Czech Journal of Animal Science - In Press
On the origin of Bohemian cattle according to mitochondrial DNA
Karel Novák, Vojtěch Janák, René Kyselý
The genomic structure of extant cattle populations can contribute to the reconstruction of the history of particular breeds or their subpopulations. Genome-wide population resequencing of extant populations of Czech Red Pied (CRP) cattle, its conserved nucleus herd, and Czech Red (CR) cattle detected a T106C polymorphism in mitochondrial DNA shared by the conserved CRP herd with a geographical belt of Anatolian, Illyrian and Eastern Alpine breeds. On the other hand, this SNP is practically absent in the historical cattle breeds associated with Northern Germany, including German Black Pied cattle, Holstein-Friesian and German Red Mountain cattle (GRM). Correspondingly, this indicator SNP was absent in CR cattle, which, like the GRM, belongs to the group of mountain red cattle breeds. It seems that the precursory cattle population in Central Europe was influenced by the germplasm from the Balkans-related group of breeds, thanks to the political and commercial influence of the Northern Italian, Austrian and Hungarian regions. In addition, the presence of this polymorphism in some European aurochs (Bos primigenius) bone remains suggests possible introgression from local aurochs populations. Alternatively, the T106C presence in yaks and in neighbouring cattle breeds in Northern India, China and Korea raises the possibility of origin of this polymorphism from yak populations. The spread of the T106C mutation in alpine regions is consistent with the known role of this mtDNA region in adaptation to the reduced oxygen pressure.
Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Fresh Bull Semen Quality: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisReview
Jabulani Ngcobo, Thobela Louis Tyasi
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including omega-3, are known to yield health benefits to mammals, including bulls and human beings. This meta-analysis was done to determine the influence of omega-3 fatty acids (OMFA) on bull semen quality. The research question formulated for this meta-analysis was centered on the Population-Intervention-Comparison-Outcome (PICO) framework. To determine the influence of omega-3 fatty acids on semen quality, a meta-analysis was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The different effects were analyzed using a random effects model. The variations among included studies were tested using heterogeneity (I2). Semen volume (MD = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.18; 0.49), sperm concentration (MD = 97.09; 95% CI: 81.85; 112.33), live sperm (MD = 11.93; 95% CI (7.30; 16.55)), sperm motility (MD = 9.24; 95% CI: 9.39; 11.09) and plasma membrane integrity (MD = 11.01; 95% CI: 6.19; 15.83) increased drastically on the omega-3 fatty acids supplemented group. Notably, the progressive motility (MD = 1.90; 95% CI: -3.24; 5.61) was the only sperm parameter showing a non-significant influence when omega-3 fatty acids were supplemented. It was then concluded that omega-3 fatty acids supplementation can be used to improve most of the semen parameters in bulls.
Evaluation of changes in dry matter and nutrient content during the growth dynamics of silage maizeOriginal Paper
Andrej Mitrík, Tomáš Mitrík, Iveta Maskaľová
The aim of this study was to identify and quantify the relationships between the nutrient content and the DM (dry matter) content of various maize hybrids (Zea mays L.) in the dynamics of vegetative maturity and various soil-climatic growing conditions. Over the course of 7 growing seasons (years), a set of 1 972 samples of whole silage maize plants consisting of 206 different hybrids grown in two contrasting regions (lowland and foothill areas) was analysed. The focus was on DM content and the content of key energy nutrients (WSC – water soluble carbohydrates, starch, NDF – neutral detergent fibre) and their interactions. Results show that the transformation of WSC into starch has four key points: (1) it begins at a DM content of 150 g/kg; (2) it peaks at a DM content of approximately 235 g/kg; (3) it begins to decrease significantly from a DM content of 300 g/kg; and (4) it practically stops rapidly after exceeding a DM content of 350 g/kg. In the dynamics of vegetative development of maize plants, the DM content is very closely related to the WSC content (R² 0.728) and the starch content (R² 0.873). With the gradual increase in vegetative maturity and DM content in maize plants, the transformation of WSC into starch dynamically increases. These characteristics, with small deviations, were also confirmed at different levels of evaluation (all analyses, regions, seasons and individual hybrids). These results show that a DM content of 300 to 350 g/kg can be considered the optimal harvesting window for maize ensiling and the optimal phase of silage maturity for whole maize plants, because once the DM content exceeds 350 g/kg; the transformation of WSC into starch stops and the drying phase of plants begins.
A systematic review on the modulation of heat shock protein 70 in broilers at different stages of growth under thermal stressReview
ABDULLAHI HUDU RAMALAN, AHMED ABUBAKAR ABUBAKAR, RAMIAH SURIYA KUMARI, HASSIM HASLIZA ABU, GOH YONG MENG
This systematic review synthesises evidence from published articles investigating nutritional strategies to modulate heat shock protein 70 (HSP70). A total of 1,616 records were identified from four databases and snowballing. After screening and eligibility assessment, 25 studies comprising 29 reports published between 2004 and 2025 were included. The analysis shows that targeted interventions particularly antioxidants (vitamins C, E, and selenium), amino acids and their derivatives (methionine, betaine), and phytogenic compounds effectively downregulate HSP70 expression in a dose or tissue-dependent manner. This modulation is associated with improved growth performance, enhanced redox balance, and normalised stress hormone profiles. Key findings indicate that synergistic combinations outperform single additives in suppressing HSP70 and improving carcass yield under chronic heat stress (32-38 °C); early-life nutrient delivery modulates HSP70 expression and influence post-hatch thermotolerance; and organic mineral or methionine hydroxy analogue, are more effective than inorganic forms. However, efficacy varies by life stage, with most studies focused on Ross and Cobb genotypes, and is influenced by gut microbiota interactions. Major research gaps remain, including defining stage-specific optimal HSP70 thresholds, clarifying links between HSP70 modulation, immunity or gut health, understanding long-term effects of early-life nutritional programming, and determining the influence of administration routes on nutrient efficacy.