In this research, the effect of purmorphamine on mRNA expression of the SHH signaling downstream molecules Ptch1, Gli1, Smo, Hdac1, Hdac2 and Hdac3 in ovine two-cell embryos was studied. Regarding the presence of SHH signaling molecules in two-cell embryos and their response to purmorphamine, it can be suggested that SHH signaling is probably active before embryonic genome activation in ovine embryos.

Genetic parameters for 11 456 Tunisian Holstein cows were estimated for the following five reproductive traits: calving interval (CI), calving to first service interval, calving to conception interval (CCI), first service to conception interval and number of services per conception. Low heritabilities were estimated for these traits, and genetic correlation estimates between them were moderately high. The CCI–CI genetic correlation was 0.85, indicating that they are the same trait genetically.

The novelty of our study was to investigate the influence of organic and inorganic forms of Se added to the diet with carnosic acid and fish oil on levels essential for biomolecules in the lamb brain. Our studies provide useful information for nutritionists carrying out further investigations aimed at improving ruminant health, the growth performance, the reproductive system (by regulating the secretory activities of the pituitary gland) and the nutritional quality of feed.

This paper contributes considerably to our knowledge about phylogenetic relations in four Polish sheep breeds as well as the genetic origin of them. We analysed polymorphisms of the mitochondrial control region (D-loop) in the following sheep breeds: Wrzosówka, Świniarka, Pomorska, and Wielkopolska. All but Swiniarka represent the two main mitochondrial haplogroups, i.e. haplogroup B (more frequent) and haplogroup A. The Świniarka breed is exclusively made up of haplogroup B sequences.

Effect of in ovo feeding of glutamine on hatchability, performance of broilers. Fertilized eggs were subjected to injections with glutamine (10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 mg dissolved in 0.5 mL of dionized water) on day 7 of incubation. These data suggest that the in ovo feeding of Glutamine may improve jejunum development, leading to an increased nutrient assimilation and consequently to greater performance in broiler chickens.

A Bayesian and REML analyses were used on Tunisian dairy cattle data. Genetic parameters for 305-day milk, fat, and protein yields were estimated. Heritability estimates by using Bayesian method ranged from 0.187 to 0.273, and slightly higher than the corresponding REML. Large genetic correlations (> 0.88) among milk, fat, and protein yields were found for the two methods. This study suggests that results from both methods were reasonably similar to suggest both methods can be used.

The results of this study revealed that in-yolk-sac administration of carvacrol, as the main phenolic monoterpen in Satureja khuzestanica, had no effect on the rate of cholesterol absorption from yolk sac residuals in neonate commercial broiler chicks. This finding suggests that the hypocholesterolemic activity of carvacrol in broiler chicks might be exerted through other mechanisms rather than reduced cholesterol absorption and deserves further investigation.

In order to identify potential variances in gene expression of phenotypically different pig breeds, six fat-metabolism-related genes were analyzed in backfat and muscle tissues of fat-type Mangalica, Mangalica × Duroc, and lean-type Hungarian Large White and Pietrain × Duroc pigs by means of quantitative reverse transcription PCR. The identified expression differences can improve our understanding of the genetic background behind the characteristic fatty phenotype of Mangalica.

Allele "D" (deletion) within the insertion/deletion of SPEF2 gene was dominant in male Large White and Landrace pigs from China. In addition, two novel single-nucleotide polymorphisms of this gene were first identified in pigs. NC_010458:g.19886C > G was significantly associated with testis long circumference (P < 0.05). These findings could not only extend the spectrum of genetic variations of pig SPEF2 gene but also contribute to implementing MAS in pigs.

The aim of the study was to determine the impacts of different levels of mycotoxin load of dairy herds on the milk indicators. During three subsequent years, samples of feedstuffs and individual milk were collected from four herds of Czech Fleckvieh and from four herds of Holstein cows. The most frequently occurring mycotoxins were fumonisins, deoxynivalenol, and zearalenone. Changes were noted in some milk indicators such as fat, acetone, pH, electric conductivity, alcohol stability, or curd quality.

AGPAT6 is a key candidate gene in the lipid metabolism pathway. We detected two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in bovine AGPAT6 exons, and we analyzed 33 traits associated with meat quality and the carcass of Chinese Simmental cattle. SNP1 was significantly associated with back fat thickness and fat coverage rate. SNP2 was significantly associated with fat coverage rate and marbling score. Thus, the SNPs of AGPAT6 may be genetic factors influencing carcass composition of beef cattle.

We analyzed the relationship between visual ratings of equine conformation and the underlying morphological horse shapes. The rater agreement of eight professional classifiers ranged from 0.30 to 0.55 (correlation). We present a methodological approach, where we associate the individual scores with the horse shapes derived from images, So we can test if the ratings correspond with the observed shape variation. In 58 % of the ratings no association between scores and the phenotypes was found.