Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: T. Schwarz Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Swine and Small Animal Breeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, Poland Author-Name: A. Turek Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Swine and Small Animal Breeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, Poland Author-Workplace-Name: Blattin Poland Sp. z o.o., Siedlec, Poland Author-Name: J. Nowicki Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Swine and Small Animal Breeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, Poland Author-Name: R. Tuz Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Swine and Small Animal Breeding, Institute of Animal Sciences, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow, Poland Author-Name: B. Rudzki Author-Workplace-Name: KWS Lochow Poland Sp. z o.o., Kondratowice, Poland Author-Name: P.M. Bartlewski Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada Title: Production value and cost-effectiveness of pig fattening using liquid feeding or enzyme-supplemented dry mixes containing rye grain Abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of a fermented liquid feeding and enzyme supplementation of dry fodders containing rye grain for pig fattening. Two experiments were performed on 126 gilts (82 in Experiment 1 and 44 in Experiment 2) of hybrid Pig Improvement Company (PIC) lines. In both experiments, the pigs were randomly divided into two equinumeric groups (treatment vs control). In Experiment 1, the treatment group received a diet containing 25% of rye grain (cultivar Visello) in the grower and 50% in the finisher period, replacing a proportion of barley from control mixes, and the fodders were given as pre-fermented liquid feed twice daily. In Experiment 2, both the control and experimental diets contained rye grain at the same quantities as the experimental group in Experiment 1, but the mixes for the treatment groups were supplemented with 0.01% of xylanase and fed in dry form. There were no differences in the mean growth rate or feed conversion ratio between the control and experimental groups of gilts. In Experiment 1, there was no effect of rye feeding on backfat thickness, loin depth, and meatiness, and hence the final carcass price, but the overall cost of fattening was lower by 5.1% in rye-fed pigs, which resulted in an 11.3% surplus. In Experiment 2, the backfat thickness was significantly greater and the lean meat content lower in the experimental compared with control group of animals. In spite of these differences, the lower cost of feeding (by 3.4%) resulted in a 5.2% increment in the economic efficiency of production of pigs receiving enzyme-supplemented mixes. It can be concluded that, in comparison to traditional barley-based nutrition, the pig fattening utilizing rye grain in wet fermented mixes is more profitable. The increased bottom-line profits of using dry rye mixes with carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes appear to be associated with declining carcass quality. Keywords: swine, barley, fattener, enzyme, yeast, xylanase Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 341-350 Volume: 61 Issue: 8 Year: 2016 DOI: 10.17221/73/2015-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/73/2015-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201608-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:61:y:2016:i:8:id:73-2015-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J. Třináctý Author-Workplace-Name: Agricultural Research, Ltd., Troubsko, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Nedělník Author-Workplace-Name: Agricultural Research, Ltd., Troubsko, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Lang Author-Workplace-Name: Agricultural Research, Ltd., Troubsko, Czech Republic Author-Name: R. Loučka Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Kučera Author-Workplace-Name: Czech Fleckvieh Breeders Association, Prague, Czech Republic Title: Effect of maize kernel endosperm type and maturity stage on ruminal in situ degradability and post-ruminal in vitro dry matter and starch digestibility Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the interaction effect of maize grain texture (dent vs semi-flint) and two different stages of maturity (1/2 vs 3/4 milk line) on ruminal starch degradability and total tract digestibility using in situ and combined in situ-in vitro methods, respectively. The content of whole plant dry matter was 324.6 vs 399.5 g/kg (1/2 vs 3/4 milk line, respectively) for dent maize and 330.2 vs 401.3 g/kg for semi-flint maize. Organic nutrients (neutral detergent fibre, crude protein, ether extract, starch), 1000-grain weight, vitreousness, and mean particle size were determined. The evaluation was performed using two non-lactating Holstein cows fitted with ruminal cannulae. Effective degradability of dry matter and starch was calculated at ruminal outflow rates of 4, 6, and 8%/h. Vitreousness was lower for dent than for semi-flint grain, averaging 65.6% and 74.3% (P < 0.001). Ground dent maize grain showed lower mean particle size than did that of semi-flint maize (1.76 vs 1.88 mm, respectively, P < 0.001). Effective starch degradability calculated for the medium outflow rate (6%/h) was 69.1% vs 65.3% (P < 0.01) for dent and semi-flint maize and 69.0% vs 65.4% (P < 0.01) for lower (1/2 milk line) and higher (3/4 milk line) maturity, respectively. Higher (P < 0.001) mean starch total tract digestibility was found for dent maize (88.5%) than for semi-flint maize (82.5%) and for kernels harvested at 1/2 milk line (87.4%) than for those harvested at 3/4 milk line (83.6%, P < 0.001). Small differences in grain texture and silage maturity stage significantly influenced ruminal in situ degradability and total tract in situ-in vitro dry matter and starch digestibility. Keywords: maize grain, dent, flint, vitreousness, mean particle size, rumen, effective degradability, starch degradability Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 351-359 Volume: 61 Issue: 8 Year: 2016 DOI: 10.17221/62/2015-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/62/2015-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201608-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:61:y:2016:i:8:id:62-2015-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: A. Kurzyńska Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Physiology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland Author-Name: M. Bogacki Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, Poland Author-Name: K. Chojnowska Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Physiology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland Author-Name: I. Bogacka Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Physiology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland Title: Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor ligands affect porcine endometrial steroids production during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy: an in vitro study Abstract: In the present study, we investigated the effect of PPAR ligands on progesterone (P4) and 17β-estradiol (E2) secretion, as well as 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ(5)-Δ(4) isomerase (3β-HSD) mRNA expression, in porcine endometrial slices collected on days 10-12 and 14-16 of the estrous cycle or early pregnancy. The explants were incubated in vitro for 6 h in the presence of PPARα ligands - WY-14643 (agonist) and MK 886 (antagonist); PPARβ ligands - L-165041 (agonist) and GW 9662 (antagonist); PPARγ ligands - 15d-prostaglandin J2 and rosiglitazone (agonists) and T0070907 (antagonist). During the estrous cycle, all PPAR ligands inhibited P4 secretion during the mid-luteal phase (days 10-12). During early pregnancy, a stimulatory effect of PPARα agonist was observed during maternal recognition of pregnancy (days 10-12), while an inhibitory effect was observed at the beginning of implantation (days 14-16). PPAR ligands inhibited the expression of 3β-HSD mRNA on days 14-16 of the estrous cycle (β and γ isoforms) or pregnancy (α, β, γ isoforms) but did not affect gene expression on days 10-12 of the estrous cycle or early pregnancy. An inhibitory effect of PPARα, PPARγ, and PPARβ on E2 secretion was observed during maternal recognition of pregnancy, but a stimulatory effect was observed during mid- (γ isoform) or late-luteal (β isoform) phases of the estrous cycle. Our study indicates, for the first time, that PPARs are engaged in P4 and E2 production in porcine endometrium. It is possible that the diverse receptivity of endometrial tissue to the PPAR ligands can be associated with the reproductive status of gilts. Keywords: PPAR, progesterone, estradiol, luteal phase, periimplantation Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 360-368 Volume: 61 Issue: 8 Year: 2016 DOI: 10.17221/95/2015-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/95/2015-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201608-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:61:y:2016:i:8:id:95-2015-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: A. Novotná Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: A. Svitáková Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Schmidová Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Přibyl Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: H. Vostrá-Vydrová Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Title: Variance components, heritability estimates, and breeding values for performance test traits in Old Kladruber horses Abstract: The Old Kladruber horse is an important Czech genetic resource. In the current study, two categories of traits were evaluated - the first, a numerical score for Type and Gender Expression and the second, 11 traits describing performance divided into four categories: (1) Rideability (Overall Impression, Rideability), (2) Gaits (Walk, Trot, Canter), (3) Carriage Drivability (Dressage Test, Obstacle Driving Test, Marathon Test), and (4) Reliability in Tug (First Tug, Second Tug, Third Tug). The original data set contained records from 700 individuals from the period 1995-2014, each horse having 3-5 performance evaluations for the suite of traits. Our objective was to identify a suitable model for the estimation of genetic parameters and prediction of breeding values. Only one model was examined for the Type and Gender Expression trait, whereas three models were compared for the analysis of each performance trait. Criteria for choosing the most appropriate model were minimal values for the deviance information criterion (DIC) statistics, low ratios of residual variance to phenotypic variance, and maximal heritability estimates. The heritability estimate for Type and Gender Expression was 0.18. For the performance traits, the model with the fewest sources of variation (model 1) was more appropriate than two alternatives with more sources of variation. Heritability estimates from this model ranged from 0.08 to 0.40, while estimates for various performance traits from the other models were in the range 0.08-0.24. Low heritabilities for several of the performance traits suggested that selection for their genetic improvement would likely be unsuccessful. In order to maintain genetic variability, inbreeding, and fitness in the Old Kladruber population we suggest to use breeding value estimation using the heritabilities and the method presented in this paper. Keywords: harness horse, genetic parameters, performance test, genetic resource Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 369-376 Volume: 61 Issue: 8 Year: 2016 DOI: 10.17221/87/2015-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/87/2015-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201608-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:61:y:2016:i:8:id:87-2015-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M. Brzáková Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: B. Hosnedlová Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic Author-Name: A. Svitáková Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: K. Vernerová Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic Author-Name: Z. Veselá Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Prague-Uhříněves, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Čítek Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic Title: Effect of the FGF2 SNP11646 on milk production and fertility traits of Holstein cattle Abstract: The objective of this study was to estimate the effect of a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP11646) in the FGF2 (Fibroblast Growth Factor 2) gene on the deregressed proof of breeding values (DRP) of Holstein sires (n = 149) for milk traits (milk yield, fat yield and percentage, and protein yield and percentage) and fertility (relative breeding value for own fertility - conception rate of heifers, cows, all females inseminated by the sperm of the sire; relative breeding value for conception rate of daughters - heifers, cows, all females). The differences between genotypes for milk performance were not significant. The lowest DRP for milk performance were found for AA sires. For fertility, sires with this genotype had the best values both for the maternal genetic effect (conception rate of the daughters) and for the direct genetic effect (fertility of the sire). For conception rate of the daughters, in some cases, the differences reached the threshold of significance. Thus, the results indicate coincidently with other studies the potential opposing effects on milk performance and fertility. FGF2 SNP11646 is still of interest for future cattle breeding studies. Keywords: dairy cow, fibroblast growth factor, single nucleotide polymorphism, linear mixed model Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 377-382 Volume: 61 Issue: 8 Year: 2016 DOI: 10.17221/61/2015-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/61/2015-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201608-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:61:y:2016:i:8:id:61-2015-CJAS