Accepted articles-next issues

The aim of the study was to develop a PCR-RFLP diagnostic test to detect causal mutation for Bovine Lymphocyte Intestinal Retention Deficiency (BLIRD). A total of 217 bulls were tested, including 112 bulls being sons of a known BLIRD-carrier sire and 105 bulls used in insemination from 2020 - 2024 with no indication of BLIRD in their pedigree data. Genomic DNA was isolated from the commercial semen straw. The developed method for identifying the causative BLIRD mutation involved PCR amplification of a 412 base pair fragment of the ITGB7 gene and its digestion with the restriction enzyme Ssi I, which allowed for the clear and cost-effective genotyping of BLIRD. In the first group of 112 bulls, 60 BLIRD carriers and 2 BLIRD-affected bulls were identified. They were sons of internationally known top sires, Manfred (US2183007), Convincer (US2249055) and Justice (US22358313). In the second group of 105 bulls, 7 BLIRD carriers were found, giving a frequency of 6.67% among bulls born within the last five years. Further research should be conducted on a larger number of bulls, particularly those for which there is a risk of carrier status based on the bull’s pedigree.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between acyclia and subclinical endometritis (SE) and their combined effect on fertility performance in dairy cows. The study was performed on 449 Holstein Friesian cows. The cows were examined in the 4th week postpartum by ultrasound and endometrial samples were collected by cytobrush. Acyclia was defined as the absence of the corpus luteum and follicles > 5 mm on the ovaries. The threshold for SE was set at ≥ 5% of polymorphonuclear neutrophils in endometrial cytology. Intervals calving to estrus and calving to conception, first AI pregnancy rate, pregnancy rate 200 days postpartum, pregnancy loss and culling rate were calculated. Acyclia was found in 144 (32.1%) of 449 examined cows. The incidence of SE in acyclic cows was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than in cyclic cows (52.8% vs 36.7%). The intervals calving to estrus and calving to conception were significantly (p < 0.05) longer in acyclic cows with SE than in cyclic cows with SE (99.1 ± 28.9 days vs 77.4 ± 24.3 days and 160.2 ± 60.9 days vs 131.6 ± 46.6 days, respectively). The first AI conception rate was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in acyclic cows with SE than in cyclic cows with SE (17.1% vs 34.8%). The pregnancy loss was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in acyclic cows with SE than in cyclic cows with SE (11.8% vs 5.3%). In conclusion, the study showed that acyclia and SE were associated and had additive negative effect on reproductive performance in dairy cows.

Microelement deficiencies are a current problem in horse breeding, causing infertility and fetal development disorders. The aim of the study was to control the concentration of zinc, copper and selenium in the blood serum of pregnant herd mares. The study included 154 mares in the second half of pregnancy, kept in five regions of south-eastern Poland: Łęczyńsko-Włodawska Plain, Chełmskie Hills, Łukowska Plain, Beskid Niski and Działy Grabowieckie. The concentration of zinc, copper and selenium in the obtained blood serum was determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The serum zinc concentration in all studied mares did not exceed 10.7 µmol/l, while the adopted reference range is 14.9 - 29.2 µmol/l. The lowest concentration of copper and selenium was found in mares from Beskid Niski. In all the studied regions, herd mares had zinc deficiency, and in Beskid Niski additionally copper and selenium deficiency. Despite the identified deficiencies, all the studied mares gave birth on time and registered newborn foals. Since no clinical symptoms of deficiencies of the tested trace elements were observed, it can be assumed that if occurred, they were subclinical.

Semen extenders are pivotal in maintaining the integrity and quality of avian sperm throughout the storage period. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of three commonly used extenders, Lake (LAKE), Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender (BPSE), and EK extender, in the storage of Aseel rooster semen at 5 ºC for 48 hours. The control group was constituted using Lactated Ringer's solution. Spermatological analyses were conducted at 0, 24, and 48 hours to evaluate the time-dependent effects of these extenders on sperm motility, viability, morphological changes, mitochondrial function, membrane functionality, and both acrosome and plasma membrane integrity in sperm cells. The results indicated that the BPSE and EK groups exhibited higher total and progressive motility rates compared to the control and LAKE groups at 24 and 48 hours. Additionally, morphological damage rates were lower in the EK and BPSE groups than in the LAKE group at these time points. Mitochondrial activity was higher in the EK group than in the LAKE group at 24 hours. Acrosome integrity and plasma membrane integrity rates declined over time; however, they remained similar among all groups at corresponding time points. In conclusion, BPSE and EK extenders, characterized by higher fructose content and greater osmolality, were found to be more effective in preserving the sperm quality of Aseel rooster semen during cold storage compared to the LAKE extender.