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Aquaculture, as the fastest growing agriculture sector, is currently focused on exploring the development of effective intensive recirculating systems (RAS). The use of intensive RAS requires a stable supply of fingerlings throughout the year. Salmonids are a highly important aquaculture species, with rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss often reared in freshwater RASs. The dominant position of rainbow trout has triggered the investigation of a wider diversification of species, including brook char Salvelinus fontinalis. Brook char has the potential to be reared in facilities similar to those used for rainbow trout, but it is not known if brook char is suitable for hatching in an intensive recirculating hatchery system (RHS) to provide a consistent supply of fingerlings to an associated RAS roughly every three months. The present study evaluated the feasibility of producing brook char fingerlings in an RHS and compared results to those obtained with rainbow trout. A production cycle from eyed egg to fingerling was completed separately for rainbow trout, brook char, and parallel rearing of both species for the comparison of growth rate, feed conversion ratio, and the time to reach individual fingerling weight of 2 g. The results showed slower growth rate of brook char compared to rainbow trout reared under the same conditions and a significantly longer production cycle (~108 days), compared to rainbow trout (~74 days). Results suggest that brook char is not suitable for parallel rearing in facilities with primary rainbow trout production. The main practical problem is disruption of the production cycle which requires fingerling stocking at 3-month intervals.

The considerable increase in oxygen requirements due to the high metabolic rate of the bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMEC) during lactation results in an augmented production of reactive nitrogen species (RNS), such as nitric oxide (NO), which may expose cows to increased oxidative stress. Vitamin A (VA) has been shown in several studies to enhance the antioxidant defence system against oxidative stress, but whether the reason is related to a reduced NO production remains unclear. Diethylene triamine-nitric oxide polymer (NOp) is a type of NO-generating compound, which is safe, efficacious, and releases NO over a long period. The current study was conducted to investigate the effect of VA on the antioxidant function in BMEC and the underlying mechanism by discussing the protection of VA on NO-induced oxidative stress of BMEC. The experiment was conducted using a single-factor completely randomized arrangement. Primary BMEC were isolated from the mammary glands of Holstein dairy cows. The third generation cells were randomly divided into four equal groups with six replicates each. Each group received different combinations of VA and NOp treatment as follows: controls (without VA and NOp), NOp treatment alone, VA treatment alone, and VA and NOp treatment together. The lysates were collected to evaluate the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and the contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and the cell-free supernatants were collected to analyze selenoprotein P (SelP) content, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activities and nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) contents. The results suggested that compared to the control, the cell proliferation, the activity of the antioxidants GPx and TrxR, the content of SelP and the antioxidant gene expressions of GPx1, GPx4, and TrxR1 were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and the contents of ROS and MDA, the activity of iNOS, the contents of NO and IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and their mRNA expressions were increased dramatically in the NOp treatment alone group (P < 0.05), but the opposite changes were observed in the VA treatment alone group. Compared to the NOp treatment alone, the VA and NOp treatment together significantly improved cell proliferation, the activities of the antioxidants GPx and TrxR, and the gene expressions of GPx1 and TrxR1, and dramatically decreased the contents of ROS and MDA, the activity of iNOS, the contents of NO and IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α and their mRNA expression levels (P < 0.05). The present research suggests that VA can improve the antioxidant function of BMEC and protect the cells from experiencing the NOp-induced oxidative stress by regulating antioxidant gene expression. The probable mechanism is that VA can reduce the activity of iNOS and its mRNA expression by down-regulating of the expression of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α to reduce NO production. However, the exact mechanism warrants future exploration.

The objectives were to determine the effects of insemination with sexed semen at spontaneous and induced estrus, fixed-time insemination at synchronized estrus, the deposition site, estrous intensity, housing, age, body weight, and bull on the pregnancy rate in Holstein heifers, and to compare the quality traits of sexed sperm with those of unsexed semen. The study was conducted on 3206 heifers, housed in three free-stall barns and in four tie-stall facilities. After synchronization by two prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) treatments 14 days apart, 281 heifers were inseminated conventionally and 118 intracornually with sexed semen, and 532 and 148 heifers, respectively, with unsexed semen 80-82 h after the second treatment. At spontaneous estrus, 1129 heifers were inseminated with sexed and 529 with unsexed semen, and at estrus induced by a single PGF2α treatment 185 heifers were inseminated with sexed and 284 with unsexed semen. Heifers were inseminated conventionally with sexed semen 12 h after detection of estrus, and with unsexed semen according to the a.m.-p.m rule. Sexed and unsexed semen doses from five bulls were evaluated for motility, morphology, membrane integrity, and chromatin stability. Overall pregnancy rate with sexed semen (41.7%) was 80.8% of that with unsexed semen (51.6%) and was lower than with unsexed semen irrespective of the type and intensity of estrus, and deposition site. Insemination at spontaneous estrus resulted in a higher pregnancy rate (53.4%) than at induced (41.9%) or synchronized (44.7%) estrus. Pregnancy rates did not differ after intracornual (44.9%) or conventional insemination (48.4%). Strong estrus resulted in higher pregnancy rate (by 14.4% points) compared to weak estrus. The type of housing, age, and weight of heifers had no effect irrespective of the type of semen. The total, progressive and linear motility, and membrane integrity were lower and proportions of immotile sperm greater, for sexed than for unsexed semen.

This study examined the variability of reproductive and productive traits in Suffolk sheep (a commercial flock, n = 316 ewes) with regard to the dams' age or the nutritional status of sheep at mating under a year-round outdoor management. Data were collected across a 3-year monitoring period (totally 655 observations). The fixed effects of dam's age (dams grouped as: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 years and older), ewe's live weight (LW; ewes grouped as: < 72 kg; 72-83 kg; > 83 kg), and backfat thickness at mating (BT; ewes grouped as: < 7.9 mm; 7.9-10.5 mm; > 10.5 mm) were evaluated. The dam's age influenced reproductive and productive traits such that 2- and 6-year and older ewes reached the lowest values. Ewes with LW > 83 kg had significantly higher lambing rate (11.8%) compared to those with LW < 72 kg. The group of ewes with LW < 72 kg gave birth to a significantly lower number of live lambs in litter (-8.9%) in comparison with LW < 83 kg group. An increase (9.9%; P < 0.01) of total litter weight at birth or an increase (12.5%; P < 0.05) of total litter weight at 100 days of age were detected in LW > 83 kg group compared to LW < 72 kg group. BT > 10.5 mm ewes had by 8.9% lower lambing rate (P < 0.05), by 6.8% lower litter size (P < 0.05), by 14.5% lower number of live lambs in litter (P < 0.01), and by 8.6% lower total litter weight at birth compared to BT < 7.9 mm ewes. A significantly lower total litter weight at 100 days of age (-10.8%) and a significantly lower total litter gain from birth to 100 days of age (-11.5%) were detected in BT > 10.5 mm ewes in comparison to BT 7.9-10.5 mm ewes.

The objectives of this study were to estimate linkage disequilibrium (LD), describe and scan a haplotype block for the presence of genes that may affect milk production traits in Portuguese Holstein cattle. Totally 526 animals were genotyped using the Illumina BovineSNP50 BeadChip, which contained a total of 52 890 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The final set of markers remaining after considering quality control standards consisted of 37 031 SNPs located on 29 autosomes. The LD parameters historical recombinations through allelic association (D') and squared correlation coefficient between locus alleles frequencies ( r²) were estimated and haplotype block analyses were performed using the Haploview software. The averages of D' and r² values were 0.628 and 0.122, respectively. The LD value decreased with increasing physical distance. The D' and r² values decreased respectively from 0.815 and 0.283 at the distance of 0-30 kb to 0.578 and 0.090 at the distance of 401-500 kb. The identified total number of blocks was 969 and consisted of 4259 SNPs that covered 159.06 Mb (6.24% of the total genome) on 29 autosomes. Several genes inside the haplotype blocks were detected; CSN1S2 gene in haplotype block 51 on BTA 6, IL6 and B4GALT1 genes in haplotype blocks 6 and 33 on BTA 8, IL1B and ID2 genes in haplotype blocks 19 and 29 on BTA 11, and DGAT1 gene in haplotype block 1 on BTA 14. The extension of LD using BovineSNP50 BeadChip did not exceed 500 kb and its parameters r² and D' were less than 0.2 and 0.70, respectively, after 70-100 kb. Consequently, the 50K BeadChip would have a poor power in genome wide association studies at distances between adjacent markers lower than 70 kb.

Lamb growth performance traits in relation to parental breeding values (BVs) for these traits were evaluated in a purebred Suffolk sheep population in the Czech Republic. The research lasted over 8 years and included 24 886 lambs. Four relevant parental BVs were observed: BV predicted for lamb live weight direct effect (BVLW-DE), BV predicted for lamb live weight maternal effect (BVLW-ME), BV predicted for lamb musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis depth (BV-MLLT), and BV predicted for lamb backfat thickness (BV-BT). The lamb live weight (LW; kg), musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis depth (MLLT; mm), and backfat thickness (BT; mm) were assessed at 100 days of age. A dataset was created using the most current parental BVs for each year (2007-2014) and subsequent growth traits of their lambs in the next season (2008-2015). Linear regressions showed an increased tendency when one point in dam BVs was associated with an increase in lamb LW (0.393 kg; P < 0.01 in BVLW-DE and 0.090 kg; P < 0.05 in BVLW-ME), MLLT (0.340 mm; P < 0.01 in BV-MLLT), or BT (0.243; P < 0.01 mm in BV-BT). Lower (but significant - P < 0.01) values on linear regression were detected for sire BVs, when 0.135 kg of LW, 0.217 mm of MLLT, and 0.214 mm of BT corresponded to 1-point increases of BVLW-DE, BV-MLLT, or BV-BT. This was confirmed by ANOVA evaluation, especially for LW and MLLT traits. Maximal differences (P < 0.05) in lamb LW were 1.84 kg or 0.88 kg regarding to dam or sire BVLW-DE groups. Similarly, the difference (P < 0.05) in lamb MLLT reached 0.82 mm in dam BV-MLLT, while 0.57 mm was detected in sire BV-MLLT groups. These results have practical implications for the objectives of selection schemes used in the Suffolk sheep population in the Czech Republic.

Egg quality and eggshell ultrastructural properties of four Saudi native chicken breeds were compared to detect genetic differences. A total of 480 laying hens at 28 weeks of age, representing four Saudi native breeds of chicken (black, black-barred, gray, and brown) kept under hot environmental conditions (34 ± 1°C) were randomly assigned to the current experiment. Laying hens were housed in individual cages in an open-sided house during hot summer season. A total of 360 intact eggs were randomly collected (90 from each breed) for egg quality assessment. Eggshell samples were prepared to evaluate ultrastructural measurements using a scanning electron microscope. No significant variations between the breeds concerning egg weight, egg-shape index, yolk index, albumen (%), yolk (%), shell (%), and shell thickness traits were detected. Brown breed showed significantly higher Haugh units compared to the other breeds. Moreover, brown breed scored the best for eggshell breaking strength trait (the highest crack resistance), followed by gray, black, and black-barred breeds, respectively (P < 0.005). Total ultrastructural score for mammillary layer measurements was significantly higher in black-barred breed if compared with black, brown, and gray breeds. Gray, brown, and black Saudi native breeds had an outstanding eggshell ultrastructure and, in turn, stiffer and stronger eggshell comparable with black-barred counterpart under high ambient temperatures. At the national level, for cross-breeding and selection programs aimed at producing good quality table and hatching eggs the use of gray, brown, and black breeds can be recommended due to excellent ultrastructural properties of their eggshell.

: In chick hatcheries, males of laying hybrids are considered to be "waste" and the majority of these males are killed just after hatching. On the other hand, the interest of consumers in products from alternative systems (organic, free-range) is increasing. The idea was to evaluate the meat quality of these males when they have access to free range because there is not such a study available. The aim of this study was to compare the physical and sensory quality of the meat of layer males with fast-growing broilers at the same age when they had both access to free range and when they were fed to 49 and 90 days of age. Slow-growing ISABROWN (IB) layer males and fast-growing Ross 308 (RS) chickens were kept in free-range conditions to evaluate carcass and meat quality at 49 days and 90 days of age. Live weight, carcass yield, breast meat yield and the proportion of abdominal fat were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in RS at both ages. The proportions of fat in the breast meat were significantly lower (P < 0.01) in IB at both ages. The value of pH 24 h was significantly higher in IB and the meat was darker (P < 0.001) in these chickens. The overall acceptability was significantly better (P < 0.01) in IB at 90 days of age. The laying males are acceptable for an alternative system of poultry meat production from the aspect of meat quality. The quality was comparable or even higher in comparison with fast-growing chickens.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the different ratios of acetate and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) on cell viability, triacylglycerol (TAG) content, and mRNA expression of the genes related to lipid and protein synthesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs). Primary cells were isolated from the mammary glands of Holstein dairy cows and were passaged twice. Then, the cells were cultured with different ratios of acetate and BHBA (1 : 3, 1 : 2, 1 : 1, 2 : 1, 3 : 1, 4 : 1, and 1 : 1, Group 1 to Group 7, respectively) for 48 h, and the fetal bovine serum in the culture media was replaced with fatty acid-free bovine serum albumin (BSA) (1 g/l). The control culture media contained only fatty acid-free BSA without unsaturated fatty acids (0mM). Cell viability was not affected by adding different ratios of acetate and BHBA, but TAG accumulation was significantly influenced by supplementing the culture media with different ratios of acetate and BHBA. The expression levels of genes related to milk fat (FASN, ACACA, CD36, SCD, FABP3, LPL, PPARG, and SPEBF1) and milk protein-related genes (CSN1S1, CSN3, mTOR, 4E-BP1, S6KB1, STAT5, JAK2, and LEPTIN) were significantly affected by the addition of different ratios of acetate and BHBA to the BMECs. Our results suggested that Groups 3 and 4 (1 : 1 and 2 : 1) had a stronger acceleration of milk fat synthesis, and Group 4 (2 : 1) had the strongest effect. The expression of the CSN1S1 and LEPTIN mRNAs was more effectively promoted in Groups 3 and 4 (1 : 1 and 2 : 1), and Group 3 (1 : 1) had the strongest acceleration. Expressions of genes related to milk protein synthesis (mTOR, 4E-BP1, S6KB1, JAK2, and STAT5) were up-regulated using a ratio of acetate and BHBA of 2 : 1. Taken together, the 2 : 1 ratio of acetate and BHBA had the best effect for both the milk fat synthesis and milk protein synthesis genes. However, further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanism for regulating milk fat and protein synthesis by different ratios of acetate and BHBA.

The contamination of bulk samples of cow's raw milk (n = 491) by psychrotrophic lipolytic bacteria (PLiBC), total count of psychrotrophic bacteria (PBC) and mesophilic bacteria (TBC) was monitored for two years on eight dairy farms and the correlations among these groups of bacteria were analysed. An increase in TBC, PBC and PLiBC and in the values of free fatty acids (FFA) was tested experimentally in three milk samples in relation to time (analyses were done in 24-hour intervals until 96 hours) and storage temperature of milk samples (4; 6.5 and 10°C). Bacterial contamination of milk was determined by culture methods in accordance with IDF standards, the values of FFA were determined by an extraction-titration method. These mean values were determined in the set of samples (n = 491): PLiBC 659 CFU/ml, PBC 2 932 CFU/ml and TBC 18 932 CFU/ml. A high correlation was proved between values of PBC and PLiBC (r = 0.87; P < 0.001) while the correlation between TBC and PBC (r = 0.65; P < 0.001) and between PLiBC and TBC (r = 0.59; P < 0.001) was on a medium level. The proportional index p_I for PLiBC/PBC was 0.20, for PLiBC/TBC 0.03 and for PBC/TBC 0.16. In seasonal dynamics a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001; P < 0.05) between the increased values of TBC in the summer season was proved compared to the winter and spring season. The differences in the seasonal variation of PBC and PLiBC values were not significant. Experimental investigation of an increase in the values of tested parameters showed that at temperatures of milk sample storage 4 and 6.5°C TBC did not exceed the permissible hygienic value (100 000 CFU/ml) even after 96 hours while at 10°C it amounted to 90 000 CFU/ml after 48 hours and the limit for TBC was exceeded several times after 96 hours. PBC, which is not inhibited by cold storage to such a large extent, did not exceed the hygienic limit value for PBC (50 000 CFU/ml) even after 96 hours when milk samples were stored at 4°C, but at 6.5°C after 72 hours and at 10°C already after 48 hours the values 6 and 20 times higher, respectively, than the hygienic limit were recorded. A similar trend was observed in PLiBC, which exceeded the hazardous limit (43 000 CFU/ml) at 6.5°C after 96 hours and at 10°C already after 48 hours whereas at 4°C the limit value was not exceeded even after 96 hours. The content of FFA also increased in relation to the storage time and temperature of milk samples but in comparison with the increase in the tested groups of microorganisms the increase in FFA showed a higher correlation with storage time compared to storage temperature. A medium correlation was calculated between PLiBC and/or PBC and FFA content (r = 0.52; r = 0.57; P < 0.001).

We want to study the circadian rhythm of dROMs and anti-oxidative power in dairy cattle during dry period and the possible involvement of the circadian organization of rest/activity cycles in the fluctuation of redox state. For this purpose we recorded TLA in five clinically healthy Bruna Italian dairy cattle by means of an actigraphy-based data logger, Actiwatch-Mini^®. Blood samples were collected every 3 hours over a 48-hour period for the assessment of free radicals (dROMs) and the antioxidant power: antioxidant barrier (Oxy-ads) and thiol-antioxidant barrier (SHp). All animals were in the same productive period (dry) and they were housed in the same stable under natural photoperiod and ambient temperature. One-way repeated measure ANOVA was used to determine a statistical significant effect of time on the studied parameters. A trigonometric statistical model was applied to characterize the main rhythmic parameters according to the single cosinor procedure. A significant effect of time on all studied parameters was observed. They showed a diurnal acrophase and different degrees of robustness of rhythms. In conclusion, we can claim that there is a synergism between the dROM circadian rhythm and the circadian rhythm of anti-oxidative power. These rhythms do not have any implication for the issue of causation with the TLA circadian rhythms.

Eggshell quality is one of the most significant factors affecting poultry industry; it economically influences egg production and hatchability. Eggshell consists of shell membranes and the true shell that includes mammillary layer, palisade layer, and cuticle. Measurements of eggshell quality include eggshell weight, shell percentage, breaking strength, thickness, and density. Mainly eggshell thickness and strength are affected by the time of egg components passage through the shell gland (uterus), eggshell ultra-structure (deposition of major units), and micro-structure (crystals size and orientation). Shell quality is affected by several internal and external factors. Major factors determining the quality or structure of eggshell are oviposition time, age, genotype, and housing system. Eggshell quality can be improved through optimization of genotype, housing system, and mineral nutrition.

Breeding of hybrids between wild boars and domestic pigs is in the consumer interest because of the need to ensure food security and diversification via widening the genetic basis of animals reared for meat. To expand the knowledge about their nutritional requirements, this study aimed to investigate hindgut fermentation in these animals. Caecal and colon cultures were incubated for 12 h in vitro with or without wheat bran as a supplementary substrate. Short-chain fatty acids, ammonia, methane, and total gas production were determined. The total concentrations of short-chain fatty acids in unincubated caecal and colon samples were 93.1 and 115 mmol/kg, respectively. The short-chain fatty acid profile in fresh hindgut contents was characterized by a high molar proportion of acetate (74.8-75.0 mol%), followed by propionate (18.2-18.5 mol%) and butyrate (5.4-5.5 mol%). The presence of wheat bran lowered acetate and increased butyrate, propionate, and valerate molar proportions. The ammonia level remained low (1.3-2.43 mmol/kg) regardless of the addition of the substrate. The relatively low pH and ammonia concentration in wild boar/pig hybrids may be caused by the low level of crude protein in diet of these animals. The rate of methanogenesis increased during the fermentation simultaneously with an increase in the production of gases after wheat bran addition. Methane production in the caecal and colon samples incubated with the substrate reached 15.6 and 16.1 mmol/kg, respectively. The hindgut fermentation pattern in wild boar/pig hybrids generally resembled that described earlier in domestic pigs, although some observed dissimilarities may be caused by distinct microbial activity.

The effect of artificial conditions of a short daylight period (16 h darkness (D): 8 h light (L)) and exogenous melatonin on milk yield parameters of sheep during spring and summer was examined to determine the impact of using sheep for milk on the secretion level of gonadotrophic hormones. The research was conducted on 60 sheep lambed in February. After raising the lambs, the sheep were divided into 3 groups and assigned for dairy use (May-September). The mothers in the control Group 1 (G1) were maintained under natural daylight conditions. The sheep in Group 2 (G2) were maintained under conditions of an artificial photoperiod (16 h D : 8 h L). Meanwhile, the mothers in Group 3 (G3) were given melatonin implants. A 6-hour collection of blood from 6 sheep of each group was performed every 4 weeks. The concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in plasma were measured using radioimmunoassay. The average LH concentration in G1 gradually increased since May (5.32 ± 0.2 ng/ml), reaching the highest value in August (6.70 ± 0.2 ng/ml). In G2, the increase in LH occurred 4 weeks after the introduction of the 16 h D : 8 h L condition (6.26 ± 0.2 ng/ml). The maximum LH concentration in G3 was noted in August (7.31 ± 0.2 ng/ml). The average FSH concentration in G1 gradually increased since May (6.59 ± 0.2 ng/ml), reaching the highest value in August (10.50 ± 2.6 ng/ml). In G2, there was a significant increase in the FSH concentration in June (9.00 ± 0.3 ng/ml). In the final period during lactation, the FSH concentrations in G2 (13.51 ± 1.3 ng/ml) and G3 (13.60 ± 1.9 ng/ml) were higher than in G1. The results indicate that using sheep for milk does not inhibit the secretion of gonadotropic hormones induced by the simulation of short daylight conditions and exogenous melatonin.

Pigs fitted with ileal T-cannula in the terminal ileum were used to study the effect of synthetic amino acids (AA) added to a nitrogen-free diet on endogenous losses. We compared the obtained data with data from other research centres in the world that are focusing on these problems. In the present experiment, we used three synthetic diets - a nitrogen-free (NF) diet, a diet with added essential AA (E), a diet with the same amounts of essential AA and a mixture of non-essential AA (E+N) added. The diets, apart from the amount of AA, had the same composition. Chromium oxide was used as an indigestible marker. The supplementation of the NF diet with sulphur AA, threonine and tryptophan resulted in a reduction of the endogenous flow of all AA except for cysteine. However, the difference between the NF and E diet was significant only in the case of proline. The effect of the non-essential AA addition to diet E was negligible, even though the endogenous flow of most AA tended to decrease. In comparison with NF diet, the endogenous flow of total N in diets E and E+N was reduced by about 30%. This reduction was mainly due to the decreased endogenous flow of proline, which accounted for 59% in diet E and 55% in diet E+N. Proline was the most abundant AA in all diets, followed by glycine and glutamic acid. The sum of proline and glycine in diets NF, E and E+N amounted to 59, 44, and 46% of total AA flow, respectively. In contrast, the proportion of the sum of essential AA of total AA flow in diets NF, E and E+N was 21, 28 and 27%, respectively. Our data on the endogenous AA and N flow are in the range of previously published values.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of increasing levels of protein-free energy supplementation on blood glucose, urea nitrogen, insulin and gene expression of hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) in growing lambs offered rice straw-based diet. Thirty-six male Hu lambs (3.5 months old) were divided into four equal groups according to body weight. All animals were fed rice straw ad libitum and supplemented with cornstarch at levels of 0 (control), 60, 120, and 180 g/day, respectively, along with 160 g/day of rapeseed meal. The trial lasted for 60 days with the first 15 days for adaptation. Body weight change and feed intake were recorded. Blood samples were taken at different time points after feeding at the end of the trial, and analyzed for blood glucose, total protein, urea nitrogen and insulin. Liver samples were collected and analysed for the mRNA abundance of hepatic PEPCK. Increasing cornstarch showed a low effect on rice straw intake, but increased average daily gain of lambs significantly (P < 0.05). Blood glucose tended to increase with starch supplementation, but altered within a narrow range. Blood urea nitrogen was decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with increment in supplemental starch. Supplementation of starch at 120 or 180 g/day significantly increased the insulin concentration (P < 0.05) compared with the control. The abundance of cytosolic PEPCK (PEPCK-C) mRNA increased 2.47 times and 3.98 times with 60 and 120 g per day of starch supplementation compared with the control, respectively, while the supplementation of 180 g per day of starch showed a low effect on PEPCK-C gene expression (P > 0.05). Amounts of mitochondrial PEPCK (PEPCK-M) mRNA were not affected by the supplementation of starch at any level (P > 0.05). These results indicate that proper energy supplementation increases the expression of PEPCK-C, and consequently gluconeogenesis and blood glucose increase, while excessive energy may have an inhibitory effect on gluconeogenesis through insulin-involved mechanisms.

The hypothesis that relocation of cows with a housing change temporarily decreases their milk production and affects cows' behaviour in the milking parlour has been proved. Forty-one Holstein cows on the 1^st and 2^nd lactation were relocated from the tie-stall barn into the free-stall barn. Cows were milked in a 2 × 5 herringbone parlour twice a day. Individual milk yields, order, and used parlour side were recorded electronically during 50 (milk) or 22 (order and side) milking sessions. Milk yield after cows' relocation (23.76 kg) significantly decreased if compared to that reached on the day preceding relocation (30.97 kg; P < 0.001). Milk production approached the level of the last day on days 3 and 4 (30.72 and 30.72 kg, respectively) after relocation. Milk yield exceeded that before relocation on day 13 (31.82 kg). There were significant differences between parities during the whole observation period except for the first day after relocation - cows on the 2^nd parity yielded more (P < 0.001). Multiparous cows entered the parlour earlier than primiparous, equally during morning and evening milkings (P < 0.01). Generally a left-side preference was found in the observed cows, while it was more prominent in primiparous than in multiparous cows during evening milkings (P < 0.05). Relationships between milking order and milk performance were on days 5-11 negative and significant (P < 0.01). We may conclude that although temporarily, relocation with housing and milking changes significantly affected the milk yield.

Three experiments were conducted to compare raw corn, extruded corn, and dehulled-extruded corn in piglets' feeding. In Experiment (Exp.) 1, 8 barrows (19.9 ± 0.6 kg) were fed experimental diets containing one out of three corn samples and a rice-soybean meal basal diet in a double 4 × 4 Latin square design to determine the digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) in the corn samples using the difference method. The DE content in extruded (14.29 MJ/kg) and dehulled-extruded (14.42 MJ/kg) corn was greater (P < 0.05) than in raw corn (13.57 MJ/kg). In Exp. 2, 5 barrows (26.2 ± 1.3 kg) were fitted with ileal T-cannulas and used in a 5 × 5 Latin square design to determine the apparent (AID) and standardized (SID) ileal digestibility of amino acids (AA). The diets comprised the basal diet, the three corn diets from Exp. 1, as well as a nitrogen-free diet to estimate basal endogenous losses of AA. The AID and SID of isoleucine, leucine, lysine, threonine, and valine in dehulled-extruded corn was lower (P < 0.05) than in raw or extruded corn. In Exp. 3, 108 weaned 35 days old piglets (8.4 ± 1.2 kg) were allotted to one of the three diets based on corn type. Weaned pigs fed diets containing extruded or dehulled-extruded corn exhibited reduced (P < 0.05) weight gain and feed intake than pigs fed diets containing raw corn. The diet containing dehulled-extruded corn resulted in a higher incidence of diarrhoea. In summary, extrusion of corn did not result in improvements in digestibility and dehulling corn prior to extrusion appeared to result in heat damage which reduced ileal digestibility of AA. Substitution of raw corn with extruded or dehulled-extruded corn in starter diets formulated to equal quantities of ME and SID AA content did not improve the performance of weaned pigs.

Milk electrical conductivity is employed for mastitis detection in cows due to its automation, low cost, and infection detectability at early stage. Nevertheless, the number of publications about its use in dairy goats is scarce. The aim of this study was to check and compare the detectability of goat mastitis (sensitivity and specificity) using different algorithms, constructed with individual daily conductivity data from glands, in order to improve the know how about the potential of this variable for goat mastitis detection. A total of 18 goats (8 primiparous and 10 multiparous) free of mastitis were used, and gland milk conductivity was daily monitored. After 16 days of monitoring, some unfavourable situations for gland health were simulated in order to increase the cases of infection. Once infection was established (9 goats and 12 glands got infected), the experiment continued for further 16 days. A total of 19 different algorithms that employed conductivity data from gland were designed; they were tested using gland milk conductivity (EC) and ratio of EC of collateral glands in the same goat (RAT_EC). The algorithms were tested in all the animals and intramammary infection detection ability characteristics (sensitivity (SENS), specificity (SPEC), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV)) were recorded. All clinical cases were detected (n = 2, 100% SENS) with all the algorithms. Best global SENS (clinical and subclinical, 33.3-58.3%) and SPEC (77.8-100%) were similar to results reported in previous studies in cows, and obtained with algorithms ARIMA and Rule 1 (3 standard deviations of data). The best algorithms to use in mastitis detection depend on the prevalence and type of mastitis. EC ARIMA and Rule 1 algorithms detected the most severe cases on-line and quickly, with a low proportion of false positives.

This study was conducted to evaluate the performance, carcass composition, and litter moisture of broiler chicks fed crude glycerin for 1-21 days. The study used 1056 male birds distributed in a completely randomized design, with six treatments (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15% crude glycerin from 1 to 10 days), with eight replicates. After the 10^th day, each treatment group was divided into two groups out of which one continued to receive the same glycerin level and the second group started to receive a glycerin-free diet. The parameters weight gain, feed intake, feed : gain, and livability during the first 10 days exhibited a quadratic response (P < 0.05), which predicted higher values at crude glycerin levels of 9.01, 9.02, 9.03, and 6.43%, respectively. From day 1 to day 21, the group receiving crude glycerin throughout the experiment showed a quadratic effect (P < 0.05) for weight gain, feed intake, feed : gain, and livability, with higher values at crude glycerin levels of 6.06, 7.97, 13.11, and 7.69%. As glycerin levels increased, the litter moisture increased linearly (P < 0.05) for both periods. The protein and fat deposition rates and dry matter of the carcasses were not affected (P > 0.05). Considering the period from day 1 to day 21, inclusion of up to 6.06% crude glycerin in the diet provided the best weight gain without affecting the birds' performance, the rate of protein and fat deposition on the carcass, or litter moisture compared with birds fed a glycerin-free diet.

Selenium (Se), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) play important antioxidant role during the transition period of dairy cattle. However, there is limited information about their blood fluctuations during the entire transition period, especially in heifers. Furthermore, it is questionable whether the use of clinoptilolite, a natural zeolite, affects the availability of these trace elements during this period. The objective of the present study was to monitor the blood concentrations of Se, Cu, and Zn during the transition period of dairy heifers and to investigate whether the dietary inclusion of clinoptilolite has any effect on them. Forty clinically healthy Holstein heifers were used in the experiment. They were randomly allocated in two equal groups (n = 20) formed according to their body condition score. The control group was fed only the basal ration whereas the daily feed of treatment group was supplemented with 200 g clinoptilolite. The experiment started 28 days before the expected day of calving and lasted until day 21 after parturition. Blood samples were taken at the onset of the experiment and then at weekly intervals until parturition, at the day of calving, and on days 7, 14, and 21. All samples were analyzed for blood Se and plasma Cu and Zn concentrations. The results indicate that the levels of Se, Cu, and Zn in blood change significantly (P < 0.05) throughout the transition period in dairy heifers and increase significantly (P < 0.05) immediately after calving. Furthermore, the dietary administration of clinoptilolite does not significantly affect their blood concentration (P > 0.05). Blood levels of Se, Cu, and Zn, although undergoing significant changes throughout the transition period in dairy heifers, remain practically stable until parturition and increase significantly immediately after calving. Clinoptilolite does not impair the dietary availability of the trace elements evaluated when added in heifers' rations during this period.

Human scent is a complex combination of many chemical substances. Skin is supposed to be one of sources of scent traces. The values of the boiling points of human scent compounds were supposed to be lower than 300°C. The purpose of the study was to determine the temperature at which the human scent is degraded so that a dog would not be able to identify it. In contrast to expectations, eight dogs used in the experiment almost flawlessly identified human scents from five scent donors exposed to temperatures of 100°C, 200°C, 300°C, 400°C, 500°C, 600°C, 700°C, and 800°C. Only two of the dogs were able to identify 5 of 15 scent samples exposed to 900°C. No dog identified a scent exposed to 1000°C. Our study verified heat survivability of human scent far beyond existing expectations. There may be an extremely heat resistant, previously undetected, compound of human scent, unsusceptible to heat which exceeds standard temperatures used for sterilization. We anticipate our results to be a starting point for cardinal change of our view of factors affecting the vulnerability of human scent, resulting in the need to alter the approach of forensic methodology dealing with identification of human scent.

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of four anaesthetics on haematological and biochemical blood profiles in burbot Lota lota L. Blood profiles of burbot were evaluated 10 min and 24 h after anaesthesia with tricaine methanesulfonate (MS 222) (100 mg/l), clove oil (33 mg/l), 2-phenoxyethanol (0.3 ml/l), Propiscin (1 ml/l) and compared to non-anaesthetized control. The tested anaesthetics had no effect on haematological profile of burbot. The exposure to clove oil, 2-phenoxyethanol, and Propiscin significantly (P < 0.01) influenced the level of ammonia and glucose. The level of lactate was significantly (P < 0.01) increased following anaesthesia with 2-phenoxyethanol and Propiscin. The levels of total protein, aspartate aminotransferase, and calcium were higher (P < 0.01) with clove oil, 2-phenoxyethanol, and Propiscin compared to control. The use of MS 222 showed the lowest effect on haematological and biochemical blood profile and is recommended as a suitable anaesthetic for burbot.

The effects of thermal manipulation (TM) during late ostrich embryonic development on hatchability, body weight, biochemical and hormonal changes, and the ability of hatching chicks to cope with thermal challenge in days 6-8 of age were examined. At 35 days of incubation, two hundred fertile eggs were weighed and divided into two equal groups with five replicates. The first group was exposed to 36.5°C and 25% relative humidity (RH) (control), while the second group was exposed to 38.5°C and 45% RH for 3 h daily in days 35-37 of incubation (thermal manipulation). At days 6-8 of age, the hatched chicks from each treatment were randomly divided into two groups: control group (exposed to 32 ± 1°C), and thermal challenge group (exposed to 40 ± 1°C for 3 h daily). Hatchability rate was significantly lower with high incubation temperature as compared to the normal incubation temperatures. Embryonic TM and thermal challenge in days 6-8 of age reduced significantly total protein, albumin, and triiodothyronin concentrations and elevated uric acid, creatinine, triglycerides, and glucose concentrations as compared with the control. The level of corticosterone was significantly higher in the thermal challenge group as compared to the control. In conclusion, exposing the ostrich embryos to TM (38.5°C) during late embryonic development induced physiological changes that may represent epigenetic adaptation to TM. The same mechanisms are employed for increasing the ability to improve thermotolerance post-hatch.

In this study, the quality of northern pike eggs collected by the traditional method (hand stripping) and the pneumatic method (air stripping) was compared. Additionally, different activation solutions (Billard solution, hatchery water, and Woynarovich solution) were tested for their effects on egg fertilization under artificial conditions. After the eggs were collected, the Pseudo-Gonado-Somatic Index (PGSI) was measured. Although the values of the PGSI in the samples obtained with use of air stripping were lower (13.8 ± 3.9%), they did not differ statistically from those obtained by hand stripping (16.5 ± 5.4%). Hatchery water and Woynarovich solution were found to be the most suitable solutions for sperm activation using the Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA) system as compared to the Billard solution. Hand stripping was found to negatively affect the percentage of fertilized eggs and the percentage of hatched larvae in samples fertilized in hatchery water and Woynarovich solution. When the traditional method of egg collection was used, there were no differences in the percentage of fertilization and the percentage of hatched larvae between Billard solution (54.0 ± 21.5% and 44.1 ± 21.9%, respectively), hatchery water (60.0 ± 22.5% and 55.9 ± 22.8%, respectively), and Woynarovich solution (72.0 ± 25.8% and 69.0 ± 23.9%, respectively) treatments. Air stripped eggs showed a higher fertilization rate when hatchery water or Woynarovich solution was applied (86.2 ± 9.3% and 92.4 ± 3.9%, respectively). Also hatching rate was the highest in these samples (83.0 ± 8.4% and 88.3 ± 6.2%). The application of the pneumatic method and Woynarovich solution to northern pike artificial fertilization resulted in higher fertilization and hatching rates as compared to other techniques. Because this was successful in northern pike, the use of air stripping is a promising option for artificial reproduction in other fish species.

The objective was to determine effects of equilibration length and freezing curve type as well as their interactions on motility and live spermatozoa proportion in bull sperm after thawing. The ejaculates of 6 sires were repeatedly collected. Fresh semen was diluted with one extender and divided into 3 groups equilibrated for 30, 120, and 240 min. Subsequently, half straws of each group were frozen using standard 3-phase or 2-phase freezing curve differing in the rate of temperature decrease. The spermatozoa motility (M) was evaluated immediately after thawing and at 30, 60, 90, and 120 min of thermodynamic test (TDT). Live spermatozoa proportion was evaluated after thawing and at the end of TDT. Average of spermatozoa motility (AM), decrease of spermatozoa motility (MD), average proportion of live spermatozoa (ALS), and decrease of live spermatozoa proportion (DLS) through the TDT were calculated. Significant inter-sire differences in AM (0.45-17.0%; P < 0.05-0.01), MD (0.76-12.57%; P < 0.05-0.01), and ALS (0.99-23.8%; P < 0.01) were detected. The longest equilibration ensured the highest M during TDT and AM (+2.72 and +4.58%; P < 0.05-0.01), however higher MD (+4.06%; P < 0.01) compared to standard length as well. Straws freezed using 2-phase curve achieved higher M through TDT, AM (+7.3%; P < 0.01) as well as ALS (+11.77%; P < 0.01). The 2-phase curve presented higher M compared to the 3-phase freezing curve within all equilibration lengths. Significant differences in AM, MD, and ALS (0.45-6.78%, 0.62-5.35%, and 20.79-21.11%; P < 0.05-0.01) between equilibration length vs freezing curve interactions were determined. Results document the importance of equilibration length, freezing curve, and their interaction effect on live spermatozoa proportion and sperm motility after thawing as well as necessity of individual conditions for bulls semen processing and insemination doses production.

Pig oocytes matured in vitro were parthenogenetically activated using nitric oxide donor SNAP (2mM). Continuous treatment successfully activated the oocytes only after more than 12 hours of exposure. Pulsatile treatments during which oocytes were repeatedly exposed to 2mM SNAP for a short time (10, 20 or 30 minutes) were more efficient with regard to the activation rate, even when the total exposure time did not exceed 4 hours. Parthenogenetic development was very limited after continuous treatment with 2mM SNAP. A significantly higher proportion of developing parthenogenetic embryos was observed after the pulsatile treatment (development to the morula stage 0 vs. 18%; development to the blastocyst 0 vs. 7%; P < 0.05). However, this developmental rate was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than the development induced by conventional activation treatment with calcium ionophore (development to the morula stage, 23%; development to the blastocyst stage, 18%). When we combined pulsatile SNAP-treatment with the effect of protein kinase inhibitor 6-dimethyl aminopurine (6-DMAP) (2mM 6-DMAP for 2 hours) or with the inhibitor of protein synthesis cycloheximide (CHX) (10 µM CHX for 2 hours), we observed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the activation rate when compared to the respective pulsatile SNAP-treatment without 6-DMAP or CHX (63 vs. 78% of activated oocytes for 6-DMAP; 63 vs. 83% of activated oocytes for CHX). However, the development of parthenogenetic embryos was not enhanced when the pulsatile SNAP-treatment was combined with 6-DMAP or with CHX.

A two-factorial experiment was carried out on 6 groups (10 animals each) of Polish Black and White Holstein-Friesian cows in the transition period to determine the effect of glucogenic additive (GA) to the diets containing grains of varied ruminal starch degradation on cow performance. The animals from 3 control groups (C-groups) were fed the diets without any additive, whereas 3 other, experimental ones (A-groups) received the diets with additive of glucogenic preparation (450 g per head/day) comprising calcium propionate and loose propylene glycol (1 : 1). In the control groups as well as in the experimental ones, three analogical treatments, differing in concentrate composed of grain species of varying ruminal degradability of starch, i.e. maize (M) - low ruminal degradability, barley and wheat (BW) - high ruminal degradability and marriage of them (MBW) were conducted. Finally, the treatments were: C-M, C-BW, C-MBW, A-M, A-BW, and A-MBW. The rations of all groups based on maize silage, haylage, and meadow hay were mixed at 69 : 19 : 12 ratio (dry matter (DM) basis) and given ad libitum. Besides, all the animals received adequate concentrate rations to satisfy their nutritional requirements. The experiment started two weeks before the expected parturition and lasted till the 6^th lactation week. Neither GA nor a type of grain in the diets showed significant negative influence on DM intake. A glucogenic additive has positively affected some basal nutrient digestibility, elevating significantly DM and crude protein (CP) coefficients of the apparent total tract digestibility (CATTD), by about 3 percentage points. The GA × grain interactions (P ≤ 0.05) in CATTD of CP and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) were stated, with the peak values reported in the A-BW treatment. GA increased (P ≤ 0.05) daily milk yield by nearly 5% in comparison with the control treatments. GA × grain interaction was noted with the best effect in the treatment where GA was given along with maize-barley-wheat-based concentrate. Besides, the glucogenic additive decreased (P ≤ 0.05) protein (PDI) expenditure per 1 kg of fat-corrected milk (FCM) by ca. 6% and raised (by 0.15 percentage point in week 6) protein content, while lowered the urea milk level in weeks 3 and 6 of lactation by approximately 15%. It showed beneficial effect on cow reproductive indicators reducing the time interval from calving to successful insemination and improving insemination index.

Considering the advent of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a new source of somatic cells in embryo co-culture system, the current study was aimed to compare in vitro embryo development using embryonic MSCs monolayer with embryonic fibroblast cells (EFCs), oviductal epithelial cells (OECs), and cell-free culture system. The IVM/IVF presumptive sheep zygotes were randomly cultured in different culture conditions as follows: (1) SOFaaBSA medium for the whole culture period (SOF, n = 371), (2) SOFaaBSA medium for the first 3 days followed by co-culturing with MSCs for the next 5 days (SOF-MSCs, n = 120), (3) co-culturing with MSCs for the first 3 days followed by culture in SOFaaBSA medium for the next 5 days (MSCs-SOF, n = 133), (4) co-culturing with MSCs for the whole culture period (MSCs, n = 212), (5) SOFaaBSA medium for the first 3 days followed by co-culturing with EFCs for the next 5 days (SOF-EFCs, n = 132), (6) co-culturing with EFCs for the first 3 days followed by culture in SOFaaBSA medium for the next 5 days (EFCs-SOF, n = 165), (7) co-culturing with EFCs for the whole culture period (EFCs, n = 236), and (8) co-culturing with OECs for the whole culture period (OECs, n = 255). One-Way ANOVA by multiple pairwise comparisons using Tukey's test was performed. Co-culturing in MSCs group had no superiority over EFCs and OECs groups. Though, when co-culturing with MSCs and EFCs was limited to the first 3 days of culture, the embryo development indices were improved compared to the other co-cultured groups. Considering both the hatching rate and total cell number, the application of MSCs for the first 3 days of culture (MSCs-SOF) was superior to the other co-culture and SOF groups.

Oocyte ageing is a complex of processes that occur when matured in vitro oocytes are, after reaching the metaphase II stage, exposed to further in vitro culture. Aged oocytes remaining at the metaphase II stage undergo spontaneous parthenogenetic activation, or cellular death, through apoptosis (fragmentation) or lysis. The key factor in apoptotic pathway regulation is c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), stress kinase from the mitogene-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family. To investigate the effect of JNK inhibition on porcine oocytes ageing, cleavage rate, and embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation, DNA fragmentation, and pro-apoptotic factor Bax expression, we cultured in vitro matured oocytes for another 1-4 days in the presence of a JNK inhibitor. The inhibition of JNK significantly protected the oocytes from fragmentation (0% of fragmented oocytes under JNK inhibition vs. 13.4% of fragmented oocytes in the control group, 2^nd day of ageing) and increased the percentage of parthenogenetically activated oocytes (82 vs 57.7%, 2^nd day of ageing). The embryonic development of oocytes parthenogenetically activated after 24 h of ageing was influenced by JNK inhibition as well. The percentage of oocytes at the morula stage, after seven days of cultivation, was significantly increased when oocytes aged in the presence of a JNK inhibitor (42.5%) by comparison to the percentage of oocytes exposed to ageing in an inhibitor-free medium (23.3%). DNA fragmentation was significantly suppressed by JNK inhibition from the 1^st day of ageing, but the expression of pro-apoptotic factor Bax in the oocytes was not influenced. On the basis of our experiments, we can conclude that JNK inhibition suppresses apoptosis and DNA fragmentation of aged oocytes and improves their embryonic development following the parthenogenetic activation. However, to completely eliminate all ageing related processes is insufficient.