Ovine black coat colour is determined by the MC1R (Melanocortin 1 receptor) and ASIP (Agouti signalling peptide) genes at the Agouti and Extension loci. The black phenotype is caused by production of eumelanin by melanocytes, whereas yellow-tan or light phenotype is the result of phaeomelanin synthesis. The ovine MC1R gene has two known alleles: the wildtype (E+) and the dominant black (ED) alleles. Two missense mutations (c.218T>A and c.361G>A) constitute ED. The presence of a third allele, the e allele, is proposed and believed to give rise to phaeomelanic phenotype.

Denna retrospektiva studie har som syfte att utvärdera effekten av en lösning bestående av salpetersyra, kopparnitrat, zinknitrat och bindemedel (Oxalic®), vid behandling av aurala plaque hos häst. Studien ämnar också jämföra och diskutera detta nya behandlingsalternativ i relation till den i litteraturen enda tidigare beskrivna behandlingen mot sjukdomen, 5 % imiquimodkräm (Aldara®). Journaler för åtta hästar som blivit kliniskt diagnosticerade och behandlade mot aurala plaque på UDS Hästkliniken i Uppsala samt på Hästkliniken Täby mellan 2011 och 2013 låg till grund för insamling av data. Djurägarna till alla de åtta hästarna hade sökt sig till specialistdermatologmottagningen på grund av att deras häst uppvisade tecken på smärta/irritation till följd av sina aurala plaque, vilket visade sig som öron- och huvudskygghet och gav svårigheter i den vardagliga hanteringen av hästen. Behandlingarna följdes upp på nytt genom telefonsamtal med djurägarna 12 till 28 månader efter sista behandling.

This study is a part of a larger project where the aim has been to evaluate different methods to assure the quality in stallion semen, due to the fact that some stallions in horse breeding have poor semen quality. The increased use of transport semen requires new methods to ensure good semen quality. In this part of the project the viability and concentration in fresh and cooled semen was examined with NucleoCounter SP-100. A comparison between two different commercially available semen extenders, Kenney?s and INRA 96, was made.

This study was conducted at VikingGenetics' bull breeding station in Falkenberg, Sweden. The bulls waiting for the results of their progeny testing at this station are either kept in group housing or individual housing. Since both of these housing systems have advantages and disadvantages, it was in the interest of VikingGenetics to know which of these housing systems is the best. The aim of this study was to investigate the welfare of the bulls in these two housing systems through behavioural observations and the use of activity monitors. In the preparations for the study 16 bulls, 8 in each housing system, were chosen.

Recording and analyses of superovulation results and fertility records at the nucleus herd Viken The development of different reproductive technologies aim at increasing the number of progeny per individual parent, and in that improving the possibility of genetic progress. One technique, embryo transfer, have facilitated genetic dissemination and shortened the generation interval also in females. Nötcenter Viken is a company that run embryo collection and embryo transfer in the breeds Swedish Red and Swedish Holstein. It is located outside Falköping. Information is continuously gathered about cows tested at the nucleus herd.

Today there is a research project undertaken by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences along with Wången (a highschool specialized in trotter training), which focuses on trotting horse training, performance and health. The project investigates how exercise intensity and feeding strategies affect the development of growing horses. The project includes two groups of horses where all 16 horses are fed in the same way. One group of eight individuals are trained 100% compared to conventional training and the other group are trained 20% less than the other group. All horses are trained twice a week and are out at pasture beyond that.

This study presents a survey of the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. in equids in three municipalities in Pará, a Brazilian state with the Amazonian rainforest and the Amazon River as dominating features. Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora spp. are two closely related parasitic protozoans not separated as different genera until 1988. Neospora spp.

Chiari type I malformation is a condition in humans characterized by a small posterior cranial fossa, downward herniation of the cerebellar tonsils, foramen magnum overcrowding and disturbances of cerebrospinal fluid dynamics. Syringohydromyelia is often seen in patients with Chiari type I malformation. Syringohydromyelia is characterized by fluid-filled cavities in the spinal cord. This causes damage to the nervous tissue in the spinal cord. In recent years, a condition similar to Chiari type I malformation has been recognized in dogs. It has mostly been seen in Cavalier King Charles spaniels (CKCS). The condition seen in dogs is usually called occipital bone hypoplasia. The aim of the study was to examine whether there is a difference in the shape of the caudal fossa between CKCS, small bred dogs with a similar head shape and dogs with a normal head shape and if occipital bone hypoplasia is related to a head shape with a steep back of the head. Other aims of the study were to examine the crowding of nervous tissue in the foramen magnum in each breed group, the extent of syringohydromyelia and to what extent the malformation had caused neurological signs. Sculls from dogs on autopsy were divided in halves and the position of the cerebellum compared to the level of the foramen magnum was studied.

This study was conducted at VikingGenetics' bull breeding station in Falkenberg, Sweden. The bulls waiting for the results of their progeny testing at this station are either kept in group housing or individual housing. Since both of these housing systems have advantages and disadvantages, it was in the interest of VikingGenetics to know which of these housing systems is the best. The aim of this study was to investigate the welfare of the bulls in these two housing systems through behavioural observations and the use of activity monitors. In the preparations for the study 16 bulls, 8 in each housing system, were chosen.

High brand equity is a great asset for companies that operate their business in a free and competitive market. Brand equity can arise from both product-related and non-product related attributes and may be viewed from many different perspectives. This study examines which different attributes that contribute to enhance brand equity from customers point of view at the Swedish market for agricultural machinery. The study have been developed using a comprehensive literature search in order to investigate the field regarding brand equity and brand image. The literature review results in one product specific and one non-product specific approach in order to examine factors that contribute to enhanced brand equity. This takes the form as one survey-based approach regarding the non-product related attributes which is examined by interpreting the extra value added by different attributes.

The aim of this study was to compare activity, lying down and getting up behaviour, weight gain and cleanliness in heifers in cubicles versus on deep-litter. The study was conducted from autumn of 2005 until autumn of 2006 in a commercial organic dairy herd with 340 cows. In 2005 the farm rebuilt half of the young stock accommodation from deep-litter pens to cubicles. The experiment used 150 heifers of the breeds Swedish Red, Swedish Holstein and crossbreeds between these, all born on the farm. The animals were divided into three blocks based on breed and within each block they were sorted after increasing age. The youngest heifer in each block was randomly allocated to one of two groups, cubicle or deep-litter pen.

Few scientific studies have studied the subject of longevity among horses over a longer period of time. The knowledge about the Swedish riding school horse population concerning injuries and diseases is insufficient. Generally speaking, riding school horses in Sweden have a more undiversified way to work and work more hours in the arena compared to privately owned horses that have more variety in their possible use. Statistical data from the insurance company Agria have shown that horses in riding schools and education facilities have 22 % higher risk to use their veterinary insurance and 79 % higher risk to be put down and use their life insurance, compared to horses in private care. To create an increased understanding for longevity is it important to have knowledge about the different causes of culling. The aim with this study is to increase the knowledge and enable problem solving within the subject of longevity, median length of life and causes of death.

SAMMANFATTNING Jag har skrivit om en hovsjukdom som drabbar hästar, den engelska benämningen är White line disease. Det finns inget korrekt namn på svenska, men vi kallar det för lamellrandsröta. Den engelska benämningen är den mest använda. Sjukdomen kom in i Sverige i slutet av 1980-talet, man tror att det var via importerade travhästar från USA. När den i slutet av 1990-talet fick fart i Sverige började den också att bli ett problem. Ambitionen är att få en inblick i vad lamellrandsröta är och vad den samlade kunskapen är idag bland fackfolk och praktiker. Godtyckligt har jag valt ut och ringt runt och intervjuat ett antal personer som har stött på detta problem, hovslagare, veterinärer och hästägare. All fakta som inhämtats har jag sammanställt, men det finns fortfarande många frågetecken att reda ut. Ett bekymmer är att expertisen har så varierande kunskap och syn på sjukdomen. Idag vet man att det är anaeroba (syreskyende) organismer som orsakar rötan.

Equine appeasing pheromone (EAP) är ett feromon som avges vid juverområdet på ston under digivningsperioden. Detta feromon har framställts syntetiskt och ingår i produkten ConfidenceEQ som går att köpa receptfritt på apotek och kliniker. Produkten ska göra hästen avspänd och fokuserad och kan användas vid till exempel inlärning och träning samt vid situationer där hästen visar tecken på oro. Situationer där hästägaren själv kan välja att använda EAP är till exempel inför transport, veterinärbesök, hovslagarbesök eller tandundersökningar. Ibland kan detta vara situationer där veterinär sedan behöver sedera hästen för att det ska gå att genomföra vissa undersökningar och behandlingar. Det är därför intressant att undersöka om EAP påverkar sederingsgraden av detomidin, en vanligt förekommande substans för sedering av häst. För att undersöka om EAP påverkar sederingsgraden med detomidin hos häst utfördes en trippelblindad, experimentell, prospektiv, crossover-studie där 8 hästar ingick.

Bakgrund: Dagens företagsklimat blir allt mer snabbrörliga vilket har lett fram till nya marknadsförhållanden i många branscher. Företag uppmanas att anpassa sig och finna nya sätt att konkurrera genom att anpassa sina resurser, vilket beskrivs som dynamiska färdigheter. Nyckelord är timing, hastighet och flexibilitet, vilket inte alltid är så lätt att eftersträva då det finns många krafter inom en organisation som begränsar dess flexibilitet.Syfte: Med följande bakgrund och problematik är syftet med studien att analysera hur organisationer kan gå till väga för att utveckla dynamiska färdigheter och samtidigt minimera den inneboende trögheten i en organisation.Metod och avgränsning: För att besvara följande resonemang har en fallstudie gjorts på ett svenskt företag inom hästavelsnäringen. Val av företag blev Flyinge AB där fem olika intervjuer genomfördes. Ytterligare ett företag, Hästak AB, kontaktades för att få en mer nyanseras bild av avelsbranschen i sin helhet.Resultat: En förändringsprocess är otroligt komplex då det finns många olika faktorer som påverkar dess utfall.