Genetic-parameter estimation of milk yield in White Maritza sheep breed using different test day models.

The aims of this study were to estimate the genetic parameters of the test day milk yield (TDMY) of the White Maritza sheep breed population and to choose the most appropriate linear models for genetic-parameter estimation of test day milk yield. The White Maritza sheep breed is a multipurpose native sheep breed in Bulgaria. Test day milk yield data were collected from 1992 to 2015 (24 years).

Should performance at different race lengths be treated as genetically distinct traits in Coldblooded trotters?

Speed, in the form of racing time per kilometre (km), is a performance trait of the Swedish-Norwegian Coldblooded trotter included in the joint Swedish-Norwegian genetic evaluation. A few popular stallions have dominated Coldblooded trotter breeding, which has led to an increasing average relationship between individuals in the population. This study investigated the scope for broadening the breeding goal by selecting for racing time per km over different race lengths (short: 1640 m, medium: 2140 m and long: 2640 m), as this could encourage the use of breeding sires that are less related to the population.

Cutting corners: The impact of storage and DNA extraction on quality and quantity of DNA in honeybee () spermatheca.

The purpose of our study was to investigate methods of short-term storage that allow preservation, transport and retrieval of genetic information contained in honeybee queen's spermatheca. Genotyping of the honeybee colony requires well ahead planned sample collection, depending on the type of data to be acquired. Sampling and genotyping of spermatheca's content instead of individual offspring is timesaving, allowing answers to the questions related to patriline composition immediately after mating.

Evaluation of Suppressed Mite Reproduction (SMR) Reveals Potential for Varroa Resistance in European Honey Bees ( L.).

In the fight against the mite, selective breeding of honey bee ( L.) populations that are resistant to the parasitic mite stands as a sustainable solution. Selection initiatives indicate that using the suppressed mite reproduction (SMR) trait as a selection criterion is a suitable tool to breed such resistant bee populations.

Modeling honey yield, defensive and swarming behaviors of Italian honey bees (Apis mellifera ligustica) using linear-threshold approaches.

Background: Genetic improvement of honey bees is more difficult compared to other livestock, due to the very different reproductive behavior. Estimation of breeding values requires specific adjustment and the use of sires in the pedigree is only possible when mating of queens and drones is strictly controlled. In the breeding program of the National Registry for Italian Queen Breeders and Bee Producers the paternal contribution is mostly unknown.