Czech Journal of Animal Science, 2026 (vol. 71), issue 10
Inbreeding and its effects on racing performance in Thoroughbred horses: A review of global evidence with insights from the Hungarian populationReview
Negar Khoei, István Nagy, Árpád Bokor
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2026, 71(10):443-455 | DOI: 10.17221/94/2026-CJAS 
The Thoroughbred horse represents one of the most intensively selected domestic animal populations, developed through centuries of breeding focused on maximising racing performance. Originating from a limited number of founder animals and maintained as a closed studbook population since the late eighteenth century, the breed has experienced progressive increases in relatedness and inbreeding. This review examines the development of pedigree structure in Thoroughbred horses and evaluates the potential consequences of inbreeding for racing performance, with particular emphasis on studies assessing performance through race earnings and related indicators....
Genomic insights into population structure, local ancestry and within-breed relationships in the Norik of Muran horseOriginal Paper
Karolína Pálešová, Nina Moravčíková, Adrián Halvoník, Eva Mixtajová, Gábor Mészáros, Luboš Vostrý, Radovan Kasarda
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2026, 71(10):456-473 | DOI: 10.17221/75/2026-CJAS
The Norik of Muran is a local Slovak draught horse with historical connections to Central European heavy horses. This study aimed to characterise the genomic structure of the Norik of Muran breed in relation to related but separately recognised Noriker breeds and other reference horse breeds through analyses of local ancestry, haplotype sharing patterns and recent family structure within the breed. The comparative dataset included Norik of Muran, Austrian Noriker, Silesian Noriker, Belgian Draught, Haflinger, Hucul and Norwegian Fjord, while Shagya Arabian and Quarter Horse were included as outgroups. Across these breeds, genotype data from 664...
Influence of l-selenomethionine on pigeon breeder’s reproductive performance and squab’s growth and muscle developmentOriginal Paper
Haopeng Lu, Yunyan Huang, Jiashui Liang, Shihong Wu, Guolong Zhang, Anjie Chen, Xiaoyu Zhou, Xinting Lai, Lvying Yang, Yuxi Liang, Xuekang Xia, Shuo Zhou, Yayan Liang
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2026, 71(10):474-486 | DOI: 10.17221/145/2025-CJAS
This study evaluated the effects of dietary l‑selenomethionine supplementation on breeding pigeons and their squabs. Forty‑eight pairs of breeding pigeons were divided into two groups: a control group receiving a basal diet and an experimental group receiving the same diet supplemented with 0.1 mg/kg selenium as l‑selenomethionine. Both groups were fed for 45 days following a “2 + 4” breeding pattern. Compared with the control group, experimental males showed greater weight loss (77.8 vs 55.8 g, +39.4%, P < 0.05), while females showed a trend towards reduced loss (P = 0.097). Squabs in...
Artificial insemination success despite reduced post-thaw motility of cryopreserved semen in local rabbit breeds: Short communicationShort Communication
Jakub Vozaf, Andrej Baláži, Jaromír Vašíček, Éva Kissné Váradi, Barbara Végi, Peter Chrenek
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2026, 71(10):487-492 | DOI: 10.17221/80/2026-CJAS
Cryopreservation of rabbit semen represents an important tool for the conservation of genetic resources; however, reduced post-thaw sperm motility may limit its practical application in artificial insemination (AI) programmes. The present study evaluated fertility outcomes following AI using cryopreserved semen from six local rabbit breeds selected to reflect biological variability under practical gene bank conditions. A total of 59 females were inseminated with heterospermic fresh or frozen–thawed doses standardised to approximately 0.2 × 109 spermatozoa per ml. Ovulation was hormonally induced prior to insemination. Cryopreservation...