Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Jiří Šichtař Author-Name: Anežka Nehasilová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Ondřej Šimoník Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Filipa Bubeníčková Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Title: Effect of two freezing extenders on characteristic of fresh and frozen-thawed semen in endangered Old Kladruber stallions - A pilot study Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of two different extenders on sperm characteristic before equilibration and post-thaw in the endangered Old Kladruber stallions. Also, the response of individual stallions to the extenders used was tested. Semen was collected from six stallions every other day within one week. After centrifugation of the collected sperm-rich fraction, the supernatant was removed and sperm pellets were divided to two aliquots; these were diluted either with Gent (Minitube, Germany) or privately manufactured lactose-EDTA-egg yolk extender (Lact). Three cryopreserved insemination doses (IDs) from each extender (Gent and Lact) were prepared for each stallion from one collection (108 samples from six stallions in total). As a parameter of quality, the motility (computer assisted sperm analysis), viability (fluorescence staining), and morphology (eosin/nigrosine staining) were evaluated after dilution with freezing extenders (fresh) and after thawing (frozen-thawed). The different effects of chosen extenders on the quality of fresh semen were only manifested in higher kinematic parameters of sperm when the Lact extender was used. However, in frozen-thawed samples, the Gent extender yielded significantly better results in all of the evaluated parameters. The representation of sperm subpopulation was significantly influenced by extender in fresh as well as frozen-thawed samples; moreover, we found a significant effect of freezing on the distribution of these subpopulations. The response of individual stallions to chosen extenders was evident in the different quality of fresh as well as frozen-thawed IDs; Gent extender yielded better frozen-thawed IDs. Based on our results, among others describing quality parameters of ejaculate in endangered Old Kladruber stallions, we can recommend using Gent extender for the production of frozen-thawed IDs. Keywords: reproduction, horse, sperm, cryopreservation, semen extender Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 227-233 Volume: 62 Issue: 6 Year: 2017 DOI: 10.17221/76/2016-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/76/2016-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201706-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:62:y:2017:i:6:id:76-2016-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Michal Jeseta Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital and Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Joanna Budna Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland Author-Name: Wiesława Kranc Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Anatomy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland Author-Name: Sarka Hanulakova Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Artur Bryja Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Anatomy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland Author-Name: Adrian Chachuła Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland Author-Name: Sylwia Ciesiółka Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland Author-Name: Katarzyna Wojtanowicz-Markiewicz Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Veterinary Sciences, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland Author-Name: Dorota Bukowska Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Veterinary Sciences, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland Author-Name: Klaus-Peter Brüssow Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Veterinary Sciences, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland Author-Name: Małgorzata Bruska Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Anatomy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland Author-Name: Michał Nowicki Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland Author-Name: Paweł Antosik Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Veterinary Sciences, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland Author-Name: Pavlina Hulinska Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Marie Machatkova Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Maciej Zabel Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Histology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland Author-Name: Bartosz Kempisty Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Anatomy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland Title: Expression of genes encoding zona pellucida glycoproteins and cortical granule distribution in porcine oocytes isolated from small and medium follicles in relation to puberty status of donors Abstract: The zona pellucida proteins belong to a group of proteins that regulate the processes of gamete recognition, interaction, and fusion, since they are recognized as primary and secondary sperm receptors. It is suggested that cortical granule distribution is significantly associated with the zona pellucida structure and membrane preparation to cortical and acrosome reaction. Therefore, this study investigated the zona pellucida marker gene expression (ZP2 and ZP4 protein) in relation to cortical granules distribution in oocytes and puberty status of donors. Oocytes were collected from adult cyclic sows (isolated from medium and small follicles) and juvenile gilts (isolated only from small follicles). The oocytes were examined by RT-qPCR and by confocal microscopy. The expression of genes for ZP2 and ZP4 protein in oocytes collected from small follicles from cycling sows was higher in comparison to oocytes from medium follicles or oocytes collected from small follicles from juvenile gilts (P < 0.001). We also observed increased expression of both ZP2 and ZP4 mRNA in oocytes collected from small follicles (juvenile gilts) as compared to medium follicles (cycling sows) (P < 0.001). Moreover, we found a difference in the distribution of cortical granules. In oocytes from medium follicles, the peripheral localization of cortical granules was twice higher than their central concentration. However, in oocytes derived from small follicles (cyclic sows) cortical granules in comparison to oocytes from medium follicles were more centrally localized (P < 0.05). It has been suggested that the donor puberty status and the size of follicles significantly influenced the zona pellucida gene expression and cortical granule localization in porcine oocytes. This is accompanied by fertilization specificity and fertilizability of porcine oocytes in vitro. Keywords: pig, ovarian cycle, maturation, developmental competence, folliculogenesis Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 234-241 Volume: 62 Issue: 6 Year: 2017 DOI: 10.17221/90/2016-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/90/2016-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201706-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:62:y:2017:i:6:id:90-2016-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Edyta Molik Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Biotechnology, Agricultural University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland Author-Name: Michał Błasiak Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Biotechnology, Agricultural University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland Author-Name: Tomasz Misztal Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Endocrinology, The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jablonna, Poland Author-Name: Katarzyna Romanowicz Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Endocrinology, The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jablonna, Poland Author-Name: Dorota A. Zięba Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Biotechnology, Agricultural University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland Title: Profile of gonadotropic hormone secretion in sheep with disturbed rhythm of seasonality Abstract: The effect of artificial conditions of a short daylight period (16 h darkness (D): 8 h light (L)) and exogenous melatonin on milk yield parameters of sheep during spring and summer was examined to determine the impact of using sheep for milk on the secretion level of gonadotrophic hormones. The research was conducted on 60 sheep lambed in February. After raising the lambs, the sheep were divided into 3 groups and assigned for dairy use (May-September). The mothers in the control Group 1 (G1) were maintained under natural daylight conditions. The sheep in Group 2 (G2) were maintained under conditions of an artificial photoperiod (16 h D : 8 h L). Meanwhile, the mothers in Group 3 (G3) were given melatonin implants. A 6-hour collection of blood from 6 sheep of each group was performed every 4 weeks. The concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in plasma were measured using radioimmunoassay. The average LH concentration in G1 gradually increased since May (5.32 ± 0.2 ng/ml), reaching the highest value in August (6.70 ± 0.2 ng/ml). In G2, the increase in LH occurred 4 weeks after the introduction of the 16 h D : 8 h L condition (6.26 ± 0.2 ng/ml). The maximum LH concentration in G3 was noted in August (7.31 ± 0.2 ng/ml). The average FSH concentration in G1 gradually increased since May (6.59 ± 0.2 ng/ml), reaching the highest value in August (10.50 ± 2.6 ng/ml). In G2, there was a significant increase in the FSH concentration in June (9.00 ± 0.3 ng/ml). In the final period during lactation, the FSH concentrations in G2 (13.51 ± 1.3 ng/ml) and G3 (13.60 ± 1.9 ng/ml) were higher than in G1. The results indicate that using sheep for milk does not inhibit the secretion of gonadotropic hormones induced by the simulation of short daylight conditions and exogenous melatonin. Keywords: sheep, lactation, FSH, LH Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 242-248 Volume: 62 Issue: 6 Year: 2017 DOI: 10.17221/22/2016-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/22/2016-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201706-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:62:y:2017:i:6:id:22-2016-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Roman Stupka Author-Name: Jaroslav Čítek Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Karel Vehovský Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Kateřina Zadinová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Monika Okrouhlá Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Daniela Urbanová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Luděk Stádník Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Title: Effects of immunocastration on growth performance, body composition, meat quality, and boar taint Abstract: The study objective was to evaluate the effect of immunocastration in the period between the first and second vaccinations and subsequently between the second vaccination and slaughter on growth performance, carcass composition, meat quality, and boar taint, and compare results in immunocastrated males (IC), uncastrated boars (UCM), surgically castrated barrows (CM), and gilts (FE). The study included 70 pigs of the Duroc × (Large White × Landrace) crossbreed. Upon the overall assessment of the selected fattening indicators (average daily gain, feed intake), significant differences between CM and the other groups were demonstrated. Meanwhile, no significant differences were found between the IC, UCM, and FE groups. In this test, immunocastrates showed no negative effect from the second vaccination in relation to those carcass value indicators evaluated in comparison with UCM and FE. CM showed adversely lower carcass value parameters compared the other groups. No significant differences in pH, meat colour, drip loss, shear force, and intramuscular fat were found. The values of these indicators obtained for IC converged with those measured in UCM and FE. It was demonstrated that immunocastration prevented the occurrence of undesired boar taint. Androstenone decreased by 77% and skatole by 71% in IC as compared to UCM. Keywords: pig, castration, carcass value, androstenone, skatole Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 249-258 Volume: 62 Issue: 6 Year: 2017 DOI: 10.17221/99/2016-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/99/2016-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201706-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:62:y:2017:i:6:id:99-2016-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Katy Satué Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cardenal Herrera University, Valencia, Spain Author-Name: Paloma Montesinos Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cardenal Herrera University, Valencia, Spain Author-Name: Ana Muños Author-Workplace-Name: Equine Sport Medicine Center CEMEDE, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain Title: Activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in mares around ovulation Abstract: Many physiological events occurring during the estrous cycle, including folliculogenesis, oocyte maturation, ovulation, follicular atresia, corpus luteum development, luteolysis, steroidogenesis, and angiogenesis are associated with an increased expression of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in uterus and ovarian follicles. This enhanced expression leads to a rise in plasma concentrations of these hormones in women and laboratory animals, and the same might happen in the mare. This study aims to assess if an activation of the RAAS occurs in mares around ovulation and if this activation is related to the diameter of the predominant follicle (DPF), packed cell volume (PCV), and electrolyte concentrations. Twenty-five healthy Spanish Purebred mares were sampled during the five days before ovulation, the day of ovulation, and the first five days after ovulation. Renin (REN) concentrations increased progressively during the five days before ovulation, achieving the highest values on the day of ovulation. Angiotensin (ANG) concentrations showed a sharp decrease after ovulation, with the lowest values the fifth day after it. Aldosterone (ALD) concentrations increased progressively, from the fifth day before ovulation until the fifth day after ovulation. The highest PCV values were found on the day of ovulation. There were no relevant correlations between the RAAS components and electrolytes concentrations. Before ovulation, there was a positive relationship between REN and ALD (r = 0.760) and after ovulation, a negative correlation between ANG and ALD (r = -0.660). The DPF was correlated with REN (r = 0.740) and with ALD (r = 0.800) concentrations. Ovulation in the mare is associated with high plasma REN concentrations, and therefore, with an activation of the RAAS. In addition, after ovulation, the sharp decrease in plasma REN and ANG concentrations might be a reflex of the modulation of the previously activated RAAS, although plasma ALD concentrations increased during this period. Keywords: estrous, mare, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 259-267 Volume: 62 Issue: 6 Year: 2017 DOI: 10.17221/32/2016-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/32/2016-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201706-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:62:y:2017:i:6:id:32-2016-CJAS