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The use of artificial insemination in cattle breeding has evolved to global extent, and insemination doses are often shipped via air transport which requires strict radiation-based examinations. For the determination of effect of non-ionizing radiation (NIR), to which are beings frequently exposed due to protection of airport or cultural event security, freshly ejaculated and cryopreserved bovine spermatozoa were used as experimental model. Following radiation with hand-held metal detector in various exposition times (0, 10 s, 15, 30 and 60 min-groups FR, FR10, FR15, FR30 and FR60) the spermatozoa underwent motility and DNA fragmentation analyses. Study on cryoconserved semen treated with NIR was performed in time intervals 0, 10 s, 1 and 5 min (insemination doses radiated before cryoconservation-CB, CB10, CB1, CB5; samples radiated after freezing-CA, CA10, CA1 and CA5). Fresh semen and insemination doses radiated after cryoconservation showed significantly lower total and progressive motility. No effect on motility parameters was detected in semen extended with cryopreservative medium and radiated prior to freezing. Surprisingly, NIR showed a potential to stimulate spermatozoa velocity; however, the effect was modulated throughout the post-thawing incubation. Based on the DNA fragmentation assay, sperm DNA stayed intact. Present study underlines the potential harm of NIR, which is frequently used in everyday life, with overall adverse impact on human and animal reproduction. Current study also points out on interesting short-term spermatozoa stimulation induced by NIR.

One of the important factors that significantly affects the intensity and content of training and determines the performance it the horse interior. Character and temperament traits are described in the breeding goals of each breed of horse. The aim of this study was to analyze the horse interior and comparison the interior characteristics of two studied horse breeds Slovak warmblood horses and Lipizzan horses. Into the analysis were included 65 horses from National Stud Farm Topoľčianky, Slovak warmblood horses (n1=33) and Lipizzan horses (n2=32). Interior was analyzed through a questionnaire with 13 indicators with 10 point system, where 10 being the highest rating. Slovak warmblood horses become the highest ratings (average 89.1 pt, 74.42%) and Lipizzan horses (86.1 pt, 66.2%), so both breeds of horses can be considered as the breeds with balanced characteristics of temperament and character. But Lipizzan horses are more balanced, because their results had lower variability. There were insignificant differences between the analyzed horses in the studied breeds. Nevertheless, a several analyzes of individual indicators showed that between the Slovak warmblood horses and Lipizzan horses there is a significant difference in a single indicator of interior - 10 - Stress managing. In particular, it has been shown that Lipizzan horses manage stress significantly better than Slovak warmblood horses., Jedným zdôležitých faktorov, ktorý podstatne ovplyvňuje intenzitu a náplň tréningu a udáva výkonnosť koní je interiér. Vlastnosti charakteru a temperamentu sú popísané v chovných cieľoch jednotlivých plemien koní. Cieľom našej práce bolo analyzovať interiér koňa a porovnať interiérové vlastnosti dvoch skúmaných plemien koní, slovenského teplokrvníka a lipicana. Do analýzy bolo zahrnutých 65 koní z Národného žrebčína Topoľčianky, slovenský teplokrvník (n1=33) a lipican (n2=32). Interiér sme analyzovali prostredníctvom dotazníka s 13 ukazovateľmi 10 bodovým systémom, kde 10 bola najvyššia známka. Kone plemena slovenský teplokrvník získali najvyššie hodnotenie (priemerne 89,1 bodov, 74,42%) a kone plemena lipican (86,1 bodov, 66,2%), takže obe plemená môžeme považovať za plemená s vyrovnanými vlastnosťami charakteru a temperamentu. Avšak kone plemena lipican sú viac vyrovnané, pretože ich výsledky majú nižšiu variabilitu. Zaznamenali sme štatisticky nevýznamné rozdiely medzi analyzovanými plemenami koní. Avšak niekoľko analýz jednotlivých ukazovateľov ukázalo, že medzi koňmi slovenského teplokrvníka a lipicana je štatisticky významný rozdiel v jedinom ukazovateli interiéru – 10 – Zvládanie stresu. Konkrétne sa ukázalo, že kone plemena lipican zvládajú stre s významne lepšie ako kone plemena slovenský teplokrvník.

The aim of this study was to determinate the effect of various taurine concentrations on rabbit spermatozoa in in vitro conditions with the potential use in routine artificial insemination. Taurine, amino acid distinguished by its strong antioxidant properties, has been widely tested on spermatozoa of all kinds of farm animals except for the rabbits. This study investigated differences in rabbit spermatozoa motility and viability between the control sample and samples enriched with taurine solutions: TAU3 (3.125 mM), TAU6 (6.250 mM) and TAU12 (12.5 mM). Ejaculates of nine adult rabbits were subjected to this study and observed at time intervals 0, 90, 180 and 270 minutes while cultivated at 39°C. For detection of viability the MTT test was used and motility parameters were carried out using CASA analysis. Experimental samples were compared against the control. Assessment of the mitochondrial toxicity revealed that the addition of taurine ensured the higher viability in supplemented samples however with no statistical significance. Monitored motility parameters (motility, progressive motility and velocity curved line of spermatozoa) showed that taurine treated spermatozoa have lower activity at the beginning of the study but along with increasing time the positive effect of taurine was induced. Significant (P

Received: 2016-02-18 | Accepted: 2016-03-04 | Available online: 2016-12-22 http://dx.doi.org/10.15414/afz.2016.19.04.167-170 In our work, we analyzed the effect of training load on the heart rate of horses in a simulated load by the loading regulator for horse motion Horse Gym 2000. In the experiment were observed 8 Slovak Warmblood horses (3 mares, 4 geldings, 1 stallion) aged 6-10 years. The experiment was divided into two parts after three weeks. The speed of the tested horses was 4.9 km/h in the first part of experiment, in the second part was the speed 5.2 km/h with a gradual uphill up to 7 %. The tested horses achieved during the experiment an average heart rate level below 70 beats a minute, which is a light load. The maximum values of heart rate were recorded at 120 to 147 beats/min. Differences between tested horses in the values of heart rate were not statistically significant. After three weeks we recorded in the values of average and maximum heart rate onset of bradycardia, which is documented the adaptation of body to the specified load. Keywords: heart rate, horse, load, training References COUROUCE, A., CHRETIEN, M. and VALETTE, J. P. (2002) Physiological variables measured under field conditions according to age and state of training in French Trotters. Equine Veterinary Journal, vol. 34, pp. 91-97. CROSS, N. et al. (2008) Effects of lighting conditions on the welfare of horses being loaded for training. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, vol. 3, pp. 20-24. DOBSAK, P. (2009) Clinical physiology of physical load. Brno: Masaryk university, pp. 47-53. ENGELHARDT, W. V. (1977) Cardiovascular effect of exercise and training of horses. Adv. Vet. Sci. Comp. Med., vol. 21, pp. 173-205. EVANS, D. L. (2007) Physiology of equine performance and associated tests of function. Equine Veterinary Journal, vol. 33, p. 543. FREEMAN, J. V. et al. (2006) Autonomic nervous system interaction with the cardiovascular system during exercise. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, vol. 48, pp. 342-362. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pcad.2005.11.003 HANAK, J. and OLEHLA, C. (2010) Clinical physiology of horses and their training. University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Science, Brno, pp. 130-136. KRZYWANEK, H. et al. (1970) The heart rates of Thoroughbred horses during a race. Equine Veterinary Journal, vol. 2, pp. 115-117. LEINO, J. et al. (2010) Exercise-test-related heart rate variability and mortality: The Finnish cardiovascular study. International Journal of Cardiology, vol. 144, pp. 154-155. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2008.12.123 LINDHOLM, A. and SALTIN, B. (1974) The physiological and biochemical response of standardbred horses to exercise of varying speed and duration. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica, vol. 15, pp. 310-324. LITTLEJOHN, A. (1987) Exercise-related cardiovascular problems. In: ROBINSON, N. E. (ed.) Current therapy in equine medicine 2. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co., p. 176. MARR, C. M. and BURTON, M. (2010) Cardiology of the horse. 2. ed. London: Elsevier. p. 84 MOHR, E., WITTE, E. and VOSS, B. (2000) Heart rate variability as stress indicator. Archive Tierzucht., Sonderheft, Dummerstorf, vol. 43, pp. 171-176. PERINI, R. and VEICTEINAS, A. (2003) Heart rate variability and autonomic activity at rest and during exercise in various physiological conditions. Eur. Journal Application Physiology, vol. 90, pp. 317-325. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00421-003-0953-9 PERSSON, S. G. B. (1967) On blood volume and working capacity in horses. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica, vol. 19 (Suppl.), pp. 101-121. PERSSON, S. G. B. and LYDIN, G. (1973) Circulatory effects of splenectomy in the horse, III Effect on pulse-work relationship. Journal of Veterinary Medicine [A], vol. 20, pp. 521-530. POOPLE, D. C. and ERICKSON, H. H. (2004) Heart and vessels function during exercise and response to training. In: HINCHCLIFF, K. W., KANEPS, A. J., and GEOR, R. J. (eds.) Equine sports medicine and surgery. New York: Saunders, p. 699. SCHMIDT, A. et al. (2010) Cortisol release, heart rate, and heart rate variability in transport-naive horses during repeated road transport. Domestic Animal Endocrinology, vol. 3, pp. 205-213. VOSS, B., MOHR, E. and KRZYWANEK, H. (2002) Effects of aqua-treadmill exercise on selected blood parameters and on heart-rate variability of horses. Journal of Veterinary Medicine A, Physiology, Pathology and Clinical Medicine, vol. 49, no. 3, pp. 137-143. YOUNG, L. (2004) Diseases of the heart and vessels. In: HINCHCLIFF, K. W., KANEPS, A. J. and GEOR, R. J. (eds.) Equine sports medicine and surgery. New York: Saunders, p. 727.

Slovak Warmblood championship is a competition for young horses of given population, which is organized annually by the recognized breeder organization under the same test conditions. The aim of our study was to analyze genetic parameters and determine their potential impact on the performance indicators in championship for young horses of Slovak Warmblood population. Basic data consisted the results of 761 horses that have qualified for the finals. From the analysis of genetic parameters on performance indicators we found that all factors: breeder, breed, line, gender, age of horse and year of the competition influenced the final ranking respectively the logarithm of ranking. But on the level of significance only the factor breeder. The genetic assessment of monitored horses in tested competitions shows that factors breed and line high statistically influence Log U in particular competition. On the border of statistical support were fixed effects - degree of difficulty in the competition and year of competition. Based on our knowledge, we can conclude that in addition to the above factors on the ranking in competitions of sport form of testing has a major impact factor - rider.

Data obtained from the evaluation of longevity in 118 646 dairy cows of the Slovak Simmental breed were analyzed. The average length of productive life reached 1 451 days (3.88 years). Based on the analysis of the length of productive life for the whole cattle population, we calculated the ratio of cows that reached more than 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72 and 84 months respectively. The most important effects were the sire (F=53.43, P

The efficiency of 249 3- and 4-year old horses were analysed in this work during efficiency tests throughout the period 1993–2004. The ascertained average mark of 796 points for the whole population of 3-year old horses presents I. class, whereupon the highest mark of 8.32 points was reached in 2002 presenting the Elite class. The total mark moved within the bounds of 7.10 to 8.96 points, during variability of 4.86 %. The total mark of the population of 4-year old horses moved within the bounds of 7.00 to 8.60 points, during variability of 4.69 %, the average mark being 7.90 points presenting I.class. If we rate the average mark for „Type and sex type“ throughout the period from 1993–2004 respecting the age of horses, we can claim that the 4-year old horses recieved higher marks /7.85 points/ than 3-year old horses /7.81 points/. The estimated coefficient of performance hereditary is 0.10. A higher positive relation was ascertained /p ≤ 0.001/ between breeding values and estimation coefficients /riding, free jumping, show-jumping/ and the total mark/index.

Nowadays breeding has become the problem often solved in European states and it has been paid much attention by breeding organizations. In terms of hippology as well as some urgent requirements from the side of nonius breeders we have focussed on this particular breed especially from the reason of its further survival and development in Slovakia. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the growth indicators as well as the achievement level of the stallions since 1927 to the present. Based on our research of the nonius body lines we can state that at present there are 3 stallions that are followers of the N VIII horse line founder. In general, there are 12 stallions that are active within this breed in Slovakia. It was statistically confirmed that this particular breed grew much stronger through the goal-directed breeding work, improved nutrition as well as the immediate breeding site. It was quite complicated to evaluate the performance tests because the individual indicators were significantly influenced by the subjective views of the commitee members performing the evaluation. The next factor which prevents the objective evaluation is the fact that in the period up to 1979, the performance tests were valued by the 100 point system and from the year 1980 by the 10 point system. That is why we take the performance test results into account only as supplemental ones, which can provide a kind of amendment to the observed biological parameters.

In our work we analysed the heart frequency of 11 warmblood horses on the load regulator of motion. The test lasted 3 weeks with gradual increase of load. The load was applied only in a step with gradual increase of time of load in up-sloping direction. The mean values of heart frequency of tested horses were within 61 beats/min. At the evaluation of maximum value of heart frequency we detected its twofold increase in comparison with mean values. The maximum rate of heart frequency under load was at the level of 147 beats/min. Detected values were not statistically significant which confirms that the load on tested horses was not causing any physiological changes.

The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of different intakes of macroelements from feed on the mineral blood profile of sport horses. In the experiment which lasted for 12 months (6 months for each of the two periods), 14 sport horses with 2 types of feed rations were monitored. The blood was collected at the beginning of the experiment and every 2 months (three blood collections for each period). Feed rations had a negative effect on Ca (3.40 mmol·l-1 and 3.32 mmol·l-1) and K (3.2 mmol·l-1 and 2.98 mmol·l-1) concentrations in equine serum obtained from the second and third blood collection, respectively. Concentration of P (1.28 mmol·l-1 and 1.20 mmol·l-1) in equine serum obtained from the second and third blood collection, respectively, was higher (P < 0.05) compared to the first blood collection. Concentrations of Mg and Na were in reference intervals. In the 2nd period of experiment, feed rations were adjusted based on individual requirements of the monitored horses; the proportion of the mineral ingredient in the feed rations was lowered. More balanced concentrations of Ca, Mg, Na and K were detected in equine blood serum as a result of lower intake of the minerals from feed; the concentration of P was, except for one case, higher than in the 1st period. We observed a positive effect of individual ration compositions based on the results of blood mineral profile. The study describes for the first time the effect of a high and adequate long-term intake of macroelements on their concentrations in sport horses’ blood serum.

The concentration of copper, iron, zinc, cadmium, lead, and nickel as well as its relation to spermatozoa quality was investigated. The semen samples were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The concentration of copper in boar semen was 1.64 +/- 0.28 mg kg(-1) and of iron 16.14 +/- 10.35 mg kg(-1). The concentration of zinc in boar semen reached an average value of 171.74 +/- 64.72 mg kg(-1) and the level of cadmium reached 0.01-0.16 mg kg(-1) with the average value of 0.05 mg kg(-1). The analysis of lead showed that the concentration of this element in boar semen was 0.02 +/- 0.03 mg kg(-1) and the average level of nickel was 0.06 +/- 0.08 mg kg(-1). The total percentage of pathological spermatozoa was 9.82 +/- 1.47%. Detail analysis determined 3.18% of separated flagellum, 2.26% knob twisted flagellum, 0.88% flagellum torso, 0.85% flagellum ball, 0.42% broken flagellum, 0.23% retention of the cytoplasmic drop, 0.14% small heads, 0.03% large heads, and 1.83% forms other of pathological changes. Correlation analysis showed significant (p0.05) positive correlation between copper and lead (r = 0.52). High correlation between small head and knob twisted tail (r = 0.67), small head and broken flagellum (r = 0.88) as well as between small head and total number of pathological spermatozoa (r = 0.73) was determined.

Environmental pollution results in serious health hazards to animals and blood analysis serves as a good alternative for health status assessment. The target of this study was to analyze the concentration of selected metals in equine blood, to analyze the blood parameters and to find possible correlations. Blood samples were collected from the vena jugularis of healthy adult horses. The highest concentration of all elements was found in whole blood (Cu 3.84 ± 0.90 mg L(-1); Cd = 0.81 ± 0.90 mg L(-1); Zn 26.67 ± 14.12 mg L(-1); Pb 9.33 ± 5.76 mg L(-1)). Higher concentrations of copper, cadmium, zinc and lead were detected in blood clots compared to blood sera (44.04%). A similar tendency was found for cadmium (50%), zinc (13.08%) and lead (46.02%), which showed generally higher concentrations in blood clots (cells). Correlation analysis proved some relations between analyzed elements. In blood clots there is a strong positive correlation between Cd - Pb (r = 0.93) and Zn - Pb (r = 0.71) was detected. For biochemical and hematological parameters mainly medium correlations were detected. Obtained results prove different correlations of analyzed elements in blood components as well as the effect on parameters of blood biochemical and hematological profiles.

Horse breeding program is based on an assessment of their exterior, and is largely influenced by the performance. The objective of the work was to analyze the performance characteristics of cold-blooded horses in Slovakia using test of performance characteristics through carriage race. By evaluating the higher forms of utility control we concluded that scores in individual disciplines were very balanced during 2005-2008, which was due to a steady track of the horses involved and the carriagers. By increasing the number of new horses and new competitors in 2009 the average value of scores marked substantial deterioration, but this cannot be seen as degradation of performance of studied horses. By analysis of the factors affecting the score we found out, that gender as the only factor, did not have any significant impact on the studied disciplines of utility control. Carriager and the year of competition were amongst the factors mostly influencing the score. As the most successful line, whose representatives were most frequently and best ranked on the carriage races, we can choose the line of Bayard de Heredia. Its seven representatives participated in the period 2005-2011 altogether for 141-times and their average ranking ranged from 2.2 to 5.4.

In this study the concentration of copper, iron, zinc, cadmium, lead, and nickel in bull and ram semen and relation of these metals to spermatozoa morphology was investigated. Analysis by atomic absorption spectrophotometry showed that copper concentration was significantly higher (p