Czech Journal of Animal Science, 2012 (vol. 57), issue 2

The association of five polymorphisms with milk production traits in Czech Fleckvieh cattle

J. Boleckova, J. Matejickova, M. Stipkova, J. Kyselova, L. Barton

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2012, 57(2):45-53 | DOI: 10.17221/5131-CJAS  

The aim of this study was to estimate allelic and genotypic frequencies of five DNA markers that are positional and functional candidates for milk production traits in Czech Fleckvieh cattle. In addition, we evaluated the association of these markers with milk production traits and breeding values for milk production traits and also estimated linkage disequilibrium (LD) between two markers within the prolactin (PRL) gene. As part of this study, 505 Czech Fleckvieh cows were genotyped. The markers in proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PPARGC1A), secreted phosphoprotein (SPP1), cytochrome P450 family...

Pedigree analysis in four Slovak endangered horse breeds

J. Pjontek, O. Kadlečík, R. Kasarda, M. Horný

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2012, 57(2):54-64 | DOI: 10.17221/5132-CJAS  

The aim of this study was to perform an analysis of genetic diversity in four endangered horse populations bred in Slovakia, describing parameters on the probability of identity by descent and gene origin. The analysed populations consisted of (reference populations in brackets) 656 (158) Hucul horses, 2052 (162) Lipizzan horses, 1951 (171) Shagya Arabian horses, and 220 (42) Slovak Sport Ponies. The equivalent complete generations ranged from 4.93 for the Slovak Sport Pony to 10.25 for the Lipizzan horses. The average value of inbreeding ranged from 2.67% for the Slovak Sport Pony to 6.26% for the Hucul. The mean average relationship coefficients...

Effect of dose of thymol and supplemental flavours or camphor on palatability in a choice feedings study with piglets

J. Michiels, J. Missotten, A. Ovyn, N. Dierick, D. Fremaut, S. De Smet

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2012, 57(2):65-74 | DOI: 10.17221/5133-CJAS  

Thymol's antimicrobial properties urged researchers to study its effect on animal performance and intestinal health in pigs. However, thymol has the characteristic sharp odor of thyme and a bitter, aromatic, and sometimes burning sensation which may elicit feeding aversions. The objectives in the current study were: (1) to determine the effect of dose of thymol and camphor on palatability and (2) to test the hypothesis that supplemental flavours or camphor, the latter as a known Transient Receptor Potential A1 blocker, could mitigate feed avoidance caused by thymol. Two analogous choice-feeding trials were conducted. Feed intake of the test diet was...

Estimation of genetic parameters for melanoma in the Old Kladruber horse

L.Vostrý, B. Hofmanová, H. Vostrá Vydrová, J. Přibyl, I. Majzlík

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2012, 57(2):75-82 | DOI: 10.17221/5134-CJAS  

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of melanoma to investigate a possible genetic variation of this trait in the Old Kladruber horse. A total of 564 grey varieties of the Old Kladruber horse, 238 males and 326 females, with five generations of ancestors (n = 1245 animals) were analysed. Melanoma status was recorded for different stages. Three different analyses were conducted: a linear animal model (LM) with melanoma classified into five categories, threshold animal model (TM) with melanoma classified into five categories and threshold animal model (TMb) with melanoma classified into two categories (0 = absence, 1 = presence)....

Dynamics of epigenetic remodeling in interspecies porcine zygotes

I. Barnetova, I. Vackova, P. Firla

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2012, 57(2):83-94 | DOI: 10.17221/5135-CJAS  

The process of active paternal chromatin demethylation after fertilization in the pig is not fully understood and very inconsistent data have been published by different research groups. We have applied the interspecies intracytoplasmic sperm injection (iICSI) to evaluate remodeling capabilities of porcine oocytes in more details. We injected mouse frozen-thawed sperm heads into porcine in vitro matured or ovulated oocytes, respectively. Embryos produced by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) of boar spermatozoa into porcine ovulated oocytes (intraspecies) served as controls. Zygotes with 2-pronuclei were labeled with antibodies against...