Czech Journal of Animal Science - In Press
Antimicrobial Properties of Secondary Metabolites of Cannabis sativa: A Promising Natural Alternative for Livestock HealthReview
Tereza Paulová, Karel Novák, Eva Pěchoučková
In addition to their practical importance as a medicinal plant, animal feed and a source of materials for the textile and construction industry, industrial varieties of Cannabis sativa L. (hemp in a wider sense) provide an alternative for controlling infectious diseases in livestock. Despite the genetic divergence between two primary groups of cannabis, i.e., medicinal cannabis and technical hemp, hemp plants also produce a wide spectrum of secondary metabolites. These include the main classes of cannabinoids and terpenoids, as well as representatives of flavonoids, stilbenoids, steroids, alkaloids, spiroindans, dihydrophenanthrenes, and lignanamides. Many of them exhibit antibiotic activity which can substitute or complement the use of traditional antibiotics in animal husbandry. For example, the cannabinoid fraction exhibits activity against the Gram-positive bacteria and some fungi. While activity against Gram-negative bacteria is not characteristic for cannabinoids, these pathogens can still be affected by hemp terpenoids and flavonoids. The synergy among the secondary metabolite fractions or between the hemp metabolites and traditional antibiotics is also a favourable factor. The search for alternatives to traditional antibiotics is further driven by the increasing prevalence of genetically determined antibiotic resistance among veterinary pathogens, which poses the additional risk of transferring resistance traits to the human pathogens. The content of antibiotically active compounds in hemp can be enhanced through selection among existing genotypes, targeted breeding, cultivation conditions, and even by specific elicitation of secondary metabolites with the natural antibiotic function in the disease resistance of the plant. The switch to hemp metabolites is also supported by their compatibility as natural components of plant-based animal feed, and by favourable economic considerations.
Cryopreservative and antimicrobial properties of kaempferol on the post-thaw quality of turkey spermatozoa Original Paper
Filip Benko, Tomáš Slanina, Michal Ďuračka, Miroslava Kačániová, Eva Tvrdá
At present, low post-thaw quality of poultry semen comes along with a challenge to develop new strategies for its cryopreservation. The purpose of this research was to assess the impact of kaempferol (KAE) on the post-thaw turkey sperm qualitative characteristics (motility, membrane and acrosome integrity, mitochondrial function), oxidative and microbial profile. Turkey semen (n=40) was diluted and cryopreserved in modified Beltsville extender with (5, 10, and 25 µM) or without KAE (cryopreserved control – CtrlC), while fresh semen was used as a negative control (CtrlN). Following thawing, selected parameters were evaluated including the sperm motility, membrane and acrosome integrity, functionality of mitochondria, DNA fragmentation index, apoptosis status, global reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, lipid peroxidation (LPO) as well as protein oxidation. The identification of bacteria was performed by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. Our obtained data suggest that parameters such as motility, membrane and acrosome integrity, mitochondrial activity continuously increased correspondingly to the concentration of KAE when compared to CtrlC (p < 0.05) while cell apoptosis, ROS generation, LPO and protein oxidation were significantly decreased in KAE treated groups against CtrlC (p < 0.05). The bacterial growth was suppressed in all groups treated with KAE, which acted in synergy with penicillin to eradicate most of the bacterial strains from the cryopreserved samples when compared to CtrlN. Finally, our results suggest that KAE possesses strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties which may be used for the improvement of commercially available extenders leading to a more effective preservation of turkey spermatozoa.
Estimation of lean meat percentage in pig carcass with the use of objective methods with regard to sex Original Paper
Kristýna Klímová, Kristýna Lokvencová, Ivan Bahelka, Kateřina Zadinová, Roman Stupka, Jaroslav Čítek
In the Czech Republic, pig carcass classification is mandatory in slaughterhouses processing over 200 pigs weekly. As breeding practices evolve to enhance lean meat yield, it is essential to update regression equations used in classification systems. This study presents new regression models for the Fat-O-Meater II (FOM II) device, using computed tomography (CT) as the reference method. Separate equations were developed for barrows, gilts, and boars to improve the accuracy of lean meat percentage (LMC) estimation. To calibrate the CT method, 24 carcasses were selected across a range of backfat thicknesses and sexes. CT scans were performed on chilled left carcass halves, followed by manual dissection to determine the true LMC. A correction model was applied to align the CT-derived LMC with dissection results. Subsequently, 128 carcasses were measured using FOM II and CT to develop sex-specific regression equations using ordinary least squares. The models revealed sex-specific differences in prediction accuracy. Gilts achieved an R² of 0.66 and RMSEP of 1.35; barrows had higher R² (0.759) but greater RMSEP (1.46); boars showed the most consistent composition (R² = 0.734, RMSEP = 1.14). Compared to the standard method, gilts and boars had slightly higher LMC (+0.03% and +0.82%), while barrows had lower LMC (-0.14%). These differences translated into economic impacts, with gains of 1.23 CZK and 4.33 CZK per gilt and boar carcass, respectively, and a loss of 5.55 CZK per barrow. These results support the stated hypotheses, and that sex-specific calibration enhances classification accuracy and economic efficiency.
Computer Vision-Based Approaches for Cattle Identification: A Comparative Evaluation of Body Texture, QR Code, and Numerical LabellingOriginal Paper
Roman Bumbálek, Jean de Dieu Marcel Ufitikirezi, Tomáš Zoubek, Sandra Nicole Umurungi, Radim Stehlík, Zbyněk Havelka, Radim Kuneš, Petr Bartoš
Cattle identification systems are advancing to meet the growing demands of precision livestock management, traceability, and ethical animal treatment. This study investigates three methods: body texture recognition, QR code collars, and numerical labelling, implemented using the YOLOv8 convolutional neural network. Each method was evaluated in terms of accuracy, scalability, adaptability to dynamic herd changes, and operational efficiency under various environmental conditions. Body texture recognition, while leveraging unique natural patterns and achieving a mean Average Precision (mAP50–95 ) of 81.4%, proved limited by its reliance on frequent dataset retraining to accommodate changes in herd composition and susceptibility to misidentification in larger herds. QR code collars demonstrated adaptability in dynamic herds by enabling pre-trained convolutional neural networks to assign reserved codes to new animals without retraining, while removing animals involves simply deleting their codes from the system. This approach also achieved a mAP50–95 of 85.7%, which is better than the body texture-based approach. Despite this adaptability, this method demonstrated significant challenges in real-world environments. Occlusion caused by feeders, barriers, or animal movements, along with low-resolution imaging and poor lighting conditions, can compromise detection accuracy, particularly in larger herds with obstructive barn layouts. The numerical labelling method emerged as the most effective solution for dynamic cattle identification, achieving the highest mAP50–95 of 92.3%. It provided a scalable and highly accurate approach that integrates seamlessly with automated systems. Unlike traditional body marking techniques such as ear notching and branding, numerical labelling is less invasive, painless, and highly scalable, aligning with ethical livestock management practices while maintaining consistent accuracy across diverse environmental conditions.
Carcass traits and meat quality in Balkan goats: A multivariate evaluation of crossbreeding and slaughter weight effectsOriginal Paper
Nikola Stanišić, Bogdan Cekić, Nevena Maksimović, Maja Petričević, Nikola Delić, Slaviša Stajić, Tanja Keškić
This study investigated the effects of slaughter weight and breed on carcass characteristics, meat quality, and technological properties in purebred Balkan and F1 crossbred (Balkan × Saanen) male goats. A total of 48 animals, divided into four slaughter weight groups (10, 15, 18, and 22 kg), were analyzed for carcass composition, muscle traits, and fat distribution. ANOVA and multivariate analyses (PCA and HCA) revealed significant effects of weight and breed on key carcass and meat quality parameters. Heavier animals exhibited higher intramuscular fat and premium cut yields with superior water-holding capacity (WHC), while lighter goats had leaner carcasses with less muscle pigment. Crossbred F1 goats demonstrated a more balanced muscle-to-fat ratio, whereas pure Balkan goats tended to accumulate fat more rapidly at higher weights. These findings indicate that optimal slaughter weight selection should align with market demands, such as producing leaner meat in lighter Balkan goats, or achieving increased marbling and better economic returns in heavier crossbred animals. Future research should explore genetic influences on muscle and fat deposition and assess consumer preferences to refine breeding and production strategies.