Karayaka Sheep Research Articles

Nutritional and chemical properties and antioxidant capacity of freeze-dried cow, sheep, goat and buffalo colostrums

Colostrum, the first food given to mammals after birth, plays a critical role in newborn nutrition. It is characterized by its high nutrient content, presence of immunoglobulins, and functional compounds. This study collected and freeze-dried colostrum from four different animals (Karayaka sheep, Saanen goats, Danish red cows and buffalo). Chemical and functional properties (total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity), mineral, as well as mineral content, amino acid composition, and fatty acid profile of the dried samples, were determined. Nutritional properties (protein efficiency ratio (PER), biological value (BV) and net protein utilization (NPU)) of powdered colostrum were also determined. It was found that buffalo colostrum had higher fat and protein content, while goat colostrum had high antioxidant activity. Buffalo and goat colostrums had a biological value (BV) of 94.96–97.78. Major minerals were more abundant in cow colostrum and minor minerals were more abundant in sheep colostrum. In terms of essential fatty acids, sheep and goat colostrums stood out. In conclusion, this comprehensive analysis of the composition of colostrum from different species sheds light on the different nutrient profiles and potential health benefits and provides a theoretical basis for the development of commercial products from goat, sheep, cow and buffalo colostrum.

Effects of Breeding Practices on Reproductive Efficiency of Ewes and Fattening Performance of Lambs

In this study, the data obtained by questionnaire from small ruminant farms in Tekkeköy district of Samsun province were evaluated. Among the enterprises in the study, 50% of them breed Karayaka sheep, and 33.4% of them breed Bafra sheep. It was determined that 95.8% of the farmers applied flushing before ram siring, 83.3% of the farmers applied feed supplements to the ewes after birth, 95.8% of the farmers applied additional vitamin supplements to the lambs, and 83.3% of the farmers used salt-containing licking stones for the lambs. In the study, internal and external parasites were applied to the lambs to be fattened in all of the farms, and all of them were not released to pasture until sale. Winter lambs were fattened in 91.7% of the farms. The average age of the breeders is 50, and 1.08 rams are sired in an average year in the farms. The average age of lambs sent to slaughter is 4 months, and the average carcass weight at slaughter is 19.15 kg. Feed supplementation to the ewes after birth and application of salt-containing licking stones to the lambs had a positive effect on the average carcass weight of the fattened lambs. In this study, it was determined that winter lambs were preferred more than summer lambs. According to this result, by fattening winter lambs in this period when there is no pasture opportunity, both seasonal meat needs can be met, and it provides the opportunity to sell at high prices in the winter period. In this case, the breeder will earn more income.

Importance and Determination of Body Electric Current Pre and Post Feeding in Turkish Karayaka Sheep

Many scientific studies are conducted directly or indirectly with humans, animals, and plants. We believe that body electricity, which is generated and constantly present in the bodies of living beings, should be considered in scientific studies as an effective factor for production activity. We believe that body electricity should be included in the environment to bring the rumen fluids of sheep used in Daisy II rumen simulators closer to reality. In this way, the most realistic environment is created by adding the influencing factors of body electricity and many factors that can affect the outcome. The study was conducted on a total of 16 Karayaka ewes, including 4 lambs, 4 one-year-old ewes, 4 pregnant ewes and 4 lactating ewes. The data obtained in the study were collected by measuring the body electricity of the animals before and after grazing in 3 different periods for each group. At the end of the study, it was found that the value of body electricity of sheep determined at 0.12±0.001 v (volt) before feeding was higher than the value determined at 0.09±0.002 v after feeding. The difference between the two values was found to be statistically significant (P<0.05). However, it was found that the fact that the live weights of the animals in the groups were different and they were in different physiological periods did not cause a significant (P>0.05) difference in the electrical body currents before and after feeding (except in lambs (P<0.05)). It can be said that the measurements made in other periods and groups can change the electrical body currents after feeding and that the electrical body currents differ according to the animals fed in the barn, especially during the grazing period, before going to pasture and when returning to pasture.

Determination of the effect of pre-mating weight and placental characteristics on birth weight in Karayaka sheep.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the pre-mating weight and placental characteristics on birth weight. Data were collected from 62 Karayaka ewes and 70 Karayaka lambs. The placental characteristics considered were placental weight, placental area and the number of cotyledons. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used for statistical comparison and the determination of relationships between variables.In addition, correlation coefficients between live weights and placental characteristics were determined. The average birth weight (BW), pre-mating weight (PMW), placental weight (PW), placental area (PA) and cotyledon number (CN) values were 4.37 0.70 kg, 50.22 5.63 kg, 362.51 118.42 g, 994.18 312.76 cm and 56.93 8.06, respectively. BW had positive correlations with PMW (0.147), birth type (BT) (0.643), PW (0.604), PA (0.323) and CN (0.161) ( 0.05). BW had negative correlations with maternal age (MA) () ( 0.05). PMW had positive correlations with maternal age (MA) (0.237) ( 0.05). PMW had negative correlations with S (sex) (), PW (), PA () and CN () ( 0.05).

Effects of age on body condition status at different periods in Karayaka sheep

Amaç: Bu çalışmada Karayaka koyunlarının koç katım dönemi, gebeliğin 50. günü ve doğumdan sonraki 3. ayda vücut kondisyonları ve etki eden faktörlerin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. 
 Materyal ve Yöntem: Araştırmanın hayvan materyalini özel bir işletmede yetiştirilen 110 Karayaka koyunu oluşturmuştur. Farklı dönemlerdeki vücut rezervlerinin tespiti için koç katım dönemi, gebeliğin 50. günü ve doğumdan sonraki 3. ayda vücut kondisyon puanlaması verileri kullanılmıştır. 
 Araştırma Bulguları: 3 döneme ait vücut kondisyon puanları arasındaki korelasyon katsayıları sırasıyla 0.315, 0.342 ve 0.408 olarak hesaplanmış olup istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bulunmuştur (p

Amasya İlinde Yetiştirilen Karayaka Koyunlarının Bazı Döl Verim Özellikleri ve Kuzuların Büyüme Performanslarının Belirlenmesi

This study was carried out to determine the growth and reproductive performance of Karayaka sheep in Amasya province within the scope of National Animal Breeding Project. Data were collected from 17529 Karayaka lambs of 20120 Karayaka sheep which were born during 2012 to 2015 birth season. In this study, the live weights, survival rates of the lambs in various periods and reproductive traits of Karayaka ewes were investigated. In this study, the live weights, daily live weight gain, survival rates (90th day) and reproductive traits of Karayaka ewes were investigated. The averages of reproductive traits of Karayaka sheep such as infertility, fertility, twins, fecundity, litter size and survival rate were 13.8%, 86.2%, 7.20%, 0.867, 1.01 and 89.0% respectively. The effects of year, sex and type of birth on the birth weights and the live weights of 90 days (weaning) of Karayaka lambs were found to be significant. Daily live weight gain was affected only by year and sex.

The Effects of Different Organic Feed on The Reproductive Performance of Karayaka Sheep

This research was carried out to investigate the effects of different organic feeds (1. Traditional barley (control), 2. Organic barley (OB), 3. Organic triticale (OT)) and 4. Organic corn (OC) on reproductive performance in Karayaka sheep. Trial feeds were given from 20 days before the mating with rams to 10 days after the rams were added in the pasture period of the sheep. The animals used in the experiment were 3-4 years old, their average live weight was 56±0.5 kg, and 10 heads in each trial group, a total of 40 Karayaka sheep. has been carried out. The highest fertility rate in sheep was in the organic triticale group; followed by control, organic barley and organic corn (P=0.06). According to these results, the highest lamb yield was obtained from the organic triticale group.

Determining the factors affecting the gestational length in sheep.

This research aimed to determine the effects of body weight, the body condition score (BCS), body measurements, birth type (single offspring or twin birth), birth weight and sex on the gestational length in sheep (). Karayaka sheep raised on a private farm were used in the study. Progeny yield characteristics in sheep were also determined (). Estrus was monitored daily using teaser rams from August to September 2016. According to our findings, the pregnancy rate, infertility rate, fecundity, and twin and single birth rates were 93.52 %, 6.48 %, 93.52 %, 14.62 % and 85.38 % respectively. The effect of age on the BCS in sheep at mating was found to be significant (): BCS decreased as age increased. It was determined that there was a positive association between the BCS and live weight during the mating period (). The chest circumference, front shin circumference and body length were found to be higher in sheep with a BCS at mating time (). The middle rump width was significantly affected by the BCS (). In this study, the lowest and highest gestational lengths were found to be 148.90 and 151.41 d respectively. The gestational length in sheep was not found to be affected by age, the BCS, body measurements, sex or birth type (); however, it was observed that the gestational lengths for male offspring and single offspring (non-multiple births) were longer. In addition, it was detected that the gestational length was different in sheep with a BCS . The time spent in the womb is important with respect to obtaining a healthy lamb. For profitable production, a BCS of between 2.5 and 4 is recommended in sheep. It is thought that the use of body condition scoring, which is easy information for the breeder to utilize, will have a positive effect on determining the bodily reserves of sheep and the reproductive efficiency as well as on obtaining a healthy lamb. More studies on the gestational length in sheep are required.

Genetic diversity and relationship among indigenous Turkish Karayaka sheep subpopulations.

The Karayaka is the most populous sheep breed in the Black Sea region of Turkey. In the present study, we investigated the intra- and inter-population genetic relationships among indigenous Karayaka sheep subpopulations. Nine microsatellites were genotyped for 64 individuals from Samsun, Ordu, Giresun and Tokat provinces. The average number of alleles (), allelic richness (), observed heterozygosity (), expected heterozygosity (), polymorphism information content (PIC) and inbreeding coefficient () for all subpopulations were estimated as , , , , and , respectively. The observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.171 (Giresun) to 0.376 (Ordu) and 0.757 (Samsun) to 0.845 (Ordu), respectively. It was determined that a 10.5 % of total genetic variation ( %) in Karayaka sheep corresponded to genetic differences among subpopulations (), whereas 63.0 % was explained by genetic difference among individuals (). This study gives the first evidence about genetic relationships of Karayaka subpopulations. The results show that Karayaka sheep subpopulations are genetically different from each other. These findings revealed that the Karayaka breed has discrete subpopulations and should be taken into consideration when preparing conservation programs and future breeding strategies.

Karayaka Koyunlarında Gebelikte Kondisyon Puanı ve Transabdominal Ultrasonografi Yönteminin Kullanımı Üzerine Bir Araştırma

Bu araştırmada Karayaka Koyunlarında (n=126 baş) gebeliğin 50. gününde B-Mod Real Time 3,5 MHz lineer transabdominal problu ultrasonografi cihazı ile gebelik ve yavru sayısının tespiti amaçlanmıştır. Ayrıca koyun yaşı ve gebeliğin 50. günü vücut kondisyon puanı ile yavru doğum ağırlığı arasında ilişki belirlenmeye çalışılmıştır. Ultrasonografi cihazı ile elde edilen bulgular kuzulama kayıtlarıyla karşılaştırılmıştır. Bu araştırmada ultrasonografi cihazı ile muayenenin doğruluk oranı %84, duyarlılık oranı %93 bulunmuştur. Koyunların gebeliğin 50. gününde ortalama vücut kondisyon puanları ile yavruların doğum ağırlığı arasındaki korelasyon katsayısı 0,234 olarak hesaplanmış ve istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bulunmuştur. Koyun yaşı ile gebeliğin 50. gününde vücut kondisyon puanı arasında önemli ilişki olduğu belirlenmiştir.

Effect of Dietary Omega-3 Poli Unsaturated Fatty Acids During the Flushing Period on Reproductive Performance of Karayaka Ewes

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of supplemented omega 3 poly unsaturated fatty acids on fertility of Karayaka sheep during the flushing period. This trial was arranged on 3-4 year old, average 55±0.5 kg live weight, 80 head Karayaka sheep were distributed completely Randomize into 4 groups. Oestrus synchronization was performed in the three groups of sheep except for control group. Experimental groups were pasture, pasture (oestrus synchronization), barley and Omega-3. Progeny yields were determined as 80 % in the control, 125 % in the pasture, 116 % in the barley and 135% in the omega-3 groups.The highest twin birth was observed in omega 3 group (44%), follwed by pasture group (33%) and barley group (24%). The results indicated that, addition of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to supplemental feeds increased fertility of Karayaka sheep.

Udder types and associated traits affect milk composition and subclinical mastitis in Karayaka sheep

This study was carried out to determine the relationships between udder type and udder traits and milk composition and subclinical mastitis in Karayaka sheep. For this purpose, udder types were determined and udder and teat traits were measured in 32 Karayaka sheep. In addition, milk fat, protein, lactose, dry matter contents, freezing point, SCC and pH were measured. Our results showed that udder type had an effect on right (RTL) and left (LTL) teat length, right (RTDM) and left (LTDM) teat diameter and teat distance (TD). In addition, udder type was found to have an effect on lactose and pH. High or moderate phenotypic correlations were found between teat traits and lactose, freezing point and pH. In addition, of the phenotypic correlations between udder and teat traits, only the correlation between RTL and SCC was significant. SCC showed high phenotypic correlations with fat, lactose, dry matter, protein, freezing point and pH. Our results showed that udder type was effective on teat size, the sheep whose teats were vertical had low milk lactose and high pH, and the sheep with this type of udder were found to have a higher probability of mastitis.

Karayaka Koyunlarında Gonadotropin Salgılatıcı Hormon Uygulamasının (GnRH) Ovaryum Aktivitesi Üzerine Etkisi

Bu çalışmanın amacı, Karayaka koyunlarında dönem içi gonadotropin salgılatıcı hormon (GnRH) uygulamasının kızgınlık gösterme oranı ve ovaryum aktivitesi üzerine etkisini belirlemektir. Çalışmada en az iki doğum yapmış ve benzer vücut ağırlığına sahip 20 baş Karayaka ırkı koyun hayvan materyali olarak kullanılmıştır. Deneme başında tüm koyunlara ovaryum üzerinde mevcut olabilecek olan korpus luteum (CL)‘un yıkımı için 1 ml PGF2α kas içi enjekte edilmiştir. PGF2α uygulamasından 9 gün sonra ise koyunlar rastgele iki eşit gruba ayrılmıştır. Birinci gruptaki koyunlara (n=10) 40 mg flugestone asetat içeren sünger vajina içine yerleştirilmiştir ve bu uygulamadan 14 gün sonra süngerler çıkartılarak, 1 ml PGF2α kas içi enjekte edilmiştir. PGF2α enjeksiyonunu takiben 36 saat sonra 1 ml GnRH kas içi enjekte edilmiştir. İkinci gruptaki koyunlara (n=10) ise mevcut olabilecek olan korpus luteum (CL)‘un yıkımı için 1 ml PGF2α kas içi enjeksiyonun dışında herhangi bir uygulama yapılmamış olup, bu grup çalışmamızın kontrol grubunu oluşturmuştur. Bu işlemleri takiben her iki gruptaki bütün koyunlar Karayaka koçuna verilmiş ve 72 saat boyunca kızgınlık gösteren koyunlar belirlenmiştir. Kızgınlık taramasının sonunda bütün koyunlar kesime sevk edilmiş ve her iki ovaryum üzerindeki küçük (1-3 mm), büyük (>3 mm) ve toplam folikül sayısı ve CL sayısı belirlenmiştir. GnRH uygulaması yapılan koyunlar (%100) kontrol grubundaki koyunlara (%70) göre daha yüksek oranda kızgınlık göstermişlerdir. GnRH uygulaması yapılan koyunların her iki ovaryumundaki küçük ve toplam folikül sayısının ve CL sayısının, kontrol grubundaki koyunlarınkinden daha yüksek olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Ancak büyük folikül sayısı bakımından deneme grupları arasında bir farklılık tespit edilmemiştir. Sonuç olarak bu çalışmada mevsim içi dönemde Karayaka koyunlarında sünger uygulaması sonrasındaki GnRH uygulamasının kızgınlık gösterme oranını yükselttiği ve ovaryum aktivitesini arttırdığı tespit edilmiştir.

The analysis of mitochondrial data indicates the existence of population substructure in Karayaka sheep

In the current study, we investigated the existence of population substructure in the Karayaka sheep breed from Turkey. A fragment of the mitochondrial D-loop region has been successfully sequenced in 69 Karayaka sheep sampled in the districts of Çarsamba, Bafra and Ladik. Though the B haplogroup was the most abundant in these three subpopulations, haplogroup frequencies and nucleotide diversities were remarkably different. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed the existence of a significant (P-value = 0.019) between-subpopulations component representing 5.14% of the total variation. Moreover, phylogenetic analyses showed that the fixation index (FST) and the GammaST genetic distance between Karayaka subpopulations are similar to those observed between certain Turkish sheep breeds. We conclude that there is a significant population substructure in Karayaka sheep. Since breeds do not behave as single panmictic populations, this result could probably be extrapolated to other ovine breeds. Noteworthy, population substructure can have adverse effects on the maintenance of breed diversity and it is an important confounder effect in genome-wide-association studies.

Genetic trends of body weight and some scanning traits of Karayaka lambs

This investigation was conducted to estimate the breeding values and genetic trends for body weight (BW), scanning fat depth (SFD) and scanning muscle depth (SMD) of Karayaka lambs (n= 1059) at 140 ± 3.36 day of age. Experiments were conducted in a nucleus flock of Karayaka sheep under a selective breeding program to increase productivity at research farm of Gaziosmanpasa University between the years 2006 - 2011. Breeding values were estimated with ASREML software. While genetic trend for BW and SMD showed a smooth ascending trend, SFD exhibited a descending trend throughout the experimental period. The genetic trend for BW, SFD and SMD of Karayaka lambs were observed as 0.433 kg / year, - 0.00686 mm / year and 0.00786 mm / year, respectively. The results showed that applying of a selection program on BW, SMD and SFD characteristics would increase BW and SMD values and decrease SFD value in Karayaka lambs.

Use of CART and CHAID Algorithms in Karayaka Sheep Breeding

Use of CART and CHAID Algorithms in Karayaka Sheep Breeding

Meat production traits of local Karayaka sheep in Turkey 1. The meat quality characteristic of lambs

This study is an investigation into the meat quality parameters of Karayaka lambs at different slaughter weights (SWs). The single-born Karayaka male lambs (n=30) selected for this study were an average live-weight of 20 kg and weaned at 2.5-3 months of age. The animals with pre-specified SWs were divided into slaughter weight (SW) groups (30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 kg) using a fully randomized design. To determine the M. longissimus dorsi et thoracis (LD) muscle meat quality characteristics, six lambs from each weight group were slaughtered. Results revealed significant differences among the slaughter groups with regard to pH, color parameters (L*-lightness, a*-redness, b* -yellowness), cooking loss (CL), drip loss (DL), moisture (M), crude protein (CP) and intramuscular fat (IF) ratios. Increasing water holding capacities (WHCs) and hardness values were observed with increasing SW. Significant differences were also observed among the slaughter groups with regard to total monounsaturated fatty acid + total polyunsaturated fatty acid/total saturated fatty acid ratios and total cholesterol content.

Genetic characterization of the Akkaraman, Morkaraman and Karayaka sheep through microsatellite variation

Genotypes have to be controlled periodically and necessary precautions should be taken in order to ensure that animal biodiversity is not lost. In this study, the genotypes of the Akkaraman, Karayaka and Morkaraman species from among Turkey’s local sheep were examined at 7 different microsatellite loci. The average allele counts are close to each other and were determined as 8,905±0,483. Whereas the PIC values ranged from between 0,507-0,794 at an average of 0,705. The He and Ho values used to calculate genetic diversity were determined on average as 0,734±0,023 and 0,509±0,038 respectively. According to the Fisher-Exact test result, the populations are not in HWE (P

The Effects of Seasonal Variation on the Microbial-N Flow to the Small Intestine and Prediction of Feed Intake in Grazing Karayaka Sheep

The Effects of Seasonal Variation on the Microbial-N Flow to the Small Intestine and Prediction of Feed Intake in Grazing Karayaka Sheep

Impacts of Climate Parameters on Physiological Characteristics of Karayaka Sheep

Impacts of Climate Parameters on Physiological Characteristics of Karayaka Sheep