Czech Journal of Animal Science, 2026 (vol. 71), issue 3
Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on fresh bull semen quality: A systematic review and meta-analysisReview
Jabulani Ngcobo, Thobela Louis Tyasi
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2026, 71(3):97-108 | DOI: 10.17221/6/2026-CJAS 
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including omega-3, are known to yield health benefits to mammals, including bulls and human beings. This meta-analysis was done to determine the influence of omega-3 fatty acids (OMFA) on bull semen quality. The research question formulated for this meta-analysis was centred on the Population-Intervention-Comparison-Outcome (PICO) framework. To determine the influence of omega-3 fatty acids on semen quality, a meta-analysis was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The different effects were analysed using a random effects model. The variations...
Effects of papaya peel addition on fermentation quality, nutritional value and in vitro ruminal digestion of napier grass silage
Li Liang, Jingzhen Li, Huade Xie, Xianqing Luo, Fanquan Zeng, Qian Deng, Chengjian Yang
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2026, 71(3):109-117 | DOI: 10.17221/163/2025-CJAS
The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of papaya peel addition on the quality and in vitro ruminal digestion of napier grass silage. Fresh napier grass was mixed with papaya peel at 0% (control), 15%, 30%, and 45% of fresh weight and ensiled under anaerobic conditions. After fermentation, silages were analysed for pH, organic acids, ammonia-N, and nutrient composition. In vitro ruminal fermentation was conducted using the rumen fluid collected from buffaloes to assess gas production, volatile fatty acid profiles, and hydrogen release. The results showed that papaya peel addition significantly...
On the origin of Bohemian cattle according to mitochondrial DNA
Karel Novák, Vojtěch Janák, René Kyselý
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2026, 71(3):118-128 | DOI: 10.17221/127/2025-CJAS
The genomic structure of extant cattle populations can contribute to the reconstruction of the history of particular breeds or their subpopulations. Genome-wide population resequencing of extant populations of Czech Red Pied (CRP) cattle, its conserved nucleus herd, and Czech Red (CR) cattle detected a T106C polymorphism in mitochondrial DNA shared by the conserved CRP herd with a geographical belt of Anatolian, Illyrian and Eastern Alpine breeds. On the other hand, this SNP is practically absent in the historical cattle breeds associated with Northern Germany, including German Black Pied cattle, Holstein-Friesian and German Red Mountain cattle (GRM)....
Evaluation of changes in dry matter and nutrient content during the growth dynamics of silage maizeOriginal Paper
Andrej Mitrík, Tomáš Mitrík, Iveta Maskaľová
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2026, 71(3):129-139 | DOI: 10.17221/172/2025-CJAS
The aim of this study was to identify and quantify the relationships between the nutrient content and the DM (dry matter) content of various maize hybrids (Zea mays L.) in the dynamics of vegetative maturity and various soil-climatic growing conditions. Over the course of 7 growing seasons (years), a set of 1 972 samples of whole silage maize plants consisting of 206 different hybrids grown in two contrasting regions (lowland and foothill areas) was analysed. The focus was on DM content and the content of key energy nutrients (WSC – water soluble carbohydrates, starch, NDF – neutral detergent fibre) and their interactions. Results...