DEPARTMENT OF «ANIMAL GENETICS, BREEDING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY»
Research work:
Research work is carried out on the following topics:
- “Formation of the desired type of cattle of dairy breeds by productivity, exterior type and longevity indicators using modern methods of animal evaluation by phenotype and genotype” (state registration number 0123U100733)
The research is aimed at developing and implementing the latest methods for assessing the breeding value of animals of the created breeds of dairy cattle of Ukraine by phenotype and genotype for milk production, exterior and longevity; improving methodological methods for determining the criteria for selecting animals of the desired type according to the selection and genetic parameters of milk production and exterior type at the present stage of selection.
- «Adaptation of innovative technology of pre-hatching treatment of eggs using protective biocomposite coatings to poultry of different species» (state registration number 0117U004090).
The research of the department includes theoretical substantiation and development of innovative technology of pre-hatching treatment of poultry eggs using protective nanocomposite coatings “artificial cuticle” “ARTICLE” created on the biomimetic principle to increase egg hatchability and safety of young poultry.
In the department’s scientific research field, 14 dissertations were prepared and defended – 3 doctoral and 11 candidate theses.
During the existence of the department, more than 1150 scientific papers have been published on the basis of research work, including 12 brochures, instructions and methodological recommendations, 9 monographs, 8 textbooks, 2 dictionaries, and 19 patents.
Currently, four PhD students are enrolled in postgraduate studies.
Scientific services on topic 1:
– Development of a system of selection, breeding and organizational measures aimed at consolidating the livestock in the desired type through in-depth retrospective analysis of breeding information of retired and existing livestock of breeding/commodity herds for breeding dairy cattle; – assessment of genealogical formations of the herd with the development of a rational perspective linear structure with the selection of bulls-sires highly valuable in terms of milk production and exterior type, which is guaranteed to ensure the progress of the farm and breed in terms of leading economically useful traits;
– professional evaluation of cows by exterior type using modern methods of linear classification to determine the level of development of exterior sexes that characterize the structure of the body and udder of cows, identifying deficiencies that negatively affect animal productivity, longevity, reproductive capacity, which create problems of their maintenance and automated milking;
– development of breeding measures aimed at implementing planned tasks to improve the quantitative and qualitative indicators of the herd, based on the theoretical foundations of reproduction, selection, selection and parameters of the desired type, which will guarantee the competitiveness of the farm;
– implementation of an automated system for breeding and breeding records “PLEMOFIS” / “ORSEC” and genetic evaluation of animals with the provision of applied computer programs at the level of world standards, which will allow to reliably determine the breeding value of animals, control the movement of livestock, growth and development of young animals, reproduction, feeding and veterinary care;
– development of a promising breeding program to create a highly productive dairy cattle herd and scientific support of the program implementation process, including training of specialists, provision of consultations, assignment of sire bulls and other scientific, methodological and practical assistance.
Key technical and economic indicators:
– Implementation of the proposed measures will allow to navigate a number of zootechnical, breeding, technological, organizational and economic issues, the application of which ensures efficient livestock breeding and profitable production,
– The developments will allow us to constantly monitor the breeding, economic and production situation of the herd, to have several scientifically based recommendations on genetics, breeding and selection of animals at hand.
Scientific services on topic 2:
Artificial cuticle technology “ARTICLE”, developed at SNAU by the group of Prof. Olha Bordunova, is designed to solve the following problems in modern poultry egg incubation:
1) providing powerful protection of hatching eggs of agricultural poultry against pathogenic microflora of the environment, the danger of which is constantly increasing, negatively correlating with productivity indicators;
2) the need to completely eliminate from the technology of hatching poultry eggs: a) highly effective, inexpensive, but extremely toxic formaldehyde and b) quaternary ammonium compounds, which, firstly, cause an increase in the level of resistance of pathogenic microflora and, secondly, contaminate hatching waste with toxic and resistant to chemical destruction residues, which prevents the processing of shell waste without prior laborious cleaning; 3) the urgent need to develop technologies for protecting hatching poultry eggs based on the so-called “green” biomimetic techniques, which allow the use of natural or synthetic compounds to create artificial structures that are as similar to natural ones as possible. Synthetic compounds in environmentally friendly “green” technologies can only be used as constituent ingredients if they are completely and rapidly degraded to form safe products (typical examples of such processes are active oxidation processes, hydrolytic reactions, photo- and dark catalytic processes involving peroxide compounds and nanoparticles).
Key technical and economic indicators:
The Artificial Cuticle technology can be used for pre-hatching treatment of poultry eggs in hatcheries and poultry enterprises of various forms of ownership.
The Artificial Cuticle technology can be used to treat food eggs to improve the quality characteristics of eggs and extend their shelf life.
Incubation waste (eggshells) can be used in the processing industry.
During the period of the department’s existence, research work was carried out on state budget topics:
- Preservation of the gene pool of Lebedynska and gray Ukrainian cattle breeds (2006).
- The program of selection improvement of the newly created brown dairy breed of Ukraine for the period 2006-2015 (2006).
- Preparation of modern regulatory documents on animal breeding and animal husbandry under the requirements of ICAR, INTERBULL (2009-2010).
- Substantiation of the methodology for improving and preserving the population of brown cattle in the conditions of the northeastern region of Ukraine (2017-2019).
- Implementation of nanocomposite materials in innovative technologies for incubation of poultry eggs (2019-2021).
