Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: editors Title: Volume 58, Contents, Author Index Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: I-VIII Volume: 58 Issue: 12 Year: 2013 DOI: 10.17221/7092-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/7092-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:58:y:2013:i:12:id:7092-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M. Sedmíková Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Veterinary Sciences, 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: A. Dörflerová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Nevoral Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: B. Novotná Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Genetic Ecotoxicology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: T. Krejčová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: E. Chmelíková Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: L. Tůmová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Title: Inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) suppresses porcine oocyte ageing in vitro Abstract: Oocyte ageing is a complex of processes that occur when matured in vitro oocytes are, after reaching the metaphase II stage, exposed to further in vitro culture. Aged oocytes remaining at the metaphase II stage undergo spontaneous parthenogenetic activation, or cellular death, through apoptosis (fragmentation) or lysis. The key factor in apoptotic pathway regulation is c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), stress kinase from the mitogene-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family. To investigate the effect of JNK inhibition on porcine oocytes ageing, cleavage rate, and embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation, DNA fragmentation, and pro-apoptotic factor Bax expression, we cultured in vitro matured oocytes for another 1-4 days in the presence of a JNK inhibitor. The inhibition of JNK significantly protected the oocytes from fragmentation (0% of fragmented oocytes under JNK inhibition vs. 13.4% of fragmented oocytes in the control group, 2nd day of ageing) and increased the percentage of parthenogenetically activated oocytes (82 vs 57.7%, 2nd day of ageing). The embryonic development of oocytes parthenogenetically activated after 24 h of ageing was influenced by JNK inhibition as well. The percentage of oocytes at the morula stage, after seven days of cultivation, was significantly increased when oocytes aged in the presence of a JNK inhibitor (42.5%) by comparison to the percentage of oocytes exposed to ageing in an inhibitor-free medium (23.3%). DNA fragmentation was significantly suppressed by JNK inhibition from the 1st day of ageing, but the expression of pro-apoptotic factor Bax in the oocytes was not influenced. On the basis of our experiments, we can conclude that JNK inhibition suppresses apoptosis and DNA fragmentation of aged oocytes and improves their embryonic development following the parthenogenetic activation. However, to completely eliminate all ageing related processes is insufficient. Keywords: MAPK, DNA fragmentation, apoptosis, Bax Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 535-545 Volume: 58 Issue: 12 Year: 2013 DOI: 10.17221/7088-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/7088-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201312-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:58:y:2013:i:12:id:7088-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: U. Macías-Cruz Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Autonomous University of Baja California, Mexicali, Mexico Author-Name: J.L. Ponce-Covarrubias Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Autonomous University of Baja California, Mexicali, Mexico Author-Name: F.D. Álvarez-Valenzuela Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Autonomous University of Baja California, Mexicali, Mexico Author-Name: A. Correa-Calderón Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Autonomous University of Baja California, Mexicali, Mexico Author-Name: C.A. Meza-Herrera Author-Workplace-Name: Regional Universitary Unit on Arid Lands, Autonomous University of Chapingo, Bermejillo, Mexico Author-Name: L. Avendaño-Reyes Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Autonomous University of Baja California, Mexicali, Mexico Title: Reproductive efficiency of Pelibuey and Romanov × Pelibuey ewes synchronized with synthetic progesterone and low doses of PMSG under a hot environment Abstract: Thirty-nine multiparous ewes (19 Pelibuey and 20 Romanov × Pelibuey) treated with fluorogestone acetate impregnated intravaginal sponges were used to evaluate the effects of low pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) doses and genotype on their reproductive efficiency under heat stress conditions. The sponge treatment lasted for 12 days, and 24 h before sponge removal, ewes of each genotype were injected with 140 or 280 IU of PMSG. Ewes showing estrus were naturally mated twice. Reproductive performance was not affected (P > 0.05) by the dose × genotype interaction. All treated ewes presented estrus signs within a 48-h period after sponge removal. Shorter (P < 0.05) estrus interval and higher (P < 0.05) fecundity were observed in ewes treated with 280 IU of PMSG compared to those treated with 140 IU. Pelibuey ewes exhibited shorter (P < 0.01) estrus interval and greater (P < 0.01) fertility as compared with Romanov × Pelibuey ewes. The response to estrus, gestation length, prolificacy, and percentage of single and multiple lambing were not affected (P > 0.05) by dose or genotype. In conclusion, under heat stress conditions, low PMSG doses as 140 or 280 IU can be used to successfully induce and/or synchronize the estrus in Pelibuey ewes and their crosses with Romanov, regardless of reduced fertility observed in crossed Pelibuey ewes. If a more predictable and compact estrus is required, administration of 280 IU of PMSG is recommended. Keywords: hair-breed sheep, estrus synchronization, fertility, eCG, heat stress Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 546-553 Volume: 58 Issue: 12 Year: 2013 DOI: 10.17221/7089-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/7089-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201312-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:58:y:2013:i:12:id:7089-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: L. Zavadilová Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: V. Zink Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Title: Genetic relationship of functional longevity with female fertility and milk production traits in Czech Holsteins Abstract: The objectives of this study were to estimate heritabilities of and genetic correlations among longevity, milk production, and female fertility traits of Holstein cows. Fertility traits were days open, interval from parturition to first service, and days between the first and last insemination in the first and second lactation, respectively. Production traits were first lactation milk, fat, and protein yield. Functional longevity was defined as the number of days between the first calving and culling, i.e. the length of the productive life. The linear animal model included fixed effects of month-year of first calving, regression on age at first calving, regression on milk yield (only for longevity), and random effects of herd-year, animal, and residual. Heritability estimates for fertility traits ranged from 0.02 ± 0.009 to 0.06 ± 0.004. Heritability of longevity was 0.09. Heritability estimates for production traits ranged from 0.29 ± 0.009 (fat and protein yield) to 0.34 ± 0.009 (milk yield). Genetic correlations of longevity with fertility were moderate and favourable, ranging from -0.37 ± 0.068 to -0.44 ± 0.055, except the days between the first and last insemination in the second lactation. Genetic correlations of fertility with production traits were moderate to high and unfavourable, ranging from 0.48 ± 0.042 to 0.65 ± 0.034. Substantial herd-year correlations were found between fertility traits. Residual correlations were small except for those between production traits (> 0.85) and between days open and days between the first and last insemination (0.87). Month-year of first calving effects for longevity declined between 1994 and 2002, while those for production traits and for fertility increased slightly or remained stable during this period. Between 1991 and 2003, genetic trend for longevity declined and increased for production. Estimated genetic changes for fertility were unfavourable. Keywords: Holstein cattle, genetic parameters, milk yield, functional traits Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 554-565 Volume: 58 Issue: 12 Year: 2013 DOI: 10.17221/7090-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/7090-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201312-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:58:y:2013:i:12:id:7090-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: K. von Bobrutzki Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Engineering for Livestock Management, Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering Potsdam-Bornim, Potsdam, Germany Author-Name: C. Ammon Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Engineering for Livestock Management, Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering Potsdam-Bornim, Potsdam, Germany Author-Name: W. Berg Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Engineering for Livestock Management, Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering Potsdam-Bornim, Potsdam, Germany Author-Name: M. Fiedler Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Engineering for Livestock Management, Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering Potsdam-Bornim, Potsdam, Germany Title: Quantification of nitrogen balance components in a commercial broiler barn Abstract: Characterizing the respective nitrogen (N) use efficiency requires understanding the N flow of inputs and outputs from a commercial broiler barn. In this study, an N mass balance was performed for one entire growing cycle. The objectives were to quantify, sample, and analyze all N components entering and leaving the barn. The N from feed, chickens, and bedding material was considered as inputs, the outputs included the N accretion in mature broilers, the total N emissions (NTNE), the N accumulation in litter, and the N of mortality. Of particular relevance was the determination of an appropriate method to mirror the heterogenic texture of the litter. Litter samples were collected weekly according to a defined procedure. The major N input was feed N, accounting for 99% of the total N input. After the 36-day growing cycle, the N outputs were portioned as follows: 59% (1741.3 kg N) in mature broilers, 37% (1121.3 kg N) accumulated in litter, and 4% in NTNE (114.3 kg N). The N accumulations in broiler tissue and litter agree well with other studies. The measured emissions were consistently lower compared to other references, due to the fact that these references were mainly based on studies where broilers were raised on built-up litter. In contrast to in situ quantified N emissions in this study, other published values were assumed to be the difference of N between inputs and outputs. This study illustrates that extensive sampling of litter is a prerequisite for calculating litter masses. The accurate specification of the litter texture proved to be crucial within the mass balance approach. With this information, the feasible improvements within management practices can be identified. Keywords: ammonia, emissions, mass balance, litter sampling Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 566-577 Volume: 58 Issue: 12 Year: 2013 DOI: 10.17221/7091-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/7091-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201312-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:58:y:2013:i:12:id:7091-CJAS