Articles | Volume 68, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-68-507-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-68-507-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Original study
| 
31 Jul 2025
Original study |
| 31 Jul 2025
| 31 Jul 2025
Investigating mating reliability and drone congregation areas on an island in Lake Neusiedl (Austria) for the potential establishment of a mating station for honey bee breeding
Thomas E. Sprenger
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, Vienna 1180, Austria
Cameron Menschhorn
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 33, Vienna 1180, Austria
Robert Brodschneider
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Biology, University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 2, Graz 8010, Austria
Related subject area
Reproduction
Effects of intravaginal progesterone devices and Booroola fecundity (FecB) gene on the ovarian responses and reproductive indices of Qezel ewes following estrus synchronization and laparoscopic insemination during the breeding season
The expression of Lin28a in the ovaries and the association of Lin28a and Lin28b with litter size in goats
miR-383 regulates sheep granular cell proliferation and apoptosis by targeting Bcl-2
Effect of gonadotropin administration on reproductive performance in relation to the age at first conception, time of application, and body condition of weaned sow
Effect on OPU/IVEP success of different applications for synchronizing follicular waves prior to superstimulation in holstein heifers
Comparative analysis of metabolic, reproductive, and sub-clinical mastitis in pure Holstein-Friesian and Sahiwal-crossbred cows
Sonograms of perineal muscles as a noninvasive diagnosis of pyometra and endometritis in beef cows: a preliminary study
The effect of resveratrol on the cryopreservation of Mongolian horse semen
The effect of different doses of estradiol benzoate on follicle development and twin birth in beef cattle with induced superovulation
Expression of peroxiredoxin-6 in the epididymal microenvironment and sperm of sheep
N-acetylcysteine may improve endometrial receptivity by modulating endometrial stromal cells in goats
Polymorphisms of the HRG, FETUB, and GUCY1A1 genes and their association with litter size in sheep
Improvement of ram semen quality by luteolin enrichment during cold preservation
Effect of protected fatty acid supplementation on ovarian activity, reproductive hormone profiles and reproduction of Barki ewes under semiarid conditions
Association analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the sheep FecB gene with reproductive and body size performance
Effect of water quality on causes of calf mortality in cattle-farm-associated epidemics
Impact of redox status of donor cows before superovulation treatment on in vivo embryo production
Detection of genetic variations in the GDF9 and BMP15 genes in Kazakh meat–wool sheep
Determination of the effect of pre-mating weight and placental characteristics on birth weight in Karayaka sheep
Lin28B overexpression decreases let-7b and let-7g levels and increases proliferation and estrogen secretion in Dolang sheep ovarian granulosa cells
Mohammad Allah-Dadi, Mohsen Eslami, Farhad Farrokhi-Ardabili, and Sina Bahmani
Arch. Anim. Breed., 68, 425–433, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-68-425-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-68-425-2025, 2025
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We examine the effects of Booroola fecundity (FecB) gene introgression into the genome of a less prolific breed on the timing and distribution of ovulations after estrus synchronization with progestogen devices (controlled internal drug release, CIDR, vs. vaginal sponge) and reproductive indices after insemination. CIDR-treated ewes ovulated earlier than sponge-receiving ewes. FecB carriers ovulated smaller follicles than non-carriers. Reproductive indices were improved by the introgression of FecB in ewes.
Huili Liang, Xingyu Du, Yujing Xie, Mingxing Chu, and Guiling Cao
Arch. Anim. Breed., 68, 435–443, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-68-435-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-68-435-2025, 2025
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In this study, we found that Lin28a protein is expressed in the oocytes and granulosa cells of follicles at different development stages and is also expressed in the corpus luteum and corpus albicans. A mutation in intron 2 of Lin28a was found but without significant difference in terms of kidding number among the three genotypes of Jining Grey goats, an unique local breed with high prolificacy in China. A mutation in exon 4 of the Lin28b gene had an association with the litter size of Jining Grey goats.
Binglei Zhang, Saiyi Sun, Wanhang Jia, Jiaxin Yang, Xueru Dou, Yang Wang, and Yuqin Wang
Arch. Anim. Breed., 68, 287–297, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-68-287-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-68-287-2025, 2025
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Follicular atresia is a process that eliminates follicles and oocytes. MicroRNAs, including miR-383, play a vital role in regulating follicular atresia by affecting granular cell (GC) apoptosis and proliferation. In this study, RT-qPCR, western blot, luciferase reporter assay, and flow cytometry are used to detect the regulation of miR-383 in sheep GCs. The results show that miR-383 inhibits the proliferation and promotes GC apoptosis, and the mechanism of miR-383 affecting apoptosis is to target Bcl-2.
Marija Vogrin Bračič, Maja Prevolnik Povše, Janko Skok, and Dejan Škorjanc
Arch. Anim. Breed., 68, 211–222, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-68-211-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-68-211-2025, 2025
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In the practical application of gonadotropins, it is important to consider the age of the gilts at first conception and to adjust the timing of administration to the body condition of the sows at weaning. This is done in order to achieve excellent breeding results.
Muhammed Furkan Çiftçi, Ömer Faruk Yeşilkaya, Sakine Ülküm Çizmeci, Maide Gölbaşı, Ayşe Sarı, and Dursun Ali Dinç
Arch. Anim. Breed., 68, 101–107, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-68-101-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-68-101-2025, 2025
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In this study, short synchronization methods that do not contain estradiol before superstimulation in ovum pickup (OPU) applications were investigated. The gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and dominant follicle removal (DFR) were used for follicular wave emergence. It was determined that DFR and hCG for follicular wave emergence increased oocyte yield and in vitro embryo production success in pre-superstimulation synchronization protocols.
Shah Murad Khan, Rifat Ullah Khan, Shabana Naz, Ibrahim Abdullah Alhidary, Naseer Khan Momand, and Ruchi Tiwari
Arch. Anim. Breed., 68, 89–100, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-68-89-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-68-89-2025, 2025
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Among 180 cows studied postpartum, F2 cows had the highest milk yield (183.9 L per week) and the highest serum glucose. F1 cows showed the best reproductive performance. Holstein-Friesian (HF) cows had the highest somatic cell count, indicating higher mastitis risk. Crossbreeding with Sahiwal improved milk production and reproductive health.
Amrozi, Sari Yanti Hayanti, Aryogi, Dicky Pamungkas, Dicky Mohammad Dikman, Eko Handiwirawan, Fitra Aji Pamungkas, Herdis, Jakaria, and Mokhamad Fakhrul Ulum
Arch. Anim. Breed., 68, 1–12, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-68-1-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-68-1-2025, 2025
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The cow's perineal muscle is connected to the rectum, vulva, and vagina. The author hypothesizes that changes in reproductive status affect perineal muscle tension, which will affect the anatomy of the coccygeus and levator ani muscles. The sonograms we obtained showed a significant increase in the coccygeus and levator ani muscles of pyometra cows compared to endometritis, nonpartum pregnant, pregnant, and postpartum pregnant cows.
Ming Du, Yuanyi Liu, Lei Zhang, Xinyu Li, Na Wang, Qianqian He, Jialong Cao, Bilig Zhao, Yujie Shi, Bei Li, Gerelchimeg Bou, and Manglai Dugarjaviin
Arch. Anim. Breed., 68, 27–41, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-68-27-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-68-27-2025, 2025
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Cryopreservation of semen faces challenges due to oxidative stress. Researchers found that adding resveratrol (RSV) at 10-40 μmol L-1 to Mongolian horse semen improved sperm quality, with best results at 40 μmol L-1. Proteomic analysis showed increased antioxidant proteins. Further tests confirmed RSV's potential as an effective antioxidant for enhancing semen cryopreservation, offering promise for overcoming these challenges.
Weibin Zeng, Lei An, Yanping Wang, Xinli Gu, Yusheng Qin, and Jianhui Tian
Arch. Anim. Breed., 67, 533–539, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-67-533-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-67-533-2024, 2024
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Cattle are monovular and naturally single-birth animals, producing only one calf per year. In this work, we evaluated the effect of inducing twin calves in beef heifers using different hormone treatment regimes. Animals were randomly selected for the procedure that induced double/triple ovulation via hormone treatment. This method may serve to promote twin production in beef cattle.
Jiaoxia Xu, Jian Zhang, Yukun Song, Gaowa Hasi, Zhaojin Luan, Wei Du, and Jiaxin Zhang
Arch. Anim. Breed., 67, 393–399, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-67-393-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-67-393-2024, 2024
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Peroxiredoxin-6 (PRDX6) is expressed in the epididymal tissue, epididymal fluid, and epididymal sperm of sheep. As the sperm mature and transit through the epididymis, the intracellular distribution of PRDX6 gradually becomes more extensive. This suggests that PRDX6 has an important role in promoting sperm maturation.
Kaibin Fu, Xiang Chen, Xingzhou Tian, Wen Tang, Ting Gong, Yan Zhang, and Taotao Ji
Arch. Anim. Breed., 67, 361–372, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-67-361-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-67-361-2024, 2024
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We used endometrial stromal cells of Qianbei Ma goats as our study subjects and found that N-acetylcysteine could promote the proliferation of endometrial stromal cells and increase the viability, antioxidant activity, mitochondrial membrane potential and expression of endometrial receptivity marker genes of endometrial stromal cells, which suggests that N-acetylcysteine may be beneficial in improving endometrial receptivity of goats.
Zizhen Ren, Xiaoyun He, Xiangyu Wang, and Mingxing Chu
Arch. Anim. Breed., 67, 153–161, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-67-153-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-67-153-2024, 2024
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The g.405442728A>G locus of HRG exhibited moderate polymorphism (0.25<PIC<0.5) in these breeds, indicating this locus has great selection potential. It is accurate to say HRG can be used as a molecular marker to increase litter size in Small-tailed Han sheep (STH). The g.405442728A>G locus of HRG and the g.421655951C>T locus of FETUB had a significant effect on litter size in STH (P<0.05). We can use HRG and FETUB as candidate genes for the selection of litter size in sheep breeding.
Sharif Khozein, Mohsen Eslami, and Farhad Farrokhi-Ardabili
Arch. Anim. Breed., 67, 123–132, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-67-123-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-67-123-2024, 2024
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The current study was designed to evaluate the probable protective effect of luteolin against lipid peroxidation of ram spermatozoa membranes and kinematics during cold preservation. Results indicated that luteolin was able to improve the kinematics of spermatozoa during liquid storage. Enzymatic and total antioxidants were improved by luteolin enrichment. Luteolin did not affect the nitrosative index of stored ram spermatozoa after 72 h.
Bahaa Farrag, Khalid Ahmed El-Bahrawy, Hesham Attia Shedeed, and Muhammed Ahmed-Hilmy El-Rayes
Arch. Anim. Breed., 67, 111–122, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-67-111-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-67-111-2024, 2024
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Our study suggests that dietary supplementation in Barki ewes prior to mating is effective in maintaining reproductive performance. This improvement is evident through increased levels of hormonal profiles, numbers and sizes of ovarian follicles, improved conception, and lambing rates. In fact, the effects of protected fats are most pronounced when combined with hormonal treatments.
Lingchao Kong, Shuaitong Li, Yuan Pan, Jiaqi Li, Siyi Li, Yining Liu, Sibing Hou, Qingkun Liu, Yanjun Qiao, Yinggang Sun, and Zeying Wang
Arch. Anim. Breed., 67, 81–95, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-67-81-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-67-81-2024, 2024
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In this study, we investigated the effect of the sheep FecB gene on reproductive and productive performance by molecular biology techniques. Our results showed that the most dominant genotypes associated with lambing performance were AA and CT, with the dominant haplotype combination being AACT. In terms of body performance, the dominant genotypes were AA and CC, with the dominant haplotype combination being AACC.
Mohammed A. Kamal, Mahmoud A. Khalf, Zakia A. M. Ahmed, Jakeen A. Eljakee, Rashed A. Alhotan, Mohammed A. A. Al-Badwi, Elsayed O. Hussein, Branislav Galik, and Ahmed A. Saleh
Arch. Anim. Breed., 67, 25–35, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-67-25-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-67-25-2024, 2024
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Poor-quality drinking water plays a detrimental role in the suppression of calf immunity, giving rise to an increased rate of calf mortality. The present study aims to evaluate the causes of calf mortality in beef and dairy farms in relation to drinking water quality (DWQ). We could conclude that DWQ highly affects causes of calf mortality, but we cannot exclude some farm hygienic risk factors.
Shogo Hashimoto, Masayasu Taniguchi, Ayane Edo, Tetsushi Ono, Tetty Barunawati Siagian, Hiroaki Sekine, Megumi Nagahara, Takeshige Otoi, and Mitsuhiro Takagi
Arch. Anim. Breed., 66, 433–437, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-66-433-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-66-433-2023, 2023
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This study aimed to investigate the relationship between oxidation and antioxidation parameters before superovulation (SOV) treatment and embryo recovery in donor cows. The redox status of donor cows before SOV treatment affects embryo recovery, as cows with high levels of both oxidative and antioxidative status have better embryo production. This information will be useful for the selection of donor cows and subsequent treatments.
Makpal Amandykova, Zarina Orazymbetova, Tilek Kapassuly, Altynay Kozhakhmet, Saltanat Khamzina, Kairat Iskakov, and Kairat Dossybayev
Arch. Anim. Breed., 66, 401–409, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-66-401-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-66-401-2023, 2023
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Sheep breeding is one of the leading livestock sectors in agricultural countries, including Kazakhstan. A comprehensive study of the genetic aspects of these animals will solve many issues of the effectiveness of sheep breeding. This is important for such little-studied breeds as the Kazakh meat–wool sheep breed, which are multifetal. In this study, for the first time, we characterized this breed by looking at fecundity genes and found mutations that positively affect sheep fertility.
Samet Urun and Emre Şirin
Arch. Anim. Breed., 66, 335–340, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-66-335-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-66-335-2023, 2023
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The aim of this work was to determine the effect of the pre-mating weight (PMW) and placental characteristics on the birth weight (BW). Although prior studies have determined a relationship between BW and placental characteristics, no existing work has determined a relationship between the PMW and BW. This is also the first study in which placental surface area is used as a factor for determining the relationship between placental characteristics and BW.
Zhiyuan Sui, Yongjie Zhang, Zhishuai Zhang, Chenguang Wang, Xiaojun Li, and Feng Xing
Arch. Anim. Breed., 66, 217–224, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-66-217-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-66-217-2023, 2023
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There are few studies investigating the RNA-binding protein Lin28B and ovine puberty. This study focuses on understanding how its overexpression changes microRNA levels, cell proliferation, and estrogen secretion. To assess these changes, we used quantitative real-time (qRT) PCR, overexpression vectors, and ELISA. We found that Lin28B overexpression decreases let-7b and let-7g levels and increases granulosa cell proliferation and their estrogen secretion.
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Short summary
The mating behaviour of honeybees was studied on the small beekeeping-free island in Lake Neusiedl, Austria. Of 17 virgin queens brought to the island, 11 were available for examination of their offspring. Except for two queens, all the island-mated queen bees had both cordovan and wild-type offspring, indicating they flew to the mainland for mating. The results suggest that this island is not suitable for establishing a mating station for honeybee breeding programmes.
The mating behaviour of honeybees was studied on the small beekeeping-free island in Lake...
