Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: V. Czerneková Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: T. Kott Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: I. Majzlík Author-Workplace-Name: Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Title: Mitochondrial D-loop sequence variation among Hucul horse Abstract: Genetic variation in the Czech Hucul horse population was analyzed using a sequence analysis of the D-loop region of mitochondrial DNA. One hundred and sixty-five Hucul horses were tested. Sequencing of the 700-base pairs fragment of the mitochondrial DNA D-loop region revealed 38 mutation sites representing 14 haplotypes, which were clustered into six haplogroups. The genetic information obtained from the mitochondrial DNA typing is of utmost importance for the future breed-conservation strategies. Keywords: genetic diversity, horse, mitochondrial DNA, phylogeny Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 437-442 Volume: 58 Issue: 10 Year: 2013 DOI: 10.17221/6992-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/6992-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201310-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:58:y:2013:i:10:id:6992-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: B. Heidari Author-Workplace-Name: Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran Author-Name: A. Shirazi Author-Workplace-Name: Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Gametes and Cloning, Research Institute of Animal Embryo Technology, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran Author-Name: M.-M. Naderi Author-Workplace-Name: Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran Author-Name: M.-M. Akhondi Author-Workplace-Name: Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran Author-Name: H. Hassanpour Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Gametes and Cloning, Research Institute of Animal Embryo Technology, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran Author-Name: A. Sarvari Author-Workplace-Name: Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran Author-Name: S. Borjian Author-Workplace-Name: Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran Title: Effect of various co-culture systems on embryo development in ovine Abstract: Considering the advent of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a new source of somatic cells in embryo co-culture system, the current study was aimed to compare in vitro embryo development using embryonic MSCs monolayer with embryonic fibroblast cells (EFCs), oviductal epithelial cells (OECs), and cell-free culture system. The IVM/IVF presumptive sheep zygotes were randomly cultured in different culture conditions as follows: (1) SOFaaBSA medium for the whole culture period (SOF, n = 371), (2) SOFaaBSA medium for the first 3 days followed by co-culturing with MSCs for the next 5 days (SOF-MSCs, n = 120), (3) co-culturing with MSCs for the first 3 days followed by culture in SOFaaBSA medium for the next 5 days (MSCs-SOF, n = 133), (4) co-culturing with MSCs for the whole culture period (MSCs, n = 212), (5) SOFaaBSA medium for the first 3 days followed by co-culturing with EFCs for the next 5 days (SOF-EFCs, n = 132), (6) co-culturing with EFCs for the first 3 days followed by culture in SOFaaBSA medium for the next 5 days (EFCs-SOF, n = 165), (7) co-culturing with EFCs for the whole culture period (EFCs, n = 236), and (8) co-culturing with OECs for the whole culture period (OECs, n = 255). One-Way ANOVA by multiple pairwise comparisons using Tukey's test was performed. Co-culturing in MSCs group had no superiority over EFCs and OECs groups. Though, when co-culturing with MSCs and EFCs was limited to the first 3 days of culture, the embryo development indices were improved compared to the other co-cultured groups. Considering both the hatching rate and total cell number, the application of MSCs for the first 3 days of culture (MSCs-SOF) was superior to the other co-culture and SOF groups. Keywords: mesenchymal stem cell, fibroblast, oviduct, in vitro production, zygote Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 443-452 Volume: 58 Issue: 10 Year: 2013 DOI: 10.17221/6993-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/6993-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201310-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:58:y:2013:i:10:id:6993-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Nevoral Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: T. Krejčová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Petr Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: P. Melicharová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: A. Vyskočilová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Dvořáková Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: I. Weingartová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: E. Chmelíková Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: L. Tůmová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: K. Hošková Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: V. Kučerová-Chrpová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Sedmíková Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Title: The role of nitric oxide synthase isoforms in aged porcine oocytes Abstract: In the sphere of reproductive biotechnologies, the demand for sufficient numbers of high-quality oocytes is still increasing. In some cases, this obstacle is overcome by in vitro prolonged cultivation. However, a prolonged oocyte culture is accompanied by changes called ageing. Ageing is manifested by spontaneous parthenogenetic activation, programmed cell death or lysis. Various substances, such as caffeine or dithiothreitol, have been tested for ageing suppression. In this respect, research into gasotransmitters (hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide, and nitric oxide) has currently been intensified. The objectives of the present study were to localize nitric oxide synthases (NOS) and to evaluate NOS inhibition of aged porcine oocytes. We demonstrated the presence of NOS isoforms in oocyte cultivation prolonged by 24, 48, and 72 h. After 72 h of prolonged cultivation, NOS inhibition by the non-specific inhibitor L-NAME or the specific inhibitor aminoguanidine caused suppression both of programmed cell death and lysis. Although NOS amount rapidly decreased after the 72-h cultivation, changes induced by NOS inhibition were statistically significant. We can presume that NOS play an important physiological role in porcine oocyte ageing. Keywords: nitric oxide, L-NAME, aminoguanidine, oocyte ageing, pig Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 453-459 Volume: 58 Issue: 10 Year: 2013 DOI: 10.17221/6994-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/6994-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201310-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:58:y:2013:i:10:id:6994-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Y. Marrero Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Zootechnics and Ecology, Autonomous University of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science (ICA), San José de las Lajas, Cuba Author-Name: M.E. Burrola-Barraza Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Zootechnics and Ecology, Autonomous University of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico Author-Name: Y. Castillo Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Zootechnics and Ecology, Autonomous University of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico Author-Name: L.C. Basso Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biological Sciences, ESALQ University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil Author-Name: C.A. Rosa Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Microbiology, Biological Science Institute, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil Author-Name: O. Ruiz Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Zootechnics and Ecology, Autonomous University of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico Author-Name: E. González-Rodríguez Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Zootechnics and Ecology, Autonomous University of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico Title: Identification of Levica yeasts as a potential ruminal microbial additive Abstract: The objective of this study was to identify and characterize yeast strains isolated from the ruminal ecosystem that are capable of enhancing fermentation in bovines that consume high-fibre diets recommended by livestock feed guidelines in Cuba. The yeasts were isolated from the rumen of Holsteincows that had been fed a biofermented product. Isolated colonies were purified, identified, and characterized using biochemical and molecular methods, and their effects on ruminal fermentation were compared by measuring in vitro gas production. Thirteen new strains enhancing gas production with potential use as additives in ruminal fermentation were identified and named Levica. These strains grew successfully in detection medium for non-Saccharomyces wild yeasts and had long survival periods in the rumen. PFGE analysis found four karyotypes and homology of D1/D2 domain of gene 26S rDNA sequence was similar to that of I. orientalis, R. mucilaginosa, P. guilliermondii, and C. tropicalis. Phylogenetic analysis classified the strains into clades A and B. Clade A was further divided into groups AI, AII, BI, and BII. The AI cluster contained Levica (L)23, L24, L29, L33, and formed a monophyletic group with I. orientalis, while group AII contained L18 and formed a monophyletic group with R. muciloginosa. The BI cluster contained L13, L15, L17, L27, L28, and L32, all derived from P. guilliermondii. Cluster BII was composed only of L25 located in a separate subclade, forming a monophyletic group with C. tropicalis. The most useful strain for preparing microbial feed products to improve ruminal fermentation was L25 because it showed an increase in gas production. Keywords: fermentation, bovine, rumen ecosystem Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 460-469 Volume: 58 Issue: 10 Year: 2013 DOI: 10.17221/6995-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/6995-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201310-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:58:y:2013:i:10:id:6995-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M. Foltyn Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Breeding, Faculty of Agronomy, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: V. Rada Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Breeding, Faculty of Agronomy, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Lichovníková Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Breeding, Faculty of Agronomy, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: I. Šafařík Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Nanobiology and Structural Biology of GCRC, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice, Czech Republic Author-Name: A. Lohniský Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Breeding, Faculty of Agronomy, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: D. Hampel Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Statistics and Operation Analysis, Faculty of Business and Economics, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Title: Effect of extruded full-fat soybeans on performance, amino acids digestibility, trypsin activity, and intestinal morphology in broilers Abstract: The influence of different levels of extruded full-fat soybean (EFFSB) in the diet on growth performance, apparent ileal amino acids digestibility (AIAAD), intestinal morphology, and trypsin activity in digesta of broilers was determined. In the first experiment, two-hundred sixty ROSS 308 male chickens were used to investigate the effect of EFFSB on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and trypsin activity in the digesta and AIAAD. Five dietary treatments were used, containing 0, 40, 80, 120, and 160 g/kg of EFFSB. The experiment lasted from day 10 till day 38 of age. The inclusion of EFFSB at the level of 160 g/kg in the diet significantly (P < 0.05) decreased final body weight (2443 g in 0 group vs. 2093 in 160 group) and worsened feed efficiency. AIAAD was lower when diet contained more than 40 g/kg EFFSB. But at the level of 160 g/kg AIAAD increased in several amino acids (threonine, isoleucine, leucine, histidine). Trypsin activity increased with increasing EFFSB in the diets. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in AIAAD between groups 80, 120, and 160. Villus height (groups 0: 966.2; 4: 852.1; 8: 792.6; 12: 836.3; 16: 926.7 µm) and crypt depth (groups 0: 160.1; 4: 134.8; 8: 122.9; 12: 129.5; 16: 134.6 µm) of ileum decreased with inclusion of EFFSB in the diet, but villi/crypt ratio increased. In the second experiment, male chickens ROSS 308 were divided into 4 groups with 2 replicates per 100 chicks each. The groups were fed 0, 40, 80, and 120 g/kg of EFFSB. The experiment lasted from day 10 till day 38 of age. Final body weight (2594 g in 0 group vs. 2624 g in 120 group) was not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by the diet. The study showed that EFFSB at the level of 120 g/kg in grower broiler diet had no adverse effect on performance. Keywords: trypsin inhibitor, growth, villi, crypt Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 470-478 Volume: 58 Issue: 10 Year: 2013 DOI: 10.17221/6996-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/6996-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201310-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:58:y:2013:i:10:id:6996-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: C. Avilés Author-Workplace-Name: Animal Production Department, U.C. Rabanales, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain Author-Name: M. Juárez Author-Workplace-Name: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe Research Centre, Lacombe, Canada Author-Name: F. Peña Author-Workplace-Name: Animal Production Department, U.C. Rabanales, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain Author-Name: V. Domenech Author-Workplace-Name: Animal Production Department, U.C. Rabanales, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain Author-Name: I. Clemente Author-Workplace-Name: TEICA, Cortegana, Spain Author-Name: A. Molina Author-Workplace-Name: MERAGEM Research Group, Genetics Department, U.C. Rabanales, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain Title: Association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in CAPN1 and CAST genes with beef tenderness from Spanish commercial feedlots Abstract: Frequencies of two SNPs in the μ-calpain (CAPN1) and calpastatin (CAST) genes in local and foreign commercial cross-breeds used in south-western Spain (Charolais, Limousin, and Retinta) were evaluated and the association of these markers with texture analysis in animals fattened under different feedlot conditions was assessed. Marker frequencies were estimated in a 286 bull crossbred population and the longisimus dorsi muscles from subsequently selected 161 animals were used to measure Warner-Bratzler shear force in raw and cooked samples at three different ageing days (1, 7, and 21). Significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) were found for shear force in raw and cooked meat samples for the three ageing days for the three crossbreeds analyzed. Significant associations were observed for raw meat for the Charolais between shear force and the CAPN1 marker (P = 0.019), as well as between the CAST polymorphism and shear force (P = 0.027) in the Limousin. No associations were found between the markers and shear force in the Retinta (P > 0.05). In contrast, although these markers might be useful in particular selected populations due to their effect on objective texture parameters, no significant association (P > 0.05) was found for cooked meat in the sample of Spanish commercial crossbreeds used in this study. Further studies with a higher number of animals will be necessary to confirm these results. Keywords: association studies, Bos taurus, calpain, calpastatin, meat tenderness, molecular markers, shear force, SNP Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 479-487 Volume: 58 Issue: 10 Year: 2013 DOI: 10.17221/6997-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/6997-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201310-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:58:y:2013:i:10:id:6997-CJAS