<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The aim of the study was to establish morphometric, biochemical and hematological values for the endangered Balkan donkey breed (Serbia) and to explore the possible age dependence of the parameters tested. Inter-breed similarity of morphometric parameters was assessed by comparing the data obtained for the Balkan donkey with morphometric measurements of several previously characterized domestic donkey breeds. The study population included 74 donkeys, divided in two age groups (group A ≤ 3 years; group B > 3 years). In total, 18 morphometric, 13 hematological and 14 biochemical parameters were assessed. Significant morphometric differences (p&lt;0.05) in body length, head length, chest circumference and body weight were found between the two age groups. Significant differences in morphological parameters were revealed among the Balkan donkey and other donkey breeds (Catalonian, Croatian and Albanian), but results of cluster analysis demonstrated the smallest distance between the Balkan donkey and Albanian donkeys. The results of morphometric analyses showed consistency of the obtained values within the breed, and diversity as compared to other donkey breeds, and, thus, could be taken as referent for the Balkan donkey. Hematological and biochemical profiles obtained for the Balkan donkey were consistent with previous reports and within the recommended reference ranges. White blood cell, mid cell and granulocyte counts, showed significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) values in donkeys under 3 years of age, while the only biochemical parameter affected by age was alkaline phosphatase. The information gained through characterization of the Balkan donkey breed provides a basis for conservation and development of the breed standard.</p></abstract>

The aim of the study was to establish morphometric, biochemical and hematological values for the endangered Balkan donkey breed (Serbia) and to explore the possible age dependence of the parameters tested. Inter-breed similarity of morphometric parameters was assessed by comparing the data obtained for the Balkan donkey with morphometric measurements of several previously characterized domestic donkey breeds. The study population included 74 donkeys, divided in two age groups (group A ≤ 3 years; group B > 3 years). In total, 18 morphometric, 13 hematological and 14 biochemical parameters were assessed. Significant morphometric differences (p<0.05) in body length, head length, chest circumference and body weight were found between the two age groups. Significant differences in morphological parameters were revealed among the Balkan donkey and other donkey breeds (Catalonian, Croatian and Albanian), but results of cluster analysis demonstrated the smallest distance between the Balkan donkey and Albanian donkeys. The results of morphometric analyses showed consistency of the obtained values within the breed, and diversity as compared to other donkey breeds, and, thus, could be taken as referent for the Balkan donkey. Hematological and biochemical profiles obtained for the Balkan donkey were consistent with previous reports and within the recommended reference ranges. White blood cell, mid cell and granulocyte counts, showed significantly higher (p<0.05) values in donkeys under 3 years of age, while the only biochemical parameter affected by age was alkaline phosphatase. The information gained through characterization of the Balkan donkey breed provides a basis for conservation and development of the breed standard.

Morphological, Biochemical And Hematological Characterization Of Endangered Balkan Donkey Breed

Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Belgrade, Bul. Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Department of Statistics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Nemanjina 6, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia

Civil Protection and Environment Protection Studies Department, Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vucica 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia

Department of Animal Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetosimunska cesta 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Acta Veterinaria

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

MORFOMETRIJSKA, BIOHEMIJSKA I HEMATOLOŠKA KARAKTERIZACIJA UGROŽENE RASE BALKANSKI MAGARAC

The aim of the study was to establish morphometric, biochemical and hematological values for the endangered Balkan donkey breed (Serbia) and to explore the...

Morphological, Biochemical And Hematological Characterization Of Endangered Balkan Donkey Breed

Publicado en línea: 20 mar 2015

Páginas: 125 - 136

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/acve-2015-0010

Palabras clave
Breed characterization, blood parameters, Balkan donkey, morphological measures

© STANIŠIĆ Ljubodrag, DIMITRIJEVIĆ Vladimir, SIMEUNOVIĆ Predrag, LAKIĆ Nada, RADOVIĆ Ivica, IVANKOVIĆ Ante, STEVANOVIĆ Jevrosima, STANIMIROVIĆ Zoran

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Morphological, Biochemical And Hematological Characterization Of Endangered Balkan Donkey Breed

Publicado en línea: 20 mar 2015

Páginas: 125 - 136

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/acve-2015-0010

Palabras claveBreed characterization, blood parameters, Balkan donkey, morphological measures

© STANIŠIĆ Ljubodrag, DIMITRIJEVIĆ Vladimir, SIMEUNOVIĆ Predrag, LAKIĆ Nada, RADOVIĆ Ivica, IVANKOVIĆ Ante, STEVANOVIĆ Jevrosima, STANIMIROVIĆ Zoran

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Palabras clave
Breed characterization, blood parameters, Balkan donkey, morphological measures