Czech Journal of Animal Science, 2014 (vol. 59), issue 7
Identification of SNPs in ME1 gene and association analysis with meat quality traits in Chinese Red cattleOriginal Paper
G.L. Zhou, Y. Cao, H.G. Jin
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2014, 59(7):297-301 | DOI: 10.17221/7526-CJAS 
The objective of this study was to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in coding regions of bovine ME1 gene and to evaluate if the polymorphisms are associated with meat quality traits in Chinese Red cattle. Four SNPs were identified: NW_001495544:g.1721768G>A in exon 2, g.1653796T>A in exon 4, g.1649532G>A in exon 5, and g.1546272T>C in exon 12 and they were genotyped by applying the PCR-RFLP method. Statistical analysis showed that two SNPs, g.1649532G>A and g.1546272T>C, were significantly associated with cooking loss and pH24h (P < 0.05). But no statistically significant differences...
Comparison of models for estimating genetic parameters and predicting breeding values for birth weight and calving ease in Czech Charolais cattleOriginal Paper
L. Vostrý, Z. Veselá, A. Svitáková, H. Vostrá vydrová
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2014, 59(7):302-309 | DOI: 10.17221/7529-CJAS
The most appropriate model for genetic parameters estimation for calving ease and birth weight in beef cattle was selected. A total of 27 402 field records were available from the Czech Charolais breed. For estimation of genetic parameters for calving ease and body weight, three bivariate models were tested: a linear-linear animal model (L-LM) with calving ease classified into four categories (1 - easy; 2-4 - most difficult), a linear-linear animal model (SC-LM) in which calving ease scores were transformed into Snell scores (Snell 1964) and expressed as percentage of assisted calving (ranging 0-100%), and a bivariate threshold-linear animal model...
Chemical induction of haploid gynogenesis in sterlet Acipenser ruthenus Original Paper
I. Lebeda, I. Gazo, M. Flajshans
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2014, 59(7):310-326 | DOI: 10.17221/7530-CJAS
Chromosomal manipulations in sturgeons, particularly gynogenesis, are interesting due to the potential to change female ratio in progeny that can be useful for caviar production. The optimization of UV treatment for induction of gynogenesis is complicated due to high and variable optical density of the milt due to differential spermatozoa concentration, and because of sensitivity of spermatozoa's motility apparatus. Therefore in this study we compared chemical methods of sperm treatment as an alternative to short wave-length UV treatment; evaluation considers impact on spermatozoa motility, DNA integrity, and efficiency of DNA inactivation. Dimethyl...
Effect of housing system on reproductive results in ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus L.)Original Paper
H. Kontecka, S. Nowaczewski, S. Krystianiak, M. Szychowiak, K. Kupś
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2014, 59(7):319-326 | DOI: 10.17221/7533-CJAS
A comparative analysis of reproduction parameters and hatchability results of pheasants raised under two different housing systems (cages and aviaries) was performed. In the first system the pheasants were housed in 420 cages, 3780 from the total were females. In the second housing system, 3200 pheasant hens were placed in eight aviaries, where 50 cocks and 400 hens were kept in each. The following parameters were calculated: laying rate, the percentage of hatching, small and cracked eggs, hatchability from set and fertilized eggs, dead embryos up to day 8 of incubation and, finally, dead embryos after day 8 of incubation as well as unhatched, crippled,...
Inclusion of yeast-derived protein in weanling diet improves growth performance, intestinal health, and anti-oxidative capability of pigletsOriginal Paper
L. Hu, L. Che, G. Su, Y. Xuan, G. Luo, F. Han, Y. Wu, G. Tian, C. Wu, Z. Fang, Y. Lin, S. Xu, D. Wu
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2014, 59(7):327-336 | DOI: 10.17221/7531-CJAS
The effects of yeast-derived protein (YP) on growth performance, intestinal health, and oxidative status of weanling piglets were investigated. A total of 80 weaned piglets (PIC 327 × 1050, 26 ± 2 days old, 6.20 ± 0.10 kg) were randomly allocated into 2 groups, 5 pens per each group and 8 piglets per each pen, receiving control diet and diet with inclusion of 4% YP at the expenses of fish meal (YP diet) for a period of 28 days. The diets were formulated to contain similar nutrient levels. Compared with control, piglets fed YP diet had markedly higher overall average daily growth (+14%, P < 0.05) and lower final feed conversion...
The "female effect" positively affects the appetitive and consummatory sexual behaviour and testosterone concentrations of Alpine male goats under subtropical conditionsOriginal Paper
E. Carrillo, C.A. Meza-Herrera, A. Olán-Sánchez, P.A. Robles-Trillo, C. Leyva, J.R. Luna-Orozco, R. Rodríguez-Martínez, F.G. Véliz-Deras
Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2014, 59(7):337-343 | DOI: 10.17221/7532-CJAS
The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible action of the "female effect" by evaluating if exposure to estrogenized females would affect sexual behaviour and testosterone concentrations while affecting the length of the reproductive season of Alpine bucks in northern Mexico (26°N). In January, two experimental groups were formed: (i) treated males (MH; n = 8) kept in a pen aside to another pen with four estrogenized females during four weeks; pens were separated by a metal mesh, and (ii) control males (GC; n = 8) which had no contact with any female during the same period. At the end of the study, an appetitive...