Czech Journal of Animal Science, 2025 (vol. 70), issue 10
Preliminary study: From biofortified maize to cow milk enriched with selenium: An on-farm strategy using selenium-enriched silageOriginal Paper
Lukáı Praus, Jaromír Ducháèek, Tomáı Mrıtina, Lukáı Kaplan, Jana Sekaninová, Martina Jankù, Jiĝina Száková, Pavel Tlustoı, Ludìk Stádník, Kateĝina Cihláĝová
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2025, 70(10):415-427 | DOI: 10.17221/131/2025-CJAS 
Selenium (Se) supplementation is a common practice in dairy nutrition. However, the use of biofortified feedstuffs remains a not fully realized strategy to enhance the Se content of animal derived products. This study explored an on-farm biofortification approach by incorporating Se-enriched maize silage into the total mixed ration (TMR) of dairy cows. Sixty Holstein cows were divided into a control group (CON), receiving a conventional diet with selenite supplementation (0.6 mg/kg Se in TMR), and an experimental group (EXP), in which conventional silage was replaced with high-Se silage (0.9 mg/kg Se in TMR). The trial lasted 22 weeks, including one...
Using milk components to estimate the risk of energy imbalance in Holstein cows by means of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysisOriginal Paper
Magdaléna İtolcová, Ludìk Bartoò, Eva Kaıná
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2025, 70(10):428-437 | DOI: 10.17221/124/2025-CJAS
Negative energy balance (NEB) in dairy cows during early lactation significantly contributes to metabolic and infectious diseases, traditionally diagnosed via costly and time-consuming serum non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) analysis. This study aimed to develop a practical and cost-effective diagnostic test for NEB based on milk components analysed routinely. Data from 692 Holstein cows (5–35 days in milk) located at five Czech dairy farms were analysed using multiple logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results showed that 99 cows (14.3%) were classified as NEB+ (NEFA > 0.6 mmol/l). Cows in the...
Carcass traits and meat quality in Balkan goats: A multivariate evaluation of crossbreeding and slaughter weight effectsOriginal Paper
Nikola Staniıiĉ, Bogdan Cekiĉ, Nevena Maksimoviĉ, Maja Petrièeviĉ, Nikola Deliĉ, Slaviıa Stajiĉ, Tanja Keıkiĉ
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2025, 70(10):438-449 | DOI: 10.17221/53/2025-CJAS
This study investigated the effects of slaughter weight and breed on carcass characteristics, meat quality, and technological properties in purebred Balkan and F1 crossbred (Balkan × Saanen) male goats. A total of 48 animals, divided into four slaughter weight groups (10, 15, 18, and 22 kg), were analysed for carcass composition, muscle traits, and fat distribution. ANOVA and multivariate analyses (PCA and HCA) revealed significant effects of weight and breed on key carcass and meat quality parameters. Heavier animals exhibited higher intramuscular fat and primal cut yields with superior water-holding capacity (WHC), while lighter goats had leaner...
Phytase supplementation maintains productive performance, egg quality, and blood biochemical profile in Japanese quails fed phosphorus-reduced dietOriginal Paper
Adi Magna Patriadi Nuhriawangsa, Adi Ratriyanto
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2025, 70(10):450-458 | DOI: 10.17221/83/2025-CJAS
This study aimed to investigate the effects of phytase supplementation in phosphorus (P)-reduced diet on the productive performance, egg quality, calcium (Ca) utilisation, and blood profile of Japanese quails. Phytase breaks down phytic acid; thereby, increasing the availability of its bound nutrients, enabling poultry to hydrolyse and utilise these nutrients effectively. A total of 480 female Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica; 28-day-old and average body weight = 94.3 ± 5.7 g) were assigned to four dietary regimens, each consisting of six replicates of 20 birds. The control diet (T0) contained 0.5% nonphytate P. The other...