Czech Journal of Animal Science, 2013 (vol. 58), issue 12

Volume 58, Contents, Author IndexIndex

editors

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2013, 58(12):I-VIII | DOI: 10.17221/7092-CJAS  

Inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) suppresses porcine oocyte ageing in vitroOriginal Paper

M. Sedmíková, J. Petr, A. Dörflerová, J. Nevoral, B. Novotná, T. Krejčová, E. Chmelíková, L. Tůmová

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2013, 58(12):535-545 | DOI: 10.17221/7088-CJAS  

Oocyte ageing is a complex of processes that occur when matured in vitro oocytes are, after reaching the metaphase II stage, exposed to further in vitro culture. Aged oocytes remaining at the metaphase II stage undergo spontaneous parthenogenetic activation, or cellular death, through apoptosis (fragmentation) or lysis. The key factor in apoptotic pathway regulation is c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), stress kinase from the mitogene-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family. To investigate the effect of JNK inhibition on porcine oocytes ageing, cleavage rate, and embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation, DNA fragmentation,...

Reproductive efficiency of Pelibuey and Romanov × Pelibuey ewes synchronized with synthetic progesterone and low doses of PMSG under a hot environmentOriginal Paper

U. Macías-Cruz, J.L. Ponce-Covarrubias, F.D. Álvarez-Valenzuela, A. Correa-Calderón, C.A. Meza-Herrera, L. Avendaño-Reyes

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2013, 58(12):546-553 | DOI: 10.17221/7089-CJAS  

Thirty-nine multiparous ewes (19 Pelibuey and 20 Romanov × Pelibuey) treated with fluorogestone acetate impregnated intravaginal sponges were used to evaluate the effects of low pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) doses and genotype on their reproductive efficiency under heat stress conditions. The sponge treatment lasted for 12 days, and 24 h before sponge removal, ewes of each genotype were injected with 140 or 280 IU of PMSG. Ewes showing estrus were naturally mated twice. Reproductive performance was not affected (P > 0.05) by the dose × genotype interaction. All treated ewes presented estrus signs within a 48-h period after sponge...

Genetic relationship of functional longevity with female fertility and milk production traits in Czech HolsteinsOriginal Paper

L. Zavadilová, V. Zink

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2013, 58(12):554-565 | DOI: 10.17221/7090-CJAS  

The objectives of this study were to estimate heritabilities of and genetic correlations among longevity, milk production, and female fertility traits of Holstein cows. Fertility traits were days open, interval from parturition to first service, and days between the first and last insemination in the first and second lactation, respectively. Production traits were first lactation milk, fat, and protein yield. Functional longevity was defined as the number of days between the first calving and culling, i.e. the length of the productive life. The linear animal model included fixed effects of month-year of first calving, regression on age at first calving,...

Quantification of nitrogen balance components in a commercial broiler barnOriginal Paper

K. von Bobrutzki, C. Ammon, W. Berg, M. Fiedler

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2013, 58(12):566-577 | DOI: 10.17221/7091-CJAS  

Characterizing the respective nitrogen (N) use efficiency requires understanding the N flow of inputs and outputs from a commercial broiler barn. In this study, an N mass balance was performed for one entire growing cycle. The objectives were to quantify, sample, and analyze all N components entering and leaving the barn. The N from feed, chickens, and bedding material was considered as inputs, the outputs included the N accretion in mature broilers, the total N emissions (N_TNE), the N accumulation in litter, and the N of mortality. Of particular relevance was the determination of an appropriate method to mirror the heterogenic...