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Agricultural methane emissions strongly contribute to global greenhouse gas production. Under these circumstances, meeting international climate goals, including the Global Methane Pledge or the European Green Deal, requires developing targeted mitigation strategies. However, research using advanced clustering techniques in a multilevel context remains scarce and mostly limited to CO₂ emissions. This lack of time-series studies addressing regional variability hinders efforts to develop effective mitigation strategies. This study addresses three main research questions: (i) What are the main trends in agricultural methane emissions in the EU-27 countries from 2013 to 2022? (ii) How can the EU countries be classified based on agricultural methane emissions per capita? (iii) What is the impact of selected agricultural and economic indicators, including the number of live bovine animals and land use, on the clustering of methane emissions? Combining hierarchical and k-means clustering with trend analysis, this research integrates data from Eurostat and the World Bank, thereby classifying the EU-27 countries into four clusters based on their agricultural practices and methane emissions profiles. The results highlight distinct emission patterns across the EU-27 regions, with farming systems characterised by high stocking rates and intensive production generating the highest per capita emissions. By contrast, extensive systems with lower animal density exhibit reduced methane intensities. These findings underscore the need to devise effective, region-specific, data-driven policies and strategies for mitigating methane emissions.

The somatic cell count (SCC) in raw milk is an important indicator of health and hygienic quality. Artificial reduction of the SCC (ARSCC) in milk, for the apparent improvement of milk quality for commercial reasons, is an undesirable phenomenon and a violation of authenticity both in the factual sense and legislatively. Analytical methods need to be developed to identify ARSCC as well as to assess the effects that ARSCC may have on milk. The aim of the work was to quantify the effects of ARSCC on cow’s milk as a food raw material. The results presented are some of the first on the given problem. Raw bulk tank cow milk was sampled in two experiments, each time for the whole year (2021–2022 and 2023–2024, n = 66 and n = 53, respectively) from herds of Czech Fleckvieh and Holstein cows, 1 : 1. ARSCC in experiment 1 (n = 66) slightly reduced the fat content, in experiment 2 (n = 53) it did not, otherwise the milk indicators with the exception of SCC were almost (1) and completely (2) identical. All samples were negative for the presence of inhibitory substance residues. ARSCC under the specified technological conditions reduced SCC (1) from 772 ± 906 10³/ml to 376 ± 630 10³/ml, by –51.3% (P < 0.001) and (2) from 592 ± 798 10³/ml to 304 ± 468 10³/ml, by –48.5% (P < 0.001). Under these circumstances, the milk fermentation ability improved (1) from 28.52 ± 4.72 °SH to 31.0 ± 4.65 °SH, by 8.66% (P < 0.001) and (2) from 32.51 ± 2.61 °SH to 33.80 ± 2.88 °SH, by 3.97% (P < 0.001). Curd firmness was better for SCC ≤ 400 10³/ml compared to higher SCC by 5.26% (P < 0.001). Nevertheless, it is not possible, for hygienic and health reasons, to allow such milk for human consumption and it is necessary to find effective identification analytical methods for ARSCC.

The study tested the effect of daily feed ration (DFR: 0.5%, 0.75%, 1.0%, 1.25%, and 1.5% of fish biomass) on juvenile pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) with an initial body weight of 21.5 ± 5.1 g and total length of 144.5 ± 8.5 mm. The pikeperch were fed floating feed at 8-hour intervals for a duration of 84 days. By the end of the experiment, the group fed DFR of 1.5% exhibited the highest body weight (51.5 ± 16.1 g) and total length (188.2 ± 17.8 mm). The weight heterogeneity, measured as the coefficient of variation (CV), ranged between 30.29 and 33.24%. The specific heterogeneity rate (SHR) ranged from 304.44 to 334.94‰/day. The group with DFR of 1.0% exhibited the highest degree of heterogeneity. Minor fin erosion was observed in the caudal fin by the end of the experiment. No significant differences were revealed in selected biochemical parameters indicating the liver, spleen, and intestinal function. All the fish tested were adequately fed, being provided sufficient nutrients for the proper growth of pikeperch. The DFR of 1.5% was evaluated as the most favourable. This amount of feed supported a higher number of values for Fulton’s coefficient (FC), specific growth rate (SGR), thermal growth rate (TGR), fish weight heterogeneity, growth of total fish biomass (BG), and optimum level of biochemical parameters in blood plasma.

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 among the included studies were tested using heterogeneity (I²). Semen volume (MD = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.13; 0.44), sperm concentration (MD = 71.12, 95% CI: 15.97; 126.26), live sperm (MD = 11.93; 95% CI: 7.30; 16.55), sperm motility (MD = 9.24, 95% CI: 7.39; 11.09) and plasma membrane integrity (MD = 11.60, 95% CI: 6.30; 16.89) increased dramatically in the omega-3 fatty acid-supplemented group. Notably, the progressive motility (MD = 1.19, 95% CI: –3.24; 5.61) was the only sperm parameter showing a non-significant influence when omega-3 fatty acids were supplemented. It was then concluded that the omega-3 fatty acid supplementation can be used to improve most of the semen parameters in bulls.

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 experimental diets included: T1 = comprising 0.4% nonphytate P supplemented with 0.1% phytase equivalent to 500 Phytase Unit (FTU)/kg; T2 = comprising 0.3% nonphytate P supplemented with 0.15% phytase equivalent to 750 FTU/kg; and T3 = comprising 0.2% nonphytate P supplemented with 0.2% phytase equivalent to 1 000 FTU/kg. The addition of phytase to P-reduced diets did not affect the overall productive performance in quails. Moreover, yolk weight increased by 3.04% to 10.5% (P = 0.01) and the haugh unit increased by 0.56% to 1.11% (P = 0.04) compared to the control, whereas other quality traits, such as albumen weight, albumen and yolk indices, and eggshell weight, thickness, and breaking strength, remained unaffected following the supplementation of phytase in the P-reduced diet. Additionally, an increase in Ca output in eggshells (5.26% to 15.79%; P = 0.14) and the ratio of Ca in eggshells to Ca intake (5.59% to 16.47%; P = 0.49) correlated with the increase in blood Ca levels in the quails on the P-reduced diet (P = 0.16). In conclusion, the addition of phytase to P-reduced diets has proven effective in maintaining the laying performance, egg quality, and blood biochemical profiles of Japanese quails.

Lab-grown cells (also known as cell-based or cultured meat) are novel food innovations that face uncertain consumer acceptance. This review examines recent research (2020–2024) on consumer perceptions of lab-grown cells, focusing on three main areas: (1) public awareness and familiarity, (2) psychological and cultural aspects shaping perceptions, and (3) the impact of information on acceptance. Results show that the awareness of lab-grown cells varies widely across regions; in countries with high meat consumption, such as the USA and Australia, or where culinary delights are highly valued, such as France, respondents rated lab-grown cells lower than in those countries where meat consumption is now rising, for example, China or Mexico. The knowledge of lab-grown cells positively impacted attitude, while psychological barriers (e.g. food neophobia) and disgust emerged as key deterrents. The information provided to respondents significantly influenced their willingness to accept, buy, try, eat, and pay premium prices. Personal (mainly health-related) benefits significantly increased the acceptance of lab-grown cells, while societal benefits (e.g. benefits to the environment or animal welfare) had less prominent effects than expected. At the same time, information regarding production technology (high-tech, laboratory, artificial) resulted in lower ratings from respondents. The conclusion is that overlooking the positive attributes of meat and focusing on the unproven advantages of lab-grown cells may lead to misleading results. On the other hand, effective communication – especially messages highlighting personal benefits – can substantially improve the consumer openness.

In addition to their practical importance as a medicinal plant, animal feed and a source of materials for the textile and construction industry, industrial varieties of Cannabis sativa L. (hemp in a wider sense) provide an alternative for controlling infectious diseases in livestock. Despite the genetic divergence between two primary groups of cannabis, i.e. medicinal cannabis and technical hemp, hemp plants also produce a wide spectrum of secondary metabolites. These include the main classes of cannabinoids and terpenoids, as well as representatives of flavonoids, stilbenoids, steroids, alkaloids, spiroindans, dihydrophenanthrenes, and lignanamides. Many of them exhibit antibiotic activity which can substitute or complement the use of traditional antibiotics in animal husbandry. For example, the cannabinoid fraction exhibits activity against the Gram-positive bacteria and some fungi. While the activity against Gram-negative bacteria is not characteristic of cannabinoids, these pathogens can still be affected by hemp terpenoids and flavonoids. The synergy among the secondary metabolite fractions or between the hemp metabolites and traditional antibiotics is also a favourable factor. The search for alternatives to traditional antibiotics is further driven by the increasing prevalence of genetically determined antibiotic resistance among veterinary pathogens, which poses the additional risk of transferring resistance traits to the human pathogens. The content of antibiotically active compounds in hemp can be enhanced through selection among existing genotypes, targeted breeding, cultivation conditions, and even by specific elicitation of secondary metabolites with the natural antibiotic function in the disease resistance of the plant. The switch to hemp metabolites is also supported by their compatibility as natural components of plant-based animal feed, and by favourable economic considerations.

Lactoferrin (LF) is an important bioactive component of colostrum, is critical for the development of immunity in the newborns, and it is an important component of the mammary gland defence system. LF is also an important biomolecule in terms of promoting and restoring the human health. The aim of our study was to monitor the dynamics of changes in lactoferrin concentration in goat milk at varying stages of lactation and its correlation with selected components and physicochemical parameters. Colostrum (n = 24) and milk (n = 120) samples were obtained from 12 goats by hand milking. Lactoferrin was determined using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with an ion-pairing reagent equipped with a Photodiode Array Detector. The LF concentration in colostrum ranged from 206 mg/l to 1 228 mg/l, and showed a statistically significant decrease in concentration (P < 0.05) over the colostral period. Significant correlation coefficients (P < 0.001) were found between crude protein and LF (r = 0.896), lactose and LF (r = –0.754), as well as between non-fat solids and LF (r = 0.853). The LF content in milk ranged within a relatively wide range of 94 mg/l to 1 115 mg/l although the values were highly variable (vx = 57.0%). Significant correlations were found between fat content and LF in milk (r = 0.429, P < 0.001), crude protein and LF (r = 0.376), non-fat solids and LF (r = 0.361), somatic cell count (SCC) and LF (r = 0.330), as well as log SCC and LF (r = 0.348, P < 0.01).

The aim of this study was to validate selected precision livestock farming (PLF) methods of nutrition and feeding management of high-yielding Holstein dairy cows. In a feeding trial with 36 dairy cows, the effect of replacing 0.1 kg of sodium bicarbonate in the control total mixed ration (TMR-C) with 1 kg of wheat straw in the experimental total mixed ration (TMR-S) on the physiological status of cows and the amount of milk produced (milk yield, MY) was investigated. Feed intake time (FT), as measured using tensometric feed troughs (TFT), was significantly longer with TMR-S (188 min) than with TMR-C (157 min). Differences between TMR-C and TMR-S were not significant for FT or rumination time (RT), as measured by a sensor in the collar (VSC). There was only a weak correlation between the two technologies (TFT vs. VSC) for FT (r = 0.27). Differences between TMR-C and TMR-S were not significant for values measured in rumen fluid (pH, acid and ammonia levels) nor for values measured by sensors in the milking parlour (MY, fat and protein percentage of milk). Milk analysis in the laboratory showed that the cows fed TMR-C had higher urea (26.6 vs. 22.7 mg/100 ml) and free fatty acid (0.87 vs. 0.33 mmol/100 g) levels in milk. Moderate correlations were between TMR intake and MY (r = 0.55); between MY and milk fat (r = –0.46); between milk fat and milk protein (r = 0.63); and between milk fat and milk protein measured by sensors and in the laboratory (r = 0.47 and r = 0.42, respectively). In view of the above results, further research and data validation for each technology are needed.

Mastitis, mainly caused by contagious bacteria, is an important disease in dairy goat production, especially subclinical mastitis. The aim of the research was to study the relationship between somatic cell count (SCC) and presence of mastitis pathogens in goat milk during the period 2022–2024. A total of 987 udder-half milk samples were obtained from 5 goat farms in Slovakia. The presence of pathogens was determined by bacterial cultivation and grown colonies were identified by MALDI-TOF MS at the species level. Fossomatic 7 was used to determine SCC. To evaluate the frequency distribution of the samples, the following groups of SCC were considered: SCC1 < 500 × 10³ cells/ml, SCC2 ≥ 500 < 1 000 × 10³ cells/ml, SCC3 ≥ 1 000 < 2 000 × 10³ cells/ml, SCC4 ≥ 2 000 × 10³ cells/ml. The individual milk sample were 42.2% in SCC1, 17.0% in SCC2, 16.7% and 24.0% in SCC3 and SCC4, respectively. Of the total number of samples, 23.0% were bacteriologically positive. The most frequently identified pathogens were Staphylococcus spp., especially non-aureus staphylococci and mammaliicocci (NASM). Among the NASM, Staphylococcus epidermidis (40.3%), Staphylococcus caprae (27.5%) and Staphylococcus simulans (10.4%) were the most prevalent species. Only 2 samples were positive for Staphylococcus aureus. A higher occurrence of pathogens was identified in SCC ≥ 1 000 × 10³ cells/ml (SCC3 and SCC4) compared to SCC < 1 000 × 10³ cells/ml (SCC1 and SCC2). However, approximately 34.8% of uninfected half udders with no bacteriological findings had SCC ≥ 1 000 × 10³ cells/ml. In conclusion, NASM were the most common bacterial causative agents of subclinical mastitis in goats and it is not easy to set a specific SCC for subclinical mastitis diagnosis as it is in dairy cows.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of different particle sizes of hens diets on blood biochemical parameters, ileal digesta viscosity and nitrogen retention. In the experimental part, the effects of different physical structure were investigated on two groups of laying hens of the Bovans Brown hybrid from 76 to 80 weeks of age. A finely ground mash diet [geometric mean diameter (GMD), 632 µm] and a coarsely ground mash diet (GMD, 1 258 µm) with the equal nutritional content were used. In the experiment, the particle sizes of the feed mixtures were analysed and compared with the particle size of unaccepted feed residues using a feed separator. Furthermore, feed consumption, live weight of laying hens, blood biochemical parameters, digestive viscosity and nitrogen retention coefficient were assessed. The study revealed that the particle sizes of hens’ diets significantly influenced the nitrogen retention coefficient, with higher values observed in the finely ground diet as compared to the coarsely ground diet (30.3 vs 24.0%; P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in feed intake, live weight, blood biochemical parameters, or digesta viscosity between the dietary groups (P > 0.05). This finding highlights the potential of diet structure optimisation to improve nutrient utilisation efficiency, which is particularly relevant for reducing nitrogen excretion and its environmental impact. These novel insights provide a foundation for further research on the effects of feed structure on productivity and organ health.

Modern dairy farming faces the dual challenge of meeting global food demands while mitigating its environmental impact, particularly greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, such as methane (CH₄), a potent contributor to climate change. This review explores the role of Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) technologies in monitoring and reducing CH₄ emissions from dairy cattle. We evaluate state-of-the-art methods, including direct monitoring (e.g. respiratory chambers, GreenFeed systems) and indirect approaches (e.g. infrared milk spectroscopy, AI-driven analytics), alongside mitigation strategies such as nutritional optimisation, genetic selection, and ruminal additives. PLF emerges as a transformative tool, integrating real-time data on animal health, feed efficiency, and environmental conditions to optimise management practices and reduce emissions per unit of milk produced. By synthesising current research, we highlight the potential of PLF to reconcile productivity with sustainability, offering scalable solutions for the dairy sector. Critical gaps in real-time CH₄ monitoring and farm-level implementation are identified, underscoring the need for further innovation. This review provides a roadmap for aligning dairy production with global climate goals while ensuring food security for the growing population.

Lactoferrin (LF) is a multifunctional glycoprotein linked to udder health in dairy cows. This study aimed to develop a calibration model for LF quantification using mid-infrared spectrometry (MIR-FT), with ion-pair reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as the reference method. Two sets of individual milk samples (A: n = 120; B: n = 91) were collected from five dairy farms in the Czech Republic. Set A included a higher proportion of samples with somatic cell count (SCC) above 300 000 cells/ml to ensure broad LF variability. After merging both sets and removing six outliers, a final calibration set C (n = 205) was created. The developed model achieved a cross-validated coefficient of determination of 0.588 7 and a standard error of cross-validation of 67.33 mg/l. Correlation analysis showed that several milk parameters correlated with LF determined by MIR-FT in patterns typical of mastitis (SCC: r = 0.450; lactose: r = –0.364; free fatty acids: r = 0.621; electrical conductivity: r = 0.442), indicating potential for MIR-FT in evaluating mammary gland health. The feasibility of using LF as an indicator of milk adulteration by artificial SCC reduction through centrifugation was also assessed. Two sample sets (n = 20 and n = 68) were analysed, each containing normal bulk tank milk and bulk tank milk supplemented with abnormal milk. Centrifugation caused minimal changes in LF determined by both HPLC and MIR-FT (maximum 3.27%) while SCC decreased by nearly 50%, suggesting that LF may serve as a marker for detecting artificial SCC reduction. However, practical application of MIR-FT for accurate LF determination is limited by the achieved validation parameters and the high expanded uncertainty (114.7 mg/l). The method is therefore more suitable for monitoring relative LF changes in milk than for determining exact LF content.

This study was conducted to examine the effects of Moringa oleifera (MO) seed powder on the performance and gut health of broilers challenged with E. coli. A total of 720 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly allocated to 72 pens across two separate rooms, following a 2 × 6 factorial design. The factors per room included (i) challenge: no or yes, and (ii) feed additive: control (none), antibiotic [oxytetracycline (OTC) at 0.5 g/kg], MO 0.1%, MO 0.2%, MO 0.4%, and MO 0.8%. At 9 days old, birds in both challenged and non-challenged rooms were inoculated with 1.5 ml of E. coli-O157:H7 inoculant (3.8 × 10⁸ CFU) and 1.5 ml of saline, respectively. Performance data showed that, throughout the study, unchallenged birds had better weight gain (WG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) than challenged birds. On day 35, broilers given OTC and all MO levels showed improved WG (P < 0.001) and FCR (P < 0.003). Interactions between challenge and additives were observed on day 10 for FCR (P = 0.031); on days 24 and 35 for WG (P < 0.001); and on days 24 and 35 for FCR (P < 0.004 and P = 0.002, respectively). On day 24, challenged birds fed all MO levels exhibited higher WG and better FCR than challenged controls, while on day 35, both challenged and unchallenged MO-fed birds showed improved WG and FCR compared to control groups. E. coli significantly increased crypt depth (CD), jejunum muscle thickness, and caecal E. coli colonies. MO significantly enhanced villus height (VH), the VH : CD ratio, villous tip width, and surface area, while decreasing CD, muscle thickness, and E. coli colonies. Challenged birds had significantly lower serum total protein, albumin, and Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) titres, while serum alanine aminotransferase ALT activity was higher than in non-challenged birds. Overall, Moringa at 0.4% showed comparable or better results than OTC in preventing E. coli-induced declines in broiler performance and gut health.

In this study, two experiments were performed with the aim to optimize intensive aquaculture of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). In the first 140-day experiment the effect of the initial fish density was assessed at three levels: low density (LD) 23 kg/m³, medium density (MD) 35 kg/m³ and high density (HD) 46 kg/m³. All three densities provided the same final Fulton's condition coefficient (FC = 1.24-1.28), specific growth rate (SGR = 0.22-0.24%/day) and survival rate (97-100%). No cannibalism was observed at all tested densities. Feed conversion ratio (FCR = 1.39 ± 0.21 g/g) was the lowest for LD and the highest (1.61 ± 0.08 g/g) for MD. The highest fish biomass (25.7 ± 2.7 kg/m³) was obtained at HD and this density was considered as the most effective density of all tested ones during the intensive culture of largemouth bass. The second 60-day experiment tested the effect of largemouth bass and pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) monoculture and biculture of both species on production efficiency. Higher size heterogeneity was obtained in both (mono- and bicultural) groups of pikeperch (308.91-314.56‰/day) compared to the groups of largemouth bass (279.26-284.05 ‰/day). The higher FC (1.09) was found in both types of culture in largemouth bass compared to both methods of culture in pikeperch (0.74-0.78). The lowest SGR was evident in both types of largemouth bass cultures (1.20-1.28%/day). In contrast, the highest SGR was achieved in the bicultural pikeperch (1.88%/day). Similar results like for SGR were also assessed for FCR, where the highest value of FCR was in both cultures of largemouth bass (1.44-1.48 g/g) compared to the lowest FCR in the bicultural of pikeperch (0.73 g/g). Largemouth bass in both tested types of culture had higher survival rates (99.95-99.99%) compared to pikeperch (98.61-98.63%).

This study investigates advancements and trends in Fleckvieh breeding research using the Web of Science Core Collection database to collate articles published since 1994. Through CiteSpace 6.4.R1, we conducted systematic analyses to visualise research trajectories, identify seminal domains, and delineate emerging patterns. Our methodology encompassed publication profiling, scientific collaboration network mapping, co-citation analysis, and keyword co-occurrence/clustering techniques. The findings reveal that the current research frontiers focus on: Genomic applications in genetic selection, Reproductive efficiency optimisation, Environmental adaptability mechanisms, Thermotolerance management strategies, Cross-disciplinary methodological integration. Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, and Switzerland emerged as leading contributors, with institutions including the Technical University of Munich and University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, demonstrating a particular scholarly influence. Knowledge mapping effectively delineated thematic concentrations and temporal evolution patterns, providing actionable insights for future research prioritisation. The field is progressing towards holistic, interdisciplinary frameworks underpinned by robust international consortia. This work introduces novel analytical perspectives to refine breeding protocols and enhance practical implementation.

The domestication process has had a substantial and varied impact on animals in terms of anatomy, physiology, and behaviour. Poultry species are particularly important for humans, with the most significant being chickens, geese, and ducks. However, it is not well understood whether, or to what extent selection influences the eggshell structure compared to wild ancestors. In the present study, we compared eggshells from three species: Red junglefowl and its four domesticated forms: Green-legged partridge, Lohmann Brown, Ko-Shamo, meat type breeder (Cobb 500); Greylag goose, and two domesticated breeds: Bilgoraj goose and White Koluda goose, as well as Mallard duck and domesticated crossbred KhO-01. The analyses revealed significant differences in the eggshell structure both between species (P < 0.001) and between breeds (P < 0.001 for chickens and geese, and P = 0.039 for ducks). Domesticated forms tend to have fewer mammillary knobs per mm² (P = 0.004), which were larger (P < 0.001) and they show the smaller coverage of the mammillary knobs (P < 0.001). Analyses showed significant correlations of the body mass and egg size with eggshell characteristics (P < 0.001). Considering that domesticated forms are usually larger, it cannot be conclusively determined whether changes in structure result from the domestication process itself or are physiologically linked to body mass and egg size. The relatively high similarity between the eggs of the wild ancestor and the Ko-Shamo breed, which exhibits substantial morphological changes but has a body mass similar to that of the Red junglefowl, supports this interpretation.

Since 2020, the National Agricultural Research Institute (INIA) has conserved a Creole sheep flock at INIA Las Brujas. This study genetically characterised this population and compared it with six others: San Miguel National Park Creoles, commercial farms Creoles, Brazilian Creoles, Corriedale, Merilin and Soay sheep. The analysis included 628 individuals and 31 392 autosomal SNPs. Soay and San Miguel National Park Creoles exhibited the lowest genetic diversity (Ho = 0.266 and 0.279) and highest inbreeding (F_HOM: 0.283 and 0.249; F_ROH: 0.199 and 0.202). Merilin and Corriedale showed the highest genetic diversity (Ho = 0.351 and 0.364), while Brazilian Creoles had the highest Ho (0.327) among Creoles. Short runs of homozygosity (ROH) segments (≤4 Mb) predominated, with San Miguel National Park and INIA Las Brujas Creoles exhibiting the highest numbers of ROH (22 773 and 16 762, respectively). Fixation index (Fst) and Reynolds distances highlighted INIA Las Brujas Creoles and Soay as the most distinct (0.318 and 0.321, respectively). INIA Las Brujas Creoles also showed notable differentiation from San Miguel National Park Creoles (Fst = 0.269; Reynolds = 0.272). Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed clear clustering, with Corriedale and Merilin closely related (Fst = 0.060; Reynolds = 0.068). Admixture analysis indicated distinct ancestries for Soay, Corriedale and San Miguel National Park Creoles, while commercial and Brazilian Creoles showed significant admixture. INIA Las Brujas Creoles exhibited a distinct ancestry with traces of Corriedale. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the divergence between Creole and Corriedale/Merilin populations. Results suggest the historical genetic exchange among INIA Las Brujas Creoles, Corriedale, and commercial farms Creoles, while high differentiation of San Miguel National Park Creoles reflects their closed status since 1929.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary administration of peppermint (Mentha piperita) alone and in combination with southernwood (Artemisia abrotanum) on performance, body and carcass composition, physicochemical characteristics, and amino acid composition of breast meat in broilers under Eimeria challenge. A total of 160 14-day-old male broilers (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to four dietary groups: the control (C) group was fed a basal diet; the CC group received a grower diet containing the coccidiostat robenidine; the M group was fed the diets with the addition of 20 g peppermint/kg of diet; the MS group was fed the diets with the addition of 10 g peppermint + 10 g of southernwood/kg of diet. The addition of peppermint to the diet increased final live weight compared to the CC group (P < 0.05). The highest value of dressing percentage was found in the M group as compared to the CC group (P < 0.01) and C group (P < 0.05). Compared with the C group, a higher intramuscular fat content was found in the breast meat of broilers in both the M and MS groups (P < 0.01; P < 0.05, resp.). Concerning the colour of meat, lower values for yellowness b* and chroma C* characteristics were observed in the C group compared to the MS group (P < 0.05) and mainly to the M group (P < 0.01). In spite of the lower crude protein content (P < 0.05) in the meat of the MS group, the highest content of all essential amino acids (P < 0.05) as well as the total content of all assessed amino acids (P < 0.01) were found in the meat of the MS group, resulting in a considerable increase in the nutritional value of the breast meat proteins of these broilers.

Autochthonous cattle breeds represent important resources of genetic diversity. The Busha cattle breed is reared in the Balkan Peninsula and is characterised by high adaptability, resilience, longevity, small body size, and low maintenance and production requirements. During the 36-year observation period, the total population of the autochthonous Busha cattle breed in the Republic of Croatia amounted to 10 411 animals. Pedigree completeness for the total population, considering the first parental generation, was 97.1%. The average inbreeding coefficient was 2.44%, ranging from zero to 42.6%, while the average relatedness coefficient was 3.56% in the total population. The effective population size, calculated in the reference population based on the individual increase in inbreeding, was 63.3. The probabilities of gene origin in the reference population were f_e – 38.0, f_a – 33.0, and f_g – 25.4, indicating a loss of genetic variability due to genetic drift (f_g/f_e – 0.66) and a bottleneck (f_e/f_a – 1.15). In the population of the autochthonous Busha cattle breed, the effective number of ancestors (f_a) was smaller than the effective number of founders (f_e). Increased relatedness among animals was observed, which could affect the long-term conservation of the population.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of silymarin supplementation during late gestation on reproductive performance, haematological parameters, antioxidant capacity, and gut microbiota composition in sows. Twenty parity-4 crossbred sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were enrolled and randomly allocated in parity blocks to either a control group (CG; n = 10, basal diet) or a silymarin-supplemented group (SIL; n = 10, basal diet + 200 mg/kg silymarin). The experimental period extended from day 85 of gestation to the completion of farrowing. The results demonstrated that dietary silymarin significantly reduced the number of stillbirths (P < 0.05), without exerting a significant effect on the total number and proportion of live-born piglets (P > 0.05). No notable differences were observed in haematological parameters between the two groups (P > 0.05). However, catalase (CAT) activity and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) were significantly elevated in the silymarin group (P < 0.05), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) showed a tendency to increase (P = 0.078). High-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing revealed 1 671 unique feature sequences in the silymarin group and 1 073 in the control group, with 1 600 sequences shared between the two groups. A trend towards increased dominance was observed in the silymarin group (P = 0.082), while both the Shannon and Simpson indices tended to decline (P = 0.087; P = 0.082), suggesting a possible reduction in microbial diversity. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) of β-diversity revealed significant structural differences in gut microbiota between the two groups. SIMPER analysis identified Terrisporobacter as the principal genus contributing to these differences. In conclusion, silymarin supplementation during late gestation may enhance reproductive outcomes in sows, potentially through modulation of gut microbial composition and enhancement of systemic antioxidant status.

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). Correspondingly, this indicator SNP was absent in CR cattle, which, like the GRM, belongs to the group of mountain red cattle breeds. It seems that the precursory cattle population in Central Europe was influenced by the germplasm from the Balkans-related group of breeds, thanks to the political and commercial influence of the Northern Italian, Austrian and Hungarian regions. In addition, the presence of this polymorphism in some European aurochs (Bos primigenius) bone remains suggests possible introgression from local aurochs populations. Alternatively, the T106C presence in yaks and in neighbouring cattle breeds in Northern India, China and Korea raises the possibility of origin of this polymorphism from yak populations. The spread of the T106C mutation in alpine regions is consistent with the known role of this mtDNA region in adaptation to the reduced oxygen pressure.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary levels of soluble and insoluble fibre on the performance and digestive development of slow-growing broilers during the starter period. A total of 400 one-day-old Isa Label^TM male chicks were used that were distributed in a completely randomized factorial design 2 × 2 + 1 (inclusion of 2% or 4% of corncobs as a source of insoluble fibre IF and citrus pulp as a source of soluble fibre (SF); and a control treatment) with eight replicates of 10 birds each. The addition of IF to diets improved the weight gain and feed conversion of broilers at 7 and 21 days of age. Both fibre sources added to diets resulted in higher relative weights of proventriculus + gizzard, liver, small and large intestine. The diets containing an SF source presented positive effects on the duodenal mucosa. In addition, positive effects on the caecal villus to crypt ratio were observed in broilers fed diets containing different types of fibre. It is concluded that dietary inclusion of IF up to 4% maintains the performance, nutrient metabolism and improves the development of the proventriculus + gizzard in slow-growing broilers. However, for improving the morphological and histomorphological parameters of slow-growing broilers in the starter phase the addition of SF sources is recommended.

Our study investigated the genetic variability of specific foot and claw disorders, namely dermatitis digitalis, sole ulcer, and three broader categories (infectious diseases, claw horn lesions, and general claw disorder) in Czech Holstein cows. We also examined their genetic relationships with clinical mastitis and key fertility traits. Using both linear and threshold animal models, we concluded that heritability estimates for foot and claw disorders were consistently higher when employing the threshold model. A significant finding was the genetic correlation between sole ulcer and dermatitis digitalis, which ranged from 0.21 (calving to 305 days in milk) to 0.53 (calving to 90 days in milk). Furthermore, we observed stronger genetic correlations between clinical mastitis and overall foot and claw disorders, claw horn lesions, and infectious diseases during early lactation (calving to 90 days in milk) compared to the entire lactation period. Within this early lactation phase, the strongest genetic correlation was identified between clinical mastitis and claw horn lesions. Interestingly, our research uncovered a unique genetic link between days open and dermatitis digitalis, suggesting that a genetic predisposition to a higher occurrence of dermatitis digitalis may coincide with shorter days open. These results underscore the importance of implementing distinct genetic selection strategies for infectious claw diseases and claw horn lesions in dairy cows. This distinction is crucial due to their differing genetic correlations with other economically important traits, ultimately contributing to a better understanding of claw health genetics and its application in breeding programs.

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 show that the transformation of WSC into starch has four key points: (i) it begins at a DM content of 150 g/kg; (ii) it peaks at a DM content of approximately 235 g/kg; (iii) it begins to decrease significantly from a DM content of 300 g/kg; and (iv) it practically stops rapidly after exceeding a DM content of 350 g/kg. In the dynamics of vegetative development of maize plants, the DM content is very closely related to the WSC content (R² = 0.728) and the starch content (R² = 0.873). With the gradual increase in vegetative maturity and DM content in maize plants, the transformation of WSC into starch dynamically increases. These characteristics, with small deviations, were also confirmed at different levels of evaluation (all analyses, regions, seasons and individual hybrids). These results show that a DM content of 300 g/kg to 350 g/kg can be considered the optimal harvesting window for maize ensiling and the optimal phase of silage maturity for whole maize plants, because once the DM content exceeds 350 g/kg; the transformation of WSC into starch stops and the drying phase of plants begins.

Mastitis is a complex, common and economically problematic issue in dairy cattle production. In this study, breast cancer 1 (BRCA1) and toll-like receptor 1 (TLR1) genes were taken as candidate genes for mastitis resistance. This study investigated whether BRCA1 and TLR1 genes were associated with milk production traits (daily milk yield, fat, and protein content) and somatic cell score (SCS). A total of 105 cows (25 Holstein, 48 Simmental, and 32 crossbred Holstein) were genotyped using the PCR-RFLP method. Cows with the BRCA1 c.46126G>T GG genotype had significantly lower SCS than the other genotypes. The TLR1 g.60438363C>T SNP influenced the protein content in all cows, with genotype CC having a higher content than TC. The same SNP in the Simmental breed showed that cows with the CC genotype had significantly higher SCS than the heterozygote. Cows with the GG genotype of TLR1 g.60437324A>G had significantly lower SCS and higher fat and protein content than the heterozygote. The results of this study indicate that BRCA1 c.46126G>T and TLR1 g.60437324A>G SNPs could be useful for improving mastitis resistance in dairy cattle through marker-assisted selection.

Flow cytometry (FC) is a very powerful method for the assessment of spermatozoa quality in multiple livestock species, including bulls. Nowadays, many flow cytometric tests are available for quality detection of bull sperm. These tests are based on fluorochromes (fluorescent tags or dyes) and the use of correct concentrations of fluorochromes is an essential aspect of the successful optimization of experimental methodology. Modern flow cytometers are much more affordable, such that spermatologists are now able to use FC methodology (and even image cytometry) in their studies. The present review aims to give a summary of current flow cytometric methodologies used to assess bull sperm quality by flow cytometry. Namely, we give here the concentrations of fluorochromes used in the studies related to bull sperm quality evaluation by flow cytometry published in the last three years (from 2021 to 2023). Importantly, in the present review, the concentration of fluorochromes is unified and presented using comparable molarity units. Furthermore, the rationale of each flow cytometric methodology for particular fluorescent tests, and the citation for the corresponding original methodology, are given. This review will help spermatologists shorten the time needed for the optimization of their flow cytometry methodology for the assessment of bull sperm quality.

This study evaluated the potential of spent coffee grounds extract (CGE) as an antioxidant supplement in the diet of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Four experimental diets with varying CGE levels were formulated: 0% (CGE0, control), 2% (CGE2), 4% (CGE4), and 6% (CGE6). Nile tilapia (initial mean body weight = 38.65 ± 0.85 g) were cultured in fiberglass tanks at a stocking density of 20 fish/m² under continuous aeration. The fish were fed three times daily at 5% of their total body weight. After an 8-week experimental period, the fish fed CGE-supplemented diets exhibited significantly higher growth rate compared to the control group, with CGE4 showing the most pronounced improvement in final body weight (P = 0.027) and weight gain (P = 0.050). However, no significant differences were observed in average daily growth (P = 0.054), specific growth rate (P = 0.256), survival rate (P = 0.487), and feed conversion ratio (P = 0.105) between the dietary treatments. Fish on the CGE6 diet exhibited the highest total plasma protein (P = 0.001) and immunoglobulin levels (P = 0.000). Moreover, CGE supplementation enhanced superoxide dismutase (P = 0.000) and glutathione peroxidase (P = 0.016) activities relative to the control group. The histopathological analysis showed significantly longer intestinal villi in fish fed CGE-supplemented diets, with the longest villi observed in the CGE6 group (P = 0.000). Fish fillets from the CGE6 group exhibited the highest springiness, while hardness was comparable between CGE6 and CGE4 but significantly higher than in CGE2 and CGE0. Additionally, CGE supplementation significantly influenced the colour expression, increasing lightness (L*) while decreasing redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) values. These findings indicate that 4% CGE supplementation is the most effective concentration, as it significantly promotes growth as evidenced by the highest weight gain, while also enhancing blood biochemical parameters, flesh quality, and antioxidative responses in Nile tilapia.

Raw cow’s milk is one of the most strictly controlled commodities in the food industry. Besides basic hygienic and nutritional parameters, the presence of inhibitory and contaminant substances plays a critical role in technological quality and safety. While the vast majority of inhibitory residues are represented by antibiotics originating from mastitis prevention and therapy, milk also contains a broad spectrum of naturally occurring native antimicrobial compounds. These include immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, lysozyme, lactoperoxidase, phosphatases, lipases, and proteases acting as integral elements of the innate immune system within the mammary gland. Although these substances are not legislatively regulated, they significantly influence milk processing, starter culture growth, cheese yield, and shelf-life of final dairy products. Their concentration is strongly associated with animal health status, especially mastitis, and may thus also serve as an indirect quality indicator. This review provides a comprehensive overview of native inhibitory compounds in bovine milk, their concentration ranges, biological significance, impact on dairy technology, and the analytical methods currently used for their detection.

This study aimed to estimate heritabilities of piglet birth-weight traits and to investigate the relationships between piglet birth-weight and litter-size traits using field data from Czech Large White and Landrace sows. Data including 86 241 piglets from 5 536 litters were analysed using repeatability, genetic, and genomic models. The investigated piglet-weight traits included arithmetic mean birth weight (MBW), within-litter standard deviation (SDBW), coefficient of variation in birth weight (CVBW), and the proportion of small piglets in the litter (SMALL). Heritability rates of piglet-weight traits were low, with the highest estimates for MBW (0.06–0.10) and SMALL (0.08–0.17), depending on the model used, while the other within-litter variability traits showed heritability rates from 0.03 to 0.05. The heritability rates of litter-size traits, including the number of piglets born alive (NBA) and the number of piglets weaned (NW), were low and ranged from 0.05 to 0.07. The realised accuracies of prediction were moderate to high, ranging from 0.50 to 0.72 for piglet-weight traits and from 0.54 to 0.77 for litter-size traits, with ssGBLUP improving realised accuracy by 4–15% in comparison to BLUP. Genetic correlations estimated using BLUP and ssGBLUP indicated that litter size at birth (NBA) tended to be negatively associated with MBW and positively or weakly associated with piglet-weight variability traits (SDBW, CVBW, and SMALL), whereas NW tended to show positive correlations with MBW and negative correlations with variability traits. However, none of the correlations were statistically significant.