Search Results (3)

In this study, we analysed scrapie test results of Hungarian indigenous sheep breeds (Cikta, Tsigai, Dairy Tsigai, Transylvanian Racka, and Hungarian Racka in white and black colour variants) and the endangered Hungarian Merino rams during the period from 2019 to 2023. In Hungary, it is mandatory to perform scrapie testing for every ram intended for breeding. These results were subsequently compared with data from analyses conducted in 2004 and between 2013 and 2015, which served as control samples. The test results were given by the Hungarian Sheep and Goat Breeders’ Association. The employees collected ear cartilage tissue samples during the identification of the lambs using TypiFixTM by Agrobiogen GmBH. We determined the frequencies of alleles, genotypes, and risk groups, and calculated the proportion of each within the studied population. The scrapie test results were evaluated using the SPSS 23 software package and a Chi²-test. Samples were categorised into one of five risk groups (R1 (lowest)–R5 (highest)) based on the degree of resistance observed. In conclusion, we found that there was a significant improvement in scrapie susceptibility for all breeds except the Cikta. However, the potential impact of this improvement on other important traits remains undetermined. Regarding susceptibility to scrapie, the Hungarian Merino is the most resistant group, as 68.8% of the rams in this breed belonged to the R1 risk group, while the Cikta sheep is in the least favourable position, as only 3.3% of the examined individuals belonged to this category. Full article

Studies revealed a global loss of genetic resources for local sheep breeds. Therefore, the current study aimed to introduce and highlight the progress made on Hungary’s existing gene conservation program (small Gene Bank). Furthermore, we evaluated breed (Tsigai, Cikta, and Racka), season, and individual variabilities (n = 24) of the pre-freeze and post-thaw semen stored in the Gene Bank to enhance the gene conservation of the breeds. The samples were cryopreserved manually, and post-thaw spermatozoa were analyzed for motility (CASA), viability, chromatin structure, and morphometry of the sperm nuclei. Ejaculate volume, spermatozoa concentration, subjective motility and standard motility, kinematic parameters, and spermatozoa’s head area standard deviation of the post-thaw samples differed significantly among breeds (p < 0.05). Season affected ejaculate volume, total spermatozoa number/ejaculate, STR, BCF, and ALH. We observed a significant (p < 0.001; 0.05) breed and season interaction on concentration, total spermatozoa number/ejaculate, VCL, LIN, WOB, spermatozoa’s head average perimeter and nucleus length (Tsigai and Cikta differed but were statistically the same as Racka). Similarly, season significantly (p < 0.05) affected the proportion of ejaculate suitable for freezing. There was a significant (p < 0.05) difference in kinematic parameters and viability among the rams across the breeds. The spermatozoa’s head morphometry of the Tsigai and Cikta breeds differed significantly (p < 0.05) among the rams. There were individual and breed differences in many spermatozoa quality parameters. The stored samples are of good quality, with more than 40% having intact membranes and low abnormal chromatin condensation. Full article

The aim of our research was the evaluation of the maternal genetic background of two Hungarian autochthonous sheep breeds of different geographical origin. A major argument for the preservation of endangered animal breeds is their documented past and historical importance. These also include the registration of pedigree data. This is the first study to evaluate and compare Tsigai and Cikta sheep in Hungary. Our investigation is based on two complete sequences of mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome b gene and control region). Our research was performed on these two sheep breeds with markedly different breed histories and breed characteristics to determine a possible common maternal genetic background, as ultimately the origin of both breeds can be traced back to Asia Minor. Between 2015 and 2017, a total of 203 biological samples were taken using a newly introduced founder sampling method. We found that the prevailing haplogroup B accounted for over 80% of both breeds, strengthening the common ancestral root. However, the pairwise genetic differentiation estimates (K_ST) calculated using the sequence-based statistics for cytochrome b gene and control region were 0.034 and 0.021, respectively (both at level p < 0.05); thus, revealing genetic differentiation in both sequences between the Tsigai and Cikta. We note that the known different history of the breeds is clearly justified by the currently studied deviations in their maternal genetic background. Full article