Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: A. Stachurska Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Horse Breeding and Use, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland Author-Name: P. Jansen Author-Workplace-Name: Upper Austrian Horse Breeding Association, Stadl-Paura, Austria Title: Crypto-tobiano horses in Hucul breed Abstract: The aim of the study was to verify the hypothesis that the crypto-tobiano horses which do not exhibit the full tobiano white-spotting pattern nonetheless transmit the dominant To gene to the progeny. The study was conducted on the Hucul population. Seven horses with white patches on their limbs, and with or without a small patch on the head, neck or trunk, were selected. At least one of the parents of the horses had to be tobiano or crypto-tobiano. Occasionally such horses produced a tobiano foal from a crossing with a solid-coloured horse. The white patches of the horses used in our study were divided into categories. To identify the To gene, DNA was tested in the Animal Genetics Laboratory (UK). The ratio of non-tobiano, crypto-tobiano, and tobiano foals born from 36 matings of the studied horses was analyzed. The study substantiates the occurrence of crypto-tobiano horses in the Hucul breed. Horses that have patches on their limbs as well as a small white or intermingled patch on the head, neck or trunk, are crypto-tobianos, although crypto-tobianos may have no white on the head, neck, and trunk. The crypto-tobiano pattern occurs in horses which have a tobiano parent or grandparent. The results suggest that the activity of an inhibitor gene suppresses the To allele penetrance in the crypto-tobiano horses. As in the case of many white-spotting patterns, the presence of the To gene in a horse's genotype should be documented by DNA testing or test matings. Keywords: coat-colour phenotype, marking, To gene, white-spotting pattern Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 1-9 Volume: 60 Issue: 1 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/7905-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/7905-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201501-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:60:y:2015:i:1:id:7905-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Z.A. Muchlisin Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fishery and Marine Sciences, Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh, Indonesia Author-Name: W.N. Nadiah Author-Workplace-Name: School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia Author-Name: N. Nadiya Author-Workplace-Name: School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia Author-Name: N. Fadli Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fishery and Marine Sciences, Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh, Indonesia Author-Name: A. Hendri Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Marine and Fisheries, Teuku Umar University, Meulaboh, Indonesia Author-Name: M. Khalil Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Malikussaleh University, Lhokseumawe, Indonesia Author-Name: M.N. Siti-Azizah Author-Workplace-Name: School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia Author-Workplace-Name: Centre for Marine and Coastal Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia Title: Exploration of natural cryoprotectants for cryopreservation of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, Burchell 1822 (Pisces: Clariidae) spermatozoa Abstract: Toxicity is a major limitation to successful spermatozoa cryopreservation of fish. Due to this problem, it is critical to find potential cryoprotectants which are more environmental-friendly, non-toxic, easily prepared, and available at affordable prices. Hence, the objective of the present study was to investigate several natural cryoprotectants for optimal cryopreservation of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus, Burchell 1822 (Pisces: Clariidae) spermatozoa. Three natural cryoprotectants were tested - egg yolk, glucose, and honey, while DMSO was used as a control at different concentrations (5, 10, and 15%). Sperms were diluted with coconut water at a dilution level of 1 : 20 sperm to extender (v/v). Diluted sperms were kept at 4°C for 5 min, then at 0, -4, and -79°C for 5 min respectively, and stored in liquid nitrogen (-196°C) for 45 days. The cryopreserved sperms were thawed in a water bath (37°C) for 5 min and evaluated for fertilization and hatching rates. The data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by comparison of means using Duncan's Multiple Range Test. The fertilization and hatching rates of African catfish in all cryoprotectants improved with concentration increasing from 5 to 10% but then decreased when concentration was increased to 15%. The ANOVA test showed that the differences in cryoprotectants used significantly affected fertilization and hatching rates of African catfish. Overall, the fertilization and hatching rates were higher in DMSO for all concentrations compared to other cryoprotectants. However, 10% egg yolk resulted in higher fertilization and hatching rates compared to other natural cryoprotectants. It was concluded that 10% egg yolk was the most suitable concentration for African catfish spermatozoa cryopreservation compared to other natural cryoprotectants tested. Keywords: egg yolk, honey, glucose, coconut water, DMSO, fertilization and hatching rate Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 10-15 Volume: 60 Issue: 1 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/7906-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/7906-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201501-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:60:y:2015:i:1:id:7906-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: A. Pechová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: L. Antošová Author-Workplace-Name: Private veterinary surgeon Author-Name: L. Pavlata Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Nutrition and Forage Production, Faculty of Agronomy, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: A. Podhorský Author-Workplace-Name: Private veterinary surgeon Title: Effect of sodium selenite or lactate-protein selenium complex supplementation on selenium status in goat kids Abstract: The aim of the study was to compare the effect of selenium (Se) supplementation in organic (lactate-protein complex) or inorganic (sodium selenite) forms on Se concentrations in the blood and organs of goat kids. The experiment involved nineteen male goat kids divided into three groups: C, Se-I, and Se-O. Control group C (n = 5) was without Se supplementation, group Se-I (n = 7) received sodium selenite supplement (0.30 mg Se per animal/day), and group Se-O (n = 7) received lactate-protein selenium complex (0.28 mg Se per animal/day). The supplementation started on the day of weaning and continued for 13 weeks till the day of slaughter. Blood samples for determination of Se concentration and glutathione peroxidase activity were collected on the day of weaning and during weeks 4, 8, and 13 thereafter. Samples of liver tissue, spleen, kidneys, lungs, heart, tongue, diaphragm, shoulder, back, and thigh muscles were taken immediately after slaughter. Significantly higher concentration of Se in group Se-O in comparison with group C was found in thigh muscles (110.4 vs 71.0 µg/kg, P ≤ 0.01), shoulder (105.0 vs 67.2 µg/kg, P ≤ 0.01), back (102.9 vs 61.7 µg/kg, P ≤ 0.01), and heart (180.8 vs 116.7 µg/kg, P ≤ 0.01). Significantly higher concentration of Se in group Se-I in comparison with group C was found in shoulder (83.2 vs 67.2 µg/kg, P ≤ 0.01) and diaphragm (93.6 vs 72.8 µg/kg, P ≤ 0.01). The comparison of the groups Se-I and Se-O showed significantly higher Se concentrations in thigh muscles, heart, back, shoulder, and lungs in group Se-O. Mean Se concentration in tissues of experimental groups was 125.8% in Se-O group and 110.7% in Se-I group in comparison with group C. Our results are suggesting that supplementation of Se in the form of lactate-protein complex is more efficient in comparison with sodium selenite. Keywords: organic selenium, inorganic selenium, glutathione peroxidase, functional foods Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 16-24 Volume: 60 Issue: 1 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/7907-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/7907-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201501-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:60:y:2015:i:1:id:7907-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: D. Liu Author-Workplace-Name: College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, P.R. China Author-Name: P. Wu Author-Workplace-Name: College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, P.R. China Author-Name: P. Jiao Author-Workplace-Name: College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, P.R. China Title: Researching rumen degradation behaviour of protein by FTIR spectroscopy Abstract: The objectives of the present study were: (1) to detect protein secondary structures using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and (2) to investigate the relationship between protein secondary structures and their rumen degradation kinetics in dairy cattle. The study was carried out using FTIR to estimate protein molecular structure of eight different types of samples, such as soybean meal, cottonseed meal, rapeseed meal, distilled dried grains with solubles, and corn. Nutritive values of these samples were determined using the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System. The results showed that: (1) different feed protein sources had different percentages and ratios of α-helixes and β-sheets in their protein secondary structures, (2) the higher protein α-helix to β-sheet ratio resulted in lower PB3 and PC, and higher PB1 and PB2 in the feeds, and (3) the α-helix to β-sheet ratio of the rumen degradation residues was changed along with the rumen degradation. Keywords: cow, feed, protein secondary structure, rumen degradation characteristic Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 25-32 Volume: 60 Issue: 1 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/7908-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/7908-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201501-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:60:y:2015:i:1:id:7908-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: E. Molik Author-Workplace-Name: Biotechnology and Genomics Laboratory, Department of Swine and Small Ruminants Breeding, Agricultural University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland Author-Name: M. Błasiak Author-Workplace-Name: Biotechnology and Genomics Laboratory, Department of Swine and Small Ruminants Breeding, Agricultural University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland Author-Name: T. Misztal Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Endocrinology, The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jablonna, Poland Author-Name: K. Romanowicz Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Endocrinology, The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jablonna, Poland Author-Name: D.A. Zięba-Przybylska Author-Workplace-Name: Biotechnology and Genomics Laboratory, Department of Swine and Small Ruminants Breeding, Agricultural University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland Title: Effect of orexin-A on prolactin secretion in lambs born under different photoperiod conditions - in vitro study Abstract: The role of orexin-A in the regulation of prolactin secretion in lambs born in different photoperiods was determined. The experiment was conducted with 30 female lambs. Pituitary glands were collected from 40-day-old lambs in three different seasons (n = 10 per each season) and photoperiods (light (L) hours to darkness (D) hours): long (May - L 14 : D 10), intermediate (August - L 13 : D 11), and short (December - L 10 : D 14). At 40 days of age, the lambs were decapitated, and their pituitaries were dissected and cut in half along the longitudinal fissure so that each half contained both glandular and nervous parts. The in vitro incubation of the glands was performed for 3 h in Parker's medium at 37°C. In each season, the control pituitary glands (K1, K2, K3) were incubated in Parker's medium, while the experimental pituitary glands (Ox1, Ox2, Ox3) were incubated in medium containing 1000 ng/ml of exogenous orexin. The administration of orexin-A during the long photoperiod (May) caused a significant (P ≤ 0.01) increase in prolactin secretion during the first hour of incubation (Ox1: 47.56 ± 8.4 ng/ml vs K1: 36.08 ± 7.8 ng/ml). During the intermediate photoperiod (August), a significantly (P ≤ 0.01) higher concentration of prolactin was observed in the first hour of incubation in the Ox2 group than in the control group (K2). During the first hour of incubation in December, the prolactin concentrations were significantly (P ≤ 0.01) higher in the Ox3 group than in the K3 group. Orexin-A increased prolactin secretion from pituitary explants collected from lambs born under all investigated time-points. The study results indicate that orexin-A is a stimulatory factor of prolactin secretion in sheep. Keywords: seasonality sheep, incubation, pituitary gland Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 33-37 Volume: 60 Issue: 1 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/7909-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/7909-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201501-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:60:y:2015:i:1:id:7909-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: T. Li Author-Name: R. Na Author-Name: P. Yu Author-Workplace-Name: College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot, P.R. China Author-Name: B. Shi Author-Workplace-Name: College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot, P.R. China Author-Name: S. Yan Author-Workplace-Name: College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot, P.R. China Author-Name: Y. Zhao Author-Workplace-Name: College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot, P.R. China Author-Name: Y. Xu Author-Workplace-Name: College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot, P.R. China Title: Effects of dietary supplementation of chitosan on immune and antioxidative function in beef cattle Abstract: The present experiment was conducted to study the effects of chitosan (CHI) on immune and antioxidative function in beef cattle. A total of 24 fattening Simmental cattle with similar body weight and age were divided randomly into three dietary groups, and the three diets contained 0, 500, and 1000 mg/kg CHI, respectively. The feeding trial lasted for 84 days. It was found that: (1) the addition of CHI in diets improved (P < 0.05) the levels of IgA and interleukin-1, and decreased (P < 0.1) the levels of soluble cluster of differentiation 4 receptor in serum at middle stage except that IgA remained unchanged in 1000 mg/kg CHI group. The levels of IgM and IgA tended to be increased (P < 0.1) by dietary CHI at later stage of the experiment; (2) the addition of 500 mg/kg CHI in diets increased (P < 0.1) total superoxide dismutase activity and decreased (P < 0.05) malondialdehyde content in serum at early and later stages, respectively. In conclusion, these results indicated that addition of 500 mg/kg CHI affected humoral and cellular immune responses, and improved the antioxidative function of beef cattle. Keywords: dietary chitosan, Simmental cattle, humoral immunity, antioxidative enzyme, malondialdehyde Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 38-44 Volume: 60 Issue: 1 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/7910-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/7910-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201501-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:60:y:2015:i:1:id:7910-CJAS