The focus of this study was microsatellite diversity of crossbred horses raised in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples of 20 individuals (KBA group – 7 individuals, crosses between Bosnian and Herzegovinian mountain horse and Arabian horse; KBR group – 9 individuals, crosses between Bosnian and Herzegovinian mountain and Belgian horses, crosses between Bosnian and Herzegovinian mountain horses and Holstein, crosses between Bosnian and Herzegovinian mountain and Lipizzaner horses and KBN group – 4 individuals, crosses between Bosnian and Herzegovinian mountain horse with an unknown origin of the other parent). The samples were profiled using 17 microsatellite markers. This method consisted of multiplex PCR procedure and generated reasonable amplification across all the loci. All samples were genotyped successfully. Considering all the observed parameters, VHL20 locus showed the highest microsatellite diversity. Locus HMS7 was the least variable in KBR group, while HMS1 locus was the least diverse in KBN group. The highest microsatellite diversity in KBA group was found at AHT5 locus while HTG6 locus was the least diverse. Obtained results suggest that the investigated populations of crossbred horses from Bosnia and Herzegovina are not affected by substantial loss of genetic diversity, as indicated by the presence of reasonably high level of genetic variation. An increase in the inbreeding coefficient and sufficient heterogenity in KBN group indicate occurrence of consanguineous mating. The present research contributes to the knowledge of current status of genetic structure of the investigated crossbred horses.

In this study we investigated the influence of low dosage X - ray irradiation on the incidence of chromosomal damage and changes in mitotic index (MI) in cultured peripheral lymphocytes of the Bosnian and Herzegovinian mountain horse following in vitro irradiation. X-ray irradiation induced a dose-dependent decrease in MI but only the dose of 0.5 Gy induced a significant decrease (p<0.05) in comparison with the control and other dose groups. The analysis of chromosomal damage revealed a clear dose-dependent increase in the incidence of chromosomal damage per metaphase. Significant differences (p<0.05) were detected by analysis of variance and the LSD test confirmed significant differences between cells that received 0.2 Gy and 0.5 Gy when compared to the control cells and cells that received 0.1 Gy. However, Scheeffes' test assigned significance only to the differences established between the cells that received 0.5 Gy and the other groups of lymphocytes. .

Knowledge of spontaneous aberrations, namely, of their frequency in non-irradiated cells is of paramount importance not only in cytogenetic research, but also in contemporary animal production. The paper deals with research on spontaneously emerged chromosomal aberrations in the peripheral blood lymphocytes in the cattle of 'Busa' breed. To obtain metaphase chromosomes the conventional method of lymphocyte cultivation was used, albeit slightly modified and adapted to the examined animals and the laboratory conditions. The research findings indicate that a certain percent of spontaneously emerged chromosomal aberrations of chromatid type (gap and break) have been found in the peripheral blood lymphocytes in the cattle of 'Busa' breed.