Background: In the Neolithic, domestic sheep migrated into Europe and subsequently spread in westerly and northwesterly directions. Reconstruction of these migrations and subsequent genetic events requires a more detailed characterization of the current phylogeographic differentiation. Results: We collected 50 K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) profiles of Balkan sheep that are currently found near the major Neolithic point of entry into Europe, and combined these data with published genotypes from southwest-Asian, Mediterranean, central-European and north-European sheep and from Asian and European mouflons. We detected clines, ancestral components and admixture by using variants of common analysis tools: geography-informative supervised principal component analysis (PCA), breed-specific admixture analysis, across-breed f 4 profiles and phylogenetic analysis of regional pools of breeds. The regional Balkan sheep populations exhibit considerable genetic overlap, but are clearly distinct from the breeds in surrounding regions. The Asian mouflon did not influence the differentiation of the European domestic sheep and is only distantly related to present-day sheep, including those from Iran where the mouflons were sampled. We demonstrate the occurrence, from southeast to northwest Europe, of a continuously increasing ancestral component of up to 20% contributed by the European mouflon, which is assumed to descend from the original Neolithic domesticates. The overall patterns indicate that the Balkan region and Italy served as post-domestication migration hubs, from which wool sheep reached Spain and north Italy with subsequent migrations northwards. The documented dispersal of Tarentine wool sheep during the Roman period may have been part of this process. Our results also reproduce the documented 18th century admixture of Spanish Merino sheep into several central-European breeds.

A total of 132 mtDNA sequences from 10 Balkan donkey populations were analysed to ascertain their regional genetic structure and to contribute to the knowledge of the spreading of the species after domestication. The Balkan donkey sequences were compared with those from 40 Burkina Faso donkeys as an African outgroup to account for possible local Balkan scenarios. The 172 sequences gave 62 different haplotypes (55 in Balkan donkey). Virtually all the analysed populations had haplotypes assigned to either Clade 1 or Clade 2 even though the relative proportion of Clade 1 or 2 haplotypes differed across populations. Geographical maps constructed using factors computed via principal component analysis showed that the Balkan donkey populations are not spatially structured. AMOVA confirmed a lack of genetic structure in Balkan donkey mtDNA. Balkan populations were poorly differentiated (ΦST  = 0.071). Differentiation between the Balkan donkey and the African outgroup also was low. The lack of correspondence between geographical areas and maternal genetic structure is consistent with the hypothesis suggesting a very quick spread of the species after domestication. The current research illustrates the difficulties to trace routes of expansion in donkey, as the species has no geographical structure.

Original Scientific Article INTRODUCTIONThe mammary gland is a compound tubuloalveolar gland, divided into lobules by interlobular connective tissue. The mammary gland consists of parenchyma (alveoli), stroma (connective tissue), ducts, vessels and nerves. Bitches usually have fi ve pairs of glands. The cranial two pairs are referred to as cranial and caudal thoracic mammary Mammary tumours are the second most frequent neoplasia in dogs, mainly affecting older female patients. Approximately 50% of the mammary tumours are malignant with high percentage of mortality, if not treated in time. The aim of this study was to analyze the data of canine patients with mammary tumours, to evaluate the type of tumours, as well as the relationship between tumour incidence and dogs' age, reproductive cycle and sterilization. The survey was used to retrieve the information in the period of two years from the patient data base of the University Veterinary Hospital at the Faculty of veterinary medicine in Skopje. Patients included in this survey were subjected to routine clinical investigation and additional laboratory tests (cytological examination, x-rays imaging, CBC and biochemical profile, histopathology of the tumor samples). Aged female patients (12 -13 years) are the most susceptible category for development of mammary tumours. The reproductive history showed that five of the patients with malignant mammary tumours have never whelped and were not treated with any exogenous hormones. Malignant tumours (adenocarcinoma) were diagnosed in 90% of the patients. Three patients died due to lung metastasis. Late diagnosis is one of the major problems that results in lethal outcome due to lung metastases. Since ovarian steroids play an important role in the aetiology, the most effective prevention of mammary tumours is elective ovariectomy of the bitch at an early age.

Over the past decade, there has been a tremendous increase in the development of field AI services in the majority of countries concerned with pig production. The objective of this paper is to review: (a) the current status of swine AI in the world, (b) significance and limitation of AI with liquid and frozen semen, (c) the biological traits of porcine semen in relation to in vitro sperm storage, (d) the criteria used for selection of a boar stud as a semen supplier, (e) how to process boar semen for liquid and frozen storage in the commercial settings and (f) how to improve fertility and prolificacy of boar semen. More than 99% of the inseminations conducted worldwide are made with liquid-stored semen. AI with frozen semen is used only for upgrading the genetic base in a particular country or herd. Determining the initial quality of semen ejaculates along with the selection of the optimum storage extender has a profound effect on the quality and fertility of AI doses. Different procedures have been used for improving the fertility of preserved spermatozoa including colloidal centrifugation of the semen, intrauterine insemination and modulation of the uterine defense mechanism after AI. Development of an efficient protocol for synchronizing the time of ovulation in sows and gilts coupled with improving uterine horn insemination technique will make a breakthrough in the commercial use of frozen boar semen.

Postpartum anestrus is a physiological phenomenon in high-producing dairy cows. Static ovaries have been related as major contributors for its occurrence causing a significant reproductive problem to the dairy industry. Different treatment methods have been employed with inconsistent rate of success in initiation of cyclicity, requiring further investigations in order to achieve satisfactory results. The aim of the present study was to compare the ovarian response in cows diagnosed with static ovaries, more than 60 days postpartum using two different hormonal treatment (GnRH and eCG) methods. A total of 58 acyclic cows (no CL, follicles<8mm, P4<0.5ng/mL) were randomly divided into three groups: GnRH (Group 1, n=23), eCG (Group 2, n=23) and Controls (n=12), and allocated thereafter, into subgroups according to the applied doses of GnRH (100μg or 250μg); eCG (750 IU or 1000 IU) whilst control group cows were left untreated. Daily follicular growth rate and treatment respond interval were estimated based on repeated ultrasound examinations. Blood serum P4 sampling was done on d -7, d-0 (start of the experiment) and on d 7 after ovulation. Resumption of cyclic activity occurred in 55.17% (32/58) of the treated cows, 56.52% in Group 1; 60.86% in Group 2 and 41.66% in the control group. Overall, the follicular growth rate was similar between the trials group and significant with regard to the cows in the control group (p<0.05). eCG or GnRH treated cows responded significantly faster 6.85±0.2 and 7.84±0.2 days, respectively, in comparison to the control group cows (17±0.7 days, p<0.001). Treatment with a single dose of GnRH or eCG caused resumption of follicular growth and ovulation following luteogenesis (forming CL) without significant changes in P4 concentrations on day 7 after ovulation (p>0.05). Cows in Group 2 had significantly higher incidence of multiple ovulations than cows in Group 1 (p<0.05). The eCG treatment resulted in a faster response and higher ovulation rate compared to GnRH treatment. In conclusion, both treatments have shown acceptable results in resumption of cyclicity in dairy cows with static ovaries.