Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Zhanhe Zhang Author-Workplace-Name: College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, P.R. China Author-Name: Xintong Li Author-Workplace-Name: College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, P.R. China Author-Name: Donglin Wu Author-Workplace-Name: College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, P.R. China Author-Name: Ming Xu Author-Workplace-Name: College of Animal Science, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, P.R. China Title: Drinking warm water in a cold environment impairs growth performance and alters the gastrointestinal microbiota in growing calves Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the effects of drinking water temperature on growth performance and gastrointestinal microbiota in growing calves. Forty-five weaned male calves were randomly divided into three treatment groups (n = 15 per group). The groups were provided with drinking water at different temperatures: 5-10 °C (FC), 20-25 °C (FM), or 35-40 °C (FW). The experiment lasted for 30 days, during which all calves were housed in individual hutches. Body weight and jugular blood samples were collected on days 0, 15, and 30; body measurements were taken on days 0 and 30. On day 30, rumen fluid and faecal samples were collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the V3-V4 regions. Calves in the FW group showed significantly higher water intake and diarrhoea frequency, along with significantly lower average daily gain (ADG), compared to the other groups. During the first 15 days, the ADG for the FM and FW groups was significantly lower than that of the FC group. Additionally, the FM and FW group maintained higher faecal scores throughout the experimental period. Rumen microbial analysis revealed a higher abundance of the potentially pathogenic genus Pseudoscardovia in the FW group compared to the FC group. In a cold winter environment, providing drinking water at 35-40 °C reduced growth performance, elevated faecal scores, and increased the abundance of harmful microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract of growing calves. Keywords: cold stress, diarrhoea frequency, water intake, water temperature, weaned calves Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 268-280 Volume: 71 Issue: 6 Year: 2026 File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/artkey/cjs-202606-0001_drinking-warm-water-in-a-cold-environment-impairs-growth-performance-and-alters-the-gastrointestinal-microbiota.php File-Format: text/html File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/pdfs/cjs/2026/06/01.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-202606-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:71:y:2026:i:6:id:155-2025-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: PP Gokuldas Author-Workplace-Name: ICAR - Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Ela, Goa, India Author-Name: Amiya Ranjan Sahu Author-Workplace-Name: ICAR - Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Ela, Goa, India Author-Name: Vedika Kudalkar Author-Workplace-Name: ICAR - Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Ela, Goa, India Author-Name: Mahak Singh Author-Workplace-Name: ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, Medziphema, India Author-Name: Shirish Dadarao Narnaware Author-Workplace-Name: ICAR - Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Ela, Goa, India Author-Name: Sanjaykumar Udharwar Author-Workplace-Name: ICAR - Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Ela, Goa, India Title: Characterisation of testicular perfusion dynamics using digital pulse wave Doppler ultrasonography in indigenous cattle reared under coastal tropical climate Abstract: Testicular blood flow and haemodynamics play a critical role in maintaining spermatogenesis and thermoregulation in bulls. The assessment of the testicular blood flow provides detailed insights into the reproductive function in male animals. This study aimed to characterise the testicular perfusion pattern using pulse wave Doppler ultrasonography in the Shweta Kapila breed of indigenous cattle reared in their native habitat on the Indian west coast. Healthy Shweta Kapila bulls (n = 8) maintained under semi-intensive systems were examined. A digital Pulse Wave Doppler ultrasound system equipped with a linear array probe was used to assess peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) along the spermatic cord part of the testicular artery (sTA), marginal region (mTA), and intra-testicular branches (iTA) of the testicular artery. Mean PSV ranged from 4.93 cm/s to 12.32 cm/s, EDV ranged from 3.63 cm/s to 5.14 cm/s, RI ranged from 0.23 to 0.58 and PI ranged from 0.68 to 1.05 across different arterial segments. Significantly higher mean PSV values (P < 0.05) were recorded in the proximal sTA compared to distal arterial segments. RI demonstrated low within-bull variability and repeatability suggesting its potential as a reliable indicator of testicular perfusion. The stable and low intra-testicular RI values also suggest enhanced vascular adaptation and thermoregulatory efficiency. These findings establish the first baseline reference values for testicular perfusion and haemodynamics in native Shweta Kapila cattle. Pulse wave Doppler ultrasonography provides a reliable, non-invasive and real-time tool for evaluating vascular function and reproductive soundness in indigenous cattle reared under coastal tropical climate. Keywords: breeding soundness, coastal climate, Doppler ultrasonography, indigenous cattle, testicular blood flow Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 260-267 Volume: 71 Issue: 6 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/42/2026-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/42/2026-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/42/2026-CJAS.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-202606-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:71:y:2026:i:6:id:42-2026-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Yuanyuan Kong Author-Workplace-Name: College of Agriculture of Pet Engineering, Nanyang Vocational College of Agriculture, Nanyang, P.R. China Author-Name: Peiying Li Author-Workplace-Name: College of Agriculture of Pet Engineering, Nanyang Vocational College of Agriculture, Nanyang, P.R. China Author-Name: Tong Liu Author-Workplace-Name: College of Agriculture of Pet Engineering, Nanyang Vocational College of Agriculture, Nanyang, P.R. China Author-Name: Kunliang Han Author-Workplace-Name: College of Agriculture of Pet Engineering, Nanyang Vocational College of Agriculture, Nanyang, P.R. China Author-Name: Panpan Zhao Author-Workplace-Name: College of Agriculture of Pet Engineering, Nanyang Vocational College of Agriculture, Nanyang, P.R. China Author-Name: Junhong Wang Author-Workplace-Name: College of Agriculture of Pet Engineering, Nanyang Vocational College of Agriculture, Nanyang, P.R. China Author-Name: Yangan Xiao Author-Workplace-Name: College of Agriculture of Pet Engineering, Nanyang Vocational College of Agriculture, Nanyang, P.R. China Author-Name: Chaoning He Author-Workplace-Name: Henan Yizhi Chong Pet Hospital Co., Ltd., Nanyang, P.R. China Title: A review on the antimicrobial activity of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum metabolites Abstract: The increasing demand for natural alternatives to chemical preservatives and antibiotics has intensified interest in probiotic microorganisms with intrinsic antimicrobial properties. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, a well-characterised species within the family Lactobacillaceae, is widely recognised for its broad‑spectrum antibacterial activity and its long history of safe use in fermented foods. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of recent advances in the antimicrobial functionality of L. plantarum, covering its taxonomic classification, genomic features, and the diverse array of antimicrobial metabolites it produces, including bacteriocins, organic acids, hydrogen peroxide, lysozyme, siderophores, and short‑chain fatty acids (SCFAs). The mechanisms of action of these compounds, strain‑specific variability in antimicrobial efficacy, the role of biofilm formation, and synergistic interactions among different metabolites are discussed in detail. Key application domains, such as food preservation, medical therapy, and agricultural biocontrol, are critically evaluated. The primary objective of this review is to systematically consolidate current knowledge, identify core scientific questions and technical bottlenecks, and provide a theoretical foundation for the development of safe and effective natural antimicrobial agents based on L. plantarum. Furthermore, the review outlines strategies to bridge the gap between laboratory research and industrial implementation, thereby facilitating the translation of this probiotic into practical applications. Keywords: bacteriocins, natural alternatives, probiotics, strain-specific efficacy, synergistic inhibition Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 237-259 Volume: 71 Issue: 6 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/44/2026-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/44/2026-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/44/2026-CJAS.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-202606-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:71:y:2026:i:6:id:44-2026-CJAS Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Vlastimil Šimek Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Breeding, Animal Nutrition and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Radka Dobšíková Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Breeding, Animal Nutrition and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Martina Kosťuková Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Breeding, Animal Nutrition and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Lenka Rozsypalová Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Breeding, Animal Nutrition and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: František Ježek Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Origin Food and Gastronomy Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Josef Kameník Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Origin Food and Gastronomy Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: David Zapletal Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Breeding, Animal Nutrition and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic Title: Effects of dietary inclusion of condensed tannins from Schinopsis lorentzii and age on the physicochemical properties, and the content of minerals and amino acids content of meat in Eimeria-challenged broilers Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the dietary effect of condensed tannins (CT) from red quebracho (Schinopsis lorentzii) and broiler age on the physicochemical properties, mineral composition, and amino acid content in the meat of broilers challenged with Eimeria spp. Broilers were randomly assigned to four dietary groups: CT1 and CT2 received 10 and 20 g CT/kg, respectively; the control (C) group received a basal diet; and the R group received a basal diet with a coccidiostat. Meat quality indicators were assessed at 35 and 42 days of age. Supplementation with the higher CT level (2%) reduced carcass weight, particularly at 42 days (P < 0.05), and affected physical meat quality indicators, including cooking loss, pH, and shear force, although the relationships among individual indicators were not fully consistent. Broiler age significantly influenced most of the physical traits, with older birds showing higher cooking loss and shear force in breast meat and altered meat colour (P < 0.05). Both CT and age modified mineral composition, with significant differences in macro- and microelements depending on muscle type and fattening duration (P < 0.05; P < 0.01). CT supplementation consistently increased total essential (EAA) and non-essential amino acids (NEAA) in leg meat (P < 0.05), whereas in breast meat, a significant effect was observed only for NEAA in the CT1 group at 42 days of age. Extending fattening from 35 to 42 days did not affect total EAA or NEAA in either muscle (P > 0.05), although minor age-related differences were detected for several individual amino acids (P < 0.05; P < 0.01). Overall, dietary CT supplementation and broiler age significantly influenced meat quality, including mineral content, amino acid composition, and functional physical properties. Keywords: breast meat, chicken, coccidiosis, leg meat, red quebracho, tannin Journal: Czech Journal of Animal Science Pages: 281-297 Volume: 71 Issue: 6 Year: 2026 DOI: 10.17221/64/2026-CJAS File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/64/2026-CJAS.html File-Format: text/html File-URL: http://cjas.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/64/2026-CJAS.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/cjs-202606-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlcjs:v:71:y:2026:i:6:id:64-2026-CJAS