Genetics and Animal Breeding
Study of the genetic determination of characters, and identification of suitable methods for the selection of numerous productive traits of the studied species (cattle, sheep, rabbit and chicken), with the subsequent estimate of the response to selection. In the case of beef cattle a major effort has been put into the study of the Chianina, Marchigiana, Maremmana, Podolica and Romagnola breeds, with estimate of the genetic indices and the definition of practical protocols for the correct application of the linear morphological evaluation procedure.
As far as the sheep studies are concerned a number of projects on the Appenninica breed have been carried out in the past in order to define the morphological and productive characteristics and the genetic parameters related to a good productive performance. A number of alternative selection protocols have also been experimented together with an accurate check of the cross practice in order to obtain a morphology more in line with the requests of the market. On the Comisana, Massese and Sarda breeds, a study on the genotype-environment interactions has been carried out, with particular attention to the estimate of the genetic value of the subject selected for reproductive purposes. A special interest has been developed on the problem of the endangered breeds. To this purpose, a number of demographic studies have been done on the ethnological situation of the Merino-derived breeds that are present in Central and Southern Italy, with the
subsequent proposal of conservation strategies for the remaining nuclei.
Another active programm is the one aimed at the conservation of six endangered egg-producing chicken breeds: Ancona, Livorno, New Hampshire, Plymouth Rock Bianca e Barrata, Rhode Island Red. The collection is held in dedicated areas of the Department breeding section.
Some of the ethnological and demographic surveys have been carried out over entire regions such as Abruzzo and Umbria for the above mentioned Appenninica, Sopravissana, Gentile di Puglia, Merinizzata italiana, Comisana, Sarda, etc. sheep breeds.

Animal Nutrition and Feeding
Study of the ingestion capacity and estimate of the nutritional requirements of a number of domestie species. Chemical and nutritional evaluation of the forages in relation to the botanical origin and the storage systems.
Energy and protein yield of foodstuff in milk and meat. Assessment of different rationing techniques.

Breeding techniques and production
The work carried out in the Department has concentrated on the breeding techniques for the domestic species and their consequences on animal welfare, environment and quantitative and qualitative aspects of the production. In order to assess the productive potential in marginal areas, a detailed analysis has been carried out on the factors that influence the pasture yield, with subsequent proposal of pasturing systems for an optimal use of the grass species by cattle, sheep, horses, and wild fauna. For the latter in particular a calculation of the optimal deer load for a marginal area taking into account the productivity of the grass and brush pasture and its use by the animals throughout the year. A behavioural study has also been carried out and the quality and quantity of the meat produced have been evaluated.
A long term analysis has been carried out in the field of the intensive breeding of beef cattle in order to highlight the structural and managerial characteristics of the farms and propose targeted actions for the improvement of the productions.
A study aimed at the individuation of the best breeding and farming techniques for a number of breeds in order to implement conservation programmes for endangered types and improve the carcass and meat quality for the creation of brand labels of certified origin.
In the field of swine breeding the problems of the quality of the production and the respect of the environment have been studied, with an effort to develop suitable strategies for feeding and farming techniques.
A monitoring experiment has been carried out in a number of dairy farms with highly productive animals in order to highlight genetic and nutritional factors that contribute to milk production in dairy cows. The Body Condition Score and metabolic profiles have also been determined in order to correlate them to the productive performances.
For sheep and goat milk production some nutritional, metabolic and pathological aspects have been analysed in order to assess the suitability of the normally used diets and to diagnose subclinical metabolic pathologies. The physical and chemical parameters of the produced milk together with the quantity and some technological and microbiological characteristics that are important for the transformation have been taken into account in these studies.

Poultry science and rabbit production
The most interesting research project carried out by this unit have been the ones regarding rabbit reproduction and meat quality. For the first one the hormonal and technical actions required for the optimisation of the reproductive efficiency of the female rabbit have been studied. For the male the semen quality has been assessed with accurate and innovative methods (computer analysis, magnetic resonance, etc.) and a number of nutritional strategies have been deviced in order to improve the quality and storage resistance of the semen.
The research on the quality of the meat concentrated on the feeding strategies to apply in order to obtain a good quality product in terms of polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3) and vitamin E content that would maintain these characteristics even after normal processing procedures like cooking.