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An 11-month old, Piedmontese bullock was admitted to the Department of Veterinary Science, University of Turin, for urolithiasis and suspected uroperitoneum owing to urinary bladder rupture. A first episode of uroperitoneum had been treated surgically one week previously. On admission, the animal underwent physical and haematological examination, followed by transabdominal ultrasonography and biochemical screening. Clinical and laboratory findings confirmed the recurrence of uroperitoneum, possibly secondary to the previously failed surgical approach. During surgery, urine leakage from the previously treated tear was clearly visible, together with a large necrotic area surrounding the tear. To close the defect, we created a peritoneal flap. For tissue approximation we used a continuous barbed suture material, which obviated the need for knots to secure the leading and terminal ends of the suture. Postoperative monitoring included transabdominal ultrasonography and biochemical profile tests, performed at 10 and 30 days after surgery. Two months after discharge, a telephone follow-up confirmed the positive outcome of the procedure. The creation of a peritoneal flap allows for effective sealing of a bladder tear with necrotic edges. The use of barbed suture greatly simplifies the entire procedure.

The study reports the results of a comprehensive clinical evaluation of 18 racehorses with a history of inadequate athletic performance. The poor performance evaluation included general physical examination and laboratory screening, respiratory examination including upper airway endoscopy at rest and during maximal treadmill exercise, cardiac examination, post-exercise serum biochemistry and bronchoalveolar lavage cytology. A definitive diagnosis was established in 15 horses (83.3%). The most frequent findings were upper respiratory tract disorders, with dorsal displacement of the soft palate being most often diagnosed (eight horses) followed by axial deviation of the aryepiglottic folds (two horses) and recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (two horses). Inflammatory airway disease was diagnosed in two horses and exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage in one horse. Subclinical myopathy was detected in two horses. Ten horses (55.6%) had multiple concomitant problems that may have contributed to their inadequate athletic performance; therefore, a comprehensive approach is required to diagnose the cause of decreased athletic capability.

The aim of this study was to use high throughput sequencing of piglet faeces to investigate if the favourable effects of sodium humate (HNa) and zinc oxide (ZnO) in post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD) treatment are related to changes in the faecal microbiota. Twenty four piglets weaned at 28 days of age were divided into three groups with eight animals per pen: a control group without any treatment (Control), a group treated with 2500 mg ZnO (ZnO), and a group treated with 20 g sodium humate and 1700 mg ZnO (HNa + ZnO) per kg of diet. Piglets of all three groups were challenged with two enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains (ETEC/O149/F4/LT and ETEC/O147/F18/LT) on Day 4 post-weaning. As a result very intense and severe diarrhoea with high mortality developed in the ETEC-infected control group, while the ZnO and HNa + ZnO dietary treatments both protected piglets from clinical signs of diarrhoea, mortality and depression of growth performance. A higher relative abundance of Gammaproteobacteria represented mainly by genus Escherichia on Day 10 post-weaning in faeces of the ETEC-infected control group in comparison with ZnO and HNa + ZnO was detected. On Day 21, the highest relative increase of beneficial lactobacilli was observed in the HNa + ZnO group. Correlation analysis showed a positive correlation of the ETEC-infected control with the genera Turicibacter, Clostridium, Campylobacter, Dehalobacterium, Desulfuvibrio, Paludibacter and a negative correlation with the genera Prevotella, Blautia, Faecalibacterium, Lactobacillus, and Coprococcus. The opposite correlations with these genera were observed in the supplemented groups, especially in the HNa + ZnO group. The results indicate that dietary supplementation with HNa and ZnO affects the microbial composition of faeces while maintaining good health condition and growth performance of ETEC-infected weaned pigs.

Due to the absence of literature on the brachial plexus in the Spix's yellow-toothed cavy, this study was conducted to examine the origin and neural distribution of this rodent's brachial plexus. Ten adult animals obtained from previous experiments were thawed, fixed in 10% formalin solution for 72 h and then dissected. Cotton blocks soaked in 2% hydrogen peroxide were placed on the ventral roots of the plexus. Photographs of the most representative specimens were taken and schematic sketches were prepared to illustrate the results. The Spix's yellow-toothed cavy's brachial plexus primarily originated from the ventral roots of the sixth (C₆), seventh (C₇) and eighth (C₈) cervical nerves and from the first two thoracic nerves (T₁, T₂), and less frequently from C₆-T₁ or C₆-T₃. The peripheral nerve trunks of the Spix's yellow-toothed cavy's brachial plexus are the following: suprascapularis (C₆-C₇), axillaris (C₆-C₇), subscapulares (C₆-C₇), cranial pectoral (C₆-C₇), musculocutaneous (C₇-C₈), radialis (C₇-T₂), medianus (C₇-T₂), ulnaris (C₇-T₂), pectorales caudales (C₇-C₈), thoracicus longus (C₇-C₈), thoracicus lateralis (C₇-T₂) and thoracodorsalis (C₇-T₂).

The purpose of the current study was to develop a new tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) technique, by replacing the original titanium cage with a Ricinus communis polyurethane resin-made wedge polymer. The implants were manufactured using the same size and angles of the original titanium cages, though larger distally. The modified TTA technique (TTAm) was performed in 42 knees of 35 dogs diagnosed with rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament (RCCL). Animals were submitted to radiographic and gait assessments preoperatively, early postoperatively and following 30, 60, 90 and 120 days. All animals exhibited good clinical outcome. There were no cases of impaired healing or bone resorption until 120 days postoperatively and there was no patient with patellar distress after TTAm. Scores of gait evaluation revealed differences between time points. There were also differences between the evaluations of control and pre- and post-operative times. However, there was no difference among the assessment of 30 days and the following time points. The use of the polyurethane polymer for TTAm was advantageous, not only due to biocompatibility and osseointegration, but also for providing easy handling; it can be moulded intra-operatively if necessary. Moreover, it allows precise adaptation to the osteotomy site, as opposed to the original TTA metallic implants, which cannot be moulded. It is suggested that incision lengths for TTAm are slightly shorter than those required for the conventional TTA as this requires the distal fixation of the plate at the beginning of the middle third of the body of the tibia. The TTAm does not require the use of fixation plates and it is performed only at the cranial aspect of the tibia. The method of attachment of the tibial tuberosity in the craniocaudal direction was effective. The setting associated with the use of the polyurethane polymer allowed simplification of the technique for easier implementation, and the amount of implant material required to perform TTAm was reduced in comparison to the conventional TTA. This technique can be used for treating the knees of dogs with RCCL, and provides for easy execution, less invasiveness to the tissues of the knee joint and more versatility in comparison to conventional TTA.

Acute kidney injury is characterised by a sudden injury to the renal parenchyma and causes defects in its excretory, metabolic and endocrine function. Dialysis therapy has been instituted in small animal clinics with the aim of removing the metabolic waste and correcting the electrolyte disturbances stemming from renal dysfunction. Peritoneal dialysis is a therapy based on the use of the peritoneum as a semipermeable membrane through which solutes and fluids are exchanged between blood from the peritoneal capillaries and the dialysis solution. This report describes a case of acute kidney injury stemming from drug therapy in a 13-year-old female mongrel canine. The patient exhibited anorexia, emesis, prostration and anuria and had a history of prolonged treatment with meloxicam. The patient also presented with azotaemia and metabolic acidosis. When anuria continued to persist after drug therapy (volume restoration, chemical and osmotic diuresis and renal vasodilation), peritoneal dialysis was instituted. Three cycles of peritoneal dialysis were performed; during the second cycle, the patient's anuria was reversed, and at the end of the third cycle she showed a significant reduction in azotaemia, hyperkalaemia and an improved metabolic acidosis. Therefore, peritoneal dialysis showed satisfactory clinical results and reversed anuria, reduced azotaemia and electrolyte disturbances, thereby providing clinical improvement.

A 12-year-old intact female poodle was presented with a history of an acute episode of tenesmus and passage of ribbon-shaped stools. Anaemia, leucocytosis, hypoalbuminaemia, hyperglycaemia, and elevated ALP were found. Faecal floatation and wet mount preparation were negative for parasites. Anaerobic faecal culture resulted in a heavy growth of Clostridium. Survey abdominal radiographs revealed extensive intramural emphysema of colon and rectum. Ultrasonography of the abdomen revealed bright echoes within the layers of the colon wall, confirming the accumulation of intramural gas. Abdominal computed tomography revealed extraluminal gas tracking along the colon and the rectum. Based on the radiographic, ultrasonographic, and computed tomographic findings, the present case was diagnosed as pneumatosis coli with an underlying cause of bacterial overgrowth. The patient was treated with antibiotics for seventeen days. Clinical signs were resolved after three days of treatment. Decreased intramural gas accumulation was evident during radiography of the abdomen performed at fourteen days after the initial evaluation. Therefore, pneumatosis coli should be considered when a dog is presented with clinical signs of colitis.

This case report aims to clinically and radiologically describe a case of feline pectus excavatum and to evaluate the treatment results. An 8-month-old female cat weighing 3.2 kg was presented to the Surgery Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Adnan Menderes University with respiratory distress. Following radiographic and clinical examinations, the condition was diagnosed as pectus excavatum. Surgical correction was performed using a U-shaped external splint. Post-operative thoracic radiography showed that the concavity of the sternum was reduced. The splint was removed five weeks post-surgery. Two months after surgery, the cat was clinically normal.

This study was conducted to evaluate the occurrence of the genus Arcobacter in cats and dogs in the Czech Republic. These animals may be carriers of the bacteria and potential sources of human infection. Oral smears were collected from animals using smear swabs and brushes. Based on previous studies, commercially available DNA kits were used for DNA isolation. Samples were analysed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and evaluated using gel electrophoresis. Overall, 178 oral smears were tested, of which 108 were from dogs and 70 were from cats. Out of all smears, five were positive, of which four samples were from dogs and one from a cat. In all five positive cases, PCR confirmed the presence of Arcobacter butzleri. In follow-up sampling, the presence of Arcobacter butzleri was demonstrated in two samples from a dog.

This paper describes clinical experiences with the use of shape memory nickel-titanium (NiTi) clips in gastrointestinal surgery in dogs. Side-to-side small bowel anastomosis was performed in eight dogs where intestinal continuity had to be restored after bowel resection. Billroth's operation I was performed in one case. Compression anastomosis clips with two-way shape memory were used in all surgical procedures. Intestinal and gastrointestinal anastomoses involving shape memory clips were effective in all patients. Anastomotic leaks were not observed, and all clips were expelled 5-7 days after surgery. The outcomes of surgical procedures performed on canine patients with the use of shape memory NiTi clips indicate that sutureless compression anastomosis is a safe, effective and simple method of restoring gastrointestinal continuity, which can be widely applied in veterinary practice.

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in coagulation tests, haptoglobin concentrations and leukocyte counts in rabbits with right-ventricle pacing medicated with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Blood was collected from 35 non-anaesthetised males from the jugular vein at baseline, one and two months after pacemaker implantation. Animals were divided into two groups: non-medicated and medicated with ASA. Total leukocyte and platelet counts were measured on an automatic veterinary flow cytometry haematological analyser. Prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen levels and D-dimers were determined from citrated blood. We found significantly elevated activated partial thromboplastin times and prothrombin times in ASA in comparison to the control group, but not within the ASA group over time. We also observed a decrease in platelet counts in the control group over time, but not in comparison to the ASA group. No significant changes in total leukocyte counts and haptoglobin concentrations were detected. Medication with ASA may alter coagulation profiles in rabbits with permanent transvenous pacing.

Cutaneous leiomyosarcoma with osteoid metaplasia was diagnosed at the base of the right wing in a five-year-old female budgerigar. Grossly, the tumour mass was well circumscribed and solitary, and had a nodular appearance on section. On histological examination, the mass was composed of randomly arranged bundles of spindle-shaped cells that included mitotic, multi-nucleated and bizarre cells. In addition, within and between tumour areas, there were osteoid metaplasia foci. The bony trabeculae were usually localised in the areas around the haemorrhage, and exhibited focal mineralisation. Tumour cells were stained red using Masson's trichrome staining method. In addition, tumour cells were intensively positive for smooth muscle actin and focally positive for desmin and vimentin, but were negative for CD68 and S100 by immunohistochemical staining. The tumour reported here was defined as a cutaneous leiomyosarcoma with osteoid metaplasia by histopathological and immunohistochemical findings. Our findings may indicate that osteoid metaplasia should be considered in leiomyosarcoma in budgerigars.

The aim of the present study was to investigate qualitative and quantitative properties of wings, offal (liver, heart and gizzard) and necks of chickens from organic and conventional production systems, currently available on the market for Czech consumers. Production properties (yield and weight), surface colour (lightness, redness, yellowness) and chemical indicators (dry matter, total protein, net protein, collagen, hydroxyproline, fat, ash and phosphorus) were evaluated in fresh chicken broilers. Conventionally produced chickens had higher carcass yields but higher wing yields and weights were observed in organic broilers. The skin, bones, tip (left wings) and the meat with skin (right wings) of organic broilers were heavier (P < 0.05) than those of conventional chickens. The dry matter and total protein content of deboned organic broiler wings (meat with skin) was greater (P < 0.01) than those of conventional wings. Similarly as for yields, the offal (heart, gizzard) and necks of organic chickens had significantly (P < 0.01) higher weights in comparison with conventional chickens. Colour indicators showed that the external surface of the livers, necks and gizzards (muscle) from organic chickens were darker (lightness; P < 0.01). Total protein content in livers, hearts and necks of organic chickens was greater; fat content in the livers and necks of organic broilers was also higher (P < 0.05) than those of conventional broilers. The ash and phosphorus in the necks of conventional broilers was higher (P < 0.05) than in organic chickens. This study indicates that the quantity and quality of offal and neck from organic broilers are slightly superior compared to conventional chickens.

Farmer differentiation has important implications for the efficiency of farmland use. Applying the model of DEA and Tobit, using the household survey data, this paper investigates the effects of the farmer stratum differentiation on the efficiency of farmland use. The empirical results showed that the type of farmer differentiation was positive and statistically significant at 5% level. The regression coefficient is 0.295; this result implies that if this variable improves one percentage, the efficiency of farmland use will increase by 29.5%. The farmer horizontal differentiation and farmer vertical differentiation pass the significance test at the 1% and 5% level, respectively. This indicates that they all have a significant positive impact on the farmland use efficiency. We conclude that corresponding measures should be implemented to further facilitate the farmer differentiation. Another implication of our results is that the policies matched with the farmer differentiation and transfer should be gradually perfected, and then they will provide a better environment of the society and economy for free migration of farmers.

The results of nutritional research on fatty acids have led to the recommendation that the level of trans-fatty acids in foods (the products of partial hydrogenation of oils) should be reduced as far as possible. Palm oil and palm kernel oil are readily available and economical sources of solid fat. Formulae using oils to make fats for the main types of food products are reviewed.

In total 228 enterococci strains isolated from food were studied. Enterococcus faecalis, E. faecium, and E. casseliflavus were found to be the dominant strains while E. durans and E. mundtii were present in a smaller extent. Antimicrobial activity determined by double layer technique revealed that 150 (65.7%) strains showed antimicrobial activity against the individual tested pathogenic strains of Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and methicilin resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Cell-free neutralised supernatants (CFNS) were prepared from 150 potential bacteriocin producers. Of these 150, CFNS 107 (71.3%) strains were active in the bacteriocin production against one or more pathogenic strains tested. S. aureus and MRSA were found to be more sensitive to the antimicrobial substances than L. monocytogenes. Multiplex PCR for the detection of seven virulence genes in bacteriocin producing strains showed that 47.6% of strains were able to amplify one or more virulence genes. E. faecalis was the most virulent species. The presence of tyrdc gene was seen in all bacteriocin producing strains. None of the strains carried genes encoding the resistance to vancomycin.

The soy sauce samples established a model for its flavour quality evaluation. Initially, 39 types of flavour compounds, organic acids and free amino acids in six different types of soy sauce were identified and determined by HS-SPME GC/MS and HPLC. The model was developed based on the principal component analysis method for assessing and ranking of flavour quality of soy sauce. Using the principal component analysis which simplifies complex information, our correlative evaluation model was established, tested by comparing the traditional sensory evaluation method, providing a new methodology for objective evaluation of the flavour quality of soy sauce.

The antioxidant potential of a leaf extract of Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae) - LEMO was studied for the stabilisation of butter at refrigeration temperature. LEMO was obtained by extracting the ground and dried leaves with 80% ethanol at room temperature for 48 hours. LEMO was added into butter at three different concentrations, i.e. 400 ppm (T₁), 600 ppm (T₂), and 800 ppm (T₃) and compared with a treatment which was not supplemented with LEMO, i.e. control (T₀). The addition of LEMO at all three levels did not have any effect on butter composition. Free fatty acids, peroxide value and p-anisidine value (AnV) of T₂ after 90 days of storage were 0.10%, 0.71 meq/kg and 14.85 as compared to the control 0.16%, 1.24 meq/kg and 28.85, respectively. Peroxide value of the control and T₂ in Schaal oven test after 5 days in oven was 8.19 and 2.99 meq/kg, respectively. Induction period and overall acceptability score of the control and T₂ were 6.35 h, 8.91 h and 7.6, 7.2, respectively. The results of this study suggest that LEMO at 600 ppm may be used for reasonable storage stability of butter at refrigeration temperate with acceptable sensory characteristics.

Pistachios from Italy and Turkey were stored at different temperatures (10, 20, and 30°C) and the moisture of the pistachios, the free fatty acids (FFA) content, the peroxide value, and triacylglycerols (TGs) composition of the extracted oils were evaluated. The content of FFA decreased during storage at 10°C and increased at 20 and 30°C. No differences between the peroxide values were found during storage at 10°C. A significant increase in the peroxide values was observed after 20 days at 20°C and 5 days at 30°C in both the Italian and Turkish samples. The main TGs found in the pistachio oil of both origins were OLO, OLL, OLP, LLL, LLP, OOP, OLLn, and OOO; these accounted for approximately 85% of the total TGs content. A decrease was observed in the amounts of TGs esterified with polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as LLP, OLP, LLL and OLL, and an increase of the relative amounts of TGs with monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids, such as OOO and OOP, with the increasing storage time and temperatures in both samples.

We evaluated the effect of three different cooking methods on antioxidant content and radical scavenging activity of sweet corn. Both fresh and frozen sweet corn kernels were boiled, microwaved, and stir-fried for 1, 3, and 5 min, respectively, then total phenolic (TP) and total carotenoid (TC) contents were determined by spectrophotometric methods. The free radical scavenging activity of the samples was determined using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The results showed that there was a significant increase in TP (1.2-1.9 times) and TC (1.1 to 1.8 times) content of fresh sweet corn after each cooking session for 1, 3, and 5 min, the same treatment of frozen corn resulted in 47-80% losses of TP and 10 to 39% losses of TC content. The free radical scavenging activity (RSA) exhibited by cooked fresh and frozen sweet corns was found to be different, neither of them was very high, in the range of 70.2-78.6%, and the fresh cooked ones had higher values of RSA.

White clover (Trifolium repens L.) is an essential element of sustainable livestock systems in temperate climates because of its adaptability to a range of management and soil fertility conditions. The performance of 15 accessions of white clover collected in northern Spain, and of two cultivars, the medium-leaved Huia and the large-leaved California, grown as spaced plants in Galicia, and in sward plots in Asturias was compared over a period of two years. The data obtained were reduced to two principal components that cumulatively explained 92.4% of the total variance. Cluster analysis identified three groups of accessions that described 71% of the phenotypic variation among accessions. One group of five accessions collected from upland sites was characterized by low dry matter yield, low height, reduced plant spread, short petioles, small leaves and thin stolons. This group can be defined as small-leaved and of interest for gardening. Another group, composed only by the cv. California and the cv. Huia, was characterized by high plant spread and height, long wide leaves and thick petioles and stolons; dry matter yields were similar to those of the first group. The last group, which includes ten accessions collected from low and medium altitude sites, had the highest dry matter yields and intermediate morphological character between the previous groups. This group can be defined as medium-leaved and of interest for grazing and/or cutting.

Copy numbers were evaluated by real-time quantitative PCR, and 149 junctions of T-DNA were isolated by thermal asymmetric interlaced PCR from 92 independent transgenic cotton lines transformed by Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404. Real-time quantitative PCR results showed that 46% had integration of one or two T-DNA copies, 54% had three or more copies. Among 63 amplified products at LB junctions, 51% showed co-transformation of the vector backbone, 30% retained a portion of LB ranging from 3 to 23 bp, and 19% showed deletions ranging from 1 to 148 bp from the LB inner end. In contrast, all of the cleavage sites were located in the inner region of RB. The distribution of T-DNA insertions in upland cotton genome included coding sequences, transposons, plastid-derived sequences and microsatellites.

A two-factorial experiment was carried out on 6 groups (10 animals each) of Polish Black and White Holstein-Friesian cows in the transition period to determine the effect of glucogenic additive (GA) to the diets containing grains of varied ruminal starch degradation on cow performance. The animals from 3 control groups (C-groups) were fed the diets without any additive, whereas 3 other, experimental ones (A-groups) received the diets with additive of glucogenic preparation (450 g per head/day) comprising calcium propionate and loose propylene glycol (1 : 1). In the control groups as well as in the experimental ones, three analogical treatments, differing in concentrate composed of grain species of varying ruminal degradability of starch, i.e. maize (M) - low ruminal degradability, barley and wheat (BW) - high ruminal degradability and marriage of them (MBW) were conducted. Finally, the treatments were: C-M, C-BW, C-MBW, A-M, A-BW, and A-MBW. The rations of all groups based on maize silage, haylage, and meadow hay were mixed at 69 : 19 : 12 ratio (dry matter (DM) basis) and given ad libitum. Besides, all the animals received adequate concentrate rations to satisfy their nutritional requirements. The experiment started two weeks before the expected parturition and lasted till the 6^th lactation week. Neither GA nor a type of grain in the diets showed significant negative influence on DM intake. A glucogenic additive has positively affected some basal nutrient digestibility, elevating significantly DM and crude protein (CP) coefficients of the apparent total tract digestibility (CATTD), by about 3 percentage points. The GA × grain interactions (P ≤ 0.05) in CATTD of CP and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) were stated, with the peak values reported in the A-BW treatment. GA increased (P ≤ 0.05) daily milk yield by nearly 5% in comparison with the control treatments. GA × grain interaction was noted with the best effect in the treatment where GA was given along with maize-barley-wheat-based concentrate. Besides, the glucogenic additive decreased (P ≤ 0.05) protein (PDI) expenditure per 1 kg of fat-corrected milk (FCM) by ca. 6% and raised (by 0.15 percentage point in week 6) protein content, while lowered the urea milk level in weeks 3 and 6 of lactation by approximately 15%. It showed beneficial effect on cow reproductive indicators reducing the time interval from calving to successful insemination and improving insemination index.

The aim of this study was to estimate potential relationships between insulin-like growth factor I gene polymorphisms (IGF1/TasI and IGF1/SnaBI) and the growth parameters of calves as well as their subsequent milk performance. The study involved a total of 191 Polish Holstein-Friesian var. Black-and-White calves. Both polymorphic sites were determined with Amplification Created Restriction Sites-Polymerase Chain Reaction (ACRS-PCR). In the case of the IGF1/SnaBI polymorphism, the genotype and allele frequencies were as follows: TT - 0.27, CT - 0.55, CC - 0.18, T - 0.54, and C - 0.46. The CC genotype was favourable and associated with higher body weight at the 2^nd month of age of calves (WT60) and their daily body weight gains from the 1^st to the 2^nd month (P ≤ 0.05) as well as subsequent milk, fat, and protein yield (P ≤ 0.01). For the IGF1/TasI polymorphism, the highest frequency of the AA genotype (0.69) was found. Allele frequencies were 0.75 and 0.25 for the A and C alleles, respectively. In the association study, the AC genotype was significantly associated with higher WT60 and average daily gains in the periods from the 2^nd to the 3^rd month of age and for the whole rearing period (P ≤ 0.05) as well as subsequent milk, fat, and protein yield (P ≤ 0.01). Combined genotypes were also included into the analysis. The highest yields of milk as well as fat and protein were found in cows with the CC/AA combination. No clear relationships between body weight and genotype combination were found.

Genetic variation in the Czech Hucul horse population was analyzed using a sequence analysis of the D-loop region of mitochondrial DNA. One hundred and sixty-five Hucul horses were tested. Sequencing of the 700-base pairs fragment of the mitochondrial DNA D-loop region revealed 38 mutation sites representing 14 haplotypes, which were clustered into six haplogroups. The genetic information obtained from the mitochondrial DNA typing is of utmost importance for the future breed-conservation strategies.

Considering the advent of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a new source of somatic cells in embryo co-culture system, the current study was aimed to compare in vitro embryo development using embryonic MSCs monolayer with embryonic fibroblast cells (EFCs), oviductal epithelial cells (OECs), and cell-free culture system. The IVM/IVF presumptive sheep zygotes were randomly cultured in different culture conditions as follows: (1) SOFaaBSA medium for the whole culture period (SOF, n = 371), (2) SOFaaBSA medium for the first 3 days followed by co-culturing with MSCs for the next 5 days (SOF-MSCs, n = 120), (3) co-culturing with MSCs for the first 3 days followed by culture in SOFaaBSA medium for the next 5 days (MSCs-SOF, n = 133), (4) co-culturing with MSCs for the whole culture period (MSCs, n = 212), (5) SOFaaBSA medium for the first 3 days followed by co-culturing with EFCs for the next 5 days (SOF-EFCs, n = 132), (6) co-culturing with EFCs for the first 3 days followed by culture in SOFaaBSA medium for the next 5 days (EFCs-SOF, n = 165), (7) co-culturing with EFCs for the whole culture period (EFCs, n = 236), and (8) co-culturing with OECs for the whole culture period (OECs, n = 255). One-Way ANOVA by multiple pairwise comparisons using Tukey's test was performed. Co-culturing in MSCs group had no superiority over EFCs and OECs groups. Though, when co-culturing with MSCs and EFCs was limited to the first 3 days of culture, the embryo development indices were improved compared to the other co-cultured groups. Considering both the hatching rate and total cell number, the application of MSCs for the first 3 days of culture (MSCs-SOF) was superior to the other co-culture and SOF groups.

Degradation of proteins during maturation of meat, mediated by the calpain/calpastatin system and the ubiquitination system, largely affects the tenderness and the water holding capacity (WHC) of meat. The thyroid hormone receptor interacting protein 12 (TRIP12) is known as a HECT domain-containing E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase that recognizes protein substrates for ubiquitination. This study aims to identify polymorphisms of the TRIP12 gene and to evaluate the relationship between genotype, transcript abundance, and meat quality traits in pigs. Two synonymous SNPs (XM_003484315.1:c.2211T>C, c.4957A>C) were identified that segregated among animals of herds of the breed German Landrace (DL, n = 269) and the commercial crossbreed of Pietrain × (German Large White × German Landrace) (PiF1, n = 300). Statistical analysis revealed associations between TRIP12 polymorphisms and the organismal traits related to water holding capacity, i.e. conductivity 45 min postmortem (CON₁, P < 0.1) and pH 24 h postmortem (pH₂₄, P < 0.1). Haplotype analysis revealed consistent effects on muscle CON₁ in the two populations (P < 0.1). Carriers of the minor alleles C at the two polymorphic sites tended to have higher transcript abundance as well as higher water holding capacity. The integrated analysis of genotypic and haplotypic variation, transcript abundance, and technological parameters of WHC indicates that the XM_003484315.1:c.2211T>C and c.4957A>C of TRIP12 are in linkage disequilibrium with a causal factor located in a cis-regulatory region, which affects in the first instance gene expression and in the second traits related to water holding capacity. Our results provide statistical-genetical evidence supporting TRIP12 as a functional candidate gene for water holding capacity of porcine M. longissimus dorsi.

Oocyte ageing is a complex of processes that occur when matured in vitro oocytes are, after reaching the metaphase II stage, exposed to further in vitro culture. Aged oocytes remaining at the metaphase II stage undergo spontaneous parthenogenetic activation, or cellular death, through apoptosis (fragmentation) or lysis. The key factor in apoptotic pathway regulation is c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), stress kinase from the mitogene-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family. To investigate the effect of JNK inhibition on porcine oocytes ageing, cleavage rate, and embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation, DNA fragmentation, and pro-apoptotic factor Bax expression, we cultured in vitro matured oocytes for another 1-4 days in the presence of a JNK inhibitor. The inhibition of JNK significantly protected the oocytes from fragmentation (0% of fragmented oocytes under JNK inhibition vs. 13.4% of fragmented oocytes in the control group, 2^nd day of ageing) and increased the percentage of parthenogenetically activated oocytes (82 vs 57.7%, 2^nd day of ageing). The embryonic development of oocytes parthenogenetically activated after 24 h of ageing was influenced by JNK inhibition as well. The percentage of oocytes at the morula stage, after seven days of cultivation, was significantly increased when oocytes aged in the presence of a JNK inhibitor (42.5%) by comparison to the percentage of oocytes exposed to ageing in an inhibitor-free medium (23.3%). DNA fragmentation was significantly suppressed by JNK inhibition from the 1^st day of ageing, but the expression of pro-apoptotic factor Bax in the oocytes was not influenced. On the basis of our experiments, we can conclude that JNK inhibition suppresses apoptosis and DNA fragmentation of aged oocytes and improves their embryonic development following the parthenogenetic activation. However, to completely eliminate all ageing related processes is insufficient.

The paper presents results of an assessment of needle age classes in Scots pine partial populations in the period of three and five years after outplanting in a lowland site in relation to conditions created by climatic elements. The method is based on Skuhravý's (1987) description when the state of needle age classes of the third whorl (from the apex) is evaluated just once. Five-year summary of meteorological data was assessed according to the criteria of determination of periods of heat waves and dry spells. Differences in numbers of living needle age classes in the groups of Scots pine populations in the period of three and five years after their outplanting in permanent lowland sites proved the highest total number of living needle classes in the group of local lowland populations. On the contrary, the lowest total number of living needle classes was found out in the group of mountain populations. Critical climatic periods are overlaps of heat waves and dry spells that illustrate the complexity of moisture and temperature conditions of lowland sites. Although the Scots pine is a xerophytic species, it responded to the cumulation of adverse factors by accelerated needle senescence. Its physiological response to heat and dry stress consists in needle shedding, i.e. reduction in the assimilating area. As mountain populations are not usually exposed to heat waves, the impact of this phenomenon on them was the highest. On the other hand, the local (lowland) populations carrying information on the patterns of local climate from the reproduction period do not undergo any marked reduction in needle age classes.

The organic matter produced and accumulated by plants is a crucial component in the ecosystems on environmentally disturbed sites. The aim of our study was to evaluate the influence of initial fertilising on the aboveground and belowground tree biomass of Norway spruce. The biomass amount, distribution and chemical composition were studied in a young spruce stand growing on an acidified mountain clear-cut tract. The fertilised trees accumulated a higher amount of tree biomass. They nonetheless showed lower concentrations of P, N, and K in some root compartments than control trees, which could be ascribed to a dilution effect. As for the aboveground compartments, no significant differences in element concentrations were proved.