For the purpose of preventing the damage caused by wild boars on the field crops in the hunting district of HS Záboří, influence of the agricultural technology and other precautions on the amount of the damage is being investigated. The development of the damage on the field crops has been influenced by the size of the population of the wild boars and by the inconsistent agricultural technology in this area.

<p> Substantial economic losses occur in the swine industry during periods of high ambient temperatures. Heat stress produces physiological changes such as increased body temperature and respiration rate resulting in production losses from decreased reproductive performance, growth rate and feed intake. Heat stress in growing gilts delays puberty and decreases ovarian follicle numbers. In boars heat stress decreases semen quality. Electronically-controlled floor cooling pads were designed and constructed to assist pigs with thermoregulation by removing excess heat from pigs in a production facility. Based on this study, experiments were conducted to further investigate the effects of electronically-controlled cooling pads on physiological and reproductive performances in gilts and boars. A study was conducted on limit-fed gilts at 32°C and 35°C during short-term heat stress. Gilts exposed to short term heat stress at 32°C and 35°C had increased respiration rate, vaginal temperature and skin temperature. Gilts on electronically-controlled cooling pads exposed to short term heat stress at 35°C were able to minimize negative impacts of HS such as reduced respiration rate and vaginal temperature. A study was conducted with 24 boars which were exposed to cyclical heat stress for a duration of 3 days at 32°C and 35°C. Boars exposed to cyclical heat stress for 3 consecutive days at 32°C or 35°C which increased respiration rate and body temperature followed by a decrease in semen quality over several weeks. Boars cooled with electronically-controlled floor cooling pads had reduced physiological effects of heat stress as well as consistent semen quality post HS. The use of electronically controlled floor cooling pads have implications towards minimizing or removing the negative impacts of heat stress in gilts and boars. </p>

The effect of restricting energy intake (ad libitim vs. 75% ad libitum) elevation of vitamin and mineral levels (150% NRC vs 100% NRC) and the effects of aging on bone growth, histological lesioning and biochemical composition of articular cartilage from growing boars was examined. Growth of the radius and tibia was characterized by radiography at eight equal time points from 110 to 330 d of age. Although ad libitum-fed boars had larger bones in most cases, calculation of weight corrected differences suggested that restriction of energy resulted in lover weight gain but that reduced energy intake slightly increased the rate of bone growth of the restrict-fed boars. Although elevation of vitamin and mineral levels resulted in a few scattered differences in bone size, no consistent trends were evident. Neither restriction of energy intake nor elevation of vitamins and minerals had any consistent effect on the reduction of histological lesion severity. Age, expressed as days on test, produced no definite trends toward increasing or decreasing frequency of histological lesions. The frequency and severity of gross lesions were unaffected by altered energy or vitamin-mineral levels, however, a sevenfold age-related increase in frequency of gross lesions was observed over time. Uronic acid content of the articular cartilage from the femur was greater for the restrict-fed boars, however, uronic acid content of cartilage from the humerus and radius tended to be greater for the ad libitum fed boars. Elevation of vitamins and minerals had no effect on uronic acid content of articular cartilage from the femur, humerus or radius. Uronic acid content of articular cartilage decreased consistently with age throughout the trial period. Galactose and hydroxyproline levels in cartilage samples from the femur, humerus and radius were generally unaffected by the imposed dietary treatments. Galactose levels were unaffected by age. Hydroxyproline content of cartilage from the radius and humerus increased with age, whereas, cartilage from the femur remained unchanged throughout the experimental period. No changes in percentage fat-free dry weight of articular cartilage samples from the femur, humerus, or radius due to treatment or age were evident. Articular cartilage from the radius had a higher percentage of fat-free dry weight than either the humerus or femur. Articular cartilage from the radius also contained less uronic acid than the femur or humerus. Galactose content of the radius was less than that of the humerus, however, galactose levels of the femur and radius did not differ. Hydroxyproline levels were similar among all areas sampled. In summary, skeletal growth rate was slightly greater for restrict-fed boars after weight correction, however, elevation of vitamins and minerals had no overall impact on any parameters measured. Age had a more pronounced, though inconsistent influence on lesion frequency, severity, and biochemical composition of the articular cartilage than the imposed dietary treatments. / Master of Science

The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative parameters of boar semen for insemination center Radouňka. There were 74 breeding boars of Czech Large White, Czech Landrace and line L48 monitored at the station. Basic quantitative and qualitative parameters of semen were monitored (volume in ml, sperm concentration in 1mm3. motility in % and the percentage of pathological sperms) which were assessed according to breed, age of boar, influence of season and sperm production. The individual parameters of breeding boar?s semen were monitored from January 2009 to December 2011.

Orientador: Marcio Garcia Ribeiro / Banca: José Paes de Almeida Nogueira Pinto / Banca: Rogerio Giuffrida / Resumo: A rodococose suína compreende doença infecciosa caracterizada por linfadenites piogranulomatosas. Diferentes fatores de virulência são reconhecidos na patogenicidade de Rhodococcus equi. A estrutura da parede celular bacteriana, a viabilidade no interior de fagócitos e na ausência de ferro, a produção de citotoxinas, a resistência aos antimicrobianos convencionais e, recentemente, a presença de proteínas associadas à virulência (Vap) reguladas por plasmídios, são considerados os principais mecanismos de virulência do microrganismo. Diferentes fatores de virulência foram avaliados em 23 (6,1%) linhagens de R. equi isoladas de 378 linfonodos submandibulares e mesentéricos de suínos e javalis (Sus scrofa). Foram realizados exames microbiológicos em 129 linfonodos apresentando lesões (linfadenite) e 129 sem lesões (controle) de suínos, e 60 linfonodos com lesões e 60 sem lesões de javalis. Dentre as 23 linhagens de R. equi, 19 (7,4%) foram isoladas de suínos, das quais 17 obtidas de linfonodos com lesões e duas sem lesões. Das 19 linhagens de suínos, 18 (94,7%) foram obtidos de linfonodos submandibulares e um (5,3%) de mesentérico. As quatro (3.3%) linhagens de R. equi isoladas de javalis foram obtidas exclusivamente de linfonodos com lesões. Destes, três foram obtidos de linfonodos submandibulares e um de mesentérico. Dentre nove antimicrobianos testados, azitromicina (100,0%), gentamicina (100,0%), levofloxacina (100,0%), vancomicina (100,0%), amoxicillina/ácido clavulânico (94,7%), eritromicina (94,7%) e rifampicina (94,7%) foram os fármacos mais efetivos. Baixa ocorrência de resistência aos antimicrobianos nos isolados de suínos foi observada contra os fármacos testados. A concentração inibitória mínima (MIC90) da azitromicina, eritromicina e rifampicina foi observada, respectivamente, em ≤2 µg/mL, ≤0,5 µg/mL and ≤1 µg/mL... (resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The rhodococcosis in swine comprise an infectious disease characterized by pyogranulomatous lymphadenitis. Different virulence factors are recognized in pathogenicity of the Rhodococcus equi. The structure of bacterial cell wall, the viability inside of phagocytes and in absence of iron, the production of cytotoxins, the resistance to conventional antimicrobials and recently, the presence of proteins associated to virulence (Vap) regulated by plasmids, are considered the most important virulence mechanisms of microorganism. Different virulence factors were evaluated in 23 (6.1%) R. equi strains isolated from 378 submandibular and mesenteric lymph nodes of swine and wild boars (Sus scrofa). Microbiological exams were performed in 129 lymph nodes presenting lesions (lymphadenitis) and 129 without lesions (controls) from swine, and 60 lymph nodes with lesions and 60 without lesions from wild boars. Among 23 R. equi strains, 19 (7.4%) were isolated from swine and, from these, 17 were obtained from lymph nodes with lesions and two without lesions. From 19 strains isolated from swine, 18 (94.7%) were obtained of submandibular lymph nodes and one (5.3%) from mesenteric. The four (3.3%) R. equi strains isolated from wild boars were obtained exclusively of lymph nodes presenting lesions. From these, three were obtained from submandibular lymph nodes and one of mesenteric. Among nine antimicrobials tested, azithromycin (100.0%), gentamicin (100.0%), levofloxacin (100.0%), vancomycin (100.0%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (94.7%), erythromycin (94.7%) and rifampin (94.7%) were the most-effective drugs. Low rates of resistance to antimicrobials in swine isolates were observed against drugs tested. The inhibitory minimal concentration of 90% of isolates (MIC90) with use of azithromycin, erythromycin and rifampin were observed respectively in 2 μg/mL, 0.5 μg/mL and 1 μg /mL... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Šiuo tyrimo tikslas buvo ištirti laukinių ir naminių kiaulių halotano geną. Tyrimo metodika. Tyrimas atliktas 2012-2013 m. LSMU Biologinių sistemų ir genetinių tyrimų institute K. Janušausko gyvūnų genetikos laboratorijoje. Viso, HAL geno atžvilgiu, ištirta 137 kiaulė (45 šernai, 5 Vietnamietiškos kiaulės, 12 Pekariai, 25 Landrasai, 25 Jorkšyrai ir 25 Pjetrėnai). Kiaulių šeriai buvo naudojami kaip genetinės medžiagos šaltinis. Halotano geno nustatymui buvo atliekama polomerazės grandininės reakcija (PGR). HAL geno įtakai mėsinėms ir penėjimosi savybėms įvertinti buvo atrinkti mišrūnai LxJxP (45) auginti Valstybinėje kiaulių veislininkystės stotyje. Penėjimosi ir mėsinių savybių duomenys gauti iš Valstybinės kiaulių kontrolinio penėjimo stoties Kauno skyriaus. Rezultatai ir išvados. Iš 75 tirtų naminių kiaulių 88 proc. buvo NN ir 12 proc. Nn genotipo. Visos (62) laukinė kiaulės buvo NN genotipo. Aukščiausias n alelio dažnis nustatytas pas Pjetrėnų (p<0,01) veislės kiaules lyginant su Landrasais ir Joršyrais. Tuo tarpų N alelio didžiausias dažnis rastas pas Jorkšyrų veislės kiaules. Kadangi visos tirtos laukinės kiaulės neturėjo streso geno (n) alelio galima daryti prielaidą, jog jos yra atsparesnės stresui. Mūsų tyrimų duomenimis HAL geno homozigotinių ir heterozigotinių kiaulių mėsinių ir penėjimosi savybių rodikliai skiriasi. Šiltos skerdėnos masė, skerdenos puselės ilgis ir bekono puselės ilgis buvo didesni pas NN genotipo namines kiaules. Pas heterozygotinius individus... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The aim of present study was to research halothane gene in wild and domestic pigs. Research methodology. Research was performed during 2012 – 2013 year in LSMU Biological Systems and Genetic Research Institute of K. Janusauskas Animals Genetic Laboratory. Samples for DNA testing were collected from wild and domestic pigs. Fattening and meat quality data were obtained from the State of Pigs Control fattening Station of Kaunas Department. A total of 137 pigs (45 wild boars, 5 Vietnamese pigs, 12 Pecari, 25 Landrace, 25 Yorkshire and 25 Pietrian) were tested for halothane genotype. For the effect of HAL gene on meat and fattening properties, 45 crossbreeds (LxJxP) from State Pigs Breeding Station were selected. Plucked hair was used as a source of genomic DNA. All tested animals were characterized as normal homozygotes (NN), heterozygotes (Nn) or recessive homozygotes following amplification of a target region of the HAL gene using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by a restriction endonuclease assay. The resulting PCR was digested with the restriction enzyme Alw21I, followed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Results and conclusions. In 75 tested domestic pigs, 88 % were NN and 12 % were Nn genotype. In 62 tested wild pigs all animals were NN genotipe. The frequency of n allele was higher (p<0.01) in Petrian pigs (0.25 for n) than in Landrase (0.1 for n) and Yorkshire (0.05 for n). The frequency of N allele was higher in Yorkshire than in the rest of the tested... [to full text]

L'ús d'esperma criopreservada en la inseminació artificial (IA) d'espècies d'interès productiu permet un major control sanitari i la creació de bancs de germoplasma d'alt valor genètic, entre d'altres avantatges. En el mercat porcí la major part de les inseminacions són encara realitzades amb semen refrigerat degut a l'èxit de l'aplicació de diluents de llarga durada i també a causa de la sensibilitat de l'esperma porcina a la criopreservació. Malgrat que aquesta sensibilitat ve donada per característiques particulars de la fisiologia espermàtica en l'espècie, algunes ejaculacions mantenen els paràmetres de qualitat espermàtica després de la criopreservació (ejaculacions amb bona "congelabilitat", GFEs) enfront d'altres que no sobreviuen al procés (ejaculacions amb mala "congelabilitat", PFEs). El primer objectiu de l'estudi va ser comparar ambdós grups en termes de fertilitat in vivo. El segon objectiu va ser testar l'eficiència de la inseminació postcervical (post-CAI) amb l'esperma criopreservada. El tercer objectiu va ser buscar predictors de la congelabilitat de les ejaculacions, tant en les GFEs com en les PFEs i en tres passos del procés de criopreservació (a 17ºC, a 5ºC i a 240 min postdescongelació). Aquest objectiu es va dur a terme mitjançant l'avaluació de paràmetres convencionals de qualitat espermàtica i a través de l'estudi de la localització i la reactivitat sota el microscopi de tres proteïnes (GLUT3, HSP90AA1 i Cu/ZnSOD) relacionades amb la fisiologia espermàtica i amb possibles rols en la congelabilitat. El quart objectiu va ser quantificar l'expressió de les tres proteïnes per transferència western, tant en espermatozoides d'ejaculacions GFEs com en els d'ejaculacions PFEs i en els tres passos abans esmentats, per tal de determinar el seu potencial com a predictores de la congelabilitat. Pel primer i el segon objectiu, 86 truges van ser inseminades per post-CAI amb 26 ejaculacions de mascles Piétrain dividides en una porció refrigerada a 17ºC (tractament control) i una porció criopreservada, ambdues porcions classificades alhora com a GFEs o PFEs. Els resultats més rellevants van demostrar que les probabilitats d'embaràs eren dues vegades menors en inseminacions amb esperma criopreservada d'ejaculacions PFEs (P < 0.05) que en inseminacions amb esperma criopreservada d'ejaculacions GFEs, fet que indica que les ejaculacions amb percentatges elevats d'espermatozoides mòbils progressius i d'integritat de membrana (per sobre del 40% en les GFEs) són més favorables a provocar embarassos que no pas aquelles ejaculacions amb una pobra funció espermàtica in vitro (PFEs). Ni el nombre de truges que van donar a llum, ni la quantitat de garrins, ni el risc de reflux espermàtic van ser significativament diferents entre les inseminacions amb esperma criopreservada d'ejaculacions GFEs i les inseminacions control amb semen refrigerat, la qual cosa demostra la bona aplicabilitat de la inseminació post-CAI amb l'esperma criopreservada. Finalment, pel tercer i quart objectius van ser criopreservades 29 i 11 ejaculacions de mascles Piétrain, respectivament. Dos paràmetres cinètics espermàtics, la linealitat (LIN) i la rectitud (STR), van mostrar una hiperactivació de la mobilitat superior en les ejaculacions PFEs que en les GFEs després de 30 min a 5ºC durant la criopreservació. A més, la combinació d'ambdós paràmetres va donar una fiabilitat propera al 72% en la predicció de la congelabilitat de les ejaculacions porcines. Tot i que no va ser possible predir la congelabilitat mitjançant l'avaluació de les tres proteïnes al microscopi, els resultats de transferència western van revelar diferències en l'expressió de la HSP90AA1 en l'esperma a 17ºC, molt possiblement relacionades amb la millor supervivència a la criopreservació dels espermatozoides d'ejaculacions GFEs. Aquests resultats suggereixen que la promoció de la criopreservació d'esperma porcina per la seva aplicació en IA passa pel desenvolupament de tests per la predicció de la congelabilitat en semen refrigerat. / The use of frozen-thawed (FT) sperm in artificial insemination (AI) of species with productive interest allows higher sanitary control and the creation of high genetic value sperm banks, among other advantages. In the swine market, most inseminations are still performed with refrigerated semen (FS) because of the successful application of long-term extenders and the sensitivity of boar sperm to cryopreservation. Although this sensitivity is provided by particular features of the sperm physiology in boars, some boar ejaculates maintain the sperm quality parameters after freezing (good freezability ejaculates, GFEs) in front of others that do not survive the process (poor freezability ejaculates, PFEs). The first objective of the study was to compare both groups in terms of field fertility. The second objective was to test the efficiency of the post-cervical AI (post-CAI) with FT sperm. The third objective was to search for predictors of the ejaculate freezability by assessing, both in GFEs and in PFEs and in three steps during the cryopreservation procedure (17ºC, 5ºC and 240 min post-thaw), conventional sperm quality parameters and the location and reactivity, under the microscope, of three proteins related to the sperm physiology with potential roles in freezability (GLUT3, HSP90AA1 and Cu/ZnSOD). The fourth objective was to quantify, through western blotting, the expression of the three proteins, both in GFEs and in PFEs and in the three steps mentioned, to determine their potential as freezability predictors. For the first and second objectives, 86 sows were inseminated by post-CAI with 26 ejaculates from Piétrain boars divided into a 17ºC FS portion (control treatment) and a cryopreserved (FT) sperm portion, the two portions in turn classified into GFEs and PFEs. The most relevant outcomes were that the probabilities of pregnancy resulted two times lower after inseminations with FT-PFEs (P < 0.05) compared to FT-GFEs, which indicates that ejaculates with high post-thaw sperm progressive motility and membrane integrity (over 40% in GFEs) are more likely to result in pregnancies than those with poor in vitro sperm function (PFEs). Neither the number of farrowing sows and the litter size nor the risk of sperm backflow was significantly different in FT-GFEs from that achieved in FS control treatments, which showed the good applicability of post-CAI to boar FT sperm. For the third and fourth objectives, 29 and 11 Piétrain boar ejaculates, respectively, were cryopreserved. Two kinematic indices, the sperm linearity (LIN) and the sperm straightness (STR), revealed higher hyperactivated motility in PFEs than in GFEs when assessed after 30 min at 5ºC during cryopreservation, the combination of the two motility parameters showing around 72% confidence in the freezability prediction of ejaculates. Whereas it was not possible to predict the freezability of the boar ejaculates by assessing the three proteins under microscope, results from western blot showed differences in the HSP90AA1 expression in sperm at 17ºC that are most possibly related to the best cryosurvival of GFEs. This finding aims to promote the cryopreservation of boar sperm intended for use in AI through the development of tests for freezability prediction in FS.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2007. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2007. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, 2005. / Härtill 3 uppsatser.