The aim of this research was to test the CHD gene (Chromo Helicase DNA-binding gene) as a universal molecular marker for sexing birds of relatively distant species. The CHD gene corresponds to the aim because of its high degree of conservation and different lengths in Z and W chromosomes due to different intron sizes. DNA was isolated from feathers and the amplification of the CHD gene was performed with the following sets of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers: 2550F/2718R and P2/P8. Sex determination was attempted in 284 samples of 58 bird species. It was successful in 50 bird species; in 16 of those (Alopochen aegyptiacus, Ara severus, Aratinga acuticaudata, Bucorvus leadbeateri, Cereopsis novaehollandiae, Columba arquatrix, Corvus corax, C. frugilegus, Cyanoliseus patagonus, Guttera plumifera, Lamprotornis superbus, Milvus milvus, Neophron percnopterus, Ocyphaps lophotes, Podiceps cristatus, and Poicephalus senegalus), it was carried out for the first time using molecular markers and PCR. It is reasonable to assume that extensive research is necessary to define the CHD gene as a universal molecular marker for successful sex determination in all bird species (with exception of ratites). The results of this study may largely contribute to the aim.

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Considering that more than 50% of bird species are monomorphic, the identification of gender based on phenotypic characteristics is extremely difficult. The aim of this study is sex determination in species inhabiting the Republic of Serbia, all under the state protection and declared by IUCN as endangered. DNA was isolated from feathers. Sex determination was based on sex-specific CHD gene amplified by 2550F/2718R primer set. Sexing gave good results in all 91 samples from 20 species including 6 species where molecular sexing has not previously been successful. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. 46002

Inflammation at a local and systemic level is a complex process that involves the synthesis of acute phase proteins (APPs) with multiple functions in the regulation of the inflammatory process itself. The aim of this work was to define local and systemic APPs response induced by natural Staph. aureus subclinical infection of the mammary gland in dairy cows with a different number of quarters involved. Midlactation dairy cows (n=30) were devided into three groups. First group were cows with bacteriologically negative milk samples (BN group), second group were cows with one quarter infected with Staph. aureus (SaQ1) and third group were cows with two quarters infected (SaQ2). Milk samples were analyzed for inflammation indicators: serum amyloid A (SAA) and somatic cell count (SCC). Serum samples where analyzed for SAA, haptoglobin (Hp), ceruloplasmin (Cp) and albumin concentration. Also, complete blood count (CBC) was done. SCC and SAA increased in quarter milk samples, being lowest in the BN group and highest in the SaQ2 group. In serum samples, SAA, Hp, Cp and albumin concentrations were significantly higher only in the SaQ2 group comparing with BN group. The leukocyte number, as well as hemoglobin concentration were in the physiological range in all three groups of cows. These results confirm that the magnitude of tissue injury has an impact on APPs concentration. They also demonstrate that cows having Staph. aureus sublinical infections of two mammary quarters have a more pronounced systemic APP response than cows with only one quarter involved