Czech Journal of Animal Science - Latest articles
Results 91 to 120 of 141:
List of CJAS Reviewers in 2023
Editorial Department
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2024, 69(1):I-II 
Index Contents CJAS volume 68
Editorial Department
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(12):I-VIII
Meta-analysis of fluorochrome concentrations to assess bull sperm quality by flow cytometry in 2021–2023
Filipp Georgijeviè Savvulidi, Martin Ptáèek, Szabolcs Nagy, Ludìk Stádník
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(12):469-485 | DOI: 10.17221/152/2023-CJAS
Flow cytometry (FC) is a very powerful method for the assessment of spermatozoa quality in multiple livestock species, including bulls. Nowadays, many flow cytometric tests are available for quality detection of bull sperm. These tests are based on fluorochromes (fluorescent tags or dyes) and the use of correct concentrations of fluorochromes is an essential aspect of the successful optimization of experimental methodology. Modern flow cytometers are much more affordable, such that spermatologists are now able to use FC methodology (and even image cytometry) in their studies. The present review aims to give a summary of current flow cytometric methodologies...
Effect of catalase on the growth performance, antioxidation, and microbial metabolism of weaned rabbits
Ning Liu, Yien Lin, Shuaibao Wang, Jianping Wang
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(12):508-515 | DOI: 10.17221/133/2023-CJAS
The present study aimed to investigate the effect of catalase (CAT) on the growth performance, antioxidation, and microbial metabolism of weaned rabbits. Dietary treatments consisted of control and CAT supplementation at 100 (T1), 150 (T2), and 200 IU/kg of diet (T3). A total of 240 weaned rabbits were randomly assigned to 4 groups with 6 replicates of 10 rabbits each. The feeding trial lasted for 28 days. Results showed that T2 and T3 increased (P < 0.05) body weight gain and gain/feed ratio, and decreased (P < 0.05) diarrhoea rate, compared to the control. Also, serum antioxidative parameters and oxidative stress products were...
Genomic characterization of Serbian Holstein-Friesian cattle population
Momèilo ©aran, Ljuba ©trbac, Dobrila Jankoviæ, Mihajla Djan, Sne¾ana Trivunoviæ, Minja Zorc
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(12):486-496 | DOI: 10.17221/89/2023-CJAS
The use of genomic data makes it possible to examine genetic variability and calculate the genetic parameters of the population in an efficient and precise way. The aim of this research was to analyse linkage disequilibrium (LD), contemporary effective population size (Nec), haplotype block structure, minor allele frequency (MAF), observed (HO) and expected heterozygosity (HE), calculate the genomic relationship matrix and perform a principal component analysis (PCA) in the Serbian Holstein-Friesian cattle population using SNP data from the GGP Bovine 100K chip. After quality control (QC), 83 208...
Effects of plant sterol microcapsules on growth performance and serum biochemical indicators in pigs
Bin Song, Shengwei Di, Yan Zhao, Ziwei Li, Junjie Jin, Fengxiang Hou, Yawen Zhang, Hongxi Xu
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(12):497-507 | DOI: 10.17221/64/2023-CJAS
To better explore the effects of adding phytosterol (PS) microcapsules to feed on pig growth performance, nutrient apparent digestibility, and serum biochemical indicators, 200 healthy ternary hybrid Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire piglets with an average initial weight of 7.53 ± 0.57 kg) were used as experimental subjects, and randomly divided into five groups with four replicates in each group. The control group of pigs was fed the basic diet, while the experimental group received diets supplemented with different PS levels. They were divided into experimental groups 1 to 4 (100 mg/kg to 5 502 mg/kg) according to different dosage added components....
Lipid-rich bovine serum albumin is beneficial for the early development of bovine embryos, but induces lipid droplet formation in the blastocyst
Dae-Jin Kwon, Kyung-Do Park, HakKyo Lee, Jae-Don Oh
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(11):443-450 | DOI: 10.17221/107/2023-CJAS
Lipid-rich bovine serum albumin (LR-BSA) has been reported to increase the survival rate of blastocysts after freezing and thawing. However studies on the early development of in vitro fertilised (IVF) embryos are still insufficient in cattle. This study investigated the blastocyst productivity of in vitro culture (IVC) medium (synthetic oviductal fluid medium with amino acids, mSOFaa) supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS, Control) or LR-BSA (1, 2.5, 5 mg/ml dosages, respectively) and the qualitative characteristics of produced blastocysts. Cleavage rates on day 2 were similar between all groups. Significant differences were obtained...
The occurrence and risk assessment of bisphenol A and its analogues – bisphenol B, F, S, Z and AF in the urine of lactating sows
Ivan Bahelka, Roman Stupka, Jaroslav Èítek, Michal ©prysl
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(11):451-459 | DOI: 10.17221/90/2023-CJAS
Bisphenols (BP) are pollutants that are globally and widely distributed and adversely affect the health of humans. However, knowledge of their presence in animals, especially farm animals such as pigs, remains limited. In this study, the incidence of bisphenol A (BPA) and its five analogues – bisphenol B (BPB), bisphenol F (BPF), bisphenol S (BPS), bisphenol Z (BPZ) and bisphenol AF (BPAF) – was monitored in lactating sows on an actual pig farm. The urine samples of 27 sows were collected twice on the 3rd day after parturition, and stored at –20 °C until analysis using MDGC/MS. None of the lactating sows produced bisphenol-free...
The most common reproductive disorders of cows in Holstein cattle breeding
Eva Ka¹ná, Ludmila Zavadilová, Zuzana Krupová, Soòa ©losárková, Petr Fleischer
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(11):433-442 | DOI: 10.17221/86/2023-CJAS
The paper deals with the genomic evaluation of retained placenta (RP), metritis/endometritis (MET), and cystic ovarian disease (CYS) and their involvement in the selection programme of Holstein cattle. A procedure for the estimation of genetic parameters and genomic breeding values was proposed. The dataset included farmers’ records of 127 000 lactations from 109 farms for RP, 185 000 lactations from 131 farms for MET and 115 000 lactations from 87 farms for CYS. The lactational incidence was 6.9% (RP), 12.8% (MET) and 9.2% (CYS). The single-trait animal model equation included fixed effects of herd-year-season of calving and parity of the cow,...
Monitoring of milk performance of Wallachian sheep grazed under traditional Carpathian management in Western Beskids location
Martin Ptáèek, Michal Milerski, Tereza Michlová, Jaromír Ducháèek, Vladimír Tanèin, Michal Uhrinèa», Jitka Schmidová, Filipp Georgijeviè Savvulidi, Ludìk Stádník
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(11):460-468 | DOI: 10.17221/85/2023-CJAS
This study aimed to determine the potential of Wallachian sheep in quantitative and qualitative indicators of milk production under extensive conditions of the Western Beskids mountains. Milk samples were collected from the group of 38 non-dairying sheep selected from the basic 120-head flock. Ewes were monitored during four control days (from 27th April, the average 42nd day of lactation to 4th August, the average 142nd day of lactation) to cover the whole lactation period. Ewes were investigated for their milk production and for milk quantity parameter. Milk quality indicators included percentage estimation...
Genetic diversity and maternal origin of Vietnamese indigenous chicken breeds inferred from complete sequences of mitochondrial DNA D-loop region
Thi Thanh Nhan Giang, Van Ba Nguyen, Thi Quynh Chau Nguyen, Khanh Van Nguyen, Lan Doan Pham
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(10):423-432 | DOI: 10.17221/226/2022-CJAS
Indigenous chickens play a significant role in food security, income growth and socio-cultural life of rural households in Vietnam. This study was conducted to assess the genetic diversity as well as the phylogenetic relationships of Vietnamese indigenous chickens (Gallus gallus) to support the conservation of their genetic resources for sustainable rural farming. In this study, the genetic diversity and the phylogenetic relationships of 10 Vietnamese indigenous chicken breeds were analyzed using complete sequences of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) displacement-loop (D-loop) region. The average nucleotide and haplotype diversities of Vietnamese...
Growth, carcass and meat quality in Zwartbles lambs slaughtered at different live weights
Tomá¹ Jano¹, Jan Kuchtík, Eli¹ka Draèková, Martin Ho¹ek, Tomá¹ Kopec, Radek Filipèík
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(10):414-422 | DOI: 10.17221/99/2023-CJAS
The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of different live weights at slaughter (LWS) of Zwartbles lambs on their daily gain (DG), carcass traits (CT) and chemical and physical characteristics of the quadriceps femoris muscle (QFM). A total of four weight groups of lambs were evaluated: group A, LWS = up to 35 kg; group B, LWS from 35.1 to 40 kg; group C, LWS from 40.1 to 45 kg and group D, LWS from 45.1 to 50 kg. The LWS had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on DG and most CTs, when average DG and most weights of individual CTs increased with increasing LWS. The evaluation of the influence of LWS on the chemical and physical...
Polymorphism of the PGLYRP1 gene, the value of selected performance and functional traits, and causes of culling in Holstein-Friesian red-white cows
Piotr Sablik, Andrzej Dybus, Ewa Janu¶, B³a¿ej Nowak, Wojciech Kruszyñski, Anna Mucha
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(10):399-406 | DOI: 10.17221/194/2022-CJAS
This research paper addresses the hypothesis that the peptidoglycan recognition protein 1 (PGLYRP1) gene polymorphism (Tyr76His; dbSNP ID: ss104796364) has an influence on some performance traits and causes of culling in Polish Holstein-Friesian red-white cows. The study involved 134 cows kept on a farm in the south-west of Poland. PGLYRP1 genotypes TT, CT, and CC were detected. It was shown that compared with cows with genotypes CT and TT, the individuals with genotype CC were characterised by higher lifetime yields and higher amounts of lactation milk, fat, and protein. A beneficial effect...
Effects of crossbreeding on milk production of sheep
Michaela Èerná, Milan Margetín, Zdeòka Veselá, Michal Milerski
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(10):407-413 | DOI: 10.17221/39/2023-CJAS
The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of crossbreeding on milk production and milk components in crossbred Tsigai, Lacaune, and Improved Wallachian sheep used to create a synthetic Slovak dairy sheep population. The local breeds Tsigai and Improved Wallachian were crossed with the high-yielding breed Lacaune to increase milk yield. The effects of crossbreeding were evaluated based on breed and heterosis effects. The database used consisted of 23 018 lactations from 15 888 ewes. The effects of crossbreeding on milk production and fat and protein content were estimated using the restricted maximum likelihood method in REMLF90. Fixed effects...
Gly-Leu instead of Gly promoted the proliferation and protein synthesis of chicken intestinal epithelial cells
Jing Liang, Baolong Du, Minyan Wan, Yapeng Zhao, Defu Tang
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(9):391-398 | DOI: 10.17221/213/2022-CJAS
Amino acids have positive regulatory effects on the function of intestinal epithelial cells (IEC), but in the field of animal nutrition, research on the regulatory effects of amino acids on IEC is still in the initial stages. This study aims to explore the effects of Gly, Gly-Gly, and Gly-Leu on IEC proliferation and their possible mechanisms. Chicken small intestinal epithelial cells were separated using the tissue block method, and other miscellaneous cells were removed for digestion and passage culture. The IEC were cultured in the medium containing 20 nmol/l Gly, Gly-Gly and Gly-Leu for 24 h, and the expression of enterokinase and cytokeratin in cells,...
In vitro assessment of the relationships between the digestion of different types of rice straw and bacterial community in the rumen
Ajmal Wali, Naoki Nishino
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(9):372-382 | DOI: 10.17221/193/2022-CJAS
The aims of this study were to examine bacterial communities in relation to the rumen digestion of rice straw and to understand how concentrate supplements affect gut bacteria involving the digestion of a rice straw-based diet. The substrates were rice straw (RS) alone (experiment 1) and RS with 25% concentrates (barley and kidney beans) (experiment 2). The genomic DNA was collected to determine bacterial diversity by conducting denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). V6–V8 region group-specific (Clostridium and Bacteroides) primers were employed in the analyses. The DGGE band pattern was subjected to cluster analysis to demonstrate...
Changes in the behaviour of Czech Fleckvieh dairy cows during the day under optimal ambient temperature conditions in the barn
Milan Veèeøa, Stanislav Navrátil, Tomá¹ Kopec, Daniel Falta, Gustav Chládek, Francois Stefanus Lategan
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(9):365-371 | DOI: 10.17221/23/2023-CJAS
In the experimental section of the barn (which made up 25% of the barn), 103 cubicles in free stall barn were selected in three rows, housing 98 dairy cows of Czech Fleckvieh cattle. Monitoring was done for one calendar year, once a week. From this period, 16 days with temperatures from 0.5–15.0 °C were selected for quantification. Observations were continuously recorded at 10:00 am (one hour after the coming of the last cow from the milking parlour), at hourly intervals until 7:00 pm. Ten observations were carried out every day of the monitoring period. In total, 15 680 individual observations were recorded. The microclimatic parameters (temperature,...
Evaluation of crystallisation structures of cervical mucus in Zwartbles sheep with previous oestrus synchronisation
Vojtìch Pe¹an, Zuzana Reèková, Martin Ho¹ek, Radek Filipèík, Katarina Sou¹ková, Tomá¹ Kopec, Martina Pe¹anová Tesaøová
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(9):383-390 | DOI: 10.17221/4/2023-CJAS
This study was conducted to determine the individual types of crystallisation structures of cervical mucus (arborisation phenomenon) in sheep and changes in the types of these structures during oestrus. A total of 80 ewes aged between two and eight years were included in the study. Oestrus synchronisation was performed using intravaginal sponges, and samples of cervical mucus were collected 55–57 h after the removal of intravaginal sponges and subsequently evaluated. The crystallisation structures of the cervical mucus of sheep exhibit the same sequence during oestrus as in cattle. The most frequently occurring types of crystallisation in the...
Diversity of the bovine genes IRAK1 and IRAK4 in the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway
Ladislav Tichý, Karel Novák, Jitka Kyselová, Michaela Pøibáòová, Jan Calta, Lubo¹ Vostrý
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(8):323-332 | DOI: 10.17221/137/2022-CJAS
Innate immunity is the organism’s first line of defence, and the receptors of immune cells play a key role. Interleukin 1 receptor-associated kinase 1 and 4 (IRAK1 and IRAK4) are necessary for signal transmission from Toll-like receptors, which are the most important receptors of immune cells. The main objective of this study was to investigate the gene polymorphisms of IRAK1 and IRAK4 in Czech Fleckvieh cattle (CF) and to compare their diversity with other cattle breeds as there is still little information about these genes. PacBio Technology of next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to detect genetic variability in 164...
Dynamics of occurrence of defective eggs in initial laying lines of hens
Tomá¹ Kopec, Ladislav Máchal, Eva Tùmová, Zuzana Reèková, Radek Filipèík
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(8):356-363 | DOI: 10.17221/54/2023-CJAS
The aim of this study was to monitor the occurrence of abnormal eggs in five initial laying lines of the domestic chicken (Gallus domesticus) between 2017 and 2021. The incidence of abnormal eggs, cracks, shell-less eggs, and double-yolk eggs were examined as part of the monitoring. Also assessed was the laying intensity, which ranged from 83.7% for the Barred Plymouth Rock (BPR) B line to 96.8% for the Rhode Island Red (RIR) A line. A statistically significant relationship between the line and control year was discovered for all varieties of abnormal eggs. The highest occurrence of cracks was in the RIR B line (2.2%). The BPR A line of hens...
Ameliorative effect of yeast cell walls on broiler chickens’ performance and gut health under coccidiosis challenge
Shawkat Abdulrazaq M'Sadeq
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(8):346-355 | DOI: 10.17221/24/2023-CJAS
This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of yeast cell wall parts (YCW) in reducing the severity of coccidiosis in broiler chickens. One-day-old Ross 308 chicks (n = 320) were randomly allocated to 32 floor pens in two rooms with a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement of treatments. Factors were (1) challenge: negative or positive by room, (2) feed additive: control (none), anticoccidial (salinomycin at 60 mg/kg), YCW 0.1% or 0.2%. On day 8, none-challenged room was inoculated with saline, and challenged room was inoculated with 5 000 Eimeria tenella oocysts. Performance results showed that in challenged birds, feed conversion ratio (FCR)...
Heat stress affects the milk yield, milk composition, serum oxidative status, and metabolites of Holstein cows during mid-lactation
Xue Chen, Yongqiang Li, Jun Xiao, Jianan Dong, Wei Zhao, Zhiyi Han, Liang Xin, Guixin Qin, Tao Wang, Yuguo Zhen, Zhe Sun, Xuefeng Zhang
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(8):333-345 | DOI: 10.17221/2/2023-CJAS
Seasonal heat stress and metabolic disorders during mid-lactation are the main factors limiting production in Holstein cows, and several proteins and molecules involved in metabolic pathways are altered in response to stress. We investigated the effects of heat stress on the milk yield, milk composition, serum oxidative status, and metabolites in Holstein cows during mid-lactation to identify biomarkers associated with heat stress in serum and milk. Holstein cows with similar body condition scores (3.0 ± 0.25), parity (2.5 ± 0.5), and lactation days (115 ± 5 days) were selected in August (heat stress, HS, n = 20) 2017 and March...
Experimental evaluation of milk yield and selected traits of milk quality in Clun Forest ewes
Jan Kuchtík, Kvìtoslava ©ustová, Tomá¹ Kopec, Ferenc Pajor, Leona Koneèná
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(7):306-312 | DOI: 10.17221/221/2022-CJAS
In general, it can be stated that the economics of non-dairy sheep breeding in the Czech Republic experienced a worsening trend in recent years. One of the ways to improve this situation is to use some of these breeds also for milk production. One of the possible breeds usable for milk production, especially for the good milk production of mothers, is the Clun Forest (CF). The aim of our experiment was to evaluate the daily milk yield (DMY) and the contents of fat (F), total protein (TP) and lactose (L), pH, titratable acidity (TA), concentration of urea (CU) and somatic cell count (SCC) in CF ewes during lactation. In our experiment, the following...
Dietary supplementation of natural tannin relieved intestinal injury and oxidative stress in piglets challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli
Qian Zhang, Lin Zhang, Linxiao Du, Yanyan Zhang, Dan Yi, Di Zhao, Binying Ding, Yongqing Hou, Tao Wu
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(7):296-305 | DOI: 10.17221/148/2022-CJAS
This study is to explore the effects of natural tannin (NBT) on intestinal injury in piglets challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). Thirty-two 7-day-old piglets were divided into four groups: I) control group, piglets were fed a basic diet without challenge; II) ETEC group, piglets were fed a basic diet and challenged with enterotoxigenic E. coli; III) NBT + ETEC group, piglets were fed a basic diet with supplementation of 2 g/kg NBT and challenged with enterotoxigenic E. coli; and IV) ZnO + ETEC group, piglets were fed a basic diet with supplementation of 3 g/kg ZnO and challenged with enterotoxigenic...
Camelina sativa as a sustainable and feasible feedstuff for broiler poultry species: A review
Yazavinder Singh, Marco Cullere, Eva Tùmová, Antonella Dalle Zotte
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(7):277-295 | DOI: 10.17221/29/2023-CJAS
Camelina sativa can be identified as a promising oilseed crop due to its short growth cycle, tolerance to drought and frost, low-input requirements, resistance to pests and diseases, feed, and non-feed applications. Compared to other Brassicaceae family plants, camelina is mainly distinguished by high levels of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidant content. However, camelina contains secondary plant metabolites, such as glucosinolates, phytic acid, sinapine, etc., and their presence limits the use of camelina by-products (oil, seed or cake) in poultry feeding. The breakdown of these compounds forms complexes that can inhibit...
Temperature regulates fatty acid desaturase and elongase at the transcriptional level and modulates the fatty acid profile in the early stage of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio)
Hong-Tao Ren, Shi-Yang Gao, Yong Huang, Xiao-Chan Gao
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(7):313-321 | DOI: 10.17221/22/2023-CJAS
This study explored the regulatory effect of temperature stress on fatty acid biosynthesis in the early stage of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) based on Δ6-fatty acids desaturase (Δ6FAD) and elongase-5 (ELOVL5) gene expression and fatty acid composition. One-day-old carp larvae were selected, and after seven days of acclimatisation at 25 °C, the larvae were subjected to temperature stress for 96 h in water at 32 °C or 10 °C. In the post-larval stage, 30-day-old carp juveniles were selected and, after seven days of acclimatisation at 25 °C, were subjected to temperature stress for seven days in water at 32 °C or 10 °C....
Effect of urea and molasses supplementation on in vitro digestibility, feed quality of mixed forage silages
Esra Gürsoy, Gürkan Sezmiº, Ali Kaya
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(6):266-276 | DOI: 10.17221/212/2022-CJAS
This study aims to investigate using different ratios of urea-molasses in silage of food in vitro fermentation, feed value and quality production in feed. After being withered a little, the fodder plant was fragmented into 2–3 cm long pieces. 0, 2 and 4% molasses and 0, 0.5 and 1% urea were added. The treatment groups were UM1 (control), UM2, UM3, UM4, UM5, UM6, UM7, UM8 and UM9 supplemented with 0, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1.5, 1.5, 1.5% urea and 0, 2, 4, 0, 2, 4, 0, 2, 4% molasses respectively, and a total of 54 silage samples, 9 × 6 parallel, were prepared, vacuumed in ready-made silage bags, and stored at 25 ± 2 °C for 60 days. After the silages...
Effects of dietary protease supplementation on behaviour, slaughter performance, meat quality and immune organ indices of broilers
Xixi Li, Xinxin Wang, Yi Lv, Wenfeng Ma, Xiaohong Wu, Wenrui Zhen, Furong Zhao
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(6):255-265 | DOI: 10.17221/178/2022-CJAS
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of protease supplementation on the behaviour, slaughter performance, meat quality, and immune organ indices of broilers. A total of 240 one-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chickens were randomly allocated to four treatments, with six replicates per treatment and 10 broilers per replicate. Chickens were fed corn-soybean meal basal diets supplemented with 0, 4, 8, and 12 IU/g of protease. Compared with 0 IU/g of protease supplementation, 12 IU/g of protease increased the average and minimum time of feeding and drinking behaviour (P < 0.05); increased the average, maximum, and minimum time...
Timed artificial insemination protocols in dairy cattle: Functioning, shortcomings, and improvements
Amine Boudaoud
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(6):231-244 | DOI: 10.17221/208/2022-CJAS
Oestrus detection is currently at the top of the factors limiting the success of artificial insemination in dairy herds. This limitation becomes more pronounced as milk production increases because of higher metabolic clearance rates of steroid hormones leading to low circulating oestradiol concentration near oestrus. The standard OvSynch has overcome this problem by enabling fixed-time artificial insemination, for it synchronises follicular wave emergence, luteolysis, and ovulation. However, it did not improve fertility compared to cycles with spontaneous ovulation, which motivated the development of “fertility programs”. These later...
Effect of biochar or biochar and urea supplementation on feed intake, milk yield, feed conversion and methane production of dairy cows
Georg Terler, Manuel Winter, Michael Mandl, Joseph Sweeney, Andreas Steinwidder
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2023, 68(6):245-254 | DOI: 10.17221/38/2023-CJAS
Feed additives belong to a number of climate change mitigation strategies being sought to reduce methane emissions in ruminants. In this study, the effect of biochar or biochar and urea supplementation on dairy cow performance and methane production was assessed. Eighteen cows were used in a 3 × 3 latin square design with three feeding groups: control with no supplementation (CO), biochar supplementation (BC, 200 g/day) and biochar and urea supplementation (BC + U, 200 g/day biochar and 90 g/day urea). All cows were fed a forage mixture ad libitum and 5 kg of concentrates per day on average. Methane emissions were measured in respiration...