Competences

Use of gender-selected semen, regulating the oestrous cycle, pathologies of sex organs in cattle
Diagnostic aid for reproductive problems in dairy cows and application of different methods to improve fecundity
Application of transgenic cloning methods for the production of biopharmaceuticals in milk

Research methods are applied at the institute Laboratory of Genetics to genetically identify various genetic markers (blood types, DNA markers) which enable the researches to verify the authenticity of lineage/parentage. The latter is necessary in the case of purchase or sale of pure-bred animals and semen, as it is important to substantiate that multiple births are identical, and to verify sire evaluation results on the basis of offspring.
Identification and detection of genetic defects by means of DNA analysis enables breeders to prevent production of recessive homozygous animals when selecting mating pairs.
Elimination of rams carrying Prp genotypes with a high risk of scrapie, aimed at increasing the scrapie resistance of the entire herd.
Selection of animals on the basis of hereditary types of milk proteins, aimed at improving technological properties of milk.

Udder health problems
Podiatric diseases in cattle
Laboratory diagnostics of metabolic disorders
Assessment of reproductive disorders in cattle; birthing assistance; analysis for determining reproductive status of a herd
Diagnostics and treatment of dermatological diseases
Determination of the metabolic status of animals via biochemical blood analysis

Factors affecting the chemical composition, absorption and quality of animal feedstuffs
Effect of different feeding and rearing strategies on bovine health
Effect of different feeding and rearing strategies on milk quality
Factors affecting the chemical composition and rennet coagulation of milk
Development of healthy milk and meat products
Ration formulation

Health risks to dairy cows in different rearing systems
Monitoring the welfare of individual members of a dairy herd
Assessment of animal behaviour and well-being in relation to specific rearing environments
Pollutant emissions in animal farming; production of biogas
Microbial resistance to antibiotics
Acute phase proteins in livestock and their use as infection markers
Molecular composition of skeletal muscles in animals

Prevention and control of viral diseases in cattle (rhinotracheitis, viral diarrhoea, respiratory-syncytial virus etc.)
Epidemiology and control of porcine circovirosis and mycoplasmosis in swine
Bacteriological testing of milk, urine, skin, blood and pathological material; determination of antibiograms
Aetiology of mycobacteriosis and molecular epidemiology; laboratory diagnostics of tuberculosis and paratuberculosis in cattle and poultry
Optimization of parasite control strategies on pig farms
Control of parasites in cattle
Laboratory diagnostics and control of eimeriosis, cryptosporidiosis and neosporosis