Czech Journal of Animal Science, 2008 (vol. 53), issue 4
Association of a microsatellite flanking FSHB gene with reproductive traits and reproductive tract components in pigs
F.E. Li, S.Q. Mei, C.Y. Deng, S.W. Jiang, B. Zuo, R. Zheng, J.L. Li, D.Q. Xu, M.G. Lei, Y.Z. Xiong
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2008, 53(4):139-144 | DOI: 10.17221/371-CJAS 
Microsatellite FSHBMS polymorphism at the 5' flanking region of FSHB gene was genotyped and associations with reproductive traits in several pig populations and with reproductive tract components in the Large White × Meishan F2 offspring were studied. The results showed that FSHBMS allele 98 carriers had a non-significantly higher total number born and number born alive in multiple parities; 118/118 animals had a significantly higher number of piglets at weaning than 98/98 and 98/118 animals (P < 0.05) and significantly higher litter weight at weaning and individual weight at weaning than 98/98 animals (P < 0.05)....
Embryo recovery from the oviduct in superovulated ewes: a method to improve MOET systems
J.P. Ramon-Ugalde, J. Folch, M.J. Cocero, R.E. Piña-Aguilar, J.L. Alabart
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2008, 53(4):145-151 | DOI: 10.17221/374-CJAS
The efficiency of embryo recovery in a superovulatory treatment was studied by perfusing the oviduct or the uterine horn in 3.5 and 7 days after sponge withdrawal, respectively. Eighty-four and seventy ewes of Aragonesa breed were used as embryo donors and receptors, respectively. The donors were distributed in 3 replications. The oestrus was synchronized with the insertion of FGA intravaginal sponges (30 mg) for 13 days. Six intramuscular injections of 18 mg pFSH were applied in decreasing doses at 12 hour intervals starting 48 hours after sponge withdrawal. The recovery rate (RR) (83.2 vs. 75.8%), the viability rate (VR) (73.5 vs. 47.2%) and the...
Reliability of results of milk urea analysis by various methods using artificial milk control samples
O. Hanuš, P. Hering, J. Frelich, M. Jílek, V. Genčurová, R. Jedelská
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2008, 53(4):152-161 | DOI: 10.17221/376-CJAS
The milk urea concentration (MUC) is a respected indicator of the health and nutrition status of dairy cows. It is in relation to their reproduction performance, longevity and technological milk indicators. The accuracy of the interpretation of results depends on their reliability, which is so important. There are a lot of principles of MUC analyses. Their results can be affected by a number of interferential factors. Many disproportions were noticed for the above-mentioned reasons in laboratory practice. That is the reason why relevant result variation sources are studied. The goal of this paper was to search the relationships between different methods...
Effect of housing system on the calcium requirement of laying hens and on eggshell quality
M. Lichovníková, L. Zeman
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2008, 53(4):162-168 | DOI: 10.17221/375-CJAS
The effects of housing systems on the calcium requirement for eggshell production, eggshell quality and on the breaking strength of the hen's tibia were evaluated. Unenriched cages (UN) (24 laying hens), enriched cages (EN) (16 laying hens) and floor system (FS) (24 laying hens) were used in this experiment. The eggshell production of laying hens from 19 to 66 weeks of age was higher (P < 0.01) in the cage systems (UN 39.6 g/hen/week and EN 39.2 g/hen/week) than it was in FS (35.0 g/hen/week). Consequently, the amount of calcium deposited in the eggshells (g/hen/week) was higher (P < 0.01) in the cage systems (14.2 and 14.0 g/hen/week)...
Performance of broilers fed diets supplemented with dry peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) or thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) leaves as growth promoter source
N. Ocak, G. Erener, F. Burak Ak, M. Sungu, A. Altop, A. Ozmen
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2008, 53(4):169-175 | DOI: 10.17221/373-CJAS
A study was conducted to determine the performance, carcase and gastrointestinal tract (gut) characteristics of broilers fed diets supplemented with dry peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) or thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) leaves, which are among the alternative growth promoters. In the study, 312 one-week-old broilers (Ross-308) were used. There were 3 dietary treatments, each consisting of 4 replications (13 males and 13 females in each replication). The control group was fed basal diet, while the peppermint and thyme groups were fed diets supplemented with 0.2% peppermint or thyme (w/w) as menthol and thymol (70 mg per kg diet) sources, respectively....
Mutation in the RPE65 gene causing hereditary retinal dystrophy in the Briard dogs: application of a new detection method
R. Bechyňová, J. Dostál, A. Stratil, F. Jílek, P. Horák
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2008, 53(4):176-179 | DOI: 10.17221/372-CJAS
Inherited eye diseases are widespread in most of the pure dog breeds and they show a severe impact on canine health, welfare and working ability. Congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) was originally described in Briards. CSNB is slow progressive retinal degeneration with very early onset of clinical symptoms and is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. The causative mutation (Y16567.1:c.487_490delAAGA) for CSNB was identified in exon 5 of the RPE65 gene. This deletion results in a frameshift and leads to a premature stop codon and expression of a non-functional protein. To date, only expensive, laborious or unpractical methods have...