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This research was carried out to evaluate the pedigree data of the Debrecen White rabbit breed. Pedigree information was supplied by the Debrecen White Rabbit Breeder Association. The final dataset contained all available information on animals registered by the breeding association up to 2023. The reference population was the active breeding stock in 2023. The estimated complete generation equivalent was 7.8, while the mean of maximum generations was 16.29 for the present stock. All individuals within the current population were inbred, with a 5.37% mean inbreeding coefficient. The division of the inbreeding coefficient showed that homozygosity is increasing in the current population. The genetic conservation index (GCI) was higher than 30 for 10.11% for the total population, and was above 38.69% for the current population.

This research evaluated the suitability of commercially available larval feeds, Otohime B2 (OB2), Aller Infa (AI), and Aqua Start (AS), and one Experimental Feed (EF), for the weaning of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), LMB. Feeds were presented with various ω-3 fatty acid levels/bioavailability (high in OB2 and AI), fat percentage (high in OB2 and AS), free amino acid and short peptide (FAA + SP) levels (high in OB2), and various soluble protein (SPR) levels (high in AS and EF). Fish were co-fed Artemia plus OB2 from the 19^th to 22^nd day post-hatching (DPH), then Artemia in addition to one of the four above diets for seven days, with complete Artemia removal on the 30^th DPH. Fish were sampled on the 32^nd DPH. Morphometry, digestive enzyme activities, hormonal status, skeleton, muscle development, and potentially pathogenic Flavobacterium spp. levels were estimated. Survival was high (96% or more) in all the weaning regimes. Weaning to OB2 was linked to a fast fish growth rate (14.29%/day), while both OB2 and AI supported the skeleton development. Weight gain correlated with total fat, ash levels, free amino acids, and short peptide levels in the diet. Larvae weaned to soluble protein-rich AS and EF showed the lowest fish weight gain and skeleton development, and lower growth of potentially pathogenic Flavobacterium spp. This research suggests that the weaning diets for largemouth bass should have a balanced protein content and quality while allowing for the inclusion of fewer marine ingredients.

Antibiotics used in animal feeds have recently been strictly regulated to avoid antibiotic resistance in humans. Thus, scientists are compelled to find new feed additives to replace antibiotics in feed. Apart from having a zero effect on human health, new alternatives may even be able to further improve production performance. Essential oils (EOs) and organic acids (OAs) stood out as powerful and useful replacements for both animal production and human population. These are added to chicken diets and drinking water to induce a favourable growth response. Hence, enhancing the nutrient digestibility, performance, and immunity of birds, OAs and EOs are used in livestock production mainly to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and simultaneously maintain the balance of intestinal bacteria. This improves the digestion of nutrients and mineral absorption which will eventually lead to better feed efficiency. The addition of OAs and EOs also causes the intestinal lining to thin, which further enhances nutrient absorption and utilization. Not only for poultry production, the effect of OAs and EOs can also improve poultry immunity and antioxidant capacity. However, the effects will vary depending on the type of OAs and EOs because their mode of action is dependent on their pKa value. In the present review, beneficial properties of OAs and EOs, as well as various dose combinations, to promote their optimal use in poultry nutrition and production will be examined. Their effects on supporting protein digestion, faster absorption of minerals, especially microminerals, stimulating growth performance, regulating antioxidant capacity, and improving immune response will be explored.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of feeding regime (FR) and the combination of FR with pasture on the carcass composition and meat quality parameters of fast-growing chickens. Ross 308 chickens were split into three groups: Group 1 was fed ad libitum, and Groups 2 and 3 had a restricted diet. The chickens were feed-restricted at a rate of 70% ad libitum from 8 to 14 days of age. In Group 3, after restriction at the age of 21 days, chickens were kept on a pasture until the end of the experiment at 35 days of age. The chickens were fed ad libitum prior to and following restriction. Feed restriction and the combination of feed restriction and pasture significantly reduced final body weight, but the dressing out percentage was not affected. The breast percentage was the highest (P = 0.005) in the ad libitum group (30.5%), followed by the restricted group (28.2%) and the lowest in the group with a combination of feed restriction and pasture (27.4%). Breast pH and colour measured 24 h post mortem were not affected, whereas texture expressed as F_max was the lowest in the group with the combination of feed restriction and pasture (P = 0.05). There was no effect of the group on meat dry matter, crude protein, cholesterol, and fatty acid content, but ether extract was the highest, and significantly so, in the ad libitum-fed group. In summary, feed restriction and the combination of feed restriction and pasture negatively affected final body weight and breast and abdominal fat percentages, which might be related to a short realimentation period for compensatory growth. However, these conditions negligibly affected carcass composition and the physical and chemical parameters of the meat.

This study compared the efficacy of the egg yolk (EY) and soy lecithin (SL) semen extender during 72-h storage at 4 °C in the presence/absence of streptomycin, penicillin, lincomycin, and spectinomycin. Bull semen samples (n = 12) were obtained and stored in either ANDROMED^® (SL extender) or TRILADYL CSS^® (EY extender). After 24, 48, and 72 h of storage at 4 °C, bacterial colonies (CFU – colony forming units) were grown and counted on tryptic soy and blood agar, and the bacterial isolates were identified using the MALDI-TOF MS Biotyper. Sperm motility, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), membrane and acrosome integrity, sperm DNA fragmentation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were analysed. The results showed that the type of semen diluent could be crucial for the efficacy of used antibiotics, since significantly decreased bacterial occurrence following 48 h or no bacterial growth after 72 h was recorded in the SL-based groups. Even the SL medium itself did not favour bacterial growth, as significantly decreased bacterial load was observed after 48 h (P < 0.01) and 72 h (P <0.000 1). In contrast, the bacterial load in the EY medium without antibiotics significantly increased (P < 0.05). In contrast, an improved ability to preserve sperm quality parameters was observed in EY-extended semen. In particular, sperm motility was significantly higher (P < 0.000 1 and P < 0.001) after 24 h in each EY-based group in comparison to the control (Ctrl), whereas among the SL-based groups, only the spectinomycin-supplemented group presented with a significant motility improvement (P < 0.01) when compared to the Ctrl. Although the EY semen extender provided enhanced sperm quality preservation during the 72-h storage, in the future, the SL medium composition should be improved to match the sperm preservation ability of the EY medium while maintaining its microbial safety.

This experiment aims to study the effects of dietary fat level during the suckling period on growth performance and meat characteristics in twin lambs. Thirty pairs of male twin Hu lambs were divided into two groups, namely high fat (HF) and normal fat (NF). Lambs in the HF group were fed milk replacer and starter containing 26.89% and 5.07% of fat, whereas those in the NF group were fed milk replacer and starter containing 15.15% and 2.80% of fat, respectively, from eight to 60 days of age. From 60 to 120 days of age, all lambs were fed a starter feed containing 2.80% fat. The results showed that lambs fed HF diet had higher body weight (12.78 kg versus 11.63 kg, P = 0.020), average daily gain (162.4 g/day versus 141.1 g/day, P = 0.019), apparent digestibility of organic matter (P = 0.018) and gross energy (P < 0.001). No difference was observed between HF and NF group in slaughter performance during eight to 60 days of age. Lambs fed HF diet had higher body weight at 120 days of age (P = 0.035). However, no difference was observed in nutrient digestibility, slaughter performance or meat quality at 120 days of age. In summary, the HF diet in the suckling period showed long-lasting beneficial effects on the growth performance of lambs.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different sources of fibre in the diets of fattening pigs on performance, feeding behaviour and intestinal physiology. A total of 60 barrows and gilts (initial body weight 28.4 ± 0.4 kg) were allotted to four dietary treatments: control (CON), lignocellulose (LC), mycelium (MYC) and corn gluten feed (CGF). Diets were calculated to provide balanced available nutrient contents. Including MYC in the diet resulted in an increased average daily gain (P < 0.05) compared to CON and CGF, and improved gain to feed ratio (P < 0.05) compared to LC. Pigs in CON (P < 0.05) ate the fewest but largest meals, whereas treatment CGF (P < 0.05) showed the opposite effect, resulting in the same daily feeder occupation time. Regarding intestinal physiology, in ileum, no differences were observed between the contents of short chain fatty acids (SCFA), lactic acid and biogenic amines. In the colon, MYC showed an increased concentration of acetic acid (P < 0.05) as well as the total content of SCFA (P < 0.05), compared to LC and CGF. Distinct fermentation profiles of ammonia were recorded in ileal and colonic digesta, although contents remained below harmful concentrations. Morphometrical measurements showed differences between the fibre sources LC and MYC, as well as LC and the CON in all investigated gut sections. These results provide evidence that the inclusion of specific dietary fibre sources/contents can positively influence the gut morphology and performance of pigs. However, further studies are needed regarding the mode of action and physico-chemical characteristics of the different fibre sources as a precondition for their successful application in pig diets.

This study assessed the effect of the combination of microencapsulated sodium butyrate (SB) and phytase (PH) on the performance, intestinal integrity, and bone development of broilers. The experiment comprised 736 chicks distributed in a completely randomised design in a 2 × 2 factorial scheme (with and without the inclusion of SB and with the inclusion of PH at the recommended dose and superdosing) totalling four treatments and eight repetitions of 23 birds each. SB was added at 0.750 kg/tonne and PH was included at 750 phytase units (FTU)/kg and 1 500 FTU/kg of diet. The live weight (LW), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion (FC) were evaluated weekly. Bone measurements of the tibia and femur, densitometry, length, the Seedor index, and diameter were performed at seven and 28 days. In the same ages, fragments of the jejunum and ileum segments were collected and subjected to a morphometry analysis. At seven days of age, the birds supplemented with the phytase superdosing showed a better FI and LW, and the microencapsulated SB in the diet showed a better LW and FC. In the period from one to 28 days, the treatment supplemented with SB provided a higher FI and LW. The SB supplementation resulted in greater bone measurements at seven and 28 days. The use of the superdosing phytase increased the villus length and width of the jejunum at seven days and at 28 days. There was an increase in the villus length, villus-to-crypt ratio, absorption area, and muscular layer of the jejunum and a decrease in the crypt width of the jejunum. The SB supplementation increased the ileum crypt width at seven days and there was no effect on any intestinal segment at 28 days. The supplementation of SB or PH 1 500 FTU/kg in the broiler diets' growth promoter or antibiotic-free resulted in a better performance and bone measurements, while the association of the additional PH 1 500 FTU/kg and SB supplementation resulted in the greater depth and width of the jejunum crypt and villus : ileum crypt at seven days and greater villus length and ileum absorption area at 28 days. The association of SB and PH may be a strategy to improve the performance and bone quality and intestinal integrity in broilers.

This experiment aimed to study the effect of Broussonetia papyrifera leaf meal (BP) on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, intestinal permeability, and caecal microbiota of growing rabbits. A total of 240 weaned Ira male rabbits were randomly divided into four groups with six replicates of 10 rabbits each. The BP was added at 0% (CON), 3.0% (BP3), 6.0% (BP6), and 9.0% (BP9). All diets were isoenergetic, isonitrogenous, and isofibrous. The feeding trial lasted for 28 days. The results showed that adding BP had no significant effect on the growth performance of rabbits. Compared with the CON group, groups BP6 and BP9 showed the reduced serum diamine oxidase content (P < 0.01). The jejunal secretory immunoglobulin A content in BP6 was higher than in the CON group (P < 0.01). The addition of BP had no significant effect on the jejunal antioxidant capacity. The BP9 increased the abundance of the caecal Firmicutes; BP3 and BP6 increased Bacteroidota; BP6 and BP9 increased Proteobacteria (P < 0.05). It is concluded that the BP can be used as a roughage source to reduce intestinal toxic markers, improve the intestinal immune function and the abundance of caecal microflora in growing rabbits.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of catalase (CAT) on the growth performance, antioxidation, and microbial metabolism of weaned rabbits. Dietary treatments consisted of control and CAT supplementation at 100 (T1), 150 (T2), and 200 IU/kg of diet (T3). A total of 240 weaned rabbits were randomly assigned to 4 groups with 6 replicates of 10 rabbits each. The feeding trial lasted for 28 days. Results showed that T2 and T3 increased (P < 0.05) body weight gain and gain/feed ratio, and decreased (P < 0.05) diarrhoea rate, compared to the control. Also, serum antioxidative parameters and oxidative stress products were beneficially regulated (P < 0.05) by the dietary CAT administration. Faecal microbiota including Bacteroidetes, Prevotella, and Bifidobacterium in T2 or T3 was increased (P < 0.05). Dietary CAT with changed microbiota further influenced the metabolites from carbohydrates and proteins, evidenced by increased lactic acid, acetate, branched-chain fatty acids, and short-chain fatty acids, and decreased valerate, isovalerate, methylamine, tryptamine, putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine, and total amines. It is concluded that CAT can be used to improve growth performance by beneficially regulating the antioxidation, microbiota, and metabolites in weaned rabbits.

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of feed restriction on the growth performance and carcass composition of chicken, rabbit and nutria males and females. Feed restriction was applied at a rate of 70% ad libitum from 14 to 21 days of age in chickens, 70% ad libitum from 42 to 49 days of age in rabbits, and 70% ad libitum from 12 to 15 weeks of age in nutrias. Animals were fed ad libitum prior to and following restriction. Carcass composition was evaluated at common slaughter ages, i.e., 31 days in chickens, 70 days in rabbits, and eight months in nutrias. The results showed stronger effects of feed restriction, sex, and their interaction in broiler chickens than in rabbits and nutrias. In chickens, feed restriction increased the sex differences in final body weight, which were associated with interaction of feed restriction and sex (P = 0.009). Feed restriction as a fixed factor significantly affected growth and feed conversion in chickens and it was with no effect in rabbits and nutrias. The effect of feed restriction on carcass composition was negligible in all selected species. With respect to sex, significant differences were observed in chickens in final body weight, daily weight gain, dressing out percentage and breast percentage, in rabbits in loin percentage, and in nutrias in growth and perirenal fat percentage. Results of the study indicated that interactions of feed restriction and sex in growth might be associated with a short realimentation period.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of rumination time, eating time and season on milk yield and on milk component content in the context of milk recording. The experiment was carried out with two breeds – Czech Fleckvieh cattle and Holstein cattle – for one year. Vitalimetr 5P neck responders were used to monitor eating and rumination time. For statistical evaluation, the time of eating and rumination was divided into three groups according to the length of eating and ruminating, with each breed being categorised separately. The highest protein content, which was 3.6%, was calculated for the group with an average eating time. The fat content was highest for the group with a below-average eating time. On the other hand, the highest milk yield was statistically significantly (P < 0.01) higher in the group with the longest eating time. In terms of rumination, the trend was similar to that of the eating period. In the evaluation of the effect of rumination time, there was no difference in protein %, fat kg and fat % content. A significant (P < 0.05) increase of protein kg was observed with higher rumination time. Changes in milk yield and milk components also occurred throughout the year. During the winter months, the yield decreased, but there was an increase in milk constituent content. During the summer months, the reverse results were obtained. The findings of this study highlight the importance of evaluating eating and rumination time as a potential predictor of milk yield and milk solids content, which are important in milk monetization.

The aim of this study was to evaluate population parameters and to describe the genetic variability in the Lipizzan horse populations from stud farms in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH) and Serbia (SRB), reported for the first time in the literature. Pedigree data were collected from the national studbooks. Pedigree data for 2 521 horses were used in the analysis, for a reference population covering live animals in the current population. The average generation interval was 10.78 ± 0.36 (BH) and 12.12 ± 0.59 (SRB) years. The equivalent complete generations ranged from 5.49 (BH) to 14.86 (SRB). The average inbreeding values were 3.96 (BH) and 2.12 (SRB), whereas the average relatedness values were 9.24 (BH) and 4.13 (SRB). Values for f_e, f_a, f_g and the f_e/f_a ratio were 21, 12, 6.031 and 1.75 in BH Lipizzan horses, and 79, 20, 9.766 and 3.95 in SRB Lipizzan horses. The number of ancestors explaining 50% of genetic diversity in the BH and SRB reference populations was five and eight, respectively. The effective population sizes obtained from regression on the birth dates were 43.67 (BH) and 211.78 (SRB). The investigated genetic variability parameters were higher in the SRB Lipizzan population than in the BH population. The results of pedigree and genetic structure research indicate the need for a comprehensive approach to monitoring to improve future breeding and genetic diversity in the BH and SRB Lipizzan populations.

The present study aimed to evaluate the use of biochar as a feed additive on nutrient utilization and livestock performance by employing a meta-analysis method. Various in vitro and in vivo studies regarding the effects of biochar on rumen fermentation, nutrient disappearance, total gas, methane production, microbial population, feed intake, growth performance, blood constituents, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen retention were tabulated in a database. Data were analysed using the mixed model method in which the different studies were considered as random effects while the biochar addition was treated as a fixed effect. The addition of biochar reduced methane production (quadratic pattern; P < 0.05), but increased the total gas production (P < 0.001). Addition of biochar decreased (quadratic pattern; P < 0.05) volatile fatty acids and acetic acid in the in vitro rumen fermentation data. In the in vivo data, a reduction in feed conversion ratio (quadratic pattern; P < 0.05), as well as a reduction (P < 0.05) in the feed intake parameters of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fibre were observed with biochar addition. Ammonia production and propionic acid tended to increase linearly (P < 0.05) with the biochar supplementation. The biochar supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the nutrient digestibility (dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre) and nitrogen retention. In conclusion, biochar supplementation of ruminant diet modulates rumen fermentation by increasing propionic acid but decreasing methane emissions, and enhances livestock performance by increasing nutrient digestibility, growth performance as well as nitrogen retention.

Portulaca oleracea is a widespread herbaceous plant particularly rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), antioxidant compounds and characterised by a healthy omega-6/omega-3 ratio. The focus of this research was to evaluate the effects of Portulaca oleracea supplementation to the diet of laying hens on productive performance, egg physical traits, fatty acid composition and cholesterol content. Twenty-six 24-week-old Warren strain layers were randomly assigned to two different groups of 18 and eight birds, respectively: one group received a commercial diet (C) whereas the other group was given the same control diet supplemented with 20% of dried Portulaca oleracea (PO). Hens were fed for 21 days. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. The poor palatability of the PO diet compromised the optimisation of the productive performance, with a significant reduction of the oviposition efficiency (0.69 vs 0.88 for PO and C, respectively; P < 0.05) and egg physical traits. Considering the egg nutritional traits, dietary PO significantly decreased the yolk proportion of saturated fatty acid (43.0% vs 44.1%, P < 0.05), while it increased the content of PUFA (19.4% vs 17.8%, P < 0.001), and within the latter, both omega-6 and omega-3 proportion significantly increased in comparison with C group (16.4% vs 17.6%, P < 0.001 and 1.46% vs 1.80%, P < 0.001, for n-6 and n-3, respectively). This resulted in an improvement of the omega-6/omega-3 ratio (10.4 vs 11.3 for PO and C, respectively; P < 0.05). Egg yolk cholesterol content did not vary between dietary treatments. It could be concluded that the use of Portulaca oleracea for producing omega-3-enriched eggs is feasible once the problem of palatability has been overcome and the energy requirements of the hens have been covered.

Indigenous chickens play a significant role in food security, income growth and socio-cultural life of rural households in Vietnam. This study was conducted to assess the genetic diversity as well as the phylogenetic relationships of Vietnamese indigenous chickens (Gallus gallus) to support the conservation of their genetic resources for sustainable rural farming.  In this study, the genetic diversity and the phylogenetic relationships of 10 Vietnamese indigenous chicken breeds were analyzed using complete sequences of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) displacement-loop (D-loop) region. The average nucleotide and haplotype diversities of Vietnamese chickens were 0.006 3 ± 0.000 22 and 0.918 ± 0.010, respectively. A total of 39 polymorphic sites and 29 haplotypes were identified. The maximum likelihood tree classified these haplotypes into seven haplogroups (A, B, C, D, E, G and V), with haplogroups A and B being the two predominant maternal lineages of Vietnamese indigenous chickens, while haplogroups C, D, E, G and V were found in the remaining chickens. Several haplotypes from different haplogroups were shared among some chicken breeds. These results suggested that Vietnamese indigenous chicken breeds have multiple maternal origins, mainly from Chinese, Southeast Asian and Indian chickens, and that these breeds share common maternal lineages. The high level of genetic diversity in Vietnamese chickens demonstrates significance of conservation for future use.

The aim of this study was to improve the understanding of the contribution of components typically found in milk, but which are not often included in analyses, to the nutritional status of dairy cows. This was undertaken by analysing the amount and composition of milk produced by Simmental dairy cows, a dual-purpose breed farmed in the Czech Republic. Apart from the more frequently analysed group of components in milk, a less frequently analysed group of components were also investigated. This group, typically, consists of the following components: urea, casein, citric acid, beta hydroxy butyrate (BHB) ketones and free fatty acids. The average content of urea, casein and citric acid in milk is 25.75 mg/100 ml, 2.96%, 0.15%, respectively. The influence of environmental factors on these indicators was evaluated, as well as the degree of hereditary establishment. These less frequently analysed components (indicators), as well as the more frequently analysed components of milk, are subject to several external influences, especially the influence of the breeder, the year and the season of calving. The content of these components varied significantly statistically during the lactation period and also in the order of lactation. The influence of a cow’s individuality and the degree of additive genetic background are evident, with estimated heritability coefficients ranging from 0.04 for the BHB ketone content to higher values, e.g., 0.28 for citric acid or 0.31 for the lactose content in milk. The relationships between the components of milk and the daily milk yield were also evaluated, and statistically significant negative correlations were found between the content of casein and the daily milk yield (–0.47) and between the lactose content and the number of somatic cells (–0.37).

The aim of this study was to monitor the occurrence of abnormal eggs in five initial laying lines of the domestic chicken (Gallus domesticus) between 2017 and 2021. The incidence of abnormal eggs, cracks, shell-less eggs, and double-yolk eggs were examined as part of the monitoring. Also assessed was the laying intensity, which ranged from 83.7% for the Barred Plymouth Rock (BPR) B line to 96.8% for the Rhode Island Red (RIR) A line. A statistically significant relationship between the line and control year was discovered for all varieties of abnormal eggs. The highest occurrence of cracks was in the RIR B line (2.2%). The BPR A line of hens had the highest concentration of shell-less eggs (1.7%), while the RIR A line, which also had the highest laying intensity (96.8%), had the highest frequency of double-yolk eggs (1.5%). A positive trend between the intensity and the occurrence of abnormal eggs was also confirmed. The BPR B (3.4%) and BPR C (3.0%) lines, which belonged to the lines with the lowest laying intensity, had the lowest percentage of abnormal eggs. For the BPR C line, cracks (1.2%), shell-less eggs (0.9%), and double-yolk eggs (0.9%) had the lowest occurrence rates. The correlation between laying intensity and double-yolk eggs reached 0.67, and a significant positive relationship was seen. On the other hand, no association was found between the laying intensity and the prevalence of cracked or shell-less eggs. There was also a strong correlation between abnormal eggs and double-yolk eggs (0.80) and between abnormal eggs and cracks (0.73). The correlation between the total occurrence of abnormal eggs and the intensity of laying reaches a mean value of 0.41. An increase in the intensity of laying from 80% to almost 100% leads to an increase in the occurrence of abnormal eggs from 2.6% to 6.3%.

This study aimed to determine the potential of Wallachian sheep in quantitative and qualitative indicators of milk production under extensive conditions of the Western Beskids mountains. Milk samples were collected from the group of 38 non-dairying sheep selected from the basic 120-head flock. Ewes were monitored during four control days (from 27^th April, the average 42^nd day of lactation to 4^th August, the average 142^nd day of lactation) to cover the whole lactation period. Ewes were investigated for their milk production and for milk quantity parameter. Milk quality indicators included percentage estimation of milk components (fat, protein, casein, lactose, dry matter), somatic cell count (10³ cells/ml), vitamin A and E content (mg/kg), and K, Mg, Ca, Zn, Cu (mg/kg) content. Milk production ranged from 1 017.37 g (early stage of lactation) to 416.87 g (late stage of lactation period). The milk contained high fat (6.06–8.44%) and protein (4.68–5.68%) percentages, low somatic cell count and favourable distribution of minerals and vitamins. In general, results of this study indicate a possibility for low-productive traditional grazing system with extensive sheep breeds not only for cultivating the area but also for the purpose of high nutritional food with beneficial aspect on human health.

Nitric oxide (NO) plays numerous essential physiological functions in terrestrial animals. In mammals, NO production from l-arginine is catalysed by the enzyme NO synthase (NOS). In recent years, data have begun to emerge on NOS expression and the physiological significance of NO in ectothermic vertebrates such as fish. However, there are relatively fewer data compared to the mammalian system. Although it is already well known that animal molybdoenzymes can convert nitrate and nitrite into NO, there is almost no information on the content and properties of molybdoenzymes in fish organs in the scientific literature. In this regard, the objectives of the present work were to detect the activity of classical molybdoenzymes xanthine oxidase (XO) and aldehyde oxidase (AO) in the liver and to study their possible activity to reduce nitrate and nitrite to nitrogen monoxide. In this work, the intrinsic activity of XO and AO was examined by using their substrates. At the same time, their nitrate (NR) – and nitrite reductase (NiR) activity were determined. It was determined that XO and AO in the fish liver are mainly represented by the molybdenum-free forms. The presence of an additional source of molybdenum can activate both the intrinsic and the NR and NiR activities. The NiR activity of XO and AO was higher than their NR activity. The data shows that treatment at a concentration of sodium molybdate and glutathione of 1.0 mM increases all activities of XO and AO. The optimal conditions for maximum activation of exogenous molybdate for XO and AO were reached by heating at 70 °C for 5 minutes. The activity of XO increased almost 4.7 times, and the activity of AO 7.7 times compared with its intrinsic activity without heat treatment. NO is formed from nitrite by the enzymes XO and AO much more than from nitrate.

Lipid-rich bovine serum albumin (LR-BSA) has been reported to increase the survival rate of blastocysts after freezing and thawing. However studies on the early development of in vitro fertilised (IVF) embryos are still insufficient in cattle. This study investigated the blastocyst productivity of in vitro culture (IVC) medium (synthetic oviductal fluid medium with amino acids, mSOFaa) supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS, Control) or LR-BSA (1, 2.5, 5 mg/ml dosages, respectively) and the qualitative characteristics of produced blastocysts. Cleavage rates on day 2 were similar between all groups. Significant differences were obtained in the blastocyst rate in the 2.5LR-BSA group compared with the control (23.5% vs 35.7%, P < 0.05). Hatching rates were significantly higher in all treatment groups than in control (P < 0.05). The cell number in blastocysts did not differ among groups, but the apoptotic index in the 5.0LR-BSA group was higher than the control (P < 0.05). The expression of embryo quality-related markers was affected. Octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct4), placenta associated 8 (Plac8), and sex-determining region Y-box 2 (Sox2) genes expression in the 2.5LR-BSA group were significantly up-regulated compared to the control (P < 0.05). Cytoplasmic lipid contents and the lipid droplet formation-related gene, sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (Srebf1), were significantly increased in the 5.0LR-BSA group (P < 0.05). Therefore, the LR-BSA supplementation (2.5 mg/ml) to mSOFaa medium could contribute to the early development of bovine IVF embryos and the qualitative improvement of the resulting blastocysts.

This study investigated the effects of the dietary addition of wormwood (Artemisia montana Pampan) on growth performance, blood characteristics, carcass traits, and meat quality in growing-fattening pigs. One hundred eighty crossed pigs (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc), weighing approximately 70 kg, were divided into four groups of 15 head (eight barrows and seven gilts) per pen, and the experiment was replicated thrice. The basal diet (C) was supplemented with 0.5% (T1), 1.0% (T2), and 1.5% (T3) of dried powdered wormwood, and the pigs were fed an experimental diet for six weeks. The average daily weight gain and feed efficiency were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in treatments than in C. On the contrary, the total cholesterol concentration was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in treatments than in C. Additionally, the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.05), and the carcass grade was better (P < 0.05) in the treatments than in C. The ether extract content of the longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle was lower (P < 0.05) in T2 and T3 than that in C. In contrast, the unsaturated fatty acid (USFA) composition in LD muscle was higher (P < 0.05) in the treatments than in C. Additionally, the marbling and flavour of cooked meat were better (P < 0.05) in the treatments than in C. The dietary addition of wormwood increased (P < 0.05) lightness and yellowness of the surface meat colour and decreased (P < 0.05) juiciness of the LD sensory evaluation. Therefore, the dietary addition of wormwood improved growth performance, feed efficiency, carcass grade, USFA composition, and oxidation of protein and lipids in the LD muscle of growing-fattening pigs.

Innate immunity is the organism’s first line of defence, and the receptors of immune cells play a key role. Interleukin 1 receptor-associated kinase 1 and 4 (IRAK1 and IRAK4) are necessary for signal transmission from Toll-like receptors, which are the most important receptors of immune cells. The main objective of this study was to investigate the gene polymorphisms of IRAK1 and IRAK4 in Czech Fleckvieh cattle (CF) and to compare their diversity with other cattle breeds as there is still little information about these genes. PacBio Technology of next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to detect genetic variability in 164 CF bulls. The results revealed 17 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in the IRAK1 gene and 12 SNVs and three deletions in the IRAK4 gene. Three methods were then used to determine allelic variability: Sanger sequencing, the primer extension method and Illumina DNA BeadChip microarray in cooperation with the Czech Moravian Breeder’s Corporation. Sanger sequencing enabled analysis of the population variability in single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs210710958 and rs48726521 of IRAK1 in 164 CF bulls. SNaPshot genotyping was employed to determine the allelic frequencies of SNP rs211379365 and a novel polymorphism in IRAK1, and rs380202447 in the IRAK4 gene. DNA microarray method, which was applied to 74 CF dairy cows, revealed the allelic frequency of IRAK1 rs110533802 including the frequency 0.07 of mutant allele T. Additional microarray data allowed the comparison of the allelic frequencies among the Czech and Hungarian populations of Holstein dairy cows and beef breed populations. The results show that the functionally significant diversity in the IRAK1 and IRAK4 genes in the studied CF population is rather limited. The higher frequency 0.4 of the T mutant allele of SNP rs110533802 of IRAK1 in Holstein cattle could be the consequence of breeding for milk performance.

This study explored the regulatory effect of temperature stress on fatty acid biosynthesis in the early stage of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) based on Δ6-fatty acids desaturase (Δ6FAD) and elongase-5 (ELOVL5) gene expression and fatty acid composition. One-day-old carp larvae were selected, and after seven days of acclimatisation at 25 °C, the larvae were subjected to temperature stress for 96 h in water at 32 °C or 10 °C. In the post-larval stage, 30-day-old carp juveniles were selected and, after seven days of acclimatisation at 25 °C, were subjected to temperature stress for seven days in water at 32 °C or 10 °C. The results showed that common carp larvae could rapidly and highly express Δ6FAD and ELOVL5 genes within 48 h at high temperature (32 °C) compared with the 0 h group (P < 0.05), while gene expression began to gradually increase after 48 h at low temperature (10 °C). There was a significant improvement in C22:6n-3 and C20:5n-3 after 96 h at low temperature compared with the 0 h group (P < 0.05). In common carp juveniles, the Δ6FAD gene in the intestine, brain and liver was sensitive to low temperature, but the ELOVL5 gene in the intestine, brain and liver of common carp was sensitive to high temperature. The low temperature increased the amount of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) in the common carp juveniles. The results indicated that temperature could regulate the expression of the Δ6FAD and ELOVL5 genes for HUFA production, as well as for participation in the biosynthesis of fatty acids in the body during the early development of common carp. The results of this study help clarify the regulatory effects of temperature on fatty acid biosynthesis during the early development of common carp.

In general, it can be stated that the economics of non-dairy sheep breeding in the Czech Republic experienced a worsening trend in recent years. One of the ways to improve this situation is to use some of these breeds also for milk production. One of the possible breeds usable for milk production, especially for the good milk production of mothers, is the Clun Forest (CF). The aim of our experiment was to evaluate the daily milk yield (DMY) and the contents of fat (F), total protein (TP) and lactose (L), pH, titratable acidity (TA), concentration of urea (CU) and somatic cell count (SCC) in CF ewes during lactation. In our experiment, the following means of individual traits for the whole lactation were found: DMY: 579 g, contents of F, TP and L: 6.73%, 5.82% and 4.98%, pH: 6.55, TA: 8.74 °SH, CU: 36.08 mg/100 ml and log SCC: 4.71. The stage of lactation had a significant (P < 0.01) effect on DMY, contents of F and TP and pH and TA. The results of our experiment show that CF ewes had lower DMY than dairy breeds (DB). However, the majority of the milk quality traits was comparable to DB. Moreover, the high fat and protein contents and the values of most other milk quality traits are good prerequisites for high cheese yield and optimal final quality of other sheep’s milk products. The results of our experiment suggest that CF ewes could be used for milk production while the milk production of CF ewes should ensure an improvement in the economics and competitiveness of smaller farms in particular.

The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of crossbreeding on milk production and milk components in crossbred Tsigai, Lacaune, and Improved Wallachian sheep used to create a synthetic Slovak dairy sheep population. The local breeds Tsigai and Improved Wallachian were crossed with the high-yielding breed Lacaune to increase milk yield. The effects of crossbreeding were evaluated based on breed and heterosis effects. The database used consisted of 23 018 lactations from 15 888 ewes. The effects of crossbreeding on milk production and fat and protein content were estimated using the restricted maximum likelihood method in REMLF90. Fixed effects on milk yield were also studied. In ewes with a 100% heterosis effect (ewes from purebred parents of different breeds), the heterosis effect increased milk production by 11.642 kg, milk fat production by 0.772 kg, and protein production by 0.565 kg per milking period. The effect of the Tsigai breed on milk production was –21.98 kg compared to Lacaune, while for the Improved Wallachian breed, the value was –38.58 kg. The Tsigai direct breed effect reduced fat production by 1.56 kg and protein production by 1.34 kg. The Improved Wallachian direct breed effect was –2.71 kg for fat production and –2.27 kg for protein production.

The black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) serves as an alternative source of protein in poultry production. However, there is little available information on feeding live black soldier fly larvae (LBSFL) to hens. The present study filled this gap by testing the effect of dietary LBSFL on laying hen performance, feed economy, egg quality, and yolk fatty acid composition. In total, one hundred forty-four 25-week-old Charoen Pokphand Brown laying hens were assigned to four groups. Experimental birds were provided a basal diet supplemented with 0.0 (T1), 10.0 (T2), 20.0 (T3), or 30.0 (T4) g/kg LBSFL. Our results indicated that no effects on body weight gain, egg yield, egg weight, or egg mass (P > 0.05) were observed in any of the dietary LBSFL groups. The addition of 10.0 g/kg LBSFL decreased feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and feed cost (P < 0.05), contrary to two higher doses of LBSFL. Similarly, the egg quality parameters were not influenced (P > 0.05) by the dietary LBSFL except for the egg yolk colour which significantly decreased with increasing LBSFL levels. Furthermore, the values for lightness (L*), redness (a*), and yellowness (b*) of the egg yolk were different (P < 0.05) between the four treatments. Paler egg yolk was found in the 20.0 and 30.0 g/kg LBSFL groups compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Significantly lower deposition of C18:3n6 was found for 30.0 g/kg, whereas there was a significant decrease in deposition of C22:6n3 with all LBSFL groups (P < 0.05). C20:3n6 levels, on the other hand, increased significantly in the 20.0 g/kg LBSFL group (P < 0.05). Thus, feeding LBSFL has no potential to increase the proportion of anti-inflammatory n-3 fatty acids. From an economic point of view, it is advantageous to feed the hens a dose of 10 g/kg LBSFL.

Bisphenols (BP) are pollutants that are globally and widely distributed and adversely affect the health of humans. However, knowledge of their presence in animals, especially farm animals such as pigs, remains limited. In this study, the incidence of bisphenol A (BPA) and its five analogues – bisphenol B (BPB), bisphenol F (BPF), bisphenol S (BPS), bisphenol Z (BPZ) and bisphenol AF (BPAF) – was monitored in lactating sows on an actual pig farm. The urine samples of 27 sows were collected twice on the 3^rd day after parturition, and stored at –20 °C until analysis using MDGC/MS. None of the lactating sows produced bisphenol-free urine. In contrast, the urine of all sows contained at least two bisphenols (eight females), most often five (10 females) or all six bisphenols (five females). The average concentrations of bisphenols in urine were in the order of BPB > BPA and BPS > BPZ > BPAF > BPF. The most frequently detected bisphenol was BPB (96.0% of samples) followed by BPA (89.0%), BPAF (78.0%), BPS (63.0%), BPF (52.0%) and BPZ (37.0%). Additionally, the proportion of BPB in the total bisphenol concentration in urine samples was the highest (28.74 to 93.85%) while that of BPF was the lowest (2.33 to 16.70%). Estimated daily intakes of bisphenols as well as hazard quotients were much lower than risk thresholds established for the human population, indicating safe doses for the health status of lactating sows. However, these findings are limited as the mechanism of BPA analogue’ activity is still unclear, and the long-term effects of small doses of bisphenols and the potential harmful impact of BP mixtures are unknown. Knowledge of the occurrence of bisphenols in pig farming may contribute to the elimination of BPA and its analogues from this sector, which is crucial for the safety of animal products as well as the welfare of pigs.

Global warming caused by climate change can increase heat stress and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, leading to food problems and livestock crises. Thus, pre-emptive responses are required to mitigate the food problems and livestock crises. The potential of a livestock crisis caused by global warming highlights the need for sustainable livestock production in response to climate change using a farm animal algorithm in order to address the population increase and avoid food problems in the future. In particular, the demand for animal-based foods has increased. Such a climate change threatens the livestock environment, production, reproductive efficiency, animal behaviour and welfare, while increasing the heat stress, livestock malodours, and GHG emissions. For these reasons, it is necessary to understand the concurrent mechanisms related to these effects of global warming, animal nutrition, animal feeding and management, animal heat stress and in ovo injection, and carbon neutral livestock. Climate-smart livestock systems are being implemented to overcome the livestock crisis caused by climate change and to maintain sustainable livestock production. This review emphasises the importance of sustainable livestock production using farm animal algorithms in response to a future livestock crisis caused by climate change in 2050.

Despite the routine use of cryopreservation in dairy cattle, the subsequent deterioration in the quality of bull insemination doses (IDs) is an incentive to refine cryopreservation protocols, including the composition of the ID. The aim of this study was to examine, using a flow cytometry assay, whether the selected concentrations of low density lipoproteins (LDLs) extracted from hen-egg yolk may improve the post-thaw quality of the ID diluted with a plant-based extender. In total, 30 ejaculates from five sires (six trials per animal) were collected and processed at the Artificial Insemination Centre. The effect of the low density lipoprotein supplementation to the AndroMed^® diluent at 4 and 8% (v/v) on the cryopreservation efficiency was tested. The effects of the modified extenders were determined on different sperm subpopulations by simultaneous quadruple staining for flow cytometry as the percentage of sperm with intact plasma membrane and acrosome (PMAI), PMAI sperm showing high mitochondrial membrane potential (HMMP), sperm with plasma membrane damage (PMD), and sperm with acrosome damage (AD). It was observed that the 8% LDL treatment was more effective (P < 0.05) in preserving all the analysed parameters than AndroMed^® without any supplementation. The supplementation of the AndroMed^® extender with 8% LDL resulted in the most optimal values of the PMAI (30.61 ± 1.13), HMMP (68.81 ± 1.25), PMD (68.69 ± 1.14), and AD (38.36 ± 1.13) compared to the control treatment (24.86 ± 1.13 for PMAI, 47.79 ± 1.25 for HMMP, 74.77 ± 1.14 for PMD, and 42.83 ± 1.13 for AD. The results of the study also demonstrated a synergistic positive effect of the LDL and soybean lecithin-based diluent on the spermatozoa post-thaw quality and resilience, based on 2 h long incubation. In conclusion, the soybean based semen extender treatment with LDL represents a beneficial tool to mitigate the detrimental effect of cryopreservation.