ARI Biennial Review for 2018-2019

Animals fed SFC presented lower (P<0.05) feed consumption and lower (P<0.05) average daily gain when compared to the other three groups. Animals fed WGC, DRC and P diet showed similar (P>0.05) growth rates and feed consumption. Feed efficiency and pH measurements were similar (P>0.05) across treatments, and, therefore, the lower live-weight gained in SFC animals was attributed to lower feed consumption. (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 2018-2019 was 48 and 154, respectively, and that of surplus female lambs was 151. 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 of the animals. Targeted matings were designed and performed in both breeding seasons of each year in order to increase the frequency of the D and S alleles at codon 146 of the PrP gene, and simultaneously decrease the N allele at the same locus. In 2018 and 2019, molecular genotyping of the selected PrP alleles was conducted 36 ANIMAL PRODUCTION