Artificial insemination of mares with cryopreserved sperm is quite widespread in horse breeding practice and contributes to the efficiency of genetic improvement and preservation of breeds. The purpose of our research was to study the associations of erythrocyte antigen systems with the quality of stallions' sperm before and after freezing, taking into account their breed affiliation. Our studies evaluated the sperm production of 141 stallions tested on A, C, D, and K blood group systems that included 13 red blood cell antigens (Aa, Ad, Ca, Da, Db, Dc, Dd, De, Dg, Dh, Dk, Dm, and Ka). The evaluation of cryopreserved sperm was performed based on the average indicators of sperm activity in points and survival time in hours. The mobility of the newly obtained sperm of stallions varied in the range of 1.2-8.5 points with an average value of 4.45 points and minor differences between representatives of different breed types. The best indicators of activity (2.24 points) and survival (77 hours) of cryopreserved sperm were stallions of domestic heavy-strain breeds. The influence of a system of blood groups (F=3,023, P=0,006) on the activity of fresh sperm was revealed. The relatively good quality of cryopreserved sperm was distinguished by sires of riding breeds with the presence of Dc, Dg and Dm, Orlov Trotter stallions with Ca, K^-, Dg and Dk, as well as representatives of prize and heavy-duty breeds with Dd. The results obtained show that specific gene complexes and associations with productive traits are formed in horse breeds of different directions under the influence of selection, which should be taken into account in the methodology of scientific research.

In the article it is presented the data of a comparative analysis of indexes of reproductive capacity of the main sows of the Poltava Meaty breed with different variants of share of blood of precocious meaty breed: group I - 12,5%, group II - 25,0%, group III - 50,0%. The reliable influence of genetic factor such reproductive qualities of sows of the Poltava Meaty breed as: age of the first farrow, weight of one head at weaning, weight of a litter at weaning has been determined. The greatest influence is exerted by of blood shares on the age of the first farrow - 28,84% (p≤0,001). It was revealed that the studied signs: multiple births, weight of a litter at birth, weight of one head at weaning, weight of a litter at weaning are characterized by higher fluctuations of variability coefficients, which indicates on their greater degree of dependence on environmental conditions and technological conditions. It was found that the increase in the blood shares of the precocious meaty breed in sows of the Poltava Meaty breed does not lead to a reliable linear change in the indexes of reproductive qualities of animals. Sows of the Poltava Meaty breed with a blood shares of 12,5% and 50,0% for the precocious meat breed show more optimal and stable values of reproductive qualities for most of the studied indexes, characterized by greater consolidation and separation. The animals of these groups differed in the lowest age of the first farrow, not significantly different from each other. Animals with a blood share of 12,5% in these natural and technological conditions are more demanding to the feeding conditions and need to correct the feeding rate taking into account the physiological state. Animals with a 25,0% share of blood in the precocious meaty breed bear the greatest adaptive load to natural-climatic and technological conditions and may not fully realize their genetic potential in terms of reproductive qualities.

Violations of normal metabolism lead to increased generation of active oxygen forms in cells, the excess of which creates conditions for the formation of oxidative stress. For a variety of reasons, the brain is most sensitive to this condition: brain tissue is adapted to high oxygen consumption, they contain more oxidized substrate and less active antioxidant protection system. Therefore, oxidative stress can be attributed to the most significant mechanisms of neurocyte and glia damage, as it triggers pathological reactions that irreversibly damage cells and lead to the launch of genetically programmed neuronal death - apoptosis. The article presents the study of interrelationships between the concentration distribution of enzymes of POL-AO system in blood serum and brain tissue of white pedigree rats. Using Spirman, Gamma and Kendel Tau correlation coefficients it was revealed that studying the activity distribution of enzymes of POL-AO system in blood serum and rat brain tissues reliable direct correlation links of weak force between SOD activity in blood serum and rat brain tissues were revealed (Gamma = 0.12 at p ≤ 0.039282); Kendall Tau = 0.11 at p ≤ 0.039282) and the concentration of diene conjugates in rat serum and rat brain tissue (Gamma = 0.16 at p ≤ 0.007167; Kendall Tau = 0.15 at p ≤ 0.007167).

This study explores the possibility of using the sulfur-containing antioxidant Thiofan-M for the correction of structural and functional disorders of bone tissue induced by prolonged use of glucocorticoid drugs. The development of oxidative stress in animals was induced by daily administration of a prednisolone synthetic glucocorticoid Prednisolone (Nycomed Austria GmbH, Austria) per os daily at a dose of 50 mg / kg. Morphometric indicators of modeling and remodeling of bone tissue and structural and functional features of bone tissue of vertebral bodies were studied using a complex of optical-structural analysis based on AxioImager.M2 with AxioVision Z2 M2 software (Carl Zeiss, Germany). Inductively coupled argon plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (Optima 2100 DV spectrometer, Perkin Elmer, USA) determined the Ca and P contents in the studied samples. It was established that long-term use of glucocorticoids leads to significant negative changes in the histoarchitectonics of the bone tissue of vertebral bodies and disruption exchange of the most important osteotropic macronutrients. The use of the polyfunctional sulfur-containing antioxidant «Tiofan-M» render a pronounced osteoprotective effect, reduces the level of bone resorption and can be considered as a promising means of free radical protection of cells and bone matrix with long-term use of glucocorticoids.

The syrveys have been performed with the Holstein bull sires belonging to the Head Center for Reproduction of Farm Animals, Public Corporation (Bykovo, Moscow Region). The animals are produced with the methods for selection lines (N=8) and crosses between the lines (N=21). The study of immunological indicators, including factors of cellular and humoral immunity, was conducted. The tests were performed in the laboratory of immunology "FGBNU-all-Russian research Institute of experimental veterinary medicine named after K. I. Scriabin and Ya. R. Kovalenko of the Russian Academy of Sciences". Correlations between the indicator of cellular factors of bulls- producers are studied. The result of this work revealed that in the group of bulls obtained at linear recruitment, blood lymphocytes, eosinophils were higher than in bulls, obtained by cross lines, 19.1% (P≤0.05) and by 3.76% (P≤0.05), respectively, by the factors, thereby providing the body more active protection . However, the phagocytic activity index was higher in the group of producing bulls obtained at the cross of lines by 7.7% (P≤0.05), while not reaching the standard values in both groups. In bulls obtained by heterogeneous selection, the functional activity of cellular immune factors is most stable, which is indicated by a smaller number of significant correlation coefficients (1) in this group compared to the group of bulls obtained by heterogeneous selection, in which this indicator was equal to 5: IgG / lymphocytes, neutrophils segmentonuclear/lymphocytes, neutrophils segmentonuclear/phagocytic activity, eosinophils / lymphocytes. Research results have shown that the immune system functions most evenly in breeding bulls obtained by crossing lines, which should be taken into account when obtaining breeding bulls.

The work presents the results of studies on the influence of diacylglycerol O-acyl transferase 1 (DGAT1) and somatotrophin (GH) genes taking into account their polymorphism on the milk productivity of red Belarusian cows. The object of the research was biological material from cows of red Belarusian breed contained in the USP "Novi Dvor-Agro" of the Svislochsky district of the Grodno region. DNA diagnostics of genotypes by the genes diacylglycerol O-acyl transferase 1 (DGAT1) and somatotrophin (GH) were carried out using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). As a result of the research carried out on the population of cows of the red Belarusian breed, the polyforphism of the gene somatotrophin (GH), represented by two alleles - GH^L and GH^V, with three genotypes GH^LL, GH^LV and GH^VV identified. Among the test animals, individuals with a GH^LL allele variant of 66% were more likely to cows, the GH^LV was identified in 32%, and the GH^VV was detected in only 2% of cows. By the gene diacylglycerol O-acyl transferase 1 (DGAT 1) polymorphism was identification, all animals had only one genotype, DGAT1^KK. Results of studies conducted on the effects of diacylglycerol O-acyl transferase 1 genes (DGAT1) and somatotrophin (GH) on milk productivity indices of cows of the red Belarusian breed group showed that in most cases animals with genotype GH^LL outnumbered their peers GH^LV and GH^LL, in terms of 305 days of lactation per 0.9-10.1%, fat and protein flakiness per 0.2-0.3 p.p., the amount of milk fat and protein in milk per 1.1-9.1%. Evaluation of milk productivity of cows by the gene diacylglycerol O-acyl transferase 1 (DGAT 1) in dynamics shows that with increase of lactation sequence number milk productivity indices increase.

The territory of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug (NAO) has a large length from north to south and from west to east within the borders, which distinguish different biotopes that have been used for breeding reindeer for a long time. The aim of our research was the genetic and exterior assessment of reindeer micropopulations of SRO "Tabseda" (TABS) and marine brigades of the SEC "Indiga" (INDM), formed in the biotopes of the western and eastern parts of one geomorphological region of the Malozemelskaya tundra of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug. For analysis, we used the results of molecular genetic studies on nine STR markers, zootechnical examination of animals on 10 main features of the exterior and live weight, characteristics of physique, agroecological assessment of pastures (description of the relief, hydrographic network, zonal division of the vegetation cover, calculation of the INDM vegetation index in Landsat -8 and Sentinel-2A). According to the analysis of long-term values of the vegetation index NDVI, TABS pastures differ from INDM in low biological productivity, the vegetation of which is formed in vast lowlands with a highly developed hydrographic network. The micropopulation of TABS was characterized by high rates of genetic diversity: the average number of alleles (Na) per locus was 8.22, information alleles - 5.33, effective - 4.46 and private - 0.89. Heterozygous deficiency was noted in both TABS and INDM micropopulations (8.8 and 12.1%). Based on the obtained data on the exterior indicators, the INDM females had a number of advantages over TABS in chest girth (125.8 and 121.2 cm, p> 0.95), oblique body length (108.5 and 106.5 cm, p = 0, 95) and live weight (104.2 and 95.9 kg, p> 0.999), while males - by chest depth (47.5 and 44.7 cm, p> 0.99), chest width (29.9 and 27.5 cm, p> 0.99) and oblique body length (119.5 and 116.5 cm, p> 0.95), respectively. Thus, the reindeer micropopulations TABS and INDM located in the Malozemelskaya tundra have genetic and morphological differences that are associated with different environmental conditions.

Aquaculture provides the population with high-quality food products containing a number of valuable vitamins, minerals and omega acids. Breeding fish in artificial conditions is difficult without creating new and productive fish breeds. The species of rainbow trout turned out to be in steady demand in the market. The Rostal breed, originated from the SGC “Ropsha” through individual and family breeding, is highly adaptable and productive in cold-water conditions. The aim of the work was to identify the features of the genetic structure of various groups of rainbow trout of the Rostal breed by multilocus analysis using a digoxygenin-labeled DNA probe (GGAT)4. Using methods to simultaneously detect multiple polymorphisms increases the analysis throughput. Modern computer programs based on the distribution of DNA fragments calculate population genetic parameters. Earlier, we carried out work on rainbow trout with revealing the features of genetic organization at the level of populations of different breeds. In the framework of this study, the characteristics of individual groups of trout from various basins and having a different origin were revealed. It was established that individual groups have marker DNA fragments that distinguish them from other groups. The maximum genetic divergence was found between group A and group C, group B and group D. The groups A and B, B and C were moderately distant from each other. The groups D and C, A and D turned out to be closest in our study. The data helps breeders to take a scientifically sound approach to the breeding process by selecting individuals or groups of individuals with known genetic characteristics. Studies have shown that with long-term breeding of the group by family, a decrease in heterozygosity is observed, however, with the transition to mass selection, genetic diversity increases.

Coat colour is one of the most variable morphological traits in domesticated horses and an important character of any breed. The purebred Arabian is the most ancient cultural breed of horses. The breed is characterized by presence of only four coat colours: gray, bay, chestnut and black. The black coat colour is extremely rare in the Arabian breed, so traditionally purebred black Arabian horses are very much valued by breeders. A horse of a rare coat colour always attracts more attention of buyers. It is known that two genes, MC1R and ASIP, encoding melanocortin-1 receptor and agouti signaling protein, respectively, play a key role in variation of coat colours in mammals. The aim of the study was to investigate polymorphism of the ASIP and MC1R genes in purebred Arabian horses bred in Russia. The number of genotyped purebred Arabian horses was 80. It was found that the frequencies of the dominant “A” allele at the ASIP locus and the dominant “E” allele at the MC1R locus were 0.900 and 0.256, respectively. The most common genotypes in the studied population were “eeAA” (43.75%) and “EeAA” (31.25%). The rarity of the black coat colour in the studied population was due to the high frequency of the dominant allele “A” at the ASIP locus, which limits the synthesis of black pigment and determines the bay colour. The pedigree analysis of the genotyped horses revealed differences between male lines in the frequency of alleles at the ASIP and MC1R loci. The alleles that determine the black coat colour had more higher frequencies in the male lines of Koheilan I and Amurath.

The article discusses the successes of Russian breeders-breeders achieved after 2000. The list of breeding achievements in fur farming, approved by the State Expert Commission for the Testing and Protection of Breeding Achievements in Animal Husbandry of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation from 2004 to 2018, is presented. and included in the "State register of selection achievements allowed for use." A brief description of the selection achievements (DM) according to a single scheme is given: name, year of approval, applicant, authors, origin, genotype, hair coloring features, number of new colored heads in the approval year and at the beginning of 2018-19. Links to the output of official documents relating to the design and registration of diabetes in animal husbandry allow the reader to find and familiarize themselves with them if desired. The algorithm of actions of breeders to provide information about a new breed (type) required for the State Commission of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, and passing through the design stages, is described. A list of mandatory documents is presented, in accordance with the requirements established by the "Rules for the compilation and filing of an application for the admission of a selection achievement to use", brief explanations are given on their preparation. Explanations are given on specific examples in which cases selection achievements are made to the State Register of the Russian Federation. The article is illustrated with photographs of animals listed in the text of the breeds and types.

Mycotoxins are a group of secondary metabolites formed in fungi that have a toxic effect. Under the influence of environmental factors, the variety of mycotoxins is continuously increasing. From plant raw materials, mycotoxins pass into the mammalian body and accumulate in it. The fight against mycotoxins is conducted in two directions. One of them includes standard physical, biological and chemical methods aimed to increase plant resistance to pathogens and remove mycotoxins from plant raw materials or suppress their growth. The second direction is the addition of sorption substances on the nutritional diet, which neutralize the negative impact of mycotoxins on the body during digestion. Sorption substances should be selective to mycotoxins; stable at different pH values and high temperature. Besides, they should be less binding to vitamins and micro and macronutrients. These substances include natural or technical adsorbents, and humic substances possess sorption properties. The presence of carboxyl, hydroxyl and carbonyl groups in their composition in combination with aromatic structures contributes to active participation in sorption processes. These factors allow humic substances and preparations derived from them to act as natural detoxifying substances. A promising extract to fight against mycotoxins is an ultradisperse humic-sapropel suspension containing humic substances. The suspension was obtained using the technology developed at the Institute of lake science of the Russian Academy of Sciences, by the method of alkaline extraction from sapropel under the influence of ultrasonic cavitation. Experiments conducted with the use of this suspension on barley grains and distillers' grain proved a decrease in the concentration of fungi and bacteria in the samples under study. That indicates the fungicidal and bactericidal properties of the suspension. Reliable positive results were obtained when using the suspension for growing heifers of the dairy black and white breed and in crop production when growing wheat. Further research should be directed to establish the adsorbing role of ultradisperse humic-sapropel suspensions and identify its ability to detoxify various mycotoxins without binding useful mineral and vitamin complexes. The positive results of the study will serve as the basis for creating a substance, which will solve the problem of detoxification of mycotoxins in both directions.

That article presents studies of the influence of breed affiliation (Black-and-White and Brown Swiss) on longevity and lifetime productivity of cows in pedigree farm Radishevo in Smolensk region. In sum general, we can say about the productive advantage of Black-and-White cows over Brown Swiss. But when comparing the productivity of an equal level of milking (6000 kg) between the breed groups, there is an advantage of Brown Swiss cows over Black-and-White cows for life milk yield and duration of use, respectively, at - 1242 kg, 0.62 lactation. The progress of the breed in the conditions of this farm for Black-and-White cows stops at the level of productivity of their mothers - 6000-8000 kg, for Brown Swiss 6000 kg, as a further increase in productivity offspring does not occur. The best economic traits are characterized by animals of the phylon of S. T. Rokit 25280 and Azot-Plovets 196 line. The results obtained, confirmed by the calculation of correlations and one-way ANOVA test, allow conducting targeted breeding work with each of the breeds to increase the important economic trait - productive longevity.

An increase in milk production both in Russia and in the Vologda Oblast is possible due to an increase in the number of livestock, an increase in the productivity of cows and a focus on breeding. Long-term breeding to increase livestock productivity has led to a deterioration in the duration of economic use of cows. The problem of long-term use of cows is still relevant. The presented studies were carried out on the livestock of cattle, a pedigree farm in the Vologda Oblast for the breeding of Ayrshire breed, which has been eliminated over the past three years. The power coefficients of the influence of bulls for breeding on the age of retirement of daughters in lactations were determined using one-way analysis of variance. A high degree of strength of the influence of the “bull” factor on the duration of economic use of the offspring, which is in domestic breeding animals (η2 = 0.48), foreign breeding (η2 = 0.42) at (P≤0.001), is established. A comparative analysis of the bulls used for the lifelong productivity of their daughters was carried out and the best producers were determined taking into account the selection. The descendants of the bulls are distinguished by the greatest indicators of the retirement age (more than 6 lactations): Akorda 741, Admiral 10351, Glorious 1366 domestic selection. They lead in the number of milking days (up to 2342) for the entire period of economic use, life-long milk yield (up to 57309 kg) and fat (up to 2560 kg). Among producers of foreign breeding, daughters of bulls Lorvi 147, Onni 127, Vertti 90181 are characterized by high rates of retirement age (more than 4.8 lactations).Thus, to increase the productive longevity of the herd, it is necessary to consolidate the bulls that have the greatest positive impact on the performance of daughters, taking into account breeding.