Health state of animals undergoing experimental procedures is an important topic nowadays, as even the small changes can influence the outcome of entire outcomes. Main aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of horse training on variety of blood parameters including mineral profile, energy profile, hepatic profile and haematology. In the experiment, the studied group of horses underwent training programme which consisted of transportation, lounging, riding, jumping, racing, treadmill training and shoeing. Blood samples were collected and later evaluated at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of 1-year lasting process. Our results show multiple significant changes in blood parameters, including changes to multiple minerals, such as Ca, K, Na as well as significant changes of total proteins, urea and certain hepatic profile parameters. Haematology results have also been affected in individual sample collections. Based on results of our study we can state that there have been changes to the internal milieu of the horse but also that there have not been any visible changes of the health status of the animals over the duration of the experiment.

Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, the scientific journal of the Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic

This study was aimed to determine the impact of different taurine and caffeine combinations on the motility, viability, and oxidative markers of chilled stallion spermatozoa. Each stallion semen sample was diluted in a ratio of 1:2, with various taurine and caffeine concentrations (2.5–7.5 mg/mL taurine + 0.625–1.25 mg/mL caffeine) dissolved in a conventional extender. The control samples (CON) were prepared by diluting ejaculate only using the conventional extender. The motility was analyzed using a CASA system at different time intervals (0, 6, 12, 24, and 30 h) and the viability was evaluated using a mitochondrial toxicity test (MTT) performed at the end of the incubation at 5 °C. The liquid part of experimental samples was separated by centrifugation after 30 h of incubation and underwent the evaluation of oxidative stress via the quantification of markers ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and total oxidant status (TOS). The samples that were treated with a combination of taurine and caffeine significantly improved the motility parameters, mainly after 12, 24, and 30 h of incubation. Samples extended with combination of taurine and caffeine neither compromise viability nor alterations of redox status. The results of this study describe the combination of taurine and caffeine as an optimal supplement for improving the quality of stallion semen during chilled storage.

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.

Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, the scientific journal of the Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic

Bee drone brood is a beehive by-product with high hormonal activity used in natural medicine to treat male infertility. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of drone brood on stallion spermatozoa during a short-term incubation for its potential use in the equine semen extenders. Three different forms of fixed drone brood (frozen (FR), freeze-dried (FD), and dried extract (DE)) were used. Solutions of drone brood were compared in terms of testosterone, protein, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity. The stallion semen was diluted with prepared drone brood solutions. The computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) method was employed to evaluate the movement characteristics of the diluted ejaculate. To determine spermatozoa viability, the mitochondrial toxicity test (MTT) and Alamar Blue test were performed. In terms of testosterone content and antioxidant activity, a close likeness between FR and FD was found whereas DE’s composition differed notably. FR had a positive effect mainly on progressive motility, but also on sperm distance and speed parameters after 2 and 3 h of incubation. On the contrary, FD and DE acted negatively, depending on increasing dose and time. For the first time, a positive dose-dependent effect of fixed drone brood on spermatozoa survival in vitro was demonstrated. Graphical Abstract