Czech Journal of Animal Science, 2017 (vol. 62), issue 6

Effect of two freezing extenders on characteristic of fresh and frozen-thawed semen in endangered Old Kladruber stallions - A pilot studyOriginal Paper

Jiří Šichtař, Anežka Nehasilová, Ondřej Šimoník, Filipa Bubeníčková

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2017, 62(6):227-233 | DOI: 10.17221/76/2016-CJAS  

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of two different extenders on sperm characteristic before equilibration and post-thaw in the endangered Old Kladruber stallions. Also, the response of individual stallions to the extenders used was tested. Semen was collected from six stallions every other day within one week. After centrifugation of the collected sperm-rich fraction, the supernatant was removed and sperm pellets were divided to two aliquots; these were diluted either with Gent (Minitube, Germany) or privately manufactured lactose-EDTA-egg yolk extender (Lact). Three cryopreserved insemination doses (IDs) from each extender (Gent and...

Expression of genes encoding zona pellucida glycoproteins and cortical granule distribution in porcine oocytes isolated from small and medium follicles in relation to puberty status of donorsOriginal Paper

Michal Jeseta, Joanna Budna, Wiesława Kranc, Sarka Hanulakova, Artur Bryja, Adrian Chachuła, Sylwia Ciesiółka, Katarzyna Wojtanowicz-Markiewicz, Dorota Bukowska, Klaus-Peter Brüssow, Małgorzata Bruska, Michał Nowicki, Paweł Antosik, Pavlina Hulinska, Marie Machatkova, Maciej Zabel, Bartosz Kempisty

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2017, 62(6):234-241 | DOI: 10.17221/90/2016-CJAS  

The zona pellucida proteins belong to a group of proteins that regulate the processes of gamete recognition, interaction, and fusion, since they are recognized as primary and secondary sperm receptors. It is suggested that cortical granule distribution is significantly associated with the zona pellucida structure and membrane preparation to cortical and acrosome reaction. Therefore, this study investigated the zona pellucida marker gene expression (ZP2 and ZP4 protein) in relation to cortical granules distribution in oocytes and puberty status of donors. Oocytes were collected from adult cyclic sows (isolated from medium and small follicles) and juvenile...

Profile of gonadotropic hormone secretion in sheep with disturbed rhythm of seasonalityOriginal Paper

Edyta Molik, Michał Błasiak, Tomasz Misztal, Katarzyna Romanowicz, Dorota A. Zięba

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2017, 62(6):242-248 | DOI: 10.17221/22/2016-CJAS  

The effect of artificial conditions of a short daylight period (16 h darkness (D): 8 h light (L)) and exogenous melatonin on milk yield parameters of sheep during spring and summer was examined to determine the impact of using sheep for milk on the secretion level of gonadotrophic hormones. The research was conducted on 60 sheep lambed in February. After raising the lambs, the sheep were divided into 3 groups and assigned for dairy use (May-September). The mothers in the control Group 1 (G1) were maintained under natural daylight conditions. The sheep in Group 2 (G2) were maintained under conditions of an artificial photoperiod (16 h D : 8 h L). Meanwhile,...

Effects of immunocastration on growth performance, body composition, meat quality, and boar taintOriginal Paper

Roman Stupka, Jaroslav Čítek, Karel Vehovský, Kateřina Zadinová, Monika Okrouhlá, Daniela Urbanová, Luděk Stádník

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2017, 62(6):249-258 | DOI: 10.17221/99/2016-CJAS  

The study objective was to evaluate the effect of immunocastration in the period between the first and second vaccinations and subsequently between the second vaccination and slaughter on growth performance, carcass composition, meat quality, and boar taint, and compare results in immunocastrated males (IC), uncastrated boars (UCM), surgically castrated barrows (CM), and gilts (FE). The study included 70 pigs of the Duroc × (Large White × Landrace) crossbreed. Upon the overall assessment of the selected fattening indicators (average daily gain, feed intake), significant differences between CM and the other groups were demonstrated. Meanwhile, no significant...

Activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in mares around ovulationOriginal Paper

Katy Satué, Paloma Montesinos, Ana Muños

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2017, 62(6):259-267 | DOI: 10.17221/32/2016-CJAS  

Many physiological events occurring during the estrous cycle, including folliculogenesis, oocyte maturation, ovulation, follicular atresia, corpus luteum development, luteolysis, steroidogenesis, and angiogenesis are associated with an increased expression of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in uterus and ovarian follicles. This enhanced expression leads to a rise in plasma concentrations of these hormones in women and laboratory animals, and the same might happen in the mare. This study aims to assess if an activation of the RAAS occurs in mares around ovulation and if this activation is related to the diameter of the predominant follicle...