Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Brouček Author-Workplace-Name: Animal Production Research Centre Nitra, Lužianky, Slovak Republic Author-Name: M. Uhrinčať Author-Workplace-Name: Animal Production Research Centre Nitra, Lužianky, Slovak Republic Author-Name: V. Tančin Author-Workplace-Name: Animal Production Research Centre Nitra, Lužianky, Slovak Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Nitra, Slovak Republic Author-Name: A. Hanus Author-Workplace-Name: Animal Production Research Centre Nitra, Lužianky, Slovak Republic Author-Name: P. Tongeľ Author-Workplace-Name: Animal Production Research Centre Nitra, Lužianky, Slovak Republic Author-Name: Ľ. Botto Author-Workplace-Name: Animal Production Research Centre Nitra, Lužianky, Slovak Republic Author-Name: I. Bôžik Author-Workplace-Name: Animal Production Research Centre Nitra, Lužianky, Slovak Republic Title: Performance and behaviour at milking after relocation and housing change of dairy cows Abstract: The hypothesis that relocation of cows with a housing change temporarily decreases their milk production and affects cows' behaviour in the milking parlour has been proved. Forty-one Holstein cows on the 1st and 2nd lactation were relocated from the tie-stall barn into the free-stall barn. Cows were milked in a 2 × 5 herringbone parlour twice a day. Individual milk yields, order, and used parlour side were recorded electronically during 50 (milk) or 22 (order and side) milking sessions. Milk yield after cows' relocation (23.76 kg) significantly decreased if compared to that reached on the day preceding relocation (30.97 kg; P < 0.001). Milk production approached the level of the last day on days 3 and 4 (30.72 and 30.72 kg, respectively) after relocation. Milk yield exceeded that before relocation on day 13 (31.82 kg). There were significant differences between parities during the whole observation period except for the first day after relocation - cows on the 2nd parity yielded more (P < 0.001). Multiparous cows entered the parlour earlier than primiparous, equally during morning and evening milkings (P < 0.01). Generally a left-side preference was found in the observed cows, while it was more prominent in primiparous than in multiparous cows during evening milkings (P < 0.05). Relationships between milking order and milk performance were on days 5-11 negative and significant (P < 0.01). We may conclude that although temporarily, relocation with housing and milking changes significantly affected the milk yield. Keywords: cattle, barn change, milking system, milk yield, behavioural reaction, preference Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 389-395 Volume: 58 Issue: 9 Year: 2013 DOI: 10.17221/6938-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/6938-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201309-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:58:y:2013:i:9:id:6938-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Matějíčková Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Štípková Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: G. Sahana Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Tjele, Denmark Author-Name: T. Kott Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Kyseľová Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: A. Matějíček Author-Workplace-Name: Research and Breeding Institute of Pomology Holovousy Ltd., Holovousy, Czech Republic Author-Name: B. Kottová Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Šefrová Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Krejčová Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: S. Melčová Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Title: QTL mapping for production traits in Czech Fleckvieh cattle Abstract: The objective of this study was to find QTL for milk production traits in Czech Fleckvieh cattle on chromosomes 6, 7, 11, 14, and 23 where QTL were previously identified in other dairy cattle populations. Sixteen grandsire families were genotyped for 38 microsatellite markers on the selected chromosomes. A QTL mapping model based on variance component analysis was implemented via restricted maximum likelihood (REML) to estimate QTL positions and their effects. A significant QTL affecting fat percentage was found at the beginning of chromosome 14 (0 cM), near marker ILSTS039. Suggestive QTL associated with milk production traits appeared on other studied chromosomes (BTA6, BTA7, BTA11, and BTA23). This first QTL search on five chromosomes in Czech Fleckvieh population showed several suggestive QTL that can be promising for further studies and contribute to better understanding of genetics of milk production in the Czech Fleckvieh cattle. Keywords: chromosomes, markers, quantitative trait loci, milk traits, cattle, REML Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 396-403 Volume: 58 Issue: 9 Year: 2013 DOI: 10.17221/6939-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/6939-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201309-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:58:y:2013:i:9:id:6939-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M. Szewczuk Author-Workplace-Name: Laboratory of Molecular Cytogenetics, Department of Ruminant Science, The West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, Poland Author-Name: M. Bajurna Author-Workplace-Name: Laboratory of Molecular Cytogenetics, Department of Ruminant Science, The West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, Poland Author-Name: S. Zych Author-Workplace-Name: Laboratory of Veterinary Diagnostics LaboWet, Szczecin, Poland Author-Name: W. Kruszyński Author-Workplace-Name: Division of Animal Breeding and Cytogenetics, Department of Genetics, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland Title: Association of insulin-like growth factor I gene polymorphisms (IGF1/TasI and IGF1/SnaBI) with the growth and subsequent milk yield of Polish Holstein-Friesian heifers Abstract: The aim of this study was to estimate potential relationships between insulin-like growth factor I gene polymorphisms (IGF1/TasI and IGF1/SnaBI) and the growth parameters of calves as well as their subsequent milk performance. The study involved a total of 191 Polish Holstein-Friesian var. Black-and-White calves. Both polymorphic sites were determined with Amplification Created Restriction Sites-Polymerase Chain Reaction (ACRS-PCR). In the case of the IGF1/SnaBI polymorphism, the genotype and allele frequencies were as follows: TT - 0.27, CT - 0.55, CC - 0.18, T - 0.54, and C - 0.46. The CC genotype was favourable and associated with higher body weight at the 2nd month of age of calves (WT60) and their daily body weight gains from the 1st to the 2nd month (P ≤ 0.05) as well as subsequent milk, fat, and protein yield (P ≤ 0.01). For the IGF1/TasI polymorphism, the highest frequency of the AA genotype (0.69) was found. Allele frequencies were 0.75 and 0.25 for the A and C alleles, respectively. In the association study, the AC genotype was significantly associated with higher WT60 and average daily gains in the periods from the 2nd to the 3rd month of age and for the whole rearing period (P ≤ 0.05) as well as subsequent milk, fat, and protein yield (P ≤ 0.01). Combined genotypes were also included into the analysis. The highest yields of milk as well as fat and protein were found in cows with the CC/AA combination. No clear relationships between body weight and genotype combination were found. Keywords: cattle, body weight, insulin-like growth factors, milk performance Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 404-411 Volume: 58 Issue: 9 Year: 2013 DOI: 10.17221/6940-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/6940-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201309-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:58:y:2013:i:9:id:6940-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M. Englmaierová Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Skřivan Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: I. Bubancová Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Title: A comparison of lutein, spray-dried Chlorella, and synthetic carotenoids effects on yolk colour, oxidative stability, and reproductive performance of laying hens Abstract: ISA Brown hens were fed diets supplemented with the synthetic carotenoids Carophyll Red and Carophyll Yellow at 20 and 15 mg/kg, respectively, lutein at 250 mg/kg, and the algae Chlorella at 12.5 g/kg. The synthetic carotenoids, lutein, and Chlorella significantly increased egg weight (P < 0.001), shell weight (P < 0.001), and thickness (P = 0.017) and decreased the yolk/albumen ratio (P = 0.035) of the eggs. Lutein but not the Carophylls or Chlorella significantly increased the shell breaking strength (P = 0.032). Furthermore, the carotenoids and Chlorella significantly (P < 0.001) increased yolk colour, and the yolk redness increased significantly (P < 0.001) in the following order: control < Chlorella < Carophyll < lutein. Lutein and Chlorella increased the yellowness of the yolks, and boiling the eggs for 5 min increased the redness of the yolks, while boiling them for 10 min increased the lightness and reduced the colour of the yolks. Supplementation of feed with lutein and Chlorella significantly (P < 0.001) increased the concentration of lutein (from 12.8 to 133.9 and 49.0 mg/kg dry matter) and zeaxanthin (from 9.2 to 123.9 and 40.1 mg/kg dry matter) in the yolks, and all carotenoids and Chlorella significantly (P < 0.001) increased the oxidative stability of the lipids of fresh eggs and eggs that had been stored at 18°C for 28 days. Keywords: carophyll, alga, egg quality, yolk colour, cooking length Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 412-419 Volume: 58 Issue: 9 Year: 2013 DOI: 10.17221/6941-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/6941-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201309-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:58:y:2013:i:9:id:6941-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: S. Wei Author-Workplace-Name: Life Science and Engineering College, Northwest University for Nationalities, Lanzhou, P.R. China Author-Name: W. Zou Author-Workplace-Name: Life Science and Engineering College, Northwest University for Nationalities, Lanzhou, P.R. China Author-Name: T. Zhang Author-Workplace-Name: Life Science and Engineering College, Northwest University for Nationalities, Lanzhou, P.R. China Author-Name: Y. Zhang Author-Workplace-Name: Animal Medicine College, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou, P.R. China Author-Name: Z. Gong Author-Workplace-Name: Medicine College, Northwest University for Nationalities, Lanzhou, P.R. China Author-Name: Y. Li Author-Workplace-Name: Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Bureau of Yuzhong County, Lanzhou, P.R. China Title: Effects of GnRH agonist immunization on vaginal electrical resistance, FSH, LH, and ovaries in prepubertal female sheep Abstract: The study is aimed at the investigation of the effects of GnRH agonist (alarelin) immunization on the vaginal electrical resistance (VER) and secretion of FSH and LH in sheep. Forty-two prepubertal female sheep were assigned to six groups (n = 7). Animals in experimental groups I (EG-I), II (EG-II), and III (EG-III) were twice subcutaneously injected with 200, 300, and 400 µg of alarelin antigens, respectively. Animals in experimental groups IV (EG-IV) and V (EG-V) were four times subcutaneously injected with 200 and 300 µg of alarelin antigens, respectively. Animals in the control group (CG) were subcutaneously injected with 2.0 ml of control liquid. Serum concentrations of FSH and LH were detected using ELISA. VER was measured by the electrical resistance detector. The follicle vertical diameter, follicle transverse diameter, theca folliculi externa thickness (FET), theca folliculi interna thickness (FIT), and follicle wall thickness (FWT) were calculated through microscope images using ImagePlus software. The results showed that the serum FSH concentration in EGs started to increase on day 14 and reached peak levels on day 35, with a maximum in EG-V. Serum LH concentration in EGs decreased from day 7 and reached the minimum levels (P < 0.05) on day 21 or 28. Serum FSH in EG-III-EG-V was higher than that in EG-I (P < 0.05) and CG (P < 0.01) in days 28-60. VER decreased after injection of alarelin antigen, the values reached the minimum levels on day 28 in EG-I and EG-II, on day 35 in EG-III-EG-V (P < 0.05), respectively. In days 45-60, VER values in EG-III-EG-V were lower than those in CG (P < 0.01). Ovarian weights in EGs were higher than those in CG; the values of FET, FIT, FWT, follicle vertical diameter (FVD), and follicle transverse diameter (FTD) in EG-III and EG-V were greater than those in CG, EG-I, EG-II, and EG-IV. In conclusion, alarelin active immunization can decrease VER, induce the synthesis and secretion of FSH, and promote follicle development in prepubertal female sheep. VER had a positive correlation with serum LH, and a negative correlation with FSH. Keywords: gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist, gonadotropins, vaginal electrical resistance, follicle development, ewe Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 420-428 Volume: 58 Issue: 9 Year: 2013 DOI: 10.17221/6942-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/6942-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201309-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:58:y:2013:i:9:id:6942-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: E. Krupa Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Wolf Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Title: Simultaneous estimation of genetic parameters for production and litter size traits in Czech Large White and Czech Landrace pigs Abstract: Genetic parameters for total number of piglets born per litter, number of piglets weaned per litter, lean meat content, and average daily gain from birth till the end of the field test were estimated for Czech Large White (445 589 records) and Czech Landrace (149 057 records) pigs using a four-trait animal model. The following heritabilities were estimated (first number: Large White, second number: Landrace): 0.10 ± 0.004 and 0.09 ± 0.007 for total number born; 0.09 ± 0.005 and 0.07 ± 0.008 for number weaned; 0.39 ± 0.004 and 0.36 ± 0.009 for lean meat content; 0.21 ± 0.004 and 0.18 ± 0.006 for daily gain. The highest genetic correlation (approximately 0.85 in both breeds) was estimated between both litter size traits. In Czech Landrace, all remaining genetic correlations were < 0.20 in their absolute value. Negative correlations of approximately ‑0.25 were estimated in Czech Large White between daily gain and both reproduction traits. All remaining correlations in Czech Large White were also < 0.20 in their absolute value. The estimated non-zero correlations between production and reproduction traits are, besides of other arguments, one reason to recommend a joint genetic evaluation of production and reproduction traits. If more than one litter trait is included in the genetic evaluation, repeatability models should be used instead of separate treating the first and the second and subsequent litters; this is because of the high correlations among litter size traits which are expected to cause numerical problems if multi-parity models are used. Keywords: total number of piglets born, number of piglets weaned, lean meat content, average daily gain, heritability, genetic correlation, REML Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 429-436 Volume: 58 Issue: 9 Year: 2013 DOI: 10.17221/6943-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/6943-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201309-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:58:y:2013:i:9:id:6943-CJAS