Animal Production

Research themes and Projects

The research topics developed by the researchers of the University of Catania are the following:

- AGRI-09/A: biotechnologies applied to animal genetics; molecular characterization and animal biodiversity (proteomic approach); evaluation of milk protein loci in the different animal species such as cattle, sheep, goat and donkey; microsatellites and SNPs molecular markers; the analysis, by proteomic techniques, of the protein fraction of non-bovine milk (goat and donkey in particular), in order to highlight protein polymorphism possibly associated with hypoallergenic properties; sequencing of loci of interest in animal science and mtDNA, to obtain information on the origin and evolution of the breeds and horse populations in Sicily.

- AGRI-09/B: Feeding behavior in sheep and goats extensively reared, with particular emphasis on animal intake at pasture; effects of animal grass feeding on product quality. Ruminal biohydrogenation as affected by animal diet; Dietary secondary compounds and animal product quality; Reducing the impact of feedstuff transport.

- AGRI-09/C: Effects of animal feeding (with particular emphasis on agricultural wastes, co-products and by-products) on products quality; Animal handling and meat shelf life.