Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: G.L. Zhou Author-Workplace-Name: College of Life Science, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, P.R. China Author-Name: Y. Cao Author-Workplace-Name: Branch of Animal Husbandry, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gongzhuling, P.R. China Author-Name: H.G. Jin Author-Workplace-Name: Branch of Animal Husbandry, Jilin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Gongzhuling, P.R. China Title: Identification of SNPs in ME1 gene and association analysis with meat quality traits in Chinese Red cattle Abstract: The objective of this study was to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in coding regions of bovine ME1 gene and to evaluate if the polymorphisms are associated with meat quality traits in Chinese Red cattle. Four SNPs were identified: NW_001495544:g.1721768G>A in exon 2, g.1653796T>A in exon 4, g.1649532G>A in exon 5, and g.1546272T>C in exon 12 and they were genotyped by applying the PCR-RFLP method. Statistical analysis showed that two SNPs, g.1649532G>A and g.1546272T>C, were significantly associated with cooking loss and pH24h (P < 0.05). But no statistically significant differences were observed in the g.1721768G>A and g.1653796A>T SNPs for meat quality traits tested in Chinese Red cattle. This suggests that ME1 gene is a candidate that may have effects on meat quality traits in cattle. Keywords: candidate gene, polymorphism, beef, Chinese Red cattle Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 297-301 Volume: 59 Issue: 7 Year: 2014 DOI: 10.17221/7526-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/7526-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201407-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:59:y:2014:i:7:id:7526-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: L. Vostrý Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Genetics and Breeding, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Genetics and Breeding of Farm Animals, Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: Z. Veselá Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Genetics and Breeding of Farm Animals, Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: A. Svitáková Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Genetics and Breeding, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food, and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Genetics and Breeding of Farm Animals, Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: H. Vostrá vydrová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Genetics and Breeding of Farm Animals, Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Title: Comparison of models for estimating genetic parameters and predicting breeding values for birth weight and calving ease in Czech Charolais cattle Abstract: The most appropriate model for genetic parameters estimation for calving ease and birth weight in beef cattle was selected. A total of 27 402 field records were available from the Czech Charolais breed. For estimation of genetic parameters for calving ease and body weight, three bivariate models were tested: a linear-linear animal model (L-LM) with calving ease classified into four categories (1 - easy; 2-4 - most difficult), a linear-linear animal model (SC-LM) in which calving ease scores were transformed into Snell scores (Snell 1964) and expressed as percentage of assisted calving (ranging 0-100%), and a bivariate threshold-linear animal model (T-LM) with calving ease classified into four categories (1 - easy, 2-4 - most difficult). All tested models included fixed effects for contemporary group (herd × year × season), age of dam, sex and breed of a calf. Random effects included direct and maternal genetic effects, maternal permanent environmental effect, and residual error. Direct heritability estimates for calving ease and birth weight were, with the use of L-LM, SC-LM, and T-LM, from 0.096 ± 0.013 to 0.226 ± 0.024 and from 0.210 ± 0.024 to 0.225 ± 0.026, respectively. Maternal heritability estimates for calving ease and birth weight were, with the use of L-LM, SC-LM, and T-LM, from 0.060 ± 0.031 to 0.104 ± 0.125 and from 0.074 ± 0.041 to 0.075 ± 0.040, respectively. Genetic correlations of direct calving ease with direct birth weight ranged from 0.46 ± 0.06 to 0.50 ± 0.06 for all tested models; whereas maternal genetic correlations between these two traits ranged from 0.24 ± 0.17 to 0.25 ± 0.53. Correlations between direct and maternal genetic effects within-trait were negative and substantial for all tested models (ranging from -0.574 ± 0.125 to -0.680 ± 0.141 for calving ease and from -0.553 ± 0.122 to -0.558 ± 0.118 for birth weight, respectively), illustrating the importance of including this parameter in calving ease evaluations. Results indicate that any of the tested models could be used to reliably estimate genetic parameters for calving ease for beef cattle in the Czech Republic. However, because of advantages in computation time and practical considerations, genetic analysis using SC-LM (transformed data) is recommended. Keywords: beef cattle, dystocia, data transformation, threshold model, Snell score Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 302-309 Volume: 59 Issue: 7 Year: 2014 DOI: 10.17221/7529-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/7529-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201407-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:59:y:2014:i:7:id:7529-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: I. Lebeda Author-Workplace-Name: South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Vodňany, Czech Republic Author-Name: I. Gazo Author-Workplace-Name: South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Vodňany, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Flajshans Author-Workplace-Name: South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Vodňany, Czech Republic Title: Chemical induction of haploid gynogenesis in sterlet Acipenser ruthenus Abstract: Chromosomal manipulations in sturgeons, particularly gynogenesis, are interesting due to the potential to change female ratio in progeny that can be useful for caviar production. The optimization of UV treatment for induction of gynogenesis is complicated due to high and variable optical density of the milt due to differential spermatozoa concentration, and because of sensitivity of spermatozoa's motility apparatus. Therefore in this study we compared chemical methods of sperm treatment as an alternative to short wave-length UV treatment; evaluation considers impact on spermatozoa motility, DNA integrity, and efficiency of DNA inactivation. Dimethyl sulfate (DMS) in concentrations of 2.5-30mM was applied to spermatozoa in order to inactivate DNA. Also ethidium bromide (EB), psoralen (PS), and 4'-aminomethyl-4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen (AMT) were used to increase sensitivity of spermatozoa's DNA to long wavelength UV-A light (360 nm). CASA analyses of treated sperm showed strong negative effects on spermatozoa motility with the increasing concentration of active substances. Additionally in case of PS, EB, and DMS treatment comet assay did not reveal significant DNA damage of sperm at the range of concentrations relatively safe for spermatozoa motility. Flow cytometric analysis of relative DNA content in larvae resulting from activation of normal ova of sterlet with the treated sperm showed low efficiency of haploid gynogenesis induction. The putative gynogenetic larvae were found after treatment with PS in concentrations higher than 18µM and EB higher than 10µM followed by UV-A irradiation at the dose of 900 J/m2 and DMS up to 5mM. Because of an overwhelming impact on the sperm motility and relatively low DNA damage, treatment of sperm with PS, EB or DMS did not prove efficient compared with a widely used UV-C irradiation treatment. In contrast, treatment with AMT followed by UV-A showed lower influence on spermatozoa motility and higher efficiency of DNA damaging resulting in the higher percentage of gynogenotes in the progeny, thus could be considered as a possible substitution for UV-C treatment. Keywords: sturgeons, chromosomal manipulation, dimethyl sulfate, psoralen, comet assay Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 310-326 Volume: 59 Issue: 7 Year: 2014 DOI: 10.17221/7530-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/7530-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201407-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:59:y:2014:i:7:id:7530-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: H. Kontecka Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Poultry Science, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland Author-Name: S. Nowaczewski Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Poultry Science, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland Author-Name: S. Krystianiak Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Poultry Science, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland Author-Name: M. Szychowiak Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Poultry Science, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland Author-Name: K. Kupś Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Poultry Science, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland Title: Effect of housing system on reproductive results in ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus L.) Abstract: A comparative analysis of reproduction parameters and hatchability results of pheasants raised under two different housing systems (cages and aviaries) was performed. In the first system the pheasants were housed in 420 cages, 3780 from the total were females. In the second housing system, 3200 pheasant hens were placed in eight aviaries, where 50 cocks and 400 hens were kept in each. The following parameters were calculated: laying rate, the percentage of hatching, small and cracked eggs, hatchability from set and fertilized eggs, dead embryos up to day 8 of incubation and, finally, dead embryos after day 8 of incubation as well as unhatched, crippled, and weak chicks. The laying rate for the whole period of reproduction in pheasants kept in cages was significantly higher in comparison with aviaries (59.6 vs 27.2%). A higher (P ≤ 0.05) percentage of small and damaged eggs ( = 13.6) was recorded in aviaries. The percentage of dead embryos for eggs derived from aviaries, up to day 8 of incubation, was also significantly higher (-x = 4.7%). There were no significant differences between the housing systems with respect to the remaining features. The results of the investigation made it possible to conclude that pheasants kept in cages were characterized by a higher laying performance with fewer eggs unsuitable for incubation. A lower mortality of embryos during the incubation process was found in eggs derived from pheasants reared in cages. Although there were no significant differences between the analyzed housing systems in terms of hatchability, a higher laying rate for pheasants kept in cages implies that more chicks could be obtained from every female. Keywords: gamebird, keeping, performance, reproduction Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 319-326 Volume: 59 Issue: 7 Year: 2014 DOI: 10.17221/7533-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/7533-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201407-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:59:y:2014:i:7:id:7533-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: L. Hu Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistant Nutrition of the Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, P.R. China Author-Name: L. Che Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistant Nutrition of the Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, P.R. China Author-Name: G. Su Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistant Nutrition of the Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, P.R. China Author-Name: Y. Xuan Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistant Nutrition of the Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, P.R. China Author-Name: G. Luo Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistant Nutrition of the Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, P.R. China Author-Name: F. Han Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistant Nutrition of the Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, P.R. China Author-Name: Y. Wu Author-Workplace-Name: Associated British Agriculture (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai, P.R. China Author-Name: G. Tian Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistant Nutrition of the Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, P.R. China Author-Name: C. Wu Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistant Nutrition of the Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, P.R. China Author-Name: Z. Fang Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistant Nutrition of the Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, P.R. China Author-Name: Y. Lin Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistant Nutrition of the Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, P.R. China Author-Name: S. Xu Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistant Nutrition of the Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, P.R. China Author-Name: D. Wu Author-Workplace-Name: Key Laboratory for Animal Disease-Resistant Nutrition of the Ministry of Education of China, Institute of Animal Nutrition, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, P.R. China Title: Inclusion of yeast-derived protein in weanling diet improves growth performance, intestinal health, and anti-oxidative capability of piglets Abstract: The effects of yeast-derived protein (YP) on growth performance, intestinal health, and oxidative status of weanling piglets were investigated. A total of 80 weaned piglets (PIC 327 × 1050, 26 ± 2 days old, 6.20 ± 0.10 kg) were randomly allocated into 2 groups, 5 pens per each group and 8 piglets per each pen, receiving control diet and diet with inclusion of 4% YP at the expenses of fish meal (YP diet) for a period of 28 days. The diets were formulated to contain similar nutrient levels. Compared with control, piglets fed YP diet had markedly higher overall average daily growth (+14%, P < 0.05) and lower final feed conversion ratio (-8%, P < 0.01). Concentrations of serum serine, cystathionine, histidine, hydroxyproline, and urea were decreased in piglets fed YP diet (P < 0.05), whereas alanine and aspartate were increased (P < 0.01). Moreover, serum antioxidant enzyme activity (glutathione peroxidase) was markedly increased (+19%, P < 0.01) in piglets fed YP diet relative to piglets fed control diet. In addition, feeding YP diet considerably (P < 0.05) increased the copy numbers of lactobacilli and total bacteria in the colon of piglets at the end of the experiment. Furthermore, the mRNA abundance of innate immunity-related genes (TLR4, NF-κB1, and IL-6) was increased (P < 0.06) in the ileum of piglets fed YP diet. Collectively, results of this study indicated that diet with the inclusion of YP improved growth performance and partially enhanced anti-oxidative capability as well as intestinal innate immunity of weaning piglets. Keywords: yeast, swine, nucleotide, immune, oxidative stress Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 327-336 Volume: 59 Issue: 7 Year: 2014 DOI: 10.17221/7531-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/7531-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201407-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:59:y:2014:i:7:id:7531-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: E. Carrillo Author-Workplace-Name: Technological Institute of Torreon, Torreon, Mexico Author-Name: C.A. Meza-Herrera Author-Workplace-Name: Regional Universitary Unit on Arid Lands, Chapingo Autonomous University, Bermenjillo, Mexico Author-Name: A. Olán-Sánchez Author-Workplace-Name: Periferico Raul Lopez Sanchez and Carretera a Santa Fe, Antonio Narro Agricultural Autonomous University, Torreon, Mexico Author-Name: P.A. Robles-Trillo Author-Workplace-Name: Periferico Raul Lopez Sanchez and Carretera a Santa Fe, Antonio Narro Agricultural Autonomous University, Torreon, Mexico Author-Name: C. Leyva Author-Workplace-Name: Periferico Raul Lopez Sanchez and Carretera a Santa Fe, Antonio Narro Agricultural Autonomous University, Torreon, Mexico Author-Name: J.R. Luna-Orozco Author-Workplace-Name: Agro-Livestock Technological Center No. 1, Torreon, Mexico Author-Name: R. Rodríguez-Martínez Author-Workplace-Name: Periferico Raul Lopez Sanchez and Carretera a Santa Fe, Antonio Narro Agricultural Autonomous University, Torreon, Mexico Author-Name: F.G. Véliz-Deras Author-Workplace-Name: Periferico Raul Lopez Sanchez and Carretera a Santa Fe, Antonio Narro Agricultural Autonomous University, Torreon, Mexico Title: The "female effect" positively affects the appetitive and consummatory sexual behaviour and testosterone concentrations of Alpine male goats under subtropical conditions Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible action of the "female effect" by evaluating if exposure to estrogenized females would affect sexual behaviour and testosterone concentrations while affecting the length of the reproductive season of Alpine bucks in northern Mexico (26°N). In January, two experimental groups were formed: (i) treated males (MH; n = 8) kept in a pen aside to another pen with four estrogenized females during four weeks; pens were separated by a metal mesh, and (ii) control males (GC; n = 8) which had no contact with any female during the same period. At the end of the study, an appetitive and consummatory sexual behaviour test was performed by exposing males from both groups to estrogenized females. Besides, serum concentrations of testosterone were quantified in each male on days 0 and 28. On day 0 the serum levels of testosterone were similar in both groups (217 ± 86 vs 320 ± 89 ng/dl in MH and GC respectively; P > 0.05). However, on day 28, serum testosterone levels favoured to the MH group (164 ± 56 vs 49 ± 18 ng/dl; P = 0.06). With respect to the consummatory (80%) and appetitive (62%) sexual behaviour, the best reproductive performance was depicted by the MH group with respect to the GC group (P < 0.05). Results obtained confirm a positive action of the "female effect" upon behavioural, reproductive, and endocrinological outcomes, while extending the breeding season of Alpine male goats. These findings should be relevant in the design of clean, green, and ethical reproductive management strategies in goat production systems and potentially important to the animal industry. Keywords: seasonal reproduction, pheromonal communication, Alpine bucks, sexual performance Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 337-343 Volume: 59 Issue: 7 Year: 2014 DOI: 10.17221/7532-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/7532-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201407-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:59:y:2014:i:7:id:7532-CJAS