ARI REVIEW FOR 2016-2017

were decreased ( P<0.05 ), and mono-unsaturated FAs, and especially oleic acid, which was increased ( P<0.05 ) in milk of OC treatment (expressed in g/100g of fat, average values for oleic acid was 23.4 and 20.1 for OC and control group milk, respectively). In contrast, the amount of poly-unsaturated FA was not affected by the feeding treatment. Overall, the results support the use of ensiled OC in diets of high yielding dairy cows as a means to reduce saturated and increase beneficial monounsaturated FAs without adverse effects on milk yield. ( D. Sparaggis ) Genetic and molecular techniques for controlling the scrapie disease in sheep and improving the genetic stock provided to farmers Combating scrapie disease in Chios sheep with the use of genetic and molecular methods is a joint project of the ARI Animal Production and Agrobiotechnology Sections. The present population of the ARI unit consists of breeding ewes and rams of the scrapie-resistant ARR/ARR genotype. For breeding purposes, the number of resistant rams and ram lambs issued to farmers in the period of 2016-2017 was 33 and 247, respectively, and that of surplus female lambs was 159. In addition, 10 ewes were issued to farmers. By increasing the frequency of the desirable allele in Cyprus Chios sheep, and consequently of the resistant genotypes in the population, the disease has been controlled and will be eventually eradicated. It should be emphasised that the project for controlling scrapie in Chios sheep runs in parallel with the project aiming at the genetic improvement of economically important traits (milk yield, growth, prolificacy, etc.). Additionally, since 2008, genetic management of the sheep nucleus unit has been significantly upgraded, in an effort to substantially minimise inbreeding that arose out of necessity during the effort to eradicate the scrapie-susceptible genotype (AQQ/AQQ) from the flock. ( G. Hadjipavlou, I.M. Ioannides ) Genetic and molecular techniques for controlling the scrapie disease in goats and improving the genetic stock to be provided to farmers The programme for controlling the scrapie disease in goats runs in the framework of ARI-funded joint research between the Animal Production and Agrobiotechnology Sections, and in cooperation between the ARI and the Veterinary Services. During 2016-2017, the collection of genetic and production information for Damascus goats continued, with the aim of further studying the different PrP genotypes in goats and compiling enough phenotypic information to examine potential associations between genotype and production characteristics 37 Animal Production