Czech Journal of Animal Science, 2019 (vol. 64), issue 12
Effect of serum-containing and serum-free culture medium-mediated activation of matrix metalloproteinases on embryonic developmental competenceOriginal Paper
Sang Hwan Kim, Jong Taek Yoon
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2019, 64(12):473-482 | DOI: 10.17221/205/2019-CJAS 
In this study, we examined whether serum-free and serum-containing media affect matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity with respect to embryonic development, and whether MMP expression is correlated with the development of in vitro fertilized eggs. When oocytes were cultured in serum-free medium (containing polyvinylpyrrolidone) and serum (foetal bovine serum)-containing medium, the generation of meiosis 2 (MII) oocytes was 76% and 87.5%, respectively (P < 0.05). After in vitro fertilization using mature oocytes, we observed 39.72% and 64.05% of cleaved oocytes in serum-free and serum-containing groups, respectively (P...
Copper bioavailability, mineral utilization, and lipid metabolism in broilersOriginal Paper
Aiyou Wen, Sifa Dai, Xuezhuang Wu, Zhihua Cai
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2019, 64(12):483-490 | DOI: 10.17221/210/2019-CJAS
The study was conducted to investigate the effects of copper (Cu) sources and levels on mineral utilization, tissue copper residues, and lipid metabolism in Arbor Acres broilers. A total of 640 male broilers were randomly divided into 5 groups with 8 replicates per group and 16 broilers per replicate. The experiment was used in a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial experiment design. Broilers in the control group were fed a basal diet, and animals in the other four groups were fed basal diets supplemented with Cu from copper sulphate and copper methionine. Copper concentrations of the experimental diets were 20 and 40 mg Cu/kg dry matter. A metabolism trial of 4 days...
Analysis of selection signatures in the beef cattle genomeOriginal Paper
Nina Moravčíková, Radovan Kasarda, Luboš Vostrý, Zuzana Krupová, Emil Krupa, Kristína Lehocká, Barbora Olšanská, Anna Trakovická, Rudolf Nádaský, Radoslav Židek, Ľubomír Belej, Jozef Golian
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2019, 64(12):491-503 | DOI: 10.17221/226/2019-CJAS
This study aimed to evaluate the impact of selection on the genome structure of beef cattle through identification of selection signatures reflecting the breeding standard of each breed and to discover potential functional genetic variants to improve performance traits. Genotyping data of six beef breeds (Aberdeen Angus, Hereford, Limousin, Charolais, Piedmontese and Romagnola) were used to perform genome-wide scans for selection signatures. The approaches applied were based on an assumption that selection leads to linkage disequilibrium or to a decrease of genetic variability in genomic regions containing genotypes connected with favourable phenotypes....
Response of three laying hen genotypes to two feed calcium levelsOriginal Paper
Mohamed Ketta, Eva Tumova, Darina Chodova
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2019, 64(12):504-510 | DOI: 10.17221/228/2019-CJAS
The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of two dietary Ca levels (3.00% vs 3.50%) in three hen genotypes (ISA Brown, Bovans Brown and Moravia BSL) on their laying performance and quality of their eggs. In order to evaluate the response to dietary Ca, an experiment was conducted with 300 laying hens. One hundred birds from each genotype were divided into 10 replicates (10 birds/cage/Ca level). To reveal the differences, the following characteristics were measured: hen-day egg production percentage, daily feed intake, egg weight, albumen and yolk weights, Haugh unit, eggshell colour, eggshell weight, eggshell thickness, eggshell strength, egg...