Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Andreas Vernunft Author-Workplace-Name: Institute for Reproductive Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), Dummerstorf, Germany Author-Name: Melanie Maass Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany Author-Name: Klaus-Peter Brüssow Author-Workplace-Name: Centre for Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Torun, Poland Title: Placental characteristics of German Landrace sows and their relationships to different fertility parameters Abstract: The placenta is the central foetal organ that ensures a sufficient exchange of nutrients and metabolites for adequate foetal growth. Specific data profiles for placental characteristics from modern pig lines with high fertility and today's genetics are not currently available. This study focuses on describing the placental weight and size of German Landrace pigs and any subsequent relationship to litter number and important fertility parameters for these sows. As a basis for data collection, 55 litters from primi- and multiparous German Landrace sows with a total of 832 piglets were used. From these births, 766 placentas were recovered and weighed, with their lengths measured and the placental efficiency per litter also calculated. Mean placental weights ranged from 179 ± 60 to 422 ± 96 g between litters, and the mean length was between 61 ± 12 and 145 ± 19 cm. The placental efficiency was at a level of 5.1 ± 0.7. The investigated parameters were only slightly affected by the litter number (r = 0.3), and the means did not significantly differ between different litter numbers. With increasing litter size, the piglet weights and placental lengths were significantly decreased (r = -0.4 and r = -0.3), possibly due to limited uterine space. However, litter size had a strong positive correlation with the total litter placental weight (r = 0.7); therefore, in this study, the placental efficiency was not affected by a higher number of piglets per sow. Higher means for placental weights (r = 0.7) and lengths (r = 0.7) in a particular litter significantly improved the piglet birth weights. The reported variability in placental characteristics between litters suggests that there is an opportunity to selectively breed for improved piglet weight and homogeneity and thus improved piglet health and survival. Keywords: pig, placenta, fecundity, placental efficiency, litter number, litter size Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 339-346 Volume: 63 Issue: 9 Year: 2018 DOI: 10.17221/23/2017-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/23/2017-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201809-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:63:y:2018:i:9:id:23-2017-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Thomas Druml Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria Author-Name: Gertrud Grilz-Seger Author-Workplace-Name: Pöckau 41, A-9601 Arnoldstein, Austria Author-Name: Michaela Horna Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Husbandry, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Nitra, Slovakia Author-Name: Gottfried Brem Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria Title: Discriminant analysis of colour measurements reveals allele dosage effect of ASIP/MC1R in bay horses Abstract: Considering the variability of bay coat colour, we aimed to investigate the association of different shades of bay with ASIP and MC1R genotype combinations and we studied the discrimination between the bay and black coat colour. We phenotypically characterized coat colour using a spectrophotometer. The measurements were based upon international standards as defined by the CIE L*a*b* colour system and we phenotyped five different body parts (neck, armpit area, shoulder, belly, croup) of 43 bay and 14 black horses kept under standardized conditions. From the five measuring points a stepwise discriminant analysis revealed that chromacity and luminescence of armpit area and luminescence of the neck were the most important traits to differentiate between black and bay horses, whereas it was shown that the red colour spectrum of neck, luminescence of the neck, and luminescence of the armpit area grouped bay horses according to their ASIP and MC1R genotype combinations. Within the group of bay horses the analyses identified a single ASIP/MC1R genotype combination (A/a E/E) where colour variables differed significantly from the three remaining genotype groups. A/a E/E horses were characterized in all body parts except in the armpit region by significant darker shades (lower luminescence, less chromacity). Regarding classifications of coat colour, we found in the significant cluster of A/a E/E horses the coat colour categories seal brown and dark (mahogany) bay. Overall, we were able to show that the characterization of equine coat colour based upon international standards as defined by the CIE L*a*b* colour system represents a valuable tool for a precise description of colour variation and association analyses. Keywords: horse, coat colour, ASIP, MC1R, CIE L*a*b Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 347-355 Volume: 63 Issue: 9 Year: 2018 DOI: 10.17221/105/2017-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/105/2017-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201809-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:63:y:2018:i:9:id:105-2017-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Cátia Martins Author-Workplace-Name: LEAF, School of Agriculture, University of Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal Author-Name: Marco Cullere Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy Author-Name: Antonella Dalle Zotte Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Legnaro, Italy Author-Name: Cristóvão Cardoso Author-Workplace-Name: LEAF, School of Agriculture, University of Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal Author-Name: Susana P. Alves Author-Workplace-Name: CIISA, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal Author-Name: Rui José Branquinho de Bessa Author-Workplace-Name: CIISA, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal Author-Name: João Pedro Bengala Freire Author-Workplace-Name: LEAF, School of Agriculture, University of Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal Author-Name: Luísa Falcão-E-Cunha Author-Workplace-Name: LEAF, School of Agriculture, University of Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal Title: Incorporation of two levels of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.) larvae fat or extruded linseed in diets of growing rabbits: effects on growth performance and diet digestibility Abstract: The use of black soldier fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens L.) larvae fat as a lipid supplement in growing rabbit's diet was evaluated at two levels of supplementation in comparison to two levels of extruded linseed. Forty-eight weaned rabbits aged 35 days were individually housed in digestibility cages and randomly allocated to one of the four diets: Linseed-Low (30 g/kg of fat from linseed), Linseed-High (60 g/kg of fat from linseed), BSF-Low (30 g/kg of BSF fat), BSF-High (60 g/kg of BSF fat). Animals had ad libitum access to water and feed during 5 weeks, and were slaughtered at 70 days of age. In the fourth week of the trial, faeces were collected to allow the evaluation of total tract apparent digestibility (TTAD) of the diets. Mortality, dry matter (DM) intake, average daily gain, slaughter live weight, and carcass, liver, perirenal fat, scapular fat, and digestive tract weights were not affected (P > 0.05) either by fat source or fat level. The TTAD of DM, organic matter, ether extract, and gross energy were lower (P < 0.05) in the diet containing BSF fat than in linseed diets, and the decrease observed ranged between 2.3 to 3.1 percent points. With increasing the fat inclusion level, ether extract TTAD increased (P < 0.001) but the cellulose TTAD decreased (P < 0.01). Overall, diets containing BSF fat resulted in a slightly lower TTAD than linseed diets, but this seemed not to have affected growth performance and carcass yield. In conclusion, BSF fat could be considered an alternative lipid source for growing rabbit diets highlighting similar productive results to linseed. Keywords: black soldier fly, rabbit, insect fat, diet digestibility, fat Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 356-362 Volume: 63 Issue: 9 Year: 2018 DOI: 10.17221/22/2018-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/22/2018-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201809-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:63:y:2018:i:9:id:22-2018-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Moataz Fathi Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Poultry Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Production and Breeding, College of Agriculture and VeterinaryMedicine, Qassim University, Al-Mulida, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Author-Name: Tarek Ebeid Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Production and Breeding, College of Agriculture and VeterinaryMedicine, Qassim University, Al-Mulida, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Poultry Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El Sheikh, Egypt Author-Name: Gamal Rayan Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Poultry Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt Author-Name: Salah El-Safty Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Poultry Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt Author-Name: Osama Abou-Emera Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Poultry Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Production and Breeding, College of Agriculture and VeterinaryMedicine, Qassim University, Al-Mulida, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Title: Genetic differences in eggshell ultrastructural properties of Saudi native chicken breeds kept at high ambient temperatures Abstract: Egg quality and eggshell ultrastructural properties of four Saudi native chicken breeds were compared to detect genetic differences. A total of 480 laying hens at 28 weeks of age, representing four Saudi native breeds of chicken (black, black-barred, gray, and brown) kept under hot environmental conditions (34 ± 1°C) were randomly assigned to the current experiment. Laying hens were housed in individual cages in an open-sided house during hot summer season. A total of 360 intact eggs were randomly collected (90 from each breed) for egg quality assessment. Eggshell samples were prepared to evaluate ultrastructural measurements using a scanning electron microscope. No significant variations between the breeds concerning egg weight, egg-shape index, yolk index, albumen (%), yolk (%), shell (%), and shell thickness traits were detected. Brown breed showed significantly higher Haugh units compared to the other breeds. Moreover, brown breed scored the best for eggshell breaking strength trait (the highest crack resistance), followed by gray, black, and black-barred breeds, respectively (P < 0.005). Total ultrastructural score for mammillary layer measurements was significantly higher in black-barred breed if compared with black, brown, and gray breeds. Gray, brown, and black Saudi native breeds had an outstanding eggshell ultrastructure and, in turn, stiffer and stronger eggshell comparable with black-barred counterpart under high ambient temperatures. At the national level, for cross-breeding and selection programs aimed at producing good quality table and hatching eggs the use of gray, brown, and black breeds can be recommended due to excellent ultrastructural properties of their eggshell. Keywords: eggshell strength, egg quality, mammilliary layer, total score Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 363-370 Volume: 63 Issue: 9 Year: 2018 DOI: 10.17221/29/2018-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/29/2018-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201809-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:63:y:2018:i:9:id:29-2018-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Antonín Stratil Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics CAS, v.v.i. Liběchov, Liběchov, Czech Republic Author-Name: Pavel Horák Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics CAS, v.v.i. Liběchov, Liběchov, Czech Republic Author-Name: Michaela Nesvadbová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Morphology, Physiology and Animal Genetics, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Mario Van Poucke Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium Author-Name: Věra Dvořáková Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics CAS, v.v.i. Liběchov, Liběchov, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Husbandry, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Roman Stupka Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Husbandry, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Jaroslav Čítek Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Husbandry, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Kateřina Zadinová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Husbandry, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: Luc J. Peelman Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium Author-Name: Aleš Knoll Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Morphology, Physiology and Animal Genetics, Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Workplace-Name: CEITEC Mendel University in Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Title: Genomic structure and expression of the porcine ACTC1 gene Abstract: A partial cDNA (~1200 bp) of the porcine ACTC1 gene was identified in the subtracted foetal hind limb muscle cDNA library (44 days of gestation; using m. biceps femoris cDNA as the driver). Using specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers, a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clone containing the genomic ACTC1 gene was identified and the gene was sequenced. Specific PCR primers designed from the BAC and cDNA sequences were used for amplification and comparative sequencing of ACTC1 of Pietrain and Meishan pigs. The gene is approximately 5.4 kb in length, is composed of 7 exons, and has a coding sequence containing 1134 bp. The gene was mapped using the INRA-Minnesota porcine radiation hybrid (IMpRH) panel to chromosome 1, with SW65 as the closest marker (41 cR; LOD = 7.73). Differences were observed in tissue-specific expression of ACTC1 that was studied by transcription profiling in 28 porcine tissues. Developmental differences in muscle and heart were analysed by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were found in intron 1. One adequately informative SNP (FM212567.1:g.901C>G) was genotyped by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism, and allele frequencies in eight pig breeds were calculated. Keywords: actin, alpha, cardiac muscle 1, mRNA, pig, transcription profiling, RT-qPCR Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 371-378 Volume: 63 Issue: 9 Year: 2018 DOI: 10.17221/34/2018-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/34/2018-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-201809-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:63:y:2018:i:9:id:34-2018-CJAS