Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M. Skřivan Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Nutrition Physiology and Animal Product Quality, Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Englmaierová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Nutrition Physiology and Animal Product Quality, Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: E. Skřivanová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Nutrition Physiology and Animal Product Quality, Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: I. Bubancová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Nutrition Physiology and Animal Product Quality, Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Title: Increase in lutein and zeaxanthin content in the eggs of hens fed marigold flower extract Abstract: Marigold flower extract (MFE), a natural source of xanthophylls, was added to the diets of hens at different concentrations (0, 150, 250, and 350 mg/kg of diet) to determine the effects of MFE on hen performance, physical characteristics of egg quality, and carotenoid content of the egg yolk of hens housed in enriched cages. Additionally, the highest dose of MFE (350 mg/kg) was tested under commercial poultry conditions and compared with a feed mixture with added synthetic carotenoids and a control diet without synthetic carotenoids. The highest hen-day egg production (P = 0.005) and egg mass production (P = 0.010) was found in hens fed a diet supplemented with MFE at 150 mg/kg. The performance characteristics, however, were not influenced by MFE under commercial conditions. When the dose of MFE was increased, increased values were observed for DSM Yolk Colour Fan (P < 0.001), redness (P < 0.001), yellowness (P < 0.001), ratio of redness and yellowness (P < 0.001), and decreased for lightness (P = 0.036). In the commercial study, the synthetic carotenoids decreased the value of yellowness (P < 0.001) compared with the control group. The lutein and zeaxanthin content in yolk increased by approximately 11.5 and 5.9 mg/kg dry matter, respectively, after the MFE addition of 350 mg/kg. Supplementation with synthetic carotenoids significantly (P < 0.001) decreased the α-tocopherol content in egg yolk. In conclusion, MFE is a suitable natural alternative for increasing the xanthophyll contents in eggs compared with the commercially used synthetic carotenoids. Keywords: carotenoids, Tagetes erecta L., egg quality, yolk colour, hen performance Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 87-96 Volume: 60 Issue: 3 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/8073-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8073-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201503-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:60:y:2015:i:3:id:8073-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M. Pasandideh Author-Workplace-Name: Young Researchers and Elite Club, Bojnourd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bojnourd, Iran Author-Name: M.R. Mohammadabadi Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran Author-Name: A.K. Esmailizadeh Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran Author-Name: A. Tarang Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Genomics, Branch of North Region of Iran (Rasht), Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran, Rasht, Iran Title: Association of bovine PPARGC1A and OPN genes with milk production and composition in Holstein cattle Abstract: Several studies have reported quantitative trait loci on chromosome 6 affecting milk production and composition traits in dairy cattle. Osteopontin (OPN) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PPARGC1A) genes have been located on this chromosome and identified as positional candidates for milk traits. We investigated the associations of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) T>C at position 1892 and SNP A>C at position 3359 in PPARGC1A gene as well as SNP C>T at position 8514 in OPN gene with milk production and composition. Hence, 398 Iranian Holstein cows were genotyped through polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The Least Squares methods were used to examine the effects of genotypes on milk traits. The frequencies of the C allele at position 1892, A allele at position 3359, and T allele at position 8514 were 0.56, 0.64, and 0.53, respectively. In this study, c.1892T>C genotypes indicated significant associations with milk fat content adjusted for two milkings per day (FATP2X; %), estimated breeding value for milk (EBVM; kg), milk protein yield adjusted for mature body weight (PROME; kg), milk protein yield adjusted for 305 days (PRO305; kg) (P < 0.05), and estimated breeding value for milk fat content (EBVFP; %) (P < 0.01). There were significant associations between c.3359A>C genotypes and FATP2X, EBVFP (P < 0.01). Moreover, significant associations were shown between c.8514C>T genotypes in OPN gene and FATP2X (P < 0.05), and PROPER305 (P < 0.01). Thus, these SNPs would provide an excellent opportunity for marker assisted selection programs in dairy cattle. Keywords: cattle, OPN, PCR-RFLP, PPARGC1A, SNPs Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 97-104 Volume: 60 Issue: 3 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/8074-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8074-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201503-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:60:y:2015:i:3:id:8074-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: A. Kowalski Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Biology, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland Author-Name: J. Pałyga Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Institute of Biology, Jan Kochanowski University, Kielce, Poland Author-Name: S. Knaga Author-Workplace-Name: Chair for Biological Bases of Animal Production, University of Life Sciences, Lublin, Poland Author-Name: A. Witkowski Author-Workplace-Name: Chair for Biological Bases of Animal Production, University of Life Sciences, Lublin, Poland Title: A shift in erythrocyte histone H1 complement following selection in quail (Coturnix japonica) Abstract: This work was aimed at comparing distribution of isoforms for polymorphic histone H1 variants H1.b and H1.z and variably abundant histone H1.d subtype between quail (Coturnix japonica) population selected for a high egg yolk cholesterol content and the control birds. The isoforms of histone H1.b (H1.b1, H1.b2) and histone H1.z (H1.z1, H1.z2) differed in their apparent molecular weights judging from their differential migration rates in one- and two-dimensional SDS-polyacrylamide gels. Stained histone H1.d bands and spots in one-dimensional acetic acid-urea and two-dimensional SDS-polyacrylamide gel patterns, respectively, exhibited differential intensities among quail individuals. Histone H1.d phenotypes with high (dh), intermediate (dhdl), and low (dl) amount of protein, displaying a small within-phenotype variability of the protein band intensities (coefficients of band variation below a threshold value of 0.25) were shown to be inherited in a Mendelian fashion with two alleles at a locus contributing to the band intensity. The frequencies of histone H1 alleles at loci H1.b (χ2 = 13.32, d.f. = 1, P < 0.001), H1.z (χ2 = 21.84, d.f. = 1, P < 0.001), and H1.d (χ2 = 8.98, d.f. = 1, P < 0.01) were found to be statistically significant among the control and selected population. In general, a moderate degree of genetic divergence (FST equal to 0.07 and 0.1 at loci H1.b and H1.z, respectively) was observed among the control and selected quail populations. Selection may directly or indirectly affect the complement of H1 histones because of their presumably differential interactions with DNA and/or DNA-associated proteins resulting in alterations in the chromatin function. Keywords: allelic variants, erythrocyte, histone H1 variants, phenotypic variants, quail, selection Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 105-115 Volume: 60 Issue: 3 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/8075-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8075-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201503-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:60:y:2015:i:3:id:8075-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M.I. El Sabry Author-Workplace-Name: Animal Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt Author-Workplace-Name: Ege University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Animal Science, Izmir, Turkey Author-Name: S. Yalçin Author-Workplace-Name: Ege University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Animal Science, Izmir, Turkey Author-Name: G. Turgay-Izzetoglu Author-Workplace-Name: Ege University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Izmir, Turkey Title: Effect of breeder age and lighting regimen on growth performance, organ weights, villus development, and bursa of fabricius histological structure in broiler chickens Abstract: This study was carried out to investigate the effect of breeder age and lighting regimen on performance, some organ weights, villus development, and bursa of fabricius histological structure in broiler chickens. A total of 384 one-day-old chicks were obtained from two Ross broiler breeder flocks at 32 (young;Y) and 49 (old, O) weeks of age. Chicks from each breeder age were reared under 18 h light : 6 h dark (18 L : 6 D) (control; CL) or 14 L : 4 D : 2 L : 4 D (split darkness, SD). Body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and mortality were measured weekly during the experiment. At 21 days of age, liver, heart, spleen, and bursa of fabricius weights were recorded, gastrointestinal tract and jejunum lengths were measured, and histomorphometry of villi and bursa of fabricius structure were investigated. Interaction between breeder age and lighting regimen was observed, where Y-CL chicks had the lightest body weight from 7 to 35 days (P < 0.05). Neither breeder age nor lighting regimen influenced feed conversion ratio. SD chicks had longer (P < 0.05) gastrointestinal tract and jejunum, and wider villus in comparison to CL chicks. Lower relative spleen weight was observed in CL chicks compared to SD ones (P < 0.05). It was concluded that split darkness lighting regimen could be used for broiler chickens from young breeders to improve live body weight without affecting feed conversion ratio. Keywords: photoperiod, body weight, gastrointestinal tract, heart, lymphoid organs, mortality Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 116-122 Volume: 60 Issue: 3 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/8076-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8076-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201503-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:60:y:2015:i:3:id:8076-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: N. Krutthai Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand Author-Name: C. Vajrabukka Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand Author-Name: K. Markvichitr Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand Author-Name: A. Choothesa Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand Author-Name: J. Thiengtham Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand Author-Name: S. Sawanon Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand Author-Name: C. Kaewtapee Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand Author-Name: C. Bunchasak Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand Title: Effect of source of methionine in broken rice-soybean diet on production performance, blood chemistry, and fermentation characteristics in weaned pigs Abstract: This study was conducted to compare the effect of source of methionine (Met) in broken rice-soybean diet on performance, blood biochemistry, and fermentation characteristics in weaned pigs. Forty-eight male crossbreed pigs (BW 11 ± 0.1 kg) were randomly allocated to three groups with four replications in a completely randomized design. The experimental diets were: (1) basal diet without methionine (Control; total sulfur amino acids (TSAA) 0.60%); (2) basal diet supplemented with dl-methionine (DLM) (TSAA 0.76%); and (3) basal diet supplemented with dl-2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio) butanoic acid (LMA) (TSAA 0.76%). Supplementation with DLM and LMA improved growth performance of piglets and decreased blood urea nitrogen and increased serum albumin (P < 0.01). The population of Lactobacillus spp. in the caecum was decreased by both DLM and LMA supplementation (P < 0.05). Succinic acid concentration in the caecum of pigs fed the DLM diet was greater than that of LMA group (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that LMA can be used as a good source of Met (88% bioefficacy, weight/weight) in broken rice-soybean diet, although the serum albumin and fermentation characteristics (succinic acid) in the gastrointestinal tract were different. Keywords: methionine, short-chain fatty acids, piglets Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 123-131 Volume: 60 Issue: 3 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/8077-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8077-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201503-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:60:y:2015:i:3:id:8077-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: A.A.M. El Hanafy Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Author-Workplace-Name: Nucleic Acids Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City for Scientific Research and Technology Applications, Borg El-Arab, Egypt Author-Name: M.I. Qureshi Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Author-Name: J. Sabir Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Author-Name: M. Mutawakil Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Author-Name: M.M.M. Ahmed Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Author-Workplace-Name: Nucleic Acids Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City for Scientific Research and Technology Applications, Borg El-Arab, Egypt Author-Name: H. El Ashmaoui Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Author-Workplace-Name: Cell Biology Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt Author-Name: H.A.M.I. Ramadan Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Author-Workplace-Name: Cell Biology Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Division, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt Author-Name: M. Abou-Alsoud Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Author-Name: M.A. Sadek Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Title: Nucleotide sequencing and DNA polymorphism studies of beta-lactoglobulin gene in native Saudi goat breeds in relation to milk yield Abstract: β-Lactoglobulin (β-LG) is the dominant non-casein whey protein found in milk of bovine and of most ruminants. The amino acid sequence of β-LG along with its 3-dimensional structure illustrates linkage with the lipocalin superfamily. Preliminary studies in goats indicated that milk yield can be influenced by polymorphism in genes coding for whey proteins. The aim of this study is to identify and evaluate the incidence of functional polymorphisms in the exonic and intronic portions of β-LG gene in native Saudi goat breeds (Ardi, Habsi and Harri). Blood samples were collected from 300 animals (100 for each breed) and genomic DNA was extracted using QIAamp DNA extraction kit. A fragment of the β-LG gene from exon 7 to 3' flanking region was amplified with pairs of specific primers. Subsequent digestion with Sac II restriction endonuclease revealed two alleles (A and B) and three different banding patterns or genotypes, i.e. AA, AB, and BB. The statistical analysis showed that β-LG AA genotype had higher milk yield than β-LG AB and β-LG BB genotypes. Nucleotide sequencing of the selected β-LG fragments was done and submitted to GenBank NCBI (Accession Nos. KJ544248, KJ588275, KJ588276, KJ783455, KJ783456, KJ874959, and KP269078). Two already established SNPs in exon 7 (+4601 and +4603) and one fresh SNP in the 3' UTR region were detected in the β-LG fragments with designated AA genotype. The exonic SNPs, i.e. +4601 (G/A) and +4603 (G/C), were found within the Sac II restriction site and accountable for generating the AA genotypic patterns. Hence, the allele characterized by the substitution G>A has been sub-designated as AAA, while the one characterized by the substitution G>C as AAC. The polymorphisms in exon 7 did not produce any amino acid substitution. Keywords: β -LG, Saudi goats, functional polymorphism, PCR-RFLP, genotyping Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 132-138 Volume: 60 Issue: 3 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/8078-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8078-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201503-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:60:y:2015:i:3:id:8078-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Z.-L. Wu Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan, P.R. China Author-Name: S.-Y. Chen Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan, P.R. China Author-Name: X.-B. Jia Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan, P.R. China Author-Name: S.-J. Lai Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Sichuan Agricultural University, Sichuan, P.R. China Title: Association of a synonymous mutation of the PGAM2 gene and growth traits in rabbits Abstract: Phosphoglycerate mutase (PGAM2) catalyzes the conversion of 3-phosphoglycerate into 2-phosphoglycerate and releases energy during glycolysis in muscle tissues. PGAM2 has been considered as a candidate gene to influence growth, development, and carcass traits in livestock. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between polymorphisms of PGAM2 and growth traits in rabbits. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified by direct sequencing in 20 random individuals from three breeds, including c.-10C>T, c.195C>T, and c.414+17C>T. The c.195C>T was genotyped by PCR-RFLP in a total of 222 rabbits of three breeds (Tianfu black, 53 animals; Ira, 91 animals; Champagne, 78 animals). The average allele frequency among the breeds was 0.52 for allele T and 0.48 for C. The heterozygosity and effective number of alleles were 0.4992 and 1.996, respectively. The association results revealed the CT genotype of c.195C>T was associated significantly (P < 0.05) with greater body weight at 84 days of age (BW84) and with average daily weight gain (ADG). However, association of the genotypes with other production traits was not observed. The results of this study suggested PGAM2 is one of the candidate genes affecting BW84 and ADG in the rabbit. Keywords: SNPs, body weight, average daily weight gain, association analysis, candidate gene Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 139-144 Volume: 60 Issue: 3 Year: 2015 DOI: 10.17221/8079-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/8079-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201503-0007.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:60:y:2015:i:3:id:8079-CJAS