Czech Journal of Animal Science, 2016 (vol. 61), issue 12

Effects of γ-aminobutyric acid on the thymus tissue structure, antioxidant activity, cell apoptosis, and cytokine levels in chicks under heat stressOriginal Paper

C. Liang, X.Z. Xie, Y.W. Zhou, Y.Y. Jiang, L.J. Xie, Z. Chen

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2016, 61(12):539-550 | DOI: 10.17221/67/2015-CJAS  

This study aims to investigate the effect of dietary γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on the development of thymus tissue structure and function in chicks under heat stress. One-day-old male Wenchang chicks were randomly divided into control group (CK), heat stress group (HS), and GABA+HS group. The chicks from GABA+HS group were administered 0.2 ml of GABA solution daily by oral gavage (50 mg/kg of body weight). Chicks from HS and GABA+HS groups were subjected to heat stress treatment at 40 ± 0.5°C for 2 h every day. Blood and thymus tissue were collected from the chicks at the end of weeks 1-6. Results showed that the thymus weight and index,...

Effects of diet supplementation with herbal blend and sunflower seeds on fermentation parameters, microbial population, and fatty acid profile in rumen of sheepOriginal Paper

M. Wencelová, Z. Váradyová, P. Pristaš, K. Čobanová, I. Plachá, S. Kišidayová

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2016, 61(12):551-559 | DOI: 10.17221/17/2016-CJAS  

The study evaluated the rumen fermentation pattern, microbial population, fatty acid composition, and antioxidant status in the rumen fluid and blood of sheep in response to a diet supplemented with herbal blend (HB), sunflower seeds (SS), and a combination of both HB and SS (HBSS). The HB consisted of medicinal herbs typical for Central Europe. Four rumen fistulated rams were used in a 4 × 4 Latin square design and were fed a basal diet consisting of meadow hay (720 g dry matter (DM)/day) and barley grain (540 g DM/day) in the ratio of 60 : 40 and supplemented with no additive (Control), HB (10% replacement of meadow hay), SS (180 g DM/day), and HBSS...

Effect of low-density lipoprotein addition to soybean lecithin-based extenders on bull spermatozoa following freezing-thawing - preliminary resultsOriginal Paper

O. Šimoník, R. Rajmon, L. Stádník, J. Šichtař, J. Beran, J. Ducháček, P. Hodek, P. Trefil

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2016, 61(12):560-567 | DOI: 10.17221/27/2016-CJAS  

Soybean lecithin-based extenders represent an alternative to extenders containing egg yolk, but there has been discussion about their cryoprotective efficacy. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was proved as a cryoprotective agent, which can replace egg yolk in extenders. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of LDL addition to the soybean extenders on their cryoprotective properties. The effect of the LDL of our production was verified using commercial egg yolk extender BULLXcell^®, 6%, 8%, and 10% LDL (v/v) as an egg yolk replacement. The effects of LDL addition to the soybean lecithin-based extenders in concentrations of...

Effect of insemination-related factors on pregnancy rate using sexed semen in Holstein heifersOriginal Paper

J. Kurykin, T. Hallap, M. Jalakas, P. Padrik, T. Kaart, A. Johannisson, Ü. Jaakma

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2016, 61(12):568-577 | DOI: 10.17221/12/2016-CJAS  

The objectives were to determine the effects of insemination with sexed semen at spontaneous and induced estrus, fixed-time insemination at synchronized estrus, the deposition site, estrous intensity, housing, age, body weight, and bull on the pregnancy rate in Holstein heifers, and to compare the quality traits of sexed sperm with those of unsexed semen. The study was conducted on 3206 heifers, housed in three free-stall barns and in four tie-stall facilities. After synchronization by two prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) treatments 14 days apart, 281 heifers were inseminated conventionally and 118 intracornually with sexed semen, and 532 and...

Factors affecting reproductive efficiency in German Shepherd bitches producing litters for Police of the Czech RepublicOriginal Paper

J. Šichtař, A. Dokoupilová, L. Vostrý, R. Rajmon, F. Jílek

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2016, 61(12):578-585 | DOI: 10.17221/89/2015-CJAS  

The present study on German Shepherd bitches bred in the same environment of a private kennel and producing offspring for working purposes aimed to ascertain if any of the parameters: litter size, number of live puppies, stillbirth and mortality of puppies is determined by the month of whelping, parity, number of whelpings for one bitch over the course of one year, pregnancy length or bitch age at the time of whelping. Reproductive records of 73 bitches of German Shepherd breed (GSB) documented since 2001 till 2013 were processed. A total of 298 whelpings resulted in 2075 puppies; mortality of puppies was evaluated within the first 3 weeks of life....