Czech Journal of Animal Science, 2013 (vol. 58), issue 10

Mitochondrial D-loop sequence variation among Hucul horseOriginal Paper

V. Czerneková, T. Kott, I. Majzlík

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2013, 58(10):437-442 | DOI: 10.17221/6992-CJAS  

Genetic variation in the Czech Hucul horse population was analyzed using a sequence analysis of the D-loop region of mitochondrial DNA. One hundred and sixty-five Hucul horses were tested. Sequencing of the 700-base pairs fragment of the mitochondrial DNA D-loop region revealed 38 mutation sites representing 14 haplotypes, which were clustered into six haplogroups. The genetic information obtained from the mitochondrial DNA typing is of utmost importance for the future breed-conservation strategies.

Effect of various co-culture systems on embryo development in ovineOriginal Paper

B. Heidari, A. Shirazi, M.-M. Naderi, M.-M. Akhondi, H. Hassanpour, A. Sarvari, S. Borjian

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2013, 58(10):443-452 | DOI: 10.17221/6993-CJAS  

Considering the advent of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a new source of somatic cells in embryo co-culture system, the current study was aimed to compare in vitro embryo development using embryonic MSCs monolayer with embryonic fibroblast cells (EFCs), oviductal epithelial cells (OECs), and cell-free culture system. The IVM/IVF presumptive sheep zygotes were randomly cultured in different culture conditions as follows: (1) SOFaaBSA medium for the whole culture period (SOF, n = 371), (2) SOFaaBSA medium for the first 3 days followed by co-culturing with MSCs for the next 5 days (SOF-MSCs, n = 120), (3) co-culturing with...

The role of nitric oxide synthase isoforms in aged porcine oocytesOriginal Paper

J. Nevoral, T. Krejčová, J. Petr, P. Melicharová, A. Vyskočilová, M. Dvořáková, I. Weingartová, E. Chmelíková, L. Tůmová, K. Hošková, V. Kučerová-Chrpová, M. Sedmíková

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2013, 58(10):453-459 | DOI: 10.17221/6994-CJAS  

In the sphere of reproductive biotechnologies, the demand for sufficient numbers of high-quality oocytes is still increasing. In some cases, this obstacle is overcome by in vitro prolonged cultivation. However, a prolonged oocyte culture is accompanied by changes called ageing. Ageing is manifested by spontaneous parthenogenetic activation, programmed cell death or lysis. Various substances, such as caffeine or dithiothreitol, have been tested for ageing suppression. In this respect, research into gasotransmitters (hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide, and nitric oxide) has currently been intensified. The objectives of the present study were...

Identification of Levica yeasts as a potential ruminal microbial additiveOriginal Paper

Y. Marrero, M.E. Burrola-Barraza, Y. Castillo, L.C. Basso, C.A. Rosa, O. Ruiz, E. González-Rodríguez

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2013, 58(10):460-469 | DOI: 10.17221/6995-CJAS  

The objective of this study was to identify and characterize yeast strains isolated from the ruminal ecosystem that are capable of enhancing fermentation in bovines that consume high-fibre diets recommended by livestock feed guidelines in Cuba. The yeasts were isolated from the rumen of Holsteincows that had been fed a biofermented product. Isolated colonies were purified, identified, and characterized using biochemical and molecular methods, and their effects on ruminal fermentation were compared by measuring in vitro gas production. Thirteen new strains enhancing gas production with potential use as additives in ruminal fermentation were...

Effect of extruded full-fat soybeans on performance, amino acids digestibility, trypsin activity, and intestinal morphology in broilersOriginal Paper

M. Foltyn, V. Rada, M. Lichovníková, I. Šafařík, A. Lohniský, D. Hampel

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2013, 58(10):470-478 | DOI: 10.17221/6996-CJAS  

The influence of different levels of extruded full-fat soybean (EFFSB) in the diet on growth performance, apparent ileal amino acids digestibility (AIAAD), intestinal morphology, and trypsin activity in digesta of broilers was determined. In the first experiment, two-hundred sixty ROSS 308 male chickens were used to investigate the effect of EFFSB on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and trypsin activity in the digesta and AIAAD. Five dietary treatments were used, containing 0, 40, 80, 120, and 160 g/kg of EFFSB. The experiment lasted from day 10 till day 38 of age. The inclusion of EFFSB at the level of 160 g/kg in the diet significantly...

Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in CAPN1 and CAST genes with beef tenderness from Spanish commercial feedlotsOriginal Paper

C. Avilés, M. Juárez, F. Peña, V. Domenech, I. Clemente, A. Molina

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2013, 58(10):479-487 | DOI: 10.17221/6997-CJAS  

Frequencies of two SNPs in the μ-calpain (CAPN1) and calpastatin (CAST) genes in local and foreign commercial cross-breeds used in south-western Spain (Charolais, Limousin, and Retinta) were evaluated and the association of these markers with texture analysis in animals fattened under different feedlot conditions was assessed. Marker frequencies were estimated in a 286 bull crossbred population and the longisimus dorsi muscles from subsequently selected 161 animals were used to measure Warner-Bratzler shear force in raw and cooked samples at three different ageing days (1, 7, and 21). Significant differences (P ≤...