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Improving Urban Green Spaces with Urban Food Forestry : how nut trees in urban green spaces might affect food security
Full text linkUrban Green Spaces are important elements in the urban fabric. They provide essential ecosystem services that are becoming increasingly necessary and valuable as climate change and biodiversity loss progress toward the sixth mass extinction. One aspect of ecosystem services is, however, largely overlooked by urban planners and policy makers, designing the UGS strategies in Swedish cities and abroad. Namely, the provisional ecosystem service of trees, shrubs and other perennials to provide nutrient dense foods such as nuts, fruit, berries and more. Incorporating and prioritizing food producing perennials into urban green space plans could add yet another important service to the long list provided by urban greenery, without necessarily diminishing any other. This thesis explored the potential of providing hyper-local, nutrient dense food in urban environments, by shifting focus from ornamental species toward food-producing species. The results showed that there are both challenges and opportunities associated with this shift in focus. The main challenges were the increased likelihood of contaminated soils in urban areas, potential increase of rodents and pests, and that maintenance costs might increase. But the opportunities associated with nut trees in urban environments, including increased urban food security and reducing reliance on global supply chains, should encourage further investigation and experimentation
Impacts of bark beetle infestation on soil fungal community composition in Swedish boreal forests
Full text linkOngoing global change and forestry practices are increasing stress on boreal forest ecosystems, making them more susceptible to insect infestations. In Sweden, outbreaks of the spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) have become more frequent, leading to increased infestation levels in spruce (Picea abies) stands. These disturbances in aboveground vegetation may profoundly affect soil fungi, particularly the symbiotic relationship between trees and ectomycorrhizal fungi, which play key roles in boreal soil nutrient and carbon cycles, potentially affecting ecosystem processes.
Soil samples of organic horizons were collected from twelve spruce stands in the region surrounding Uppsala, Sweden, in a paired setup, where infested sites showed different infestation vulnerabilities, measured on the ratio of infested to total spruces. In contrast, nearby paired control sites showed no sign of infestation. I introduced the term “infestation vulnerability” to compare the infestation intensity of infested sites to the paired un-infested control sites. The impact of infestation on fungal community composition was assessed using DNA sequencing of the ITS2 and LSU regions, focusing on shifts in the relative abundance of fungal guilds between infested and control sites and along infestation vulnerability.
Ectomycorrhizal fungi were significantly less in relative abundance at bark beetle-infested sites compared to un-infested control sites, while saprotrophic fungi showed the opposite pattern. Along with increasing infestation vulnerability, ECM fungi declined in relative abundance, whereas saprotrophs increased. Interestingly, the abundance of ECM fungi in non-infested control sites increased with the level of infestation observed in their paired infested sites. Soil properties at both site types correlated with the infestation vulnerability, suggesting decreased soil fertility, possibly making trees susceptible to bark beetle infestation and their outbreaks more pronounced. At the same time, ECM fungi increase due to a higher need of trees for symbiotic support
Pea varities for the future : a comparison of dry and fresh-harvested pea types with focus on agronomic traits, climate resilience and variety development
Full text linkDetta arbete undersöker skillnader i sortegenskaper mellan ärtsorter som skördas som torkärter respektive grönskördade ärtor, med fokus på hur dessa påverkas av framtida klimatförhållanden. Genom en kombination av litteraturstudier, analys av odlingsdata och intervjuer med representanter från Lantmännen och Foodhills har arbetet identifierat vilka egenskaper som är mest efterfrågade inom respektive odlingsinriktning.
Resultaten visar att både stabil avkastning och anpassning till odlingssystem är viktiga kriterier vid sortutveckling och sortval, medan klimatrelaterade egenskaper som tork och vattentolerans ofta hanteras indirekt.
Studien belyser också skillnader mellan forskningens långsiktiga fokus och näringens praktiska behov i det dagliga arbetet.This study investigates the differences in varietal traits between pea varieties harvested as dry peas versus those harvested as green peas, focusing on how these traits are affected by future climate condition. Through a combination of literature reviews, analysis of cultivation data, and interviews with representatives from Lantmännen and Foodhills, the study identifies which traits are most in demand within each cultivation focus.
The results show that both yield stability and adaption to farming systems are important criteria in variety development and selection, while climate-related traits such as drought and water tolerance are often addressed indirectly.
The study also highlights differences between the long-term focus of research and the practical needs of the industry in daily operations
Legitimacy on a Budget: : External Pressures, Internal Constraints and Sustainability Reporting in Swedish SMEs
Full text linkThe Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), while primarily targeting large firms, it exerts significant indirect pressure on small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as its influence trickles down through value chains and investors, even though these smaller entities are not legally bound to comply. This cascading demand for sustainability data has made sustainability disclosures a crucial “hygiene factor” for maintaining legitimacy. However, SMEs face considerable challenges due to inherent financial and human resource constraints.
This multiple case study, employing a qualitative and inductive approach, investigates how Swedish SMEs experience and respond to these CSRD-related pressures. Drawing on legitimacy theory, institutional isomorphism, and a dialectic perspective, the study explores how these pressures shape SMEs’ internal sustainability disclosure strategies. The empirical data were collected through semi-structured interviews with SME representatives and relevant stakeholders who influence their sustainability reporting practices. The data were analyzed thematically.
The empirical findings indicate that Swedish SMEs experience substantial pressures. Resource constraints and regulatory uncertainty lead to institutional contradictions and personal burdens for individuals within these firms. Consequently, SMEs adopt hybrid legitimacy strategies, often focusing on pragmatic, minimum viable compliance through simplified tools and templates to signal conformity at a low cost. The study concludes that despite resource limitations and uncertainty, SMEs are compelled to engage in sustainability reporting due to indirect CSRD pressures, utilizing hybrid strategies, and their collective praxis contributes to reshaping institutional norms and the broader regulatory landscape. Theoretically, the study highlights how emotional burden interacts with institutional dynamics. Practically, it identifies the need for simplified supportive reporting tools to reduce the burden on resource-constrained SMEs
Choice of University and Education : factors influencing students' decisions
Full text linkSamhället står inför stora förändringar när mer omfattande krav ställs och allt fler kriterier behöver uppfyllas för att klimatmålen ska kunna nås. Grön kompetens efterfrågas men utbudet som finns är inte tillräckligt för att mätta marknaden. Fler behöver studera utbildningar med förberedande grön kompetens.
Syftet med studien är identifiera faktorer som förklarar universitetsstudenter val av universitet och utbildning, samt bilda en djupare förståelse för bidragande faktorer.
Målet med studien är att efter datainsamling kunna besvara de tre forskningsfrågorna och därmed uppfylla syftet.
• Vilka faktorer påverkar studenters val av utbildning och universitet?
• Hur påverkar tillgänglig information valet av universitet?
• I vilken utsträckning känner ekonomistudenter vid Uppsala universitet till Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet?
Efter insamling av data med hjälp av intervjuer finns det mycket material att analysera och det har exponerats faktorer som tidigare studier inte tryckt på som de mest avgörande faktorerna. Detta skapar tydligare förståelse för hur studenterna resonerar kring val av universitetsutbildning och universiteten kan få en bättre förståelse för vad som behöver göras för att locka fler studenter.
Studien visar på att universitet och utbildningsvalet ofta grundas på studentlivet och stadens attraktionskraft. Oftast sprids information om universitetet via ryktesvägen kontra via traditionell marknadsföring. Studien visar även på att studenterna anser Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet som mindre attraktivt då dess profil inte passar deras personliga preferens samt att kännedomen om de ekonomiska programmen på lärosätet är låg.Society is undergoing significant changes as more extensive requirements are being imposed and an increasing number of criteria must be met in order to achieve climate goals. Green competence is in high demand, yet the current supply is insufficient to meet market needs. More individuals need to pursue education that provides preparatory green skills.
The purpose of this study is to identify factors that explain university students' choice of university and field of study, as well as to develop a deeper understanding of the contributing factors.
The aim of the study is to answer three research questions and thereby fulfill the study’s purpose.
• What factors influence students' choice of university and program of study?
• How does available information affect the choice of university?
• To what extent are economics students at Uppsala University aware of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)?
Following data collection through interviews, a substantial amount of material has been gathered for analysis. The findings have revealed factors that previous studies have not emphasized as decisive. This contributes to a clearer understanding of how students reason when choosing higher education and enables universities to better understand what measures are needed to attract more students.
The study shows that universities and education choices are often based on student life and the city's attractiveness. Most often, information about the university is spread through word of mouth rather than through traditional marketing. The study also indicates that students consider the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences to be less attractive because its profile does not match their personal preferences and that awareness of the economic programs at the institution is low
Place attachment to urban green spaces : to make citizens participation in the development of urban green areas work in the long term
Full text linkDagens samhällsplanering utvecklas alltmer mot att gå ifrån den traditionella planeringen för att öka medborgarnas involvering i platsutveckling. Denna uppsats undersöker hur deltagandeprocesser kan bidra till platsanknytning i urbana grönområden. För att undersöka detta syfte utforskar studien Malmö stads arbete med Hyllievångsparken där ambitionerna har varit att i högre utsträckning involvera medborgarna i dess utveckling. Kvalitativa metoder har använts för att samla in empirin som består av dokument från kommunen, tidigare forskning, intervjuer och platsbesök.
Slutsatser som går att dra från arbetet är att platsanknytning påverkas av individens relation till en plats, där olika deltagandeprocesser kan bidra till anknytning och ökad förståelse för platsen. Det finns organisatoriska utmaningar för kommunen att arbeta långsiktigt och kontinuerligt med medborgarinvolvering, där det idag är en utmaning att arbeta flexibelt och brett i involvering. Vidare är det viktigt att dialogen och involveringen av medborgarna hålls levande, involveras medborgare endast i projektets inledande del finns risken att deras åsikter och perspektiv förloras.Contemporary urban planning is increasingly moving away from traditional planning methods to enhance citizen involvement in the development of places. This thesis examines how participatory processes can contribute to place attachment in urban green spaces. To study this aim, the study investigates the municipality of Malmös work with Hyllievångsparken, where there has been a clear ambition to involve citizens more actively in its development. Qualitative methods have been used to collect empirical data, including municipal documents, previous research, interviews and site visits.
The conclusions that can be drawn from this study are that place attachment is influenced by the individual relationship to a place, where different participatory processes can enhance place attachment and a deeper understanding of the park. There are organizational challenges for the municipality in working long term and continuously with citizen involvement; today, it is a challenge to work flexibly and inclusively in participation. Furthermore, it is important that the dialogue and engagement with citizens remain active, if citizens are only involved at the beginning of a project, there is a risk that their opinions and perspectives are lost
Crop fill in broilers at slaughter – An Investigation of crop contents and potential contributing factors
Full text linkKassationer av slaktkycklingar till följd av fyllda krävor vid slakt innebär betydande ekonomiska
förluster för såväl slakterier som uppfödare. Fyllda krävor är en vanlig orsak till kassation, och
förekomsten har ökat under de senaste åren. Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka och
kartlägga faktorer som påverkar förekomsten av fyllda krävor vid slakt samt att analysera krävans
innehåll. Studien bestod av tre delar: (1) intervjuer med uppfödare om utfodring och rutiner inför
slakt, (2) gårdsbesök där kycklingars krävor bedömdes och individer följdes till slakteriet för
dissektion vid köttbesiktningen, samt (3) en pilotstudie där effekterna av måltidsutfodring på kräva
och muskelmage undersöktes i ett kontrollerat försök på försöksstation.
Det begränsade urvalet av gårdar i intervjustudien gör det svårt att dra slutsatser kring huruvida
rutiner under uppfödning påverkar krävfyllnad vid slakt men hantering av foderkoppar i samband
med förberedelse på gården inför slakt och användning av vete framstod som intressanta faktorer
att studera vidare.
Gårds- och slakteristudien visade inga tecken på att reflux förekom i någon högre utsträckning
under transport eller vid slakt, då krävor som bedömdes som tomma på gården även var tomma vid
köttbesiktningen. Dock förekom en viss variation i krävans fyllnadsgrad mellan gård och slakteri,
vilket kan tyda på att viss reflux kan förekomma. En annan förklaring är att krävbedömning via
palpering är en subjektiv bedömning vilket kan orsaka viss variation mellan bedömningstillfällen
och bedömare. Analyser av pH-värden visade dessutom att pH-värdet var högre i krävan än i
muskelmagen, vilket ytterligare stödjer att omfattande reflux inte skett. Innehållet i krävor med
innehåll var i stor utsträckning vete eller foder, trots att vete enligt uppgift fasats ut tre dagar före
slakt. Detta tyder på att vete kan bidra till ökad förekomst av fyllda krävor, även vid till synes
korrekt utförd foderborttagning inför slakt. Resultaten tyder även på att majoriteten av
kycklingarna har måttligt eller dåligt utvecklade muskelmagar samt att en större andel med
välutvecklade muskelmagar hade innehåll i krävan vid slakt.
Pilotstudien visade att måltidsutfodring påverkar kycklingarnas foderintag och användning av
krävan. En stor andel av måltidsutfodrade kycklingar fyllde krävan inför planmässigt genomförda
foderuppehåll och förbrukade det lagrade fodret under perioden utan foder. I jämförelse visade ad
libitum (ad lib) utfodrade kycklingar ett mer jämnt foderintagsmönster. Vid slakt hade en lägre
andel av de måltidsutfodrade kycklingarna innehåll i krävan jämfört med ad lib gruppen, vilket
tyder på att måltidsutfodring kan minska risken för fyllda krävor vid slakt. Fram till 21 dagars
ålder observerades ingen signifikant skillnad i kroppsvikt mellan de olika grupperna. Vid 26
dagars ålder vägde däremot kycklingarna som utfodrats med fri tillgång till foder signifikant mer
än de som fått måltidsutfodring. Ingen signifikant skillnad kunde påvisas i muskelmagens
utveckling mellan grupperna, med undantag för bredden på isthmus (gränsen mellan körtelmage
och muskelmage) där de måltidsutfodrade kycklingarna hade en signifikant bredare isthmus.Condemnations of broilers due to filled crops at slaughter can lead to significant economic losses
for both slaughterhouses and poultry producers. The occurrence of condemnations caused by
content remaining in the crops has increased in recent years. The aim of this study was to
investigate and identify factors influencing crop fill and subsequent condemnation at slaughter, as
well as to analyze the crop contents. The study consisted of three parts: (1) interviews with
producers about rearing routines, (2) farm visits where the crops of broilers were palpated and the
birds were followed to the slaughterhouse for dissection post meat inspection, (3) a pilot study
testing intermittent feeding to evaluate its effects on the crop and gizzard in a controlled
experiment at a research facility.
The limited sample size in the interview study makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions
regarding how management routines during rearing affect crop fill at slaughter. However, the
handling of feed pans before slaughter preparations and the use of wheat emerged as factors of
interest for further investigation.
The farm and slaughterhouse study showed no evidence of extensive reflux occurring during
transport or slaughter, as birds assessed as having empty crops on-farm remained empty during
meat inspection. However, some variation in crop fill between farm and slaughterhouse was
observed, suggesting that minor reflux may occur. Another possible explanation is that crop
assessment by palpation is a subjective method, which may cause some variation between
assessment occasions and between assessors. Measurements of pH showed higher pH values in the
crop compared to the gizzard, indicating that substantial reflux had not taken place. The contents
of filled crops were largely composed of wheat or feed, despite reports that wheat had been phased
out three days prior to slaughter. This suggests that wheat may contribute to crop filling even when
feed withdrawal appears to have been properly implemented before slaughter. The results also
indicated that the majority of broilers had moderately or poorly developed gizzards, and that a
greater proportion of birds with well-developed gizzards had content in the crop at slaughter.
The pilot study demonstrated that intermittent feeding influences feed intake patterns and crop use.
A large proportion of intermittent fed birds filled their crops prior to scheduled feed withdrawal
and utilized the stored feed during the fasting period, whereas birds fed ad libitum (ad lib)
exhibited a more continuous intake pattern. At slaughter, a lower proportion of intermittent fed
birds had content in the crop compared to the ad lib group, suggesting that meal feeding may
reduce the risk of crop fill at slaughter. No significant differences in body weight were observed
between feeding strategies up to day 21. However, by day 26, broilers with ad lib access to feed
weighed significantly more than those subjected to intermittent feeding. No significant differences
were found in gizzard development between the groups, except for the width of the isthmus (the
boundary between the proventriculus and the gizzard), which was significantly wider for the
intermittent fed group
Swedish dog owners’ choice of raw food: A study on popularity, decision-making factorsand nutritional quality : a survey
Full text linkFoderrådgivning utgör ett centralt område inom djursjukvården där särskilt djursjukskötare har en
betydande roll i att vägleda djurägarna i fodervalet. En diet som fått ökad popularitet bland
hundägare under senare år är råutfodring, vilken huvudsakligen består av råa animaliska
ingredienser som i vissa fall kompletteras med vegetabiliska komponenter, oljor samt kosttillskott.
Råfodret kan antingen vara kommersiellt framställt eller hemlagat. Med anledning av att det i många
studier påvisats att hundägare inte tenderar att söka råd från djurhälsopersonal vid val av råfoder, är
det viktigt att ha kunskap om vilka näringsobalanser som kan uppstå i råfoder. Detta för att kunna
fånga upp och åtgärda eventuella näringsbrister. Det finns begränsad forskning om vilka faktorer
som påverkar hundägare att välja ett specifikt råfoder. En ökad förståelse för hundägarnas
preferenser kan emellertid vara av betydelse för att förbättra kvaliteten på foderrådgivningen, varvid
det är relevant att undersöka ämnet närmare.
Syftet med kandidatarbetet var att undersöka vilka faktorer som låg till grund för hundägarnas
val av råfoder till sin hund, vilket råfoder som var populärast hos svenska hundägare samt huruvida
vissa näringsparametrar i det populäraste råfodret höll sig inom European Pet Food Industry
Federation (FEDIAF) minimi- och maximigränser.
Frågeställningarna besvarades med hjälp av en enkätundersökning, vilken kompletterades med
en litteratursökning. Enkäten distribuerades till totalt två Facebookgrupper bestående av
hundintresserade medlemmar. Antal respondenter som fullföljde enkäten var 42.
Resultatet visade att en av de största faktorerna i hundägarnas val av råfoder var de ingående
råvarorna. Näringsparametrarna som hörde till de viktigaste var protein, fett och kalcium/fosforkvoten.
Även märket på fodret var av betydelse. Av hundägarna som angav det fullständiga namnet
på råfodret, identifierades Mush Vaisto Blå som populärast bland respondenterna. Mush delade med
sig av en analys av råfodrets näringsinnehåll, där fett- och proteininnehåll låg väl över
minimigränsen medan zink, D- och E-vitamin låg i underkant i förhållande till FEDIAF (2024)
minimigränser.
Ingen konsensus kunde nås kring vilket råfoder som är populärast utanför studiepopulationen.
Vidare forskning behövs för att undersöka ämnet närmare, såväl som fler faktorer som kan påverka
råfodervalet hos hundägarna såsom pris, tillgänglighet och marknadsföring.Feeding advice constitutes a central area within veterinary care, where veterinary nurses in
particular, play a significant role in guiding pet owners in their choice of animal food. A diet that
has gained increasing popularity among dog owners in recent years is raw feeding, which primarily
consists of raw animal-based ingredients and is sometimes supplemented with plant-based
components, oils and dietary supplements. Raw food may be either commercially produced or
prepared at home. Given that many studies have shown that dog owners do not tend to seek advice
from veterinary professionals when choosing raw food, thus it is still important to have knowledge
of potential nutritional imbalances that may arise in these diets. This knowledge is essential for
identifying and addressing potential nutritional deficiencies. There is limited research on what
factors influence dog owners to choose a specific raw food. However, a better understanding of dog
owners’ preferences could be significant for improving the quality of feeding advice, making it
relevant to investigate the subject further.
The aim of this bachelor thesis was to examine the factors influencing dog owners’ choice of
raw food for their dogs, which raw food was most popular among Swedish dog owners, and whether
some of the nutritional parameters in the most popular raw food adhered to the minimum- and
maximum limits set by the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF).
The research questions were addressed using a survey, complemented by a literature review. The
survey was distributed to two Facebook groups consisting of members with an interest in dogs. A
total of 42 responders completed the survey.
The results showed that one of the major factors in dog owners’ choice of raw food was the
ingredients. The nutritional parameters that were among the most important were protein, fat and
the calcium/phosphorus-ratio. The brand of the food was also significant. Of the dog owners who
provided the full name of the raw food, Mush Vaisto Blå was identified as the most popular among
the respondents. The most popular raw food identified in this study was Mush Vaisto Blå. Mush
shared an analysis of the nutritional content of the raw food, where the levels of fat and protein were
well above the minimum limits, while zinc, vitamin D and E were slightly deficient in relation to
FEDIAF (2024) minimum limits.
No consensus could be reached regarding which raw food was most popular outside the study
population. Further research is required to investigate the topic more thoroughly, along with other
factors tha
Genetic analysis of longevity in Gotland sheep
Full text linkAvelsvärdering av renrasiga svenska gotlandsfår görs två gånger per år, och utförs av Växa.
Egenskaper för avelsvärderingen registreras i Elitlamm. Livslängd är en egenskap som är av
intresse att ta med i avelsvärderingen. I avelsvärderingen av mjölkkor ingår livslängd och ett
flertal studier har visat att inkludering av egenskapen kan öka lönsamheten i produktionen. Ett
projekt om att uppdatera avelsvärderingen och undersöka möjligheten att använda befintliga data
till nya avelsvärden för får pågår.
Syftet med examensarbetet var att undersöka hur egenskapen livslängd kan definieras genom att
skatta arvbarhet, genetiska korrelationer till andra egenskaper och skatta en genetisk trend. Data
från avelsvärderingen under perioden år 1980 till 2024 erhölls från Växa. För livslängdegenskapen
sista kullnummer användes registreringar för tackor födda år 2000 – 2011, och antalet djur
inkluderade varierade beroende på modell och analys. För den ena analysen av livslängd (sista
kullnummer) inkluderades endast tackor inom tidsperioden som lammat regelbundet och för den
andra analysen inkluderades alla tackor som lammat inom tidsperioden. Livslängdsegenskapen
överlevnad, dvs fått två eller fler kullar eller inte respektive fått tre eller fler kullar eller inte
innehöll registreringar för tackor födda år 2000 – 2022 respektive år 2000 – 2021. Korrelationer
mellan sista kullnummer och kullstorlek respektive sista kullnummer och medelfödelsevikt
analyserades.
Den skattade arvbarheten för sista kullnummer varierade mellan 0,13 och 0,15 för tackor som
lammade regelbundet och 0,14 och 0,16 för alla tackor. Arvbarheten för kullstorlek i första kullen
skattades till 0,10 och för medelfödelsevikt i första kull skattades arvbarheten till 0,22. Den
genetiska korrelationen mellan egenskaperna sista kullnummer och kullstorlek skattades till -0,31.
Mellan sista kullnummer och medelfödelsevikt skattades den genetiska korrelationen till -0,12. De
fenotypiska korrelationerna mellan egenskaperna var också negativa i båda analyserna.
Miljömässig korrelation var signifikant skild från noll för båda korrelationsskattningarna.
Arvbarheten för överlevnad, antingen fått två eller fler kullar eller inte, skattades till 0,17. För
antingen fått tre eller fler kullar eller inte blev den skattade arvbarheten 0,11. Dessa arvbarheter
korrigerades enligt Dempster & Lerner (1950) och ökande då till 0,38 (fått två eller fler kullar eller
inte) och 0,19 (fått tre kullar eller fler eller inte).
Data som finns tillgänglig kan användas för avelsvärden för livslängd hos gotlandsfårstackor. Det
finns negativa och ogynnsamma korrelationer mellan både sista kullnummer och kullstorlek i
tackans första kull och sista kullnummer och medelfödelsevikt i tackans första kull. För
egenskapen överlevnad (två eller fler kullar) som har en medelhög arvbarhet efter korrigering
finns det möjlighet att selektera tackor med säkra avelsvärden tidigare än för egenskapen sista
kullnummer.The genetic evaluation for pure-bred Swedish Gotland sheep is done by Växa twice per year.
Traits for the genetic evaluation are recorded in Elitlamm. Longevity is a trait of interest to include
in the genetic evaluation. Longevity is included in the genetic evaluation for dairy cattle and
inclusion of longevity has been shown increase profitability in several studies. A project about
updating the genetic evaluation and investigating the possibility to use existing data for new
breeding values for sheep is ongoing.
The aim of this master thesis project was to investigate how the longevity trait can be defined by
estimating heritability, genetic correlations to other traits and to estimate a genetic trend. Data
from the genetic evaluation during the period 1980 – 2024 was obtained from Växa. For the
longevity-trait last achieved number of litters, records for ewes born between year 2000 and 2011
were used, and number of included ewes differed dependent on what model and analysis were
used. For one of the analyses of longevity (last achieved number of litters) only ewes that had
lambed regularly within the time-period were included. For the other analysis of last litter, all ewes
that had lambed during the time-period were included. The longevity trait survival (had two or
more litters or not, had three or more litters or not, respectively) contained records of ewes born
year 2000 – 2022 and year 2000 – 2021. Correlations between last achieved number of litters and
litter size and between last achieved number litters and mean birth weight were analysed.
The estimated heritability for last achieved number of litters, for ewes having lambed regularly,
varied between 0.13 and 0.15 and for all ewes, the heritability for the same trait varied between
0.14 and 0.16. The heritability for litter size in the first litter was estimated to 0.10 and for the trait
mean birth weight in the first litter, the heritability was estimated to 0.22. The genetic correlation
between last achieved number of litters and litter size was estimated to -0,31. The traits last
achieved number of litters and mean birth weight had estimated genetic correlation of -0.12. The
phenotypical correlations between both pair of traits were also negative. Environmental correlation
was significantly different from zero for both correlation estimates. Heritability for survival, had
two or more litters or not, was estimated to 0.17. The heritability of the other survival trait, had
three or more litters or not, was estimated to 0.11. The heritabilities of both earlier mentioned
survival traits were adjusted according to Dempster & Lerner (1950) and increased to 0.38 (two or
more litters or not) and 0.19 (three or more litters or not).
Existing data can be used to estimate breeding values of longevity in Gotland sheep ewes. There
are negative correlations between both last achieved number of litters and litter size in the ewes
first litter, and between last achieved number of litters and mean birth weight in the ewes first
litter. For the survival trait two or more litters, there is a possibility to select ewes with reliable
breeding values earlier than for the trait last achieved number of litters
In Silico Identification and Prioritisation of Antifilarial Drug Targets in Setaria digitata
Full text linkFilarial nematode infection remains an important worldwide burden on animal and human health, exacerbated by widespread drug resistance and a slowness in the development of new anthelmintic drugs. Setaria digitata, a veterinary filarial parasite closely related to human-infective species such as Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi, presents a tractable model for investigating novel therapeutic targets. This study employed a complete bioinformatics pipeline to prioritize parasite-specific drug targets in S. digitata with a goal of avoiding limitations found in conventional drug discovery and experimental inaccessibility of human filariae.
The study integrated various computational strategies such as sub-cellular localization prediction, functional annotation, and structural modelling. After filtering for proteins likely to be specific to nematodes, a multi-criteria scoring system was developed to rank them based on predicted essentiality, drug accessibility, and relevance to known therapeutic target classes such as ion channels, microtubules, neuroreceptors, and proteases. Prediction of druggability was further augmented with the use of Fpocket and COACH-D for prediction and validation of ligand-binding sites.
From a predicted, non-redundant proteome of 12,238 gene-derived protein sequences, subcellular localization analysis indicated that approximately 18% may be pharmacologically accessible, while functional annotation via eggNOG-mapper covered 70.2% of the dataset. Prioritization integrated essentiality, conservation, and accessibility, yielding 250 high-confidence targets, 88.4% of which were neurological proteins, recapitulating known anthelmintic mechanisms (e.g., ivermectin-targeted glutamate-gated chloride channels). Structural modelling of 58 candidates identified 30 high-druggability targets, including G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and ion channels. COACH-D validation confirmed ligand-binding potential for top candidates, with SD_012157-T1 exhibiting strong similarity to established drug targets (TM-score: 0.56, binding energy: −7.2 kcal/mol). These results provide a foundation for experimental validation and rational antifilarial design, with implications for both human and veterinary parasitology