Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: F.E. Li Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory of Pig Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, P.R. China Author-Name: S.Q. Mei Author-Workplace-Name: Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering and Molecular Breeding, Hubei Academy of Agriculture Science, Wuhan, P.R. China Author-Name: C.Y. Deng Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory of Pig Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, P.R. China Author-Name: S.W. Jiang Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory of Pig Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, P.R. China Author-Name: B. Zuo Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory of Pig Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, P.R. China Author-Name: R. Zheng Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory of Pig Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, P.R. China Author-Name: J.L. Li Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory of Pig Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, P.R. China Author-Name: D.Q. Xu Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory of Pig Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, P.R. China Author-Name: M.G. Lei Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory of Pig Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, P.R. China Author-Name: Y.Z. Xiong Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory of Pig Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, P.R. China Title: Association of a microsatellite flanking FSHB gene with reproductive traits and reproductive tract components in pigs Abstract: Microsatellite FSHBMS polymorphism at the 5' flanking region of FSHB gene was genotyped and associations with reproductive traits in several pig populations and with reproductive tract components in the Large White × Meishan F2 offspring were studied. The results showed that FSHBMS allele 98 carriers had a non-significantly higher total number born and number born alive in multiple parities; 118/118 animals had a significantly higher number of piglets at weaning than 98/98 and 98/118 animals (P < 0.05) and significantly higher litter weight at weaning and individual weight at weaning than 98/98 animals (P < 0.05). The 98/118 animals had the shortest gestation length (P < 0.05); the length of uterine horns and the length of oviducts of 98/98 individuals were shorter and longer, respectively, than those with 98/118 genotype (P < 0.05). Keywords: pig, FSHB gene, microsatellite FSHBMS, reproductive trait, reproductive tract components Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 139-144 Volume: 53 Issue: 4 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/371-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/371-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200804-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:53:y:2008:i:4:id:371-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J.P. Ramon-Ugalde Author-Workplace-Name: Center of Ovine Selection and Reproduction, Technical Institute of Conkal; Conkal, Mexico Author-Name: J. Folch Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Production, Centro de Investigacion y Tecnologia Agroalimentaria de Aragon, Zaragoza, Spain Author-Name: M.J. Cocero Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Reproduction, INIA; Madrid, Spain Author-Name: R.E. Piña-Aguilar Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Yucatan; Merida, Mexico Author-Name: J.L. Alabart Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Production, Centro de Investigacion y Tecnologia Agroalimentaria de Aragon, Zaragoza, Spain Title: Embryo recovery from the oviduct in superovulated ewes: a method to improve MOET systems Abstract: The efficiency of embryo recovery in a superovulatory treatment was studied by perfusing the oviduct or the uterine horn in 3.5 and 7 days after sponge withdrawal, respectively. Eighty-four and seventy ewes of Aragonesa breed were used as embryo donors and receptors, respectively. The donors were distributed in 3 replications. The oestrus was synchronized with the insertion of FGA intravaginal sponges (30 mg) for 13 days. Six intramuscular injections of 18 mg pFSH were applied in decreasing doses at 12 hour intervals starting 48 hours after sponge withdrawal. The recovery rate (RR) (83.2 vs. 75.8%), the viability rate (VR) (73.5 vs. 47.2%) and the number of viable embryos (VE) per donor ewe (5.9 ± 0.79 vs. 3.0 ± 0.37) were higher (P < 0.01) in ewes whose perfusion was done directly in oviducts. The interval from sponge withdrawal to oestrus had no influence on RR in any groups; however it had an effect on the VR in 3.5 and 7 days old embryos. Embryos from ewes showing the oestrus within 20 hours after sponge withdrawal had a higher viability. On the other hand, using morphologic criteria, 26.5% and 52.7% of 3.5 and 7 days old embryos, respectively, were discarded before transfer. The percentage of ewes in each group that became pregnant was similar in both groups. We conclude that in superovulated ewes the embryo recovery rate, viability and number of viable embryos are higher in embryos recovered from the oviduct compared to those recovered from the uterus, without decreasing the conception rate and the viability rate is higher in ewes that show the oestrus 20 hours before sponge withdrawal. Keywords: embryo transfer, MOET, oviduct, uterus, superovulated sheep Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 145-151 Volume: 53 Issue: 4 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/374-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/374-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200804-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:53:y:2008:i:4:id:374-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: O. Hanuš Author-Workplace-Name: Agro Research Rapotín, s.r.o., Rapotín, Czech Republic Author-Name: P. Hering Author-Workplace-Name: Czech Moravia Breeders Corporation, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Frelich Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Special Livestock Breeding, Agricultural Faculty, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Jílek Author-Workplace-Name: Laboratory Servise, Postřelmov, Czech Republic Author-Name: V. Genčurová Author-Workplace-Name: Agro Research Rapotín, s.r.o., Rapotín, Czech Republic Author-Name: R. Jedelská Author-Workplace-Name: Agro Research Rapotín, s.r.o., Rapotín, Czech Republic Title: Reliability of results of milk urea analysis by various methods using artificial milk control samples Abstract: The milk urea concentration (MUC) is a respected indicator of the health and nutrition status of dairy cows. It is in relation to their reproduction performance, longevity and technological milk indicators. The accuracy of the interpretation of results depends on their reliability, which is so important. There are a lot of principles of MUC analyses. Their results can be affected by a number of interferential factors. Many disproportions were noticed for the above-mentioned reasons in laboratory practice. That is the reason why relevant result variation sources are studied. The goal of this paper was to search the relationships between different methods of MUC determination with the use of specifically modified samples on a milk basis with the absence of dissolved components such as lactose. The results of two methods (photometric BI with diacetylmonoxime and FT-MIR (mid infrared)) were disqualified for a large shift and variance of values, unsatisfactory recovery and paralysed relation to other methods (BI r = from 0.184 to 0.213; P > 0.05). Therefore the second BI method was retained in the evaluation, and it was probably a local defect in the performance at disqualification. Nevertheless, the procedure showed poorer recovery (75.5 ± 14.3%) and necessity for methodical modifications for support of result reliability such as increase in the number of calibration points as compared to the contemporary procedure. The results of FT-MIR method were strongly systematically displaced due to lactose absence in particular (by 33.824 ± 3.794 mg/100 ml). Nevertheless, the correlations with results of other relevant methods were tight (from 0.991 to 0.999; P < 0.001). The photometrical method with Ehrlich's agent (para-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde, EH) showed acceptable values of all the evaluated indicators of reliability. The specific Ureakvant method (UR; with conductivity difference measurement) showed the most proper results in combination with all the reliability indicators (recovery as much as 93.2 ± 10.2%; correlation from 0.989 to 1.0; P < 0.001; acceptable ratio of systematic and random error components). It is possible to use the tested specific standard samples for the control or calibration of all methods (BI, EH and UR) with the exception of FT-MIR. Keywords: cow, milk, urea, method of analysis, result reliability, recovery, correlation Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 152-161 Volume: 53 Issue: 4 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/376-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/376-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200804-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:53:y:2008:i:4:id:376-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M. Lichovníková Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agronomy, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: L. Zeman Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agronomy, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry, Brno, Czech Republic Title: Effect of housing system on the calcium requirement of laying hens and on eggshell quality Abstract: The effects of housing systems on the calcium requirement for eggshell production, eggshell quality and on the breaking strength of the hen's tibia were evaluated. Unenriched cages (UN) (24 laying hens), enriched cages (EN) (16 laying hens) and floor system (FS) (24 laying hens) were used in this experiment. The eggshell production of laying hens from 19 to 66 weeks of age was higher (P < 0.01) in the cage systems (UN 39.6 g/hen/week and EN 39.2 g/hen/week) than it was in FS (35.0 g/hen/week). Consequently, the amount of calcium deposited in the eggshells (g/hen/week) was higher (P < 0.01) in the cage systems (14.2 and 14.0 g/hen/week) than in FS (12.6 g/hen/week). Despite of the same calcium intake of the hens housed in EN and FS the eggshell thickness (0.39 and 0.38 mm, respectively) and eggshell strength (38.04 and 36.43 N respect.) were higher (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001 respectively) in EN. The tibia breaking strength was higher (P < 0.05) in FS (156.6 N) in comparison with UN (92.7 N). The rate of calcium intake deposited in the eggshells was higher in the cage systems than in FS, namely by 1.7 to 8.9% depending on the age of laying hens. When determining the correct calcium requirements in the diets of laying hens, the housing system should be taken into account. Keywords: enriched cage, unenriched cage, floor system, eggshell production, Ca requirement Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 162-168 Volume: 53 Issue: 4 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/375-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/375-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200804-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:53:y:2008:i:4:id:375-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: N. Ocak Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ondokuz Mayis University, Kurupelit, Samsun-Turkey Author-Name: G. Erener Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ondokuz Mayis University, Kurupelit, Samsun-Turkey Author-Name: F. Burak Ak Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ondokuz Mayis University, Kurupelit, Samsun-Turkey Author-Name: M. Sungu Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ondokuz Mayis University, Kurupelit, Samsun-Turkey Author-Name: A. Altop Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ondokuz Mayis University, Kurupelit, Samsun-Turkey Author-Name: A. Ozmen Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ondokuz Mayis University, Kurupelit, Samsun-Turkey Title: Performance of broilers fed diets supplemented with dry peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) or thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) leaves as growth promoter source Abstract: A study was conducted to determine the performance, carcase and gastrointestinal tract (gut) characteristics of broilers fed diets supplemented with dry peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) or thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) leaves, which are among the alternative growth promoters. In the study, 312 one-week-old broilers (Ross-308) were used. There were 3 dietary treatments, each consisting of 4 replications (13 males and 13 females in each replication). The control group was fed basal diet, while the peppermint and thyme groups were fed diets supplemented with 0.2% peppermint or thyme (w/w) as menthol and thymol (70 mg per kg diet) sources, respectively. From 7 days to 35 days of age, the body weight gain was higher (P < 0.05) in broilers fed the peppermint-supplemented diet compared to the control, but the effect of peppermint on body weight gain disappeared at 42 days of age. Feed intake, feed to gain ratio, carcase weight, carcase yield, and the relative weights of the edible inner organs and whole gut, and the relative length of the whole gut were not significantly affected by peppermint and thyme contents. The peppermint or thyme leaves increased (P < 0.05) the abdominal fat pad at 42 days of age. Thus, the dry peppermint leaves had a higher growth promoting efficacy than the dry thyme leaves at an early stage of broilers' life, but an increase in abdominal fat should be taken into account for carcase quality and processing. Keywords: broiler, growth promoter, herb leaf, growth performance, digestive tract Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 169-175 Volume: 53 Issue: 4 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/373-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/373-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200804-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:53:y:2008:i:4:id:373-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: R. Bechyňová Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, v.v.i., Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Liběchov, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Dostál Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, v.v.i., Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Liběchov, Czech Republic Author-Name: A. Stratil Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, v.v.i., Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Liběchov, Czech Republic Author-Name: F. Jílek Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: P. Horák Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, v.v.i., Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Liběchov, Czech Republic Title: Mutation in the RPE65 gene causing hereditary retinal dystrophy in the Briard dogs: application of a new detection method Abstract: Inherited eye diseases are widespread in most of the pure dog breeds and they show a severe impact on canine health, welfare and working ability. Congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) was originally described in Briards. CSNB is slow progressive retinal degeneration with very early onset of clinical symptoms and is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. The causative mutation (Y16567.1:c.487_490delAAGA) for CSNB was identified in exon 5 of the RPE65 gene. This deletion results in a frameshift and leads to a premature stop codon and expression of a non-functional protein. To date, only expensive, laborious or unpractical methods have been used for detection of the mutation in the canine RPE65 gene. The main goals of this study were to develop a new method for routine genotyping of the causative mutation and to assess its occurrence in the Czech population of Briards. The method of electrophoresis in the gel Spraedex EL600 can be widely used for genotyping of the RPE65 gene as a basis of proper genetic counselling and an improvement of genetic health in the Briard populations. In the studied population, the following frequencies of alleles + (wild) and - (mutant) were observed - 0.939 and 0.061, respectively. Keywords: RPE65 gene, CSNB, dog, Briard, electrophoresis Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 176-179 Volume: 53 Issue: 4 Year: 2008 DOI: 10.17221/372-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/372-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-200804-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:53:y:2008:i:4:id:372-CJAS