Czech Journal of Animal Science, 2018 (vol. 63), issue 7

Curcumin offers antioxidant protection to cryopreserved bovine semenOriginal Paper

Eva Tvrdá, Hana Greifová, Alica Mackovich, Faridullah Hashim, Norbert Lukáč

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2018, 63(7):247-255 | DOI: 10.17221/33/2017-CJAS  

Evidence shows that oxidative stress associated with sperm cryopreservation may lead to a significant decrease of the structural integrity and functional activity of male gametes. Curcumin (CUR) has become a substance of scientific interest for its free radical-quenching abilities, which could enhance the post-thaw quality of male gametes. This study assessed the effects of CUR on the post-thaw vitality and selected oxidative stress markers of bovine spermatozoa. Thirty ejaculates collected from 10 breeding bulls were divided into two aliquots and cryopreserved in the absence (control) or presence of CUR (50 μmol/l). Immediately before use, the...

L-selectin gene polymorphism and its association with clinical mastitis, somatic cell score, and milk production in Polish Holstein-Friesian cattleOriginal Paper

Magdalena Dusza, Joanna Pokorska, Joanna Makulska, Dominika Kulaj, Michal Cupial

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2018, 63(7):256-262 | DOI: 10.17221/96/2017-CJAS  

Bovine mastitis is a widespread disease of the mammary gland, highly contributing to the increase in veterinary costs in dairy industry. In the present study, the genetic polymorphism within bovine L-selectin gene was analysed and its impact on clinical mastitis occurrence, somatic cell score (SCS), and milk production traits in Polish Holstein-Friesian cows was examined. Polymorphism within L-selectin gene, molecule responsible for neutrophil attachment to endothelium, might have a potential role in immune response to bacterial infections and udder health. Two hundred and six Polish Holstein-Friesian cows were genotyped by polymerase...

Effect of synbiotic dietary supplementation on histological and histopathological parameters of Pectoralis major muscle of broiler chickensOriginal Paper

Joanna Bogucka, David Miguel Ribeiro, R.P. Roberto da Costa, Marek Bednarczyk

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2018, 63(7):263-271 | DOI: 10.17221/103/2017-CJAS  

Bioactive substances may constitute an alternative to antibiotics. Probiotics are mixtures of microorganisms that enhance the effectiveness and yield of nutrient absorption by competing for the substrate against pathogens that may cause intestinal infections. Prebiotics are organic substances which include complex carbohydrates and have an influence on the growth and activity of desirable intestinal microflora. Synbiotics are a combination of both of them. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of synbiotics added to commercial feed on Pectoralis major muscle microstructure in broiler chickens. Research material consisted of 240 one-day-old...

Organic matter and crude protein digestibility predicted from nitrogen and fibre fractionation of festulolium hybridsOriginal Paper

Petr Homolka, Marie Koukolová, Veronika Koukolová

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2018, 63(7):272-279 | DOI: 10.17221/10/2018-CJAS  

The objectives of the experiment were to study nitrogen fractions of the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) and digestibility of organic matter (OMD) and crude protein (CPD) along with the possibilities for predicting OMD and CPD based on chemical composition and CNCPS nitrogen fractions. Thirty samples of festulolium hybrids (fescue hybrids and ryegrass hybrids) commonly used and certified in the Czech Republic were analyzed for chemical composition, brutto energy, and nitrogen fractions, these fractions being A (non-protein nitrogen), B1 (rapidly degradable protein), B2 (intermediately degradable protein), B3 (slowly...

Estimation of genetic parameters of fatty acids composition in flesh of market size common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) and their relation to performance traits revealed that selective breeding can indirectly affect flesh qualityOriginal Paper

Martin Prchal, Marc Vandeputte, David Gela, Marek Doležal, Hana Buchtová, Marek Rodina, Martin Flajšhans, Martin Kocour

Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2018, 63(7):280-291 | DOI: 10.17221/30/2018-CJAS  

Fish are a rich source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) and thus, they should be an integral part of human diet at least twice a week. As a result, high attention has been devoted to the improvement of fatty acids (FA) content in the flesh of farmed fish through nutrition. Conversely, there are very few data on the potential of selective breeding to improve FA composition in fish. We estimated genetic parameters of fillet fatty acid content and performance traits in market size common carp cultured under semi-intensive pond conditions. The experimental stock arose through factorial mating of 7 dams and 36 sires. All families were...