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The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of diets containing different levels of dried tuber of Jerusalem artichoke, Helianthus tuberosus, on skatole levels in backfat and on the CYP2E1 mRNA expression in the liver of commercial crossbred pigs. A total of 23 uncastrated male pigs from 10 litters of a commercial crossbred population of Large White × (Landrace × Large White), were used in this study. Boars were randomly divided into four different dietary treatment groups – a control group (K1; 5 boars; without supplementation of Jerusalem artichoke) and three experimental groups (6 boars each) that were fed with the diet containing different levels of dried Jerusalem artichoke (K2 – 4.1%; K3 – 8.2%; K4 – 12.2%) for 14 days before slaughter. Significant effects of diet on skatole levels were observed between the control group and the experimental groups (P = 0.0078). The lowest level of skatole was in the K3 group with 8.2% of Jerusalem artichoke. As for CYP2E1, a negative correlation was observed between the levels of skatole and CYP2E1 mRNA expression. Significant effect (P = 0.0055) was found in all experimental groups compared to the K1 group, and most pronounced in the K2 and K3 groups. The supplementation with Jerusalem artichoke resulted in lower level of skatole and higher CYP2E1 mRNA expression. The results suggest that affecting the expression of CYP2E1 by feed supplements could be an option to effectively reduce the levels of skatole in adipose tissue of entire male pigs.

Reproductive performance of sows is the main factor influencing the profitability of piglet production, and simultaneously it is a basic indicator of farm management quality. The aim of this study was to compare reproductive performance of sows from intensive and extensive feeder pig operations and the costs on those farms. Evaluated were 42 sows from extensive pig farming and 464 sows from intensive pig farming. Lifelong performance was determined for all sows. The study's results show that sows from intensive pig farming achieved a mean 2.04 fewer lactations per lifetime and were culled earlier (P < 0.0001). The mean total number of live-born piglets was 11.59% lower among sows from intensive pig farming, but these sows achieved 23.35% (P < 0.0001) higher mean number of piglets per litter. Despite shorter mean productive life, sows from intensive pig farming were more profitable. Maximizing the reproductive potential of sows has positive effect on farm profitability, and simultaneously it has no negative effect on sows' reproductive performance.

The objectives of this investigation was to demonstrate that genotypes of calpastatin (CAST) Ser368Arg and ryadonide receptor 1 (RYR1) g.1843C>T may affect the carcass traits of pigs. Association analysis of the aforementioned SNPs was performed on 518 pigs included eight commercial crossbreeds and one pure pig breed. All pigs were slaughtered at average body weight of 113kg. Genotypes at the SNPs were determined by PCR-RFLP. There were found only two genotypes of RYR1 gene: CC (428 pigs) and CT (90 pigs) in this study. The effect of allele C compared to allele T on the higher fat content of pig carcass was confirmed. The allelic frequencies of allele 638Ser (C) and allele 638Arg (A) were 0.26 and 0.74, respectively. The significant association (P

Jerusalem artichoke contains inulin polysaccharide, which has prebiotic effects and influences the microbiota of the digestive tract. The addition of Jerusalem artichoke in boar diets may decrease the content of skatole and indole, which are the main constituents of boar taint, and may also negatively affect the taste and odor. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of Helianthus tuberosus L. (H. tuberosus) in feed mixtures on performance, carcass composition, the levels of microbiota in faecal samples, and the concentrations of skatole and indole in adipose tissue. The study was performed with 47 crossbred entire male pigs of the Large White sire &times, (Large White dame &times, Landrace) genotype fed a basal diet with 0%, 4.1%, 8.1% or 12.2% H. tuberosus for 13 days before slaughter. Significant differences in daily weight gain and daily feed intake were found (p = 0.045), with the values being lower in the group with the highest level of H. tuberosus. In addition, increasing levels of H. tuberosus decreased the concentration of skatole in the adipose tissue (p = 0.003). The highest level of H. tuberosus decreased the level of Escherichia coli (p &le, 0.001) in the faeces. The enterococcal count increased (p = 0.029) in groups with a diet that included 4.1% and 8.1% H. tuberosus. There was also a significant correlation between the concentration of H. tuberosus and the concentration of E. coli (p &lt, 0.001, &minus, 0.64) and the skatole levels in the adipose tissue (p = 0.001, &ndash, 0.46). Moreover, there was also a positive correlation between the concentration of E. coli and the skatole levels in the adipose tissue (p = 0.023, 0.33). In conclusion, feeding pigs with H. tuberosus leads to decreased levels of skatole in the adipose tissue. According to the results of our study, a diet with 8.1% H. tuberosus is sufficient for decreasing skatole levels, which could be due to the decreased levels of pathogenic bacteria in the intestines.

A partial cDNA (similar to 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.

The occurrence of boar taint in meat from uncastrated males may significantly affect the economics of pork production. The aim of this study was to analyse associations of four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the porcine CYP2E1 gene with skatole, indole, and androstenone levels in the Czech Large White-Czech Landrace commercial crossbreds. The SNPs were: g.2412C>T, c.1422C>T, c.1423G>A and c.*14G>T. Skatole, indole and androstenone levels were estimated by HPLC, and genotypes at the SNPs were determined by PCR-RFLP. SNPs c.1423G>A and c.*14G>T were in complete linkage disequilibrium. In boars, all SNPs were associated with the indole levels (P

The objectives of this investigation were to examine the impact of the dietary inclusion of rapeseed and soybean oil and the length of their feeding before slaughter on growth performance, quantitative and qualitative carcass traits, and fatty acid composition in longissimus lumborum muscle (LLM) of pigs. The experiment was conducted with 72 pigs (36 barrows and 36 gilts), divided into six oil-containing diet groups and one control group. Diets of the experimental groups were supplemented with 4% rapeseed (ROD) or soybean (SOD) oil for six, four, and two weeks before slaughter. Diet of the control group had no oil supplement. Animals were fed ad libitum and slaughtered at average body weight of 115.8 kg. The oil supplement and feeding duration had a significant effect on fatty acid composition in intramuscular fat of LLM. The diet with both rapeseed and soybean oil significantly increased the content of linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid (ALA) in intramuscular fat. Both types of oil significantly increased total PUFA, n-3 PUFA, and the PUFA:SFA ratio. The significant decrease of n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio was observed in groups fed rapeseed oil for four and six weeks. Dietary addition of oils did not have any significant effect on average daily gain, carcass traits, and physical characteristics of LLM of pigs. However, daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio were reduced in the groups with soybean oil supplement. The results show that rapeseed oil supplementation (two weeks before slaughter) has positive effect on n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio and increase of ALA without negative effect on meat and fat quality.

The detection and quantification of nematode eggs using fecal egg count techniques have an irreplaceable role in equine parasitic control. The reliability, particularly precision and accuracy, of individual techniques have been described only for strongylid infections. The aim of this study was to compare three fecal egg count techniques used for the detection of the two most common equine nematode infections: strongylid and ascarid. The Simple McMaster, Concentration McMaster and Mini-FLOTAC techniques were tested on spiked fecal samples with various levels of egg concentration (50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 3000 eggs per gram) and naturally infected mixed strongylid-ascarid samples with 30 replicates. The Simple McMaster, Concentration McMaster and Mini-FLOTAC techniques had precision coefficients of variation of 44.33, 35.64 and 18.25% for the strongylid infection and 62.95, 35.71 and 18.95% for the ascarid infection, and percent accuracies (mean count/number of eggs spiked) of 97.53, 88.39 and 74.18% for the strongylid infection and 65.53, 83.18 and 90.28% for the ascarid infection, respectively. Accuracy depended greatly on the type of nematode, but precision did not. The Mini-FLOTAC technique was more precise than the Simple and Concentration McMaster techniques regardless of nematode type. Simple McMaster was the most accurate technique for detecting strongylid eggs, and Mini-FLOTAC was the most accurate technique for detecting ascarid eggs. Our results indicated that none of the current techniques were universally and sufficiently reliable for the simultaneous quantification of both of these common equine nematodes.

The aim of the present study was to characterise and compare the muscle fibre traits of five muscles: longissimus lumborum (LL), semitendinosus (ST), biceps femoris (BF), semimembranosus (SM) and psoas major (PM) collected from four cattle breeds (Aberdeen Angus, AA; Gascon, GS; Holstein, HO; Fleckvieh, FL) differing in maturity type (early- and late-maturing) and production purpose (beef and dairy), but maintained under identical husbandry conditions. The relationships between histochemical characteristics and instrumental meat tenderness (Warner-Bratzler shear force) were evaluated. The most significant differences in muscle fibre traits were seen in the hindquarter muscles of Aberdeen Angus and Gascon cattle, with muscle location also having a large effect on tenderness. Under the identical husbandry practises used, the differences in muscle fibre composition were seemingly linked more so to muscle location and maturity type of the breed, rather than the production purpose of the breed. Based on their effects on high-value muscles in beef breeds, continuous evaluation of muscle fibre traits together with their association with various meat quality traits is required, as breeds progress genetically. However, various intrinsic and extrinsic factors, such as husbandry practises, need to be controlled so that accurate conclusions may be drawn from such investigations.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the genotype (guinea fowl, native breed Leghorn, and commercial hybrid hens), storage time (0, 14, 28 d) and storage temperature (fresh, 5, 20°C) on eggshell quality traits and microbiological contamination of eggshell, eggshell membranes, and albumen. A total of 150 hens (50 hens per genotype—divided into 2 equal groups because of the results replication) were used. There were 150 eggs (50 per genotype) used for microbial analysis and 600 eggs used for the analysis of eggshell quality. The effects of genotype, storage time, and storage temperature were observed. Moreover, interactions between these factors were calculated. The significant effect of genotype (P = 0.0001) was found in egg weight, in all observed parameters of eggshell quality (proportion, thickness, strength, surface, and index), eggshell contamination of Escherichia coli (EC) and total number of micro-organisms (TNM), penetration of TNM into eggshell membranes (P = 0.0014), and penetration of TNM into albumen (P = 0.0019). Storage time significantly affected egg weight and all parameters of eggshell quality except the eggshell strength and index. It also significantly affected count of Enterococcus (ENT) on eggshell, TNM in eggshell membranes and TNM in albumen. Storage temperature significantly influenced egg weight (P = 0.0001) and all parameters but eggshell thickness and surface. Regarding the microbial contamination, storage temperature significantly affected a count of ENT on shell, TNM in shell membranes, and TNM in albumen. Concerning significant interactions, the interaction among genotype and storage time was found significant (P = 0.0148). Fresh and 28-day-old commercial hybrid eggs were the most contaminated, whereas guinea fowl eggs (fresh and 14 d old) and Leghorn hen eggs (fresh, 14, 28 d old) had the lowest level of contamination by EC. When looking for an alternative to laying hens, guinea fowls should be taken into consideration due to their higher resistance to diseases, ability of adaptation to different environmental conditions, and especially in terms of eggshell quality and therefore egg safety.

This study summarizes the knowledge about effects of bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogues on reproduction of pigs and some parameters of their offspring during period 2011-2020. Bisphenols are known as one of the most harmful environmental toxicants with endocrine-disrupting properties. One study in the reference period related to male reproductive system. Treatment with an antagonist of G-protein coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) - G15, and bisphenol A and its analogues, tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and tetrachromobisphenol A (TCBPA) diversely disrupted protein molecules controlling the biogenesis and function of microRNA in Leydig cells. Nine studies examined the effect of BPA, bisphenol S (BPS) or fluorene-9-bisphenol (BHPF) on female reproductive system. From the possible protective effect's point of view seems to be perspective the administration of melatonin in BPA-exposed oocytes. Finally, two studies were found to evaluate the maternal exposure to BPA on offspring's meat quality, muscle metabolism and oxidative stress. Administration of methyl donor improved antioxidant enzymes activity and reduced oxidative stress in piglets.

This study compared the effect of two vegetable oils and their feeding duration on pig backfat quality. The experiment was conducted with 60 DanBred pigs that were fed a diet supplemented (40 g/kg) with rapeseed or soybean oil for 2, 4 or 6 weeks before slaughter at 152 d of age. The supplementation of both vegetable oils in the diets for 6 weeks negatively changed backfat consistency. The pigs fed soybean oil for 4 (17.64%) and 6 weeks (18.52%) before slaughter showed an increase in backfat linoleic acid content (p = 0.002), whereas, in contrast to the other groups, rapeseed oil in the diet for 6 weeks (2.38%) increased &alpha, linolenic acid content (p = 0.039). The content of PUFAs (p = 0.024) and n-6 PUFAs (p = 0.003) was increased by adding soybean oil to the diet for 4 and 6 weeks. The ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFAs was decreased (p = 0.040) by supplementing rapeseed oil for 4 and 6 weeks. The oil feeding duration decreased (p &lt, 0.001) the atherogenic and thrombogenic indices. The lipid oxidative stability of backfat stored for 3 and 5 days increased (p &lt, 0.001) in pigs fed dietary vegetable oils for 6 weeks prior to slaughter. In conclusion, the feeding of rapeseed oil for 4 weeks before slaughter is sufficient for improving the FA profile without negative effect on the consistency of the backfat.

Summary Nine ponies were experimentally infected with third stage cyathostome larvae. These animals were examined post-mortem for small strongyle infections from October 2011 to January 2012. Seventeen species of the following Cyathostominae genera were identified: Coronocyclus, Cyathostomum, Cylicocyclus, Cylicostephanus, Gyalocephalus and Petrovinema. Of the 17 species of Cyathostominae recovered, Cyathostomum catinatum, Cyathostomum alveatum and Cylicocyclus nassatus were the most prevalent (100 %). From the entire population of Cyathostominae, 65.6 % were located in the caecum and only 34.4 % in the colon. Only 1,736 (24,6 %) females and 5,329 (75,4 %) males were observed. There was a significant difference between the number of males and females in the genus Cyathostomum, Cylicocyclus and Gyalocephalus.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of controlled nutrition on the selected muscle fibres indicators and carcass value in pork. The test included 72 hybrid pigs of the D x (LWD x L) genotype of a balanced sex (barrows/gilts). Animals were divided into two groups; the 1st (control) group was fed ad libitum, while the nutrition of the 2nd (experimental) group was restricted upon reaching 80 kg of live weight. The nutritional restriction was achieved by feeding the animals with maximum dose of CFM up to 2.8 kg*day-1 (corresponding to 36.4 MJ ME*day-1, 46.76 g NS*day-1 and 23.52 g LYS*day-1). From the obtained results it is evident that the daily feed intake restriction corresponds with greater number of the MLLT muscle fibers as well as with a higher IIB type muscle fibers share, higher lean meat share and a higher shoulder proportion in the carcass.

The work discusses the influence of the backfat thickness change, during sow´s lactation, on their subsequent litter characteristics. The reproduction potential of 478 sows of two genotypes was assessed. The genotypes were 50 Large White (LWD) sows and 428 crossbreeds Large White x Landrace (LWD x L) sows. The backfat thickness decline was examined in accordance to P2, backfat thickness in sows during lactation namely 1 day before planned parturition as well as weaning. From the obtained results it can be stated that the backfat thickness decline level during lactation has a small influence on the number of total born piglets. In contrast, the number of piglets born alive increased when backfat thickness rate increased. With a moderate backfat thickness decline, the average birthweight piglets gradually increased. However, the opposite trend was shown for the average weight at weaning. The backfat thickness decline level during sow´s lactation influences their farrowing interval. Animals with a lower increase of the backfat thickness subsequently showed a shorter farrowing interval (148.99, respectively 151.86 days), as well as a shorter weaning – estrus interval.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of gender on the proportional representation of different types of muscle fibres and their selected characteristics. The experiment was carried out with the use of 72 crossbred pigs of final TOPIGS hybrid combination with balanced gender ratio (24 boars/24 gilts/24 barrows) at an average live weight of 22.5 kg. The average slaughter weight of the animals was 108.7 kg. In order to determine the quantitative (number) and qualitative (area, diameter, length) characteristics of the muscle fibre, samples were obtained from the loin carcass part, specifically the muscle musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis (MLLT). These samples were used for the manufacture and evaluation of permanent histological slides. There were negative correlations found between the number of muscle fibres and their size. Gilts had the highest number of muscle fibres (208.55) per measured surface (1 mm2) and simultaneously the smallest diameter (66.31 μm) of muscle fibres in comparison with boars and barrows. Statistically significant (P

Nine ponies, aged 12 months at the time of infection, were randomly allocated to one of three groups. Each pony was infected with 30,000 infective cyathostome larvae stored 4 weeks under the natural environmental conditions of the Czech Republic. Horses of Group A were infected with larvae conditioned from August 16 to September 12 (the first phase of the experiment). Horses of Group B were inoculated with larvae conditioned from October 10 to November 4 (the second phase of the experiment). In the third phase, horses from Group C received larvae stored under natural conditions (from 8.11 to 18.11.2011). The larvae were then kept under laboratory conditions (5 °C, the light reduction according to the nature condition). In the first and second phase of the experiment, 98.57% and 95.48% of adult nematodes were found, respectively. However, only 29.07% of adults were found in the third phase of experiment, and the proportion of arrested larvae (EL3) was 67.73%. The share of these larvae in the cecum during last phase of the experiment comprised 92.59% of all cyathostomes.

The objective of this study was to evaluate effect of the season on the yield and viability of embryos recovered from superovulated and flushed Holstein cows (n = 56). The embryo recovery rate (ERR, %) was determined as the proportion of totally flushed embryos (TFE, n) to the number of corpora lutea detected. The embryos were evaluated as transferable (TRANS) or non-transferable and analysed for occurrence of apoptotic cells (T+, TUNEL- index) as well as actin cytoskeleton quality (ACG). TFE and ERR were the highest during spring vs summer (149 embryos, 59.6% vs 20 embryos, 37%; P < 0.001), while they insignificantly differed in autumn (57 embryos, 48.3%). The autumn embryos presented a higher proportion of TRANS (P < 0.05, +10.56% vs spring; +18.94% vs summer). The occurrence of apoptosis in these embryos was lower (-1.38 T+ cells and -1.75% T-index; P < 0.05) and the percentage of the best ACG was higher (+35%; P < 0.05). These findings identified autumn as the best season for collection of high-quality bovine embryos.

Duchacek J., Stadnik L., Ptacek M., Beran J., Okrouhla M., Citek J., Stupka R . (2014): Effect of cow en ergy status on the hypercholesterolaemic fatty acid proportion in raw milk . Czech J. Food Sci., 32: 273–279. We evaluated the proportion of fatty acid groups, with an emphasis on hypercholesterolaemic fatty acids, in the milk of 25 Holstein cows during the 1 st period of lactation in relation to their negative energy balance (NEB). Sampling of each cow’s milk started on the 7 th day after calving. Milk samples ( n = 425) were collected at 7-day periods during the first 17 weeks of lactation. The proportion (%) of saturated (SFA), hypercholesterolaemic (HCFA), volatile (VFA), unsaturated (UFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids in the milk fat was determined. Body condition score and fat to protein ratio in milk were applied for precise determination of the NEB breakpoint during the observed period. The effects of parity, NEB, regression on lactation week and fat to protein ratio were evaluated using SAS 9.3. Milk contained a lower proportion of SFA as well as equally higher UFA (± 2.13%; P < 0.01) during the NEB period. The overcoming of NEB caused an increase in SFA, however, and simultaneously a significant decline in total HCFA (–1.86%; P < 0.01) as well as main MUFA (–1.81%, P < 0.05). The results document the necessity of increasing Holstein cow robustness to meet the production conditions in dairy farms in relation to the requirement of higher nutrient quality as well as the potential health benefits of cow’s raw milk for consumers.

The aim of this study was to perform the CAST gene polymorphism genotyping and to verify its possible influence on the quantitative and qualitative indicators characterizing carcass value in pigs. The study found a significant effect of the CAST gene on carcass value. In the case of alelle A present in the CAST/HinfI gene there was a higher lean meat share (i.e. lower fat content) and therefore the detected quality of pork meat was lower. The significant differences were found between the homozygotes AA and heterozygotes AB, mainly in the amount of fat content (P?0.05). Concerning the CAST/MspI gene, it was found that genotype CD caused higher lean meat share due to the higher shares of muscles in the main meat parts. However higher lean meat share does lead to lower quality of the meat. Another discovered influence was that of the allele D, which was associated with the intramuscular fat content (IMF) in the neck (P?0.05). Our results also show signifiant influence (P?0.05) of the allele C on the qualitative indicators of pork meat (MS EC50). Concerning the CAST/RsaI polymorphism, the study proved that this polymorphism doesn?t influence any of the monitored qualitative parameters.

Histochemical and biochemical muscle fibre properties are the factors that influence the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of pork meat. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of genetic effects of selected genetic markers MyoD genes andRYR1on the achieved indicators of muscle fibres in the musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis (MLLT). The study included a total number of 216 hybrid pigs with the mean slaughter weight of 123 kg. Gene polymorphism was determined by the PCR-RFLP method. The gene polymorphism was determined in theRYR1, MYOD1, MYOG,andMYF6genes.Muscle fibre types from MLLT were identified. Concerning theRYR1gene, the study found that homozygous-dominant animals reached a lower number of type I (8.35 vs. 10.52;P< 0.05) and a higher number of IIA (3.66 vs. 2.10;P< 0.05) and a higher number of IIB (76.61 vs. 67.91;P< 0.05). The maximum number in all types of muscle fibres reached BB genotype of theMYOGgene (type I: 14.02; IIA: 18.47; IIB: 83.08;P< 0.05). The AA genotype of theMYOD1gene showed the lowest (P< 0.05) number of muscle in all fibre types (type I: 9.20; IIA: 0.85; IIB: 69.23). The influence of individual genotypes of selected genes on the selected muscle fibre characteristics was proven. The obtained results confirm the possibility of affecting the quality of pork with genomic selection of MyoD genes family.

The effect of a dietary linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) supplement on the traits of fattening, carcass value, physical and chemical characteristics of meat quality, and the fatty acid composition of pig meat was evaluated. Seventy-two hybrids (Czech Large White (paternal) × (Czech Large White (maternal) × Czech Lan- drace)) were divided into four treatments according to diet (0 and 150 g/kg linseed) and sex (barrows and gilts). A significantly (P = 0.050) higher feed conversion value was ascertained in barrows fed with linseed compared with the other three groups. Most of the physical and chemical characteristics of the carcasses were not signifi- cantly influenced by dietary linseed addition or sex. The linseed supplement significantly (P < 0.001) increased the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content and PUFA/SFA (saturated fatty acid) ratio, especially through increasing the n-3 PUFA content, and decreased the monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content, the MUFA/ PUFA, MUFA/SFA, and n-6/n-3 PUFA ratios and the thrombogenic index. Supplementation of the diet with linseed modified the fatty acid composition and improved fatty acid ratios in both sexes, without any negative effect on performance, carcass value or physical and chemical indicators of pig meat quality.

The objective of this paper was to determine the effect of the MYOG, MYF6 and MYOD1 genes on selected meat quality traits in crossbred pigs. The observation of these effects on the total amount of 20 indicators of meat quality traits was carried out on a sample of 124 slaughter pigs of cross-breed combinations Pietrain × (Large WhiteD × Landrace) and (Large WhiteS × Duroc) × (Large WhiteD × Landrace), all tested at the Test and Experiment Station of the Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague. The MYOG gene was discovered to have a significant effect on the water content in the ham and shoulder and on the intramuscular fat content in the shoulder. Concerning the MYF4 locus, the pigs of the AA genotype showed a higher content of intramuscular fat (P < 0.01) than the pigs of the BB genotype. The MYOD1 gene had a statistically significant effect on the water content in the ham and loin and on the muscle area of the belly (the belly fat share). Also, regarding the MYOD1 locus, the pigs of the AA genotype showed a higher lean meat content in the belly (P < 0.01) than the pigs of the BB genotype. Based on the results of this study, it can be stated that mutations in the MYOG, MYF6 and MYOD1 genes show a significant effect on the pork meat quality. Key words : Pig, meat quality, MyoD family genes

The current knowledge of factors regulating voluntary feed intake in pigs is quite limited. The objective of this study was to test the influence of the missense mutation p.Asp298Asn (AF087937:c.746G>A) of the MC4R gene on selected production traits in pig crosses. These crosses are commonly used on com - mercial farms in the Czech Republic. The allele frequencies of c.746G>A were as follows: G allele - 0.59 and A allele - 0.41. We detected statistically significant differences in the content of intramuscular fat in the musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis, and a similar trend was observed in shoulder and neck. A allele correlated with higher values of fatness and G allele with a higher percentage of lean meat. However, we did not find any significant influence on either feed intake or growth rate in this study. For another muta

The test focussed on the evaluation of production traits, i.e. fattening performance and quantitative aspect of the carcass value in 4 genotypes of pigs by means of station tests. The tests included 288 hybrid pigs of the VEPIG and (LW d ×L) genotypes mated by hybrid-boars of (PN×D), (PN×H), (LW s ×BL). The outcomes have proved the existence of marked genotype differences in the production traits and, consequently, also in the economics which means for the pig bre- eders in the current period a significant measure conducing to the improvement of the economics of pig breeding. As the best, there has been proved the VEPIG genotype of pigs, which has shown the best results in all qualities of the fattening performance and carcass value. This genotype has also reflected best its highest growth intensity in the formation of meat which has been manifested positively in the classification of slaughter pigs, i.e. the profit per a slaughter pig in the amount of 625 CZK. In contrast, the other combinations have shown a loss which in the (LW d ×L) × (LW s ×BL) genotypes amounted to 324.50 CZK, in (LW d ×L) × (PN×D) 228 CZK and in (LW d ×L) × (PN×H) 279 CZK. Therefore it has to be stated that a deliberate selection of a suitable genotype is of a vital importance in order to be able to face the current considerably unfa- vourable situation in pig breeding.

Eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1 alpha (EEF1A) plays a key role in protein synthesis. In higher vertebrates EEF1A occurs in two isoforms, EEF1A1 and EEF1A2, encoded by distinct genes. The purpose of this study was to compare the two porcine genes as for the genomic sequence, gene organization and mRNA expression in different tissues, as well as to search for polymorphism and chromosomal assignment. Standard methods of DNA and mRNA analysis were used. We determined the complete genomic sequence of the porcine EEF1A1 and EEF1A2 genes. The two genes differ in the lengths of transcription units (3102 and 8588 bp, respectively), but have similar genomic organization and their coding sequences are highly similar (78 % identity of coding sequences and 92.4 % identity of amino acid sequences). Several polymorphisms in the two genes were detected. EEF1A1 and EEF1A2 were mapped to SSC1p11.1 and SSC17q23.3, respectively. mRNA of EEF1A1 was expressed in all studied tissues (the highest expression was in 44-day fetal muscle and low expression in adult liver and brain), while EEF1A2 was expressed only in skeletal-muscle, tongue, heart, diaphragm and brain tissues. EEF1A2 was not expressed in fetal muscle tissue (44 days). In this paper results are provided on genomic sequences, genomic organization, polymorphism, chromosomal assignment and spatial and temporal expressions of the porcine EEF1A1 and EEF1A2 genes. Novel polymorphisms were described in both genes. Porcine EEF1A2 was studied for the first time.

Background Independent studies have shown that several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the human FTO (fat mass and obesity associated) gene are associated with obesity. SNP have also been identified in the pig FTO gene, among which some are associated with selected fat-deposition traits in F2 crosses and commercial populations. In this study, using both commercial pig populations and an experimental Meishan × Pietrain F2 population, we have investigated the association between one FTO SNP and several growth and carcass traits. Association analyses were performed with the FTO polymorphism either alone or in combination with polymorphisms in flanking loci. Methods SNP (FM244720:g.400C>G) in exon 3 of porcine FTO was genotyped by PCR-RFLP and tested for associations with some growth, carcass and fat-related traits. Proportions of genetic variance of four pig chromosome 6 genes (FTO, RYR1, LIPE and TGFB1) on selected traits were evaluated using single- and multi-locus models. Results Linkage analysis placed FTO on the p arm of pig chromosome 6, approximately 22 cM from RYR1. In the commercial populations, allele C of the FTO SNP was significantly associated with back fat depth and allele G with muscling traits. In the Meishan × Pietrain F2 pigs, heterozygotes with allele C from the Pietrain sows and allele G from the Meishan boar were more significantly associated with fat-related traits compared to homozygotes with allele G from the Pietrain and allele G from the Meishan breed. In single- and multi-locus models, genes RYR1, TGFB1 and FTO showed high associations. The contribution in genetic variance from the polymorphism in the FTO gene was highest for back fat depth, meat area on the musculus longissimus lumborum et thoracis tissues and metabolite glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Conclusions Our results show that in pig, FTO influences back fat depth in the commercial populations, while in the Meishan × Pietrain F2 pigs with a CG genotype, heterosis occurs for several fat-related traits.

The objective of this study was to examine the influence of weight and sex on fat amounts in relation to the formation of selected carcass cuts in final hybrid pigs commonly kept in the Czech Republic. During the experiment 123 hybrid pigs of various genotypes were tested. The pigs were slaughtered at an average weight of 120.4 kg and dissected in detail. The tested pigs were divided into 5 weight categories, while the tissue composition of ham, joint, shoulder and neck was monitored with emphasis on the assessment of IMF content. A decrease in the lean meat proportion was shown, as well as an increasing fat proportion with increasing weight: for the joint the difference was 4.19%, for the ham 3.9%, shoulder 3.0%, and neck 2.31%. With increasing weight, a moderate increase in intramuscular fat occurred, whereas the differences between group 1 and 5 were: 1.68% for the ham, 0.58% (shoulder), 0.4% (joint) and 0.37% (neck). Concerning the influence of sex, barrows had statistically insignificant intramuscular fat content compared with gilts (excluding the neck). As for the protein content in the monitored carcass cuts, no influence of live weight and sex was recorded.