate, mortality rate, and litter size were 39%, 61%, 72%, 28%, and 1.7, respectively. In terms of fertility and birth weight characteristics of Saanen goats, compared with the breed's fertility characteristics in breeding regions and other countries, it can be stated that the breed shows similar performance in Bursa province.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between carcass and meat quality traits and Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), myogenic factor 5 (MYF5) and leptin (LEP) genes in Holstein-Friesian bulls. One hundred three cattle were genotyped using the PCR-RFLP method. Afterwards, the relationship of IGF1, MYF5 and LEP genes with live weight, hot carcass weight, chilled carcass weight, dressing percentage, musculus longissimus dorsi, Warner-Bratzler shear force, cooking loss, chilling loss, water holding capacity, carcass length, chest width, and meat color parameters (L*, a*, b*) were examined. Trade-offs between carcass and meat quality were assessed using a Pareto front approach, where non-dominated genotype combinations were identified as the best attainable balance between yield and quality. No significant association was observed between IGF1, MYF5, and LEP genes individually and traits (P>0.05). However, LEP × MYF5 interaction was observed in association with live weight, hot carcass weight, and chilled carcass weight traits (P

This study evaluated the association of stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) and fatty acid-binding protein 3 (FABP3) gene polymorphisms with carcass and meat quality traits in Aberdeen Angus bulls. Two hundred seventy-four Angus bulls were genotyped using PCR-RFLP and Sanger sequencing. Next, the association of SCD and FABP3 genetic variants with traits such as live weight, average daily weight gain, carcass weight (both hot and cold), dressing percentage, carcass length, back fat thickness, carcass color score, pH, and marbling score was [...] ABSTRACT This study evaluated the association of stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) and fatty acid-binding protein 3 (FABP3) gene polymorphisms with carcass and meat quality traits in Aberdeen Angus bulls. Two hundred seventy-four Angus bulls were genotyped using PCR-RFLP and Sanger sequencing. Next, the association of SCD and FABP3 genetic variants with traits such as live weight, average daily weight gain, carcass weight (both hot and cold), dressing percentage, carcass length, back fat thickness, carcass color score, pH, and marbling score was

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of psyllium husk powder, as a dietary fiber and carbohydrate substitute, on the physicochemical, colorimetric, structural quality, and consumer preference of sausages during storage. The potato starch was replaced by psyllium husk powder in 20%–40%–60%–80%–100% to improve the technological and sensory properties of the new product. Physicochemical analyses revealed that fiber substitution did not affect protein or fat values but reduced carbohydrate and moisture values. Carbohydrate decrease in psyllium husk samples varied between 39.29% and 71.42% and was detected the most in T5 sample. Moisture reduction varied between 2.46% and 6.01% and decreased as the addition rate increased. Cooking loss and total expressible fluid (TEF) during storage increased with the addition of psyllium husk (especially T2). Cooking loss increased the most in the control sample (4.8%) at the end of storage, while the least loss was in the T3 (3.4%) and T1 (3.5%) samples. Furthermore, during storage, there was a slight decrease in brightness in parallel with the psyllium husk replacement rate, but yellowing indexes increased. Instrumental textural analyses showed that 20%–40% of substituted samples (T1, T2) had similar properties to the control. Changes generally occurred in springiness, stickiness, and chewiness properties when substituting up to 60% psyllium husk. In psyllium husk–substituted samples, adhesiveness, resilience, and hardness decreased during storage, while chewiness increased. Consumer acceptance tests showed that panelists preferred sausages produced from white meat more than others, and sensory acceptability was rated above general liking on a hedonic scale of 6–8. When the technological and sensory properties of the products were evaluated together, it was determined that the acceptability of the 40% substituted (T2) sausage sample showed similar characteristics to the control sample, while the 100% substituted (T5) sample had low acceptance. Overall, the findings indicate that psyllium husk substitution has provided functional properties such as low carbohydrate and fibrousness to chicken sausages without affecting the sensory and textural properties. Psyllium husk powder–contained sausage has the potential to be an alternative meat product for individuals who need particular nutritional purposes.

Leptin (LEP), alternatively recognized as the obesity gene, influences food consumption, energy balance, and lipid metabolism. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in energy metabolism, and variations in the LEP gene have been studied extensively among various livestock species. These investigations have unveiled correlations with traits such as meat quality, milk yield and composition, and growth characteristics. Nevertheless, the existing knowledge regarding its correlation with growth and reproductive traits in goats is comparatively limited, particularly when juxtaposed with studies of cattle. Hence, the objective of the current study was to investigate the relationship between polymorphisms in the intron 2 (Sau3AI) and exon 2 (HinfI) regions of the LEP gene and growth and reproductive traits in Saanen goats. The study comprised 185 Saanen goats in total. The PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism) technique was employed to genotype these polymorphisms. Population genetic analysis included the number of effective alleles, heterozygosity, polymorphism information content, and compatibility with the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. The general linear model procedure's least-squares methods were used for the statistical analysis. The SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphism) located in exon 2 (LEP-HinfI) was monomorphic. Remarkably, the SNP located in intron 2 (LEP-Sau3AI) was associated with birth weight (ppLEP-Sau3AI polymorphism situated within intron 2 proved influential in traits critical for the profitability and sustainability of goat breeding. The findings of this study provide novel and valuable information for future research on the LEP gene in goats.

The present study focused on evaluating the effects of beef marination on quality traits and consumer acceptability. In this context, m. longissimus thoracis et lumborum and m. semimembranosus samples (n = 192) were obtained from Aberdeen Angus, Hereford, Charolais, and Limousine bulls and were marinated with milk (pasteurized, 100%), garlic and olive oil (2.35 g/500 mL), and lemon (citrus) juice (31% orange juice, 31% lemon juice, 38% distilled water) for 12, 24, and 72 h. Marinade components were selected based on traditional culinary practices and their scientifically proven effects on meat quality. Beef samples on day 0 and non-marinated samples were used as control groups. Beef color, water holding capacity, pH, cooking loss, and Warner–Bratzler shear force were measured three times for each sample. A taste panel assessment was performed to determine the sensory characteristics. Statistical analysis was performed using general linear model (GLM) procedures followed by Tukey’s post-hoc comparison. Results revealed that marination time, as well as its two- and three-way interactions, significantly influenced beef quality parameters. These results indicate that the cattle breed is an important factor in evaluating the effectiveness of beef marination applications. The olive oil−garlic marinade was the most preferred by the panel across both types of muscle, as indicated by sensory evaluation results. The findings will not only enrich the scientific literature but also have practical implications for the beef industry.

Bu anket çalışması ile Türkiye’de ruminant sağlığı alanında çalışan veteriner hekimlerin ülkemiz hayvancılığı ve ekonomik durumları ile ilgili değerlendirmelerinin ortaya konması amaçlanmıştır. Elektronik posta ile gönderilen ankete yedi farklı coğrafi bölgedeki 56 ilden toplam 326 veteriner hekim katılmıştır. Kendilerine bu alanla ilgili 19 soru sorulmuştur. Çalışma sonuçları genel olarak değerlendirildikten sonra veriler; veteriner hekimlerin çalışma şekline göre 3 grup, yaşlarına göre 4 grup ve coğrafi bölgelerine göre 3 grupta ele alınmıştır. Sığırcılıkla ilgili en önemli sorunlar; sırasıyla yem fiyatları, yetiştiricinin kar edememesi, üretici süt-et fiyatlarının düşüklüğü, mera sorunu, kırsal bölgeden göç, hastalıklara bağlı kayıplar ve kuraklık olmuştur. Koyun-keçi yetiştiriciliğinde en önemli sorunlar; sırasıyla mera, yem fiyatları, kuraklık, yetiştiricinin kar edememesi, üretici süt-et fiyatlarının düşüklüğü ve hastalıklardır. Veteriner hekimlerin %83,13’ü bölgelerindeki hayvan sayısının azaldığını ve %60,68’i ise 6-30 sığır kapasitesinde olan işletme grubundan azaldığını belirtmiştir. Meslektaşların %56,31’i hayvancılığın sürdürülebilir karlı olma olasılığının %25’in altında ve %20,92’si hiç karlı olmayacağı görüşündedir. Veteriner hekimlere gelir düzeylerinin geçmiş yıllara göre değişimi sorulduğunda %58,77’si olumsuz ve %29,23’ü kısmen olumsuz olarak değerlendirmiştir. Gelecek 10-20 yıldaki ruminant hekimliği hakkında %49,39’u olumsuz ve %33,44’ü kısmen olumsuz düşünmektedirler. Meslektaşlarımızın %63,80’i kendi çocuklarının veteriner hekim olmasını istememektedir. Önümüzdeki 10 yıl içerisinde gelişme potansiyeli en yüksek alanlar sorulduğunda pet sektörü %41,01, biyoteknoloji %17,03, sürü sağlığı %15,77, organik tarım ve hayvancılık %15,46, halk sağlığı %7,26, hayvan refahı %3,47 olarak yanıtlanmıştır. Sonuç olarak; veteriner hekimler ruminant hayvancılığının küçüldüğünü ve ruminant hekimliğinin daralacağı görüşündedirler.