Effect of gentle physical contact on behavioural indicators in sheep.

The available literature provides ample evidence for the importance of gentle treatment and handling of farm animals for the establishment of relationships with humans. The present study is an attempt to verify the assumption that massage can be a tool for building sheep-human relationships and to determine the impact of this technique on the behaviour of lambs. In total, 40 3-week-old lambs (20 ewes of the synthetic prolific-meat line (BCP) and 20 Swiniarka breed ewes) were assigned to two control groups (BCP, Swiniarka) and two experimental groups (BCP, Swiniarka). The lambs from the experimental groups received modified Shantala massage. During each session, the zoophysiotherapists massaged the chest, forelimbs, abdomen, hindlimbs, back, and face always in the same way and the same order. The massage was applied three times a day (at fixed times) for 21 consecutive days. Based on the behaviour manifested by the lambs during the massage sessions, a 2-point scale was developed for assessment of the animals from the research groups. After the massage, behavioural tests with the participation of a human, a dog, and a novel object were carried out for three consecutive days. Behaviours indicating curiosity (frequency of interaction, time of direct contact, latency) and fear (frequency of climbing and attempts to escape, duration of vocalisation) were assessed. The behavioural tests revealed significant differences in the behaviour of massaged and non-massaged lambs of both breeds, which confirms that the massage has a modifying effect on the behaviour of these animals. The influence of the applied technique was reflected by an increase in curiosity and a reduced level of fear.

Association of CAST gene polymorphism with carcass value and meat quality in two synthetic lines of sheep.

The aim of study was to estimate genotype frequencies of the polymorphism in the intron 12 of CAST gene of growing lambs, and to evaluate associations between the CAST genotype and carcass and meat traits. A total number of 317 rams representing the synthetic BCP (163) and SCP (154) meaty lines were genotyped by the RFLP/MspI/NcoI/Hin6I. Three genotypes including "aa", "ae" and "ac" with most frequencies of 0.48, 0.27 and 0.19, were observed in whole population. Lambs with the "aa" CAST genotype showed the highest muscle percentage and the lowest fat percentage in the hind legs. On the other hand, the loins of rams with "ac" genotype had the highest intramuscular fat content, indicative of beneficial health-related properties and technological usefulness. However, differences between CAST genotype stated for the sensory properties, texture and thawing and cooking losses of the meat were insignificant. Breeding efforts aimed at the improvement of lamb meat quality should prioritize the selection of the "ac" genotype.